1To 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...
2To 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.”
3To 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.”
4To 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—&...
5To 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...
6To 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...
7To 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...
8To 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...
9To 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...
10To 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.”
11To 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...
12To 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...
13To 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...
14To 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...
15To 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...
16To 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...
17To 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...
18To 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.”
19To 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.”
20To 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...
21To 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.”
22To 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...
23To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 15 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the honr to write you sometime past; that my Eldest Daughter had married a Mr Francis Brooke a gentleman in the profession of the law—and requested that if ever the naval officers place was Vacant at Hobs Hole where he lives, that you would be so good as to give him the appointment. I now have Some reason to Suppose it will be soon Vacant; (this post to my Son in law, in addition...
24To 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.”
25To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 30 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
your favour of the 15. Inst. came to hand yesterday. and altho I have the highest Opinion of my Sons Abilities, as a perfect Seaman and able Navigator; (not from any knowledge which I have in the Bussiness) But from my Knowledge, of his haveing had a very good Nautical Education—and the High Terms in which, many Nautical men of Abilities Speak of him. Yet it never was my wish, to ask of you...
26To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 14 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
Knowing that your mind, is always Employed in weighty matters of State; Makes it painful to me to trouble you on my private affairs; But as I am certain your advice, will be Servicable to a numerous family; and that you take a pleasure in doing good—Flatter myself, that you will excuse this application; and Take the earliest leisure hour; to return me an answer. A Fortune much curtailed by a...
27To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 21 September 1795 (Washington Papers)
While in Kentucky Major Lewis, shewed me two surveys of lands laying on Ruff creek a water of green river with the plotts anexed. to wit—one of 3000 acrces Begining 120. poles below the mouth of short creek, & runing across the 1st large South Branch of sd creek, then by Various lines until it Strikes Andrew Woodrows 300 acrce Survey, which runs into the above tract and Includes the 2d falls...
28To 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...
29To 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...
30To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 31 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 26 inst. Covering a copy of your favr dated Philada 1st feby 97 (the rect of which I really thought I had in my last to you acknowledged, but now find, I neglected so to do—) came to hand yesterday. Since the rect of yours dated philada I have rode to town four times to see and Converse with Majr Lewis as you requested, but never have been so fortunate as to find him at home, and...