From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 10 November 1779
To Alexander Spotswood
West point—Novr 10th 79
Dr Sir,
As you have again been so obliging as to offer me the horse you got of Lt Colo. Washington I have desired Mrs Washington (who will set out immediately for Camp) to send for him that he may come up with her1—but I again beg my dear Sir that if he is a favourite of yours that you will not send him as an⟨y⟩ other may answer my purpose.
I will send the sorrel by Mr Geo: Washington when he returns (which I beleive will be shortly) that he may be properly taken care of being now in good order.2
The Mare I esteem highly, and as bleu-skin is likely to get the better of his fistula (without its coming to a head) he & the others will serve me without the aid of the Mare—for sometime at least. My love to Mrs Spotswood.3 I am with sincere regard Yr Obedt Servt
Go: Washington
ADfS, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. Mutilated material on the draft is supplied in angle brackets from the Varick transcript.
1. GW apparently is replying to Spotswood’s letter to him of 26 October. For Martha Washington’s travel from Virginia, see John Mitchell to GW, 30 Oct., and GW to Mitchell, 6 Nov., and n.3 to that document.
2. Capt. Nathaniel Burwell, rather than GW’s nephew George Augustine Washington, transported the sorrel to Virginia (see GW to Spotswood, 15 Dec.).