Robert Carter writes to Peter Hedgeman, June 22, 1721, to inform the son of his general manager, who has recently died in an accident, that he has insufficient experience to succeed his father in that position, and that John Johnson has already been appointed to it.

     The unexpected Death of Your father was very Shocking
to me. I heartily wish he had met with a more natural fate, he has been
a very great delinquent of late from my business much contrary to the
Articles he was under to me, had he been in the Discharge of his Duty & at the
place he ought to have made his home he might have been a living
man at this day, I Shall be willing to do him Justice for the time he
was in my Service, You have done very well to go to the Several quarters & to take
a written Account of my Stocks and Goods there, I have employed one

     As to Your proposal of Succeeding Your Father in my busi
=ness It appears to be a very odd Thought in You, You must have some more
Years over Your head & a greater Share of Experience in the world as well
as to let It be Seen what courses You will fall upon in the management
of yourself & Your own business, before any Judicious person will think
You capable of Such a Charge as mine is, what kindness will lie in my
way in respect to the long employment Your father had under me
I shall be ready to do you who am