George Washington Papers

From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 15 December 1779

To Alexander Spotswood

Morris-town Decr 15th 79

Dear Sir,

Your favor of the 21st of Novr did not come to hand till the last Post1—Mine in the same Month under cover to Mrs Washington has no doubt been forwarded to you.2

I waited in continual expectation of my Nephews return for a good oppertunity to send the Sorrel, but as he seems to have an inclination to remain longer with the Army3 I embrace Captn Burwells offer of taking the horse to you. He goes from me in very good order, and I have no doubt of his being delivered so to you.

I will take the horse you had of Lt Colo. Washington as Men take their wives—better for worse—and if he should prove a jade & go limping on—I must do as they are obliged to do—make the best of a bad bargain. Your directions for his winters treatment shall be followed.

If you should not have succeeded in purchasing the horse you had in view at the time your letter of the 21st was wrote I have only to entreat that you may not put yourself to any trouble in pursuit of one in a hurry, but when you do buy to let your choice light on a good bay—be it horse or mare—either of which will suit me.4

We have, after our disappointment in the intended cooperation with the French-fleet against New-York5 repaired to this place⟨—that is to a wood in the vicinity of it—for winter quarters.6 My love to Mrs Spotswood, & complimts to Mrs Campbell. I am Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt & obligd Servt

Go: Washington⟩

AL (incomplete), NNGL; ADfS, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. Missing text is supplied in angle brackets from GW’s draft. GW addressed his AL to Spotswood at Fredericksburg, Virginia.

1For Spotswood’s letter to GW of 21 Nov., see Spotswood to GW, 26 Oct., n.3.

2GW is referring to his letter to Spotswood of 10 November.

3For George Augustine Washington’s desire to enter the Continental army as an ensign, see GW to William Woodford, 18 December.

4Spotswood’s next known offer of a horse to GW occurred early the following summer (see Spotswood to GW, 27 June 1780, DLC:GW).

5GW abandoned preparations for combined operations with the French fleet under Vice Admiral d’Estaing after he received official notice from Congress that the ships would not come north (see Samuel Huntington to GW, 10 Nov., and GW to Huntington, 20 and 24 Nov.; see also Planning for an Allied Attack on New York, c.3–7 Oct., editorial note).

6For the winter encampment at Jockey Hollow near Morristown, see GW to Nathanael Greene, 30 Nov., and n.2 to that document.

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