I had the very great comfort of receving your welcome & affe. letter, wherein you say that your mind is quite made up in regard to settleing at Walnut farm directly—it would be a vain attempt in me to express my feelings on this occasion, to have you so near me gives that happiness I never expected to have known again in this world for sure my situation at Bushfield was a very friendless & forlorn one—& a poor unfortunate creature like myself feel every calamity with double force.

     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.

     Mr King, our Minister at the Court of London—to whom I sent the Decree of the High Court of Chancery of this state, with a request to have it published according to the direction therein contained—"in some Public Paper in the Kingdom of Great Britain for two months successively"—has caused the same to be inserted agreeably thereto in the London Gazette, as may be seen by one herewith enclosed (several of which has been forwarded to me) and wrote to me as follow on the occasion.

     We shall be very glad to see you & Mrs Washington here on thursday next, and my Chariot shall meet you at Colchester at 3 Oclock on that day.

     By your fixing on that hour for its being there, I presume you did not intend to be here at dinner (it being the hour at which we dine) of course shall niether expect or wait for you.

     I have the pleasure to inform You, that the suit in behalf of the Commonwealth against you was dismissed at the last General Court. I had never any doubt, but that this would be the event of the cause, after the Certificates which you sent me.

     On the 19th of last month I received by Post three letters from you, one dated the 7th covering Pollards answer, and the general court commission, and two others dated the 12th, one of which mentioned Genl Lee's having paid Mr Chas lee £700 for me, and the other covering a draft on Mr Watson for 120 dollars and a request that I would purchase and forward to Mr Richardson sundry articles therein mentioned, all which I should punctually have attended to immediately, if my business had permitted me to come to Town which never happened untill last Tuesday evening— Finding

     The mode of conveyance by post seems more uncertain than it did formerly—determines me to write the oftener to my children, that the chance may be in favor of their receiving some few of the many letters sent that way—although I am conscious for many sad months past that my letters cant afford them that satisfaction they once did—for where the mind is distress'd the correspondent cant be a pleasing one, but well I know the affectionate sympathy of my beloved children who interest themselves in every thing which concerns their mother— thus confidently assured, she open

     The enclosed letter was sent to me from the Post Office with many others, & the Seal broke before I discovered the error; but I assure you upon my honor I know not a word it contains— for seeing the beginning I looked to the Subscription, and instantly closed it again. With affectionate regard I am ever Yours

     I recieved the letter which you did me the honor to write and now enclose You a Copy of Gills Bill, which is this moment recieved. You will please get some professional Gentleman to draw your answer, which together with the Copy now enclosed send me as soon as possible.

     You may rely upon my best exertions being used for your interest‑ I have the honor to be Madam Yr mo. ob. Servt

     I had the honor to recieve your favor of the 16th Jany some days ago, and have postponed an answer to it, hoping that with the a<illegible> from memoranda I <illegible> the information requested— But <I> cann<ot>[.] all that I recol<l>ect of Mr Nortons Affair is that I saw & ap<p>roved of the deed, and upon expressing that approbation in writing Mr Blair I suppose paid the mony— The deed I am satisfied was forwarded to Mr Prescot, for I recollect giving him directions respecting the mode of proving it so as to

     Knowing the satisfaction you have in reading my poor & now unentertaining letters, I write often to you whither you receive them or not I cant tell as the post seems to be an uncertain mode of conveyance— my poor dear Hannah is yet very weak & sick, though rather better than when you left this— poor Col.

     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 have the honor of enclosing to you an Authenticated Copy of a Resolution, which passed the General Assembly at their late Session, respecting the Boundary line between this State and the State of Maryland; together with a Copy of the Resolution of the Legislature of Maryland On the same Subject. I pray you Sire, to have the goodness to Acknowledge the receipt of this Dispatch as Soon as Convenient. I have the honor to be with great respect Sir Yr Mo. Obt Servt

     Knowing the satisfaction you have in reading my poor & now unentertaining letters, I write often to you whither you receive them or not I cant tell as the post seems to be an uncertain mode of conveyance— my poor dear Hannah is yet very weak & sick, though rather better than when you left this— poor Col.

     Colo. Selden applied for payment of the forty eight Dollars I owe him, and refused to accept your draft upon him for that Sum.

     It is out of my power to pay him at present without your aid & therefore I now send to request You will send me that Sum—Also let me know when I may expect the pork— I am uneasy for fear of a disappointment which will be extremely unfortunate as I have depended upon this for part of my years allowance. I am Yr ob. Svt

     It is useless to make apologies, because I am persuaded that to a decrease of friendship neither of us will attribute the long silence of the other; in such a Case business may properly be admitted as an excuse, & I am satisfied that we may both avail ourselves of this plea.

     I came here a few days ago with an intention to taking the Stage to Richmond for the double purpose of spending a few days with you, and to try to Sell Walnut Farm; but being rather indisposed, and the weather promising to turn very severe, I have thought it best to decline the journey for the present, and to depend upon your friendly assistance in this business, which I know you will willingly lend— The Setting of the Assembly & federal Court will naturally draw together in Richmond such a number of people from all different parts of the Country, that there will

     I now inclose you the record in the case of Dickenson v. Paulett & Marks. mr Marks, by purchasing all Paulett's right, stands completely in his shoes. his first wish is to obtain a confirmation of his right to the land.

     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.

     You have not informed me what or whether any thing has been done in the Court of Chancery (in this State) for bringing the accts of my Administration of Colo. Colvills Estate to a close, that my hands may be entirely clear, of it. I therefore give you the trouble of this enquiry; as I am extremely anxious to be acquitted. The balance due from me, (and at present lodged in the Bank of Alexandria) is ready to be applied in any manner and at any moment to the Chancellors order.

     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 wrote you a few lines by last Post informing you of the contents of my Mother's letter from Philadelphia written on the 24 May and the Boy who carried your letter to the Post Office brought me another from my Mother dated the 29 May, in which She says my Sister's health is not altered in the smallest degree for the better, and that they are to leave Philadelphia immediately on their way to Rhode Island— indeed, my dear Brother, I am very uneasy on account both of my Sister & Mother; my Sister's complaint I apprehend is confirmed & incurea

     I have made such amendments to your Bill as appear to me proper— they are as follows.

     1. I refer to yr fathers Will as part of the Bill— you will therefore furnish me with a Copy of it.

     2d Your mothers will, whereby she devises to you all her Estate except some Legacies which have been discharged— I shall also want a Copy of that Will.

      If my suit againt Chapman has not been tried, & it is not too late to take Depositions; or if you can obtain Commissions for that purpose I shall be much obliged to you to send two, and I wish to know if I cannot get a peremtory order to take Nathl Chapman Hunters Deposition as he has refused to give it, I wish very to have his testamony as it is very material to my Cause; please let me know how my cause stands at this time and if you think I shall be successful in it; you will also greatly oblige me by Directing the Clerk to send me Copies of Chs Simm's and John

I got to this place last thirsday & found your dear sister with a fever cover'd up, her fevers are pretty constant & cough bad— Mr Fithugh who is now here, tells us that he saw you in Fredericksburg a few days ago— I hope you left my dear Nancy well— As I understand that she is not with you, nex saturday¹ we shall leave Parkgate & get to Dumfries, where we intend to stay till monday morning— intirely on the account of seeing you— we all are most anxious for that happiness— your dear sick sister very particularly so, before she sets off on her long trip‑ it