Edmund Bacon to Arthur S. Brockenbrough
| Deare Sir | Monticello December 16th 1821 |
It happened that one of my fellows came home this morning and I send him up for your inspection the other fellow is at least twenty weight heavyer than the one of now sent. this fellow is a very excellent good slave and indeed all I own are good slaves other the other man I cannot say when I can send him up perhaps not as soon as you would like and I dont no that it would be prudent in me to waite so long before I have them out. if you choose to take them you will certainly find the other man more large and able than the one now sent. they are full able to do as much work as common as I mentioned yesterday should I remoove to the western part of the world country at the next fall it would not soot me to leave by my slaves behind. I must tharefore make reserve for them to be given up should I want them for that purpose I should expect [them] clothed in common way and fed well and as to labour [I] dont care how steadily they are Kept at their work
Perhaps I may offer you one or two more in the course of the week
After wrighting the above my people appear to be so desireous to Keep together altho I should loose money by it. I have given consented that if the men can make arrangements with you about comeing to see their wifes that you may take the whole four at $70 round and but three of them will be liable to be called for before the end of yeare I send you Mr Maupins note to me that you may see his offer. I am told that one of their wifes will live the next yeare at Charlottesville, the other one at this place
You are now offerd four first rate labourours at a very low Price and will now see three of them
be pleased to return [the en]closed note1 of Mr Maupin [. . .]