Well knowing what pleasure it will give you to releive me from embarrassment of any kind, I, without hesitation, take the liberty to ask your advice about some business I am perplexed with, and am inadequate to determine upon satisfactorily to myself— in consequence of the death of Mrs Lee (the Widow of Richard Henry Lee decd) it is necessary that her dower negroes should be divided directly agreeable to the Will of the said Richd H. Lee, and I am doubtful whether this division should be made by the administrator of Mrs Lee, or the Executors of Richard H. Lee.

     also I wish your advice on the following question viz. you will observe from the enclosed Will of Richard H. Lee, that, after making several specific bequests, he devises all his other property real & personal to be equally divided between his five daughters by name, and makes them his residuary Legatees‑ after his death, his daughter Mary Washington died without having had any issue; and after the death of Mary Washington, Mrs Lee (the widow of the said Richard H. Lee) died— now the question is, will, or will not, William Augtn Washington (the husband of the said mary Washington) be entitled to that proportion of the dower negroes, that the Said Mary Washington would have been entitled to, had she survived Mrs Lee the Widow.

     I must beg your advice upon another¹ question, which is unconnected with either of the foregoing, but in which I am interrested viz. A dies leaving five children Thomas, Henry, ann, Sally & Betsy, and devises all his real property to his Son Thomas, and all his other property to be equally divided between his Said five children— during the life time of A, his daughter ann married, had a Son, and her husband died— She married a Second time and had several children by this second marriage— after this second marriage Her father A died²—leaving the above mentioned will³ after her fathers death, her second husband died— after her seond husband's death, her fathers widow died— and after the death of her fathers widow, she died herself— now the question is will ann's proportion of the dower negroes of the widow of her father be considered as her property, and go to her representatives; or will it be considered the property of her second husband.

     I have not been cautious enough to take Bonds from each of the Devisees and Widow of Richard H. Lee to refund proportionably property in case I should not have reserved in my hands property enough to Satisfy all the demands agst the estate— Do you not think I ought to take Bonds for this purpose from each of the Devisees & administrator of the widow without delay? or do you think, that, instead of taking a Bond from the widows administrator, I ought to take bonds from those who will inherit her estate— you will please send me a copey of proper bonds for the above purpose— I should really be ashamed of giving you so much trouble, if I did not hope that you are confident that I shall be always ready & delighted to render you any service on my part— I shall endeavour to fix Gerry off tomorrow, to set out the next day for my Mother agreeable to her directons— We are delighted to hear from my Mother that you and my Sister intend to pass then, which, I hope nothing will prevent— I shall set to work early in the morning⁴ to collect the shrubs &a you wrote for, and every thing else of the Kind I can think of that I conceive will be acceptable to you— A few days ago, on my way to Haywood, I received my Mothers letter directing me to send for her; but, when I got there, I found my Sister Lee (who has arrived an hour or two before me) so exceeding unwell, that I could not leave her until today, when she appeared to be much better— She says her complaint was occasioned from a cold she caught in Richmond, and neglected to do any thing for, until I saw her, which was a most fortunate interview, for if she had been neglected a little longer, her complaint would have been incurable— her lungs must have been fatally affected— I left her in a fair way, and hope with proper attention on her part, she will soon be restored to health— the young Lady, who came with her, told me that Mr Lee could not prevail on her to be bled, or do any thing else that was recommended to restore her health— you will cautiously avoid letting my Mother Lee this, as it may excite her apprehensions more than necessary— come up with my mother to see us I pray you— nothing must prevent my sisters coming with you— Give our joint & affectionate love to her, and believe me to be most sincerely yr Affectionate brother and real friend