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.

APPENDIX.] MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 309
years in a part of the country where the labor is done by negroes,
and having had the management of pretty extensive business in
that line, can only give the second. As to the third, it is not
necessary that a man should be a complete clerk, or particularly
conversant in mercantile transactions. Perfect honesty, sobriety,
and industry are indispensable. In fine, if I could find a man,
as well qualified for my purposes as the late Mr. Whiting (whom
I presume you knew, as he managed an estate of General Cadwalader's in your neighbourhood for some years), I should esteem
myself very fortunate. A single man would suit me much better
than one with a family. Indeed, such a one is almost indispensable, as he would live at the mansion-house; and I should like the
age between thirty-five and forty-five, as that period seems most
likely to unite experience with activity.
I have now, Sir, given you a pretty full detail of my wants and
wishes on this subject, and shall feel obliged by any information
you may give me relative to it, as well as for the mention of the
terms upon which persons of the character before described are
employed upon large estates on the Eastern Shore, and for what
they may be induced to go to Virginia. The estate, for which I
want a manager, lies about nine miles below Alexandria, on the
river Potomac, and twefve from the Federal City. I am, &c.
TO ARTHUR YOUNG.
Philadelphia, 12 December, 1793.
SIR,
I wrote to you three months ago, or more, by my late secretary
and friend, Mr. Lear; but, as his departure from this country for
Great Britain was delayed longer than he or I expected, it is at
least probable, that that letter will not have reached your hands at
a much earlier period than the one I am now writing.
At the time it was written, the thoughts which I am now about
to disclose to you were not even in embryo; and whether, in the
opinion of others, there be impropriety or not in communicating
the object which has given birth to them, is not for me to decide.
My own mind reproaches me with none; but, if yours should view
the subject differently, burn this letter, and the draught which
accompanies it, and the whole matter will be consigned to oblivion.
All my landed property, east of the Appalachian Mountains, is