Robert Carter writes to Colonel [Thomas] Lee of Westmoreland County, March 4, 1729, to alert him that he had written a week earlier about militia commissions and to send him condolences on the fire that had destroyed his home. Most of the letter deals with land that Lee wishes to obtain, and attempts to persuade Lee to exclude from his survey a small piece of land that would be useful to Carter and his son.

     Last week I sent you the Commissions for the militia
of your County and then discharg'd my self of a duty I thought
lay upon me to condole your severe misfortune

     Some parts of your letter by Mr. Thomas I have
already answered in relation to the lessning the quantity of the

     As for the Composition I will have it weighty from tho=
se who pay me in Tob:s: the crown you know takes no tobo for the
Rights Sterling money is my due Bills of Excha will best pleas
me however to make it no precedent to Oblige you I will take
Cash of you as you propose

     Mr: Thomas hath Shewed me his plat of the land at
the falls of your river taking in upon the three warrts: a great^r [sic]
quantity than all the warrts: contain yours if for 150 Acres
if you persist in having your quantity I shall not Oppose it
but I must reserve the Eleven Acres at the upper end of the rolling
rode next to Capt. Turberviles Land to take in the red hill and the
Small Level that is below it and to include that part of the rolling
road but you would much better please us to leave all that ps of
Land that lyes between the run and your other line and
methinks a little good humour may bring you into this altho yo
fall some few acres short of your full quantity however if [you]
will not bate an inch you have the Priority and must have it
The Point below this waste land being yours already affording
all imaginable Conveniency of Levels for Building &ca: twill be
pretty harsh you will not leave my son a small part of this
waste Land to Set a house or Two upon for receptall to his
goods when ever he shall have Occasion to bring any there