[Page 1]
July 26th 1789
Sir:
I have not heard From your Estate since
harvast, I have expected to hear from Payne
For some Time - If its been as Dry in
Fauquier as it has been with me in Berkeley
there can not be much crop expected - we have
had no rain for many weeks our crop of
corn is very sorry - The crops of wheat are
good - I shall direct Mr. Payne to sow
all the Land he can in wheat - I wish you
to write to him on that subject as wheat
is the surest crop - If you Propose to sell
your Lands in Fauquier I advise you not
to Break up the Plantation, - if you do
not inted to sell the Land but to keep it
For your children I would rent it out for a
Term of years - be assured their is but Little
[Page 2]
to be made in croping with Negroes under overseers.
I propose to the sweet Springs about the 20th of
August Prevents my visiting your Estate untill
my return in October - Should you not incline
to keep Payne another year - an overseer should
be Provided in Time Perhaps it may do in
October - I had rather you should agree with a
Man your self, - should you incline to keep
Payne, he ought to Part with his stock - He
has not Judgment to mannage more than
10 hands - I do not at Present know any Person
that I can recommend as an overseer - Should you
go down to the Plantation and Propose to rent it
I Pointed out to Payne how it might be Laid out
For three Plantations or more - the Estate will
be in Better order for croping next year than it
[Running vertically down the page]
Colo. Nicholson writes to me that he cannot Pay you
[Page 2]
to be made in croping with Negroes under overseers.
I propose to the sweet Srpings abot the 20th of
August Prevents my visiting your Estate untill
my return in October - Should you not incline
to keep Payne another year - an overseer should
be Provided in Time Perhaps it may do in
October - I had rather you should agree with a
Man your self, - should you incline to keep
Payne, he ought to Part with his stock - He
has not Judgment to mannage more than
10 hands - I do not at Present know any Person
that I can recommend as an overseer - Should you
go down to the Plantation and Propose to rent it
I Pointed out to Payne how it might be Laid out
For three Plantations or more - the Estate will
be in Better order for croping next year than it
[Page 3]
has ever been in - as their is more Fresh Land
and the Fenceing in Better order &c &c
I always am anxious to fulfill the Trust
reposed in me - It gives me concern that
I can not go down to your Estate at this Time
My weak state of Health will be a Sufficient
apoligy - (rather than alludig it to any
other case) For my not attending your Estate
at a Time of so assual to see into the Finishing
the present crop as wll to Provide for [torn, illegible] next
year - - you will therefore consid[er] your
own Interest on the Business and do as you
think best -
I am Sir your
Hble Servant
Battaile Muse
[Running vertically down the page]
you will direct Mr Payne about your beaves and muttons - I believe
there are but few weathers fit for muttons and the ewes aught not
to be diminished too much, say about six muttons - & three beaves.
[Page 4]
John Hatley Norton Esqr.
Winchester
Berkeley 26 July 178[9]
Battaille Muse.
answd.
that J.HN has wrote to
Chs. Payne.
[Page 1]
Berkeley County March 26th
Sir,,
the money that has been Long due me by
my Indulgence will be called for the
First of april = the Loss I have Sustained
by you & Likely to do - (add to it
the sittuation I am in) will ocation me to Put
your Bond in suit the 2d. day of april unless
Taken up before - I wish you could send
me the money - many pounds I have
carried to you - but those Favours are
Past -
I am your hble Serv.
Battaile Muse
Berkley 26 M[arch]
1791
B. Muse
[Page 3, blank]
[Page 4]
John Hatley Norton Esqr.
Winchester
[torn, illegible]