"I have followed the author you mention in the pizé buildings I have constructed. The foreman of my carpenters is a very intelligent man, and after frequently reading to him what appeared necessary for him to know, he made the frame & piroirs with great skill, & proceeded to build a large barn, the walls of which he completed with about 5 hands, in a day less than a month to the best of my recollection. He may sometimes have had a hand or two more than I have mentioned.

I had the pleasure a few days ago to receive your favor of the 31 July. I sincerely regretted I assure you that we were in Richmond under circumstances which forbid our meeting as frequently as we wished & should otherwise have done. The business of the Convention occupied most of my time in the day, and, being a member of the standing committee, I was under the necessity of attending at the Bishops during the evening. I write most cordially with you in the hope that we shall yet meet again, and at no place could it be half so agreable to me as at Mt Vernon.