University of Virginia Library

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I rec.d your letter direct, by Thursdays mail, & the
other by Culpeper only on Saturday. I wrote you by regular mail
on 10th, but which will not get on untill today, & having an opportunity
by Mr. Orr today who goes to Warrenton I write this also,
if peradventure it may arrive sooner. Yr letters are so pressing
for an answer. I said in the other letter that you should get a
delay of sale untill you could examine the premises & correspond
with me. I should not jump into a matter of such importance blindly
There must be time & opportunity to examine & I dont think there
is any great necessity for haste. The fact of its not having been
sold at the Pub. sale will make all men cautious who are not acquainted
with the farm, & the disposition in man to get a better
bargain w.d prolong a negotiation in such a case. I requested you
to examine the premises. If the farm is desirable & 900 acres of t
the best c.d be had at 20$ & my arrangements can be had, I think
the probabilities w.d be in favour of the purchase strongly. I
have not yet heard from Afton, but should not be much surprised to
receive a proposition for the purchase of that farm. It is possible
at least.