From George Washington to Richard Henry Lee, 20 February 1787
To Richard Henry Lee
MOUNT VERNON, February 20, 1787.
Dear Sir—Your favour of the 15th, with the seed of the honey locust came safe to hand, and claims my particular thanks.1 I have but one doubt of its forming the best hedge in the world; and that is, whether it can be sufficiently dwarfed. If this cannot be effected, the other purpose mentioned in your letter, and a valuable one too, of subserving stock, is alone sufficient to induce the cultivation of the tree.
Mrs. Washington offers respectful compliments to Mrs. Lee, to whom, though I have not the honour of being known, I beg leave to tender mine;2 we both join in best wishes for you, and the young ladies, and with great esteem and respect, I have the honour to be, dear sir, Your most obedient and affectionate servant.
GEO: WASHINGTON.
2:34–35.
1. Letter not found. GW had seeds of the honey locust sowed on 23 April “behind the Stables” ( , 5:142).
2. Lee’s second wife was Anne Gaskins Pinckard Lee, to whom he had been married since 1769.