Virginia Historical Society

Came in a different way to Richmond and it is fantastic. Very beautiful. Completely got it wrong last time. Here for the VHS - a treasure trove of Donald holdings - all "neat stuff" as it says on the door. Just met with Katherine Wilkins who was fantastic and has sent me loads of information in the past when I was applying for the fellowship. Greatly indebted to the VHS.
Two seconds in the door and I am handed a bundle of letters to or from Alexander Donald. Lots to go through - but the first one I thought was rather touching and shone a bit more light on the man. The only letter from him I have seen so far to a woman - and women obviously play far too little part in the story that we are telling.
I know how hard it was for me to come away from home for only six weeks - but as this letter shows, six weeks was indeed the time of the crossing. Imagine how Mrs Thomas Brown must have felt to have her three sons over the Atlantic - and how reassuring it must have been for her to receive this letter? Nothing we like more than to hear about how well our children are doing, so this must have made a huge difference.

Madam

When I came here from London I intended to have called upon you, but I found myself obliged to come down by Liverpool, I think you are well indebted to every information which I can give of your sons in Virginia who have lived with me. I only do your son James common justice when I say that he is the cleverest man in business I ever met with in the whole course of my life and that is impossible for him to be exceeded in industry ...

letter damaged ...

for the understanding of my business in America, and I assure you that I left him in the full management of it with the most perfect pleasure and confidence. Sensible as you must see that I am of his great merit I trust you will conclude that I will ever be happy in contributing everything in my power towards advancing his fortune –

Your son John not having lived so long with me as his brother, I am not indebted to draw his character so faithfully I can truly say that he is most diligent and trust worthy – I can say the same of your son Thomas as far as I could judge him by being six weeks at sea with him, it will no doubt afford your pleasure the termination of the late dispute with Spain, I offered to get another man in his room if he desired it, but upon representing matters fairly to him, he declined accepting my offer -

I expect to be in Edinburgh about the middle of next month on my return to London, I will thank you to give me such directions as will enable me to find your house, as I am very anxious to pay my respects to the mother of such promising and discerning children. Direct for Alexr Donald of London at present in Glasgow,

I am with great truth madam you most obt humbst servant, A Donald

We can gloss over the fact at the moment that by 1793 he was saying James Brown was a no good scoundrel - but then things had gone a little wrong. Also a good letter from Robert Burton - Alexander's business partner - from 1785 when James Brown first went to America to join Alexander in business there. Burton was introducing Brown and saying that Alexander would find he had a "sweet disposition", but Burton would miss him in the counting house - "I part with him with regret". Slight slip of the pen from Burton - he wrote "in conducting of my business" - but then crossed out "my" and wrote "our". Burton ends his letter: "Your friend Maxwell has send you one case Medicines by way of boat."

Got letters from Burton to the Greenock Donalds to come as well. 

Neat quote on the side of the building from the family debt collector. 

Loads more to go through - including three letters from Robert Morris - the financier of the revolution - to Alexander.