19351To George Washington from Richard Dobbs Spaight, 24 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
On the 21st inst: I received information that a Schooner belonging to the port of Wilmington in this State had been fitted out as a privateer in South Carolina, on behalf of one of the parties at War, taken a British Vessel, and brought her into Wilmington as a Prize; at which place both the privateer and prize were then lying. In conformity to the instructions which I received from the...
19352To George Washington from Richard Dobbs Spaight, 6 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose to you a copy of the proceedings of the General Assembly respecting our frontiers, in conformity to the request of the legislature expressed in those proceedings I have given orders to Col: D. Vance of Buncomb county to call into service the Scouts or patroles agreable to the instructions contained in the Secretary of Wars letter of the 19th Decem: 1792. I have...
19353To George Washington from Richard Dobbs Spaight, 6 September 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of the Secretary of the treasury’s letter of the 18th August respecting the proscribed privateers who were to be denied asylum in the ports of the United States except upon condition of their being dismantled of their military equipments. There have never been but two privateers of that description fitted in the ports of this state to wit the Vanqueur de...
19354To George Washington from Richard Dobbs Spaight, 10 March 1795 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to enclose to you an Authenticated Copy of an Act of the General Assembly of this State entitled “An Act ratifying an Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America” also an Act entitled “An Act for Ceding to the United States the Jurisdiction of certain Lands on Shell Castle Island in the harbour of Ocacock.” I am &c. LB , Nc-Ar : Governors’ Letterbooks. The...
19355To George Washington from Richard Dobbs Spaight, 19 July 1794 (Washington Papers)
On the 10th day of June I appointed Wm E. Atkins to superintend the actual execution of the works to be erected on Cape Fear river he being recommended to me as a man capable of fulfilling the duties of that appointment. Mr Joshua Potts mentioned by Genl Knox, had been previously appointed by the collector of Wilmington agent for the same bussiness. Mr Martinon is of opinion that the fort at...
19356To George Washington from Richard Dobbs Spaight, 25 April 1788 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Richard Dobbs Spaight, 25 April 1788. On 25 May GW wrote Spaight that he had received the “letter with which you honored me the 25th of last month.”
19357To George Washington from Richard Dobbs Spaight, 8 February 1794 (Washington Papers)
By the last post I received the Secretary of Wars letter of the 21st Jany 1794. At the time the legislature passed the resolutions which I did myself the honor to transmit you on the 6th July last they had grounds to apprehend an attack on our frontiers by the Indians. they had from the representations made to me in novem: been in the habit during the Summer and fall of committing depredations...
19358To George Washington from Brigadier General Joseph Spencer, 16 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Camp at Roxbury , 16 December 1775 . Recommends Stephen Keyes for a vacant first lieutenancy in Col. Samuel Holden Parsons’s regiment. LS , DLC:GW . For background on this letter, see Keyes to GW, this date . For another recommendation of Keyes, see Jedediah Huntington, Samuel Wyllys, and Samuel Holden Parsons to GW, this date .
19359To George Washington from Major General Joseph Spencer, 26 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Receiv’d your Excellency letter of 11th Instt and have carefully Observ’d the Contents Shall Endeavor faithfully to attend your Excellency’s advice therein given. We are but poorly prepar’d to defend the country here with the present Army, But I imagine that there is Great Reason to believe that the Enemy are about to leave Rhode island soon—Sundry people have lately made their escape from...
19360To George Washington from Major General Joseph Spencer, 16 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I Receivd your Excellencys favour, of 1st and 6th Instant and am Happy to find that the Steps I have taken meet with your Excellency’s approbation, I have proceeded in no matters that Incur Expense (except what is necessary for the subsistance of the army) without the Consent and advice of all the Genl officers in this army, I have applyed to the Several New England States to Supply...
19361To George Washington from Brigadier General Joseph Spencer, 22 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
22 February 1776 . “Certifies that the Revd Nathl Eells at present the Chaplain of the 10th & 19th Regts engaged for four Months from the first of Jany last.” DS , DLC:GW . Although this document is not specifically addressed to GW, it was apparently sent to him as were other certifications of chaplain appointments about this time. See Nathanael Greene to GW, 21 Feb ., William Heath to GW, 22...
19362To George Washington from Major General Joseph Spencer, 15 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy at Rhode Island remain as they were when I wrote last to your Excellency, as I am Informed by Six deserters who came from them the week before last, four Hessions and two British from the 54th The Enemy last week Landed about 2,00 Men from Cananicut on Boston Neck designing to take a guard and Some Stock &c. this Occasioned a Considerable Alarm but they did no other damage, than to...
19363To George Washington from Brigadier General Joseph Spencer, 25 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer hereof Capt. Sumner in Colo. Wyllys’s Regiment, has a Lieut. on Command with Colo. Arnold—whereby the Birth is at present vacant: Roger Hooker an Ensign belonging to the same Regiment a likely young Officer—and the only one who is willing to serve another Campaign, of the Company he at present belongs to—is desirous to serve in the Birth of the absent Lieut.—as likewise Capt. Sumner...
19364To George Washington from Major General Joseph Spencer, 30 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to your Excellency the 11th Instant which has doubtless Arrived before now; I design’d then to have wrote Weekly, but haveing no opportunity for conveyance unless by Express, have neglected untill now; On the Receipt of your Excellencys orders to me of the 22d ultimo directing, me to hasten forward, instead of Returning back any troops that were by their Respective states destined for...
19365To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Joseph Spencer, 11 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Joseph Spencer, 11 Jan. 1777. Spencer wrote GW on 30 Jan. : “I wrote to your Excellency the 11th Instant.”
19366To George Washington from Major General Joseph Spencer, 2 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
we have made the necessary preparations for making a Descent on Rhode Island in almost Every perticular and Should have soon proceeded if we had not been Intirely Prevented for want of men, I was in hopes of having troops Sufficient for that purpose after I have permission from your Excellency to Call in some Continental troops so as to have made the tryal before the troops now at this place...
19367To George Washington from Major General Joseph Spencer, 11 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to Congratulate Your Excellency on the Success of Lt Colo: Barton, who with the Number of forty, Including Capts: Addams & Philips & some other brave Officers, last Night went on Rhode Island and brought off Majr Genl Prescot and one of his Ad. de. Camps and the Centry at the Genls door all that was at the Genls Quarters—this was done with such prudence that no Alarm was...
19368To George Washington from Major General Joseph Spencer, 12 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Orders of the 14th I did not receive untill the 23d of Decemr; at that Time no Militia had arrived from New England. I had heard a Day or two before that some belonging to the Massachusetts State were on their Way as far as Litchfield. I set out on my Journey the 24th day of Decemr met no Troops untill I had passed New Haven, between N. Haven and Providence, I met some...
19369To George Washington from Brigadier General Joseph Spencer, 18 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Camp at Roxbury 18 December 1775 . Recommends William Peck for adjutant of Col. Jedediah Huntington’s regiment. LS , DLC:GW . William Peck served as Huntington’s adjutant until 23 June 1776 when he became brigade major to Gen. Joseph Spencer. Peck was appointed one of Spencer’s aides-de-camp on 14 Aug. 1776, and on 17 July 1777 Congress named him adjutant general to the militia and state...
19370To George Washington from Major General Joseph Spencer, 7 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The strength of the Land Force of the Enemy at Rhode Island, remains much as it has been, for several Months past; they have Fortifyed Latterly Considerably, and Especially, near New Port; I have obtaind a Return of four Regiments, in October last, which I Enclose adding the other two Hession, and the 22nd Brittish Regiments, together with the Grenadiers, and Light Infantry of the 54th and the...
19371To George Washington from Major General Joseph Spencer, 30 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Opportunity presenting, I readily improve it, to write by the Bearer who is Colonel Michael Fabricy a Kováts—A Gentleman from the Prussian Service, bound on a Tour to Visit your Excellency; though I have at the present, not much to write about—yet conclude it to be my Duty to Inform as nearly as may be of the State of the Enemy’s Army in this State, as well as Our own. Within a few Weeks past,...
19372To George Washington from Major General Joseph Spencer, 14 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have rec’d your Excellency’s Letter of the 3d of April instant, and in Answer thereto take Liberty to observe, that by the late Appearances there is no probability that the Enemy will soon evacuate Rhode Island, as your Excellency has apprehended and as we have heretofore generally expected in these parts: the Ships that were haul’d off when I wrote last, being thirty three Square rigg’d...
19373To George Washington from Colonel Oliver Spencer, 3 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
it gives me the greates pain to trouble your Excellency with any further Account of the Unhappy Mutiny Committed by that part of the Regt, formerly Col. Malcoms, but justice to my own Reputation, constrains me to do it. I now view it in a Diffirent light from what I did when I wrote by Cap. Santford, and to Say nothing more, there Appeared too much Softness in the officers who had the Command...
19374To George Washington from Colonel Oliver Spencer, 14 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
“the inclosed Letter, tho’ long Neglected thro’ mistake, as the Arrangement has not yet made it’s appearance, I hope may not be too late to answer the desired end. altho’ I wish to Serve my Country to the Utmost of my Ability, I cannot Say I’m fond of a Soldiers life. indeed if I were ever So fond, the consideration of a lonely Family, Subject to a thousand, Difficulties, and insults from the...
19375To George Washington from Colonel Oliver Spencer, 30 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
agreable to your Excellency’s Orders the Regiment, has arrived at this place there are no proper tools for mending the roads in this town but have orderd those at Minisink to Meet us at Col: Strouds, as there are various roads from this, Leading thro’ the great Swamp to Wyoming am at Some loss which road your Excellency may have in View for us to take and repair. Shall be much Obliged to be...
19376To George Washington from Colonel Oliver Spencer, 15 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Col. Oliver Spencer, 15 Feb. 1779. GW wrote Spencer on 20 Feb. : “I have received your letter of the 15th.”
19377To George Washington from Colonel Oliver Spencer, 14 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
agreable to the orders of General Hand I Send Serjt DeLong Who has been into the Indian Country, for your Excellency’s to Examine. we are now entered on the repairs of the road, to Wyoming but are exceedingly put to it, for tools, as axes are almost the only tools we are posses’d of; I Expect to meet Col. Courtlandt tomorrow at Pokono, and am in hopes to make good head way through, nothing...
19378To George Washington from Colonel Oliver Spencer, 22 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
the Bearer Cap: Combs, late of Forman’s Corps, waits on your Excellency to inform you that their Situation at present, is not So agreable as they could wish, Originating in Some degree from a want of their Commissions, and not knowing whether they are annexed, or incorporated with the Regt which I have the Honor to Command; which last circumstance, renders it also Somewhat inconvenient to the...
19379To George Washington from Colonel Oliver Spencer, 30 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
your Excellency’s favour of Yesterday I Receiv’d, have ordered the Stores at Machocamack to be conveyed down as far as Van Camps, where a quantity of Stores are Deposited by Col. Hooper, I do not think the Stores will be very Safe there, without a guard. as bringing off our men from that part leaves the Whole Country on the Delaware open—enclsed is a return of Such Officers as chuse to remain...
19380To George Washington from Colonel Oliver Spencer, 7 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
When I engaged more Immediately in the Service of my Country, the latter end of the year 1776 and beginning of 1777, it was a time when our Expectations of reducing the enemy, and Gaining our grand Point, were languid and Small. at this Difficult Period, it become every Honest man and friend to his Country, to exert himself in it’s favour to the Utmost of his Abilities. Since the above recited...
19381To George Washington from Colonel Oliver Spencer, 18 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding Capt. Lyon has resigned as a Capt. in Coll Lee’s Regiment, I Do not think it was altogether, from his being Disapointed of some Expected Preferment in Some others, but, the Improbability of Col. Lee’s Regt being filled. Capt. Lyon has a fondness to the Service and I beleive would Accept of a Company in my Regt if your Excellency Approves of it, an answer will much Oblige your...
19382To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 25 July 1799 (Washington Papers)
Much rain last week and some other matters prevented my Sending to the post office until last Tuseday (the 23d) when I got both your favors of the 15 & 20 Inst., which I shall proceed to Answer, begining first with your private concerns. The administrators of James Mercer decd are Mr John Brooke, and James Garnet—the former lives 13 Miles from me, the latter, 36—and you may rest assured I will...
19383To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 13 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
Since my return home I have seen charles Davis, The man that I had in view, to procure for you, as a Butler, and house keeper—he Tells me his Wages is raised from £50 to £90—so that my expectations is baffled as to him—I shall go to Town to morrow—and shall make application to another young man in the Same line of charles Davis; he is a neat decent young man—of Reputable parents—and I beleive...
19384To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 24 December 1798 (Washington Papers)
I received a letter last Week from Mr Short, dated Novr 1st—he Says Mr Hites absence from home, has prevented his doing any thing towards the purchase of Andrew Woodrows Survey—but so Soon as hite returns, he will have the bussiness closed to your Satisfaction. I have also recd a letter from Mr Feild, he acknowledges the Rect of mine, covering Sundry papers to enable him to find out the...
19385To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 23 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
My last—dated I think on the 16—informed you, that my overseer had accepted your Terms—but that he Should Take the farm in preference to the home house—should Rhodes decline Takeing yr bussiness—From Whoom I have recd no answer to my Several letters, the first of which I am certain was lodged at his house—Consequently you had better look out—but should Rhodes come to my house, or write me...
19386To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 6 February 1798 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Alexander Spotswood, 6 Feb. 1798. On 11 Feb. GW wrote Spotswood about his “letters of the 14th Ulto & 6th Instt.”
19387To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 24 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
General Lee and myself have Cancelled our bargain for the three tracts of land Laying in Kentucky, & which I purchased of him last year, (on certain Conditions,) two of which tracts had been previously Sold to you. In March I shall depart for that State to carry these conditions into effect —and if you have not yet Sold the two Sd tracts on Ruff-Creek, I would advise you not to do so—haveing...
19388To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 9 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Alexander Spotswood, 9 March 1794. GW wrote Spotswood on 15 March that “Your letter of the 9th instt is at hand.”
19389To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 27 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
Pardon me for troubling you once more in behalf of my Son John. (he writes me, that he has received much civility from Mr Morris—but has had, as yet, no offer of a Birth in his Indiaman whose arriveal, I am Told, is daily expected.[)] Hitherto he has been constantly employed; and will return to Philadelphia, in October from his Second Voyage. I could wish him to be on Some certainty with Mr...
19390To 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.”
19391To 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.”
19392To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 23 June 1797 (Washington Papers)
Haveing already wrote you respecting your lands purchased of general Lee, Laying on Rough Creek—shall now only observe, that I arrived on them with the gentlemen, mutually chosen by Lee and myself, to Vallue the Same; on the 25 of may after traceing the lines so as to Keep us within the bounds of the two tracks; we proceeded to Traverse the Same, and found the two tracts to consist of as...
19393To 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.”
19394To 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...
19395To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 4 August 1799 (Washington Papers)
your favour of the 31 of July, Covering your letter to Mr Short, and Lees deed to you, has come to hand, and shall be duly Attended to. I am about to Build a Yawl for the Convenience of my Family going by water to Fredericksburg; which mode of conveyance in the Summer is more pleasant than a Carraige; yours pleaseing me better than any I have yet Seen, will thank you to direct Mr Anderson, to...
19396To 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.”
19397To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 13 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
A promise to Spend two days with Mr Brent: delaid my arriveal in Frederickburg until the Seventh Inst., when I got from the post office your favr of the 23d of August covering your advertisement for a house keeper, or household Steward. Shortly after and on the same day I had the Pleasure of Being in Company with Mrs Corbin, and enquired about the health and good Character of the person who...
19398To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 6 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
My letter to Mr Short respecting the purchase of Andrew Woodrows 300 acree Survey—and my letter to Feild respecting the lands opposite yours on Rough Creek—was put into the hands of a Mr Bland, who took his departure for Kentucky the 10th of April last—last week I received a letter from Mr Short dated Fredericksburg—he Says, he met Mr Bland in the Wilderness who delivered him my packet—that he...
19399To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 22 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
I most Sincerely Congratulate you & Mrs Washington on your Return, to Mt Vernon—and to that Domestic & Rural life, in which Real happiness & peace of mind is only to be found—and you both have my Sincere wishes, that the Remainder of yr days may be long, and that they may be enjoyed, in an uninterupted sceene of health & felicity. On the 3d day of april I take my departure for Kentucky—if you...
19400To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 15 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
Altho, after peruseing the enclosure which came to hand Yesterday, you may determine not to possess A. Woodrows 300 acree Survey on Rough creek—Yet it must be pleaseing to you to Find (if Mr Hite be wright in his calculation) That your lands are of Superior Vallue to what you ever held them—for if Mr Hites Spot be worth 10$ pr Acree—certainly yours must be worth $5. Supposeing greens paper to...