TRANSCRIPT GLC 7487
George Washington. Autograph letter signed: Mount Vernon,
to John Fairfax, 1789 March. 2 p. + address leaf.
Mount Vernon March <31> 1789.
Mr. John Fairfax
As I am now in the act of bidding an adieu to my home –
for a longer time perhaps than I wish – I will inform
you that it is my intention (if your exertion shall appear
to deserve it) to make the wags of the year you are now engaged
for Fifty pounds instead of Forty although I consider my self
under no legal or honorary obligations to do so – my
only motives for it being, to encourage you to use every endeavour
in your power to promote my interest, – under the orders
and directions of my Nephew the Major; who will be entrusted
with the general management of all my concerns, during my
absence.
I have a very good opinion of your honesty, sobriety &
industry – and now is the time to give me proofs of
your capacity and skill. – For however necessary &
important the three first are, they will not be sufficient
without the latter. – I have often remarked to you,
and I repeat it once more; that contrivance in the arrangement
of business, and a happy nack in having it executed by an
observance of method; are the distinguishing characteristics
of a good Manager. – Indeed they are of such infinite
consequence, that no Estate can be well conducted without;
for unless the different kinds of business which occupy the
labourers of every Plantation or Farm, can be brought into
one view, and seen in time; and a due proportion of work [inserted:
is] exacted from the hands, [inserted: that are to perform
it – the different kinds of work] [struck: they] will
forever be interfering with, and in the way of each other.
Nor is there any way to avoid it but by looking forward in
time – [inserted: by] judicious arrangemts – and
[inserted: by] making those who are to execute it do what
is reasonable & proper without suffering so much time
to be spent in the house, under pretence of sickness; which
is, in many cases, no other than the effect of Night walking
and fatiegue.
It is with pain I receive the Saturday Nights Reports, for
no week passes away without a diminution of my stock –
Nor is it less painful to me to see the condition of my work
Horses – some [2] dying, and others scarcely able to
walk alone. – and to these I might add, as a matter
of no less concern & astonishment, that it is idle &
vain for me to attempt to stall feed any kind of Meats; when
I have only my expence for my trouble without a joint of meat
which is fit to appear at a Gentlemans Table. – But
I will rest hope, that all these things will undergo a change
for the better. –
I am not inclined to your bringing any horse here of you
own. Mine are adequate to all the services that my business
will require, & more would [inserted: only] add expence
without profit.; for I need not tell you, that there must
be no running about whilst I am absent than if I was on the
spot. – Indeed I have too good an opinion of you to
suppose it necessary to remind you of this act of justice.
–
As I have already given you plans of those Plantations which
are placed under your immediate care – and have detailed
the business of each in the best manner my time and judgment
would enable me to do; I shall add nothing more on this head
than briefly to observe to you, that it is from the Major,
with whom I shall corrispond, that you will receive further
directions with respect to such matters as have not been detailed
– or concerning any alterations in those which have.
If you have any matrimonial scheme in view, I do not wish
to be a let or hindrance to the accomplishment of it –
or to your bringing a wife into the family – She may
eat with, and in all respects, fare as you do. In all things
that are reasonable and not inconvenient I am ready &
willing to endulge you being your friend.
Go: Washington
[address leaf]
Mr. John Fairfax
Notes: Published in Twohig, Dorothy et. al. The Papers of
George Washington. Presidential Series, vol.1: 465-467.
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