To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 13 August 1797
From Alexander Spotswood
August 13 1797
Dear Sir
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 will Suit—However—if I come to any Terms with him—they shall be only Conditional—provided you approve of him after a trial.1
Mrs Spotswood myself—and those of my family now at home will set of for Mt Vernon—on the 21—Inst.—and shall spend one day with Mr Brent.2 I am dr sr with Affectionate esteem & regard yr Ob. St
A. Spotswood
ALS, DLC:GW. Spotswood sometimes sprinkled what appear to be opening parenthesis marks throughout his letters; these have been omitted.
1. Spotswood was indefatigable in his search for a housekeeper until in October he turned up Albin Rawlins, whom GW in 1798 hired as a clerk, not as a household steward.
2. Spotswood, Elizabeth Washington Spotswood, their son John Augustine Spotswood, and a daughter and niece arrived at Mount Vernon on 26 Aug. and remained until 4 Sept. (, 6:254, 256). Mr. Brent is probably either Richard Brent (1757–1814), a member of Congress and a lawyer in Prince William County, or his brother Daniel Carroll Brent (1760–1815) also of Prince William.