Yesterday Evening we recieved a list of votes from the different Counties of this District, & I have now the pleasure of announcing to you the triumph of federalism in this Corner of the State. Genl Lee is elected by a majority of 32 votes. Had the election been postponed a week longer, it is generally believed that he would have divided even Doctr Jones's County. He had not time completely to do away the illfounded & unceasing calumies which were dayly propagated against him.

The deed from Genl Lee to you has been duly executed, acknowledged and certified, so as to entitle it to be recorded in the General Court. I shall in a few days send it down to the Clerk of that Court, to record it in June. I enclose your deed to Lee, that you may have it proved in Fairfax Court this month, and being certified by the Clerk you will immediately enclose it to "Mr <2m> Allen Clerk of the General Court—Richmond" with a request that he will in June have it admitted to record.

Upon my return to this place I met with a Commission from the President of the United States appointing me one of the Judges of the supreme Court. This appointment I have accepted, and was induced thereto by the strongest motives. I was very unwilling to abandon a profession, to which I was much attached, and to the study of which I had devoted the greatest part of my life.

     I have lately recieved a letter from Mr Thomas Turner of King George, in which he expresses an ardent desire to enter into the service of his Country in the military line, and requests that I would mention him to you. This I do with much pleasure, because a long and intimate acquaintance with him assures me that there are few candidates who can possess more worth than he does. Warmly and I believe sincerely attached to the Government, he feels all that indignation which an American ought to feel against the unjust & unprovoked aggressions of our enemy.

     Your letter of the 12th inst. I duly recieved. Colo. Heth is very highly esteemed here by all men of respectability, who are not in opposite politics with himself. I have always heard him spoken of as a man of business, and as being both sober & prudent. Tho' I do not believe that he h<a>s been favored with a very liberal education, I consider him as possessed of a very strong mind, and of extremely good talents. He is a firm friend of the government, and very sincerely (I believe,) attached to you.

     I recieved a few days ago; a letter from Mr John Nicholas in which after speaking of the violence of a certain party in that County, and the lengths to which they go he says, "among other things, you will see in Davis's paper of the 24th July a hint at the affair with which you are acquainted from the celebrated John Langhorne himself.

     Your favor of the 22d with the enclosures I recieved. I do not altogether approve of the deeds and principally for the reasons which you give. I think that the deed from you to General Lee ought to state the cause of it's being made, by reciting that a deed for the same land had been executed by Lee to you, but the time for recording it having expired, and for the purpose of enabling Lee to reconvey to you so as to have the same recorded in time, you convey.

     I shall lose no time in acquitting myself of inattention to your last favor (but one) with which you might without injustice have charged me, not Knowing the reason of my silence.

It has not (thank God) proceeded from indisposition, yet I feel grateful for your affectionate solicitude upon that subject.

     I am quite disappointed in not having it in my power to give you satisfactory information upon the subject of your last letter.

     I have been twice to the Auditors office, and have had the Commissioners books examined.

     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.

     Your favor of the 18th I duly recieved. I could not obtain from the Auditors Office the information you desire, so as to communicate it by this post, nor do I expect to recieve it for some days— The Auditor promises to give it me as soon as his other business will permit, which he thinks will be in the Course of a week or ten days, observing at the same time that you cannot be injured by the delay. You may depend upon my attention to the business, and of hearing from me the moment I have it in my power to afford you the desired information.

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 have examined the records in the General Court office which contain the writs of ad quod damnum & the Inquisitions returned thereon.

     I have conversed with Mr Brooke respecting Mrs Forbes and am enabled to give you the following history of that person— She is a widow—a Native of England & without a family—about 50 yrs of age—active & spirited in the execution of her business—sober & honest—well acquanted with Cookery & in his opinion capable of ordering & setting out a table. her appearance is decent & respectable & such is her general deportment.

     I went in pursuit of Mrs Forbes this morning, but could not find her— with the assistance of Mr Brooke I obtained an interview with her this evening at his house. her price is $150 a year— She will be at Mount Vernon in a month from this time, if her terms are accepted— sooner she cannot go.

     Your letter of the 23d I yesterday recieved. I waited upon Mr Brook today to make the necessary enquiries respecting Mrs Forbes. The Character he gives her, assures me that she will fully answer the purposes for which my Aunt wants her. She is honest, industrious, & well acquainted with nice as well as common Cooking, and other subjects of domestic employment necessary in her profession. But what surprizes me very much is, that she has recieved no letters from Mount Vernon—so Mr Brook informs me, & that she has remained in Richmond on that account.

     I now enclose you a Copy of the Grant you wrote for. The Inquisition cannot be found. I have directed the Clerk to continue his search, and if he should succeed, a Copy shall be immediately forwarded. if you can give a more particular description of it, from any papers in your possession, it may assist in the discovery. with love to my Aunt I am my dear Uncle Most Sincerely Yr Affect. Nephew

     In 1762 Simon Pearson being seized of an estate in fee tail in 178 acres conveyed the same by deed of Bargain & Sale to George Washington Esq. with a general warranty, having first sued out a writ of ad quod damnum for the purpose of docking the intail, and which was regularly executed according to Law, unless the following objections to it, should be deemed valid. 1.

     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.

     George Washington Surviving Exectr of Thos Colville decd

vs Thos West Exectr, Devisee & heir at Law of Jno. West Junr decd who was one of the Executors of Thos Colville & the nearest relations of Catharine Colville mother of the said Thos Colville of the names of Stot, Will, Richardson & Smith or their decendants.

     I recd your favor of the 10th during my confinement under a severe attack of the Pleuresy— I am now on the recovery, tho’ very weak, nor have I yet left my room.

     The deed you wrote for is now enclosed, but I find it was not recorded within the time prescribed by Law.

     I have received no answer to my letter respecting your Kanawa Lands. As that letter was interesting to you, I hope it did not miscarry.

     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.

     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.

     I recd some time ago papers from Mr Keith respecting your Executorship of Colvill's estate.

     I shall immediately bring suit in the Court of Chancery in order finally to close that business and to releive you from embarrassment as to the disposition of the mony on hand. I will thank you to give me the general outlines of the business, and of your wishes, that I may be enabled thereby to frame my Bill.

     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