1To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Spotswood, 12 October 1739 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , December 11, 1740. The Part which your Predecessor, Mr. Andrew Bradford, has acted with respect to the Post-Office Accompts, is no longer to be born with . The Deputy Post-Masters in Great-Britain account every two Months with the General Post-Office there; and I am obliged every half Year to have the Accounts of the General Post-Office in...
2To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 30 April 1775 (Washington Papers)
It is Immagin’d the first thing, that will Come on the Carpet at the Meeting of the Congress, Will be that, of Establishing Regular Armies throughout the Continent on pay if such a thing, Shd Take place, their is not the least doubt But youl have the Command of the Whole forces in this Collony—and in that Case, shall ever Esteem you as my greatest freind, if you’l use yr Intrest in procureing...
3To George Washington from Col. Alexander Spotswood, 7 April 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Col. Alexander Spotswood, 7 April 1777. In GW’s letter to Spotswood of 8 April , he refers to “your Letter of yesterdays date.”
4To George Washington from Col. Alexander Spotswood, 9 July 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Col. Alexander Spotswood, 9 July 1777. In his letter to GW of 10 July , Spotswood writes: “Since my letter of yesterdays date—I have Maturely Considdered the Consequences that will Attend a Resignation at this time.”
5To George Washington from Colonel Alexander Spotswood, 10 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since my letter of yesterdays date —I have Maturely Considdered the Consequences that will Attend a Resignation at this time; Hitherto I hope I have Avoided Censure, and to avoid any Imputation being laid on my Character, as an Officer & a Gentleman; I shall Continue to do my duty as Colo. to the 2d Va Regt to the end of the Campaign—In the meantime I shall represent my Case to the Congress—&...
6To George Washington from Colonel Alexander Spotswood, 9 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
My spirits are quite sunk, at the Loss of a Brother that I loved most affectionately —he poor man has left behind a young Widdow & three small infants; she poor woman will want a Comforter, & the poor Children a father, Both of which they must find in me, my tender Feelings for his distrest family, with our having promised each Other in a most Solemn manner, that whenever it pleased god that...
7To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 16 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
My reasons for Quiting the Service at the time I did you already have —two days after my arrival at home they were obviated by a letter which I receivd from Colo. Stevens informing me of my brother being Only Wounded, and likely to recover—I immediatly wrote to Our delegates informing them the Contents of Colo. Steven’s letter, and my desire of reentering the service, provided I coud be...
8To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 23 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys Favour of the 11th Came to hand this day. I ever thought, from the small Connection betwen us by marraige, that I had a share in your regard, and am happy to find, that, as an Officer, I was not low in your Esteem. To enter into a detail of what has past, woud b⟨e⟩ only Takeing up your Excellencys time, and now, woud answer no purpose; I shall only add, that, as events have...
9To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 8 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Our last Assembly resolved that Ge[nera]l Nelson be directed to purchase four geldings to be sent on as a present from the State to yr Excellency—the g[enera]l being under the Necessity of going to Congress—desired me to undertake it —I have purchased you two Exceeding fine ones—and shall Attend the petersburg races which happens on the 1st day of April next, where I shall get two more, & will...
10To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 15 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honr to receive your excellencys letter on my return from the petersburg races —& I was happy I did not meet with any horses that woud answer your purpose, as I found by your letter that you gave the preference to mares. The bearer of this brings on a Mare & gelding—the mare is four years Old & well bred, has been used a little to the Saddle & charriot—& promises fairly to excell in...
11To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 23 Aug. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Alexander Spotswood, 23 Aug. 1779. On 19 Sept., GW wrote Spotswood: “I have been just favoured with your Letter of the 23d of August.”
12To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 27 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your favr of the 15th must inform you, that I have not as yet purchased a fourth horse, not owing to any neglect on my part, but from the very great Scarcity of Such as woud answer your purpose. In november we shall have a large meeting of gentlemen at our races, when I am in hopes, I shall be able to procure and send you on one of the finest; but in the mean time, will ride & see...
13To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 26 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your excellencys favr I have now before me, in answer thereto, desire you will Send down the Sorrel, & as soon as I can will send one on of a Stouter built —at Colo. Meads request in Winter 1778—Colo. Washington (by Letter) made me an offer of his horse, but as he did not himself think him perfectly sound, I declined the purchase —on my return last Spring to Virginia, the horse was in...
14To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 3 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received yr Excellencys favr of the 10th of last month, this day. And so far from parting with my horse with regreit—that it gives me the greatest pleasure to Furnish you with him—I this day delivered him to one of yr Servants—perfectly Sound and in good order but must still Recommend to yr Excellency, not to use him this Winter—but let him run in a paddock—and have a shelter for him to go...
15To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 27 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Stith Brings out a horse which I think will Suit, provided you have no objection to his Age —he is ten years of Age this Spring, was brought in From England a Colt by Mr Chs Yates, in whose possetion he has remained ever Since—he is a horse of fine Constitution, and has never been injured, Indeed I do not believe the horse has ever been rode 2,000 Miles Since his Comeing into the...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Alexander Spotswood, 26 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed you by Major Richard Claiborne, a Gentleman of uncommon merrit. At the commencement of this War, anxious to serve his Country, he entered as a private in the 2d. Virginia Regiment. His diligence soon prefered him to the Rank of a serjeant, in which character he acted with such propriety, that he drew my attention towards him, and as soon as I had it in my power, appointed...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Alexander Spotswood, 3 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I came home, I have contracted with a workman For 1200 Catridge Boxes and 1200 Bayonet Belts For the use of the two Legions now raising , each Box to carry 33 Rounds, and to be Fixed, (as well as the belts) in the same manner, as those of the brittish. The price agreed on, is 15s/ hard money or the exchange, For each box and belt. In 1776 the Same workman received From the state, 20s/...
18Alexander Spotswood to Virginia Delegates, 19 August 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC ( NA : PCC , No. 78, XXI, 109–11). Addressed “To The Hb. The Virga. Delegates” and docketed: “Letter from Alexr Spotswood Augt. 19h. 1781. read 21st. referred to Mr Varnum Mr Duane Mr Bland Report of Committee. Aug 27. 1781 Entered. Read.” My business here is to procure accoutriments For the two Legions now raiseing for the defence of our state, and which I have the honr. to Command and it...
19To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 13 January 1787 (Washington Papers)
I had not lost Sight of the Memorandom given me last fall by Majr Washington, and was about writeing to you when I recd his Favr of decr 30—86. The crop before last, I unfortunately had some black oat on my Farm, which Caused a mixture among my white Crop, and in order to get them again pure; I picked a few bushles over, and sowed them in a Corner of my Farm, by which means I have a small...
20To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 3 March 1787 (Washington Papers)
By the Stage you will receive 3 bushle of my oats—One Busshle of Siberian Barly—Half of my Stock of the Bunch Homony Bean—& half d[itt]o of the English white Feild pea. The oats are the best kind that I ever propagated, but unfortunately, and in order to make out my crop—I saved two years ago some of the Black oat, which has occasioned a mixture—those I now send, are out of a parcel made from...
21To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 5 March 1787 (Washington Papers)
Your Favr of the 22d February pr Majr Barret, never came to my hands until this day. The Seeds I promised you, were Sent of by the Stage this day to Alexandria; to the Care of the Clerk of the Stage office at that place, & every precaution mentioned in yr letter, has been attended to by me—Sent 3 bus. of oats—1 bus. Barley—the Bunch homony bean, and a Small quantity of the White Feild...
22To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 25 June 1787 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Alexander Spotswood, 25 June 1787. On 26 Aug. GW wrote Spotswood and referred to “yours of the 25th of June.”
23To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 20 January 1788 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Alexander Spotswood, 20 Jan. 1788. On 13 Feb. GW wrote Spotswood about “Your favor of the 20th Ult.”
24To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 4 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
My Second Son, John Augustine Spotswood, who I declined entering into the French Navy, for good & Substantial reasons given by you, was immediatly entered on board of a large Merchant ship; and next april, Compleets his regular Service, From a Cabbin Boy up to mate, In which Character he is now officiating in. I have expended much money on his Nautical Education, and great pains has been...
25To James Madison from Alexander Spotswood, 4 December 1791 (Madison Papers)
Being Convinced in my own mind, that America, would, one day, or another; have a navy—and being Willing to do all in my power to assist in Maning of it—I did at an early period, enter my Second Son, John Augustine Spotswood, on Board of a Merchant ship—and next april, Compleats his regular Servitude, From a Cabbin boy up to Mate, in which Capacity he is now Acting—he is now in London; and will...
26To James Madison from Alexander Spotswood, 11 February 1792 (Madison Papers)
I Find that there is something due to me for my Services while in the army. Here Follows—the time I entered the army, the times of my Several promotions, and the time of my resignation. August. 1775. Entered the Army with the rank of Major In the 2d. Virginia regiment under the Command of Woodford the Colo. & Scott Lt. Colo. March 1776. Colo. Henry Commanding the First Regiment resigned. When...
27To James Madison from Alexander Spotswood, 9 April 1792 (Madison Papers)
Your Favr. of the 2d. Inst. I am just honoured with. In answer, I say, that from the time I entered into the service, to the time I quitted it, which my honr. compelld me to do—and which will Fully appr. by my memorial to Congress in 1777—There was not an officer in the Army, more Attentive & Constant to his duty than myself—and being informed that an act of Congress deprived every officer of...
28To James Madison from Alexander Spotswood, 23 April 1792 (Madison Papers)
On the rect of Yours of the 2d Inst. wherein you say—it appears by the Accts. of depreciation from Virginia—that I have been paid £120.. 10—I wrote you in Answer, denying the rect. of Such Sum. Since that I was Told, that the money, must be in the hands, of the Commissioner of loans—in this State. I got the favr. of Messers. Dykes & gray —to Negotiate the matter for me—they wrote & recd. the...
29To James Madison from Alexander Spotswood, 1 May 1792 (Madison Papers)
I am hond. with yr last—inclosing information, from Colo. Parker, where to apply, to know by whoom, my depreciation of pay was drawn. I Just recollect Selling to a mercht. in Baltimore, sundry Certificates got of Colo. Ball—I have wrote to him to know if one in my name was among them; if there is it must have been drawn by a frd. for me. With respect I remain Dr Sr yr Ob St RC ( DLC )....
30To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 10 July 1792 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Alexander Spotswood, 10 July 1792. On 23 July, GW wrote Spotswood a letter in which he mentioned “your favor of the 10th.”