I was unable, with the assistance of several of the Neighbours thereabouts, to survey the lines, or more than one corner of the tract. There was also a corner to the Land lately belonging to the earl of Tankerville, and at the end of the first course after leaving the run (where it was supposed the upper corner tree thereon formerly stood). From this, well known corner neither line tree nor corner tree could be found; the next, called for by the Deed, was a white oak on the bridge branch. In running the course of the Deed from thence, it crossed the main (Leesburgh) road much lower, than those present, conceived it ought to have done; the concurrent opinion being, that this course and Tankerville's were the same; and it was well known to them all that the latter crossed the Road higher up.

--- On Wed, 22/7/1798, Aleander Hamilton <al.ham@whitehouse.gov;> wrote:

My LORD:
In the early part of this month, I went up to Difficult-run to examine with more accuracy than I had ever done before, the small tract of Land you were so obliging (many years ago) to accomodate me with, for a Stage for my Wagons whilst I had plantations in Berkeley County; to see if it would now (having many years since removed my people from those Lands) answer for a small Farm; those around me being overstocked with labourers.

----- Original Message -----

From: tj@whitehouse.gov

To: al.ham@whitehouse.gov

Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 1798 9:57 PM

Subject: Re: more stuff

Mrs. Washington unites in bestwishes for your restored health- and in respect to your Lady and family with Your Lordships Most Obedt. and Affectionate Hble. Servant

-----more text-----
TJ: tj@whitehouse.gove
al: al.ham@whitehouse.gov
date: 1798/7/21, 13:36
subject: more stuff

As you hold the land on the North & East of my tract, and (according to information) Mr. Ferd. Fairfax possesses that which is on the South & Wt. nothing remains to be done but in the settled and temperate part of the ensuing Spring if health will permit, for Your Lordship Mr. Fairfax & myself to repair to the scene-agree upon-and mark our lines of separation to prevent encroachment on either side in future.

From: gwash@whitehouse.gov

To: al.ham@whitehouse.gov ;

Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 1798 11:24 AM

Subject: More Stuff

The smallness of my tract (275 Acs only, by Norris's Survey) and the pillage of its timber,-together with the clearing of a part thereof (where useless to me) by Muir, rendered the gore which had been deemed mine, of some importance to the tract, altho' the land is hilly-broken-and the soil and wood thin,-especially in the article of timber; -so far as I could form an opinion by running the course of my Deed.-Yet, even under these circumstances, such an addition might have enabled me to cut down more of the 275 acres.-which, small as it is, I am told is to have part taken away by an older Patent of Lewis's; which calls for a straight line from my corner at the old ford at Difficult, to my upper corner thereon; & which, will take away some of the best land in the bend of the run.-The right to do this you, perhaps, can judge better than I who have no knowledge of the property thereabouts.

----- Original Message -----

From: gwash@whitehouse.gov

To: al.ham@whitehouse.gov ;

Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 1798 11:24 AM

Subject: More Stuff

My LORD,
I thank you for the courses of so much of your land on Difficult" as had any relation to my small tract at the Bridge, over that stream; and for the comnmunication contained in your favour of the 28th Instt The information derived from these sources, has satisfied me that the opinion of the Borderers on my land that it extended to Tankervilles line:-and my own opinion (when I found the lines separated at the Bridge Branch) that what lay between them was vacant, is erroneous:-and it has, of course, arrested all proceedings of mine to obtain it as waste land. ...

Thomas Jefferson
my huge estate
otherplace 24479