Thomas Jefferson Papers

From Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Spotswood, 31 January 1781

To Alexander Spotswood

Richd. January 31st. 1781

Sir

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 to you.

T.J.

FC (Vi).

Your favour: Spotswood’s letter and the enclosed proposition have not been found. TJ transmitted the proposition to the House of Delegates, who referred it to a committee that reported on 8 Mch. An Act based on the plan was passed on 17 Mch.; and on 20 Mch. Spotswood was appointed brigadier general in command of the two legions (1,400 men) to be raised for defense of the state during actual or threatened invasions (JHD description begins Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia (cited by session and date of publication) description ends , Mch. 1781, Va. State Libr., Bull., 1928, p. 12, 15–16 [Spotswood’s plan printed in full], 21, 23, 36, 41–42; Hening, description begins William W. Hening, The Statutes at Large; Being a Collection of All the Laws of Virginia description ends x, 391–3).

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