Correspondence to Robert Starr from Charles Downing

A short note from Charles Downing to Robert Starr concerning social invitations and agriculture; "Your favor received - and regret that you could not be with us at Richmond - It would give me pleasure to attend your exhibition at that time but I have an engagement at that time and being old I do not like to go so far - Will be glad to receive the specimen apples you speak of at the proper time - please pack the fruit very close & tight so that it cannot settle & bruise -"