6f acquiring information and of soliciting 

 subscriptions to my intended Treatise. 

 My first introduction was to Colonel How- 

 ard, a very worthy man, and member of 

 the senate : his wife was one of the Chews 

 family in Philadelphia. From him I got 

 introduced to Mr. Jefferson, the then vice- 

 president, and now president. This gen- 

 tleman, being very fond of the subject of 

 agriculture, was kind enough to ask me to 

 step into his room any time when I should 

 find him at leisure. On such occasions 

 a most pleasant man I found him. Hif 

 travels having been chiefly into France, I 

 was much edified by hearing what was the 

 practice there ; and likewise what sort of 

 agriculture he carried on in that part of 

 Virginia where he lived. He made me a 

 present of the mold-board of a plough he 

 had invented himself; and told me of some 

 red peas, which he offered to give me. He 

 invited me to go to visit him, and showed 

 me every possible civility. He told me 

 the average crops of wheat in Virginia and 



