Mount Vernon, February 20, 1787
Dear Sir:
Your favour of the 15th, with the seed of the honey locust came safe to hand, and claims my particular thanks. I have but one doubt of its forming the best hedge in the world; and that is, whether it can be sufficiently dwarfted. If this cannot be effected, the other purpose mentioned in your letter, and a valuable one too, of subserving stock, is alone sufficient to induce cultivation of the tree.
Mrs. Washington offers respectful compliments to Mrs. Lee, to whom, though I have not the honour of being known, I beg leave to tender mine; we both join in best wishes for you, and the young ladies,
and with great esteem and respect, I have the honour etc.1
1 The text is from the Memoir of the Life of Richard Henry Lee and His Correspondence (1825), vol. 2.