University of Virginia Library

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I have just returned from Culpeper and was very much disappointed
at not meeting you there, and also at not recieving an
answer to my letter on my way there, as I had requested you to
send. On my return yesterday, I found at Alexandria your letter,
enclosing one to Mr. Broadus, which of course is useless now. I
found the farm that I went to look at, in such a delapidated condition
that I at once concluded to have nothing to do with it. Ther
are, however, as I found many other farms in market in that neighborhood,
some very handsome and desirable. I became acquainted with
several gentlemen there, among whom was Dr. Slaughter apparently
a very estimable gentleman who was very communicative. Also his
brother, Colonel Slaughter, and Dr. Welford. These gentlemen told
me of a variety of farms in that neighborhood which could be bought
tho' at advanced prices, owing to the railroad improvements, say
from 16 to 30$. One belonging to the Bradford family had about
800 cares, beautifully located & well improved with buildings,
about 3 miles N. E. of C.H. It is said it could be bought at about
20$ pr. acre. This farm I was on. Old Con.l Slaughter the father
of the Doctor has a farm about 4 m. east of the C.H. containing
about 600 acres, said by the Dr. to be a good farm, though falling
rather in the low lands, of the chocolate description. It can be
bought for about 16$ pr. acre. This I did not see. If you had met
me, I should have remained a day or two longer & made a more minute
& general examination. The country around appears to be healthy
& handsome, but the lands are by no means prime. Probably you
could make some further inquiries through some of your friends. In
the mean time I shall be riding through Loudon & Fauquier to see
if I can be better pleased here than there. Write me soon upon this
subject as I shall want your aid in making a selection.

Enclosed you will find a certificate of deposit for 2150$
endorsed for the use of Mr. Raleigh Colston, also a corresponding
receipt for him to sign. These you will please take to him at once
Deliver the certificate to him, and get his signature to the receipt
and re-inclose it to me. I took the certificate with me, intending
to send it by you from Culpeper, which scheme of course
failed.

You will see the importance of attending to this matter at
once and of acknowledging the receipt even before taking it out,
that I may be apprised of its safe arrival, the uncertainty of the
mail being such that it might miscarry. I should like to apprize
the Bank in case of miscarriage so as to stop payment.

I shall also write to Edward by this mail & will send him
a draft for 40$ which will probably carry him through. I will pay
you for all expenses incurred by you in attending to this business

We are all well. Our love to you & E.