Alexander Spotswood was in contact with Nathaniel Blakiston because AS was trying to get the royal share of gold and silver mines determined. When Graffenried returned to Europe, he had just visited with AS. It appears that AS told Graffenried to look up Blakiston. One reason was that AS and Graffenried each were obtaining an interest in the purported silver mine. When Graffenried arrived in London, he fell in contact with the Germans probably through Albrecht. Graffenried, being broke, advised the Germans to go back to Germany. He said the Germans were an embarrassment to him because he had not invited all of them to come on. Apparently G contacted B to see if he could help. B, being aware that AS might be needing miners, concocted the deal whereby the Germans pooled their money and the balance of 150 pounds would be paid by AS. As has been pointed out, AS knew nothing about this arrangement. When he did learn (about the time the Germans were arriving in Virginia), he told B that he thought B must be hopeful of getting the royal share of silver and gold mines approved or else B would not have sent the Germans along. So much for the iron mining It was not until three and years later that the Germans started searching for iron. Probably Graffenried contacted Albrecht and learned about the Germans. Graffenried looked up Blakiston and told him the situation. Spotswood's letters to Blakiston had probably mentioned Graffenried so Blakiston knew who Graffenried was. -- John.Blankenbaker@comcast.net -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: Suzanne Matson <holtzclaw.research@yahoo.com> > Do we know how Col. Blakiston knew about the Germans?  Was he acquainted with > Graffenried, Albrecht, Michel, etc.?  > > Suzanne >