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form or mode in which the work was to be done & by that
mean each competitor would hav been on an equal footing,
my wish & Inclination was to execute the work in an
Extraordinary manner, at the time that I said [British pound symbol] 1,000 but
having an Idea at the same time of Lucas's way of
Business by a parcel of awkward Negroes, who do not deserve??
to ?? wages, I thought it the only way to put myself
on an equantity with him to make that last reserve, that in
case of the price being much reduced I would do it for
[British pound symbol] 850. rather than loose it; Let me instance to you
that I could Build a house the same size & of the
one for which I charged [British pound symbol] 1,000. for 3/4 of that Sum
that might be Sufficiently strong; and have a better bar-
gain that my first design would have have been at this
Thousand pounds, & this I concieve is the advantage Mr.
Lucas & Mr. Conry has had of ^me^ in counting on an inferior
kind of work; In the next place Sir I have to inform
you that according to the mode in which Mr. Lucas
& Mr. Conroy has calculated on I am willing to do the
work in the present plan a few Shillings cheaper than
either of them knowing myself able to build it
on as good terms as any that offer, & if it is not [redcuc??]
lower than [British pound symbol] 725, as you discribed in your letter
having no cellar but underpined 4 feet from the surface
& you may depend on me to do it: but at the Same
time those Gentlemen should not know that I am
determined to be below them, for they would perhaps through
a malicious principle to me cry it conciderably lower
than any person could aford to do it at. & I do assure you
upon the honour of a man of truth, there will nothing be
made by it more than common law wages at less than
[British pound symbol] 800; if the workman is faithful in performing it as
he ought. The House I built for Mr. Cain I think

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has not been more work than this, under the present form,
& yet he is very confident he has not been out less than
[British pound symbol] 1,000 on it. The time which you allow for the finish-
ing this work I have not heard, I hope if you Sir cause
to let me take it you will give sufficient to complete it in
as the work will be better than when hurried up with green
timber, but if you have mentioned to Mr. Lucas & Mr. Congroy
when it must be done I will abide by the result.

I think it will be convenient for me to make
brick as I intend employing a Bricklayer by the year
especially if you allow me the priviledge of a place
for I wish to build there on my own Land, this you may
prize as your interest as being a means of promoting the
place, I hope therefore you will encourage the ??
incline to build there shortly.

If you can give me a final answer
in any Short time you may Inform the bearer Frede-
rick Collier, that he may wait for it, if not have direct-
ed him to return immediately. In case you should alter
the plan you have form an Idea how much Should be
added on deducted in proportion to such alteractions

My expectation is, the lowest proposal is not less than [British pound symbol] 750
you are to allow me within a few Shillings of that Sun
& at any rate as they are so ??I wish to have
it provided they are not apprised of my determination,

I am with much respect,
Sir ??
Sam Hopkins

Hilsboro. Jan. 8th 1794

N.B. let me know
the result immediately
S.H.

Mr. Haywood