The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

PART I.] PRIVATE LETTERS. 329
the Potomac or Rappahannoc, as I am in immediate
want of them. Let them be insured, and, in case of
accident, re-shipped without delay. Direct for me at
Mount Vernon, Potomac River, Virginia; the former is
the name of my seat, the other of the river on which it
is situated.* I am, &c.
* The product of Washington's plantations was at this period almost
exclusively tobacco. This he usually exported to London for a market,
making the shipments in his own name, and putting the tobacco on board
the vessels, which came up the river to his mansion at Mount Vernon, or
to such other point as was most convenient. In those days, also, it was
the practice of the Virginia planters to send to London for all the articles
of common use. Twice a year Washington forwarded a list of such articles to his agent, comprising not only all the necessaries and conveniences for household purposes, but likewise every article of wearing apparel
for himself and each member of his family, specifying the names of each,
and the ages of Mrs. Washington's two children, as also the size, description, and quality of the articles. He then required his agent to send him,
in addition to a general bill of' the whole, the original voucher of each one
of the persons from whom purchases were made. So minute and particular
was he in these concerns, that for many years he entered with his own
hand, in books prepared for the purpose, all the long lists of orders, and
copies of the multifarious receipts from the different tradesmen, merchants,
and mechanics in London, who had supplied the goods. In this way he
kept a perfect oversight of the business, and could tell when any advantage was taken of him even in the smallest matter, of which he did not
fail to remind his agent the next time he wrote. As the price obtained for
his tobacco depended on the judgment, fidelity, and efforts of the agent in
effecting sales, he would sometimes divide the agency, sending part to one
person, and part to another, and, by comparing the results, he could detect
any inattention or mismanagement, which had been unfavorable to his
interest.
The following extracts from letters, written in the year 1760, will afford
hints of some of his habits.
"By this conveyance you will receive invoices of such goods as are
wanting, which please to send, as there directed, by Captain Johnston in
the spring; and let me beseech you to give the necessary directions for
purchasing them upon the best terms. It is needless for me to particularize the sorts, qualities, or taste I would choose to have them in, unless it is
observed; and you may believe me when I tell you, that, instead of getting
things good and fashionable in their several kinds, we often have articles
sent us, that could only have been used by our forefathers in days of yore.
It is a custom, I have some reason to believe, with many of the shopkeepers and tradesmen in London, when they know goods are bespoken for
VOL. II. 42 BB *