Without reciting here, the substance of the correspondence between Mr Robert Carter and his Sons & Sons in Law respecting the disposition of his Virginia estate amongst them, I will only observe that I have read & considered it. My opinion is, that the engagements therein made are obligatory upon him, and that a Court of Equity will compel a specific execution of them. They are entered into upon consideration deemed good in Law, and also upon a valuable consideration.

     I have at length procured from the Auditors office a rough Statement of Yr Taxes in Kanawa for the 6 years mentioned in Aldersons order, by which you will discover that they differ £1.11.7 from the amount there stated. But as the difference is trifling, and the Auditor may very probably have made a mistake in the calculation (for he did it in a hurry) it would probably be better to pay it, (tho' too much) than run the risque of a forfeiture or having them sold.

     In tracing the title of the protestant Episcopal Church to the Glebes, churches, and other property appertaining thereto I do not deem it necessary for its advocates to rely upon the laws which passed upon the subject posterior to the formation of our constitution.

I was very much surprized yesterday, to meet with Mrs Forbes at my office.

     I had no doubt of her having been long since at Mount Vernon.

     I now enclose you my opinion upon the points stated in your letter of the 9th.

     As you may possibly wish to submit it to the consideration of your Counsel, I have left out of it, such parts of the subject as are unconnected with the cause, & need only be communicated confidentally to yourself.

     I recieved your favor by last post for which accept my grateful acknowledgements. I shall make the necessary enquiries, and then pursue such steps as may insure to me the benefit of your bounty.

     My opinion upon the case you submitted to me at Fredg has been long since forwarded to you, and it is probably in the post office at Fredg or Culpepper if you have a post to yr County. Should it not have reached you let me know.

     I rec: your letter of the 10th with a bundle of papers which I have examined. I had before issued a Subpœna from the Court of Chancery, and I wish to file the Bill, during the present Session that I may be enabled to obtain an order to be inserted in the Gazette warning the residuary Legatees to come forward with their respective pretensions. Your great object I know is to close this business, and obtain a quietus from all parties concerned.

     Your suit will probably be tried this Court. One of the pleas is fully administer'd. It will be necessary for you to furnish me with your administration Account Inventory appraisement vouchers &c. If you have settled any Account with the Court send me those likewise. I send you a subpena in case you should have witnesses to summon. I am Sir Your Obt Sert

     I wish I could give you the Satisfaction you wish as to the time when your case will be finally decided. We must proceed regularly and there is no rule by which to guess when the case will come on in its turn which it must do if defended with a view to delay.

     I wrote you a long letter in February last but do not know whether you recieved it. in case you should not, I will trouble you with the subst<a>nce of it, as it may perhaps be necessary to be pr<e>pared by September Court <mutilated>t all events with respect to the ne exeat <mutilated> it be necessary to do any thing in that business.

     Upon a full consideration of the papers which have been laid before me & of the situation in which the Swearingens are placed by the several decrees in the case of Hite and others agt Fairfax

I am of opinion

     I take the liberty of writing by Mr Maund who is going to Philadelphia, and of introducing him to you. I wrote you some posts ago, respecting a suit of Hanchaw agt you in the High Court of Chancery, which I hope you have recieved. with love to my Aunt I am most sincerely Your Affect. Nephew

     I was very sorry that Business at Court obliging me to be in Town on Monday last, prevented me from calling at Mount Vernon on my way up. since then I have been, & I suppose shall continue to be under the necessity of attending Court all the week; should you not leave Home before Sunday, I shall on that day wait on you.

     I take this opportunity by Mr Packet (who goes up with my furniture) to return you my very grateful thanks for the offer you were pleased to make me of your House, rent free.

     From a variety of reasons which have for some time past operated upon my mind, It has become in my Judgment necessary for me to remove from this part of the Country, and to fix in some Town. my inclination leads me towards Alexandria whether I shall act with prudence and wisdom in this change of Situation, I can only determine from the force of those reasons upon my mind, which have principally influenced it.