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Lewis reports that he met with unexpected success in rent collecting for Washington's properties "over the ridge and in this county"--few have made required improvements--he suggests the life leases be put into hands of lawyer to decide how to proceed--Mr. Muse says Col. Simm of Alexandria thinks leases badly drawn and ejectments won't be supported by court--reports repossession of lots in Frederick and Berkeley, and rental of some lots--difficulties in collecting from sheriffs--Lewis's late cousin Thornton Washington's estate has cut timber on 35 or 40 acres of Washington's prime reserve in Berkeley because of neglect by Mr. Muse in maintaining the lines (Thornton Washington, son of Samuel Washington, inherited rights to cut timber on Lawrence Washington's land, which bordered George Washington's)--Lewis is unable to rent poor land on Deep Run, and suggests procuring situation for sawmill there, for good pine timber on land--he must see Washington on next trip to Mount Vernon.

Lewis blames delays in his letters on the fact that there are no post riders in this area--since his mother left Fredericksburg, Washington should direct letters to the attorney James Lewis there--he explains not paying Washington money collected so far from rentals--he had wanted to pay in lump sum, but will not remit it as he collects it--denies using funds for own use--Washington's advertisement posted at Court House--describes the property dispute between McCormick and Ariss, one of whom has encroached on Washington's property--it is too late in season to bring Jack to breed in Fauquier County--next season will do so--Mrs. Haney (or Haynie) [G.W.'s kinswoman, see letter of R. Lewis to G.W., Jan. 17, 1795 and R. Lewis's diary for that year] is dying of consumption.

Lewis writes that he tried to obtain possession of land on Accokeek Run in Stafford County, Va. which Washington said (both in person and in a 29 April 1793 letter) he might have, but finds title belongs jointly to Washington and other heirs of his mother [Mary Washington]--Lewis will give up all efforts to obtain it--Mrs. Haney [Washington's cousin, Elizabeth Haynie] died of rapid consumption [see letter of Jan. 17, 1795]--her daughter Sally Ball Haynie cannot find employment because the people in the neighborhood "are uncommonly industrious and do every thing with in themselves."--Mrs. Lewis has taught Sally reading, writing, and useful needlework, etc.--she would make an extraordinary housekeeper for some genteel family--she is welcome to take her board in his house, but he defers to Washington's judgment--sister [Betty Lewis] Carter is delivered of a son [Charles E. Carter].

Lewis sends orchard-grass seed, a gift from Mr. Francis Whiting, after a 6 week delay for lack of transportation to Alexandria--Washington's tenant on his tract of land above Bath has removed to Kentucky, and the land is being denuded of its valuable timber by the neighboring "set of lawless rascals"--Lewis strongly suggests that the land should be rented out to protect the remaining timber--furthermore, Washington's land on Lost Mountain (then in Prince William County, now Fauquier County) is being stripped of bark by tanners working by moonlight on the pinnacle of the mountain--the perpetrators have been caught.

Lewis writes that he encloses a draught on Mr. James Russell of Alexandria by Mr. Ariss for last year's rent (against Washington's usual practice) because Ariss had been infirm--if the funds are not immediately collectable, he asks Washington to return the draft so that he can follow up--a tenant on one of the Berkeley lots is unable to pay, so another was procured temporarily to take care of growing crop--he asks Washington's wishes about leasing that property--wheat crops in the area and up to the Blue Ridge are virtually destroyed by Hessian fly, there has also been a 5 week drought.

He writes that he received a copy of an earlier letter to Maj. Harrison [Nov. 4]--desires to take Young Royal Gift to his stable to stand--another Jack in Culpeper now will cut down profits of the stud service--collection of rents goes badly--plight of tenants pitiable--tenants in Frederick and Berkeley mostly paid up--he will come to Mt. Vernon to bring rents and attend the marriage of his brother Lawrence with Miss [Eleanor Parke] (Nelly) Custis.

Lewis sends Washington a draught for Mr. Ariss's rent--Ariss's infirmities make Lewis hesitate to be so rigid in collecting his rent, although he is always backward in paying--Lewis will send rents collected--he saw his brother Lawrence and his lady [Nelly Custis Lewis] at sister Carters--Lawrence has sulpher mud on his eye and drinking spring water improves him--this year's hay crop diminished by a monthlong drought in July--last fall's drought and Hessian fly deprived them of seed wheat--corn and tobacco good.

Encloses sales of herring and current account owed them--market for herring and flour low at present.

Writes of Fairfaxes arrival in England, both are pretty well recovered--acknowledges receipt of Washington letters and packages forwarded to Fairfaxes at York--let him know if he can do any favour for the "Neptune" this year--Rev. Bumaly pleased to hear of Washington's health, admires him much.

Requests Washington to write Gov. Trumbull to try to get some bounties for his men as for other Conn. battallions--he enlists men on that promise--has clothing for men, which is great inducement to enlist.