Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

John Spotswood letter to Mrs. Mercer, 1705 January 30

Now when the campaigne is over, I desire to know how
my Cousin Captain Spotswood is, I'm told by our officers, that he was
recover'd of the wounds he gott at Itogstedt he was wounded, & bless'd
be God, is recover'd of 'em; I hope your self, & Collonell Eliot &
your the rest of your family are in health: I have presum'd to
enclos[illegible] a lettre to my Cousin, w^{ch I desire} you may send, wherever
he is, Madam, I shal ever mind the kindnes I [receav'd] of you
& the Collonel, when I was at London, and on all occasions
will acquitt my self,

John Spotswood letter to Alexander Spotswood, 1705 January 30

I hope this finds you in perfect health, and I must
own, that your conduct in the army as I gett account, is so well
pleasing, that it comforts me, & gives me hope that the calamities
of our family, is near an end, but God's will be done. I was at
the same ^tyme greiv'd & pleas'd, when I was heard of your wounds at
Itogstedt , & that you're recover'd of 'em, pray let me hear from
your self, of your condition there and since. Let both of us,
who are ar th' onely males of the family of Spotswood, Endeavour with a
noble [emilation], to render it once more conspicuous, & if we
cannot attain to the Preferments of our ancestours, Let us do
what is in our own power, namely to mherit their vertues
& a merit, that ought to be rewarded with these Dignities.
I beg you'd take care of your self, & govern your courage
with your prudence, for a soldier of all men should should be master
of his own passions, & be a follower of Socrates, in studying a
presence & calmenes of mind so much boasted of by the Stoik-
sort of philosopher. ^{on your life contains Depends contain that of the half of a family}

30 Janry 1705
Coppie Letter Spottiswood
to Cap^t Spottiswood &c