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.] EXTRACTS FROM A DIARY. 515
heavy thunder-shower came on, which lasted upwards of an hour. I
tried what time the mill required to grind a bushel of corn, and to
my surprise found it was within five minutes of an hour. Old Anthony attributed this to the low head of water, but whether it was so
or not I cannot say. The works are all decayed, and out of order,
which I rather take to be the cause. This bushel of corn, when
ground, measured near a peck more of meal.
May 4th. - Warm and fine; set out for Frederic to see my negroes, that lay ill of the smallpox. Took Church in my way to'Coleman's, where I arrived about sun-setting.
5thl. --- Reached Mr. Stephenson's in Frederic, about four o'clock,
just time enough to see Richard Mounts interred. Here I was informed, that Harry and Kit, the two first of my negroes that took the
smallpox, were dead, and Roger and Phillis, the only two down with
it, were recovering. Lodged at Mr. Stephenson's.
7th. After taking the doctor's directions in regard to my people,
I set out for my quarters and got there about twelve o'clock, time
enough to go over them and find every thing in the utmost confusion,
disorder, and backwardness, my overseer lying upon his back with a
broken leg, and not half a crop especially of corn-ground prepared.
Engaged Valentine Crawford to go in pursuit of a nurse to be ready
in case more of my people should be seized with the same disorder.
8th. - Got blankets and every other requisite from Winchester,
and settled things upon the best footing I could to prevent the smallpox from spreading, and, in case of its spreading, for the care of the
negroes; Mr. Crawford agreeing, in case any more of the people at
the lower quarter should take- it, to remove them home to his house,
and if any of those at the upper quarter should get it, to have them
removed into my room, and the nurse sent for.
17th,- Began weeding my trefoil below the hill. Got an account
that the Assembly was to meet on Monday; resolved to set out tomorrow.,
18th. - Set out in company with Mr. George Johnston; at Colchester was informed by Colonels Thornton and Chissel, that the
Assembly would be broken up before I could get down; turned
back, therefore, and found at my house Colonel Fairfax and —his
family. The lightning, which had been attended with a good deal
of rain, had struck my quarter, and about ten negroes in it; some
very badly injured, but with letting blood they recovered.