Hardly a report reached him that did not fail to explain something in which he was interested.

This was one of the many disadvantages of farming at long range.
In 1793 Washington described his overseers to Pearce, who was just taking charge, in great detail.

Stuart is competent, sober and industrious, but talkative and conceited.

"If he stirs early and works late ...

his talkativeness and vanity may be humored." Crow is active and possessed of good judgment, but overly fond of "visiting and receiving visits." McKoy is a "sickly, slothful and stupid fellow." Butler, the gardener, may mean well, but "he has no more authority over the Negroes he is placed over than an old woman would have." Ultimately he dismissed Butler on this ground, but as the man could find no other job he was forced to give him assistance.