Robert Carter writes to [John] Mercer, August 28, 1727, concerning a land purchase Mercer has offered him of land lying between Mercer and his brother-in-law, George Mason.

     By yours of the 24th Instant I perceive I must be in
a great deal of hast if I intend to be the purchaser of your Land I am Sorry
your Occasions Should be so urgent upon you, which requires a great
deal more Expedition than I can Comply ^with in parting from my
money neither if I had a Tolderable Accot. of the Land would I give so
much by a great deal as Mr. England Offers and therefore it must
be your best way under your present Exigency to close up yor. bar=
gain with him Colonel Mason is so kind to you to promise you the
first Choice after a Division between you and also that he will
Enter into bond for his sisters makeing over the Land in due form
of Law ^{after she comes to her undoubted age of 21} which you undertook he would do and upon these proposals
I now write to Mr. Jones to take a view of Land and to give me In
formation how it appears to him if you will take the trouble to Show
him where it lyes as for what you Say about Capt: Strother he had
no directions from me to treat with you about this land if he did it
in Service to me I must thank him for it You must Excuse me from
laying down money untill I am Secure of the Purchase I have bin
bitt too often in my life upon Such Scores I dare Say if Colonel Smith
were Assured of my buying your Land that I was to be his
Paymaster he would not be so very hasty with his Execution If I was
in his Case I should think my Self well of to be Secure of having my
money any time before the going of your ^the next Fleet,

     Yours and Colonel Masons Letter which you men