My dear Cousin –
I am very thankful for your attention to my clothes which arrived safe yesterday. Having not yet tried them on, I cannot say how they may fit – I observe that the price is much higher than you supposed, for I think that you said yours cost 10 or 11 pounds – Mr. de Barthold is a man of honor and he can account for this difference – I do every day expect remittances from Virginia, and when they come, I shall take the earliest opportunity of sending Mr. De Barthold his money.
My Secretary Harrison tells me that the Country people bring to your Market for sale fine Yarn Socks – You will oblige me much by procuring and sending me two pair of such Socks – fine yarn, white, and for a Small foot as mine is very small when stripped. Those worsted Socks that I got at Phila. are so thin and low sided that I shall be in danger of getting cold if I wear them in winter after having been used to fine Yarn Socks and so high sided as to embrace the ancles.
I have been unlucky with my horses notwithstanding all my care – Hilkeimers bill with all the other demands will come to near £20 – however there is no helping it – I have not yet got into my House, but I have hired a very spacious and elegant one, where I shall be very happy to see you & your worthy father – The people here are very hospitable and kind I assure you – If it is in my power to serve your friend Cutting, I will do it with much pleasure upon your knowledge and opinion of him – My best love always attends the family – I am my dear Cousin
Yours sincerely & affectionately.
I shall thank Mr. De Barthold for preserving for me Six small buttons & as many large ones like those on my new Clothes, for I fear by their looks that they will want replacing sometimes.
NOTES:
Printed in James Curtis Ballagh, The Letters of Richard Henry Lee, Volume 2, 1779 – 1794, pp. 324 – 25.