“I would not have you higgle (which I dislike) in making a bargain.”
To Robert Lewis
Philadelphia, 23 December 1792
Dear Sir,
I have been informed within these few days, that Major Harrison of Loudoun County, who owns a piece of Land adjoining mine in Fairfax, is disposed to sell it; and to convert the money to more useful purposes.
I am led from the rascally set of Tenants who occupy that land, and by no other consideration whatsoever, to become the purchaser of it, that I may be relieved by that means from the villainies which the livers thereon are frequently committing on my property; in the practice of which their art and cunning is too great for detection. I have said my only motive to this purchase is to get rid of this pest of society, and in saying so I have declared the honest truth; for the land would not answer for a farm, being without timber, and too poor for cultivation; nor would it be profitable in Tenements, because men who intended a livelihood by honest industry, would give little or no rent for it; and my inducement to buy is to get rid of those of a contrary description.
Major Harrison must be sensible that no one can be better acquainted with the land than I am; it would be unnecessary therefore (if he has any inclination to sell it) to ask a price which it will not bear; but if he is disposed to take a reasonable price, and will act the part of a frank and candid man in fixing it, I would not have you higgle (which I dislike) in making a bargain. I will pay ready money if we can agree; but it must be on two conditions, first, that the title is good, and secondly, that it is not under the incumbrance (any part of it) of a lease; for that would defeat the sole end I should propose by the purchase; namely, to purge the neighborhood of these impure characters.
Under this view of my ideas, and the knowledge you have of my sentiments respecting the Land, any bargain you shall make in my behalf with Major Harrison, shall be binding on me.
Your Aunt unites with me in best regards for yourself and Mrs. Lewis, and I am Your Affecte Uncle