1From George Washington to Colonels Alexander Spotswood, Alexander McClanachan, and Abraham Bowman and Lieutenant Colonel … (Washington Papers)
I want to form a Company for my Guard—In doing this I wish to be extremely cautious; because it is more than probable that in the Course of the Campaign, my Baggage, Papers, & other Matters of great public Import may be committed to the sole Care of these Men—This being premised, in order to impress you with proper Attention in the Choice, I have to request That you will immediately furnish me...
2From James Madison to Alexander Spotswood, 20 June 1803 (Madison Papers)
In consequence of your letter of the 15th. inst. I enclose a certified copy of your military land Warrant. The surveyor will of course know of the interference of any surveys, to which the law has given a priority, and of its amount: any certificate therefore from me concerning that fact is unnecessary, nor is the information on which it could be grounded within the official knowledge of this...
3From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 4 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 21st of September never came to my hands until yesterday—Had you put it into the Post Office at Fredericksburgh at the date thereof, an answer might have been given to you in the course of last week according to your request, as I never miss sending to Alexandria every Post day for letters. I do not recollect the precise expression of my letter to Majr George Lewis...
4From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 19 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been just favoured with your Letter of the 23d of August. Although I have a high sense of your merit as an Officer and ever regretted your leaving the service, as I have frequently expressed & did all in my power to prevent yet I cannot concur with you in the measure you have been pleased to refer to me; and I am the more concerned, as it is one in which your wishes appear to be so much...
5From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 24 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
As the Season is far advanced for good Overseers to be disengaged, and as you had heard nothing from Richard Rhodes at the date of your last—Septr the 16th—and a Man in your neighbourhood one —— Garrett Overseer for a Mr Fontain Murray at a ⟨place⟩ called White Plains near Fredericksburgh, has been strongly recommended to me by Mr Betton & others, & who was willing to come to me, but informed...
6From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 23 July 1792 (Washington Papers)
Mr Spotswood delivered me your favor of the 10th, on Friday last and I have given him a letter to Mr Morris of Philadelphia, who, I persuade myself, will render him any service, which it may be in his power to do consistently. At all times, when you can make it convenient, I should be happy to see you at this place; & with my love to Mrs Spotswood, in which Mrs Washington joins me. Transcript...
7From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 30 March 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 23d instant only got to hand last night—and whether this reply to it may reach you in time, is questionable. Your suggestion I have adopted; and you will perceive by the enclosed letter to Colo. Marshall, left open for your perusal—sealing—and forwarding, that I have authorised that Gentleman in case Mr Short should make the purchase from Mr Hite, to draw upon me at Sixty...
8From James Madison to Alexander Spotswood, ca. 23 April 1792 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 23 April 1792. Acknowledged in Spotswood to JM, 1 May 1792 . Concerns Spotswood’s Revolutionary War claim and encloses information from Col. Josiah Parker on how to find out who drew his depreciation of pay.
9From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 15 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 6th inst. has been duly received, but it came to hand when I was so much engaged, as not to be able to give it an earlier answer. With respect to the land which Mr Short was authorised to purchase for me, I have nothing to add, save a wish that he would get it as much under the price limited, as he can; for I have been disappointed in the receipt of money where I thought no...
10From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 31 July 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favoured in the receipt of your letter of the 25th instant; and thank you for the kind information given in it respecting the removal of Mr Duval to Kentucky; and your intention of embracing the earliest opportunity of enquiring after the Conveyance from the deceased James Mercer, Esqr. &ca to me. Enclosed is the Deed from Genl Lee to me, for the Land he sold me; lying on...
11From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 11 February 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 14th Ulto & 6th instt have been duly received. The receipt of the first, would have met with an earlier acknowledgment, had I not waited for the coming of the latter, agreeably to your assurances of forwarding one, so soon as the documents could be obtained from the Records in Richmond. The description which you have been at the trouble to give me in your former letters, of...
12From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 9 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
Confidential Dear Sir Mount Vernon 9th Jany 1798 The attention which the Papers you transmitted, required I should give them; and the form which my land assumes by connecting the two tracts together, evinces most clearly, the necessity there is of my becoming possessed of Andrew Wodrows 300 acre tract, which is surrounded thereby, if attainable. If you can, therefore, be instrumental in making...
13From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 14 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 11 th came to my hands yesterday. Two causes, indeed three, prevented my answering the first, after your return to New Post sooner; namely—debilitated health, occasioned by the fever, wch deprived me of 20 lbs. of the weight I had, when you & I were at my Mill Scales, & rendered writing irksome; the expectation of hearing from you again, relative to the Carpenter & Farmer,...
14From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 3 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
Sometime before I left Philadelphia I received a letter from you respecting your Son John, and immediately made known (by letter) to Mr Morris your wishes concerning him; but having received no answer to it, I conclude, & think it may be taken for granted, he has not much to expect from that quarter. Indeed Mr Morris & others in that line, have so many applications to them of this kind and...
15From George Washington to Colonel Alexander Spotswood, 13 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to your request, I enclose you, a Copy of the proceedings of the Board of Genl Officers on the Question of Rank, which was before ’em, between Colonel McClanninghan & Yourself. I am persuaded a reconsideration of the Question would produce the same determination, and therefore suppose it altogether unnecessary, as the Matter was very fully and maturely considered and there is nothing...
16From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 11 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
A few days ago I received your favor of the 16th Ulto, which Colonel Lee was so obliging as to transmit. From the regard I had for you and the estimation in which I held you, as an Officer, I wished your continuance in the Army; and considered your departure from it a loss to the service. This you will readily believe, as you well know my persuasions had been used to prevent it’s taking place...
17From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 22 February 1787 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Alexander Spotswood, 22 Feb. 1787. On 5 Mar. Spotswood wrote : “Your Favr of the 22d February . . . never came to my hands until this day.”
18From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 1 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 24th Ulto was received by yesterday’s Post, and for the information it contains I pray you to accept my thanks; As I do also for the kind offer you have made me of enquiring into the quality & value of the land I hold on rough creek in the State of Kentucky which I readily accept. I have heard through other channels, that the above mentioned Land is possessed of valuable...
19From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 23 January 1787 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 13th came to my hands a few days after my Nephew G: Washington left this for New-Kent, which, & his not seeing you on his way down, were unlucky circumstances as he could, & no doubt would have arranged matters so as that a Vessel which is sent from Colchester to York river for Negroes which Colonl Bassett has given him, might have stopped at the mouth of Potomac creek for...
20From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 10 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
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 her —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...
21From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 15 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 9th instt is at hand. Notwithstanding I have the best disposition to oblige you, & to promote the interest of your son John, yet it is impossible he can be contemplated by me as commander of one of the frigates (should the Bill now pending in Congress pass into a Law) because a number of the old Officers who served with great reputation through the whole of last war, thereby...
22From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 15 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 21st of Novr did not come to hand till the last Post —Mine in the same Month under cover to Mrs Washington has no doubt been forwarded to you. 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 Army I embrace Captn Burwells offer of taking the horse to you. He goes...
23From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 25 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
I do not know how it happened but so it is, that a considerable interval always takes place between the date of your letters to me, and my receipt of them; notwithstanding I send regularly to the Post Office every other day, and frequently every day, when I have reason to expect letters on business. Premising this, I have to add, that your letter of the 15th instant enclosing one from Mr Short...
24From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 12 Oct. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Alexander Spotswood, 12 Oct. 1779. On 21 Nov., Spotswood wrote GW: “Your Excellencys favr of the 12th of October I acknowledged” ( DLC:GW ).
25From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 7 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 4th of December should have received an earlier acknowledgment, if the pressure of public business would have sooner permitted me to make the necessary enquiries relative to the object of it. And I was induced to delay the matter until I found myself at leisure, from an idea that no inconvenience could result to you or your Son, from a short postponement, as your letter...
26From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 26 August 1787 (Washington Papers)
Having heard nothing from you, in reply to a letter I wrote you in answer to yours of the 25th of June, respecting your wishes to enter your Son on board the French Navy, I am led to apprehend a miscarriage, or that the letter to or from you may be lying in some of the Post Offices (a thing not very unusual) I therefore address you again on the subject. The purport of my former letter was to...
27From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 4 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed herewith are Articles of Agreement drawn by Mr Anderson for your present overseer to sign; similar to those which my Overseer at the Mansion house is under. He, as well as myself, are desirous to have all these matters fixed, that there may be no demur at a season when it may be too late to provide another. It is always best to reduce agreements of this sort to writing—and every good...
28GW to Alexander Spotswood, 23 August 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: GW to Alexander Spotswood, 23 Aug. 1797. On 13 Sept. Spotswood wrote GW : “I got from the post office your favr of the 23d of August.”
29From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 15 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I shall be obliged by your informing me whether it has yet been in your power to provide another horse or Mare for me—Bleu-skin has been threatned with a fistula more than three Months, so that I have had no use of him. The Sorrel has, in no great degree altered in flesh or appearance since you saw him at Middle brooke. and the Mare is with foal—out of the three therefore I have scarce one for...
30From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 9 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
A few days ago, Mr Herbert handed me your letter of the 30th ulto with the Papers to which it refers; and for the trouble you have had in that business, I offer you, and General Posey also—when you have an opportunity of presenting them—my best thanks, for the parts you have respectively acted therein. Having perused the Papers attentively; and, fortunately, having by me, the original Patents...
31From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 6 May 1792 (Washington Papers)
I made Mr Morris acquainted with the contents of your letter of the 14th of March, relative to your Son; and am informed by him, that if your son should be in Philadelphia, agreeably to your intention of sending him here, as mentioned in your letter, there is no doubt but many opportunities may occur of his making a voyage previous to the return of Captain Truxton from the East-Indies, which...
32From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 23 November 1794 (Washington Papers)
It has not been in my power to acknowledge, with convenience, the receipt of your letter of the 14th Ulto until now; first, because it did not get to my hands until my return from the Westward; and 2dly, because my attention ever since, to the present moment, has been occupied in examining the various papers on which my communications to Congress were to be founded. I do not see how any one...
33From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 13 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 20th Ult., accompanied by a bag of Seeds, did not get to my hands untill the middle of last week or it should have received an earlier acknowledgment; as you now do my thanks for the latter. I feel myself obliged by the measures you have pursued to stock me with Turnip seed; but if I am tolerably lucky, I shall raise a sufficiency from seed sent me by Arthur Young Esqr.; many...
34From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, May 1786 (Washington Papers)
my lame horse; and for the lent of the one which Austin rid up. Mr Hunter (of Alexandria) is so obliging as to take him down, to you, and will bring mine up, if he is fit to move. if not, I will wait until you may write me, as I had rather send for him than have him travelled as quick as he must do to accompany the Stage. Mrs Washington and the family here join me in every good wish for...
35From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 15 July 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your wishes, respecting your Son George, I have communicated to the Secretary of the Navy; although it is contrary to a determination I had entered into (when I left the Chair of Government) not to be the medium through which applications for appointments should be made; and from which I have not (before) deviated, except in the Military line, since it has been made my duty, consequent of my...
36From James Madison to Alexander Spotswood, 2 April 1792 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 2 April 1792. Acknowledged in Spotswood to JM, 9 and 23 Apr. 1792 . Concerns Spotswood’s claim for military service in the Revolution.
37From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 26 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 22d instant has been received, by which I find you have fixed the commencement of your journey to Kentucky to the 3d of next month. Although some passages in your letter lead me to conclude that mine to you of the first of Feby had got to hand, yet, as you have not acknowledged the receipt of it, I am left in doubt, and having a press copy thereof by me, I forward a...
38From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 20 July 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Alexander Spotswood, 20 July 1799. On 25 July Spotswood wrote GW acknowledging receipt of a letter from GW of the “20 Inst.”
39From George Washington to Colonel Alexander Spotswood, 8 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry to find by your Letter of yesterdays date that your Regiment is so much reduced —Let me beseech you to use every possible means to collect your Men together, & not suffer some to be in one place, some in another &ca—and let me also entreat you, to charge your Recruiting Officers in explicit, and positive terms to be exceedingly attentive to that duty, as idleness and dissipation...
40From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 1 November 1797 (Washington Papers)
I feel myself much obliged by your kind attention to my want of a Household Steward; but hearing of an excellent Housekeeper that had lived with Mr R. Brooke whilst he was Governor of this state, she has been applied to for a similar purpose in this family, and we have reason to expect her, every day. Should this happen I shall have no occasion for a Steward—Indeed the two would be...
41From Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Spotswood, 31 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favour containing a proposition for raising a Legion for the defence of the State: As there are several parts of it which are beyond the powers of the executive to stipulate, I shall do myself the pleasure of laying it before the General Assembly whom we have been obliged to convene on the first of March next. The result of their determinations shall be immediately communicated...
42From George Washington to George Weedon, 10 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Waggons of the French & American Armies—the Cavalry—and the Cattle of both are upon their march from the Head of Elk to the point of operation below—The roads from the specimen I have seen, are very bad, and stand in need of considerable repairs; I have therefore to beg that you will immediately upon the receipt of this, apply to the County Leiutts or Civil Majistrates to have them put in...