Richard Henry Lee to William Lee

After a tedious session of Assembly I returned here the 31st. of last month, and found the Liberty had been arrived in Yeocomoco but a few days before. I have seen the Captain twice since, and he informs me by letter two days ago, that he had engaged 200 hhds. Many unlucky causes have concurred to confine me closely at home since my return from Williamsburg, but I have given Capt. Rayson warm letters of recommendation to my friends in the part of the country he has been visiting. I believe he has nearly delivered all his goods, and waits only for his iron, which is every hour expected, to begin stowing Tobacco. We had provided iron for him, ready landed at Dr. Floods, but Page coming in first, in our absence Lawson ordered that iron for him. This is Northumberland court day, after which, I expect Rayson to call here in his way up to Stafford, Prince William, Fauquier and Frederick. The Tobacco already engaged, being to be getting on board whilst he is on this trip. I cannot possibly form a judgment yet whether he can get his load entire from Potomac, but at all events some Tobo. from rappahanock must be taken. Colo. Martin’s and Colo. Carter’s, with young Mr. Corbin’s. Colo. Martin desires you will insure twenty hhds of Tobacco for him in the Liberty. He does not mention the rate of insurance, and so I am inclined to think he means as much pr. hhd as was insured last year. This gentleman writes me to inform you, that his convenience and interest are so considerable by carrying his Tobo. to Falmouth, that he must continue to do so, and hopes for this reason, you will not be dissatisfied with his conduct in this respect. I shall observe what you write in respect to the loading of the Liberty. If it is possible, she will sail in all May. But I am inclined to think we may reckon the 10h. or 15 of June. The Planters are sanguine enough here to expect from 20 to 25 Shillings a hundred all cash, and so long as these expectations are entertained they will not be very much disposed to ship. Our exchange is at 20, and if 20s./ cash can be got here, no price now given in Britain will warrant shipping. Add to this difficulty, that you are not inclined to have your Tobo. from York put in the Liberty, which, with most of the rappahanock Tobo. being reserved for another purpose, seems to throw difficulties in the way of this Ship’s quick dispatch. We shall however do the best. Young Mr. Peter Presley Thorton desires me to acquaint you, that for this year, his not receiving the advantage of his estate prevents his assistance to your Ship, but that the next year she shall have the greatest part, if not the whole. It will be very proper to return him thanks for this his good intention. This Gentlemen, S. M. Ball, R. Skinner, young Garvin Corbin, Mr. John Turberville, Colo. Martin, Lord Fairfax, Colo. Tayloe, S. Washington, and Mr. John Alexander of Stafford deserve to be carefully cultivated. This last Gentleman has promised me to ship this year, he is powerful in the Tobacco way, quite disengaged, and being governed by interest and vanity as his Master passions, he may, without much difficulty be secured by you. The Liberty will bring you 20 hhds from Colo. George Lee’s estate and five from me. All these please to insure to recover £8 sterl<ing> in case of loss. So much for the commercial affairs. Capt. Greig brings your accounts from Cary Wilkison. He tells me you will get only 24 hhds this year again. I believe he suffered greatly by the torrents of rain that fell in July last, as did most others in this country. The Treasurer declares he has taken no offence at all, that he is pleased with doing you offices of friendship whenever 'tis in his power, and that he in writing to you, alluded only to the pressure of public business on him. He is to make all possible enquiry touching the scheme of renting your estate below. If it can be well done, I think it will be greatly to your advantage. But what is to be done with the Gallery at Green Spring? It will absolutely tumble down presently if 'tis not thoroughly and speedily repaired. We have desired Cary to get some bricks ready, and sustain it as well as possible, so soon as he has done with the new Mill, which will be the case in a short time now. My goods pr. Liberty came well except the Cask No. 5 Nails & hoes not yet come to hand, and unhappily the Carboy of Vinegar is broke to pieces and that all lost, a very unlucky circumstance to our family. My boys will come home in the Liberty, and I am fixed that they go either to St. Bees, or to the Gentleman of <mutilated> near Bristol mentioned to me by Dr. Lee. I understand from the <mutilated>t this gentleman near Bristol; boards, educates &c tolerably well <mutilated> more than £Sterling a year. Now £30. Sterling a piece for <b>oardi<ng c>lothing and education is all that for some years I can fiord them apiece. If a thorough knowledge of english and the classics can with writing and arithmetic be obtained for this, I shall be happy, and the one will be then fitted to engage at the Temple, and with a little more, the eldest may be conditioned for the Church here, where we are determined to have no Bishops. If the Gentleman near Bristol is fixed on by you and the Doctor, it may be proper to write to him in time that he may not be too full, and thereby prevented from taking my Sons. I suppose you have received my former letter desiring a sett of Surveyors instruments for a Gentleman up the country might be sent me. Compass with Ball <

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>ing chain, and case of plotting instruments with a <mutilated> case. If these are not already sent, let them come <mutilated> cannot imagine how much I am hurt for want of a good Ship Joiner who understands something of the House Joiners business - I therefore entreat you will not cease trying until you furnish me with such a person. I will send you the ages of the young Lees and our G. Grandfather's will by next opportunity. Our best love to our dear Sister. Your ever affectionate friend and brother.

R. H. Lee