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.

314 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [1793.
my negroes, and, dispose of the property on them upon terms short
of this, would be ruinous.
Having said thus much, I am disposed to add further, that it
would be in my power, and certainly it would be my inclination,
upon the principle above, to accommodate the wealthy, or the
weak-handed farmer, and upon reasonable terms, with draughthorses, and working mules and oxen; with cattle, sheep, and
hogs; and with such implements of husbandry, if they should not
incline to bring them themselves, as are in use on the farms. On
the four farms there are fifty-four draft-horses, twelve working
mules, and a sufficiency of oxen, broke to the yoke; the precise
number I am unable this moment to ascertain, as they are comprehended in the aggregate of the black cattle. Of the latter,
there are three hundred and seventeen; of sheep, six hundred and
thirty-four; of hogs, many; but, as these run pretty much at large
in the woodland, which is all under fence, the number is uncertain. Many of the negroes, male and female, might be hired
by the year, as laborers, if this should be preferred to the importation of that class of people; but it deserves consideration, how
far the mixing of whites and blacks together is advisable; especially where the former are entirely unacquainted with the latter.
If there be those who are disposed to take these farms in their
undivided state, on the terms which have been mentioned, it is
an object of sufficient magnitude for them, or one of them, in
behalf of the rest, to come over and investigate the premises
thoroughly, that there may be nothing to reproach themselves, or
me with, if (though unintentionally) there should be defects in
any part of the information herein given; or, if a society of farmers are disposed to adventure, it is still more incumbent on them
to send over an agent, for the purposes abovementioned; for with
me the measure must be so fixed as to preclude any cavil or discussion thereafter. And it may not be malapropos to observe in
this place, that our overlookers are generally engaged, and all the
arrangements for the ensuing crops are made, before the first of
September in every year. It will readily be perceived, then, that
if this period is suffered to pass away, it is not to be regained
until the next year. Possession might be given to the new comers
at the season just mentioned, to enable them to put in their grain
for the next crop; but the final relinquishment could not take
place until the crops are gathered, which of Indian corn (maize)
seldom happens till towards Christmas, as it must endure hard
frosts before it can be safely housed.