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Letters to Walhington
AND
ACCOMPANYING PAPERS

PUBLISHED BY
THE SOCIETY OF THE COLONIAL DAMES
OF AMERICA

?

EDITED BY
STANISLAUS MURRAY HAMILTON
Editor ofthe Writings ofjanies Monroe
VOL. II
1756-1758

l^^^^^2

BOSTON AND NEW YORK
HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND COMPANY
(3C{ie ItilieciEnbe "^nii, CamBribot
1899

COPYRIGHT, 1899, BY
THE COLONIAL DAMES OF AMERICA
ALL EIGHTS RESERVED

CONTENTS OF VOLUME 11

1756 PAGE
From the Honblb Speaker Robinson, November i6th .... i
Malicious newspaper article.
From Governor Dinwiddie, November i6th  2
Behavior of officers — Military affairs.
A Council of War, October 30TH  6
Remarks on the Council of War, October 30TH  9
A Council op War, November 15TH  12
From John Carlyle, Esqre., December 2nd  13
London orders — Tobacco — Military accounts — Military affairs.
From Captain Peter Hog, December Sth  15
Military affairs.
A Council, December qth  16
From Governor Dinwiddie, December ioth  17
Forts Cumberland and Loudoun — Indian affairs — Ensign Mc-
Carty — Back inhabitants.
From Governor Dinwiddie, December 15TH  23
Deserters — Appointment of commissary — Ensign McCarty —
Lord Loudoun.
From the Honblh Speaker Robinson, December 17TH .... 25
Appointment of commissary.
List of Indian Goods at Fort Cumberland, December 24TH . . 26
From Governor Dinwiddie, December 27TH  27
Military affairs — Indian affairs — Fort Cumberland — Lord Lou
doun.
From the Honele Speaker Robinson, December 3ist . . . . 30
Retention of Fort Cumberland — Money affairs.
I7S7
From Colonel John Stanwix, January 13TH  33
Washington's recovery — Stanwix' appointment.
From Alexander Lunan, Esqre., January 14TH  34
Military goods.

iv Contents of Volume II
From Colonel John Carlyle, January 22nd  35
Commissary affairs.
From Colonel William Fairfax, January 22nd  38
Bryan Fairfax — Lord Loudoun — Military affairs at the north —
Parliament and the ministry — Money affairs — Ensign McCarty —
Assembly prorogued.
From Colonel Fielding Lewis, February 7TH  41
Personal affairs.
From Governor Dinwiddie, January 26th  42
Mutiny — Deserters — Military regulations — Appointment of
commissary — Catawbas — Enlistment of servants — Military af
fairs — Lord Loudoun.
From Governor Dinwiddie, February 2nd  44
Meeting of Lord Loudoun and the Southern governors at Phila
delphia.
From Captain Robert McKenzie, February i8th  45
Asking advice — Indian depredations.
From Captain Thomas Bullitt, February iqth  48
Requesting transfer — Desertion of recruit.
From James Cuningham, Esqre., February 27TH  49
Lord Loudoun's reply to Washington.
From Joseph Chew, Esqre., March 14TH  49
Lord Loudoun — Calling attention to his brother — Mary Philipse.
Council held at Philadelphia, March 23RD  51
From Clement Read, Esqre., March 15TH  54
Catawbas.
From William Fairfax, Esqre., March 22ND  56
Indian affairs — Lord Loudoun — Virginia assembly.
From Captain Thomas Bullitt, March 24TH  57
Requesting commission for his brother.
From William Fairfax, Esqre., March 31 st  58
Indian affairs — Governor Dinwiddie — Virginia Council — Fort
Cumberland.
From Governor Dinwiddie, April 5TH  60
Fort Cumberland — Transportation of troops to South Carolina
— Indians — Virginia assembly — Fort in the Cherokee country.
From Governor Dinwiddie, April 7th  61
Transportation of troops to South Carolina — Evacuation of Fort
Cumberland — Indian affairs — Military affairs.
From Major Andrew Lewis, April 8th  gj
Requesting instructions — Cherokees.

Contents of Volume II v
Minutes of a Council of War, April i6th  64
From the Honblk Speaker Robinson, April 2ist  65
Appointment of Captain Gist — Acts of Assembly — Money af
fairs — Situation in Virginia.
From William Fairfax, Esqre., May 6th  69
Bryan Fairfax — Captain Gist.
From the Earl of Loudoun to Colonel Stanwix, May 6th . 70
Authorizing courts martial.
Instructions to Washington, May i6th  71
From Governor Dinwiddie, May i6th  73
Washington's pay and commissions.
From Colonel John Stanwix, May 23RD  74
Military affairs.
From Governor Dinwiddie, May 23RD  75
Edmund Atkin — Indian affairs — Money affairs — Cherokees —
Increase of forces.
From William Ball, Esqre., May 25TH  77
Asking compensation for servant enlisted.
From Washington to Governor Dinwiddie, May 24TH ... 78
Sergeant Fent or Fant — South Carolina detachment — Recom
mending volunteers. — Recommending Mr. Kirkpatrick — Indian
affairs.
From Captain John Hall, June ist  82
Appointment to 44th regiment — Military affairs at the north.
From Governor Dinwiddie, June 2nd  83
Sergeant Fent or Fant — BiU of supplies — Mr. Atkin — Military
affairs — Batmen — Captain Hog.
From Governor Dinwiddie, June 6th  85
Indian affairs — Bill for augmenting forces — Captain BuUin's
scheme — Military arms.
From Richard Bland, Esqre., June 7TH  87
Disputes with Virginia Council — Intention to write upon military
enterprises of Virginia.
From Lieutenant James Baker, June ioth  89
Skirmish with enemy — Death of the Swallow warrior.
From Captain John Dagworthy, June 14TH  91
Rumors of attack on Fort Cumberland.
From Major James Livingston, Esqre., June 14TH  91
Rumors of attack on Fort Cumberland.
From Major James Livingston, Esqre  '93

vi Contents of Volume II
Council OF War HELD AT Fort Loudoun, June, i6th .... 94
From Governor Dinwiddie, June i6th  96
Cherokees.
From Captain John Dagworthy, June 17TH  97
Alarm at Fort Cumberland.
From William Fairfax, June 17TH  gS
Fairfax militia.
From Edward Shippen, Esqre., June 17TH  99
Military goods.
From Colonel John Stanwix, June iSth  100
Alarm at Fort Cumberland — Rendezvous at Winchester — Move
ments of enemy.
From Edmund Atkin, Esqre., June 19TH  102
French prisoner — Complaining of action of Virginia officers.
From the Officers of the Virginia Regiment, June 19TH . . 106
Refuting Mr. Atkin's accusations.
From Captain Alexander Beall, June 19TH  107
Sending of soldiers to Fort Cumberland — Need of Indians.
From William Fairfax, Esqre., June 19TH  108
Bryan Fairfax — Militia — Extract from Act of Assembly.
From- Governor Dinwiddie, June zoth  no
Rumored attack on Fort Cumberland — Militia — Money affairs
— Indian affairs -^ Fort Loudoun — Captain Spotswood — Increase
of forces.
From John Kirkpatrick, Esqre., June 19TH  113
Rumored attack — Militia — Captain Cock's accounts — Military
regulations.
From John Baylor, Esqre., June 2oth  n^
Returns mare — Regrets inability to perform military service —
Captain Spotswood — Lieutenant Baker.
From Colonel John Stanwix, June 22ND  n6
French prisoner — Rendezvous at Fort Loudoun — Cherokees —
Rumors of attack on Fort Augusta.
From Colonel John Stanwix, June 22ND .  117
False alarm at Fort Cumberland — Militia — Rumors of attack
on Fort Augusta.
From Governor Dinwiddie, June 24TH  118
Indian affairs — Captain Pearis — Batmen — Military orders —
Deserters — Colonel Stanwix — Expedition of Major Lewis — Com
missary affairs — Increase of forces — Refusing leave of absence 
Commissions — Chaplain — Movements of enemy.

Contents .of Volume II vii

From William Fairfax, Esqre., June 26th  121
Militia — Lieutenant Baker — Captaiii Spotswood — Outasite.
From Governor Dinwiddie, June 27TH  123
Movements of enemy — Militia — Cherokees — Creeks — Doubts
rumor from Montreal — Military affairs — Lord Loudoun — Money
affairs.
From Archibald Cary, Esqre., June 28th  125
Volunteers — Rumored movements of enemy.
From the Honblb Speaker Robinson, June 29TH  126
Money affairs — Volunteers — Captain Spotswood — Captain
Mercer.
Return of Provisions for the Cherokee Indians, June 9TH
AND IOTH  128
From William Fairfax, Esqre., July ist  130
Fairfax militia — Volunteers — Fort Loudoun — Transport from
England — Lord Loudoun — General Webb — Colonel Stanwix —
Outasite.
From Captain John Hall, July 5TH  131
Expedition against Louisbourg.
From Governor Denny to Colonel Stanwix, July 7th ... 133
Indian depredations — Cherokees — Senecas — Bad provisions —
Military regulations — Sailing of Admiral Holbourne — Captain
Rankin — Inclosing letter to Mr. Atkin from Sir William Johnson.
From Captain John Dagworthy, July ioth  135
Inclosing deposition of John Street in regard to strength and
movements of enemy.
From Colonel Stanwix, July hth  137
Asking the forwarding of letter from Sir William Johnson to Mr.
Atkin — Indian depredations — Militia affaurs at the north — Mili
tary orders.
From Joseph Chew, July 13TH  139
Friendly advice — Forebodings — Rumors from Halifax — Mary
Philipse — Roger Morris — Arrival of fleet from England.
From Governor Dinwiddie, July 13TH  141
Military affairs — Military orders — Militia — Commissary af
fairs — Money affairs.
List of Officers in the Virginia Regiment, July 13TH . . . 144
From Colonel Stanwix, July 14TH  145
Deposition of John Street.
From William Ramsay, Esqre., July isth  146
Mining shares — Arrival of fleet from England.

viii Contents of Volume II
From William Fairfax, Esqre., July 17TH  147
Desertions — Fort Loudoun — Mr. Atkin — Desiring commission
for William Henry Fairfax — Captain Gist.
From Governor Dinwiddie, July iSth  149
Commissary affairs — Money affairs — Commissions — Mutiny
and Desertion Act — Military orders — Desertions — Washington's
pay — Batmen — Deposition of John Street — Drafts.
From the Honblb Speaker Robinson, July i8th  152
Friendly — Mutiny Act — Desertions — Money affairs — Captain
Spotswood.
From Colonel Stanwix, July i8th  153
111 humor of Cherokees.
From William Fairfax, Esqre., July toTH  154
Deposition of John Street — Commission for William Henry
Fairfax — Imprisonment of two Cherokees — Estate of Lawrence
Washington,
From Edmund Atkin, Esqre., July 20TH  156
Complaints of Indian prisoners.
From John Kirkpatrick, July 21ST  icS
Military goods — Mining shares — Alarm at Fort Cumberland.
From the Rev. William Meldrum, July 26TH  150
Regretting inability to attend deserters condemned to death.
Proclamation of Governor Sharps, July 26th  160
From Governor Sharpe, July 27TH  161
Apprehension of deserters harbored in Baltimore County — In
closing deposition of Sergeant Davis regarding Captain Gist's re
cruiting.
From William Ramsay, Esqre., July 30TH  164
Asking a loan — Arrival of fleet at Halifax — Rumor of the cap
ture of Prague by the Prussians.
From Colonel Stanwix, August ist  igc
Indian affairs — Granting leave of absence.
From William Fairfax, Esqre., August 6th  166
William Henry Fairfax — Imprisonment of Cherokees.
From Beverly Robinson, Esqre., August Sth  167
News from Halifax — Apprehensions for Fort William Henry.
From Joseph Chew, Esqre., August 8th  168
Inclosing papers — Social.
From Governor Dinwiddie, August 8th  ign
Granting leave to suspected spy — Indian depredations — Im
prisonment of Cherokees. .

Contents of Volume II ix
From Governor Dinwiddie, August 13TH  170
Money affairs — Increase of forces — Military orders — Com
plains of looseness in writing — Commissary affairs — Deserters —
Recruiting.
From Joseph Chew, Esqre., August 15TH  172
Surrender of Fort William Henry. Inclosing details of the sur
render.
From Captain George Mercer, August 17TH  173
Description of Charlestown and inhabitants — Defeat of the Aus
trian army — Situation of Virginia regiment in South Carolina —
Recruiting in South Carolina — Desires to succeed Colonel Stephen
in command — Desires letters from Virginia.
From Lieutenant-Colonel Adam Stephen, August 2oth ... 180
Condition of Virginia regiment in Charlestown.
From Captain William Peachey, August 22ND  181
Malicious utterances of Christopher Robinson — Desires payment
for service — Captain Spotswood.
Deposition of Thomas Hudson, August 27TH  184
From Major .Andrew Lewis, September ist  185
Military affairs.
From Governor Dinwiddie, September ist  187
Desires lieutenant's commission for William Henry Fairfax.
From Governor Dinwiddie, September 2nd  188
Desertions — Commissary affairs — Indian depredations — Re
cruiting — Pardoning of deserters — Money affairs — Reason for
accusation of looseness in writing — Indian affairs — Military af
fairs — Commission for William Henry Fairfax.
From William Ramsay, Esqre., September 3RD  191
Commissary affairs.
From Mr. David Hall, September 8th  191
Pennsylvania Gazette.
From Dr. David Ross, September 2nd  192
Condemnation of provisions at Fort Cumberland.
From John Kirkpatrick, Esqre., September 17TH  194
Friendly — Business schemes — Inclosing receipt.
From Colonel Stanwix, September 19TH  195
Desertion — Return of Lord Loudoun — Rebuilding of Fort Wil
liam Henry — Rumor of the rout of the army of the Duke of Cum
berland — Movements of the regulars.
From Lewis Stephens, Esqre., September 20TH  197
Expressing gratitude for protection — Indian movements.

X Contents of Volume II

From Colonel William Taliferro to Charles Lewis, Esqre . 198
Accidental killing by Lieutenant Smith.
From Colonel Charles Lewis, September 21ST  i99
Accidental killing by Lieutenant Smith.
From Captain Thomas Bullitt, March 24TH  200
Complaint against Captain Hog.
From Governor Dinwiddie, September 24TH  202
Drafts — Desertion — Commissary affairs — Indian affairs —
Increase of forces — Provisions at Fort Cumberland — Money af
fairs — Appointment of Captain McNeill — Commission for William
Henry Fairfax — Scandal — Accusation of ingratitude.
From Governor Dinwiddie, September 24TH  205
Depredation of enemy — Resignation of Lieutenant Fell — Ap
pointment of Mr. Chew — Captain McNeill.
From Captain Robert Stewart, September 27TH  205
Misdemeanors of Quartermaster Hamilton — Cherokees — De
serter.
From Governor Denny, October 9Th  207
Inclosing letter from Sir William Johnson — Cherokees.
From Sir William Johnson to Governor Denny, September
2STH  208
Congress of the Six Nations.
From Captain Thomas Bullitt and Others, October ioth . . 209
Recommending Sergeant John McCuUy.
From Thomas Gage, Esqre., October 15TH  210
Friendly — Disastrous expeditions — Commending Ensign John
Hall.
From James Cunningham, Esqre., October i6th  211
Commending Ensign John Hall — Advises William Henry Fair
fax — Friendly — Commending Mr. Byrd.
V From George William Fairfax, Esqre., October 17TH .... 212
Friendly — Defeat of the Duke of Cumberland — Threats —
Colonel Prevost — Lord Charles Hay — Sir John St. Clair — Fort
William Henry.
From Governor Dinwiddie, October 19TH  214
Increase of forces — Depredation of enemy — Mr. Atkin  Cao-

tain Gist — Indian affairs — Quartermaster Hamilton — The Dun.
ker — Military regulations — Refuses leave
orders.
From Governor Dinwiddie, October 24TH

• • • . 217
Commissary affairs — Deserters — Indian affairs — Dunker's peti
tion.

Contents of Volume II xi

Articles of Agreement between Governor Dinwiddie and
William Ramsay, October 2ist  218
From Major John Tulliken, October 27TH  221
Acknowledging congratulations.
From John Kirkpatrick, Esqre., October 30TH  222
Acknowledging favors — Friendly.
From Charles Lewis, Esqre., November ist  224
Asking return of papers — Acknowledging favor.
From Governor Dinwiddie, November 2nd  224
Increase of forces — Offensive war — Indian affairs — Settlement
with Dr. Ross.
From Captain George Mercer, November 2nd  226
Pay of men — Discontent — Highlanders — News from Virginia
— Desire to return — Opinion of Charlestown — News from the
North — French prize.
From the Honblb Speaker Robinson, November 3RD .... 229
Indian depredations — Military tactics — Increase of forces —
Royal Americans — Governor Dinwiddle's successor.
From Captain Stewart to Governor Dinwiddie, November 9TH 231
Illness of Washington — Commissary affairs — Deserters — Dun-
cards — Asking leave of absence.
From the Reverend William Smith, November ioth .... 233
Pennsylvania Magazine — Asking data for History of French and
Indian war.
From Captain William Peachey, November 14TH  234
Friendly — Captain Spotswood — Captain Bullitt — Scandal —
Complains of former ill-treatment — Asks advice.
From Governor Dinwiddie, November 14TH  237
Indian affairs — Money affairs.
From Governor Dinwiddie to Captain Stewart, November
15TH  239
Washington's illness — Military affairs — Granting leave of ab
sence.
From Robert Rutherford, Esqre., November 22nd  241
Military affairs.
From Captain Stewart to Colonel Stanwix, November 24TH 242
Washington's illness.
From Captain Robert Stewart, November 24TH  243
Washington's illness — Military affairs — Asking leave of absence
— Asking letters of recommendation — Pennsylvania Magazine —
Election.

xii Contents of Volume II
From Dr. James Craik, November 25TH  246
Expressing concern at continued illness — Advice — Asking leave
of absence.
From Captain John Hall  248
Desire to enter the Regulars — Asking letters of recommendation.
From George William Fairfax, Esqre., December 6th .... 250
Parliamentary addresses — News from England.
From Alexander Boyd, Esqre., December 6th  252
Money affairs.
From William Henry Fairfax, Esqre., December 9TH . . . 252
Reception by Lord Loudoun and regular officers — Illness of
Captain Cunningham — Future plans — Purchase of commission —
Resigns from Virginia regiment — Major Livingston — Virginia
regiment. 1758
From George Mason, Esqre., January 4TH  254
Military accounts — Illness of sister — Friendly advice.
From Robert Carter Nicholas, January 5TH  256
Dispute with Anthony Strother — Mr. Power — Mr. Wythe —
Departure of Governor Dinwiddie.
From the Honble John Blair, January 25TH  257
Indian reinforcements.
From John Baylis, Esqre., January 30TH  258
Complaint against officers of Virginia regiment.
From Captain Christopher Gist, February 3RD  260
Indian reinforcements — Military accounts.
From the Honble John Blair, February 5TH  262
Granting leave of absence — Indian reinforcements — Military
affairs — Colonel Young.
From Robert Carter Nicholas, Esqre., February 6th .... 264
False report of Washington's death.
From Joseph Chew, Esqre., February iith  265
Apology.
From Captain John Hall, February 14TH  265
Congratulation on recovery — Promotion — Expresses gratitude.
From Nathaniel Thompson, February 20TH  266
Refuting Major Baylis' accusations.
From Captain Charles Smith, February 23RD  268
Refuting Major Baylis' accusations — Progress of work on Fort
Loudoun.

Contents of Volume II xiii
From Major John Smith, March 2Nd  269
Desiring interview.
From Beverly Robinson, March ist  270
Inclosing letter from Joseph Chew — Mr. Chew's trunk — Ex
pedition against Ticonderoga — Lord Loudoun — New England
governors — Meditated expedition — Inclosing account of victory
of king of Prussia.
From the Honble President Blair, March ioth  272
Case of John and James Holloway — Deserters.
From Colonel Stanwix, March ioth  273
Major Smith's scheme — Washington's intention to resign — Re
call of Lord Loudoun — Lord George Sackville — Expectation of
fleet.
From the Honbls President Blair, April 9TH  274
Indian affairs — Drafts.
From Captain John Baker, April ioth  276
Shooting of Cox and Lane by Lieutenant Chew.
From Colonel Sir John St. Clair, April 13TH  277
Indian affairs.
From Beverly Robinson, Esqre., April i6th  278
Promises to forward letter to Mr. Richard Washington — Military
news.
From Colonel Sir John St. Clair, April 2oth  279
Congratulation on recovery — Indian affairs.
From Lieutenant-Colonel Stephen, April 22ND  280
Arrival in Fredericksburg — Acquiescence to orders.
Council of Officers held at Fort Loudoun, April 24TH . . 281
From Lieutenant Basset, Engr., April 27TH  283
Repairing of roads — Forage.
From the Honble President Blair, May 3RD  283
Desiring commission for Mr. French Mason.
From Francis Halkett, Esqre., May 4th  284
Desiring prisoners to be sent to Philadelphia — Indian affairs.
From Colonel George Mason, May 6th  287
Recommending French Mason.
From Colonel Henry Lee, May i6th  289
Inclosing President's order for garrisoning forts by militia —
sending of militia.
From Warner Lewis, Esqre., May sth  290
Recommending Mr. Charles Tomkins.

xiv Contents of Volume II
From Warner Lewis, Esqre., May 6th  290
Recommending Lieutenant Thurston and Mr. Edward Cary.
From Colonel Sir John St. Clair, May 7TH  291
Indian affairs.
From John Norton, Esqre., May 9TH  292
Recommending Mr. Thurston and Mr. Cary.
From President Blair, May iith  292
Recommending Lieutenant Baker for promotion.
From John Blagg, May iith  294
Enlistment of volunteers.
From Colonel Sir John St. Clair, May 14TH  295
Meeting at Winchester.
From the Honble President Blair, May 15TH  ; 295
Recruiting — Maryland forces.
From William Callaway, May 15TH  296
Indian depredations.
From Colonel George Mason, May i6th  .298
French Mason's commission — Virginia regiment versus British
troops.
From Joseph Chew, Esqre., May ioth  300
Friendly^ Situation at the north.
From Lieutenant Bullitt, May 2 ist  302
Trouble with Indians in camp.
From Beverly Robinson, Esqre., May 21ST  303
Letter forwarded to Mr. Richard Washington — French prisoners
— Scalps.
From Joseph Chew, Esqre., MaY 17TH  303
Inclosing newspapers — Friendly.
From The Honble President Blair, May 24TH  304
Council called — Bounty money — Enlisted men — Behavior of
Cherokees — Military orders.
Depositions and Letters in Regard to Behavior of Friendly
Cherokees  307
Orders for Colonel Washington, May 24TH  -jg
From Robert Rutherford, Esqre., June 6th  317
Inclosing instructions — Asking change of instructions.
From Colonel Fielding Lewis, June ioth  -jq
Military goods — Military accounts.
Orders for Colonel Washington, June 13TH  . -^q

Contents of Volume II xv
From Mr. John Patterson, June 17TH  321
Building at Mount Vernon.
From Mr. Humphrey Knight, June i6th ¦  322
Accounts — Building at Mount Vernon — Agricultural reports.
From Colonel John St. Clair, June i8th  324
Military affairs.
From James Sinclair, Esqre., June zoth  325
Desiring escort for Mr. Glen.
From Joseph Wolgamote, June 2oth  326
Complaining of Captain Feilos.
From John Kidd, June 21ST  327
Military goods.
From Colonel John St. Clair, Junk 22nd  328
Military affairs.
From Colonel Fielding Lewis, June 25TH  329
Accounts — Deserter.
From Brigade Major Francis Halkett, June 25TH  330
Indian affairs — General Abercrombie.
From Captain Walter Steuart, June 27TH  331
Acknowledging commission.
From David Franks, June 27TH  332
Inclosing receipts.
From Colonel Henry Bouquet, June 27TH  333
Marching orders.
From Colonel Adam Stephen, June 28th  334
Arrival at Raystown — Description of roads — Description of
march — Military regulations.
From Mr. Jacob Hite, June 29TH  335
Asking countermanding of orders.
From Lieutenant Charles Smith, July ist  336
Accounts — Desertions — Discontent.
A Weekly Return of the Soldiers Left at Fort Loudoun
under the command of lieutenant charles smith .... 338
From Mr. John Hite, July 2nd  339
Asking countermanding of orders.
From Robert Rutherford, Esqre., July 2nd  339
Asking countermanding of orders.
From Captain A. Botomworth, July 4TH  341
Deceit of Captain Johnny.

xvi Contents of Volume II
From Colonel Bouquet, July 5TH  342
Military orders.
From Gabriel Jones, July 6th  343
Election prospects.
From John Kirkpatrick, Esqre., July 6th  345
Friendly — Election prospects — Arrival of North Carolina men.
From Colonel Adam Stephen, July 6th  346
Congratulatory — Military affairs.
From Captain A. Botomworth, July 7th  347
Sending out scouts to Fort Du Quesne— Directions for distin
guishing friendly Indians.
From James Wood, July 7TH  349
Election prospects.
From Colonel Henry Bouquet, July 8th  350
Military orders — General Abercrombie — General Forbes.
From Mr. William Poole, July 9TH  ^ei
Washington's mill.
From Captain A. Botomworth, July iith  3C2
Military affairs — Adoption of Indian dress.
From Mr. Christopher Hardwick, July iith  3C3
Agricultural reports.
From Colonel Henry Bouquet, July iith  -1^/,
Arrival of Major Lewis' company — Adoption of Indian dress —
Provision for Maryland troops — General Forbes.
From Colonel George Mercer, July i2th  .,«
Provisions exhausted — Progress of march — Sickness — Need of
powder.
From Mr. Humphrey Knight, July 13TH  ,,.-
Accounts — Progress in building— Agricultural reports.
From Lieutenant-Colonel Adam Stephen, July 13TH . . . . 3r7
Military returns — Soldiers' clothes — Adoption of Indian dress.
A Return of the Six Companies of the ist Virginia Regi
ment encamped at Rays Town under Yb Commd of Lt Colo
Stephens, July I2TH 
From Colonel John Carlyle, July 14TH  -g-
Letter and goods from Mr. Richard Washington— Election news!
From Colonel Henry Bouquet, July 14TH  -g-
Accident to soldiers — Military orders — Asking advice — Adop
tion of Indian dress — Military affairs — Disgust with Cherokees —
Forgotten letter.

Contents of Volume II xvii
From Lieutenant-Colonel Adam Stephen, July 14TH .... 363
Deserters — Sickness.
From Mr. Edward Hubbard, July 17TH  363
Desires to be in the Light Horse — Expresses gratitude to Colo
nel Bouquet.
From General James Sinclair, July 19TH  364
Military goods.
From James Glen, Esqre., July 19TH  365
Acknowledgments — Description of Camp Reas — Desires Wash
ington's presence at Winchester — Expects General Forbes.
From Lieutenant-Colonel Adam Stephen, July 19TH .... 366
Colonel Bouquet's opinion of Washington — Military orders —
Military accounts.
From Mr. Edward Snickers, July 19TH  367
Desires payment — Election prospects.
From Captain Christopher Gist, July 2oth  368
Military affairs — Cherokees.
From the Honble Governor Fauquier, July 20TH  369
Victory at Louisbourg — Military accounts — Opinion of Indian
allies.
From Captain Charles Smith, July 2oth  370
Orders fulfilled — Sickness — Asking advice — Military goods —
Condition of garrison — Election prospects — Victory at Louisbourg.
From Robert Rutherford, Esqre., July 20th  373
Asks that the sick be left in Fort Loudoun — Election prospects.
From Captain Botomworth, July 2oth  375
Successful scouting — Highlanders — Victory at Louisbourg —
Death of Lord Howe — General Abercrombie — Military goods —
General Forbes — General Stanwix.
From Captain Walter Steuart, July 20th  376
Commission — Appointed Brigade Major — Desires transfer.
From John Kirkpatrick, July 2ist  377
Friendly — Partiality shown Pennsylvania — News from Louis
bourg — Adoption of Indian dress — Social affairs — Election news
— Tobacco.
From Captain Robert Stewart, July 23RD  380
Preparation for attack.
From Captain John McNeill, July 24TH  381
Announcement of election.
From Gabriel Jones, Esqre., July 24TH  382
Congratulation on election.

xviii Contents of Volume II
From Captain A. Botomworth, July 24TH  382
Loss at Ticonderoga — Death of Lord Howe — Victory at Louis
bourg — Indian allies — General Forbes.
From Colonel Thomas Walker, July 24TH  383
Congratulation on election — Illness — Commissary affairs.
From Captain Charles Smith, July 24TH ......... 384
Description of election.
From Colonel John Carlyle, July 25TH  385
Accounts — Congratulation on election.
From Charles Dick, Esqre., July 25TH  • • . . . 386
Congratulation on election — Captain Woodward's debt.
From William Fairfax, Esqre., July ajTH  387
Illness — Election — Building at Mount Vernon — Victory at
Louisbourg — William Pitt.
From Captain Robert Stewart, July 25TH  388
Congratulation on election — Military affairs.
From Captain Rutherford, Esqre., July 26th ....... 389
Congratulatory.
From Joseph Chew, Esqre., July 17TH  390
Loss at Ticonderoga — Death of Lord Howe — List of officers
killed and wounded — Friendly.
From Joseph Chew, Esqre., July 26th  392
Inclosing paper.
From Colonel George Mercer, July 27TH.  393
Military affairs.
A Weekly Return of the Soldiers Left at Fort Loudoun
UNDER THE COMMAND OF LlEUT. CHARLES SMITH  394
From Colonel Henry Bouquet, July 27TH  305
Military orders — Military affairs — Appoints an interview to dis
cuss the road — Neglect of Quartermaster-General.
From Captain Charles Smith, July 26TH  30,
Election accounts — Smallpox,
Election Accounts  _ _ ,08
An Alphabetical Poll for Frederick County, taken the
24TH Day of July, 1758  ^oj
From Colonel Adam Stephen  .j^
Military affairs.

LETTERS TO WASHINGTON

FROM THE HONORABLE SPEAKER ROBINSON.
W"^BURGH NovT 1 6. 1756
Dear Sir/
I reed your Favours by the express and am ex
tremely sorry to find you are made so uneasy in your
Duty; while you are venturing your Life and for
tune for the good of your Country, to be aspersed
and censured by a vile and Ignorant Scribler,^ I
must confess is sufficient to raise the indignation of
every Gent of Spirit, and no Man can blame you for
shewing a proper Resentment at it, but my Dear
Sir, as you justly observe in your Letter, consider of
what fatal Consequence to your Country your resign
ing the Command at this time may be, more espe
cially as there is no doubt most of the Officers will
follow your Example, and then our Frontiers must
be left exposed to cruelties and Barbarities of our
merciless Enemies, and therefore I hope you will
allow your Ruling Passion, The Love of your Coun
try, to stifle your Resentment at least till the Arrival
of Lord Loudoun or the meeting of the Assembly
1 Referring to rumors circulated to the disparagement of the army, charging the
officers with gross irregularities and neglect of duty, and indirectly throwing the blame
upon Washington. The malicious tales seemed for the moment to receive public
countenance. See Note, vol. i. p. 382.
VOL. II

Letters to Washington

when you may be sure of having Justice done You.
Who those of your pretended friends are that give
Credit to the Malicious Reflections in that Scandal
ous Libel I assure you I am ignorant, and do declare
that I never heard any Man of Honor or Reputation
speak the least disrespectfully of you or censure your
Conduct in the least, and I am^ sure there is no well
wisher to his Country, that would not be greatly con
cerned to hear of your resigning, and therefore I
must repeat my wishes that you will continue still in
the Command. I could not possibly get the money
signed to dispatch to Mr Mercer before this day tho'
I have applied myself as closely as possible, con
sidering the Multiplicity of Business I have been
engaged in. I am with the greatest sincerity
Dr Sir Your Aff? friend & Serv?
John Robinson

from governor dinwiddie.
Williamsburg Nov! i6^ 1756
Sir —
Yf Letter of the g'!" I reel with a Report of Yr
Journey along our Frontiers — The Abuses men-
tion'd in Y? I have been made acquainted with from
several Hands ; but I expected You wou'd have been
more particular in regard to the Officers neglecting
their Duty, & the different Forts not being properly
garrison'd with Men — nay witht their Officers : this
vague Report makes it impossible for me to call
on the Delinquents — I agree the Militia Law is very

Letters to Washington

deficient, and I hope the next Assembly will make
proper Amendments.
The Charges attending the Militia of Augusta is
monstrous, & I believe a great Imposition on the
Country ; I have sent up Money & order'd a strict
Scrutiny to be made into each Officer's Acc^ & the
actual Service done by their Companies — I pity
poor r J
the^ Inhabitants, Majr AndT Lewis has my Orders to
bring the Militia into better Order.
The establishing of Regulars wou'd be very agree
able to me, but where are the Men to be got" when
You have not been able in a twelve M° to compleat
granted
Yr Regm* — Commissions^ to Rangers upon pro
ducing Subscriptions was only to those that went
Volunteers with' Pay, the others were by proper
Recomendat^^ I have repeatedly wrote Lord Loudoun the Neces
sity of an Offensive War, & an Expedition to the
Ohio with the Assistance of our neighbouring Colo
nies, but no Answer, I hope to see him here this
Winter. — I am of Opinion the String of Forts pro-

1 " The wretched and unhappy situation of the inhabitants needs few words, after a
slight reflection on the preceding circumstances, which must certainly draw after them
very melancholy consequences without speedy redress. They are truly sensible of
their misery ; they feel their insecurity from militia preservation, who are slow in com
ing to their assistance, indifferent about their preservation, unwilling to continue, and
regardless of everything but their own ease. ... I promised at their particular re
quest, to address your Honor and the Assembly in their behalf, and that a regular
force may be established in lieu of the militia and ranging companies, which are of
much less service, and infinitely more cost to the country. Were this done, the whole
would be under one direction, and any misbehaviour could never pass with impunity.
Whereas the others are soldiers at will, and in fact will go and come when and where
they please, without regarding the orders or directions of any. And, indeed, the manner
in which some of the ranging captains have obtained their commissions, if I am rightly
informed, is by imposture and artifice." — Washington to Dinwiddie, November 9, 1 756.

Letters to Washington

pos'd in only weakening our Strength, & will be a
poor Defence to our Frontiers — I hope You will
keep the Ind? properly employ'd — MajT Lewis has
Orders to send up the Cherokees — You seem to
Attribute Neglect in me, in not having proper Con
ductors, the Charge is unmanerly, as I did what I
tho! proper, tho' disappointed by the villanous Trad
ers.^ — You have a Quantity of Ind° Goods at Fort
Cumbld" for Your distributing among the Indians as
You see proper ; & Maj! Lewis will send You some
Ind° Guns for the Catawbas.
There is no Exception in the Act of Assembly
giving Premiums for Scalps — O. Spotswood is paid
for the one he sent down, the Method of paying them
is by Law, and must be adhered to, or can I see
much Inconveniency in it.
I cannot propose any means to replace the Drafts
I wish You cou'd engage them to list — You know
how far short the Officers have been of complying
with their Promises when Commission'd — You have
a Right to agree with the Workmen employ'd on
any Public Works.
If You had sent down the Am° of the Money due
for the Servants enlisted, I wou'd have given a War
rant for the Money — It 's probable I might have
refus'd Paymt to the Masters of some of the Servants
enlisted, for want of • Certificate, but never said You
did not act properly in enlist? them — but surely You
cannot think I cou'd order paymt with! an Ace! from
You.

X " I am very sorry any expression in my letter should be deemed unmannerly. I
never intended insults to any ; on the contrary, have endeavoured to demean myself in
that proper respect due to superiors." — Washington to Dmwiddie, November 24, 1 756.

Letters to Washington

Mr Walker when last here determin'd to continue
Comissary, with the Assistance of his Depty one Mf
Rutherford, he then had some Money, & C! Mercer
brings more for that Service — You mention Y! hav
ing made choice of a Person for that Employ, with!
sending his name for my Approbation, if Walker
declines, which is irregular, & I cannot consent to it ; ^
— The same in regard to a -Capt" Chaplain, You
shou'd know that it 's necessary his Qualificat. & the
Bishop's Letter of License shou'd be produc'd to the
Comissary, & Self, but this Person is also nameless.^
I rec? the Opinion of the Council of War in regard
to Fort Cumbid ; as it was an Affair of great Conse
quence I call'd the Council for their Advice, & I
enclose You my & their Sentiments thereon — In con
sequence thereof I hereby order You imediately to
march one hundred Men to Fort Cumberland, from
the forces you have at Winchester, which Cap! Mer
cer says are i6o listed Men [mutilated] are to remain
at Fort Cumberland, & make the Place as strong as
You can in Case of an Attack ; You are to send out
Parties from the Fort not absolutely necessary for
its defence, You are to send them to Winchester.
You are to order one of Your subaltern Officers
(on whom you can confide) to Command at Win
chester, and to oversee the finishing of the Fort
building at that Place

I " I should not have presumed to have appointed a commissary, had not your first
instructions been plain and explicit on this point, and reiterated letters since that
invested me with power. The omission of the name was a neglect indeed accidental,
not designed." — Washington to Dinwiddie, November 24, 1756.
2 " When I spoke of a chaplain, it was in answer to yours. I had no person in view,
tho' many have offered ; and only said, if the country would provide subsistence, we
could procure a chaplain, without thinking there was offence in the expression." —
Washington to Dinwiddie, November 24, 1736.

6 Letters to Washington

These Orders I expect You will give due obedi
ence to & I am with Respect ^ —
Sir 
Your most hble Servant
RobT Dinwiddie
P. S. I have sent a Copy of the Council of War
Proceedings to Lord Loudoun —

A Council of War
held at Fort Cumberland October 30'? 1756. in pursuance of
an Order received from Colonel George Washington ; agreeable
to an Order from Governor Dinwiddie ; to consult whether it
is most for the advantage of His Majesty's Service, to keep or
demolish Fort Cumberland. Present.
Lieu! Colo: Adam Stephen, President.
Capt. W"? Bronaugh Capt. Hen. Woodward
Capt. Rob! Spotswood Capt. Cha? Lewis
Capt. W? Peachy L! Peter Steenbergen
L! Austin Brockenbrough L! James Baker
L? Mordecai Buckner Ens. W? Dangerfield
Ens? Edw^- Hubbard Ens. Nath! Thompson
Ens. Charles Smith Ens. Jn? Lawson
Ens. Griffin Pert
In the first place, the particular situation and structure of the
Fort was considered — namely, — Its being built of Stockades
about nine feet high above ground and never intended for de
fence against Artillery — That it is commanded by a rising ground
1 Washington bore with patience and fortitude Governor Dinwiddle's impracticable
and contradictory orders ; but on occasions he strongly remonstrated. In reply to this
order, he observed : " So, if I comply with my orders, which I shall Uterally do, if I can
not a man will be left there to secure the works, or defend the King's stores, which are
almost wholly removed to that place."

Letters to Washington

about 150 yards N. W. of the Stockades, and overlooked by
several Hills within cannon-shot j so that no person can move
about the place without being seen. This is verified in the in
stance of a f rench spy lately taken ; who gave an account exactly
of the number of Sergeants and Soldiers in the Garrison. — That
the Barracks are without the Fort ; ill-built, & easily set on fire
by the enemy ; as any number of men can come under the banks
of potomac and Wills Creek, within pistol shot of the Barracks,
and fort itself, without being exposed to a shot from cannon or
small arms. — That notwithstanding its small strength & situa
tion it is the only place to the southward of Albany, exposed to an
attack from Cannon, as there is no other road for Carriages of
any kind, leading thro' any pass of the Alleghany mountains. —
That there is no water to be had, except from the river or creek,
— to the latter of which there is a subterraneous passage opened
lately, but not to be depended upon, without a strong Garrison
to defend it. — Secondly : As to the situation of Fort Cumber
land respecting Virginia in particular, it was considered — That
it was a great distance from the inhabitants, and consequently
the more difficult to be supplied with provisions, &c. — That a
strong Fortress with a numerous garrison situated somewhere
toward the head of the waters of patterson's creek, wou'd con
tribute more to the immediate protection of the Frontiers, as that
wou'd be nearer the inhabitants, and as near the enemy and
warriors paths, much frequented by scalping parties of them,
designed against the Virginia frontiers. — Thirdly : Upon con
sideration of the situation of Fort Cumberland, as it regards His
Majesty's Service, and Virginia, maryland, and Pennsylvania, in
general. — It appears, that a strong Fortress near that place, or
more advanced towards the enemy, well garrisoned, is absolutely
necessary, and wou'd be of the greatest service for the protection
of the Frontiers of the three Colonies for the following reasons. —
i'.' The nearer we are to enemy, well supported, the more will
they dread our incursions ; and we the more easily command the
passes of the alleghany mountains. 2l^ It appears to us the most
imprudent step, to leave the only road fit for wheel-carriages, in
the power of the enemy.  3'? — The command of the River
Potamack, being one of the principal objects which the enemy
has in view on this quarter is by all means to be guarded —

8 Letters to Washington
Their being master of it, wou'd forward their designs, & help
them to penetrate more readily into the Heart of the Country.
It is to be observed, that it is only about 76 miles land-carriage,
from the river of Monongehela to this place, & that the advan
tageous navigation by small craft and battoes, is well known to
the french 4'"^ — That Fort Cumberland is about 30 miles from
Rayetown, on the Frontiers of Pennsylvania, thro' which passes
an indian road, much frequented by the enemy, marching against
that province, and the Frontiers of Maryland : That it is not
much farther from the waters of a creek called the Loyal Hanan,
alias Camihony ; upon which lies the common hunting ground of
the Indians as they march to and return from War — That the
infesting these roads and interupting them thereabouts wou'd
contribute most of all to the protection of the three provinces,
next to making incursions into the enemy's Country, and going
against their Towns. —
It has likewise been considered, that the moving the Guns, &c.
from Fort Cumberland to Winchester would raise the spirits of
the Enemy, and encourage them to make a vigorous attack upon
some of the small Forts, and the Inhabitants of the Branch.
That it wou'd be leaving everything to chance, and running the
greatest risque of losing all, to move them to any other place on
the frontiers, before provision is made for reception of the Stores,
and mounting of the Cannon. — In case they are removed to
Winchester, there is the greatest reason to think, that the whole
South Branch Settlement will break up, and that the neighbour
hood of Winchester, nay even to the blue-ridge of mountains, will
in a short time be as much depopulated, as the neighbourhood of
Fort Cumberland is at present. After a deliberation of two days
on the above circumstances — the Question on being proposed
— What was most advisable to be done ? It was unanimously
agreed as follows, viz! That being sensible of the great advan
tages of a strong Garrison in Fort Cumberland, or at a place
further to the westward, to His Majestys Service — that Garrison
with equity to be supported and maintained by the three pro
vinces as it would contribute equally to the protection of all and
be of the greatest service, in case of an expedition carried on
from potomack to Ohio in the Spring. Fort Cumberland and the
Store-houses there wou'd be particularly useful ; but in the mean-

Letters to Washington 9

time, to pretend to maintain a Fort most exposed to an attack of
any on the continent, with a Garrison of 160 men, and the place
not proof against Cannon, woulfi be ridiculous & absurd.
The matter being of so great importance, it is possible, that on
a just representation of circumstances, His Excellency, The Right
Hon"}' The Earl of Loudon, will give orders about strengthen
ing His majesty's Fort at Wills Creek and reinforcing the Garri
son ; so as to make it useful in covering, the frontiers of the three
provinces. We also are of opinion, that as the designs of the
Enemy against this place may be retarded for some time, by the
late capture of a couple of their Spies, and that their Intelligence
received from Deserters, will be rendered of less effect, from the
pulling down the Redoubt, and erecting a sort of  in another
place — That it is most advisable to apply to Colonel Washington
for an immediate reinforcement to the Garrison — That some of
the most valuable Stores, not immediately useful for the defence
of the Fort, be removed to Winchester. That the works begun
for the strengthening the Fort, by Orders of the Commandant,
upon hearing the Enemy were on their march against it, be con
tinued — and that we defer giving our Judgment with respect to
keeping or demolishing Fort Cumberland — the only fort belong
ing to His Majesty on this Quarter — and desire that our con
sideration of the case, and narration of circumstances, be trans
mitted to Governour Dinwiddie, to whom, or to His Excellency,
the Right Hon*!' the Earl of Loudon, we leave the decision of
the fate of Fort Cumberland — Resolving in the mean time to
maintain it as far as lies in our power, until we receive Orders
on that head, — begging that we may do so as soon as possible :
Having certain intelligence of the enemys designs against us, as
soon as it shall be in their power to attack us. —

Remarks on the Council of War Fiz*. ^
Upon receiving Orders from His Honour Governor Dinwiddie
to hold a Council of War upon the necessity of continuing or dis-
1 These " remarks " by Washington were inclosed with the report of the council of
war to the governor.

lo Letters to Washington
continuing Fort Cumberland — I immediately directed L! Col.
Stephen (it being impracticable to attend myself, while absent
on a tour reviewing the southern frontiers) to summon the Officers
of that Fort, and the neighbouring Garrisons to take the affair
into their serious consideration. Their sentiments in my opinion
are fully & impartially delivered on the other side, both in respect
of its condition, situation & importance, as respecting Virginia,
& the provinces of Pennsylvania & Maryland in general. The
situation of Fort Cumberland is extremely unsuitable for defence,
and in no ways fit for fortification — and a fort somewhere in
that neighbourhood, rather more advanced to the westward, well
fortified and strongly garrisoned, wou'd contribute much to the
mutual safety & interest of these three Colonies — Because it
secures the only gap of the Alleghany at present made passable
for wheel carriages, and which wou'd forward an Expedition to
the Ohio. Now, wou'd the three Colonies consent to furnish
proportionable supplies for so beneficial and salutary a design
— I shou'd think it highly expedient to maintain that pass by
erecting a Fortress of strength towards the Little Meadows, in
advance to the Enemy, which wou'd give us yet more advantages,
and Fort Cumberland wou'd still answer its present purposes,
without attempting its improvement while covered by the other.
Or shou'd Virginia herself take the weight of this Enterprize —
or could it be accomplished by any means whatever, — I shou'd
be extremely fond of the expedient. But to view Fort Cumber
land in its present defenseless posture, relative to Virginia in
particular, — and at this gloomy juncture of affairs — I cannot
entertain any favourable sentiments of supporting // for these
.reasons Viz!— 1=.' 'Tis evident the Maryland Assembly have
given up all their lands above the Tonollaways, by building Fort
Frederick below — ordering in the Inhabitants above — and with
drawing their Troops from Fort Cumberland. — From them we
may expect small succours — and what hope we may have of
Pennsylvanias aid, towards this salutary purpose ; I am yet to
learn. They have large & extensive frontiers, and have hitherto
acted on the Defensive.
2'?' — Fort Cumberland lying in the province of Maryland, &
remote from our Settlements, can of course contribute little to
their protection ; without a numerous garrison is kept therein to

Letters to Washington ii
detach strong parties to reconnoitre at a distance, and way-lay
the enemy almost at their own homes, as there are various paths
that lead to the inhabitants, without coming near Fort Cumber
land. — 3^ Fort Cumberland being in Maryland, it prevents a great
part of our Force from acting there, in consequence of an Act of
Assembly, prohibiting those Troops to march out of the Colony.
These forces, thus restricted, are to be discharged the i'.' De
cember ; by which means not only Fort Cumberland, but many
other places will be rendered so weak (without immediate sup
plies ; and how easily these are obtained, I appeal to sad experi
ence) that their conquest wou'd be easy, if attempted. — Lastly
— As to the Works — they are already well described, as quite
insufficient to resist a common swivel; and must require new
improvement, if continued ; which wou'd be better bestowed on
a new and more suitable situation : And without the Conjunction
of the two provinces to carry on this proposal, it wou'd be next
to impossible for Virginia (which has hitherto defrayed the charge,
and refuses any further supplies for that purpose) to maintain
and support His Majestys fort under their present feeble force.
For, by putting a Garrison there of strength requisite to defend
it, and keep up the difficult communication with the inhabitants
at so great a distance, wou'd employ more than half our men, and
of consequence unguard the rest of our frontiers. —
As to the Address of the council to me for a reinforcement
they must have known that it was out of my power to grant it.
The Garrison at that place was appointed in consequence of a
former council of War; and a large proportion of our force
allotted to act on the defencesive here. Whilst the remainder^
were divided for the protection of other places ; which wou'd be
equally unadvisable to leave open and exposed.
Upon the whole ; were it at any other time than this — know
ing the weakness of our strength — doubting the assistance of our
neighbours — and dreading the consequence of leaving the place
longer exposed, altho' great part of the Stores is already removed
— I shou'd vote for demolishing it. But the affair being of great
importance, I only offer my sentiments ; and submit to his Honor
the Governor, and the approaching Assembly, for a determina
tion of the case.

12

Letters to Washington

At a Council held Noveml ifl 1736,
Present

The Governor

John Blair
William Nelson
Thomas Nelson
Philip Grymes

Peter Randolph
Philip Ludwell Esq"?
M' Commissary
William Byrd Esqf

The Governor was pleased to communicate to the Board a
Letter from Colonel Washington dated at Winchester the Ninth
of November, with his Observations on the Situation of our
Frontiers ; and inclosing a Copy of the Council of War held in
behalf of Fort Cumberland, with his Sentiments on the Matter.
Upon reading which the Governor desired the Opinion of the
Council, whether it would be adviseable in our present Circum
stances to demolish Fort Cumberland, or reinforce it with a
Number, and what Number, of Men, from the other small Forts.
The Council having ' maturely considered the Affair were unani
mously of Opinion by no means to abandon that Fort, as it would
be giving up a large Extent of Country, but to reinforce it with a
Hundred Men from Winchester ; that Col. Washington be directed
by his Honor to reside at Fort Cumberland ; make the Fort as
tenable as possible ; and frequently send out strong Detachments
to reconnoitre the Motions of the Enemy.^
A true Copy
Nath^ Walthoe Cl. Cou.^

¦¦ With this view of the subject Washington concurred, but was still of opinion that
a better position ought to be chosen, and suggested that it should be in advance of
Fort Cumberland, and somewhere in the vicinity of the Little Meadows. This he
thought a proper enterprise for the combined efforts of Virginia, Pennsylvania, and
Maryland, as the main object was to facilitate an expedition to the Ohio, or prevent an
irruption of the enemy into either of those colonies. — Sparks.
2 Nathaniel Walthoe, Clerk of the Council, Brock describes as an eccentric bachelor,
and a warm personal friend of the second William Byrd, of " Westover," to whom he
presented a fine portrait of himself, wearing his hat, and stipulated that it should be
hung amongst others of distinguished personages possessed by Colonel Byrd. It is
still in the possession of the Harrison family at " Lower Brandon," James River.

Letters to Washington 13

FROM JOHN CARLYLE, ESQ.
Alexandria Decf 2? 1756
D'^SiR I was fur4 with yours of the 30* Ulto, & Observe
Your directions Ab! Your orders for London finery
depend they Shall be Executed with the Greatest
Exactness — Cap! Thompson is here & has Agreed
to take half the Tobacco to Y! Namesake, he has
Gott the Tobacco that is here & as fast if more
Comes it Shall be Ship"! — I am Afraid We Cannot
gett You Good Crop Tobacco under 14 ^c! but will
get You the Quantity mentiond & Such as Shall be
known to be Good On the best Terms We Can —
What You Mention Relating My Accompts Your
not Examining them here, Need be no hinderance &
Anything Wrong may be Rectify'd, as to the Letter
you mention it Was Wrote before I went to Wil
liamsburg, & I then had Not Seen the Gov! he tells
me I must keep in my own hands to pay my Self for
I Shall gett No More from the N? Ward for My pay
& Storage, S! John S!Clairs Ace! With Me is Not
Above the Sum You Mention & at that time I Wou'd
Given Up All for the Ballance of My Ace!, but now
I am Not Willing to doe So As My pay as Store
keeper is Near ^ More & think With justice I shou'd
make the most of them, & you must be Clear from
any Reflection When the Comittee Will See the
Vallueation & In My Letter the dates Was Not
Thought of, tho' they Included Sr John S'Clairs
Ace! & If the Officers themselves are to pay It I
Must Apply to them I have Receipts for every

14 Letters to Washington
Bushell that was Deliver'd, & If you please to Lay
the Ace! before the Comitee I must be Satisfyed
With their Determination —
As to the List of Tools &c I have made Enquiries
& find I can Gett the Greatest part here and Shall
go to Annapolis for the Remainder I am at A Loss
as to the Quantity & Sorts of Cartridge paper but
will Send up Sum of both Sorts for the Price sent,
the Season of the Year Is too far Advanced to de-
Philadelphia
pend on Sending to Annapolis- as the Passage may
be Nearly Stoped by the time I Can gett their &
back & dare Say I Can Gett All the Most Material
Artickles to Come Up by the Return of the Wagons
Next Week — ^
I dare say you may depend on back loads for
Your Wagon as the Rice, Rum & Wine, the Railes
You formerly Order'd, the Tools & the Cloathes
dayly Expected will be many Loads for Several
Wagons —
I Can gett lOO Blankets of the Right Sort of
Cap* Copethon & More ^haps If Necessary, but as
has coming In
the Country wants A large Quantity .& they are
dayly Expected Cannot You Wait Yett A little
Longer —
The People In Winchester have Reason to be In
Fears & Waps More of this Collony may have the
Same Reason, Occation'd by that, fatell Order of
the G  & C  1,^ Cannot A party of Militia In
Frederick be Gott together in the Town Wh by A
1 Governor and Council.

Letters to Washington 15

Proper Application to the Governor they might be
Releaved from other County's Militia —
My Comp*.^ to Cap* Mercer M' Kirkpatrick & I am
D' Sir Y' obliged humble Ser'
John Carlyle
P. S. the Inclosed is A Copy of A Letter M' M-^-
Carty Lodged in My hand as A Voucher for Me to
Deliver him Provisions for his Recruits As I Wou'd
Not do it Without & I Send you this Copy for y^
Satisfaction You may burn it after perusal — he has
only 5 Yett Come In —== J.C.
FROM CAPTAIN PETER HOG.
Staunton 8'? Dec! 1756
Sir/ I am favoured with yours of the is'.*" Accom
panying the ;^500 with which I have paid off the
Company to the Last of Oct : as also the Wages of
the party working on the fort the rest has been Ex
pended in paying the provisions Bought at fort Din
widdie. But as Lieut. Bullet has Laid in a Large
q'y of Beeff, there Is yet a great deficiency of Cash
to pay off the Whole, I imagined you would Left
particular Orders respecting the provisions of that
Garrison, as that at Vanses has not been provided in
any more than a Sufficiency to Support the Men
there a Short Time, I should be glad to know
whether I am to Remain at that place during the
Winter or to Repair to f " Dinwiddie, If the former
I hope you will order me, my proper Command, as
it
you are Sensible that .is more necessary on Roanoke

1 6 Letters to Washington

than Jackson's Riv! particularly as the Militia from
the Neighbouring Counties are drawn off by the
Governors Orders and some Obstacles hinder the
Augusta Militia from Supplying their place at that
Garrison, which is now very Weak on that Acco! I
am thus far on my Way to Wmsburg to Endeavour
a Settlement of my Acco'.' with the Comittee on my
Return shall be glad to Receive your Orders where
I am to be Stationed this Winter, and how the De
ficiency of the money for provisions is to be Sup
plied, & where I am to Meet the Comissf & pay
Mast! to Settle the Acco? agreable to your Instruc
tions the Time I will fix as soon as possible after
my Return. I am with great Respect
Sir/ Your Most Obed! &
Very Hum' serv! Pet? Hog
P. S. I have Enlist"? some Servants If agreable
to you should be desirous to have your Orders If I
may pay the Valueation to their Masters P. H.^

At A Council held Decemh^ p* 175^?
The Governor was pleased to communicate to the Board, and
to desire their Advice upon, a Letter from Col. Washington dated
from Ford Loudoun the 2* of this Instant, signifying his appre-
I As Governor Dinwiddie had forbidden Washington to enlist any more servants
until further orders, Captain Hog was directed accordingly.
2 The Council, from the year 1680, constituted an upper house of the Assembly.
The position was one attended with many privileges, and was deemed a high honor.
A member of the CouncU was exempt from taxation ; he was a judge, colonel of his
county, and usually engrossed the ofSces of emolument in the colony, — naval officer,
collector, auditor, and farmer of the quitrents. — Brock.

Letters to Washington 17
hensions that the Order of Council of the 15!^ of last month will
be productive of many Evils, and inclosing, the Returns of their
Strength at Winchester, amounting to Eighty One Effectives,
exclusive of the Drafts. Also a Letter from his Excellency the
Right Honorable the Earl of Loudoun, dated from Fort Edward
the 25!? of October, signifying he should immediately write to
Col. Stanwix to send off directly proper Officers to Virginia for
recruiting ; that he concur'd in Opinion with his Honor for sup
porting Fort Cumberland this Winter ; that he can't agree with
Col. Washington, in not drawing into him the Posts from the
Stockade Forts, in order to defend that advanced one ; and
imagines much of the Frontier will be exposed, by retiring the
advanced Posts near Winchester.
Whereupon it was the Opinion of the Board that the former
Order of Council for reinforcing Fort Cumberland with One
Hundred Men should be carried into Execution ; but, as that
Number can't be supplied from Winchester, where they think it
necessary a Hundred Men should remain with a proper Officer,
that all the small Forts, except that on the South Branch com
manded by Cap! Waggoner, should be evacuated for that Pur
pose. Copy Teste
N. Walthoe Cl Cou.

FROM GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE,
Williamsburg, Dec! lo*? 1756
Sir/ Your Letter of the 2^ by Jenkins I reC? two Days
ago, & observe its Contents, the Returns of Your
Strength at Fort Loudoun surpriz'd me, when I con-
sider'd that Cap! Mercer declared to the two M! Nel
sons & the Speaker, that You had there 160 enlisted
Men which with the fifty Servants recruited after, I
VOL. n

1 8 Letters to Washington
tho! You might have march'd loo Men from thence
for reinforcing Fort Cumberland, & left a sufficient
Garrison at Fort Loudoun ; but as Cap! Mercer's
Information was wrong, I on receipt of Yf Letter
call'd the Council, not caring to act in an Affair of
that Consequence without their Advice, Copy of the
Minute of Council You have enclos'd; by which
You may observe, that it's tho! absolutely necessary
to reinforce Fort Cumberland ; at same Time to leave
a proper Garrison at Winchester ; in order thereto
it's further thought proper to call in the Forces from
the Stockade Forts, to qualify You to march a proper
Number of Men to Fort Cumberland, & to leave a
proper Garrison at Fort Loudoun with Officers suit
able, also to appoint a Person to command, who may
continue the Finishing of that Fort, to employ Arti
ficers for that Service, & with him to leave Money
to defray that Expence, paying for Waggons, & any
other contingent Charges ; to be accountable to You,
by producing Vouchers for his Payments, which I
think will answer the same as if You was personally
present.^
1 Governor Dinwiddie first ordered Washington to march from Fort Loudoun to
Fort Cumberland more men thaii he had under his command at the former post, and
still to leave a number sufficient to keep up the garrison and continue the works. When
this order was countermanded as absurd and impracticable, another was issued for
calling in all the men at the stockade forts, sending loo to Fort Cumberland, and
retaining the same number at Fort Loudoun, by which means the smaller forts essen
tial for the defense of the people would be evacuated, and a large number of men left
unemployed. A third order was necessary to remedy the blunders of the other two,
by intrusting the matter to the discretion of the commander-in^hief. Governor
Dinwiddle's settled determination to sustain Fort Ciunberland, contrary to Washing
ton's opinion, betrayed him and his council into a series of hasty resolutions and wild
mistakes ; and, as Sparks further notes, it is no wonder that Washington should com
plain, as he often did, of the confusion and inconsistency of his orders. Cf. Washing
ton's reply. Ford, Writings of Washington, L 397.

Letters to Washington 19
I am glad the Stores of every kind are brought
from Fort Cumberland, excepting those indispensa
bly necessary to be left there — Why did not You
send me a particular Ace! of the Quality & Quantity
of each .? which I desire You may supply me with to
be sent to Lord Loudoun — Upon evacuating the
Stockade Forts, the Forts may be left standing for
service of the Inhabitants, if they think proper to
garison them with their own People.
Since my last to You I rec*? a Letter from L'? Lou
doun, a Paragraph thereof in regard to Fort Cum
berland is as follows. "As to the Affair of Fort
Cumberland ; I own it gives me great Uneasiness,
& I am of the same Opinion with You, that it was
very material to have supported that Fort this Win
ter, & after that, we cou'd easily have made it a
better Post than ever it has been, from what I hear
of it; I cannot agree with C? Washington in not
drawing into him, the Posts from the Stockade Forts,
in order to defend that advanced one ; & I shou'd
imagine, much more of the Frontier will be expos'd,
by retiring Your advanc'd Posts near Winchester,
where I understand he is retired, for from Your
Letter, I take it for granted, that he has before this
executed his Plan, without waiting for any Advice ;
If he leaves any of the great Quantity of Stores
behind, it will be very unfortunate ; & he ought to
consider, that it must lie at his own Door — This
Proceeding, I am affraid will have a bad Effect as to
the Dominion ; & will not have a good Appearance
at Home."
By which You may observe his Opinion in keep-

20 Letters to Washington

ing up that Fort; no doubt he has been inform'd
from some of the Officers the Situation & Conse
quences thereof.^
M! Walker has been here lately, who says his
assistant, M! Rutherford, has contracted for flour
sufficient for looo Men for twelve Months, & no
doubt M! Walker is with You before this, with whom
consult for Supplies to Fort Cumberland — And I
hope from the above Regulation You will be able
to leave so many in Garison at Fort Loudoun as to
afford a proper Convoy for Provisions, & on occa
sion a Number may be sent from Fort Cumberland
to meet them on the Road — It gives me pleasure
that going to Fort Cumberland is so agreeable to
You, as without Doubt it's the proper Place for the
Commanding Officer.^
There were many Indian Goods left by C? Innes
at the Fort, enquire into the Distribution of them,
& what remains order a particular Ace! of them, to
be sent me, to be compared with the Invoice left by
him You may observe that it's thought absolutely neces
sary to support Fort Cumberland & Fort Loudoun
with a proper Number of Officers & Men, which I
1 Lord Loudoun's remarks, notes Sparks, as appHed to the acts and designs of
Colonel Washington, are literally without meaning. Having never visited Virginia, he
had no accurate knowledge of the transactions in question, and his remarks were
based on the state of the case as represented to him by the governor.
2 Washington, after stating many reasons why, in his estimation, Winchester was
the proper place of residence for the commanding officer, had said : " Some, Sir, who
are inclined to put an unfavorable construction upon this generous recital, may say
that I am loath to leave this. I declare, upon my honor, I am not, but had rather be
at Fort Cumberland (if I could do my duty there) a thousand times over : for I am
tired of the place, the inhabitants and the life I lead here ; and if after what I have
said, you should think it necessary that I reside at that place, I shall acquiesce with
pleasure and cheerfulness, and be freed from much anxiety, plague, and business."

Letters to Washington 21
expect You will give due Attention to & give Your
Orders accordingly.
I am sorry the Catawbas only propose staying one
Moon longer, I hope You will be able to prevail with
them to stay the Winter; You do well in giving
them good Usage, it is also my fix'd Inclination;
but their Demands are unreasonable, let them know
that for the Cherokees, consist? of forty Men, I bought
only two Horses to carry their Baggage; Soldiers
march on Foot, — if they want one or two Horses
You may purchase them — There are some Goods
in Augusta under the Care of Maj! Lewis, from
thence they may have some Supplies : — I propos'd
sending Lieu! McNeil to command the Men for the
Garison built in the Cherokee Country ; if the Ca
tawbas will not remain longer, is not he a proper
Person, with an Interpreter to convey them Home ?
by his return probably shall have occasion to send
out the Men as above. —
As to Silver Trinkets for Wrists & Arms, they
were never given but to the Chief Warrior of the
Party; but if they are determin'd to go, let them
know on their return, I shall oblige them with every
Thing in my Power that's reasonable; And write
Maj! Lewis to supply them with Necessaries for the
present from the Goods under his Care.
If You have paid the Masters of the Servants You
have enlisted from the Money in Your Hands, send
down an Ace! thereof & I will give a Warrant for
the amount to Your Order— I hope the Cherokees
are with You before this ; & Arms for the Catawbas,
Maj! Lewis having my Orders to that purport —

22 Letters to Washington

th

Since writing the above I reel Yours of the 4!
The Villainy of MCarty is without Precedent, &
I think he shou'd be taken into Custody to answer
for his Intentions to encourage a Desertion from the
Regiment, & on Tryal & Proof will undoubtedly be
severely punish'd — He applied to me for his Dis
charge from the Regiment, which I told him I wou'd
not grant, but if You discharg'd him I wou'd approve
of it ; after that he applied for a Commission to enlist
men for the Royal Americans, but if I had known
his Intention he shou'd not have obtain'd the Commis
sion — If Cap! Mercer shou'd be so lucky to apprehend
the Deserters, I think an Example shou'd be made
of two of the Ringleaders, to be shot, after being
properly tried, which I now impower You to do ; or
the whole to take their Chance by throwing the Dice ;
one or two of them to suffer for Example & Terror
to others.
In the mean Time I desire You will in my Name
recall my Comission from M°Carty, I know not where
to write him, but if at Alexandria, our Friend C°
Fairfax will do the Necessary, & I desire You to
write him accordingly.
I have some Petitions from the Inhabitants of
Winchester & Frederick County which I cannot
comply with, as Your last Orders are by Advice of
the Council & agreeable to Lord Loudoun's Opin
ion, which I desire You strictly to comply with but
on the Regulation sent You they will have no Rea
son to complain ; as a proper Garison is directed to
be left at Winchester, & I hope that Step will be
agreeable to the Inhabitants — they shou'd not know

Letters to Washington 23
any Thing of the Orders sent You till ready to be
put in execution —
I remain with Respect
Sir Your most hble Serv!
RobT Dinwiddie
P. S. The enclos'd Letter for M'rCarty forward
by a safe Oppty. I wish you may get all the Men
Mf Caf ty has enlisted —

FROM GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.
Williamsburg Dec! 15^ 1756
Sir Yours of the 9'!' I have rec^ — I am glad C! Mer
cer has brought back sixteen of the Deserters, upon
Promise of Pardon, which I agree to on Your
Recommendation ; but I hope You will make them
sensible of their Crime & that they are pardon'd on
Your Solicitation
You recomend Messll Carlyle & Ramsay to be
Commissaries in the room of M! Walker, which I
by no means approve of — the first resign'd when
formerly appointed, & when most wanted ; I do not
incline to give him that Oppty again ; the other I doubt
not is a Gentleman of Capacity, but a Stranger to the
Business, & not sufficiently acquainted with the Peo
ple to make Purchases therefore not eligible.
Mr Walker has a very good Character for Probity
& Capacity, I have therefore order'd him to continue

24 Letters to Washington
in his Office, & I expect You will give him Your
Countenance & Advice; & supply him with the
Money, sent up by Cap! Mercer, appropriated for the
Purchase of Provisions ; — I have order'd him to
send M! Rutherford with You to Fort Cumberland,
& he to remain at Winchester to do the Necessaries
there ; I therefore expect You will give him all the
Assistance in Your Power; it wou'd be cruel to
superceed him after he has made such large Con
tracts for supplying Your Regiment, & at this Time
of the Year to leave it to those not so well acquainted
with the Business.
The villainous Actions of M!'Carty really surprize
me, & I shall take Care to make him repent of it.
I really pity the poor Men this cold Weather for
want of their Cloathes, they are daily expected &
will be sent up as soon as they arrive.
It is reported here that Lord Loudoun may be
expected in a Month, when he arrives I shall give
You notice of it ^ — Having nothing to add to my
former Orders I remain Sir 
Your most Hble Servant
RobT Dinwiddie

1 Lord Loudoun was then in New York. Washington had resolved to await his
arrival in Virginia, and to lay before him a general exposition of the state of affairs,
and if possible to have the Virginia troops put on the regular establishment under the
direction of his lordship, as the only mode by which the command of them could be
useful to his country, or honorable to himself. — Spakks.

Letters to Washington 25

FROM THE HONORABLE SPEAKER ROBINSON.
W?BURGH Dec! 17, 1756
Dear Sir/
I reed your favour by M! Ramsey and as soon as I
could get the Committee together I communicated
the Contents of it to them, they were generally of
Opinion that the Commissary ought to resign, and
they also approved of M! Carlyle and Ramsey in
Case M! Walker resigned, but did not care to ap
point them till M! Walker informed them himself of
his intentions to resign ; I am sorry to hear your last
Money is gone, and more so that I must tell you that
that fund is just exhausted, but will have some ready
for you when you send for it I am
DrSir Your Most Affecf Friend
and Servant John Robinson

26

Letters to Washington

An Exact Return of Indian Goods at Fort Cumberland Decem^. 2^
1756

I

Mens Coats

3

Mens Embroidor'd Jaccoats

I

Mens Lac'd Jaccoats
I
p!
Mens Britches
5
Mens Hats Laced
22
Mens Shirts Plain
19
Mens Shirts Ruffled
37
Boys Shirts
13
Mens Worsted Caps
I
P-
Garlix
I
P-
Stript Holland
4
Hat Feathers
2
Head Feathers
I
Blue Strouds
2
p
Red Strouds
3
P
White Plains
2^
p
Blue Plains
p
Red Plains
3
P
Embosed Flannell
I
P
Stript Flannell
3
P
Stript Calimania
S
P
Stript Stuffs
34
P
Wom! Stockings
II
P
Gartering
8
P
Ribbond
6
p
Terret Silk
4
P
Bed Lace
16
Let
Coll? Thread
8
s
Medals
I
cf
Calicoe Patrens
22
Doz
Brass Rings
18
Auls
2
Doz
Fire Tongs
3
Doz
Bullet Molds
3
Pistles
14
Swords
5
Doz
Scalping Knives
4
Clasp Knives
26
Bundles Small Beads
140
Bundles Large Beads
19
P?
Razor Wire
12
p;
Large Wire
14
V'
Sleeve Buttons
36
Silver Tasles
18
Gold Tasles
7
Let
Vermilion Red
4
Leggons
I
Bagg
White Wampum
200
<
Black Wampum
Letters to Washington 27

FROM GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.
Williamsburg Dec! 27?" 1756
Sir Yours of the 19* by Jenkins I rec'i last Night &
do observe You have ordered the Garisons on the
Branch to Perceall's, to escort the Flour to Fort
Cumberland. The Provisions lying in Bulk at the different Forts
if possible shou'd be Smoked, which wou'd be a great
Saving to the Country, & I hope You have ordered
it so. — As we have had great Rains lately I hope
a sufficient quantity of Flour may be secured, as M!
Walker told me he & his Assistant had contracted
for as much as wou'd serve our Forces twelve Months.
The Orders given You at first, were on Cap! Mer
cer's repeated Assurances of Your having 160 en
listed Men at Winchester, which, with the Servants
You mention'd to be enlisted, I conceived You cou'd
march 100 Men from Fort Loudoun to Fort Cum
berland, but by the Return You write of only 85
Men at Fort Loudoun — It was thought proper to
call in the Forces from the Stockade Forts to gari
son the above Forts compleatly; but not knowing
Your Numbers in those Out-Forts I gave general
Orders to call them all in, however after Garisoning
Fort Cumberland & Fort Loudoun properly, the
Surplus Men You are to fix at any Forts You think
proper between the above two Forts, & where You
think they may be of most essential Service.
I am surpriz'd M! Walker shou'd leave his Duty
after the Assurances made me (last Time he was in

28 Letters to Washington
Town) of discharging that Duty with all Diligence.
I fear he was not properly countenanc'd, his Pro
bity, Knowledge & Experience makes him as equal
to that Service as any in the Country, & as he & his
Assistant have made so large Contracts, I shall not
appoint another till I have his Reasons for resigning.
Col? Stephens had the Keys where the Indian
Goods were lodged, & he must render an Ace! of
them ; I have a Copy of the Invoice from Col? Innes.
I am of Opinion that Cap! McNeill is a proper
Person to conduct the Catawbas Home (if you can
not prevail with them to remain some Time longer)
& he probably may engage some of their Warriors
to come in the Spring. — Cap! Pearis & 20 Men, were
employ'd to escort the Cherokees and Catawbas, but
You may observe how I am disappointed.^
I sent Cap! M'rNeill 500^ to pay the Masters for
the Servants enlisted, & order'd him to engage as
many as that Money wou'd answer & send them up
to You ; but I cannot give Directions for enlisting
more till I see the Treasurer, to know what Money
he may have applicable to that Service.
Fort Cumberland is to be kept as Defensible as
You can till the Spring, when I expect Lord Lou
doun will give Directions therein, but not to be
made Cannon proof unless it can be done at a small
Expence, which the Country must pay unless Lord
Loudoun otherways directs.
The paragraph of Lord Loudoun's Letter to me,
is entirely confin'd to Fort Cumberland, he was
affraid You wou'd have evacuated, & dismantled that
I In the number of Indians escorted, " six Cherokees and two squaws."

Letters to Washington 29
Fort before his Letter reached me, which wou'd have
had a bad Effect as to the Dominion, & no good
Appearance at Home — As to the String of Forts
he knows Nothing of, or can You, from the Para
graph sent You, think that he either prejudges or
has any bad Opinion of Your Conduct, & as Fort
Cumberland is reinforc'd he will be much pleas'd.^
I confirm my former Leave of Your coming here
when his Lordship arrives, as You will be able to
give him a good Ace! of our Back Country ; & I
desire You will give the necessary Orders to Your
Lieu! Col? before You leave Fort Cumberland —
And I expect You left Directions with C! Mercer to
continue the Constructing of Fort Loudoun, & that
with all possible Expedition.
I was in hopes the Interpreter for the Catawbas
would have serv'd for the Cherokees ; however I have
sent up the Country to engage an Interpreter —
You must keep the Indians employ'd in Scouting,
if idle they will be thinking of Home.
I approve of the Leave You have given to Lieut'.'
Baker & Lawry, & I shall be glad to see them — I
have paved the Way & I expect a good Number of
the Tuscaroras & Nottaways early in the Spring,
& I think Lieu! Baker will be of great Service with
those People.
I am in Pain & greatly uneasy for the poor Men's
Cloathing— I understand the Treasurer appointed
Col? Carlyle & M! Cha! Stewart to provide them, & I
hope the first Vessell from London will bring them ;
the Severity of the Weather & the Work they have
1 The governor afterwards thought to add a palliative by this assurance. — Sparks.

30 Letters to Washington
to do gives me Concern when I think of their naked
Condition, — I wish You cou'd purchase some Blank
ets for the present tho' I think it cannot be long
before they arrive; endeavour to keep them in Spirits
for a short Time longer.
You do right in writing to the Treasurer to pro
vide Money You know I am only to grant my War
rant, & when I see him I shall speak to him on that
Head. I shall be glad to have a regular Return of Your
Strength to lay before Lord Loudoun when he
arrives — I wish You Health & I remain
Sir Your humble Servant
RobT Dinwiddie

FROM THE HONORABLE SPEAKER ROBINSON. Dec! 31. 1756 —
Dear Sir/
I am truly concerned at the uneasiness you are
under in your present Situation, and the more so, as
I am sensible You have too much reason for it, The
Resolution of defending Fort Cumberland, and evac
uating the other Forts was taken before I knew or
mistrusted any thing of the Matter, I must confess 1
was not a little surprised at it, and took the Liberty
to expostulate with many of the Council upon it,
who gave me for Answer that Lord Loudoun had
insisted that Fort Cumberland should be preserved
at all Events, and as we had so few Troops, it could
not be done without breaking up the small Forts

Letters to Washington 31

and taking the men from them it was to no Purpose
to tell them that our Frontiers would thereby^in-
tirely exposed to our Cruel and Savage Enemy, and
that they could receive no Protection from Fort
Cumberland, as it was in another Province, and so
remote from any of our Inhabitants, and further that
by such a Conduct the Act of Assembly which gave
solely
the money^for the Defence and Protection of our
Frontiers — would be violated and the Money applied
otherwise than the Assembly intended, yet notwith
standing all I could say they persisted in their Reso
lution without alledging any other reason for it than
that it was in pursuance of Lord Loudoun's desire,
it can't be any difficult matter to guess who was the
Author and Promoter of this Advice and Resolu
tion, or by whom my Lord Loudoun has been per
suaded that the Place is of such Importance, but
supposing it was really so, surely it ought to be de
fended by the People in whose Province it is ^ or at
least at the Expence of the three Colonies jointly,^
and not to leave our own Frontiers exposed for the
defence of a Place from which we can't receive the
least advantage or Protection, the present unhappy
State of our Country must fill the minds of every
well wisher to it with dismal & gloomy Apprehen
sions, and without some speedy Alteration in our
Counsels, which God send, the Fate of it must soon
be determined.
I am extremely sensible of the miserable situation
the poor Soldiers are in for want of their Clothes
1 Maryland. * Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

32 Letters to Washington
and do from my heart compassionate them for the
hardships they must undergo and sincerely wish it
was in my Power to relieve them I was in hopes that
Cloths would have come in before this time, as I saw
a Letter from the Merch! to whom they were sent
for, that they would be shiped the beginning of Oct!
I think it cant be long before they arrive and I have
them
ordered .up to Alexandria as soon as they come, in
the meantime I shall use my utmost Endeavours to
procure Blankets for the Poor Soldiers.
I am sorry you should have any Occasion for
money again so soon, especially so large a Sum, as
I dont know how you will be supplied with it, for the
money that was given by the Assembly for the Pay
ment of the Forces is so near exhausted that I am
very sure that there is not in my hands one third
part of the Sum that you say will be wanted to clear
you off to the first of Jan7 and how the deficiency
will be supplied or how the Forces will subsist till
the Assembly meets in Feb"? I cant imagine ; when
Cap! Mercer came for the last Money he informed
the Committee that the reason of so large a Demand
at that time was to pay for the Provisions which
were laid in for a Year, and for the pay of the men
to the last of November, and we were then in hopes
that what was left would be near sufficient to pay the
that would be left
men to the last of Feb7 Jan7, and then the Assembly
make
when they met would^such further Provision as they
should think proper, if any Prejudice should happen
to the Service for want of money before the Assem
bly meets, it must be charged to those by whose

Letters to Washington 33

Advice the meeting was delayed so long ; however
I will call a Committee to meet on Monday the 17*
of next month, as I cant possibly do it sooner, and
lay your Demands before them, and shall then be
ready to pay M! Kirkpatrick whatever Sum the Com.
shall direct. I am D! Sir/ Your Affec? Friend
and Obed! Serv!
John Robinson

FROM COLONEL JOHN STANWIX.^
Lancaster Jan? 13"? 1757
Dear Sir
it is with great Pleasure I own the favour of your
obliging letter by Cap! Stewart and am much re-
joyced to hear of your being in a fair way of recovery
w'? is wish'd for by all your friends both for their
own sakes as well as that of your Country whose
services you are known to have so much at heart
I am told from my Friends in England that his
Majesty intends me an Old Regiment but whether
1 John Stanwix (nephew to the Brigadier-General Stanwix famous in the wars of
Queen Anne) entered the army in 1706, and was appointed colonel commandant of the
60th regiment of Royal Americans, January i, 1756. The following year he was put
in command of the southern district, with his headquarters at Carlisle, Pa. He was
appointed brigadier-general, December 29. In 1758, being relieved by General
Forbes, he proceeded to Albany with directions to build a fort (called in his honor
Stanwix, afterwards Fort Schuyler) at the " Oneida carrying place," on the Mohawk
River, on the site of Rome, Oneida County, New York. He was made a major-gen
eral, and returned to Pennsylvania in 1759. Repaired Fort Pitt and considerably
strengthened it. Resigned in favor of Sir Richard Monckton, May 4, 1760, and re
turned to England, where he was appointed lieutenant-governor of the Isle ot Wight.
He was lost at sea while crossing from Dublin to Holyhead, December, 1765.
VOL. II

34 Letters to Washington
it is to be here or in Europe is not certain, as these
things are often talked of a long time before done
that may possibly be my case I have a strong
notion that I shall come towards Winchester but
hope the Spring will be a little advanced first, if this
should happen propose great satisfaction to myself
in having the Opportunity of consulting with you on
any service I may be Order'd upon, beg you will
believe that I am with great truth
DfSir Your most Obed! &
most humble Serv!
John Stanwix

FROM ALEXANDER LUNAN, ESQ.
Philad* 14'?' Jan? 1757
Sir By order of Col? John Carlyle of Alexandria I
send you by the bearer John Spore. Two Marked
Bales q! 22^ Rheams of Cartridge sorted. — one long
Box cont? four X Cutt saws, and 4 Whip saws, with
the Handles, Files, Setts, and every thing ready
fitted, the Saws are also Sharpd. & as they are ex-
treamly well packed up. I hope they'l come safe to
hand : they are the very best of the kinds I could
meet with in the City, and I daresay will give Satis
faction. As M! Carlyle only mentioned Cartridge
paper in general, I was at some Loss what to send,
but by the advice of some of the Gentlemen of the
Army here, I think the kinds will answer, their i'/.

Letters to Washington 35
Quires, say Rheams, for the Great Guns. If any
thing further of this kind, should be wanted the
orders should be more particular. They are from
the best hands, the Bills of Parcels of them I send to
M! Carlyle. they amount to ;^3i. 15. 7. this Curr!' to
his Debite —
They weigh just Five Hundred & Fourty pounds
and I have agreed to pay him the same Philip Bush
does, which is Twenty Shill! f q! — & has taken his
receipt accordingly. It will always give me pleasure
to receive your Commands, being with much re
spect. Sir. Your most obed! Servant
Alex^ Lunan.

FROM COLONEL JOHN CARLYLE.
Alexandria Jan? 22 1757
D? Sir/
After I had wrote to Cap! Mercer I find the
Wagons Will not Leave The Town before I finish
This, In Answer to Yours of the 20* In=.' When I
Wrote you & Cap! Mercer I Cou'd give no Guess
at the packages Nor coud I tell What Quantity of
Wagons Will doe, for the things Under Contract I
believe Twelve or fourteen Wagons will doe the
other Goods Ordered by Y! Letter of June The
20* Such as Blankets, Camp Kettles, Canteens
Spare Shirts &c will Take at Least Six or Seven
Wagons. I Will Observe Yr Directions In Sending

36 Letters to Washington
Up Sumthing of Every Kind & to the Amount of
the Number of Men In Y! Return —
Y! Brother M! John Washington See the Negro's
When I purchased & Liked them, & the Owner
woud not Take Virginia Paper money at more than
Maryland & I dare Say you may Get Bills at 35
fc! —
I am Next to Observe what you Say Ab! the
Goods for the Officers, You desired Me to Send for
a Quantity of Cloaths & Lace V^ V4 & Inch Wide
of one Patteron, I Immediately Sent for a Quantity
that I Allotted for 30 Officers & Several other
things, & ordered no Cloath Cheaper than 12/6 '^
y? Which is A Good Cloath When Well bought as
I Expect this is When Cap! Mercer Came here I
consulted him & he made Sum Small Alterations
Which In my Letter to London by the Next Oppt?
I ordered, it Was Not Gott to hand When These
Goods Came Away & Mr Bowden tells Me the
Gorgetts Sashes &c Which I Suppose to be the
Remainder of the Shoulder Knotts Woud Come 3
Next Ship Cap! Jn? Johnston is dayly Expected, the
Subsequent order & our own Goods Amounts to
A Large Sum .ji, Ster: & Another Reason I had
to think I had Sent for Sufficient Cap! Jos : Lewis,
& I think Cap! Mercer told Me they was Supply'd
& I doubted not Many others also was their is 36
Sword Knots & I expect the Like number of Shoul
der Knotts, Sashes, & Gorgetts, the Lace is by Y!
Direction all of one kind only different Widths, I
Never Was Made Acquainted With the Officers
Wanting more than One Suit & If I have Lost by

Letters to Washington 37
Not having Sufficient Quantity, I am Sorry for it, the
Dificulty of Getting bills are Such that I was afraid
of Exceeding farther ; These Times are Dangerous
& A Disappointment might be of bad Consequence
As I knew Nothing of the Officers Leaving money
In Your hand & Expected to Stay for my pay Sum
time & to Cut Goods or keep A Store is Expensive
If the Goods was All Taken of at once I woud be farr
from Asking one Penny more than the Country pay
Me, I can have 125 f C for Any Single Artickles,
the goods
& 100 '^c! for half (the Shoulder knotts Excepted)
price
but the J Will Referr to Yourself If the Officers
Chouse any Or All of them, & this You may depend
they are Well bought, & Cheaper by 75 W Than
they Will gett at Philadelphia or any where Else, I
am sorry for the disappointment to the Officers ;
more so than my own Loss, as I Rely Cannot blame
Myself having Sent for What I Expected you
Wanted, as farr as I thought woud Sell, the only
Error Mr Bowden has Committed is the Coursest
Blew Cloath 7/6 & Shoud have been 1 2/6 & as many
of the Goods as are Come to hand I think Extreamly
Neat & Well bought. Inclosed I Send you A List
of the Packages that You May Judge of the Quan
tity of Wagons Wanted & With M? Carlyles Comp*?
I am Df Sir Yf 
Very hble Ser!
John Carlyle
P. S. I Shall Write you In Answer to y"? from ft
Cumberland In My Next I have not Now time. —
J.C.

38 Letters to Washington

FROM COLONEL WILLIAM FAIRFAX.
Belvoir. 22* Jan? 1757
Dear Sir
This Evening I had the Pleasure to receive your
Favor of the 13* inst. I desir'd only a Sketch and
You have kindly sent Me an expressive One of what
I desir'd to know. Bryan Fx has partook of several
merry Meetings and Dancings in Westmoreland and
Essex and it's said addresses Miss T — ^ville. If He
succeeds, his Friends may excuse his quitting the
Military. A Life that do's Honour to the Worthy
and generally rewarded with one's Country's Esteem
and Munificence. Those who unjustly and snarl-
ingly Censure whom They can't imitate or equal are
to be overlookt and contemnd.
Our last Advices said Lord Loudoun was gone to
N. England. Capt. John Clarke from Salem is now
with Us on a Visit, and declares if his Lordship
appears affable and treats those People in a kind
manner They will assure at least 50,000 wel armd
& disciplind and with more Chearfulness if his Lord
ship would lead Them to Qu — k & M* — real, rather
than cause Them to march the round to Albany as
before. This Ev? Col? Carlyle advised Us, He had
an Account of three Regiments being just arrived at
N. York. I suppose a good Squadron of Ships con-
veyd them that are to assist any Operations agreed
on. Its expectd the present Parliament will enquire
after every Mismanagement in the Ministry ; Some
say the D. of Newc — L? An — &c will be impeacht,
insomuch that the most vigorous Measures will be

Letters to Washington 39
attempted towards regaining our lost Honor in the
Mediterranean and at Oswego. I have seen your
Regiments Cloathing at M! Carlyle's and think them
well chosen and made : ^ hope You will soon have
them ; also the expected Pay as M! Kirkpatrick was
to meet Mf Treasurer^ and the Committee on the
17^ at W^burg G. Fx, M! Carlyle & I lost our Ne-
cessarys sent for, being shipt on board the Friend
ship Capt. Rob! Lee bound for Patuxent & sayld
with Channel Convoy but in August was taken by a
Privateer and carried into Bayonne.
I am sensible y! Self, Officers & Men undergo
uncommon Difficultys as well in your provisionary
Support as in carrying on the additional Works
directed. If as I suppose the Workmen were paid
some Consideration for what They did and are doing
at Fort Loudoun You may expect likewise the same
Justice for what You have and are doing at Fort
Cumberland, w"*" the Gov! writes Me, Lord Loudoun
is desirous by no Means to have dismantled or the
Garrison withdrawn. No doubt You cause to be
kept regular Acco!' of the Soldiers extraordinary
Labour and other Incidents. The Revenue of 2? f
Hhd &c under the Disposal of the Gov! & Council
is I believe mostly exhausted, therefore it may be
expected the Assembly will pay the Expences on the
Governor & Council setting forth the Reasons and
Necessity of their Orders to You. As the Matter
1 The regimental dress prescribed in general orders of September 17, 1755, was as
follows : " Regimentals of good blue Cloath ; the Coat to be faced and cuffed with
Scarlet, and trimmed with Silver: a Scarlet waistcoat, with Silver Lace; Blue
Breeches, and a SUver-laced Hat, if to be had, for Camp or Garrison Duty."
2 John Robinson, Esq., Speaker of the House of Burgesses.

40 Letters to Washington
appears in this Light, You may think proper per
haps to correspond some Times with Mf Treasurer
letting Him know the Occurrences, what Obstruc
tions and Discouragements when You meet any. As
He & most of the Committee if not All, are your
Friends and undoubtedly will advise and assist your
Endeavours especially whilst acting in the lawful
Defence of your Country. As to M! Commissary
Walker I don't yet know whether He is to continue
or who are to succeed. Mess" Carlyle & Ramsay are
in Suspence —
Denis M?Carty supported by Mr Tho! Campbell
an Officer sent from the N?ward to recruit among
Us, comitted several illegal Acts lately at Alexan
dria, forcing open Doors in the Night time, taking
Men out of their Beds and carrying them to their
Guard &c w'.** M! Kirkpatrick then in Town can
pticularly acquaint You with. I sent by Him De
positions relating the Facts to the Governor.
Mf Campbell &c went afterwards to Westmore
land where They acted other gross Enormities coun
tenanced by Col? P";. Lee. Such Irregularities must
obstruct the recruiting Service and cause all Free
men to disesteem the licentious Officers — The GenJ
Assembly is prorogued to Feb? — When Mf Kirk
patrick returns He will inform whether It may then
meet or No.
As perhaps You may'nt have Seen th' enclosed
relating to the British Ministry, I send it for your

me

Perusal. Please to favor^with an Acco! of Occur
rences as may further happen. G. Fx, his Dame &

Letters to Washington 41

Miss Hannah (Bryan in Westmoreland) heartily joyn
in wishing You every Felicity, your Station can
admit. You'l also do me the Justice to believe that I
am as much as any Person can be
Dear Sir
Your Affec! Friend &c
W. Fairfax.

FROM COLONEL FIELDING LEWIS.^
Sir, I received yours by Mr. Buchanan with the cash
to purchase Mrs Buckner's Carpenter, but as I am
apprehensive there is a mortgage or some other in
cumbrance as I well know that estate is much in
debt, it will be prudent to act cautiously lest there
should be any dispute hereafter. I have already
inquired about the Carpenter and have been informed
that he will be sold sometime hence, but who has
the selling of him I know not, Shall be as speedy as
possible in letting you know how I succeed.
Yours by Lieut. Williams I received with the cash
inclosed. If I fail in the purchase of Buckner's Car-
penter I will immediately send mine to your home
to carry on your building till another can be got.
I am Your Most Humble Serv!
Fielding Lewis.^
Feb. 7, 1757.
1 From a copy, the original probably being one of many other autographs given
away by Bushrod Washington.
2 Colonel Fielding Lewis was bom in 1736, and died at "Kenmore House," De
cember, 1 781. He married first Catherine Washington, cousin to George, and after
wards Betty, his only sister. The issue of the first marriage was three sons, and of

42 Letters to Washington
John and his lady went from here yesterday on
their way to the Bushrod's.

FROM GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.
Williamsburg Jan? 26'? 1757
Sir Yr! of the 1 2*!* I rec"! ^ — I am very sorry for the
Mutiny You mention on the S? Branch, & I greatly
approve the Steps You took to stop it ; I hope the
six Deserters have been apprehended & punish'd ; —
the Persons under Sentence of Death, I hear some
of them are Serjeants & Corporals, it 's a most ara-
gant Affair in them to promote & countenance Mu
tiny for which they deserve the Sentence pass'd on
them ; however take proper Methods to make them
sensible of their atrocious Crime ; I desire You may
pardon them, but some of them for Example shou'd
be reduced & put into the Ranks, & others appointed
in their room, but this is left to You.
As Your People are enlist 'd with the Money rais'd
for His Mty's Service, paid with the same, & incor-
porated into a Regmt in his Pay, I conceive they are
subject to the Articles of War, & every other Regu
lation as His M^s more immediate Regular Forces,
in this Opinion the Atto? Gen! agrees with me.
Mf Walker has broke his Promise to me, but never
intimated any ill Usage from You, I cou'd not im-
the second nine sons and three daughters. The grave of Mary, the mother of Wash
ington, is on what was then the Kenmore estate.
1 See Ford's Writings of Washington, vol. i. p. 411.

Letters to Washington 43

agine his Reasons & only suggested that he might
have some Hindrance or Disappointm! in discharge
of his Duty ; I expect him in Town when shall talk
with him fully on the Affair ; — he sent me an Ace!
of 690 Aiiual Charges attending his Duty, besides his
own Pay which wou'd be a monstrous Charge on the
Country ; I therefore intend to put the Victual? in
another Channel when the Assembly meets, at pre
sent I cannot see any Inconveniency, as Provisions
are contracted for to supply You for some Months,
which M! Walker says were by his Orders to M!
Rutherfurd. As Cap' M-rNeill is at Winchester it will be too
long to wait his coming here to go with the Cata-
baws ; — they are an [mutilated] * sett of People ; I
think You was wrong in giving them all Horses. I
fear it will be expected by others, I am much plagued
& troubled to please them.
M! Mercer tells me he has engag'd a number of
Servants ; — I wrote You to engage no more till I
knew where to get Money to pay them; there is
none to be had from the Treasury ; however if he
can put off the Paying for them till April I hope
then to supply him for those he has enlisted, I de
sire him to purchase no more.
I am sorry that Gent" cou'd not understand Y!
Directions in regard to the Ambrozures & I [mutilated]
no doubt You made a Draught of the Works for his
Conduct. —
1 It has been suggested to the Editor to supply these mutilated portions of Gov
ernor Dinwiddle's letters from the printed Dinwiddie Papers. The object of this
edition, however, is to print the originals as they now exist in the Washington Col
lection ; comparisons may be readily made.

44 Letters to Washington
You have acted properly in evacuating no more
Forts than were necessary to reinforce the two Gar
risons. — I have the Return of your Strength which
shall transmit to Lord Loudoun — Great Clamours
here against the many Officers in Commission to
com? so few Men, & I dare say Lord Loudoun will
take Notice of it — I wish You had a better supply
of Tools.
Y! Letter of the 14*!' I shall answer by Jenkins
who I detain till my Express arrives from my Lord
I expect him daily as he left N. York the 9'!" of this
Month, I shall then be more able to write You, in
the mean Time I remain Sir Your hbie Servant
RobT Dinwiddie
Cap! Pearis says You have order'd his Men to be
continued in Pay — I wrote Maj! Lewis to send
them to You to be incorporated into the Regm! —
I know no Service they [mutilated] at pres! — but it
seems [mutilated] naked they c? not march —

FROM GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE. Williamsb? Feb? 2* 1757
Sir I detain'd Jenkins here till my Express arrived
from L"! Loudoun.
His Lordship has desired all the S?ern Governors
to meet him at Philad? the 17'.'' of this Month, to
consult what is proper to be done in these Parts ; as

Letters to Washington 45

this appears to me the Design of their Meeting I
cannot conceive what Service You can be of in going
there, as the Plan concerted will in course be com
municated to You & the other Officers ; however as
You seem so earnest to go I now give You Leave ;
& desire You will give proper Orders at Forts Cum
berland & Loudoun, that the Works may be duly
carried on in Y! absence ^ —
I am in a Hurry providing for my Departure —
I am Sir Your hble Servant
RobT Dinwiddie

FROM CAPTAIN ROBERT mPkENZIE.^
Pearsalls Feb? i8'? 1757-
SlR I have been lately advised by my Friends to take
a Step, which though it may tend to my Advantage,
may equally prove detrimental if too rashly under
taken. And as I would not enter into an Affair of
the Kind, without previously acquainting you with
1 Washington attended this meeting, where he met with a flattering reception from
Lord Loudoun, who solicited and duly valued his counsels. The result was, however,
only a partial fulfilment of his hopes. In the grand scheme of operations, it was de
cided that the main efforts should be made on the Lakes and Canadian borders, where
the enemy's forces were embodied, and that the middle and southern colonies should
continue on the defensive. Washington had the satisfaction to find, nevertheless, that
his advice was followed in regard to local arrangements. — Sparks.
2 Captain Robert McKenzie again applied to Washington to use his influence to
procure him an appointment in the regular army of Great Britain in 1760, which was
accorded him. In the war for independence he remained upon the British side, and
was wounded at the battle of Bunker Hill. He was afterwards appointed secretary to
General Howe.

46 Letters to Washington
it, & begging your Advice ; I hope you will candidly
impart it to me, by which I shall regulate my Con
duct —
The Regiment has been for some Time in a tot
tering Condition, occasiond by the late Differences ;
& the Poverty of the Colony has given some small
Room to surmise, that at least a Part of the Corps
will be soon reduced. Indeed it seems almost cer
tain, that we cannot be long supported ; that we have
scarce reasonable Hopes of being taken Notice of
by the Superior Powers; & then, to put the best
Construction upon it, we can hope for nothing more,
than bare Thanks for our Services, when the present
Exigencies cease.
If this is really the Case, it behoves every Person
in my Condition, to push his Fortune in the best
Manner he can. Wbg^ Dependance is too small to
maintain me without some other Assistance; And
my Desire to enter myself on the military List, in
duced me first, to lay aside the Study of that Pro
fession, by which I was to make up the Deficiency. —
To explain myself more fully : the Scheme pro
posed, is to enter myself a Volontier in the British
Troops, whereby I may in Time be introduced to a
State of Independence. This (as far as the World
goes at present) I know cannot be effected, without
the Intercession & Interest of Friends, which Bene
fit I have not had an Opportunity to cultivate. — If
this Step should appear rational & adviseable to you,
I hope you will not think it Presumption in me, to
beg your Assistance & Favors, & to move the affair
1 Williamsburg.

Letters to Washington ^"j

to the Governor, whom I understand you accompany
to Philadelphia —
I flatter myself I have not forfeited his Esteem
by my Behaviour, since he honoured me with my
present Comsion, which as it was unexpected, I shall
always remember in the most grateful Manner. — If
I knew your Sentiments, I should address myself to
him instantly by Letter ; but as I shall act accord
ingly, will postpone it, untill I receive your An
swer. —
I assure you upon Honour, that I esteem this
Service as much as any Person in it, & would chuse
to continue in it before any other, provided, I could
make it conform any Way to my Interest. I hope a
Regard to that Principle cannot reflect in the least
to my Discredit, which (if I am not mistaken) oper
ates in the Breast of the most zealous Patriot.
I must again sollicit your Advice in this Affair,
& repeat my Entreaties for you to excuse this Free
dom in Sir Your dutiful & obed! Servant
Rob^ M9Kenzie
P. S. On the 15* Ins! a Party of ab! twenty In
dians, took a Man nigh Fort Defiance, & chased
another. They burnt some Houses, Stacks of Hay,
killed several Cattle & A Party went out after them
from Fort Pleasant as quick as possible, but I have
not heard their Success — Yours as above R. M9

48 Letters to Washington

from captain thomas bullitt.
Sir It is not Agreeable to my Inclinations to be Thus
Leave to
Troublesome as to my Repeated Letters for be Re
moved from this Comp? and as it is much against
my Inclinations the Continuing 4t Hope you will In
dulge me in this my Last Request. I have Marched
the Detach! from Fort Dinwiddie to Vass's, and Shall
be as Officious as in my power for three Weeks or
A month in Carrying on the Works — In which
Time I hope there will be An Officer to Relieve me
pray Sir Consider the Manner I came to the Reg! &
Time I had the Honour of Serving under you, & if
you do not think proper to give remove me to some
other Station hope you will not Refuse me the Lib
erty of Resigning As being Broke by a Court Mar
tial will give Room for Reflection tho will submit to
any thing you Direct before I stay in the Manner I
am — from Sir your most Ob! Humble Serv!
Tho? Bullitt.
Feb? 19'? 1757 —
P. S. Serj! Wilper Recruited one Morgan he Ad
vanced the money, the Fellow was Entertained 34
day & deserted after receiving Cloths from Serj! the
s"! sold! was one of the Rec^ you see at Fort Din
widdie and was Taken up after desertion and is
now with Cap! M?Neal Cap! Hog refuses to pay for
advance money or any Time he was Entertained tho
he sent Instructions to us to Recruit all Serv*.' and
others.

Letters to Washington 49
FROM JAMES CUNINGHAM, ESQ.^
New York 27'? Feb? 1757
Sir I had the honor to receive your letter From Fort
Loudoun with one Inclosed to Lord Loudoun who
you
begs that you will excuse his not writing to by this
opportunity, the hurry of business which he is in at
present having prevented him. His Lordship seems
very much pleased with the Accounts you have given
him of the situation of our affairs to the South'ard.
The good Character given of you by the gentlemen
I have met with of your acquaintance makes me wish
to have that Honor, & I hope that next Summer will
afford me an opportunity, as his Lordship proposes
seeing Virginia
Captain Roger Morris General Webbs Aid de
Camp desires his Compliments to you.
I am Sir
Your most Obedient
& most humble Servant
Jas Cuningham Aid de Camp

FROM JOSEPH CHEW ESQ.
Dear Sir
I arrived here from New London a few days agoe
and hearing you was at Philadelphia trouble you
with this, and Cap! Mercer with the inclosed. I hope
1 Aid-de-camp to Lord Loudoun.
VOL. II

50 Letters to Washington
and Flatter my Self my Lord Loudoun will Concert
such Plans as will Effectually Secure our Frontiers
and distress the Enemy, and that he will do that for
you which you have so justly merited and let your
Command be Equal to your deserts. I am sure I
can with truth say I know of none who has done so
much for their Country, and been so little Noticed
and as yet so Poorly Rewarded — however hope soon
to hear it is done to your Satisfaction — our New
England Heroism seems to be mostly at an End.
I have a Brother who has acted as under Com
missi for M! Walker at Winchester he is young and
I hope of a good Disposition, I trouble you with the
inclosed for him and Pray the favour of you to show
him any — Countenance his Situation may admit of ;
and give him on my Ace! any Friendly Advice you
think Proper, I hope he himself will be greaffuU, and
I assure you I Shall Ever be so, indeed I make no
doubt but you will Receive a satisfaction in Showing
Favour to a Poor Youth whose Fathers bad economy
has turned him into the world to shift for himself,
but this subject would be only troubling you with
MellanchoUy Scenes you have no Connection with.
I am now at M! Robinsons, he M"? Robinson and
his Dear Little Family are all well they desire their
Compliments to you.^
Pretty Miss Polly is in the same Condition & situ
ation as you saw her — my best Respects to Cap*
Mercer & Stuart accept the same and my most sin-
1 It was at Beverly Robinson's house, when in New York in 1756, that Washington
lodged, and where he was kindly entertained. It happened at this time that Miss
Mary Philipse, Mrs. Robinson's sister, was an inmate of the family. We know the
deep impression Miss Polly's charms made on the heart of the Virginia colonel ; an
impression deeper than when, at sfacteen, his heart was softened by the graces of his
" Low Land Beauty."

Letters to Washington 51

cere wishes for your welfare and happiness and be
assured that I am Dear Sir
Your most Obed! Serv!
Jos. Chew
New York March 14* 1757

Council held at Philadelphia March, 1757,
Minutes taken at a Meeting of the Governors of North Carolina,
Virginia, Maryland, and Pensilvania, with the Earl of Loudoun,
Commander in Chief of his Majestys Forces in North America
began at Philadelphia March 15'.'' And Continued by several
Adjournments to March 23? 1757.
The Meeting having been Informed by the Earl of Loudoun
that there was a Plan approved of by his Majesty of employing
the greatest part of the Troops this Campaign to the Northward,
and that he had Invited them to this meeting in order to Concert
in conjunction with them, a Plan for the defence of the Southern
Provinces whilst the other operations were carrying on.
His Lordship further acquainted them that he was willing to
leave for the defence of the Southern Provinces, one Battalion,
to be Compleated to one thousand Men, And the three Inde-
pendant Companys in South Carolina of one Hundred Men each
which may amount to 200 Effective Men. And that he thought
it Necessary for the Security of the whole that the Several Pro
vinces should furnish by the following Proportions.
PenisilvaTiia  1400
Maryland  500
Virginia  io°o
North Carolina  4°°
South Carolina  5°°
Which Joind to the)  ^^oo
Kings Troops J
Make in the whole  5000 men

52 Letters to Washington
And the Several Governors, do engage to use their best endeav
ours with their several Provinces, to raise and Support the above
number to Act in Conjunction with the Regular Forces, and
under Command of his Majestys General, or the Officer Properly
authorized According to his Majestys Regulation.
The meeting taking into consideration the Situation of the
Several Provinces, and the Intelligence received from different
parts It appears to them, that there is danger of the Enemys
making an Attack on the Province of South Carolina, either by
Sea from S! Domingo, or from the Alabama Fort in the Creek
Indians, on the head of the Mobile, for which reason they have
agreed that there ought to be Two Thousand Men Employed
in defence of that Valuable Province of South Carolina, and to
Secure Georgia And that they should be composed as follows —
Five Companys of Regulars . . .
Three Independant Companys . .
Provincial Troops raised by the )
Province of South Carolina y
Provincial Troops from N° Carolina
Provincial Troops from Virginia
Provincial Troops from Pensilvania

500
200
500
200
400 200

Making in whole 2000 men
That the said Troops should be put under y". Command of Lieut?
Colonel Bouquet & transported to Charles Town as soon as
Possible the Regular Troops and the 200 Provincial Troops from
Pensilvania by Sea from hence.
And the 200 Troops from North Carolina to March by Land —
The Earl of Loudoun on the part of the Crown, agrees that
he will at the Kings Expence Supply the 200 Men from North
Carolina, the 400 Men from Virginia, and the 200 from Pensil
vania, with the Kings Provisions, from the time they arrive in
South Carolina during the time he keeps them there, but that he
expected the Several Provinces from whence they are detached,
should transport them there, at the expence of the Province, from
where they are sent —
And to prevent any mistakes hereafter arising in relation to
any demand that may be made, its agreed that the Several Pro-

Letters to Washington 53
vinces shall Maintain the Remainder of the Troops raised by
them for the Service in every article, as on this Occasion they
are entirely employed in the defence & for the Security of their
respective Provinces
And it is further agreed that we the Governors shall in our
respective Provinces take particular care to form such Regula
tions, and to see them properly executed, that in all time coming
Carriages for the transporting the Baggage of his Majestys
Troops shall be prepared at stated reasonable rates, and that all
the Troops of whatever denomination, either passing through our
Provinces, or while in fixed Quarters therein, shall in time of
Peace be properly Quartered, and in time of War whatever Num
ber of Troops the Commander in Chief may Judge Necessary for
defence or Carrying on the General Service shall be Quartered
according to Custom or the Exigencies of Service Arthur Dobbs
The above resolutions are agreed William Denny
to by the Severall Governors And Signed Rob^ Dinwiddie
by us in the Presence of the Earl of Loudoun Horatio Sharpe
his Majestys Commander in Chief Signed Loudoun
It is further agreed that the Remaining 200 Men to be raised
by N'? Carolina are to be employed, a Hundred in Garisoning
the Catawba Fort & Fort Dobbs on the back parts of the Colony
and the other 100 Men in Fort Johnstown the Fort at Topsail
Inlet, And the Fort at Beaufort for Defence of their Coast That
the remaining 600 of the Virginia Forces, shall be employed in
the following Manner one 100 Men to Garrison Fort Loudoun
by Winchester 50 Men to be Posted at Fort Enochs to be Built
to Secure the Communication between Fort Loudoun & Fort
Cumberland — And the Remainder of those Troops to be Posted
for the Security of their West Frontiers and 100 Men at the Fort
in the upper Tract 100 Men at Fort Dickeson and 100 at Vass
Fort and the remaining 100 men to be sent to the Fort lately Built
in the Cherokee Country
That the 500 Men raised by Maryland shall be Posted Viz 300 of
them to Garrison Fort Cumberland 150 at Fort Frederick and 50 at
Cressops to keep up the Communication between these Two Posts

54 Letters to Washington
FROM CLEMENT READ, ESQ.^
Lunenburg March is'? 1757.
Dear Sir,
About 10 Dales agoe, there came to my House
twenty Six Indians of the Catawbas Nation, with two
War Captains, Capt French, or the French Warrior,
and Capt Butler, who I sent under the care of
Robert Vaughan to Williamsburg where they de
sir'd to go before they March'd to you.
About 5 Dales agoe, there came to my House 93
of the same Nation with their King, Haglar, after
they held a Council, it was determin'd, that the King,
with his Brother and Conjurer, shou'd go to W^-
also
burg and that y* others shou'd March directly to you ;
Whereupon, as their Numbers were great, the Coun
try thro' which they were to pass thinly Inhabited,
and as the Frontiers might be frightned at such an
Appearance of painted Indians, I deemed it neces
sary to send a White Man along with them. And as
Robert Vaughan was gone with the first 26, and as
the Nation seem'd very fond of him, I thought I
might please them in Sending his Brother Abra
I Clement Read was one of the most influential men in Lunenburg County, as that
county was originally laid out. He was appointed in 1745 'he first clerk of the court,
was county-lieutenant, and burgess for a series of years, first ot Lunenburg and subse
quently of Charlotte County. He was the ancestor of a numerous and distinguished
family. His son Isaac was the lieutenant-colonel of the Fourth Virginia Regiment
in the Revolution, and died in the service at Philadelphia. His son Thomas was also
a leading man in the Revolution, was county-lieutenant of Charlotte, and its clerk for
more than half a century. One of the daughters of Colonel Clement Read was the
wife of Judge Paul Carrington the elder, and thus the progenitress of numerous dis
tinguished descendants. — Brock.

Letters to Washington 55
Vaughan with these to you; and they seem'd pleas'd
that I did.^
What I have to desire you Sir, is, that you would
please to Satisfie M! Vaughan according to the
& must take
trouble he has taken I need not inform you that
A
they are a very troublesome set of people, and their
manner of travelling thro' the Inhabitants, must give
their Guide a vast deal of trouble & fatigue. And as
from this Consideration, & the Necessity of Keeping
up a friendship with them, I have taken these Steps,
in the Absence of his Honour the Governor, which
I hope may be approved of.
As from Information of these Indians, I every day
expect, Capt Johnny a Catawba & M! Abra Smith a
Virginian, with 200 Cherokees and some more of the
which I must also send a White Man with as a Guide
Catawba Nation I must hope and take the freedom
A ^ _
of recommending to you, the paying of M! Abra
Vaughan to his Content, otherwise I have reason
to fear. We shall hereafter get none to go on this
Slavish Service ; I need not add, that I am.
Dear Sir,
Your unknown, but mo Obed Hurn
Servant
p. S. Clement Read
I have given Abra
Vaughan twelve pounds
ten shillings, all the money
I have, to assist him in
Carrying on to Winchester C. R.

1 Washington's theory was that, unless Indians were opposed to Indians, but small

56 Letters to Washington
FROM WILLIAM FAIRFAX, ESQ.
W™BURG 22? March 1757.
Dear S?
I rec"! your Favor from Philadelphia dated the 2"?
inst. since which finding the Governor likely to stay
there longer than at first expected and many Matters
of Government requisite which could not be done
without Me I set off from Belvoir and arriv'd here
the 1 7* The next Day I was duly qualified in Coun
cil as President & Commander in Chief, which has
given Me an Opportunity of seeing and treating with
Numbers of the Cherokees & Catawba Indians,
discoursing with Major A. Lewis & Lieut. Williams
on their Affairs. I hope They Will Soon be under
your Command as They appear to be of a Warlike
Temper and Disposition, fit & willing to encounter
any difficult Attack. I shall be very glad to know
your Success with L. Loudoun and his Comands to
You in the ensuing Campaign — Tho You may hear
of the Gen! Assembly's being prorogued to the last
Thursday in next Month, yet as Several Things as
well for your Regiment as the public Weal of the
Colony are wanted to be examin'd, settled and ad
justed. We expect the Governor will soon after his
Arrivel call & appoint a much earlier Meeting —
when We shall be glad to See You and give Testi- 1
mony of our hearty Affection.
As the Cherokees and Catawba Indians appear to
Us well attacht to our Interest We are desirous of
preserving Them, therefore endeavor to please &
success was to be expected. He encouraged, therefore, every effort to conciliate both
the Catawbas and Cherokees.

Letters to Washington 57

satisfy them. We have furnished them w* what
could be got here : what is yet wanted and you can
__- or bring
procure Please to accommodate them and Send the
Acco*? thereof —
Pray remember Me kindly to yf Officers and the
brave Men of Yf Regiment, and continue to believe
that I am with all affect Regards
DrSir Yr assurd, & loving Friend
W. Fairfax
P. S. I referr to Majr Lewis for pticulars 

FROM CAPTAIN THOMAS BULLITT.
Vases 1 March 24'? 1757 —
Sir as I have not bin Troublesom to you with «iy
Cilititations on ace? of my Brothers preferm? make
free to Trouble you this Opertunity with Something
of that sort.
It may appear uncomendable for a brother offer
ing anything of y° Like In behalf of Another still as
he was Very Officious in Recruiting for your Regm*
(winter was a Year) and Raised fifteen men (the pro
mise of which, was Terms many your Officers ob
tained their Comissions on) and since have served as
a Cadit, this must be sinking a small Country Liv
ing, (which is Certain Bread with Frugality & Care),
for an Uncertainty while we only Injoy provincial
1 Fort Vass (written Voss, Vaux, Vause) was on the Roanoke River, in Augusta
County, ten miles from where Christianburg now stands.

58 Letters to Washington
Comissions, tho as I am Very Censible my Brother
is Very Desirous of serving his Country. Hope you
will Take him into Consideration and if Vacancy's
& Establishm' will admit provide for him, Otherwise
Let him know it. Except your Reg? is Like to be on
a better Footing or he Can Shortly obtain a Com?
I am Sir your Most Obed? Hble Serv? Tho? Bullitt.

FROM WILLIAM FAIRFAX, ESQ.
W™BURG 31'.' March 1757
Dear Sir
Yesterday by the Return of Capt. Ouchterlony I
had the Pleasure to enquire of Him concerning your
State and Welfare, but He said the Uncertainty of
his coming hither prevented his acquainting You
with it : however left You well.
Lieu? Baker setting off with -the- about Sixty of
the Nottoways & Tuskarora Indians equipt with
Arms &c to joyn the Tribes of Cherokees & Cataw
bas before Sent under the Care & Conduct of Majf
Lewis & Lieut. Williams will I hope be a welcome
Re-inforcement and productive of good Events —
Capt"? Jack Chief of the Tuskaroras produc'd to
Me in Council your Letter of Invitation, wrote by
Bryan Fx, who I wish, had not resignd but con
tinued with You. I will not doubt that You had a
kind Reception, from Lord Loudoun, and that his
Orders for the Destination of your Regiment will be
agreeable to the Corps.

Letters to Washington 59

The Governor came to Town this Day ab? 1 2
o'clock accompanied w*'' Govf Dobbs in seeming
good Health and little fatigued. Every Member of
the Council is Summond to meet at the Capitol
on Monday next. Col. P"? Lee included lately sworn
& admitted. Col? Tayloe has also the King's Order
and may soon be expected to show it for the Same
Purpose. By the Governor's Discourses whatever
the intended Disposition of our Troops may be, is to
be -an enjoin'd Secret: But I suppose You was con
sulted and thought worthy of being entrusted at least
with our Southern Attempts. As I apprehend You
will not go up to Fort Cumberland (now expected to
be given up to Maryland ^) before You get Money to
pay the Arrears due to the Regiment I have desird
M? Baker to leave this Letter at Fredricksburg. He
has taken kind Care of his Charge and appeard to
be of a sober and good Disposition : if wanted, writes
a good Hand, and to Him referr for pticulars.
I dont yet know whether the Gen! Assembly will
be calld before Time of prorogation the last Thurs
day next Month.
My best Comp*f to yf Mother, Bro: Sister and
Friends — I am with all friendly Regards
Yr affect & obed?
W. Fairfax
1 According to the plan concerted at Philadelphia for future operations, Fort Cum
berland was henceforward to be garrisoned by Maryland forces, and the Virginia
troops, provisions, and stores were to be removed to Fort Loudoun. Hence, notes
Sparks, Washington's views, as far as Virginia was concerned, were at a late hour
adopted, after a tedious winter had been spent, and much money had been wasted on
the works at Fort Cumberland.

6o Letters to Washington

FROM GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.
Williamsburg Apr. s'? 1757
Sir I hope by the Time this reaches Your Hands that
Gov? Sharpe has relieved Fort Cumberland by send
ing into it a Garrison from his Maryland Forces, if
so, this is to order You immediately to send down to
Fredricksburg, two hundred Men Officers included,
to be transported to South Carolina, under the Com
mand of Lieut. Col? Stephens, Captain Waggoner,
Cap? Joshua Lewis, Lieut? John Blag, John Camp
bell, Peter Stenburgen, & John Hall, with Sergeants
Corporals & Drums, & let me know on return of this
Express when they may be at Fredricksburg that
I may order a Vessell or Vessells to take them in ;
I desire You may be as expeditious as possible in
ordering them down, for by Letters from the Gov
ernor of S? Carolina, I have reason to apprehend the
Enemy have a Design to invade that Province by
Sea & Land. I therefore desire You will use double
Diligence in having them ready at Fredricksburg, &
write me accordingly, that I may do the Necessary
for their Accommodation in S? Carolina ^
As You will have a Number of Indians at Fort
Loudoun, I desire they may be entertain'd with great
Civility, & send them out in scalping Parties to such
Places You shall see proper, with such Numbers of
Your Men as You can spare, giving Directions to
acquire what Intelligence they can procure of the
1 Governor Dinwiddie sent these two hundred men, and promised the remainder
out of the one thousand men to be raised in the colony. They were never sent.

Letters to Washington 6i
Enemy & their Motions, keep them constantly em
ploy'd in the Service to the best Advantage.
On my Arrival here I found it necessary to call
the Assembly to meet me Thursday the 14'.'' Instant
so that after You have complied with above Orders,
& given proper Directions, You may come down
bringing a distinct List of each Company in the
Regiment, with Ace? of Arrears due, and Endeavors
may be made to have them compleatly paid ; — by a
particular Ace? of what may be due to the Men that
are to proceed to S? Carolina, that the Money may
be ready for them before they leave this Colony —
I expect an exact Obedience to the above Orders, &
I remain Sir Your Humble Servant
RobT Dinwiddie
I intend Cap? John McNeill to Command the 100
Men to be sent to the Cherokee Country to garrison
the Fort built there — ask him if he can raise that
Number of Men in Augusta & the other frontier
Counties

FROM GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.Williamsburg Apr. 7*!' 1757
Sir I rec^ Yours of the 2I last Night & must refer You
to mine of the 5'^ which I sent You by Express, &
doubt not You will receive at Fort Loudoun;^ —
1 This letter of the 5th had miscarried, and Washington had not received it when he
wrote his letter of the zd.

62 Letters to Washington
The pressing Letter from Gov? Lyttleton makes it
absolutely necessary to send 200 of our Regm? to his
Assistance; & I must therefore repeat my Orders
for their march? to Fredricksburg, & I hope they will
be there by the 20* of this Month & I am endeavour
ing to hire Vessells for transporting them to S? Caro
lina & refer You to my Letter by Express — I shall
be glad if You can send three Tons of lead Ball to
go with them, I shall send 100 bis Powder from this.
M? Sharpe told me he had wrote by You to Cap?
Dagworthy to march his Men to take Possession of
Fort Cumberland when You withdrew Your Forces
from thence, & I was in hopes it wou'd have been
immediately done — No Doubt You sh"? bring all the
Stores belonging to the County from thence, as well
as the Indian Goods, and take particular Ace? of the
Provisions that they may be replac'd at Fort Lou
doun agreeable to M? Sharpe's Promise.
I am fully of Opinion that we comply with the
Regulation made by Lord Loudoun in the Disposal
of our Forces, therefore they are to be at Fort Lou
doun for that Disposition — The Indians must be
taken care of, those that went from this were sup
plied with Shirts Blankets & Legins; I hope You
can supply them with some & what may be deficient,
with Provisions &c. must be taken Care for when
You come here — I think if You are here by the 22^
of the MP will do, in the mean Time order them out
in Parties with some of Your Men a Scalping &c.
I leave it to You to dispose of the Troops, after
the 200 Men are sent to Fredricksburg, as You shall
think most proper till I see You here ; — I am very

Letters to Washington 63

sensible we have too few Men on our Frontiers, but
hope the Assembly will resolve to increase our Num
bers by a generous Vote.
I wonder Gov? Sharpe shou'd hesitate in sending
Cap? Dagworthy with his Men to Fort Cumberland,
when he knew You had positive Orders to withdraw
our Troops on his Arrival at that Place, & Delays
my now prove of bad Consequence.
I have been very much indispos'd ever since arrival
here that I can write no more at present, but remain
Sir Your iible Servant
RobT Dinwiddie.

FROM MAJOR ANDREW LEWIS.
Sir I have no Instruction at this time by which I Can
Act. I have Been at W°?'burg Latly as the Governor
was not at home Nothing Could be Done, tho I
Represented the Distressed Condition of the Fron
tiers in as Just a manner as in my Power. I was
Referd to you Sir for furder Orders, as it was
suposed you would Receive Orders from Lord Lou
don, my Remaining longer here will be of no Ser
vice. I impatiently weat your Orders which Shall
be Strictly Observd
When I was at W^^burg I heard of 180 Cherokees
Coming to Virginia, but has not Since heard -asy
more of them — As there is no Assistance orderd

64 Letters to Washington
from Our Nighbouring County Our Forts will Soon
be Deserted — I am Sir your Most Obedean Serv?
AndT Lewis
Augusta Ap} ytS'? i7S7

At a Council of War held at Fort Cumberland April i&} 1737 >
Present
Col"; George Washington, President
Lt. Colo. Adams Stephen
Capt. Tho. Waggener \ ( Cap? Will"? Bronaugh
Capt. Joshua Lewis >¦ ¦< Cap? Cha? Lewis
Cap? David Bell ) C Cap? Henry Harrison
Capt. L? John McNeill
The Colonel laid before the Council a Letter which he had just
received from His Honor, Governor Dinwiddie, (dated at Wil-
liamsburgh the f^ instant :) referring him to another letter, by
not
Express, of the s'."" which had yet come to hand — for Orders
and Directions concerning the marching two hundred men to
Fredricksburgh by the 20* instant, — for the purpose of embark
ing them for Carolina — Also for the disposition of other Troops
for the benefit of the frontier inhabitants : As also, concerning
the sending out parties of Soldiers with the Indians. And de
sired their advice on the most expedient and proper measures
to be used in the present situation of Aifairs — The Governors
letter of the 7'? without that of the 5* ins? being altogether inex
plicable. The Council after duly considering the Governors letter, and
weighing the consequences of evacuating Fort Cumberland, be
fore the expected relief shou'd arrive : and thereby exposing the
frontier inhabitants to inconceivable danger, — were unanimously
of opinion I Held in consequence of the non-arrival of Maryland's forces.

Letters to Washington 65
First, that Fort Cumberland shou'd not be evacuated by the
Virginia troops 'till they were relieved by those from Maryland,
and the Stores cou'd be removed ; unless more explicit orders
shou'd arrive from the Governor, requiring it.
Secondly — That the Detachment ordered to march with the
Catawba Indians, to gain intelligence and annoy the enemy,
ought not to be countermanded, because it might create Jealouses
and uneasiness among the Indians, who earnestly desired to be
accompanied by Soldiers.
Thirdly — That, as the French and . Indians have already this
season committed acts of hostility upon the Inhabitants ; of the
Branch ; which had, together with the small force that was posted
among them, discouraged the Settlers from planting, and deter
mined a pretty large part of them to move ofE entirely — It is
thought absolutely necessary to post troops upon the said Branch,
in order to preserve that valuable settlement — to induce the
people to plant a sufficiency of Corn; and to prevent by that
means the vale of Winchester from becoming the Frontier.
Fourthly — That in order to this it is advisable to evacuate the
Forts on Pattersons Creek (which serve no other purpose than
to secure the communication between the forts Loudoun and
Cumberland.) Fifthly — We humbly conceive, that the measures here pro
posed by this Council, are, under our present circumstances,
absolutely requisite for the good of the Service, and are in no
wise contradictory to anything contained in the Governors Let
ter of the 7'? whose Intentions for want of the letter of the 5*
instant, are not to be understood.

FROM THE HONORABLE MR. SPEAKER ROBINSON.
April 21. 1757 —
Dear Sir/
It gave me great Concern that Capt Gist went
back without carrying a Letter from me in Answer
to your several Favours, which he should not have
VOL. II

66 Letters to Washington
done had I known any thing of his going, but I
never had the Pleasure of seeing him after he de
livered your Letter, in compliance to your request in
his behalf, I spoke to the Managers for carrying on
the Trade with the Indians the only thing that was
in Power to serve him in, and they seemed very in
clinable to employ him in that Service, but what was
the result, or whether that Business was suitable to
him I cant tell, as I never saw him after ; As there
are three Companies of Rangers to be raised, I should
think he would be the properest Person they could
fix upon to command one of them, tho' I cant tell
when they will be raised as the Gov? seems deter
mined not to raise any of them, till the Regiment is
compleated, and whether that will be done by the
Method directed by our Act, I cant pretend to say,
tho' I am afraid not, The Act so far as relates to the
raising of the Men you have in the news Paper other
wise would have sent you a Copy of it,^ The Mutiny
Bill that we have passed is copied from the Act of
Parliament, and the same Punishments for the same
Crimes inflicted the Court Martial to consist of the
same Number and to be held in the same Manner
as directed by our former Act, the Title of it is " An
Act to prevent Mutiny & Desertion,"
1 The Assembly passed an act in April, 1757, authorizing a general draft to aug
ment the Vu-ginia forces to 1270 men, including non-commissioned officers. They
directed a court, consisting of the sheriffs, justices, field-officers, and captains of the
respective counties, the city of Williamsburg and borough of Norfolk, to meet and
inquire into the occupation of the inhabitants between the ages of eighteen and fifty,
and to " prick down all such able-bodied men within their respective jurisdictions, as
shall be found loitering and neglecting to labor for reasonable wages ; all who run
from their habitations, leaving wives or children without suitable means for their sub
sistence, and all other idle, vagrant, or dissolute persons, wandering abroad without
betaking themselves to some lawful employment," also deserters drafted under the
former act.

Letters to Washington 67

I have now sent by M? Boyd Ten Thousand
Pounds, Six Thousand of it for the Arrears due to
the Officers & Soldiers, and four Thousand for the
Arrears due for provisions &c. The Gov? by his
Warrants directed the Money to be paid to M? Boyd,
but I told him he must at least deliver that for the
Provisions to you, and you was engaged to See most
of them paid, and tho' I could not at this time get a
Com. to know their Sentim'.' upon it, I make not the
least doubt but they will allow you for your trouble
and risque in redividing and paying it away.
M? Atkins wrote it seems very pressingly to the
Gov? to send up Money to pay the Indians for Scalps,
and the Gov? accordingly issued his Warrant to me
to pay ;^240 — for that Purpose, which I have paid
tho' not justified for it by the Act of Assembly, for
the Act directs that only Ten Pounds for every thirty
Scalp should be paid by me, and the remaining, to
be paid at the next Assembly, and the Gov? by the
Act is desired to buy goods for the Indians to the
amount of that Sum of any Person that shall be will-
stay
ing to let them have them [mutilated] till the Assembly
meets to be paid for them, but as I was afraid the
Indians, if they did receive the whole, might be dis
obliged, and I could tell of what fatal consequence
the disobliging them at this critical juncture might
prove, I to send them the whole money and run
the Hazard of the Assembly's Approbation.^ From
the Accounts reed by your Express we have but a
Gloomy Prospect of our Affairs, and after lulling
1 This runs exactly as in the original.

68 Letters to Washington
our
ourselves asleep in. Security, and even flattering our
selves with being able with the small force we could
raise, to take Fort Duquesne, to be in danger of
haveing our Country overun by a force from that
very Place must be a Melancholy consideration to
every one that is effected with the distresses and
Miseries of his fellow Creatures, who, if the Acc'.^ of
the Indians be true, tho' I cant help flattering my
self they are exaggerated, must be in the most de
plorable Situation when it is considered what a small
force we have on foot to oppose them, it would be
the highest vanity & Presumption to flatter ourselves
with being able to defend them ourselves or preserve
our miserable Inhabitants on the Frontiers from de
struction, the Militia it seems of Six Counties are
ordered out for their protection but I must confess I
have no great dependance upon them, but should I
be mistaken in them, there can be little hope of their
getting together time enough to prevent the mis
chief, and the only Expectation we can have from
them is, they may prevent the Enemy penetrating far
into our Country, which if their number is so great
as the Indians represent we have too much reason
to apprehend, and I am afraid Col. Stanwix and the
Forces of our neighbouring Colonies wont use much
more dispatch in coming to our Assistance, and then
we have only the divine Assistance to rely on, for
tho' I am assured that every thing will be done for our
Security and defence that can be with so small a
force, yet what can be expected from one Man against
an hundred, however We must not despond but put

Letters to Washington 69
our Trust in him that is only able to save and pro
tect. That he may guard you in the day of Battle
and danger is the sincere prayer of
Dear Sir
Your Affec? Fr.end and
Servant — John Robinson

FROM WILLIAM FAIRFAX, ESQ.
W^urg 6. May 1757.
D^SiR Capt. Gist tells Me You was unwilling to write as
You could Not avoid touching on a Subject that
must have lately greatly afflicted Me : And indeed I
have been so for near a Week, when submitting to
the Apprehension of Bryan being no more in Life and
reducd so by the most deplorable & shocking Case, I
reed a Letter from Him dated at Annapolis certify
ing that He was taken up, examind and having no
Pass was comitted as one W?* Fisher. On the usual
Fare among Felons, Runaways, Deserters &c He was
Sensible of his Condition and writes to Me by the
Post w"? M' Carlyle seeing at Alexandria, suspected
the hand Writing, opened and found it to be from
lost Bryan ; next Day sets off for Annapolis to re
deem the Captive, and sent Me Bryan's Letter to
the great Relief of my Mind. Thus You will ob
serve how a Youth endeavouring to go from Him
self is capable of distressing his affect? kindred. I
guess Bryan after being twice refused in his Love

7d Letters to Washington
Addresses had formed the Resolution to throw him
self as a private Centinel in some of the N''ern Reg
ulars, and as such to be Conceald. I hope He will
return compos'd w^ Mf Carlyle, and submit to God's
Disposal and the best Manner We can assist. I ex
pect to Set off homewards with G Fx & Dame on
Thursday next.
Capt. Gist tells Me that He is dischargd as a Cap
tain from your Regiment w''' I did not before know.
He has hopes of being some Way employd by M'
Atkins and says the Governor has desird You to
recomend Him accordingly. I have joynd in it and
shall be glad M"" Gist can get any comfortable Sup
port. It begins to grow Dark and I must conclude
With wishing You every desirable Happiness as D'
S' Y' affect &c W. Fairfax

FROM THE EARL OF LOUDOUN TO COLONEL STANWIX.
By His Excell'^^ John Earl of Loudoun Lord Mauch-
line and Farrinyean &c &c &c ^
To John Stanwix Esq? Col Command' of the First
Battalion of his Majestys Roy! American Regintl
Whereas I have thought it prop? for the good of
his Majestys Service to put a Body of Troops under
your Command, and Whereas it may be necessary
during your Absence with the said Com"? that Gen
eral Court Martials should be held for the better
preservation of Discipline in the said Troops, I do
1 Earl of Loudoun and Baron Farrinyean and Mauchline. — Burke's Peerage,

Letters to Washington 71
therefore by Virtue of the power & Authority to me
Given & Grant'd by his Majesty, hereby direct &
impower you from time to time to call & Assemble,
One or more Courts Martial as there may be Occa
sion, and to Appoint Presidents of the Same. And
I do also impower You to cause the said Sentence
or Sentences of the said Court Martial to be put in
Execution or Suspend the same as You shall think
proper. Except in the Case of Coming? [command
ing] Officers, which you are to suspend until you
receive further Orders from me. And for your so
doing this shall be your sufficient Warr? & Authority
Given under my hand and seal
at New York the 6* May 1757.
Loudoun [L S]
By his Excell' Com* (a Copy)
J. Appy.

Instructions to Colonell George Washington Commander in Chief of
the Virginia Regiment —
Sir You are, as soon as you arrive at Fort Loudoun, to inform the
Officers that the Assembly having considered the great expence
the Virginia Regiment has cost the Country from the Number of
Companies it consisted of, and those Companies not half com
pleat, in proportion to the vast Charge of Officers — It is re-
ieh
solved, for the better Saving of expences establ^ing a proper
Regulation, that The said Regiment shall Consist only of ten
Companies, of one hundred Men each — that all the Captains
but Seven, be reduced — Those I have thought proper to con
tinue, are Captains Mercer, Waggener, Stewart, Joshua Lewis,
Woodward, Spotswood, and M.°Kenzie — to those Discontinued
in the Command of Captains (not from any Particular Miscon-

72 Letters to Washington
duct or Demerit imputed) You are to offer Lieutenancys — and
Compleat the Number of Lieutenants to Twenty, out of the old
est Subalterns, unless there be some, whose Conduct does not
entitle them to the preference — The Ensigns for the Regiment
are to consist of ten and to be fill'd up in the same manner, hav
ing regard to their Characters and Behaviour —
After the Companys are formed. You are to Occupy the fol
lowing posts in the following manner, till Your numbers are en-
creased viz? —
at F"ort Loudoun loo Men commanded by Yourself —
at Maidstone ... 70 Men commanded by Cap? Stewart —
at Edward's ... 25 Men . . D? . . by a Subaltern —
at Pearsalls ... 45 Men . . D? . . by Cap? MPKenzie —
In the Nighbourhood of Buttermilk Fort 70 Men . . Comanded
by Cap? Waggener
at Dickenson's . 70 Men Commanded by Major Lewis
at Vauss's .... 70 Men . . D? . . by Cap? Woodward
45°
You are to remain at Winchester, and there use your utmost
Diligence and care in forwarding the Public Works, with all pos
sible expedition —
You are to continue all the Assistant Commissaries that are
requisite, till such time as The Assembly comes to Some further
Resolutions on this head, — and issue your Orders Accord
ingly— You are no longer to have concern with, or management of,
Indian affairs ; The Hon"' Mf Atkin is appointed by His Ma
jesty for that extraordinary Service — He is now repairing to
Winchester for that purpose, and will I suppose, if he should be
obliged to leave it before the Indians return home, appoint some
person to transact the Business in his Absence —
So Soon as The Assembly have resolved on the Ways and
Means of raising men I shall advise You thereof, that You may
be prepared for their reception — and send Officers to meet them
if Ordered so to do. —
Given at Williamsburg this i6'? Day of May 1757 —
Rob? Dinwiddie

Letters to Washington 73

FROM GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.
Sir Whereas I have thought proper to discontinue the
two pr ct. Commissions, (which the Country Com
mittee have allowed you) for Your trouble, Risk
and loss, in receiving and Paying away the Publick
Money; settling and adjusting of accounts &c. : I
shall only lodge a fund of Money in your hands to
answer Contingent Expences; as they shall arise
from time to time in the Execution of your Com
mand. —
The Paymaster Commissary and others, are for
the Future, to receive Money of Me to answer the
purposes of their Calling; and to Me, are they to
render ace'.' of their Disbursments ; unless any Per
son, or Persons with my consent and Approbation,
shall be appointed to transact this Business. —
You shall receive your usual Pay ; and allowance
for your Batmen ^ (as the Committee have fixed it)
and the additional Sum of Two hundred Pounds p?
Annum for your Table and Expences. — '
In all other Respects you are to be on the same
footing as formerly; and to Act as you heretofore
have done. —
Given under my hand at the City of Williamsburg
this \^^ day of May 1757. RobT Dinwiddie
1 Batmen, or baromen, were originally servants to take care of the horses belonging
to the train of artillery, baking, baggage, etc. Men who are excused from regimental
duty for the specific purpose of attending to the horses belonging to their officers are
called batmen. — Duane' s Military Dictionary,

74 Letters to Washington

FROM COLONEL JOHN STANWIX.
Lancaster May 23? 1757.
Sir His Excell'?' the Earl of Loudoun having ord"! five
Companys of my Battalion to serve in the back parts
of the Southern Provinces and likewise that I am to
be Supply'd with Amunition & Millitary Stores from
Fort Loudoun in Winchester, to prevent any diss-
apointm? in Carriages I have sent from this place
nine Waggons which will be sufficient to bring to
Lancaster the following Amunition &c ... 100
Barrells Gunpowder, 12000 Musquet Flints, .100.
Rheams Cartridge paper, .50, pounds of Mueth, .50
pounds Brimstone, .50 pounds Saltpeter, .50. Three
pounds Ball, — .3. Tons of Lead —
which youl please to Order to be deliver'd to the
Waggoners whose names are mention'd in the War
rant herewith sent you of this date with all im
aginable Speed, they have-ing und'taken without an
Escort to deliver these Stores to Edward Shippen
Esq? (for which you'l please to take their Receipt) at
Lancaster, from thence I can as it may be want'd,
supply myself at my Camp at Carlisle or between
that and Shippensburge, please to send me a list of
the particulars you send, as likewise the remains of
all the Ammunition Artillery Millitary Stores &c
belonging to his Majesty at Fort Loudoun in Win
chester, that if the service should require more I may
not send for what you have not in Store, I have with
me, 2 Brass Cannon, 6 pounders & i Brass Canon
— 3 pounder — shall therefore be glad to have the

Letters to Washington 75

nine Waggon's loaded with as many iron Shot as
can be sent (over and above the 50, three pound ball)
without over loading the Carriages, and what over
addition you send shall return you after the War for
the same who am Sir Your most Obed?
humble Serv?
John Stanwix
Since I wrote this letter the Waggoners (who first re
fused an Escort) have changed their minds and have
therefore sent one Serj? i corp! and eleven men —

FROM GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.
Williamsburg May 23? 1757
Sir This probably may be deliver'd to You by the
Hon Edm"! Atkin Esq? who has his Majesty's Com
mission to transact & superintend all the Affairs
with the different Tribes of Indians the back of
Georgia, South & N? Carolina & this Dominion; I
desire You will receive him in a genteel Manner, &
on his meeting with the Indians now at Fort Cum
berland, give a Grace to his Operations by having a
Company under Arms when he opens his Commis
sion & talks with them — As the whole Negociation
is left to him he probably may acquaint You with
every Thing he transacts with them.
Our Assembly has not fix'd on the Supplies, & in
course not yet printed any new Currency, but am
told it will be done very soon ; & You may assure

76 Letters to Washington
the Officers & Soldiers that as soon as Money is
coined, I will send up by M? Boyd when he comes
here, sufficient to pay all their Arrears.
If the Cherokees return Home I think it will be
necessary You shou'd send
either the such
so Time
W [original badly mutilated] n me
r not
p march'd
a You
a Self
The Assembly proposes raising 1 200 Men & three
Compa^.' of Rangers of 100 Men each, but the Mode
for raising them is not yet concerted, & I fear will
be attended with great Difficulties.
I am surpriz'd Col? Stephen is not come here with
the two Companies ; by his Letter of the 1 2'^ he said
he shou'd be at Fredricksburg last Sunday was a
Week, by which I expected him last Saturday.
I cannot write You any Thing further till the
Assembly goes thro' the Business before them, in the
mean Time I doubt not You will keep Your Men
properly employ'd.
Cap? M'^Neill tells me he has a Ballance of the
Money in his Hands that I gave him to pay for the
Servants enlisted in Augusta ; I have order'd him to
pay it to You. I remain with Respect
[Signature mutilated.]

Letters to Washington 'j'j
FROM WILLIAM BALL, ESQ.^
Williamsburg May 25'? 1 757
D?S^ Waited on the Governor this day in Company with
Cap? M?Neale, on my applying to him to be paid for
my Servant Man Samuel Poe, was directed to you
I hope Sir you will think it Reasonable to send Me
Fifteen pounds Nothing could induce Me to value
Him so low only that he is in my Countrys Services
& has behav'd so well as to be made a Serjeant his
first cost was ^ after he had serv'd two years I gave
twenty odd pounds, having then five years to serve,
He has not serv'd Me one Moment nor have I seen
Him since I purchas'd Him, by our Law he would
be Oblig'd to serve Me Nine years he has been gone
two years last Christmas though at this time can't
justly Recollect, Should you not be of Opinion to
give Me y^ above Sum pray put Him in proper
Officers Hands to be convey'd to Me in Lancaster
cty, I hope D? S? you will pardon my troubling you
with this. With Due Respect I Am your . . . Very
Aff? h!l SerU &c W^Ball —

1 William Ball, of " Millenbeck," St. Mary's, White Chapel Parish, Lancaster
County; son of William and Margaret (Ball) Ball, and grandson of William and
Hannah (Beale) Ball ; married Lettice Lee, daughter of Colonel Henry Lee and Mary,
daughter of Richard Bland. He was Burgess for Lancaster County, 1757-58, and a
cousin many times removed of Washington.

78 Letters to Washington
FROM WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.^
Fort Loudoun, May 24'? 1757.
HoN^^^ Sir,
The Bearer of this is Sergeant Feint,'^ a young fel
low who went out with the first party of Cuttawba
Indians, commanded by Capt. fohny, and taken near
the french fort at the time we supposed and reported
him to be killed, — from the information which the
Indians brought in. —
He made his escape from a small Delaware Town
on a branch of Muskingum, called white womans
creek, — in company with a Cuttawba who was taken
when he was. As he is a sensible young fellow, I
beg leave to refer your Honor to him for particu
lars, with regard to his observation on the country ;
strength of the Enemy, and the manner of his es
cape. He is now going with my consent to visit his
friends. — I have inform'd the disbanded Captains at
this place that they were not discontinued from any
misconduct that hath been attributed to them: and
that you were pleased to offer them Commissions as
Lieutenants — , But I have met none who are in
clinable to accept of such. I have also dispatched
an Express to the Branch, informing the Officers
there of your Orders : But have received as yet no
answer from them.
our
I shall endeav. so soon as the regulation of com
panies is made, to dispatch those destin'd to the
1 From Washington's Record Book, 2, p. 152.
* Joseph Fent or Fant.

Letters to Washington 79
Southern Frontiers immediately to their respective
posts : and apprehend I shall meet with much diffi
culty in getting them off before they are paid: as
the march of the Detachment for S° Carolina was
attended with innumerable inconveniences and griev
ous complaints from their Creditors. —
It seemed to be the intention of the House of
Burgesses (when I left Town) to raise a greater num
ber of Regulars, and not to employ Militia
If this plan shou'd be carried into execution, it
may employ all the Captains now in the Service, and
more Subalterns will be wanted: in which case I
must beg leave to recommend the Volunteers in the
Regiment that have served 15 and 18 months, in
hope of preferment. They amount to eight, in the
whole. —
I must also beg leave to mention Ml Kirkpatrick
again to your Honor. As the hurry of Business and
other solicitations may have caused you to have for
gotten him. I presume to recommend him to your
Honor in this warm manner from two motives —
First, he has merit to deserve any favor that you
may please to confer on him ; and secondly, I think
myself bound in honor, as well as from inclination to
serve him, as I prevailed on him to accompany me,
under expectation of an appointment as Commissary
of Musters, added to some other Commission, might
be worth his acceptance.
I doubt not but your Honor before this is in
formed, that a party of Cherokees under Warhatchie ^
1 Warhatche, chief of all the Southern Cherokee towns, described by Atkins as " the
greatest rogue among them all." See Ford's Writings of Washington, vol. i. p. 445.

8o Letters to Washington
is come in with 4 scalps and 2 Prisoners : — They ^
are much dissatisfied that the presents are not here.
— Look upon Capt. Mercers going off as a trick to
evade the performance of the promise that has been
made to them — Will not believe that Ml Atkin is
coming and in short, they are the most insolent, most
avaricious, and most dissatisfied wretches I have ever

1 The " presents " were : " A Return of Indian Goods Delivered to the Honourable
Col°. Atkins By Q'. Master Hamilton
Pieces of Flanin  3 Cutlashes  13
Shirts  25 Blew Strouds Match Coat . . . i
Worsted Caps  12 Pr. of Red Legings  i
Fethers for Hats  4 Pr. of Blew Ditto  i
Bags of Wampum  2 Britch Clouts  2
Paper Box of Tarsils  i Of Paint  2 lb.
Laced Hatts  5 Pair of Pistols i broke . . . . i
Peices of Stuff, Irish, flnd  5 Pr. of Bullit Moulds  21
Yds. of Stript Holland  32 Pr. of Fire Tongs  16
Peices of Gartering  3i Mocoson Auls  16
Coat embroidered  i Pounds of Thread  8
Jackets. 2 embroi* i Laced .... 3 Peices of Ribbon  4
Britches of B* Cloth  1 Pr. Peices of Bed Lace  5
Doz. pr. Womens Sco'. Hose ... 2 Mederls of K. Geo. 2*  6
Yards of Callico  6i Peices of Ferriting  6
Dozf of Stone Rings  29 Peices of Calliminco  3
Plain  26 Guns  18
Hanks of Large Wier  10 Tomhawks Plain  60
Small Ditto  16 Pipe — Ditto  2*
N. B. Two of the pieces called Flannel, are embossed Serges.
the quantity of wampum is 31,950.
the Rings are in all 38 dozen.
the Hanks of small wire are 19
the Thread is 13.
the Tomahawks, plain are 59
Winchester June 5*' 1757 Rec* the above Goods by order of the Honble RoW Din
widdie Esq!' Lieut'. Governour & Commander in Chief of Virginia, together with 134
li. of Cherokee Beads, & 46 dozen of Hawks Bells not mentioned in the above Ac
count Edm? Atkin his Majestys
Agent & Superintendent of Indian Affairs
in the Southern District of America."
* To this point in the handwriting of Q't Master Hamilton the remainder in Mr.
Atkins handwriting.

Letters to Washington 8i

had to deal with. If any thing shou'd detain M!
Atkins arrival, it will not be in my power to convince
them that it is not a mere hum I ^
All the rhetoric I can muster is not likely to de
tain them more than two or three days to wait this
event. I imagine your Honor must have been much sur
prized to find so few of the officers whom you had
ordered for Carolina with the Detachment. And it
was miatter of astonishment to me when I found upon
my arrival at this place, that Col° Stephen had taken
the liberty to dispense with your Orders on this
point — However, this is not the only instance in
which he has used such liberties. —
The Regimental Stores are, by his Orders, dis
tributed among the Indians although I left express
Instructions to the Contrary with Capt. Mercer and
the Quarter Master when I went from this place. —
Had I met with him here I shou'd most assuredly
have made him answer for his conduct ; which has
also been pretty extraordinary in drafting the men
for his Detachment. I am &c. G. W.
I So transcribed in Washington's Record Book. Humbug f
VOL. II

82 Letters to Washington

FROM CAPTAIN JOHN HALL.^
New York June i".' 1757
S»/ I have to inform you I have been at this Place this
7 days, — I have made use of all my Credentials, &
got admitted to an Interview with his Lordship —
he seemed much displeased at my leaving the Vir
ginia Regiment, & I believe it was owing to the in
fluence of y? kind S? he did not reject me, — being
apprehensive I presume too favourable a Reception
might encourage others of that Chore ^ to revolt. —
I am appointed to Join the 44* Regiment & this
day embark. — the general Embarkation has been
made this fortnight, his Lordship & Admiral Hardy
going abroad this Evening, gives the Alarm for sail
ing — 6000 Regulars. & 500 Provincials with Rogers
in 90 sail of Transport, convoy'd by a 50. three 20^
& a Sloop of War accompanys — an infinite Q'.^ of
Stores & Provisions — fine train of Artillery, vast
d^ of scaling Ladders — floating Batterys &c. Yet
to what Purpose no one can with certainty deter
mine. —
We are this moment alarm 'd with an ace? from
french
a Vessell just arrived, that 6 large. men of War, are
laying near to intercept us — this ace? agrees with
others we have before had — how far it may influence
his Lordships Intentions none knows, tho' its gen
erally believ'd we sail to morrow — I hope to give
1 A John Hall married Anne, daughter of Robert and Anne (Meriwether) Boiling.
The name of Instant Hall is found among the vestry of Bristol Parish in 1720, and in
1 718 a Robert Hall was burgess from Prince George County.
2 Corps?

Letters to Washington 83

you more agreeable news in my next, — while you'd
do me the honour to receive my L? I shall not be
remiss — that the motions of the Troops under y!
Command — may conduce to y? honour & that you
may enjoy health & felicity
are the cordial Wishes
of S? y? iiios ob? humb'* Serv?
Jn? Hall

FROM GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.Williamsburg June 2? 1757
Sir Yours of the 24* May I rec? Serjeant Fent ' has
given a pretty good Acct of his Remarks at Fort Du
Quisne & appears to be a well behav'd Man.
I am sorry to acquaint You that the Bill for
Supplies was rejected by the Council, but the H? of
Burgesses are preparing another which I hope will
have a better Fate; they propose augmenting the
Forces, but till they vote Supplies Nothing can be
done ; I shall then consider on what you write abt
Volunteers. I hope M? Atkin is with You long before this &
that he will pacify the clamorous & avaritious De
mands of the Cherokees.
I was surpriz'd the Lieut? order'd by me did not
come with the Detachment ; Steenbergen was afraid of
being arested ; therefore order'd Lieu? Stewart to go,
I Printed Fant in Dinwiddie Papers, vol. ii. p. 635.

84 Letters to Washington
as the man of War waited for them & they cou'd not
be delay 'd. — I am sorry Col"? Stephens has given
any of the Regimental Stores to the Indians without
Orders, which he must answer for. He lost 12 Men
on his March, they deserted, which I have Reason
to think was thro' Carelessness, & brought a great
Number of Women & Children, I order'd six Women
to a Company, but I believe he exceeded that Num
ber on his Embarkation.
Col° Bouquet was here, & on examining the Num
ber of Batmen allow'd to each Company in the Royal
Americans, he assur'd me they had but two to each
Company, & on Musters &c. they are oblig'd to ap
pear in the Ranks ; that Col? Stanwix has no more
allow'd him & undoubtedly You inform'd Yourself of
this at Philadelphia — as this is the Case, surely
Col° Washington cannot expect more than Col? Stan
wix, & I think it was Your Duty to inform me of
this, & to conform Your Regiment to the Allowances
given the Americans, & pray how shall I appear
to Lord Loudoun, on my Report of our Regiment
when so widely different from that he Commands .?
It's true I settled it otherways with You when here
being ignorant of the Number of Batmen generally
allow'd : — But now I am properly inform'd thereof
You are only to allow two Batmen to a Company, &
two to Yourself ; — if You have a Livery Servant, he
may be allow'd Provisions with the Soldiery — You
may observe that I take His Mty's Regulars for a
Precedent to our Provincial Forces, & You know
the Clamour of the People in regard to the vast Ex-

Letters to Washington 85
pence, & its Your Duty as well as mine to make all
prudent Savings. I remain with Respect
Sir
Your humble Servant
RobT Dinwiddie
I refer you to Cap? McNeill for Ace? of the Wampum
& Colours sent by him to be deliver'd to Mf Atkins
for the Ind^ I have sent another Jack in Case the
other is not found. I have dismiss'd Cap? Hogg the
Service therefore desire You'll imediately send an
officer to take Care of the Fort.

FROM GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.
Williamsburg June 6'? 1757
Sir I reC? Y? Letter of the 30* Ult? f C? Gist I am
sorry the Indians are so refractory, which I conceive
is entirely owing to Cap? Mercer's promising them
Presents, which he had no Power or Authority to
do —
Those Indians had a sufficient Supply at Bedford
Court House agreeable to the Treaty; but their
Avarice is such that if they had all their Expecta
tions, they wou'd demand more, & it is a very great
Error to make them any Promises whatever, further

86 Letters to Washington
than to recommend their Demands without any posi
tive Promise.
As M? Atkin is to transact all Indian Affairs, he
in course may appoint a Person to act in his Absence
— Captain Gist is (I believe) a good Man, but is
unhappy that he cannot speak their Language, how
ever You may recommend him to M? Atkin & indeed
I think when he met him on the Road, he sh"? have
return'd with him — I think whoever M? Atkin ap
points is to be paid from Home.
The Assembly has pass'd a Bill for augmtg our
Forces. — Money for paying Arrears, & all Charges
on the Forces now in pay, & those to be rais'd ; as it
will lie with me to confirm it, You may suppose it to
be a Law, & if You will send down the Pay Master,
he will have Money to pay them to the i? of this
Month. Cap? Bullin's Scheme must be laid before M? Atkin
& I agree with You that he shou'd be particularly
distinguish'd.^ — I observe Col? Stanwix has red
from You loo bis Gun Powder, 3 Tons Lead, 100
six Pound Shott & 1 200 Flints — Let me know the
Number of Spare Arms & Amun now at Fort Lou
doun, I fear we shall not have Arms sufficient for the
Men propos'd to be rais'd, & when You write to
Col? Stanwix advise with him if he can supply us.
As the Bill pass'd the Council but two Days agoe
I A scheme for bringing in the Creek and Cherokee Indians, which Washington
pronounced " worthy of Bullen," a Catawba warrior, of whom he spoke in the most
complimentary manner.

Letters to Washington 87
I cannot send You a Copy, but I have order'd it to
be printed I remain Sir Your most hble Servant
RobT Dinwiddie
P. S. I hope the Men now
with You are employ'd in
finishing the Fort — .

FROM RICHARD BLAND, ESQ.^
Dear Sir,
I have the pleasure of receiving your letter by Mr
Gist ; and I assure you I should look upon it as a
singular felicity if I could contribute towards per
fecting any scheme for the advantage of my country :
My endeavours, so far as m.y influence will reach
shall never be wanting. I have the mortification of
finding the majority from Home against the most
vigorous measures for effectually putting a stop to
the French attempts upon our frontiers: But tho'
numbers carried it against my opinion I am not yet
convinced that an attack upon Fort Du Quesne or a
lodgment near that place, with a sufficient force so
as to keep them in perpetual alarm is impracticable.
This is my favorite scheme ; and I should be very
glad to hear of its having your approbation.
We have had a dispute with the Council who flung
out our first bill of supply, by an equal division of 5
1 "Colonel Richard Bland of Jordans."

88 Letters to Washington
on each side; upon the question being put for a third
reading. This strange conduct under our present
situation gave our house great resentment. They
voted a severe resolve against the Council, & imme
diately ordered the same bill under a different title
to be brot' in which was passed in two days, & sent
again to the Council who gave their concurrence to
it upon more mature consideration, so that you are
to have this year 1272 men including non commis
sioned officers to compose your Regiment ; and I do
not at all doubt but you will do every thing in your
power for the advantage of your Country that can
be done by so small a force ; & I most heartily wish
you success in all your undertakings.
Another Bill has passed our House for laying out
5000^ in a proper cargo of goods to carry on a trade
with the Indians for the public benefit under the
direction of Col Peter & W"? Randolph, M? Cary,
M? Walker, & myself. This bill is now before the
Council. If it passes into a law, we shall I believe
engage with M? Gist as Factor, to carry it on : Your
recommendation of him will have all proper weight
with me & I am persuaded with the other Trustees
or Directors.
As I have some thots' of writing an account of our
transactions which I desire to communicate to pub
lic view in order to wipe off all reflections from my
country and the several persons concerned in the
conduct of our military enterprizes so far as they
can be Justified, I shall take it as a particular mark of
friendship if at your leisure hours, if you have any,
you would send me the heads of such things relative

Letters to Washington 89
to the french invasion with the dates when they hap
pened as you judge most interesting & proper for
such a Work. I will speak the truth with boldness
& I hope with approbation from every honest and
good man, amongst whom I assure you without flat
tery I place you in the first rank.^
I am D? Sir, Yr most humble Serv?
Richard Bland.
WiLLIAMSBURGH
June 7. 1757
If I have the pleasure of hearing from you please
to direct to me at Jordans in Prince Geo. County.^

FROM LIEUTENANT JAMES BAKER.^
Fort Cumberland June 10'? 1757.
Sir I Yesterday returned to this place with the Chero
kees and have the Satisfaction to acquaint you that
on the 5*^ Instant we fell on two Tracks about 35
Miles beyond the three Forks of Yohagany in a small
1 Cf. Washington to Dr. Belknap, Ford's Writings of Washington, vol. xiv. p. ii.
s This print is from the copy deposited in place of the original letter which the
editor supposes to be of the number given away after Washington's death.
' The original is indorsed, in an unfamihar handwriting, " From Captain John
Baker," and is so indexed among the manuscript letters to Washington. The editor,
however, takes it that this letter is from Lieutenant James Baker, as it was he who
had been sent out. Washuigton's opinion of Lieutenant Baker was a high one. His
successful encounter with the enemy on Turtle Creek, twenty miles from Fort Du
Quesne, elicited Washington's complunentary letter of June 12, 1757, of which the
following is an extract: "To Lieutenant Baker: Dear Sir, — I embrace this oppor
tunity of congratulating you upon your safe return ; and of thanking you for the ser
vices you have done the PubUc, in your late Scout and Skirmish. I was greatly sur
prized at not receiving an account of this matter from yourself ; but am satisfied there
was some particular reason why I did not. For I cannot believe that you who have
behaved so well in one respect wou'd be so deficient in your duty in another." — Wash
ington's Record Book, 2, p. r89.

90 Letters to Washington
path that led towards this place, we had not followed
those Tracks above eight or Ten miles, before we met
lO Frenchmen returning from a Scout, our foremost
Indian discovered them first and sat down very cose
[close] we all following his example, when the French-
saw
men came within about fifty paces they/^our Men all
Naked, and called to us and ask'd us who we were,
at which time we all rising together fired on them
they
which .returned, we waited not to lode again, but run
in with our Tomahawks the Frenchmen then mak
ing of as fast as possible they cou'd, but the Indians
out running them took two of them prisoners, the
French lost six Men two killed dead on the Spot,
two wounded, and two taken prisoners
Our loss tho' fewer in number is greater to us, the
Swallow Warrior was Shot dead by a Ball in the
head, and another Indian Wounded in both Thighs
The Indians was so enraged at the loss of their head
Man that it was impossible to save the other prisoner.
Among the Frenchmen there was three Officers,^
two of which was killed and the other we have here.
I send the Instructions of two of the Officers here
inclosed. We have suffered greatly on our return
not tasting a morsel for four days, and carrying the
Wounded Man on our backs, I cannot tell when I
shall -be- come down the Indians are not determined
I am Sir Your M" ob? Humble Servant J. Baker.
1 " Velistre, Lososais, and St. Oure, all ensigns." — Washington to Stanwix, June
i5> 1757-

Letters to Washington gi

FROM CAPTAIN JOHN DAGWORTHY.^
Fort Cumberland June 14. 1757.
Sir, Six Cherokee Indians who just now came from
Fort Du Quesne, say that six days ago they saw a
large body of troops march from that garrison, with
a number of Waggons & a train of Artillery, & by
their route, must intend an attack on this garrison.
I am, sr, Yr most humble Ser?
Jno. Dagworthy^

FROM MAJOR JAMES LIVINGSTON, ESQ.^
Fort Cumberland 14'.' June 1757
6 at night
S'^ I am desired by Cap? Dagworthy to acquaint you
that their is a great body of the Enemy on their way
to these frontiers what they intend is not Certain the
Intelligence Comes from 6 of Cap' Spotswoods party
that arrived hear about 3 oClock this afternoon. Says
Cap? Spotswood left them 10 days ago these 6 Sep-
rated themself from the Rest and went to Fort Du
Quisnie where they stay'd some days and saw the
1 Commanded Maryland forces at Fort Cumberland. Governor Sharpe refers to
Dagworthy as " a Gent born in the Jerseys, who commanded a company raised in
that Province for the Canada expedition, and since the miscarriage of which he has
resided in this Province upon an estate which he purchased in Worcester County."
He was always a favorite with Governor Sharpe, and, in the expedition of 1758 under
General Forbes, commanded the Maryland forces as lieutenant-coloneL
2 From a copy^ -
3 Major in the Maryland troops.

92 Letters to Washington
preparations making for the March but Wanting
provisions Was forced to Come of to some Distance
to fire their Guns as their was -ttttlo to be got by
none
their arrows, they heard a great Gun fired near where
the Battle of Mononghela was fought which they had
Ground
Crosst the^ lo* Instant and desires all their Bro
thers to Come as soon as possible to their assistance
Lie* Baker marched this Day at 1 1 oClock with all
the Indians only 2 left with the Swallows Son which
I'm afraid will die, I've wrote to M' Baker to detain
them at pearshall until they hear from you but am
afraid it will not be in his power as they are fully
bent to see the Great man that is Come from King
George^ and Expects presents they stay'd but 11
hours after the Letter was Explain'd to them Cap*
Dagworthy would have wrote to you but being busey
in writing to Col? Stanwix and their Gov' had no
time You will Excuse my hurry as we are in great
perplexity hear at W"?' I am yo' Humb'^ Serv*
James Livingston
P. S.
Since my writing they have made us Sensible that
they were on their march with nombers of Wheel
Carridges and men innumerable and had marched 2
days befor they quit the Mononghela waters they
further say they saw them Cross the Said River and
Guns Greater than any at this Fort you 11 observe
this is Indian news which I Really believe to be true
not a white man come in y* and says they found
a stocking belonging to one white man which Causes
1 The Hon. Edmund Atkin.

Letters to Washington 93

Suspicion hear the whole is Cut of is not Come
which
in [mutiiatedj is Expected hourly

FROM MAJOR JAMES LIVINGSTON, ESQ.
Cap* Dagworthy desires
an Express to Col? Stanw
in Case the Express may
[a Une mutilated] [mutilated]
nomber when they seprated
Indians near the Ca
and went back for their Baggage and Came in 4
Days from the French Fort they are momently giv
ing Intelligence J L therefor must conclude with
this Paragraph
a safe Deliverance never was in Greater
Jeopardy no men no provisions &c this is the
Cry of this Garrison this is the Second
Express This man has been Sent and no pay
for it & when Trent came in and y^ Cataban
Indian the Colo? I believe may be from
Montreal for never such a Lot was Collected
as we have to defend a Garrison for my part
I am Easey if Indians I must fight but if french
as long as we can but I am afraid the Great Guns
wont be Loaded a second time by us ^
I Referring to the alarm raised by Captain Dagworthy.

94 Letters to Washington

At a Council of War held at Fort Loudoun, Thursday, the i6th
day of fune, at 2 o'clock in the morning} —
I7S7- —
Colonel George Washington, — President
Capt? Thomas Waggener 1 m f Cap? Robert Stewart
Capt. M-rNeill \% Captain Gist
Lieutenant Campbell f § I ^* Buckner
Ensign Crawford J % Ensign Roy
. Ensign Russell
The Colonel laid before the council a Letter from Capt. Dag
worthy, .and another which he received from Maj. James Liv
ingston, both dated at Fort Cumberland the 14'.'' Instant j signi
fying that they had just received intelligence from six cherokee
indians who went out upon a Scout with Capt. Spotswood to
wards Fort Du Quesne ; that a large Body of French and Indians,
with a train of Artillery, were actually marched from Fort Du
Quesne with a design, as they conceived, to make an attempt on
Fort Cumberland. —
And after laying before them the strength and dispersed situa
tion of the Troops in the pay of the Colony — desired their opin
ion, whether it was most advisable, with what force we could
raise immediately, to attempt the relief of Fort Cumberland, —
or to remain here and endeavour to assemble a sufficient force
to put this place in a posture of defence, (which is at present not
tenable) till we should have further Orders how to act ? —
It was unanimously agreed, that, if the French had crossed
the monongahela the 10'." instant, as these Indians declare, it is
impossible to assemble our dispersed Troops, and march them to
Fort Cumberland before the place is infested — That all our
forces, supposing their junction practicable, are so inconsider
able, compared with the strength of the Enemy — according to
our intelligence, which can admit of no doubt; as a train of
artillery is of too great importance to them to risque with a small
body of troops ; We have great reason to think, that it wou'd be
only to expose ourselves to a certain defeat ; the consequence of
1 From Washington's Record Book, 2, p. 194.

Letters to Washington 95
which would inevitably be the leaving this place (the depositary
of all His Majesty's and Country's Stores of every kind) naked
and defenceless : which wou'd be attended with the immediate
Evacuation of the part of the Country, from whence alone sub-
sistance for any considerable number of Troops cou'd be drawn :
which at this juncture wou'd be an irreparable loss and probably
be productive of the most fatal consequences to this Colony. —
The Colonel likewise desired to know whether the Council
judged it most expedient to continue the few troops now at Maid
stone, and those dispersed thro' the little Forts on the South
Branch — or to ordef them on the Branch, with the country men
in that settlement, to the most advantageous post there, whilst
their women & children shou'd retire to the interior Settlements
— Or to evacuate the whole, and reinforce these troops he»e,
with their united Garrisons ? —
It is the opinion of the Council that as reinforcing this Garri
son is absolutely necessary ; the detached enfeebled situation of
the Garrisons on the South Branch must make them fall an easy
prey to the Enemy ; and that as drawing them all to one place
on the Branch would be giving up all that settlement except that
place, which (supposing it cou'd be maintained) wou'd by no
means be of such consequence as reinforcing this important
place — That therefore they ought to be ordered hither imme
diately.
W? Crawford Jn? M?Neill G. Washington
Ja! Roy Christo"! Gist. Thomas Waggener
Henry Russell Jn? Campbell Robert Stewart
Mordec. Buckner
The following account sent to Colo. StanWix and Governor
Dinwiddie with the Council of War. Fort Loudoun June 16'." 1757.
The number of men fit for Duty in the Virginia Regiment,
exclusive of the Detachment gone for Carolina — where stationed,
and the distance of each Garrison from this place.

96

Letters to Washington

Men

Miles

At Fort Loudoun .

. lOO

•

At Maidstone . .

. 60

. Distance

• 36

At Edwards . . .

. 16

do .

. 22

At Pearsalls . .

• 35

do .

• 50

At Fort Pleasant .

• 30

do .

• 70

At Butter-milk Ft.

. 28

do .

. 78

At Harness' Ft. .

• 27

do .

. 81

At Powers Mill .

. 28

do .

. 90

At Vass's . . .

. 60
384

do .

. 210

FROM GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE,
Williamsburg June 16^ 1757
Sir I am to acknowledge the Receipt of Y" of the
10* but I am so much hurried that I cannot answer
it, but as M? Boyd is daily expected by him I shall
write You more fully.
Otassity of Ostenaker,* conducts thirty Cherokees
to You with Intention to go out against the Enemy ;
— I think he is a brave Indian, & talks much of
Maj? Lewis ; I believe he may be prevail'd on to stay
with his People all the Summer.*^
They were desirous that Mf Gun shou'd go with
them & if he goes with them to fight he shall have

1 Outacite, Outacita, Wootassitie, or Mankiller, king of the Cherokee nation. See
Dinwiddie Papers; also Ford's Writings of Washington, vol. i. p. 457.
2 The friendship and assistance of the Cherokees were well worth cultivating, and
Washington thought that, under the circumstances then existing, they were indispen
sably necessary.

Letters to Washington 97

Lieut? Pay if You sh'? think him a proper Person —
Excuse Hurry I am Sir Your hble Serv?
RobT Dinwiddie

FROM CAPTAIN JOHN DAGWORTHY.
FoRT Cumberland June 17^? 1757 —
Sir Yesterday in the Evening Six Indians Arrived
from Fort Du Quesne who left that Place last Sun
day & Brought with them two Scalps which they
took within a hundred yards of the Fort, I learn from
them that the Fireing of the Cannon & Small Arms
which I mention'd in my last was occasioned by a
large Scouting Party leaving that Place to come this
Way, they say the Indians who came in before made
a false Report as to their bringing Waggons and
Artillery & Account for it by their being young
Warriors & much Frightened, this last Party lay
some time in sight of the Fort but could not Dis
cover either Waggons or Horses & but few Men,* —
I am sir
Your most humble Serv?
Jn9 Dagworthy
1 The first letter from Dagworthy had caused a universal alarm. Governor Sharpe
had gone immediately to Frederick to send a reinforcement of 500 men ; seven regi
ments of Virginia militia had been called out ; and Colonel Stanwix had begun pre
parations to march to Fort Cumberland with five companies of Royal Americans, and
some of the Pennsylvania forces. Stanwix received the second news in time to coun
termand his orders, but it was some time before the alarm subsided.
VOL. II

98 Letters to Washington

from william fairfax, esq.
Dear Sir
I received y? Express this Morning at Belvoir in
Compy with M' & M'' Carlyle and soon after Set off
hither to consult w* Maj? West, the Captains Ram
say, Dal ton, Terrett &c On which have sent Orders
to have the several Companys meet at different Ren
dezvous to morrow and Sunday, in hopes of making
therefrom a Detachment of an hundred Men to meet
at M' W" West's on Monday night or Tuesday next
at Farthest well accoutred except Amunition which
You'l be able to furnish the needful. If You find
this Party insufficient We expect to Send more as
Requird — Bryan Fx has desir'd a Command w**
has been granted, in Hopes his Courage & good
Conduct will give Testimony of his Capacity. The
manner of his conceald Departure & Recovery He
can best relate. He has experienct Y"' Kindness,
therefore need not repeat my Desire in his Behalf
— Y' late Alarm from Capt. Dagworthy may Serve
to put your Soldiery in a fit Posture for Defence,
but it seems unlikely the Enemy can Spare many
Men from their New Garrison as They must expect
to be visited by Lord Loudoun, Gen! Webb or Col?
Stanwix. And your present Expectation will un
doubtedly engage the Towns men at Winchester and
Neighbourhood to assist Your Endeavors to make
Fort Loudoun more & more defensible against a
common Enemy w"'out battering Cannon w'** they
caiiot bring this Sultry Season w*''out stronger

Letters to Washington 99

Horses than it may be supposd They can be fur
nished with —
We desire to be further acquainted with the Oc
curences as they happen Wishing You &c every
Happiness, The Family at Belvoir & here joyn in
all hearty Gratulation and desires that y? brave Men
may keep the Enemy far from them, So Says
Y^ very affect. Friend &c
W. Fairfax
Alexandria
17?' June 1757.

FROM EDWARD SHIPPEN, ESQ.^
Lancaster 17. June 1757
Sir I had the pleasure to receive your favour of 28
ult. by John Spore and Company waggoners with
the Ammunition for His Majestie's use, but there
came A hundred and One Barrels of Gun Powder ;
and instead of 3 Tons of Lead, specified in the Re
ceipt given you by Spore, there were but 48 boxes,
designed at Home I suppose, to contain One hun
dred pounds giro or ii2"'?and I See that M^ Hamil
ton the Q? Mr mentions in the List he Sent by the
serjeant 48 boxes calling them 120 pound each with
the tare ; however I caused one of them to be emp
tied, and the lead to be weighed which proved to be
but 1 1 1 ? So that if they all turn out the Same, it
will amount to no more than 5328? I mentioned this
I Edward Shippen, son of Edward and Sarah (Plumley) Shippen, and grandson of
Joseph and Abigail (Grosse) Shippen, was afterwards chief justice of Pennsylvania.
He was born February i2, 1728, and died April 16, 1806.

ICO Letters to Washington
to Col? Stanwix as Soon as I discovered the differ
ence. I beg you will believe me to be (tho' I have
not the Hon? of y? acquaintance) Sir Y? affectionate
Friend & most Obed? Hum' Serv? Edw° Shippen

FROM COLONEL JOHN STANWIX.
Camp near Carlyle i June iS'? 1757
Sir I reC? both yours of the is'? & 16* of June, by the
Favour of Colonel Armstrong & some hours before
that had rec"! intelligence from Capt : Dagworthy &
Capt Beal of their intelligence of the Motions of the
French & Indians towards Fort Cumberland, on the
receipt of which I directly apply'd to the Magistrates
here for Waggons, for the Baggage Artillery, Am
munition and Provisions, & the moment they are
provided shall March with the Five Comp';^ of the
First Battalion of the Roy! Americans and what I
can get together of Colonel Armstrongs Battalions
in the whole
w* I am hopeful will amount .to six hundred men,
shall march to Shippensburgh and from thence to
wards Winchester as I am inform'd there is thirty
miles the other way to Fort Cumberland thro' the
woods where there is no road cut, and am the more
inclin'd to come to Winchester to joyn you as it
seems to be (for the reasons you give) the properest
place to make a Stand & concert such measures as
may be best for his Majesty's service and shall de-
I Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Letters to Washington loi
pend a good deal upon your judgment & experience
in the Opperations in this Country, which you know
by being long in it & I a Stranger have consult'd
Col. Armstrong who thinks with me that Winches
ter will be the properest place for a Rendezvous &
except I meet with other intelligence on my March
must make that my first object, hope soon to have
the pleasure of kissing your hands who am
Sir Your most
obed? humble Serv*
John Stanwix
I have a letter from Capt Croghan who tells me
he stay only two or three days at Winchester as on
his getting my letter would be uncertain please if
you think prop? to acquaint him with what I pro
pose, & am a good deal hurry"? or would have wrote
to him dare say he will do that upon consulting with
you, which may make the Indians of service both
you and he know infinitely better than I can possibly
know of Indian affairs,
P. S. I have just rec^ intelligence from Fort Allen
in Pensilvania that an Indian lately came from Alle
ghany Says that the French Indians has actually
cut a Road within ten miles of Fort Augusta, it ap-
to
pears they design, amuse us in sundry places, And
as I am leaving a Large Country Open into which
into which is a great Road cut from the Alleghany
Hills, I must depend on your Intelligence being ex
peditiously sent that I may take my measures accord
ingly.

I02 Letters to Washington

FROM EDMUND ATKIN, ESQ.^
Winchester. 19 June 1757.
Sir When the Swallows People^ came to Town this
afternoon, with the Young French Officer their Pris
oner, they came Strait to my Lodgings, to pay their
Compliment; and soon after carried him away to
their own, to eat some Victuals, Hunger being upper
most in their Thoughts. In the Evening, before I
would put you to the Trouble to attend (as I had
determined to examine him then in the presence of
yourself, & M? Croghan Sir W" Johnson's Deputy),
I Sent to inquire whether I might have him brought
to me. And he was not to be found. Soon after
Standing at my door, I saw your Quarter Master
M? Hamilton ^ hastening by, in quest, as I learnt from
himself, of my Interpreter (that is the King's) M?
Smith, & of a Frenchman whose name he declined
telling me, in order to carry them to Heath's Ordi
nary to interpret for one or two Persons that wanted
to talk with the Prisoner. In answer to my Ques
tion, how the Prisoner came there, he said, he was
carried there by an Indian and to another, who was
it that wanted to talk with the Prisoner, I could get
no Satisfactory Answer at all from him. At his Re-
I The King's Agent for Indian Affairs in the South (from Pennsylvania to Georgia).
His duty was to regulate the trade with the Indians, redress their wrongs, and keep
them in alliance with the EngUsh. His salary was £250, and his bond was fixed
at £200. The first agent appointed by Great Britain to the southern Indians was
Thomas Nahne ; and the last. Captain John Stuart, who succeeded Edmund Atkin
about 1763.
' " Swallow, the brave Cherokee Indian chief, was killed at Turtle Creek, — 20 miles
from Fort Duquesne." — Washington to Colonel Stanwix, June 15, 1757.
3 John Hamilton.

Letters to Washington 103
turn with M? Smith in Company, Standing Still in
the Door, I charged the latter to go to Heath's, &
bring away the Indian with his Prisoner directly to
me. At the same time directing myself to both I
said, I wondered how any Person whatever could
presume (I believe in my Warmth I said also, dare)
to take that Method to examine the Prisoner, before
I myself, or you the Commanding Officer of the
Forces here, had had an Opportunity of asking a
single Question of him? Major Finnie coming up
to me presently afterwards, I told him what had
happened, that I could not conceive who it was had
been guilty of so extraordinary an Action, and de
sired him to be so kind as to enquire into it, & help
to get back the Prisoner. He said, he was sure it
could not be any of your officers, because he had but
just left them all at the Fort (and indeed not long
after I saw a great many pass by from that way
towards Heath's). In a little time Major Finnie &
M? Smith came back, with the Chief Indian, & the
French Prisoner in his Possession ; telling me, that
it was only Lieutenant Baker that came to town with
them & wanted them to drink a Glass of Wine with
him. Here I thought the Affair might have ended.
I then sent M' Davenport to acquaint you, that
the Prisoner was with me, and I should be glad of
your Company, as I purposed to examine him. He
brought me an Answer, that you were so very busy
writing Letters, you could not possibly come. Where
fore I put off the Examination till to-morrow. But
to my great surprise Major Finnie who had under
took to desire one of your Officers to stand Inter-

I04 Letters to Washington
prefer of French on this Occasion, brought me Word
that he found many of them at Heath's, who were
one & all so very angry thinking themselves affronted
by me, that it was declared among them not one of
the Regiment should do that Service for me (that
little Service for their King & their Country). It
seems your Quarter Master M? Hamilton, had told
some at least of those Officers what he had heard
me utter (with some Additions), as a Message from
me to them. I endeavoured as a Gentleman, by
means of M? Croghan as well as Major Finnie, only
to Set the Matter in it's true Light, as I have now
done to you. But in vain. They will have it, I have
given an Affront; and not less than all must be
concerned in it, and so forth. By the way, had I
known which I did not, that it was One or More
Officers that sent for the Prisoner to examine him,
there was nothing amiss in what I said, bating the
word dare, which indeed is not very genteel if said
to them. For that officer must know very little, of
Military Duty, who imagines he may freely examine
a Prisoner of War before, or without the privity of,
his Commanding Officer. Something may be dis
covered on such Examination, that no Person else
whatsoever ought to have had the least Knowledge
of, and may be of the last Importance to the Service
to keep concealed.
To compleat the whole Affair, learned Discus
sions have been held publickly on this Occasion, at
another Publick House (Brinkers) by a Young En
sign of your Regiment, Supported by a young Vol-

Letters to Washington 105
ontier who says he thinks himself obliged to stand
by the Officers, right or wrong. This Ensign who
pretends to know the Length, Breadth & Depth of
my Rights & Powers by my Commission, in the end
bid M? Davenport in the hearing of one of my Do-
mesticks & others, " to tell Atkin (mark his polite
Stile) that he & every officer in the Regiment had as
much Right & Power to examine the Prisoner as 1
had." This from Ensign Thompson to his Majesty's
Agent & Superintendent of Indian Affairs in the
four Southern Provinces.
It is easy to foresee the Tendency of this ill judged
silly Spirit & Behaviour of the Officers. It cannot
but affect me in my office, & consequently in his
Majesty's Service ; for which reason I think fit to
lay it before you, not in the least doubting from your
natural good Sense & Prudence, that you will check
it in the Bud, & take proper Notice of Ensign
Thompson & M? Hamilton in particular. And I
hope you will think this a proper Opportunity for
making known to all these Officers of your Regi
ment (what I believe is not yet known to all), the
Governor's Proclamation concerning the Behaviour
of People towards me & the Indians.
For my own part, as I have nothing in view but
actual Service, so without entering into critical Dis
quisitions of the exact bounds & limits of my Right
& Power, I shall always think it a part of my Duty
to keep up a good Understanding with all Com
manding Officers in the different Places I go to, as

io6 Letters to Washington
I know it will be their Duty to countenance & sup
port me to the utmost of their Power.
I am Sir Your most Obed? Servant
Edm? Atkin.

FROM THE OFFICERS OF THE VIRGINIA REGIMENT.
June 19, 1 757
Sir We understand that M? Atkins has either com
plained or intends to complain to you that we had
the Insolence to desire one of the Cherokee War-
riours with the french Prisoner to come & drink a
Glass of Wine with us, if it is so, we shou'd be very
much obliged to you if you wou'd inform that Gen
tleman that as our Officers & Men risk'd their Lives
the Prisoner
in taking of hifla-we are entitled to speak to him
when we please, M? Baker in particular imagines
that without any Offence to M? Atkins he may take
that Liberty, & we apprehend that whatever com
mand he may have over the Indians he can have
none over us — We can't help observing that from
the former Behaviour of M? Atkins that imagin'd he
had been better acquainted with the Rules of good
Manners than to send such a Message to Gentlemen
who from their Station in Life their Births & Edu-

Letters to Washington 107
cation ought to be treated with Respect — We are
with great Esteem — Sir Your most Obedient Serv*?
Tho^ Waggener
and all the officers *
We are likewise inform'd that Mf Atkins said that
neither you nor any of us had a Right to speak to
the Prisoner until he had done with him —

FROM CAPTAIN ALEXANDER BEALL.^
Fort Frederick June 19*!' 1757.
S^ the enclosed Letters Came from Coll? Stanwix
about 1 1 "Clock this Night, and I have Imediately
Dispatched them to you, as the Coll? writes in a
Very Important Manner for intilligence, I Shall
Send a Strong party out to Fort Cumberland to
Morrow, tho we want Indians Very much for Such
Service, and if a few Could be Spared this way, I
Apprehend it would be Very much for the Benefit
of the Service ; pray Favour me with What Intelli
gence you have Received Since the 14th from the
Frontiers, that I may Convey it to Coll? Stanwix,
which will be an Easier way of Communicating it to
him, than if you Sent an Express directly from Win
chester, I Shall Send it by Fort Loudoun, and the
1 The original is in Captain Waggener's handwriting, and is signed by hun in this
manner. 3 In command at Fort Frederick, Maryland.

io8 Letters to Washington
Messenger will be picking up something that may
be of use in his way, if you Can Give me Any hints,
of your Intentions, that may Enable me the better
to Act for the Publick service you Will infinitly
Oblidge Your Most Obed? Hum. Serv?
Alex. Beall
P. S. a Soldier who Seems to have deserted from
Fort Cumberland Left it the i6th in the Morning
but brings Nothing New, only he discovered five
Indians in his way down about five miles from this
Place, we Expect the Millitia of this County here to
Morrow —

FROM WILLIAM FAIRFAX, ESQ.
Alexandria. 19. June 1757
D?S^ This is intended to be delivered You by Bryan
Fx, who is appointed by Commission Captain of one
of the two detacht Companys of our Militia which
its hopd will amount to the Number of fifty private
Men each, and Sufficient at this Time to answer y!
Expectation from Us. I sent immediate Notice to
Col? H? Lee to act the needful with the P?^ W"? Mili
tia, and Y'? for Gov? Sharpe Sent over to Mr Mar-
shalf directly. As no doubt Gov? ^ Dagworthy Sent
an Express to Col? Stanwix He may expect a Re
inforcement of the Regulars & some Provincials by
Order of Gov? Sharpe, so that probably the Enemy
I Captain.

Letters to Washington 109
Will be prevented marching towards Youi: Fort
ress —
We have given Orders to have our whole Militia
in a Readiness to March on a Sudden Notice and
further Advices of Your needing any certain Num
ber. What are now orderd to attend y? Commands
as They are at some Distance from each Other, may
Want Ammunition and Provisions but suppose will
be supplied & victualled as the Detachments were
last Year — which being an additional Expence to
the Country You will please to return to Us as soon
as the public Weal & Service can spare them.
In the Extract of an Act of the last Assembly.
A Clause inserted —
" That every able bodied Person willing to enlist
to serve in the Regiment shall be entitled to Five
Pounds, And if no Person present will advance the
s"? Reward, then the Person so enlisting shall be paid
the same within three Days after his Arrival at the
Place of General Rendezvous, by the Commanding
Officer of the Forces in the Service of this Colony "
As it is very unlikely that any such Sums will be
advanced by private Persons, so You may expect a
direct Application will be made to You by the Per
sons so enlisting, therefore You will think it neces-
from the Treasurer
sary to be furnished with a Sufficient Sum of Money
to answer the Demands aforesaid.
For pticulars referr to Bryan Fx and Him to your
friendly Advice &c. Lodged at y? Mother's the
12* inst then left her &c well —
S? very affect? & assurd Friend &c
W. Fairfax

no Letters to Washington
FROM GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.
Williamsburg June 20* 1757
Sir Y? Letter ^ by Express I rec? last Night & I am
sorry for the Intelligence it brings of such a Number
of French & Indians marching from Fort Du Quesne,
& its more than probable their Design is against
Fort Cumberland, & am uneasy that Garrison is in
so poor a Condition for Defence, & I really fear it is
in the Enemy's Hands before this can reach You. —
if so, they probably will proceed to Fort Loudoun, —
in order to reinforce You, I have order'd one Third
of the Militia of the following Counties to march
imediately to Ford Loudoun, viz? Frederick, Fairfax,
Prince W?^ Culpepper, Orange Stafford & Spotsyl
vania, which I hope together will am? to 1000 Men.
— I doubt not Col? Stanwix will march his Regulars
where the greatest Danger is, or where the Enemy
may be, & when the Men are all collected in a Body
I hope they will be able to repell the Force of the
Enemy, & You are to follow [mutilated] ^ Orders Col?
Stanwix may send You from Time to [mutilated] with
out regard to any Orders You may have rec*! fr
[mutilated] & as probably he may order Men to join
him, I c [mutilated] prevail on the Assembly to allow
the Militia to be [mutilated] out of this Dominion, —
therefore if he orders t [mutilated] must supply him
from Your Regiment, & eith [mutilated] or some other
good Officer to remain at Fort Loudo [mutilated] the
Militia, to protect that Garrison, but at pres [muti-
I Of June 16. Ford's Writings of Washington, vol. i. p. 449.
5 Cf. Dinwiddie Papers, vol. ii. p. 643.

Letters to Washington in
lated] of Opinion that C? Stanwix will choose to
come to [mutilated] Loudoun as most centrical, & from
thence form hi [mutilated] Dispositions ; — I know
not where he is when Y [mutilated] him pray send my
CompitsT I sent [mutilated] the Council this Morning, & they
[badly mutilated] direct you to send for the Men at the
different small Forts to be ready on a Call at Fort
Loudoun. I cannot conceive the Enemy can be so numerous
as M? Livingston mentions, when I consider the
Report of the Officer that is a Prisoner ; ^ — & Serj?
Trent assur'd me there was not 150 French besides
Ind? at Fort Du Quesne; however as they march
with a Train of Artillery it's probable they have
Men enough to invest & take Fort Cumberland, I
am of Opinion they must want Provisions, if possi
ble to prevent their having a Supply will be a great
Point. M? Boyd brings loooo;^ which I believe is all the
Money coin'd, I am sorry they have no small Bills ;
the Treasurer says in a Fortnight he will have a
Qnty printed.
I have sent 240/ to M? Atkin to pay for the
Scalps brought in by the Swallow's Party — As for
the Peopl's Demand for Ind? they shall be paid when
produced, Money is not ready — C? Stephen left an
Ace? of 58^ for that Service, chiefly for Liquors
which is paid [mutilated] ay, & any others hereafter
will be paid [mutilated] Vouchers.

1 The prisoner (Velistre), brought in by Lieutenant Baker, had stated that the garri-
son at Fort Du Quesne consisted of six hundred French and two hundred Indians.

112 Letters to Washington
I am sorry Fort Loudoun is not finished, it [muti
lated] n a long Time in hand, but I now expect that
by [mutilated] Diligence You will be able soon to com
plete it & [mutilated] the Necessity. — Let me know if
You possibly [mutilated] Number of the Enemy, &
what Artilery they [mutilated] ve ; I am under great
Uneasiness on Your pres? [mutilated], yet I doubt not
with the Regulars, Provincials [mutilated] tia You will
be able to stand Your Ground, & more [mutilated] I
believe C? Stanwix will exert himself on this [muti
lated] on.
I have order'd Winchester & Fredricksburg for
the [mutilated] of the Draughts from the Country
Militia ; I [a line mutilated] Officers, to receive those
[mutilated] may COme to [mutilated] & I think it will be
necessary to send them imediately.
I am so hurried that I cannot write You a particu
lar Answer to each Paragraph of Yl Letters, but I
think the above are the most essential Points. — I
am in great Pain for C? Spotswood, his being safe
returned will give me much Joy.^
I cannot determine on forming the two additional
Companies to Y? Regmt, till I see how many Men
will be rais'd, as I have some Doubt on the Mode
prescribed for raising them, that I shall be glad if
they am? sufficient to compleat the eight Companies
now in the Country — Or do I think of the three
Compa? of Rangers till that is finish 'd as I tho? it
wou'd interfere with the Draughts.
1 Captain Robert Spotswood, sent out in command of a scouting party early in
June, was killed by the Indians.

Letters to Washington 113
I must now leave off wishing to hear a good Ace?
of Your troublesome Neighbours
I rem* with Respect —
Sir 
Your hbie Servant RobT Dinwiddie
P. S. Paid the Express 5;^

FROM JOHN KIRKPATRICK, ESQ.
Dear Sir
I share in the anxiety and concern that you must
undoubtedly undergo in the present melancholy pro
spect and very warmly wish a happy issue — Shou'd
my service be requisite in any shape at this juncture,
I shall be glad to know it, and will immediately obey
with the greatest chearfulness in whatever you are
pleased to command.
This County sends 120 Men to your assistance,
tho' experience gives but little hopes of the service
to be expected from undisciplined Militia — How
infatuate are our Assemblys ! heedless to the reports
of Danger, and indifferent in their Measures for the
General safety — otherwise, the spring woud not
have passed idly over without a single step taken to
augment your Regiment. — The case in short is, we
pay more regard to the Welfare of our Nighbours,
own
and look upon our^situation as quite Secure — a
Benevolent Disposition indeed ! —
Yesterday Col? Fairfax gave me a Letter from
Captain Mercer of 29* May from York — in which
VOL. n

114 Letters to Washington
he writes me the Method he has taken to reimburse
Captain Cock's money, as you may observe on the
other side — which method I am certain won't be
agreable to said Cock —
I imagine M? Boyd is sometime since, gone to
Williamsbg shoud I not receive your orders to go
up before his return, — I design to take the pleasure
of waiting upon You then —
The new regulations, to be made in Your Com
mand, may probably afford an opportunity of con
tinuing Your kindness and good offices, which I have
so often received — and for which I shall allways
gratefully acknowledge myself —
Dear Sir
Your Most Obed? & much Obliged
Hum Servant
Alexandria I g* June 1757 JN- KIRKPATRICK
be
Cap* Cock's ;^25o — thus to. accounted for.
Acco'." settled with the Committee (tho'
not paid) w? Yours, f rece'.^ . . . ^62 - 9 - 4.
Acco'.= ditto, f Cap? Mercer as ¥ Cer-
tificate inclosed  164 - i - 5.
Cash. — Sent by Cap? Mercer to Cap?
Cocks . . . buying a horse . . . 2 
Cash, sent to J. K. f Col? Fair
fax .. . Ball!!  21 -10- 3.

;^250-I--

1 John Kirkpatrick, Washington's secretary, as we know from the latter's own
words, was a young man bred to business, of good character, well recommended, and a
person of whose abilities Washington had not the least doubt.

Letters to Washington 115

FROM JOHN BAYLOR,^ ESQ.
New Market 20th June 1757
Dear Sir
Y*? of y? ioth. I rec'd & have by the Bearer sent
y? Mare which I make not the least Doubt of being
in Foal & you are kindly welcome to send a couple
of Mares yearly to my Horses. When we come to
recounting Favours I find my self so largely y'. Debtor
that I shall allways insist on y? Commanding with
Freedom any & every thing wherein I can be service
able. Sorry I am for the unhappy Fall of y? poor
est or least of our back inhabitants. I wish it were
in my Power to prevent it. The tenderness of my
Understanders render me incapable of Atchev" in
that Part of the World Could we get a peacable
or even Forcible Possession of that fine Country
lying between the Mississippi & Ohio I had rather
live there than any Part of America & more so after
a late Confab. ' with Capt. Gist. I wish my good
Friends Capt. Spotswood & Lieut. Baker may not
have ventured too far with so small Partys but as
the brave Harry y? 5* told his soldiers that Victory
was not so much owing to Numbers as to the Con
duct & Courage at the remarkable Battle of Agin-
court so I make no doubt but these Gentlemen of
whom I have an extry. esteem will render a good
account of their Behaviour. If ever an Oppy. offers
pray remember my little Friend Capt. Woodford.
1 Father of Major George Baylor, aid to Washington at the battle of Trenton,
alleged possessor of MS. of the letters of Junius. See Mr. Brock's biographical sketch
of Colonel Baylor in the Dinwiddie Papers, vol. ii. p. 103.

ii6 Letters to Washington
And that you may always succeed in all y^ Under
takings will be ever the most joyful news to
Dear Col? y? most Obed? Hb! Ser?
& sincere well wisher J. Baylor

FROM COLONEL JOHN STANWIX.
Camp near Carlisle June 22* 1757
two OClock —
Sir I wrote you a letter this morning about 6 O'Clock
since which I have the Favour of your's of the 20'!'
with the Excommunication ^ of the French Officer
your Prisoner for which I [am] extreamly obliged to
you, shall only add to what I say'd in the morning
that I highly approve of the Council of War you
held and think your Fort Loudoun the properest
place to make a Stand for which reason it was there
I intend'd to joyn you with six hund' men, had Fort
Cumberland been taken which by the notion I have
of the place is in no sort tenable against such an
attack as we were made to believe was in agitation
against it, I confess my self a very great stranger to
Indian affairs yet can not help thinking but that
these Cherokees are well worth encouragm? I am
made to believe that Fort Augusta is to be attack'd
but should think these works in some forwardness,
must leave to a little time to discover to us what the
Enemy realy intend to do, this province will main-
1 The result of the o£Scial examination of the prisoner, forwarded to Colonel Stan
wix by Washington.

Letters to Washington 117
tain a French Army well, but where they can have
Armys for all places I can't divine, beg you will be
lieve that I am with great truth
D' Sir Your most
obed? humble Serv' John Stanwix

FROM COLONEL JOHN STANWIX.
Camp near Carlisle, 22"" June 1757
D"^ Sir
had I not had a letter last night from Capt. Dag-
of
worthy^ Fort Cumberlands being safe and the intelli
gence of Artillery, Waggons &c &c &c being a Mis
take, should have march'd this morning every thing
being ready, but was stop'd some days for want of
Carriages, and it will be always the Case here in this
deserted Country as I shall ever be obliged to Carry
my Provisions tent Amm° &c so that at least forty
Waggons will be necessary, which at soonest will
require eight or ten days to Collect.
Capt. Beall writes as follows. " as the Virginia
Militia will be in motion for the Defence of his Ma
jestys Fort & Stores at Winchester perhaps Col?
Washington can spare some men to reinforce Fort
Cumberland till we see the Event of this invasion,"
— this I send you only as hint but at this distance
can give you no order, but must leave it to you to do
and act the best you can for the publick service, —
I have intelligence from Col : Weiser that the French
Indians are Clearing a Road within ten Miles of

II 8 Letters to Washington
Shamokin near Fort Augusta and are morrally sure
by Indian intelligence that of that Fortress being
Attack'd by which we may learn the French are
buise [busy] everywhere, which they will continue
to be 'till Lord Loudoun begins the Execution of his
great plan of Opperation, on the Success of which
the very being of this Country and that of England
depends, God send him that success which I think
his great attention to the publick service & his great
knowledge in Military affairs deserve believe me
D? Sir your most
obed? humble Serv?
John Stanwix
got all the Ammunition you sent by my Waggons
from Lancaster & on taking an ace? of the number
of Barrells of powder they amount'd to one hundred
and One —

FROM GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.
Williamsburg June 24^ 1757
Sir I cou'd not answer Y? Letters till now — I have
wrote to M? Atkins about the Indians, & he must
know better than I can how to manage them. — Cap?
, Pearis having excepted a Com? from Gov? Sharpe,
forfeits any expectat? from this Colony, his Conduct
has been bad, so I think it's a good ridance of him.
As to the Bat-Men, I presume my Lord overlook'd
that Article, but on a Return from me he will be
more particular ; the Country's at a monstrous
Charge, therefore as formerly there are only two

Letters to Washington 119
Bat-Men to be allow'd to a Comp'? & this is agree
able to the Regulation in the Regulars, as C? Stan
wix can inform You. — Cap? Woodward will remain
a short Time at Fort Loudoun till You are inform'd
of the Designs of the Enemy.
with ammunition
If the supply? the poor Country People^will be
of any Advantage to the Country, it's left with You
to do it with Frugality & to proper Objects. — Yf
removing C? Stewart's Comp? from Maidstone, for
the Reasons assign 'd I approve of it. — The 1 1
Deserters in Confinement, some of the Ringleaders
shou'd undergo Corporal Punishment ; or on con
fessing their Fault, & Promises of good Behavior for
the Future, a proper Reproof at the Head of -the
Reg"' may do, but in this You must act as You
think fit.
Col? Stanwix being appointed Comdr in Chief,
You must submit to his Orders without regard to
any You may have rec"! from me, he being near the
Place, can direct Affairs better than I can. Maj?
Lewis has been very unlucky in all his Expeditions
I do not imi [mutilated] to Mismanagem? as the Ind?
cou'd not be [mutilated] take Provisions sufficient.^ —
I wish we [mutilated] good Acc? of Capt. Spotswood.
[mutilated] blameable [mutilated] of the Reg [mutilated]
the Indians [mutilated] contrary [mutilated] not bringing
the officers appoint'd for S? Carolina ; if the King's
Ship & Transports had not been ready to sail I
shou'd have order'd the others down
1 Major Lewis had gone out in command of a scouting party of Cherokee Indians,
but, having been unable to prevail upon them to take more than eight days' provisions,
had been obliged to return without accomplishing anything.

I20 Letters to Washington
If any of the Dutch Blankets remain & not wanted
for the Indians I have no objection to their being
replac'd in the room of those made use of.
The Provisions deliver'd to C? Dagworthy at F?
Cumbid sh^ by Agreem? with G? Sharpe be replac'd
at Fort Loudoun in the different Species deliver'd ;
the Beef prov? bad shou'd have been objected to
before C? Dagworthy gave his Receipt, & not to be
condemn'd as useless, partially by their own Officers,
I wrote M? Sharpe agreeable thereto ; & he wrote
Doct? Ross^ their Commissary was to settle the
Affair with You, but I cannot see how it's to be set
tled but by supplying the different Species at Fort
Loudoun, or Money to purchase the Quantity.
I do not think of the additional Compa? till You
compleat the eight Compa? now in the Country. —
Also the Settlement of Y? Bro'.^ Estate ; Y? absence
on that Acc? from F? Loudoun must be suspended
till our Affairs give a better Prospect.
I have Y? Roll of the Subaltern Officers, & Shall
find You some Blank Comis? to be fill'd up. As to
the Resignat" of Williams & Dean, I hope their
Places may be supplied by Persons of equal Merit —
I agree that the Cap?s accepts of Lieut? Commissions
shou'd have Rank prior to other Lieu'I Serj? Hughes
on Your Recomendatn & C? Stewart's has a Com? for
Adjutant to the RegiiiE — There has yet no Clergy
Man offer'd to be Chaplain, & if not one of good
Character, better have, [mutilated] re so as the Regmt
is to be divided agreeable to [mutilated] Disposition.
[mutilated] already wrote You to [mutilated] Officers to
1 Doctor David Ross, of Bladenburg, Md.

Letters to Washington 121
[mutilated] tO receive [mutilated]
to be [entirely mutilated]
Discipline of the others without any Restriction —
I do not think of the Rangers till Y? Regmt is
compleated ; I propose the Rangers up Y? way to be
under Y? direction, & those in Augusta under the
Comdg Officer there. I observe the Return of Y? Men
in May is 432 & the i6'? June 384 the Deficiency
You can best explain.
I wrote You by the Express an Answer to the
melancholy Acc? of the Motions of the Enemy from
Fort Du Quesne ; & am in Pain to know their Num
bers & progress. I dread the first Acc? will be their
taking Fort Cumbid but hope Y? Men with the Mili
tia will secure Fort Loudoun — By return of the
Bearer (who goes to conduct the Cherokees to Win
chester) I expect as full Acc? as You can give, where
Col? Stanwix is, & his Motions on the Acc? of the
Fr. &c. I remain Sir 
Your most hble Servant
RobT Dinwiddie
Inclos'd You have M?
Hughes' Coml

FROM WILLIAM FAIRFAX, ESQ.
Dear Sir
I have receiv'd y? Favour by Dan! Jenings,* and
am pleasd that the Enemy have not made any nearer
I Intended probably for Jenkins.

122 Letters to Washington
Approaches with a considerable Body, so as to re
quire a further Re inforcement of our Militia, espe
cially as the Detachment sent You proves difficult
for Your Supplying Them w"" the necessary Provi
sions &c which We could not procure & accomadate
them With at the Several Distances They were
drafted from, and Surely as our Detachment is on
the Country's Service, they are to be victualled as
such. And it would be an extraordinary Charge
for each County to Send a Commissary, therefore
Suppose the Account for victualling will be readily
allowed You — As to the Skulking Party that has
infested the Neighbourhood about Maidstone, they
may be thought as heretofore to be but a few and
Such as Capt Gist if He had continued in Command
woud probably very soon have disperst. If the
Gov? Orders should come to march one third of our
Militia, as You now don't want that Number I can
easily answer. But other Countys not knowing that
You don't at present want more may send You a
Number disagreeable as They will all want Provi
sions &c I am glad L? Baker had good Success, and
yet hope Capt? Spotswood & his Comp': may be forct
to hide Themselves for some Days & happily re
turn — Outasite &c will be a great Scourge to the
prouling Enemy. You will please to order the Cap
tains Minor & Fairfax to keep exact Muster Roll
For my examining and passing to entitle Them for
Payment &c. I expected a Letter from Bryan &c.
The Family here salute You in the kindest Manner

Letters to Washington 123
and wish You every Felicity which I Witness as
Dear S? Y? very affect? & assurd
Friend & Serv?

26. June 1757.
W. Fairfax.

FROM GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.
Williamsburg Jime 27^ 1757
Sir I red Y^ of the 21?' f Jenkins — I am glad the
first Intelligence of the French & Indians formidable
March with Artillery, Waggons &c proves false, —
that they will continue to send scouting Parties to
harrass these Colonies, I always expected, & probably
they may now increase their Numbers to make a
strong Push ; but still as it's Indian News, who can
not count Numbers, I woud gladly hope they are
not so formidable as represented; however I think
it prudent that You keep of Frederick, Fairfax &
Prince W!l one hundred of each till the Draught
arrive at Winchester, I suppose many of them are
now at Fredricksburg where I hope You have sent
Officers to receive them.
The French Officer's Information, who is Prisoner
with You, may partly be true in regard to the
Strength at Fort Du Quesne; but I cannot think
they will send any Forces from Montreal, as it's nat
ural to think they will keep all the Forces they can
to the N?ward to oppose L"! Loudoun's Operations ;
or can any Number of Cherokees or Creeks come to
their Assistance ; all the Cherokees have declar'd for

124 Letters to Washington
us, & taken up the Hatchet, except the Town of
Tellico, in the upper Cherokee Country ; & from S?
Carolina it's reported the Creeks declare themselves
our Friends.
The Indians who harrass our Frontiers are partly
some of those that formerly did so, as the 48 Indians
that parted with them the Day before they were at
tack'd, as reported were Shawnesse; & no doubt
they have many of the Western Indians. I hope
the Acc? of their Cannon is true.
Or can I believe the arrival of 3000 Soldiers at
Montreal, we shou'd have had an Acc? from Home
if any such Embarkation was made. —
I approve of Y? Orders to Maj? Lewis, & I hope
You will not have occasion to evacuate those Forts,
tho' on the first Intelligence sent here of the De
signs of the French, with Artillery &c the Council
advis'd the evacuating those Forts to reinforce Fort
Loudoun.^ You wrote to C? Stanwix which Letter he an-
swer'd, but did not that Part relating to the Small
Arms ; I think You shou'd have communicated to
me the Contents of that Letter, for I do not know
where He & his Forces are.
I have Reason to think most of the Draughts will
be at Fredrickbg this Week, & I doubt not You have

1 " In consequence of the first intelligence which I received from Fort Cumberland,
and the result of the Council of War held on that occasion : I gave Major Lewis (who
at present commands at the South Branch) orders to give all the country-people
warning of the danger with which they were threat'ned ; and that he, and the troops
under his command, shou'd hold themselves in readiness to retreat hither, in case it
shou'd prove expedient ; but not to evacuate the Forts on the Branch, until he shou'd
have certain accounts of the enemy's intentions against that Quarter." — Washington
to Dinwiddie, June 21, r757.

Letters to Washington 125
sent Officers to receive them; & as I order'd the
Militia of several other Counties to Your Assistance,
You are to order them to return Home excepting
those three Counties above.
No News from Britain, & I am quite in the Dark
as to L^ Loudouns Motions, not having any Letter
these two Months. — The Treasurer this Day sends
to Fredricksburg Money to pay the Volunteers &
Draughts their enlisting Money, who are to be in
corporated with the Regmt. I much want to know
C? Stanwix's Opinion & his Disposition of the
Troops on this late Information of the Enemy's Mo
tions. My Respects to M? Atkin, I cannot write him
now, I remain Sir 
Your most hble Servant
RobT Dinwiddie

FROM ARCHIBALD CARY, ESQ.^
Chesterf" June 28-1757
Dear Sir,
By Cap? Bell I receiv'd yours and am Greatly
Oblig'd to you, for your Good Intentions to Serve
him, and must believe that the hopes the Gov? has
Given him is due to you.
1 Colonel Archibald Cary, of " Ampthill," Chesterfield County, was the son of
Henry, grandson of Henry, and great-grandson of Miles Cary, who settled in Virginia,
1640-46, and died in 1667. Colonel Cary (who was an influential member of the As
sembly of that Colony in 1768, and prominent during the Revolutionary period) mar
ried Mary, daughter of Richard Randolph. One of his daughters married Thomas
Mann Randolph, and another Carter Page, Colonel Cary died in 1787.

126 Letters to Washington
Notwithstanding I hold no Military Comm? I
thought it my Duty to do all I Could to raise the
Men due from our County for the present Service
and I judg'd those most proper who would Volun-
taryly Inlist, I Apply'd to the Bearer Drury Pucket
a person who was last Year in the Service (& as I
have been Inform'd behav'd well) he is a Person of
Good report here and has been Extremely Active on
this Occasion, he has desired me to Mention so much
to you, and if he should Continue to behave Well &
should deserve to be Taken Notice of A Serj*? Post
is the Most of his Ambition at present ; I hope you
will Excuse this freedom
We are here a little uneasy on a report of an
Army of French Marching Your Way if it should
be so, I hope it will Give you an Opportunity of
Gaining Fresh Laurels And I do Assure you no
Main more Wishes to See You Crown'd with them
than Your Most Obed? Humble Serv?
Arch? Cary
P. S. M? Cary & Miss Randolph joyn in Wishing
you that Sort of Glory which will most Endear you
to the Fair Sex, AC

FROM THE HONORABLE MR. SPEAKER ROBINSON.
Dear Sir/
I wrote you last by M? Boyd by whom I sent Ten
thousand Pounds, Six thousand for the Arrears due
to the Regm? and Four thousand for Provisions &c.

Letters to Washington 127

and Two Days ago I reed an Order from the Gov? to
send up to the Officers, appointed to receive the
drafted and enlisted men, Two Thousand Pounds to
pay the Men the Reward given them by the Act, and
I have embraced the Opportunity by the Capt that
goes with our drafted men to Fredricksburgh to
send the Money to be delivered to one of the Officers
there appointed to receive the Men, to be by him
delivered to You, I have paid Eleven of our Men
who enlisted voluntary, a List of whose names I
have sent to be given to the Officer that they mayn't
demand again, and there are only five that are drafted
and who are to receive their Reward from You. I
flatter myself the Conduct of our County in this
Affair will meet with Approbation, as we have sent
our full Compliment, and most of them likely young
fellows I wish every other County may do as well,
whereby you may be enabled to make some defence
against our numerous and vigilant Enemy, of whose
Motions and destination we are impatient to hear.
And of the Fate of poor Spotswood, who is much
lamented among us. In your last letter you hinted
something of Capt Mercer's being indebted to the
Country but as you did not speak out or let me
know on what Acc? it is I can't tell how to Act,
the Com to has settled his Acc'.^ and there is due to
him about 160. — which I shall retain in my hands
till I hear further from You ^ I sincerely wish you
1 " The matter which I hinted to you about Mercer, is since cleared up." — Wash
ington to Speaker Robinson, July lo, 1757.

128 Letters to Washington
all the happiness you can desire & I am with the
greatest Truth Dear Sir
Your Affect? Friend
John Robinson
June 29, 1757.

1757 A Return of Provisions &'c for the Cherokee In-
June dians comanded by the Young Warrior under my
m th conductment from Winchester in Frederick County
9 & 10 to Wassers [ Vass''\ Fort on Ronoke 
From Cap? John Fienk. 2 pigs 40'^= Bread \ ^ „ , „
14 Q'.» Beer & 2 Q'.» LiqO ^ ^ "'
Abraham Miller Bread & Meat . . " i " 4.
II*? Reiley Moore 1574 '?» Bacon 21 '?»)
Bread 4 Q'.' Corn V "11" 47.
I '.? Butter I Q? Liq^ )
John Magil To Butter-Cheese &
Bread  "3. -
12'? Valentine Sevier i Sheep 24 '?'
Bread i Gall. Corn  " 10 " 6.
13'? John Stenson i Calf 15 '?' Bread
17 '?' Butter Corn & Hay. . . -" 8" 9.
15 & 16 William Long for 6 In- ") „
dians w".'' went before J
for Provisions for the ) „
Indians with me . f
12 V2 Gall Beer 1474) „
Rum 72 Grain 7e . P ^ "

4" _« _
17 James Cowin i Sheep 20 '?' Bread
I q? Liqf 8 q'.» Com  "9" u.
David Moore 6 '?" Bacon 12 '?"
Bread i '? Butter 6 q'.= Corn . . - " 4" 5.
18 Isaac Taylor i Sheep 10 '?' Bread
2 q'.' Liqr 12 q'.' Corn .... -"i2"ii.-

Letters to Washington

129

19

20

21

22

24

'A

James Simpson 2 1*" Butter 10'^=
Bread 3 Gall Milk 6 q*.» Corn . .
Cap? Jn° M'rField 20 '*' Bread 20 '?»
Bacon Past' & Corn 
John Meals 50 '*° Bread 20 '?• Ba-)
con 2 1*' Butter 2 q'.» Liq^ 3 Gall [¦
Milk 72 Bush? Com . . . . )
Edw2 M°Daniel 20 '?» Bacon
Butter 8 q'.» Corn i q? Liq
Deer Skins . .
Joseph Love i Shoat 12 '?' Bread
Corn & Past? 
W? Grymes 2 '^' Butter & a pipe
Tomahawk 
Reced out of the Maga
zine at Wassers Fort
15074 '?" Beef 26972 •?¦
Flower 10 '?= Bacon i
Peck Corn 3 1?' Pow
der 372 1?" Lead 3 Q'.»
Salt 
Paid Rob? Reid for Sun
dries as '^ receits . .
D? to James Hughes
D? to Israel Christian .
D? to John Johnston

3"4-

-«ii" _

-"19" 2.

-"2"3. i"i"7.

-" I'i _

-"II

I " 19 " 10,

— " e " —

To Cap? Riddle for the Hire of his
Waggon I Day 
John Davis for 2 Horses - 1
Day 
John Stenson for 1 Horse
Press'd & Carried away by the
Indians the same being
Press* by Ordr of John Bu
chanan - Gent. & valued to .
for I Ditto w* Saddle &^
Bridle Press* as above >¦
& Valued to }
John David Wilper Serj?

8 "10" -.

6 "12" -.

130 Letters to Washington
from william fairfax, esq.
Dear S?
I am glad You had no repeated Advices of the
approaching Enemy w'^ has admitted the Discharge
of Captain Fx and Company of ill disciplin'd Militia
and generally compos'd of malevolent Persons. A
Proof of our inconsiderate Medley is given in our
not been able to send more than nine Persons from
this County to add to y? Regiment. I referr to Col?
Carlyle's giving You an Acc? how our odly mixt
Court had its Interruptions and Some Delinquents
escaped. And I much doubt whether the County's
below will have better Success — If Money had been
placed in every County a more likely Chance to
enlist Men. Every one that has Seen Fort Loudoun
Speak Well of it's Structure, Situation & Com
mander. I wish it was in my Power to give the
Workmen a suitable Encouragement. Your Care no
doubt is to compleat your Walls, Ramparts & Para
pets, to mount your Guns, Secure y? Gates and come
sudden
at Water against any .Approach of an Enemy. An
other Set of Workmen if You have them, can finish
Y?, the Officers Lodging & Barracks. I suppose
You do not much converse with M? Atkin as You
are silent about Him. The disbanding our Troops
of Horse Militia has put the Officers under Sus-
Officers
pence It can't be intended the late Horse. shall be
placd in the common Rank and how to be posted is
not exprest. Other Inconsistences might be men
tion'd, but suppose You have observd them. That
We have not yet heard of the expected Shipping &

Letters to Washington 131
Transports from England & Cork's Arrival is a
Matter of Wonder & Concern. No doubt L"? Lou
doun has many Uneasinesses on their Delay. Gen?
Webb, Col? Stanwix &c lamenting their Inaction
unless the March of the Enemy in Pensylvania cause
some of their Troops to watch & interrupt their
Motions. As Outasite is a noted Warrior, perhaps
he will undertake some notable Exploit to revenge
Cap? Spotswood if fallen.
For pticulars referr to Col? Carlyle.
The Family here together offer their affect Com-
pl'.' and Wishes that all your Desires may be fully
answer'd which I attest and confirm as
Dear S'
Y? very affect? Friend
and obed? W Serv?
W. Fairfax
Alexandria
I"? July 1757.

FROM captain JOHN HALL.
Nova Sco Halifax July 5'!' 1757
Sir/ I wrote you last from New York, & have now to
acquaint you Our fleet arriv'd at y? Place y* 30.
Ultimo, after a blustring passage of 9 days
Heaven propitious to our Designs, happily carr'?
the french Fleet under Marq. Beaufremont off this
Coast a very few days before, where he had been
cruising sometime with 2 Sail of the Line — had
they fell in with us, the Event wou'd have discon
certed all Measures for the ensuing Scene, & frus-

132 Letters to Washington
trated the grandest Design that ever was projected
in this Quarter,^ — Since we have been here, 11 of
the English Fleet with a 60 Gun Ship have drop'd
in, who seperated from the Whole in a Fog on the
Bank of Newfoundland — they have on board 11
Regiments, convoy'd by 15 Sail of the Line & 5
Frigates, under the command of Vice Admirl Hol-
bourn ^ evr'y moment we expect to see them in the
Offing, & immediately on their Arrival we proceed,
but God knows where, tho' generally supposed to be
against Louisbourgh — We are well assurd theres
21 or 22 french sail of the Line laying ready for us,
who bro over lately 12 french Regiments, & an
hourly Expectation of more, with the 3 Regiments
at y'= Place We shall have in all 20. 1 9 of w?** con
sisting of as many thousands they being all compleat
will embark on y? Expedition, & yet many are diffi
dent of our Success, for by so considerable an Arma
ment as the Enemy are said to have against us, they
are appris'd of our designs, & the Opposition will be
violent. Hitherto we have been crowned with Suc
cess, all Health & Spirits greatly elated at our good
Luck in escaping the French Fleet. — What but y"
Influence of Heaven cou'd induce Beaufremont after
he had cruised off this Place 6 Weeks, having known
of our Embarkation, & confident of our Weakness
to leave it 6 days before our Appearance, had he fell
in with us, not only the Loss of our Troops but the
taking of our General must have been the Conse-
1 Lord Loudoun's expedition against Louisburg.
2 Francis Holburne, Vice-Admiral of the Blue, who had s^ed from Cork in May
with a fleet of ships of war and transports intended for the reduction of Louisburg.
He reached Halifax July 9.

Letters to Washington 133

quence. — In all likelihood the Fate of America is
impending, & the Revolution of 6 Weeks will greatly
change the face of Affairs in regard to the british
Interest in America. — Heaven avert the worst ^ —
I send the List of our Squadron & the Regiments
on this Expedition,^ — if it gets to hand soon it will
be the more amusing. — I shall make it my business
at any time to transmit you, what I may think new
or agreeable, & I hope whilst you do me the honour
to receive them, you'l think I execute the Task with
great Pleasure —
here is all the Preparations you can conceive, such
a design can require, more than I can imagine &
much more than I can describe. — If I am well, I
shall write you from the next Place ye
Interim wishing you^greatest Felicity
I subscribe S? with
g. reg"! F.fft. ob? Jn? Hall

FROM GOVERNOR DENNY ^ TO COLONEL STANWIX.
Philadelphia 7*? July 1757.
Dear Sir
I acknowledge the Receit of your kind Letter of
the Twenty Eight of June with the Papers, which I
1 Captain Hall's gloomy forebodings were realized in the pestilence that subse
quently scourged the fleet, and m the violent storm on the night of September 4, which
drove many of the ships on shore and dismasted almost all. Governor Dinwiddie, in
his letter of November 24 to Colonel Bouquet, mentions having " news of the disaster
attending the Squadron under Admiral Houlboum in a violent storm, when the Til
bury a 6o-Gun ship and a sloop was lost."
2 See Wynne's History of the British Empire in America, vol. ii. p. 70.
8 Lieutenant-Governor of Pennsylvania from August, 1756, to October, 1759. This,
the original letter, evidently forwarded by Colonel Stanwix to Washington.

134 Letters to Washington
have copied and are all returned You. I am glad
the Affair does not turn out so bad as was expected,
tho' a great deal of Mischief may be done by such a
strong Party dividing itself into small ones, and mur
dering the Inhabitants — Woud but the People take
up Arms, and hunt the Indians as they are hunted
themselves, they might better protect their Wives,
Children and Plantations.
I think with M? Croghan that the Cherokees shoud
be well rewarded, and shall recommend it to the
Commissioners to furnish the necessary Presents.
I have this morning received a Letter, giving me
an Account, that Teedyuscung ^ is, arrived at Fort
Allen, and expects One Hundred Seneca Indians
there, to accompany him to the Treaty which is to
be held at Easton. I will not proceed to treat till
M? Croghan either comes to me, or I know he is at
Easton. It is left to him to take which Road he
pleases. Pray send an Express with my Letter to
him wherever he is. He can likewise assist the
Commissioners to provide things for the Cherokee
Present, which may be sent up to You, if You please
to take upon You the Trouble of employing some
proper Person to distribute them.
I very much approve of your burying the bad Pro-
I King Teedyscung, chief of the Delawares, whose behavior had already given
much concern. " The King and his wild Company were perpetually drunk, very much
on the gascoon, and at times abusive to the inhabitants, for they all spoke English
more or less. The King was full of himself, saying frequently, that which side soever
he took must stand, and the other fall ; repeating it with insolence, that he came from
the French, who had pressed him much to join them against the English, that now he
was in the middle between the French and EngUsh, quite disengaged from both sides
and whether he joined with the English or French he would publish it aloud to the
World that all nations might know it." — Diary of Major Parsons, Pennsylvania
Archives, vol. ii. p. 724.

Letters to Washington 135
visions, and ordering the Men to be supplied with
good, which I shall communicate to the Commis
sioners with your Remarks on the new Doctrine in
Service, in not trusting the Commander of a Bat
talion with a single Shilling of ready Money. The
Governor is upon the same Footing.
M? Peters sends You the Gazette, in which You
will see a Paragraph of the sailing of Admiral Hol
bourne with Fifteen Sail of the Line &c, of which I
give You Joy. Capt. Rankin is a Person of Charac
ter and may be depended on.
I am. Dear Sir, very sincerely
Your most obedient
humble servant
William Denny.
Pray make my compliments, and say something
for me to the Officers.
Please to forward the enclosed Letter to M? Atkin
at Winchester ; it comes from Sir William Johnson,
& contains Matters of Consequence. If he shoud
be gone. Col. Washington will send it after him
wherever he is.

FROM captain JOHN DAGWORTHY.
Fort Cumberland July lo'? 1757
Sir Yesterday in the Evening came to this Fort a
whiteman & a Negro, the whiteman have Examin'd
upon Oath which have Inclosed, and the Negro be-

136 Letters to Washington
ing separately Examin'd confirms w? the other Says,
I am Sir Your most Ob?
humble Serv?
Jn9 Dagworthy
Deposition of fohn Street.
Fort Cumberland July the 10" 1757.
The Deposition of John Street formerly a Drummer at Fort
Granville in Captain Ward's Company, taken before me one of
his Lordship's Justices for Frederick County in the Province of
Maryland, Deposeth and Saith that sometime In Last Harvest,
that Fort was Attack't in the Captain's Absence, and the Second
day Surrender'd thro the Cowardice of the Serjant, who Suc
ceeded in Command Lieutenant Armstrong he being kill'd in the
Engagement, that after they had Surrendered, this Deponant
with the rest of the Prisoners was Caryed to the Kittariing Town,
where they made no Stay but proceeded in a Battoe to Fort
Duquesne with Such Prisoners as was given to the Shawnees a
Dividend first being made, of all the Prisoners to the different
nations, who composed the Party that took the Fort, they made
but one Nights Stay at Fort Duquesne, then Proceeded to a
Small Town Two Miles below that Fort where he Continued till
the Spring, when he was Removed to Logg Town, where he Con
tinued till some time in May, when he went to Fort Du Quesne
to wait on an Indian Trader, and Continued with him near a
month and then came off for this place, and was Sixteen days
on his Journey here, during what time he saw no Signs of a Man
till he came to this Fort, This Deponant farther Saith that when
he came Last to Fort Du Quesne with the Trader, that Garrison
Consisted of Between three and Four Hundred P'rench and a
few Indians, that about three weeks Agoe they were Reinforced
by two hundred French from Massapipi with a great Quantity of
Provisions, what they brought in About Twelve Large Boates,
that there was great Rejoicing by firing Canon and Small Arms
at their Arrivall, that About Two Hundred men French and In
dians went out a few days after in Pursuit of our Scouting Partys

Letters to Washington 137
who had taken kill'd and taken three of their Ofiicers and three
Soldiers, but on hearing of two Squaws being Scalp'd near the
Garrison after they had Left it, they all Immediately Returned,
that Several Partys have since went out to these Frontiers, and
Particularly one to prevent this Garrison being Supply'd with
Provisions, which they understood was in great need of. That
Seven hundred Frenchmen was Waiting at a Fort on this Side
the Lakes for the Waters Rising, when they are to come down
to Fort Du Quesne, and from thence with a body of Indians to
attack this Fort, that the Officer who Commanded the Party
from the Massapipi is to Command on this Expedition, and that
the train of Artillery is to Consist of Six Canon two mortars &C
and farther saith not his
John X Street
Mark
¦ Taken before me the day and year above written Jn? Dagworthy

FROM COLONEL STANWIX.
Camp near Carlisle ii'? July 1757
Sir had I had any Oppertunity of returning an An
swer to the Favour of yours of the 24* of June
should have acknowledged it much sooner but would
not mis the Oppertunity of this Express to M? At
kins w?'' I send in the manner as Gover? Denny tells
me the letter is to him of moment from Sir William
Johnson and that if he has left your Country you
will know how to Forward it to him. I have had
sever? partys out Scouting on these Borders as far
as Raystown & so on over these North Mountains
nothing material, a few stragling Indians this week
who have shot on Women & Children but killed as

138 Letters to Washington
yet one Horse, Col : Wesser * tells me his is pesterd
with a good many more of them on their borders
from the Susquehanna & where a good deal of Mis
chief has been done but they should have there &
at Shemokin 600 Provincials at least or 800 as none
are yet gone to S. Carolina,
as to your Country Militia all I believe we are to
expect from them is their Guarding the Forts in
Case the Provincials march forward except they were
to go upon a Comand they liked this might carry
them out of their Country.
there is no doubt but Adl Holburn has joyn'd
Lord Loudoun before this off Hallifax we may soon
expect to here of something being attempted in the
North which at present takes up the whole attention
both of Europe & America, your willingness to allow
me to wait upon you w* the Troop, and your Com
mand is very Obliging, and no orders from me shall
move you from your present Station where you
had Instructions to remain, except the most Urgent
Necessity, my General Instructions are to remain
here where I am trying to throw up some useful
retrenchm*.' but shall think myself justified to march
when it appears to me that the publick service on
the back of any of these southern provinces may
want Assistance, I beg you will believe that I am
very truly D' Sir Your most
obed? humble Serv?
John Stanwix

1 Colonel Conrad Weisser?

Letters to Washington 139
FROM JOSEPH CHEW, ESQ.
New London 13'." July 1757
Dear Sir
My not answering my Friend's letters Punctually
is not owing to want of Respect or Regard but am
Often Prevented by Business, and the Cares of Life,
or some other Accidents for which I never fail to
Condemn myself and sue for Pardon as I now do to
you for not Answering your kind favor from Phil?
you Please me my dear Friend in what you say with
Regard to the Campain and your being employ'd.
the great have all there Reasons of state for what
vast be the Surprize
they doe, how much- must. those wonder who know
you and the scene you have been engaged in for
these several years to see you Continue unnoticed ;
when they that have only heard of your name think
it both Cruel and hard — you form a Very just and
true judgment of those in Places & Power Our
Country is our first Care and demands all our best
Endeavours but not the sacrificing ourselves with
out a Prospect of doing that or ourselves any Good —
I hope the Conclusion of the Summer may bring
forth something at Present Every thing looks dark
taken
& Gloomy. I find no fault with the measures^ and
the scripture forbids us to speak Evil of the Rulers
of the Land ; however I am Convinced and satisfied
if some of our Country men had been imploy'd and
those who had served with Credit & honnour been
Rewarded or Noticed it Could have been attended
with no 111 or bad Consequence —
it is now the middle of July no Certainty of any

140 Letters to Washington

Fleets arrival from England there is a Rumour they
have been Speak with by a Fisherman, but those
Gentry are seldom to be depended upon there is also
a Report that Lord Loudoun is Arrived at Halyfax
which I sincerely wish may be truth, it is out of Dis
pute that there is 8 sail of the Line in Louisbourgh
and our Acco'.' from Martinico as Late as June 12*
say Mons? Bourparr^ their Late General had taken
the Command of seven sail of the Line & three
Frigates with which it is strongly suspected he in
tended to sail for Louisbourgh if these two fleets or
squadrons joyn, I am much afraid the utmost of our
Expedition will be to secure Halyfax — I wish these
Reports may be groundless, that Admiral Holborn
may soon arrive and Lord Loudoun be able to Carry
his Plan into Execution with such success as will
may Reder [render] his name dear & Famous to
his Country and give Peace to us here in the Poor
miserable depress'd Colonys — I shall inclose you
a Boston Paper in this and Refer you to that for
further news —
as to the Latter part of your Letter what shall I
say, I often had the Pleasure of Breakfasting with
the Charming Polly,^ Roger Morris was there (dont
be startled) but not always, you know him he is a
Ladys man, always something to say, the Town
talk't of it as a sure & settled Affair. I can't say I
think so and that I much doubt it, but assure you
had Little Acquaintance with M? Morris and only
slightly hinted it to Miss Polly ; but how can you
1 Bompart.
1 Mary Philipse, who, as we remember, married this same Roger Morris.

Letters to Washington 141
be Excused to Continue so long at Phil^ I think I
should have made a kind of Flying march of it if
it had been only to have seen whether the Works
were sufficient to withstand a Vigorous Attack, you
a Soldier and a Lover, mind I have been arguing for
my own Interest now for had you taken this method
then I should have had the Pleasure of seeing you
— my Paper is almost full and I am Convinced you
will be heartily tyred in Reading it — however will
just add that I intend to set out tomorrow for New
York where I will not be wanting to let Miss Polly
know the sincere Regard you h a Friend of mine
has for her. and I am sure if she had my Eyes to
see thro she would Prefer him to all others my Re
spects to Capts. Mercer & Stewart, if my Brother is
in your way let him know I am well, now my Dear
Friend I wish you Eternall Happiness and Content
and assure you that I am with sincere Esteem
Your most Obed? Serv?
Jos Chew
The post brings an Acc? of the Arrival of the
Fleet from England for which the Lord be praised —

FROM GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.
Williamsburg July 13^ 1757
Sir I rec'? y"^ of 27* Ult! As to M? Gun, if he rejects
Lieut? Pay, I shall not give him more, & I hear he
is come down the Country.
I wrote You pretty fully by Jenkins to which be

142 Letters to Washington
refer'd. I now send You 400 Arms, which with
those You have will be sufiicient to Arm the
Draughts &c. they come in under the Care of Ser
jeant Fent, who appears to me to be a deserving
Young Man, I therefore desire You to give him an
Ensign's Commission. I now send You sixteen
Blank Comissiis to be fill'd up for Subalterns accord
ing to their merit, which You must be a better
Judge of than I. — As I have not a Return of the
Draughts from each County, I cannot tell their
Numbers, but hope they are at least sufficient to
compleat the eight Compa? remain? in the Country;
if enough for twelve Companies, that is, ten here
besides those gone to S° Carolina, write me, & Y?
Opinion who sh'? have Cap?^ Comiss?
And after You have compleated the Company to
100 Men each in Rank & file, I desire You to de
tach Sufficient to Augusta, agreeable to the Disposi
tion made by L? Loudoun ; but as I remember, You
tho? some other Places more proper (than were there
determin'd on) for covering that Frontier, I refer
that to You; & I think an Officer shou'd be sent
there to supervise the whole; if You think Maj?
Lewis a proper Person for that Service I agree to
it — And the Men remain? with You, You are to
dispose of them in the most eligible Method for
the Service & Protect! of the Inhabitants reserving
sufficient to finish Fort Loudoun.
I wonder You did not send me Copy of Col? Stan
wix's L? to You. — I acknowledge I am surpriz'd at
the long Time the Fort has been build? & hope You
will with all possible Dispatch complete it.

Letters to Washington 143
I hope before this You have all the Draughts at
Fort Loudoun, & put them in proper Order, after
which read the Articles of War at the head of each
Company — I observe what You write about the
Militia their refractory Temper & not coming up
properly provided according to Law which I shall
particularly notice when they come to be paid ; I
think You had 100 Militia from Prince W"?, but I
doubt not before this You have sent them all Home.
I approve of Y5 delivering some of the Ammuntii
to the poor Inhabitants, as I doubt not Y? frugality
on that Head — I read D? Ross's Letter in regard
to the Provisions delivered C? Dagworthy at F? Cum
bid I have wrote fully to Gov? Sharpe on that Head ;
there can be no Objection to their replacing the
other Species at F? Loudoun, that they do not find
Fault with, & that of the Beef to be adjusted after
wards which You are to insist on.
I believe the Treas? sent up 2000;^ to pay the
Draughts, as he had my Warrant for that Sum, wch
was suppos'd here to be sufficient. — I know not
what may be wanting to pay the Demands with You,
on that Head You should be more explicit — M?
Boyd had 6000 to pay the Arrears of the Regmt
which with 2000 formerly paid the two Compa? sent
to S? Car? I understood from him wou'd pay the
Arrears, & 4000 for Provisions, if deficient You sh"?
write how much, at same Time I think he had all
that was sign'd.
The Guns at C° Hunters cannot be paid at pre
sent, but 14 Great Guns mounted at Fort Loudoun
I think will make a good Defence. I have been

144 Letters to Washington
much fatigued in getting Goods for the Ind? wch I
now send with Inv° under Cover to M? Atkin ; if he
he is gone open the Letter ; & if he has appointed a
Deputy deliver them to him ; if M? Gist is the Per
son I think he must have Cap*? Pay ; but M? Atkin
wrote me he expected MaryH to contribute to the
Charge at Present &c. as it's hard on this CoHy to
be at the whole Expence — Whoever is left in trust
by him must be particularly careful in keeping an
exact Acc? to what Nat"? of Ind? & at what Time the
Goods are given to them — M? Atkin desired a Bi of
Powder & Some Lead — which You are to supply.
It is not tho? necessary to have a Comiss?' of Mus
ters, as the Pay M? must make a Return of the Men
as he pays them.
You see the great Confidence I place in You
which I hope You will discharge with Care & Pro
bity. — I remain Sir Your iibie Servant
RobT Dinwiddie

List of Officers in the Virg? Regmt ^
C? Hogg . . . Aug? 14'? I7SS C? Savage .
C? Mercer  15'." C? Bronaugh
C? Waggoner . . . .16 C? Mercer .
C? Stewart  18 C! Lewis .
C? Cocke  19 c; Woodward

2021222S

I Indorsed by Washington, " From Secretary Withers — List of oflScers — 11th lulv
1757." ^ '

Letters to Washington

145

C? Spotswood .

... 26

C? Harrison

... 27

C? Chf Lewis .

. ¦ . 30

C? Peachy . .

Sept; i»«

C? Bell . . .

. . . ^'?

C? McKenzie .

... 4

Ensigns
Buckner .... Aug. 18*
Poison  19
Dangerfield .... 20
Hubbard . . . ; . 21
Dean  22
Milner  23
Fleming  25
Price  26
Thompson  27
Stephans  28
Hedgman  29
Carter  3°
Smith . . . .Septr il'
Dekeyzer  2
Gordon  3
Weeden  4

L? MINeil Aug? I7SS . iS'?
L? Starke  19
L? BuUett  20
L? Stewart  21
L? Blagg  22
L? Fraizer  23
L? Eustace  25
L? Lomax  26
L? Steenburgen . . .27
L? Williams  28
L? Brokenburg .... 29
L? Campbell .... 30
L?Hall .... Septf i'?
L? Lowry  2*
L?King  3
L? Baker  4
May 26*1 1717
Ensigns Hubbard & Price
apptd \}1. but to rank
after Dangerfield &
Fleming —
This List is according to
the Old Regulae I know
not w? Alterations may
have been made since.
I am 
Your most hble
Servant
W^ Withers

FROM COLONEL STANWIX.
Camp near Carlisle 14* July 1757

Sir tho' it is very probable Captain Dagworthy has
sent you a Copy of a Deposi"? from John Street a

VOL. II

146 Letters to Washington
Drum? yet least this should not be so have inclosed
that which he sent me what Stress there is to be laid
on it I can not say, but by your Corp! give you the
trouble & if there should be any truth in it will put
us upon our Guard, tho' I rather think if the Enemy
are so strong as represent'd at Fort Duquesne & the
Lakes they would be more likely detacht to the
North where Lord Loudoun is trying to make the
Greatest Effort as I wrote You two days ago Shall
only add that I am Sir Your Most obed?
hum''}" Ser?
John Stanwix

FROM WILLIAM RAMSAY, ESQ.
Alexandria July 15th 1757 —
D^SiR I am favored with yours, M? Barnes Accepts your
proposals. M? Barnes did not doubt the goodness of
the Mine, but was rather too sanguine in his expec
tations from the prospect. As he was incumbred he
hop'd to raise three or four hundred pounds that
way, but was to return it if the Search shou'd not
answer, by the Sale of the whole Land, if not other
wise to be Accomplish'd.
I have engag'd you two Shares, M? Carlyle two,
wch are all that are to be dispos'd qf. I suppose you
will give M? Carlyle instructions with regard to your
Share, if I can be of any service you know you may
comm? me — A Gent" in Town Yesterday from the
head of the Bay says we may depend on the Fleets

Letters to Washington 147
being Arriv'd, if so, we may hope to have it con
firm 'd next post — There are already employ'd in the
Works 6 Men, two more I think will be enough to
carry on two Shafts at a time, & if Industrious, three
Months may determine our search, at most four. I
wish you great Success in this & all your other
enterprizes & am with regard D? S?
Your Aff?
HServ? W¥ Ramsay

FROM WILLIAM FAIRFAX, ESQ.
Belvoir, 17. July — 57.
Dear S?
I reed y? Favor by M? Kirkpat*? and sorry that our
Men have deserted in the great Number You men
tion, to Remedy Such an evil Tendency appears
improbable and whilst a branch of the Legislature
seems afraid to enact a more forcible Law, all Delin
quents will find an Asylum to skreen them — I am
glad You are in a near Prospect of making Fort
Loudoun defensible against an Enemy not very
numerous and assisted with battering Cannon. You
have or will be furnished with two good Mortars,
some Coehorn's and Granado Shells &c — I hope as
most necessary
If M? Atkyn continues to disoblige the Indians
thereby causing a general Dissatisfaction, I think
You should acquaint the Governor therewith, who
together with the Council may let him know their

148 Letters to Washington
Sentiments that if He perseveres in his uncomon
Manner they will represent the Facts to L"? Lou
doun who is to pay his Salary I suppose on his mer
iting it — I wish You may be able to form the Com
panys so as to admit your visiting Us ab? the first of
next M!
I have been lately advisd, that My Son William
Hy. was seen ab? a Week ago at M? Nicholas's, sup
posing He came in the late Ships from England.
He signified to Me that his Desires were to Serve
and act in the Military, of which I acquainted You
when You set off for Philadelphia — If therefore a
Lieut? Comission in yf Regiment be vacant. Please
to acquaint the Governor as I shall do as soon as
Billy comes up, for I would not have him loose much
Time in equipping himself for the laudable Under
taking. I persuade my Self Billy will be more Steady
than Bryan has prov'd, and give You more Pleasure
to encourage his Improvement in Military Skill —
I am glad Capt Gist is likely to be employed in
Indian Affairs to his Advantage. His Daughter
lives with Us and is kindly treated by M? Fx and
Miss Hannah — At o set ^
Billy this moment arrived, and I have acquainted
him with the foregoing Article relating to his being
Comissioned in our Regiment. He has brought
Letters of Recommendation to \J. Loudoun & Gen!
Abercrombie, but as it is obvious there are many
young Gent"? with L"? Loudoun serving as Volunteers
as Cadets which no doubt expect to be first Comis-
1 Identical with the original, meaning Sunset.

Letters to Washington 149
sion'd It may be a long Time before Billy may have
the Chance to be an Officer — The Letters to L"?
Loudoun & Gen' Abercrombie may be sent And I
shall request L"! Fx to joyn his kind Recommenda
tion of Billy to L'^ Loudoun. In the mean time Billy
can begin his first Rudiments under y? Discipline
and if L"? Loudoun sh"! favor him w* his Commands,
they can be attended. I hope We are not too late for
a Comission under You, w'*" please to make known
to the Gov? as I shall soon do. The best Wishes of
the Family attend You. Witness
Y? affect & obed? Serv* &c
W. Fairfax

FROM governor DINWIDDIE.
Williamsburg July 18'? 1757
Sir Your two Letters of 10* & 1 1'^ I rec"! by Jenkins
& observe their Contents — I wrote You the 1 3*
wch sent up by Serj? Fent — There will soon be
Publicat? for any Persons inclineable to contract for
Provisions for the Forces at Winchester, & those in
Augusta; they are to give in their Proposals in
Writing, & by this Method I hope they will be pro
perly supplied.
The Money remaining of the 2000;^ for Drafts may
be applied to Conting? Charges, the Acc'? to be kept
seperate — And this Day have sign'd a Warrant
for 1500 more paym? of Arrears due on Provisions,
which the Treasurer is to deliver to M? Walker —
that I expect will be sufficient to pay all Arrearages.

I50 Letters to Washington
— I do not understand the Demands of the People
for Ind? an Acc? of them sh"? be sent down here. —
Jenkins has rec"? ;^3i " . 3 " • 3 for the two Receipts
for Skins for the Ind? — & You are to continue
Jenkins in Pay he giving close attendance.
I sent You by Fent i6 blank Com? which I doubt
not You will fill up carefully & to those of most
Merit & Spirit. — Our Print? Office is so much
engaged in printing the Paper Money, that I cou'd
not get the Mutiny & Desertion Act in Print, but
You have a Copy of it atested by the Clerk of the
Assembly. The former Com? for holding Gen! Court
Martials wou'd have done, but in Case of its being
mislaid I send You a new one ; & six blank War
rants to be made use of as occasion may require.
It's too premature to appoint C? McNeill in the
room of C? Spotswood, as I hope we shall have some
good Acc? of him. You are to allow the two Officers
to resign on their Application, appoint? as good Men
in their room — When You have form'd Y? Compa^.
send me a Muster Roll of each Company seperate
with the Names of each private Man, Serj? Corporal
& Drums, sign'd by the Capt? & Subalterns. — The
Detachm? intended for Augusta will be supplied with
Provisions from Col° Clem? Read, Coty^ Lieu? of
Lunenberg, who will order them to the Place the
Forces may be destined to.
I am uneasy on reading the List of the Many
Deserters from the Drafts, I shall advise & publish
Advertisem*.' for apprehending them if possible, tho'
1 County.

Letters to Washington 151
they are too much countenanc'd & protected to the
Shame of the Country.
Col° Stanwix's Acc? I have perused, & must ob
serve thereon, that Your Allowance is much more
than there specified; & as the officers have very
great Pay, I adhere to my former Regulation as to
Bat Men, & that they appear in Rank & File ; —
You well know the Country has always paid the
Waggons, & Col"? Stephen employ'd no less than
nine Waggons to his two Companies — The Rations
mention'd by Col° Stanwix I conceive is in lieu of
Provisions, but if the Officers are supplied with Pro
visions these Rations are out of the Question.
The Information of Jn° Street I hope is sent Col!
Stanwix ; I cannot believe the Acc? of 700 French
Men from the Lakes to Fort Du Quesne, as its
natural to think they will collect all the Force they
can to form a strong Bddy to the N! w"? against Lord
Loudoun, but however its necessary to be greatly on
Your guard & look out. —
I shall be very glad to have a specifick Acc? of the
number of Drafts those that were paid the Bounty
Money & had their Regimentals before they deserted
— As I wrote You in my last about the Provisions
left at Fort Cumbid, You must settle it in the best
manner You can.
I hope I have omitted nothing essential, indeed I
am not in Health for writing long letters.
I wish You health & am
Sir 
Your hble Servant
RobT Dinwiddie.

152 Letters to Washington
FROM THE HONORABLE MR. SPEAKER ROBINSON.
W^BURGH July 18. I7S7
Dear Sir/
I reed your favour of the 10* Instant by Jenkins,
and am not a little concerned, that you should har-
least
hour the -test thought of my forgeting you, which if
I know myself is impossible for me to do, but shall
always with the greatest satisfaction remember -tfeat
I hav^e- the friendship which has and I flatter myself
will always subsist between us ^ —
I have procured a Copy of the Mutiny Act for
you and delivered it to the Gov? who will send it you
by Jenkins, by which you will see better than I can
inform you by Letter how you are to proceed, the
Gov? will also send you a Commission for the Trial
of Offenders, I am very sorry to find such a dastardly
spirit among our Drafts, & I think a speedy Example
should be made of some of them, that others may be
deterred from following their destructive Example.
As we could not tell what the Arrears for provi
sions amounted to the Gov? thought the ;^400o 
Sent by Boyd would be sufficient till the Acc'.' could
be sent, and he would now upon your Letter have
sent a further Sum, but it was not thought proper
to send so much by Jenkins, but he has given me a
Warrant for £\^(y:>, — payable to M? Walker, who I
expect to see this Week, when I shall pay it to him,
and I suppose he will go immediately up with it, the
Gov? will direct how the overplus of the ;^2ooo —
1 " I did indeed," Washington had written, " begin to think (tho' I cou'd scarcely
believe it) that you had quite forgotten me."

Letters to Washington 153

shall be applied. I have sent by Jenkins ^164. i. 5.
As to M? Carlyle you may pay him deducting only
the 25. I. — as there is little doubt of the Com allow
ing him the V4 of his former Acc'.' As the Gov? has
the sole disposal of Money that was last given for
the Support of the Regiment, the Directions and
Orders for cloathing must come from him and I am
afraid you will have some difficulty to persuade him
to let you reserve any Benefit from it.^
I am heartily concerned at the unhappy fate of
poor Spotswood as I am afraid there is little hope
of his being alive. We have no news here worth
writing, I am with the greatest truth
D? Sir
Your Sincere & Affec? Friend
John Robinson

FROM COLONEL STANWIX.
Camp near Carlisle July 18'? 1757
Dear Sir —
a Cherokee Indian is just arrived here & has put
the ten Indians waiting at this place for presents
from this Collony into very ill humour, by telling
them that their Brothers have been put into Prison
at Winchester,^ so that it [was] with the Greatest
1 « We are greatly distressed for want of arms for the Draughts. I have mentioned
this to the Governor ; but on this head, as on most others, he is silent." — Washington
to Treasurer Robinson.
2 Some Cherokees having come into Winchester and been unable to give a satis
factory account of themselves, Mr. Atkin had demanded their arrest as spies, notwith
standing Washington's representation of the consequences of such hostile action.
Some difficulty was experienced in persuading the rest of the Cherokees that it was a
mistake, and retaining the friendship of this important tribe.

154 Letters to Washington
difficulty I could prevail with them to stay till this
afternoon to take with them to our Fort Loudoun *
^400 worth of presents to be there distributed after
they joyn, but these Cherokees have insisted upon
Mr. Smith
their interpreter going off directly to you to know
the worst and have given them the strongest assur
ances (w"'' I am sure I could do with great safety)
that you will do them the greatest justice, and if any
mistake has happened that you will make them the
most ample satisfaction as M? Smith their interpreter
& the bearer of this is press'd much by the Indians to
set off it prevents my saying any more than that I am
with great truth
Sir Your most obed'
humble Serv'
John Stanwix

FROM WILLIAM FAIRFAX, ESQ.
Alexandria, 20^ July
Dear Sir
I reed y? Favor of the 1 7'? inst. this Day by your
Messenger. The Narrative of the Deposition recited, seems
to agree with what is contained in the Northern Pa
pers as to the Reinforcement of Men, Provisions,
&c. brought up the Mississippi, which together with
what 's imported to Louisburg and Quebeck the
French have found Time eno' to strengthen every
Fortress and Place We have been long Whispering
1 In Pennsylvania.

Letters to Washington 155
to attack, So that notwithstanding the Endeavors
of L"? L. to keep his intended Operations a Secret,
they are too well known or guest at in Europe —
I writ this Day by the Post to the Governor ac
quainting Him of my Son William Hy being now
with Me and desirous of a Lieut? Comission in y?
Regiment, being told of some Vacancys. I am un
willing to discourage so good a Disposition especially
as I find him capable of the highest Attainments,
And if He is favor'd With the desir'd Comission I
am persuaded He will do Credit to the Corps and
Merit your Friendly Countenance. He has made
a Beginning towards acquiring Some Knowledge
in the Theory of Fortification &c I shall be glad to
know y? Thoughts that I may equipp Him accord
ingly. Having a Report that some Indians have
been lately taken up and imprisond at Winchester
being more than Suspected as Spies I am Somewhat
doubtful of the Truth as You are Silent about it —
If any circumstantial Proof to corroberate what the
noted Warrior Jemmy Bullen Suggested, They de
serve to be punishd as Spies.
Col? Carlyle is as desirous as You can be to
have y? late Brother's Estate Settled to mutual Sat
isfaction. We all send our Friendly Greetings, and
I am D?S'
Y' very affect' & obed?
W. Fairfax

156 Letters to Washington

from edmund atkin, esq.
Sir When the 10 Indians were taken into Custody
yesterday was Se'ennight, you may remember I ex
pressed my Desire, that they might be treated in
point of Necessaries rather better than before, be
cause it was pretended that two of them were Chero
kees — On Saturday Morning being informed, that
the Prisoners made great Complaint for want of
fresh Meat and that Some of them had contracted
Fluxes by a Diet they had not been used to, I took
the Liberty to Send for the Provincial Commissary's
Clerk, & made an Inquiry from him about it. He
told me, "it was true they had before that time
had no fresh Meat ; that the Commissary was disap
pointed of Some Cattle he expected the Evening
before, which would certainly be here that Night;
and the Prisoners should have fresh Meat the next
Morning." I remember you told me Soon after my
first coming here, that the Indians in general might
have fresh Meat (of which they were desirous) as well
as Salt, it being all one to the Publick. On Sunday
afternoon D? Craick, who had been called in to the
Relief of the Sick Prisoners, told me, that they had
had no fresh Meat ; and that he thought it was abso
lutely necessary for them, being in a bad Condition.
And I desired, that he would require it.
This forenoon the Jailer was with me expressing
his Concern for the Resentment the Prisoners shewed
for their Treatment having had only about 4"" of
fresh Beef brought & dressed by the Cook (one of

Letters to Washington 157
your Soldiers) on Monday, and yesterday 4 or 5"^
(besides Bacon), among them all. Whereupon I sent
again for the Commissary's Clerk, who told me,
" that he delivered to the Cook for those Prisoners
35* of fresh Beef on Monday, & 18* yesterday be
sides the remainder of the Allowance in Bacon ; And
that he had not any fresh Meat to give them this
day, but proposed to send Bacon ; " which the Jailer
said, most of the Prisoners Stomachs Nauseate so
much, that they cannot Swallow it.
This gives me no Small Concern ; because if when
the Cherokee Chiefs now out at War come to Town,
it should appear that two of the Prisoners are Chero
kees for whom they shall think fit to interest them
selves ; and it should unluckily prove to be the Case
of either of those very Indians to die in the Prison,
I cannot answer what will be the consequence to his
Majestys service. My own Opinion is, that while
any fresh Meat is to be had, those Prisoners ought
not to go without it, whoever else do. I would rather
go without any myself, for one.
Had I any Authority over the Persons concerned
in this Affair I would certainly punish some Body
or other. As it is, I lay the Matter before you, not
in the least doubting that you will inquire further
into it, & do whatever shall appear to you to be right.
I am Sir Your Most Obed? Serv?
Edm? Atkin
Winchester 20 July 1757

158 Letters to Washington
P. S.
The Beer sent to the Prisoners was so bad, that
they could not drink it, and one of my Servants who
tasted it, said it was not fit to drink.
I think it very odd, that the getting fresh Provi
sion should be left till the Indians are waiting to
eat it.

FROM JOHN KIRKPATRICK, ESQ.
Alexandria 21*.* July 1757 —
Dear Sir
I am honor'd with yours of the 1 7'!" inclosing a list
of articles necessary for the Artillery — which can
not readily be procured here by what endeavours I
have yet had occasion to make — indeed some trifling
things may be had, viz? Sheepskins, Hair Cloths,
Old Junk, Sifters and some spirits of Wine — the
others will be difficult to meet with nigher than
Philadelphia — if there — the Match I believe is not
made in the Country — & had we Copper & tinn,
the Ladles & Measures might be made, as also the
Lanthorn — unless it is of a Particular kind — How
ever, no pains shall be spared to accomplish any part
of them — I shall be at Rock Creek in a day or two,
and will enquire if any of them are amongst the
Stores left in Col? Beales care — M' Carlyle tells me
The Magazine at Williamsburg is well Supply'd with
all or most of these things — from whence you may
be Compleatly furnish'd — but, on what Authority
he grounds his information, I cannot affirm —

Letters to Washington 159
You have, I dare say before now rece"? M' Ram
say's Letter in respect of your mining adventure, in
which I desired he might be explicit as you was
anxious to know the terms — He has procured You
two shares I think, the rest being taken up before —
I wish You great Success in it —
The Dangers that threaten"!. Fort Cumberland. I
observe, are not entirely blown over, — by severall
presumptive Circumstances we may imagine an At
tempt intended, and in Consequence of its weakness
will fall a Sacrifice — Then May we Listen for Mel
ancholy Accompts from every Quarter — Your Dis
appointment in the Augmentation of Your Regi
ment — the Fatigue, Uneasiness, and Dissatisfaction,
You daily encounter in every Branch of the Service
are Subject of Much regret — I sincerely wish You
every Happiness this Life can Afford, or the next
can Bestow, & am D? S?
Your Much Obliged Serv?
Jn? Kirkpatrick
P. S. I shall be glad all ways to be employed 1
in any thing You have occasion for, this way j

FROM THE REV. WILLIAM MELDRUM.^
26*1' July 1757
Sir/ When I did myself the pleasure to wait on you
this morning, I proposed being in Town sometime
1 Of the parish of Frederick in Frederick County.

i6o Letters to Washington
to-morrow Afternoon, with a view to assist all in my
power, those unhappy wretches under Sentence, in
preparing for Eternity. Something has happened
Since that obliges me to absent myself, and not to
attend agreeable to my then resolutions. If you are
desirous to know the motives that have induced me
to such a sudden (and seemingly inconsistent) change,
shall referr you to M' Thomson, who, I flatter myself,
will conceal no part of what I have already told him.
I am w*** unfeigned regard
Sir Your most affect &
most obed? Humble Serv?
Will: Meldrum

Proclamation of Governor Sharpe.
To all and Every of the Officers both Civil & Military
in Baltimore County
It having been represented to me by Ensign Fell that there are
many Deserters from the Virginia Regiment at this time har
boured & concealed by sundry of the Inhabitants of Your County,
and Colonel Washington having informed me that he has sent
Mr Fell to search for and apprehend such Deserters, I hereby
desire and require You to assist him to the utmost of Your Power
in the Execution of his Orders : & I recommend it to You in an
especial Manner to secure or have secured all Deserters that may
retire from His Majesty's Regular or the Provincial Forces to
Your County for Shelter & Protection.
Hor? Sharpe
Given at Annapolis
the 26" Day of July. 1757

Letters to Washington i6i

FROM GOVERNOR SHARPE.
Sir This serves to acknowledge the Receit of Your
Letter by M' Fell * & also to inclose You a Copy of
a Deposition that was made by a Sergeant who was
sent some time ago to apprehend the Deserters that
You say are harboured in Baltimore County. Could
M' Fell have named the Deserters I would have
desired One of the Provincial Magistrates to issue
a special Warrant for apprehending them, but as he
did not recollect their Names I could do no more
than give him a general Order directed to all the
Civil Officers in that part of the Country where the
Deserters are as it is supposed harboured, requir
ing them to assist him to the utmost of their Power
in the Execution of Your Orders. I think it is now
three Quarters of a Year since the Case of these
Deserters & the Conduct of Captain Gist while he
was recruiting here was represented to Me in such a
Light as inclined me to think that he had used some
Artifices that would on Examination be scarcely
thought justifiable, however I gave the Gentlemen
that addressed themselves to me on that Occasion
no other Answer than that if the Fellows would
enlist in the Royal American Regiment they would
not be called to Account for Leaving the Virginia
Service, which Assurance was I think given by Gov
ernor Dinwiddie in a Proclamation that was issued
about that time, but whether any of them did there
upon engage I know not, neither did I hear any
1 Ensign Robert FeU.
VOL. II

1 62 Letters to Washington
thing more of them untill April last when -the- Ser
geant Davis came to Baltimore & complained that a
Deserter which he had apprehended had been res
cued ; On Enquiry it appeared that instead of carry
ing his Prisoner before a Magistrate who would have
committed him, the Sergeant left him confined in
an upper Room of some Constable's House, whence
at the End of two Days he made his Escape thro a
Window. Understanding that the Deserters whom
the Sergeant was sent after were the persons in
whose behalf some Gentlemen of the County had
before made Application to me, I asked him several
Questions concerning them & received for Answer
what is contained in the Deposition above men
tioned. The Sergeant afterwards asked me whether
the four Men that he had enlisted could be punished
for Desertion & on my saying that if they or any
others had actually served the time for which they
engaged They ought not, he desired to know whether
he should then pursue his Orders & apprehend them,
to which I answered that it was certainly his Duty
to do so. From the Contents of the Paper that You
sent inclosed I presume that he afterwards carried
some of them before the Justices who signed that
paper & that they upon the Sergeant's or some other
Evidence thought proper to release them, but as I
never heard of that Transaction before, I cannot tell
what induced them to proceed in that manner, neither
can I conceive how they came to mention my Name
unless the Sergeant acquainted them with the An
swer that I had given him viz? " that if the Men had
served the Term for which they were enlisted they

Letters to Washington 163
ought not to be punished as Deserters. I shall write
to M? Boyce and desire to know what Men those
were that he & the other Justice discharged & what
Reasons moved them to do so, by the first Oppor
tunity of Conveyance that shall offer after I receive
it I shall communicate to You his Answer. With
great Regard I am Sir
Your most obed?
humb. Serv?
Hor? Sharpe
Annapolis
the 27"" of July 1757.

Deposition of Sergeant Davis.
Baltimore County ss/
On the 20"' Day of April 1757. Came Richard Davis Serjeant
in Captain Christopher Gist's Company in the Virginia Regiment
before Me the Subscriber One of His Lordship's Justices of the
Peace for the afd County of Baltimore Who being duly Sworn
on the Holy Evangels of Almighty God deposeth & saith that
on or about the fifth Day of February 1756 he was enUsted in
Baltimore County by the afd Captain Gist to serve his Majesty
in the Virginia Troops during the Space of Six Months from the
Day of Enlistment and no longer. That immediately after the
said Captain Gist made him this Deponent a Serjeant & gave
him Orders to enlist any of his Comrades or other good Men for
the same time. That in Obedience to such Orders He this De
ponent did soon after enlist into the afd Regiment a certain Wil
liam Stoxdale, Francis Brothers, Patrick Constantine, & Edward
Constantine, who then resided in the County afd, assuring all &
Each of them that They would not be required to serve longer
than Six Months, that soon afterwards the said Recruits were
marched to Winchester & joined the Regiment & continued to

164 Letters to Washington
serve therein as Soldiers for sometime ; but that they have now
left the said Regiment & declare that they will not return thereto
as they ought by their respective Agreements to have been regu
larly discharged at the End of Six Months
Buxton Gay

FROM WILLIAM RAMSAY, ESQ.
Alexandria July 30th 1757
D^SiR I wrote you in answer to both yours about the
Mines to wch referr. — I am now to address you on
a more interesting, but a more disagreeable Subject.
Know S? that I have been extreamly unfortunate
in all my affairs, wch has greatly embarrass'd me, in
Ord? to remedy wch, I have made Application to the
Monied ones — My L"! Fx, M? Speaker, M? Corbin,
M? Cary & many others with? success, wch I put to
the Acco? of my perverse fortune, not their want of
ability to serve me.
As I hope a share in your friendship, permit me
to request of you the loan of Two hundred or ;^25o
before or at Oct? Gen Court next, for wch you shall
be secur'd ; you will do a very singular service to me
with? prejudice I hope to your self, & also add to
the many obligations I am already under, from your
great inclination & desire to serve me, & tho hitherto
Yet
without succcess,. calls for mygratefuU acknowledge-
m'? ^ We may now depend on the Arrival of the
Fleet at Halifax. A report prevails with great proba
bility of truth that Prussia has taken Prague in wch
I Washington responded to this appeal (as is shown by his ledger for 1757) by
lending Mr. Ramsay £80 on August the 22d, and £70 on September the soth.

Letters to Washington 165
he found 250 p? of cannon & made Upw"!' of 12000
Fortune
Pris"? May^attend him & victory wait his Banners
'till he humble the proud & crush the ingratefuU &
that you may triumph over your Enimies & succeed
in all your enterprizes is the sincere wish of my
D' Sir Your very Afft
H Serv? W^ Ramsay

FROM COLONEL STANWIX.
Camp near Carlisle Aug" i'
I7S7
Dear Sir
in answer to the favour of yours of the 30"^ July
I am to say as to Indian affairs M' Atkins should
know better than I, but treating them with severity
& not being able to carry it thro' : would not do with
any other sort of People I had a long letter from
him upon this head am glad however at last all was
made up, have had a letter from the six chiefs them
selves who have assured me they are well satisfied.
tis more than a fortnight ago that I answered your
letter where you mention'd its being convenient to
your private affairs to attend them for a fortnight,
in w'=!' letter I express'd my Concern that you should
think such a thing necessary to mention to me as
I am sure you would not choose to be out of call
should the service require your immediate attend
ance, & hope you will always take the liberty upon
yourself which I hope you will now do as soon as

1 66 Letters to Washington
possible & have given your Drum' all dispatch
possible who am D' Sir Your most
Obed? & most humble Serv?
John Stanwix

FROM WILLIAM FAIRFAX, ESQ.
Alexandria, 6'.' Aug? 1757
Dear Sir
I had y? Favor of the 28'^ July by Tebe. My Writ
ing to You relating to the desir'd Comission for Billy
Fx was principally for You to acquaint the Governor
if any Vacancys, without the Knowledge of which his
Honor could not make out a Comission, and being
told there were Several Vacancys I did write to the
Governor for a Comission. As they are all fiUd up
Billy must wait. In the mean Time He is learning
the Manual Exercise and other Necessary Accom
plishments that He may appear with a good Face
when he is receiv'd into y? Regiment. If M? Milner
whom You mentiond, should quit the Field, Please
to inform the Governor and know his Pleasure
concerning Billy's Expectations — As L'? Loudoun
may at this Time be engagd in Action Somewhere,
So that Billy could not if attempted, easily follow
his Lordship, I have wrote to M' Comissary Pitcher,
desiring him to let his Lordship & Gen! Aber-
cromby know, Billy has Letters of Recommendation
but as its imagind there may be many Cadets un
provided for, Billy is aiming at making Some Be-

Letters to Washington 167
ginning in y? Regiment and continue till He has the
Honour of knowing his L'ps Pleasure.
If You had not been at Fort Loudoun when M?
Atkyn's imprudent Orders to imprison the Cherokees
were given And their forcible Delivery out of Goal,
no doubt but the Indians when inflam'd would have
made M? Atkyns their first Sacrifice and then judging
their si Fact beyond Repair might go on and slaugh
ter All they could overcome. I hope your Messenger
has got timely to prevent the Nation at their Homes
beginning Hostilitys, as it would take some Time
to collect their Warriors and form Resolutions after
the Arrival of the first Intelligence. Yt Brother w'!"
Col? G. Lee are here expecting to have met You,
but now imagine you don't think proper to leave
Fort Loudoun till You know the Disposition of the
absent Cherokees etc. If you dont come soon.
Please to favor me w'^ the Number of private Men
in y? Regiment and where garrisond, for my own
Notice — All here and at Belvoir offer their best
wishes And I remain Y? very affec? & obed? Serv?
W: Fairfax

FROM BEVERLY ROBINSON, ESQ.
New York 8" Aug! 1757
D? Sir/
The Inclosed Letters came to my hands Yester
day by a Vessel from Halifax, they will I suppose
give you all y° News from that Quarter. Except y°
arrival of y* Highlanders w"? has been since they

1 68 Letters to Washington
were wrote, all well, and in good Order Lord Lou
doun had not Left Halifax a fortnight ago
We are now under the greatest apprehensions for
fort W"?" Henry having Certain Acco'.' that it is Be-
seiged by a Large Body of french & Indians M'
MontCalm himself at y° head of them, a fryday Last
the Express came away from fort Edward & they
were then Very hotly Engaged — Gov? our Lieu?
Govenor went up Last week to forward y* Militia,
Gen! Johnson was gone up with two thousand Mili
tia & loo Indians, & y= Militia was going up from
the adjacent Counties, Col Young Command at W"
Henry he had Just got into that place with a Rein
forcement of looo men. We hope the Best —
I am Df Sir Yf HI Serv? Bev. Robinson

from joseph chew, esq.^
Dear Sir
you shall hear from me at Large Next Post this
being just going off I can only inclose you the
Papers & Pray tell my Brother I will Write him
under Cover to you next week, I arrived here a few
days agoe M'.^ Robinson & her Dear little Family
are well Miss Polly has had a pain in her Face but
is on the mend? hand. I pray Heaven to Protect
you and Assure that I am my Dear Sir
Your Obed Serv?
Jos Chew
1 This is written on the same sheet as the letter from Beverly Robinson, dated
August 8, 1757, to which it forms a postscript.

Letters to Washington 169
FROM GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.
Williamsburg Aug'.' S* 1757.
Sir, The Bearer hereof Sam. Akerling has desir'd me
Leave to go to see his Brothers near the Mononga-
helay proposing to give Security with you of his
return to be here in the Oct? Court; — as I am a
Stranger to the Evidence against him on Suspicion
of being a Spy, which he sincerely denies & begs to
be tried, but that cannot be 'till Oct? — wherefore I
refer him to You, & if You have any favourable Cir
cumstances in his Affair, I give You Leave to allow
him to go to his Brothers, giving Security for his
Return by the above Time ; and then the Evidence
against him must be collected & sent here.
I have several Letters from Augusta, Halifax &
Bedford, giving Acc? that the Enemy has murder'd
some of our poor People & taken 1 1 Captives, pray
ing my Assistance — I have order'd out some Com
panies but wrote them You was to send a Detach
ment from the Regmt, which I hope You have done,
if not, I desire You will imediately do it agreeable to
what was concerted at Philad!
I expected M? Atkin before this — we are informed
here that there has been a great Breach and Uneasi
ness among the Indians, from some of them being put
in Prison, but as I have no Particulars of that Affair,
I hope its without Foundation.
By Your long Silence it's to be expected You are
in great Peace & Quietness. I remain with Respect
Sir Your "o. hbie Servant
RobT Dinwiddie

170 Letters to Washington
FROM GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.
Williamsburg Aug. 13'? 1757.
Sir Your Letter of the 3I I rec"! from M? Boyd ^ — I
do not want the Vouchers from the People to whom
Money is due for the Ind? but surely You may get
the particular Sums to qualify me to grant a War
rant on the Treasurer ; by such a loose Method of
Writing, I know not whether they amount to loO;^
or one thousand
You will before this have some more Drafts from
Lunenburg, & some other Counties ; which I hope
will compleat Your eight Companies to one hundred
rank & file each ; & when they are properly regu
lated order each Cap? to send a Size Roll sign'd by
him & the Subalterns — The Cap'.' were fix'd by me
on Your Recomendation as I was a Stranger to the
Merit of any of them ; & I approve of Your filling
up the Commissions according to Seniority. I again
order Serj? Fent to have an Ensigns Com? which
I promised his Friends & if poor Cap? Spotswood
does not appear which I much doubt there will be a
Vacancy for M? Chew.
You have sent a Detachment from the Regiment
to Augusta, but You do not mention the Number ;
— or do You mention the Receipt of the Small
Arms sent from this ; or any Acc? of the Misundei^
standing with the Indians at Winchester ; You must
allow this is a loose way of Writing & it's Your Duty

1 Alexander Boyd, paymaster.

Letters to Washington 171
to be more particular to me — I shall be glad the
Affair of the Provisions at Fort Cumbid, may be
properly adjusted which You may be able to do on
return of the Officers sent there.
I approve of Your hanging the two Deserters, &
the other poor Fellows I leave their Punishment to
You, either by casting Lots one of them to suffer, or
if sincere Penitents & You think they will be good
Soldiers, You may pardon them, giving them a severe
Rebuke at the Head of the Regiment, which I leave
to You —
Mr Boyd has my Warrant for 5000^ which will
pay the Men till the last of this Month, & what may
remain may be applied to contingent Charges — I
hope Lewis will keep a proper Command in Augusta
to repell the Invasions of the Enemy; I am glad
they are gone from the S? Branch.
I desire You will give the Pay M? a small Escort
to Augusta Court House, where Maj? Lewis must
provide an Acc? of the Pay, due to the Men in that
Coty to be paid him ; — and those on the S? Branch
may be paid at Fort Loudoun, giving the Capt? notice
to send a small Detachment to receive their Money.
As for recruiting to compleat other two Com
panies, I really think there is no Probability of Suc
cess, from the dastardly Behavior of the People in
general, & will only be expending a great deal of the
Country's Money without doing any Service — give
me Your Opinion thereon. 1 remain with Respect
Sir
Your mo hble Servant
RobT Dinwiddie.

172 Letters to Washington
FROM JOSEPH CHEW, ESQ.
New York Aug'.' 15^ 1757
D^SiR This just serves to inform you that since my last
this Country has been in Continued AUarm and
hurry you will see by the inclosed that the French
have made themselves masters of Fort W° Henry
the Acc' I send you has the greatest Appearance of
truth, but there is as yet no Certainty what Terms
the Fort was surrender'd upon or who of that Garri
son are safe ^ I will write you again before I leave
New York and as soon as I can Come at the truth,
our friend Beverly is gone to Albany, Please to for
ward the inclosed to my Brother and Tbe Assured
that I am with the sincerest Love and Respect
Dear Sir
Your Obed? Affectionate
Jos Chew.
Inclosure in Letter from Joseph Chete, Esq.
On Wensday the 3? of Aug°.' the Enemy Set down before Fort
W? Henry with an Army, according to sundry Acco? from 9 to
12,000, men and train of 35 p° of Cannon & six Mortars and the
same day open'd the Trenches
The firing Continued with great Vigour & Resolution on both
sides untill Tuesday the 9'? during which time the beseiged had
several Cannon burst and some of their best Mortars and others
Render'd useless it is also said their Ammunition was nearly
Expended when they Surrendered the Fort on the Following
I Fort William Henry was situated on the southern coast of Lake George, with a
view to command that lake and protect the English colonies. The fort was garri
soned by about three thousand regulars. — Wynne's History of the British Empire
in America,

Letters to Washington 173
Terms That the Garrison and troops Should march off with all
arma
honours of war, with 4 Cannon and all their. Baggage &c and
should not be Molested but Escorted to Fort Edward — That
they should not serve in America for 18 months That after the
French had got Possession and the Garrison had Marched about
two Miles the Indians were let Loose amongst them who killed
and Cut numbers to Pieces and striped the others naked in which
Condition they were Coming into Fort Edward Gen? Webb, Lord
Howe, sr William Johnson & others were at Fort Edward and
notwithstanding all the Industry of them. Governor Delaney, M'
OUiver Delaney & others of great note and merit his whole force
last Thursday was scarcely 7,000 including the Raw Militia,
but great Numbers were dayly Joyning him and few days will
discover where monsT Montcalm will next bend his Course or
whether General Webb will be able to dislodge him from Fort
W? Henry —
our Fleet was in Halyfax Harbour the 38"} of July i" of august
when they will sail the Lord knows
New York August 15'? 1757

from captain george mercer.*
Dear Colonel
I wrote you Via Philadelphia a few Days after my
Arrival, but as We have certain Advice of that Ves
sel's calling in at Cape Francois, I set down to write
1 Son of Colonel John Mercer, of " Marlborough," bom June 23, 1733 ; educated at
College of William and Mary ; married in England, August 8, 1767, Mary, daughter of
Christopher Neville. Captain Mercer was wounded at the defeat of Braddock, where
he received praise for his bravery. In 1756, Washington appointed him his aidnle-
camp; in 1758, he served in the campaign under Forbes ; in I76t, was elected a member
of the House of Burgesses ; later, was sent to England as agent of the Ohio Company,
and returned as collector for the Crown under the Stamp Act ; declining to act, how
ever, he returned to England. In 1768, he came again to America as lieutenant-gov
ernor of North CaroUna. He held this office but a short time, and prior to the Revo
lution returned again to England, where he died in 1784.

174 Letters to Washington
you the same as near as I can guess, only adding the
News that We have had in the Interim
No Doubt youl expect a particular and authentic
Account of this Place and its Inhabitants — I shall
endeavor to satisfy you in both as far as my Know
ledge of Them & Capacity will admit — & to begin
I never, from Accounts, was so much disappointed
in my Expectations of both — The Town in the first
Place is little larger than W°?^ Burg no Buildings in
it to compare with our Public Ones there, far inferior
to Philadelphia N York, Boston or even New Port
itself. The Town is on a Point of Land between
two Rivers on the Bay there are some very good
Houses, & it is from thence it shows to the greatest
Advantage — The rest of the Town is indifferently
improved, many very bad low clapboard Houses
upon their Principal Streets which are in general
narrow & confined. The Inhabitants who you re
member were esteemed the politest genteelest Peo
ple on the Continent are egregiously misrepresented
— I believe tho they will mend for I find a consider
able Alteration since I first came here, but they never
will come up to the Character given Them. What
adds to make this Place at present disagreeable is
that most of the Gent of Note are out at their Indigo
Plantations, so that We have nothing left but a Set
of trading Ones, who esteem you for Nothing but
your Money, & who dont very genteely treat you for
that Youl be surprized I have not yet mentioned the
fair Ones I wish I could call Them so, I assure you
they are very far inferior to the Beauties of our own
Country, & as much on the Reserve as in any Place

Letters to Washington 175
I ever was, occasioned by the Multiplicity of Scandal
which prevails here ; for the chief of your Entertain
ment even in the best Houses & at the first Intro
duction is upon that agreeable Subject, then you
hear the Termagant the Inconstant, the Prude &
Coquette the fine Gent & the fine Lady laid off in
their most beautiful Colors, with their Observations
if they had so behaved (which you are sure to have
the Pleasure to hear at the next House you go to)
what they should think of Themselves in short two
Families here are sufficient to inform you of the
Character of every one in the Place. A great Im
perfection here too is the bad Shape of the Ladies,
many of Them are crooked & have a very bad Air &
not those enticing heaving throbbing alluring plump
Breasts comon with our Northern Belles — I am
afraid I have tired your Patience & doubt not but
you are as much surprized disappointed at reading
This, as I was of having an Opportunity of writing
it to you —
The many Favors my dear Colonel that I have
received at your Hands woud make Me blush at
begging an Addition to Them, did I not know your
Goodness in excusing such Freedom — I believe you
are very sensible of the Governors great Inclination
to deprive Me of any Thing that he genteely coud,
and I am certain that he woud be glad of an Oppor
tunity of putting any One over my Head, but I hope
S? you will be kind enough to see Me Justice done
in that Respect. You are the only Friend I have to
apply to at this Distance, & in whose Power it is to

176 Letters to Washington
assist Me. I rely solely upon your Goodness in Case
of a Vacancy, as it is now my Right, thro your
Friendship, to see Me preferred in Turn —
We have Advice here and it seems to be well at
tested that the Austrian Army met with a total De
feat. They had upwards of 7000 taken Prisoners
about 9000 killed in the Field took above 200 Pieces
of Cannon and all their Field Equipage fell into
the Hands of the Prussians, who imediately entered
Prague Sword & Hand, where they made Prisoners
& killed the greatest Part of the Austrian Army
who had taken Refuge there. You will I hope hear
it confirmed e'er you see this. No one doubts it
here —
I take the Liberty to mention the Inconvenience
which I see must necessarily arise if the Troops are
not properly clothed against next Year. They make a
very good Appearance here, and are much esteemed
for their orderly Behavior. They are extreamly well
satisfied at their present Situation, besides their usual
Allowance in Virg*. of i"' of Meat & Bread ? Day,
they get V2 p? of Rum i p? of Rice & p? Pease Pep
per Salt & Vinegar besides Greens of some Kind
every Day.
We have met with a Set of very genteel pretty
Officers here of the Royals Harmony & Unanimity
prevail greatly among Us — and their is no Demand
made for Necessaries for their own Troops in which
ours are not joined. We do Duty of all Kinds with
Them, & our Men are exercised in Battalion w'l*
theirs.

Letters to Washington 177
As I know the Major Tulliken^ is an Acquaintance
of yours I need not say any Thing in his Praise, as
every one who knows him, must imediately discover
the polite well bred Gent, as well as the good &
diligent Officer in Him — He is much esteemed
here by Civil & Military — Col? Bouquet I shou'd
have done Injustice to, to have omitted particularly
in my Letter. He is I believe well acquainted with
his Duty a good natured sensible Man, very obliging
to all under his Comand, and the only one of the
on
Foreigners I am told 4e- whom his Lordship much
depends. In short We are looked upon in quite
another Light by all the Officers than We were by
equally
Gen! Braddock or M? Orme and do our Duty .without
any Partiality or particular Notice taken of one more
than the other. I conceive great Hopes of our living
here vastly happy so soon as the chief Families of
this Place resume their Posts in Town, their Absence
now I assure you makes the Town very unsociable.
Nothing but the good Harmony that subsists among
ourselves woud make it tolerable.
It is a very odd Method of judging but however its
the Plan upon which most of the World goes, and
therefore to find ourselves judged for the Errors or
Imperfections of others is not very unaccountable —
but We have been told here by the Officers that
nothing ever gave them such Surprize as our Ap
pearance at entering Hampton for expecting to see
a Parcel of eagger disorderly Fellows headed by
Officers of their own Stamp (like the rest of the Pro-
1 Major John Tulliken.
VOL. II

178 Letters to Washington
vincials they had seen) behold they saw Men properly
disposed who made a good & soldierlike Appearance
and performed in every Particular as well as coud
be expected from any Troops with Officers whom
they found to be Gent, to see a Sash & Gorget
with a genteel Uniform, a Sword properly hung, a
Hat cocked, Persons capable of holding Conversation
where only comon Sense was requisite to continue
the Discourse, and a White Shirt, with any other
than a black Leather Stock, were Matters of great
Surprise and Admiration which engaged Them all
to dctorminG give Us a polite Invitation to spend the
Evening, & after to agree to keep Us Company
which they had determined before not to do — agree
able to what they had practised with the other Pro
vincial Troops. We have lost that comon Appella
tion of Provincials, & are known here by the Style &
Title of the Detachment of the Virg^ Regiment.
They have passed a Vote here for granting a Sum
for raising 700 Men subject to the Orders & Dis
posal of Lord Loudoun, have put them on the same
Establishment with our Troops, and have given your
old Acquaintance Howarth the Command of Them,
as Lieu? Col? & Commandant of the S? Carolina Pro
vincials. I fear they will be a long Time raising. I
dare venture to engage not before the Act expires
which is only for 1 2 months two of which are now
lapsed, & not one Man recruited, or a Comission
given out — strange Delay —
I cant tell what to expect on this Quarter this
Sumer whether Peace, or War — One Day they are
secure, the next alarmed by hearing of a large Em-

Letters to Washington 179
barkation of Troops for Cape Francois — We have
had an Account of 2 or 3 several Squadrons with
Troops on Board touching there, since We have
been at this Place. Tis known some of Them have
gone to the Mississippi — they are still under Appre
hensions but I think without a Cause.
Our latest News is of so long a Date that I im
agine it coud be none to you before this will come to
Hand. The Defeat of the Austrians is confirmed.
In Case of Col? Stephens Removal from this
Comand wch I believe he is tired of, I hope it will
be agreeable to you that I shoud succeed him.
Youl scarce believe that the Colonel never appears
here but in full dressed laced Suits — so great a
change has Carolina produced.
I hope dear Colonel youl favor Me with a Letter
now & then. I assure you nothing woud give Me
greater Pleasure than to hear frequently from you.
None of our Detachment has ever yet received a
Line or heard from Virginia —
If I remember well, I informed you before that
M? Stretch had promised to be particularly careful
of, & forward any Letters to or from Me. Philadel
phia too woud be a ready Conveyance for Letters
from your Quarter
Virginia has gained great Credit by sending Troops
here, tis more than any of the other Colonies or
Provinces have done; & I assure you our Men be
have extreamly well.
Three or four of our Serjeants will get Comissions
in the Charles Town Regiment.
I fear I have tired your Patience by this, therefore

i8o Letters to Washington
beg Leave to conclude & assure you that with great
Esteem and Respect I subscribe myself
D? Colonel
Your most obliged Friend
obedient humble Servant G. Mercer
Charles Town >
August 17"? 1757 >

FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ADAM STEPHEN.
Charlestown, S. Carolina Aug'.' 20*?
1757
Sir, I have the pleasure to inform you that the two
Companies of yoi^r Regiment under my Command
are well — They are well disciplined and have this
advantage of all other troops in America that they
know the parade as well as Prussians, and the fight
ing in a Close Country as well as Tartars.
We are all peace & Quietness on this Quarter,
But notwithstanding Some of your Officers have not
escaped being wounded — That mighty Conqueror
Love has made havock in the Corps — I only Ap
peal to Capt? Mercers Letter ; cant you plainly dis
cover it ? —
I am but little acquainted with the Ladies, but if
you will allow me to be a Judge, The Fair in this
place must give way in Beauty, easy Behaviour, &
other female Accomplishments to the Daughters of
the more northern Climes — Cap? Mercer has wrote
you a mere pamphlet, & Maj? TuUeken informs me

Letters to Washington i8i

that he writes you also, I shall therefore only declare
that I am as formerly, with great Respect,
Sir,
Your most Obt? hum^ Ser^
Adam Stephen

FROM CAPTAIN WILLIAM PEACHEY.^
Richm" County 22? Aug*.' 1757
D? Sir
Having but an indifferent Hand at Complim'? I
have hitherto referr'd writing to you & sho'd have
still continued to do so, untill I cou'd hear something
that might be new or entertaining, had not an Affair
happened a little while since, that lays me und? the
Necessity of it, in Ord? to prepare you (if not too late)
for the hearing of a pf of Malice that none but the
Devil or some of his Crew cou'd have invented, & to
clear up my Character to you in that particular —
The Matter is this, I being on a Visit the other
Day to M? Cha? Carter of Shirley or Corotomon, was
asked in a very serious Manner by y? Gent : in the
presence of others (desiring me at the same Time to
excuse his Curiousity) What was the real Intention
of my Express to W^burg last Spring was a Year .?
The Question put me a little out of Humour, but as
that Gent : used a good Deal of Ceremony to bring
it about, I told him it was to AUarm the Country
w? y' great Danger the Frontiers were in from the
1 Captain William Peachey, bom in 1729, was the son of Samuel and Winifred
(Griffin) Peachey, a grandson of William, and great-grandson of Samuel Peachey, who
settled in Virginia in 1659. Captain Peachey (made a Colonel during the war of the
Revolution) married Million Glasscock in 174S.

1 82 Letters to Washington
Enimy & I related to him such particulars as I cou'd
recollect of my Information at y? Time ; He held up
his Hands & seemed to be surprised; I then tho?
for
it was Time to know his Reason ^asking me such a
Question ; To which he said as he was at W";^burg
w? I came on that Express he heard me give y! same
Acco? as I did to him at his own House and there
fore cou'd not but be surprised to hear a very differ
ent Tale told & Me given for Authority to it, which
determined him, the first Time he saw me, to know
the Truth of the Matter. He says that M? Christo
pher Robinson told him he heard Col? Richard Cor
bin say, that I affirmed that my whole Business at
that Time was to execute a Scheme of yours to cause
the Assembly to levy largely both in Money & Men,
and that there was not an Indian in y? Neighborhood,
that the Frontiers or even Winchester & the adjacent
County did not appear to be in any more Danger at
y? Time than any other ; M? Robinson also informed
M? Carter, it was said, y? that p? of Deceit, or Im
position of y? (as they term it) has lessened the Gov-
ernours & some of the leading Men's Esteem for
you ; or at least they make Use of it as a Reason
for their 111 Treatment and the worse Opinion (they
say) they have than formerly of you : — I hope Col?
Washington knows me bett? than even to suppose I
cou'd be guilty of a Thing of this Kind, therefore
shall only add that You may depend I shall Use my
Endeavour to trace the Matter till I find the Scoun
drel that dares make himself the Author of such a
scandalous Report — If you think fit to make Use of
the above you are at full Liberty so to do. — There

Letters to Washington 183
is another fine story the Governour is pleased to re
port of me, viz. That I generally mustered between
30 or 40 Men & had only 6 or 7. Pray Sir where
was y? Care or that of y? Officers? to overlook so
palpable a Breach of a well known Article of War :
However I am only waiting to get a person who
heard his Hon? say so, to make it appear how false
& mean that Aspersion is. 
As I shall go to W!l!!burg shortly I hope, if I shou'd
find it necessary, you wont take it a miss, that I make
Use of y? Last to me on the S? Branch, for I under
stand that it is generally supposed in that part of
the World, that some leading Man has placed my
Character in a very bad Light to the Govern? or say
they, his Honour wou'd never have reduced him
& appointed a younger Cap? to be continued in the
Regiment —
When I left Winchester I really forgot to draw up
a Remonstrance as you directed for the Ballance of
my pay, therefore wrote to the Govern?, for ans? he
said he had not the least Objection to it, but I must
apply to the pay-Master ; I coud see that was only
an Evasion, so hope if you can put me in a Way to
get it, you will, for I not only think it an Hardship to
loose it, but a great piece of Injustice as I was not
paid off till the 5'^ or 6'." of July & consequently
cou'd not leave the Service if there is no other method
to be taken you'll be pleased to send me a Certificate
that I was only paid to the first of June & continued
in the Service till the 4'? of July, the Day that I came
to Winchester — We have various Acco'.' of poor
Spotswood I shou'd be extreamly glad to hear if you

184 Letters to Washington
have had any News of him since I left you. — I wish
I cou'd have continued w'."" you, for the idle or rather
sedentary Life that I am now obliged to lead & the
Salt Water Air has bro? on an ugly Fev? which I
make no Doubt I shou'd have escaped if I had con
tinued in the Mountains, tho' indeed, otherways I
cou'd not have enjoyed much Satisfaction after hear-'
ing how my Character as well as most of the Gent. —
of the Virg*. Regim? has been traduced & vilified, as
too
I am inform'd by those .who ought chearfuUy to have
supported, & stood by, Us — We have no News but
w? comes by the Norw"! papers which you generally
get before We do, except that some French Priva
teers have been seen in the Mouth of the Bay & our
Station Ship is gone out on the Cruise, so shall con
clude w'^ an hearty & sincere Wish that you may
meet with more Satisfaction than I believe you have
for some Time, and assuring you that I am w*?" y'
greatest Respect
D? Sir Y? mo: obed'
Humble Serv?
Will¥ Peachey.
Pray excuse incorrectness
for I am at this Time much
disordered 

Deposition of Thomas Hudson.
Baltimore County ss The Deposition of Tho°. Hudson, taken
before me the subscriber one of his Lordship's Justices of the
peace for the County afores^ in the Province of Maryland ; who
being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists declares. That he this

Letters to Washington 185
Dep! was present with M! Nathaniel Gist & John Hall when the
said John Hall was going to sign his assent to being Enlisted in
his Majesties Service ; That the said John Hall on taking the
Pen in his Hand, said I will not sign for any more than Six
months. Upon which said MT Gist made answer, Thats what I
want; (or thats what I desire) but which of those words this
Dep? can't exactly remember. That Mf Sam? Owings a Magis
trate for this County was then also present ; and on the said John
Hall going to sign as afores* — Said unto the afores* Nath? Gist,
this Boy is too Young ; to which the said Gist made answer he
was the highth of their Standard ; and farther Saith not —
Sworn to this 27'? day of August 1757 —
before
Buxton Gay

from MAJOR ANDREW LEWIS.
Augusta Court house Sepy y* i'.' 1757
Last Night I arrived here in Order to fall upon
some Method to Ingage provitions for the troop
stationed in this County — his hon? the governor has
ordred me to Regulat the Militia of this County, &
as there is a General Muster here this Day it is part
of my Business.
As soon as Cap' Woodward arrived at Fort Lyttel-
ton L? Bullet Marched & Joined me at Dickensons
Fort Some Days Before I left that. Inclosed you
have Returns According to my Instructions with
Size & Necessary Rolls — my old Company had not
thire hats. Neither were they sent from Winchester
y" men is very uneasy about y* want of them as they
are in a manner Bareheded — I sent M? Allan with
some Assistance afture y" men which Deserted from
me at this place on my March out, they had not y*

1 86 Letters to Washington
Fortun to take Either of them, but hering of some
others took 2 who Deserted from L? Buckner on his
march from Fredricksburg. these 2 with one In-
listed which you may see by my Return want thire
Cloathes & Inlisting money, as you will have fre
quent opertunitys of Sending Necessarys which we
are in want of as you will see by y'= Necessary Rolls,
by waggons or Carts Coming to this place I hop
you will send them. — In Answer to a Letter I
sent to his hon? y^ governor he writs me to Aban-
Fort LytteRon
don ^ or Continue y"= troop as I think proper. As
that Fort in time may be of Some Service I think
it Best to Continue one Officer with 20 men at it.
Cap' woodward with 50 at Campbells the remainder
of Y Detachment under Cap' Woodward which will
be Neare 30 at old Cloyds. Cap? Dickenson with
his Company I have ordred to the mouth of Crags
Crek, by which Means I Believe y^ people will Re
turn to thire Habitations, before my arrival here with
y* Troops, there was not a Soule Between y° N'? R?
& Vauses, but since most of the fork people has
Returned — I shall send a small party of my Com
pany to Fort Dinwiddie — I have stationed Cap?
Preston in y^ Bull-pasture — there is two Companys
of y" Militia Now on Duty which I know not how
wrot
to Dispose of, tho I^to y° governor in a partickular
them
manner about he wrot me he knew of none but
Preston & Dickenson, notwithstanding y* other was
stationed by his & y'= Counsels Order, there is one
place y' Vacant which is not garrisoned y'= Conse
quences may be bad. that is y* S? Branch or S" fork

Letters to Washington 187
Between Cap? Woodward? old Station & Prestons, as
y" governor has not given me a Direct Answer nor
I Believe wont, I am afraid that place must be De
serted —
his hon? wrot me Col? Reed was appointed to supply
y* troops under my Command with provitions. I
hant as yet heard from Reed nor Cant larn that he
has provided one mouth fouU. which has Layd me
under an Oblegation to provid I suppose I shall ly
out of my money Sume years perhaps afture taking
as many Jurneys to W"°'burg as will Ocation y*
spending y° hole I may Receive it
I am Sir your most Obedeant & Very
Humble Servant AndT Lewis
P. S. few Days since a Sarj? of y^ Militia
by y"
was kiled. Enemy Near Fort Dinwiddie
which is all y* Damage done in this Country
Since my arival —

FROM GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.
Williamsburg SeptT !¦? 1757
Sir My Friend Col? Fairfax earnestly desires his Son
W" Henry may have a Lieut! Commission in the
Regiment ; if any Vacancy I desire You may give him
a Commission accordingly, & as You have Blank
Comisions fill one up for him if any Vacancy, which
will be agreeable to Sir
Your mo-hbie Servant
RobT Dinwiddie

1 88 Letters to Washington

FROM GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.
Williamsburg Septf 2* 1757
Sir Yours of the 27'^ Ult? I rec* last Night. — Col?
Read from Lunenburg says he had sent You up
twenty nine Soldiers, probably in two Parties, the last
I suppose were not arrived when You wrote me. —
I am sorry so many have deserted since Y? last,
or do I know what to do unless they will Out-law
all those that so desert, & I wish You wou'd send
the Names of those that deserted after receiving
the Bounty order'd by the County, & receiv'd their
Cloath? & Arms.
The Reason I am so earnest in having the Num
bers with You, & those sent to Augusta is, to qualify
me to agree with Contractors for supplying them
with Provisions ; as the Contractors will naturally
desire to know the Number they are to provide for.
I see the Difficulties You mention in sending a
Return of the whole Regiment, yet You will observe
the Necessity of having it. As to the Beef at Fort
Cumbid I despair of Y? making much of it, but do
what You can ; I hope the other Species not ob
jected to will soon be replac'd at Fort Loudoun.
I am sorry the Enemy have appear'd on the
Branch & of their having kill'd five & captivated
eight, this I fear will be the Case by surprizing the
poor unguarded People, & Nothing further can be
expected than our People employ'd in Parties search
ing for the Enemy.
We must suspend Recruiting for some Time till

Letters to Washington 189
a method is found out to reclaim the Deserters,
which at present appears to me very difficult, but
hope You will be able to compleat the present Com
panies to 100 each rank & file.
I approve of Your pardoning the poor Prisoners
& I hope Your Reproof to them will have its desired
Effect, & they become good Soldiers.^ — I cannot
think Col? Stanwix will leave our Frontiers in these
perilous Times.
I understood M? Boyd that the Money he carried
last up was more than wou'd pay the Forces to the
last bf August & I suppose there remains in Y?
Hands some of the 2000^ sent for the Drafts, which
may be applied for Contingencies.
I accused You of looseness in Writing, viz? tho'
You are not concern 'd in Indian Affairs, yet when
an Insult & Quarrel subsists where You Command
it was reasonable to expect You shou'd have given
an Acc? thereof, not having heard from M? Atkin till
this Minute by M? Richl Smith.
As formerly I can say Nothing to the Acc'.^ or
Demands of the People for the Indians till I know
their Am? & for What — & it's not to be expected
to settle
the Cotry is to employ a Person for^every little De
mand. — The Detachm? to Augusta, I expected an
Acc? of the Officers & the Men in each Comp^ —
Maj' Lewis writes he arrived there the 4*? Ult? with
140 Men, that he was inform'd Col? Clem? Read was
1 Governor Dinwiddie had left to Washington's discretion the punishment and par
doning of deserters ; and in this instance Washington resolved on the latter, having
found the example of the former of httle weight, and since, as he expressed it, " these
poor unhappy criminals have undergone no small pain of body and mind, in a dark
prison, closely ironed."

1 90 Letters to Washington
to supply them with Provisions ; did not You direct
him to apply to M? Read for Provisions ? he writes
me to appoint some Person to purchase Provisions ;
I hope M? Read has sufficient for three Months, —
as before I want the particular Numbers in order to
contract for supply of Provisions —
You shou'd have acquainted me of the Arms be
ing at Falmouth, & that You had sent for them,
how? as they are now with You it's very well.
I have a monstrous long Letter from M? Atkin
which I cannot answer particularly, but shall in
general. — Col? Fairfax has wrote me earnestly for
a Commission for his Son W" Henry to be a Lieu
tenant, if any Vacancy I shall be glad he may be
oblig'd in this, as I have a great Regard for the old
Gent" : I wrote a short Line to You under his Cover
to the above Purpose which he probably will forward
to You.
I desire You will send a particular Acc? of Provi
sions remain? on Hand, & how long You think they
may serve the Men &c. that the new Contractors
may know the Time they are to commence their
Supplies. I understand from Gov? Sharpe that M?
Ross wou'd either supply the Species of Provisions
left at Fort Cumbid^ in Kind, or pay You in Cash,
when adjusted advise me thereof. —
I remain with Respect
Sir 
Your mo. hble Servant
RobT Dinwiddie
Pray write me whether one Rob? Holmes is amongst
the Number of Deserters.

Letters to Washington 191
FROM WILLIAM RAMSAY, ESQ.
Williamsburg Sept' 3? 1757
D^SiR Yesterday my proposals were agreed to by the
Goven? this Day I set out for Hampton in order to
purchase some Salt. I hope to be at home in about
8 days, after a short stay I intend myself the pleasure
of waiting on you, when your advice &c will be
kindly taken & added to your other favors, the Flour
you mention'd shall take. No News this way.
If in any respect I can serve Col? Washington I
shall with the greatest pleasure & am with real
Esteem his obliged and very  H Serv'
W^ Ramsay.

FROM MR. DAVID HALL.^
Sir, I received your Letter by the Post, and am very
sorry I misunderstood your Directions, as I should
be always glad to have Colonel Washington for a
Customer for our Paper. You [We] have now sent
you thirty Papers, according to your Orders, for
which I have debited you ; the Charge for each
Paper three Months 2/6 our Money, which makes
the whole ^3. 1 5. o. What the Post will take for
carrying them to Lancaster I don't know. As he is
a private Post, he makes his own Bargain I suppose,
1 Associate editor with FranUin of the Pennsylvania Gazette, from 1747 to 1766.
The partnership being then dissolved, the Gazette was published by Hall & Sellers
until 1804, when it passed into other hands.

192 Letters to Washington
if you should continue to take the Papers longer
than three Months, you will let us know in Time,
otherwise we shall stop sending them when the
Time is up. I am. Sir, Yours very respectfully D. Hall
Philad* Sept! 8. 1757.
N. B. Your Letters are forwarded, M? William
Dunlap ^ manages the Post Office in M? Franklins
Absence, and will take proper Care of what Letters
you may send.

FROM DOCTOR DAVID ROSS.^
Sir I am favoured with yours of the 6'? & delayed
answering it, in expectation of hearing something
from our Officers relating to the Survey of the Beef,
but I have not yet received the least Syllable, you
very well know the power of Officers in Garrison
with regard to Condemning Provision and as I am
only paid for the Provision as it's delivered out to
the Troops if they should think proper to refuse it
I must bear the whole loss, however as my Brother
is going to Fort Cumberland I shall know whether
Captain Dagworthy has any objections and inform
you what they are. You may be assured I shall
make none that can be avoided, but if they should
1 In the Revolution, printer to the Continental Congress.
2 Commissary to the Maryland regiment

Letters to Washington 193
Continue in the same sentiments with regard to their
Condemning the Beef, would it not remove all Cavil,
for you to receive from me for what they have used,
and as you have troops on the South Branch it may
be Conveyed to them, As they will be satisfied of
the Goodness of it, on the Report of the Officers you
sent to Inspect it, which its Probable ours will not,
as it does not appear by the Copy of the return you
sent to me that any of them were Consulted in Re
gard to it, and as its intended they should use it,
they will think they are pretty much Interested.
They had no fresh provision when the Complaints
were made about the badness of the Beef, they had
I believe even wrote to Coll Stanwix about it, and
every letter from every Officer at Fort Frederick at
that time was fill'd with Complaints about it, I have
even some letters in my Possession from the Fort
Major M? Livingston to the same Purpose, wrote
much about the time he was Informing you that
they had not acted fairly in regard to the Condemna
tion of it. But I can write you in a more Satisfactory
manner when I hear from them but in the mean
used
time whatever has been .shall be paid whenever you
please to order it, tho I could wish to have the whole
affair settled at once that neither of us may have any
further trouble about it.
I am Sir,
Your most Obed? hum! Serv?
David Ross
Bladensburg Sept! 28, 1757.
VOL, n

194 Letters to Washington

FROM JOHN KIRKPATRICK ESQ.
Alexandria 17'? Septem! 1757 —
Dear Sir
I am honoured with your very kind letter by M?
Hamilton,^ confirming the Obligations I lye under
from the many instances of Your Friendship and
Regard. — For which I can only offer my grateful
Acknowledgements — a poor return for such un-
meritted kindness —
Your candid and Just remarks, on the scheme of
Settling a Store by M? Watson at Winchester, carry
their due weight with me, and corroborate the Con
clusions I drew from the proposal — Among severall
reasons that discouraged our design, that of M? Wat
sons unfitness was one, very matterial — and the in
firm State of Health I have been in, this Summer,
rendered me unable to undertake the Affair — So
that, I judged it more prudent to drop the design —
at least for some time — I am now, thank God, upon
the recovery & wou'd Gladly attempt some Way of
Business conducive to an easie passage thro' life —
and, believe shall break off my Connections with M?
Watson — as My Brother is fit to undergo some
fatigue and willing to join me in any Adventure of
probable Advantage —
The Scheme you kindly hint of Suttling — and
From which, as you observe, (under proper conduct)
Advantage might arrise — is foreclosed — M? Ram
say return'd about Four days ago from WiUiams
burgh having Contracted to Victuall the Forces of
1 John Hamilton, quartermaster in the Virginia regiment.

Letters to Washington 195
Your Regiment Stationd in Frederick & Hampshire
Countys — at what rate, I know not — but in Con
junction with Carlyle and Dalton — and with reso
lutions to pursue the plan of Suttlers, Retailers,
Commissary, and what not, for the Compleat and
proper Accomodating Your Regiment in every Re
quisite whatsoever — This much, I had learn'd, was
their intentions, before I had the pleasure of receiv
ing Your Affectionate Address — and was pleased
with the Approaching prospects of the Commodious
& Satisfactory entertainment so necessary & desir
able amongst Your Troops —
You may rely on the Secrecy injoind on this Sub
ject — and shall not add Further till I have the
pleasure of seeing you — which I hope will be in
a Fortnights time —
Inclosed is Mf Johnson's rece? for the five Years
rent of his Plantation ^12. 10 — Cur'? 
M? Hamilton hastens to be gone, — & shall only
add my sincere wishes for Your Health & happiness
— and Am with very much Esteem
Dear Sir
Your Much Obliged and
Most Obed? Hum! serv*
Jn? Kirkpatrick

FROM COLONEL STANWIX.
Camp near Carlisle Seprig*? 1757.

Dear Sir
I am to own the Favour of your letter by Lieu?
Campbell, wish he may meet with the Deserters he

196 Letters to Washington
is in pursuit of, this is a crime grown to so enormous
a height on this Continent it will require some ade
quate remedie from the Command? in Chief and fear
it will require so severe a one as to make it necessary
to put to death every deserter we take. I have lost
near fifty of the best men of the five Comp? of the
First Battalion, retook twelve and a week ago hang'd
four, and am sure it would have been right and for
the good of the Service to have hanged the other
eight which I pardon'd against my judgment. Lord
Loudoun is return'd to N. York with ten Battalions
and presume by this time that he is with them gone
up to Albany & 'tis said proposes to take post at the
ruin'd Fort Will? Henry and to rebuild the same if
time for it, but this [is] conjectural,* 'tis talk that
eighteen French Ships of the Line [are] in Lewis-
bourg and that this and the river St. Laurance &c
will guard it that most peoples hopes are over for
the present from the North, no body believes the
Story of the Duke of Cumberland's defeat, some
smal Skirmish only with part of a rear guard of no
consequence ^ — one of the ten Battalions return with
Lord Loudoun comes here the second of the Royal
American's, seven Companys join me, two go's to
Reading at Governor Dennys request, half a Com
pany stay's to recruit and Guard our Magazeen at
1 " My Lord Loudoun has returned to New York, with ten regiments, prevented in
his expedition by the arrival of a superior force of twenty-three sail of the line and
15,000 land forces at Louisbourg. His lordship is honest, brave, and wise, and yet
there is no character so sacred which envy and malignant obloquy will not attempt,
no merit so great which ill-nature will not sacrifice." — Captain Thomas Lloyd to
Major James Burd, September 4, 1757.
2 The rumor that the Duke of Cumberland was slain, and his army in Flanders
routed.

Letters to Washington 197
Lancaster the Other half to York Town to recruit
the Strength of the Companys I don't know yet
but believe they 'r far from Complete, I beg you will
believe that I am with truth D' Sir Your most
obed? humble Serv?
John Stanwix

FROM LEWIS STEPHENS, ESQ.^
September y? 20')' 1757 —
Honourable S?/
I think it my Duty Indispencibly to acknowledge
with Greatfullness Your Timeous Sending Imme
diate relief in our deep Distress also by Leaving a
Number of men, for our Protection the which had it
not been done we Should not had men to protect us,
and certainly must have moved my Family to Some
post for their Safety and Further Inform Your Hon
our, that by all Probability our Enemy is round us
as by the Inclosed affadavit will Inform You also
one of the Sentrys Last night heard 3 Indian Hallow
ing in Different Parts, and a Gunn was heard Yester
day in the Evening by People Going to their habita
tions, about 2 miles distant from this place it was So
near them and Samuel Nowels Plantation, and they
1 Son of Peter Stephens, who came to Virginia in 1732. The town of Stephensburg,
in Frederick County, was established in September, 1758, on 900 acres belonging to
Lewis Stephens. Kercheval states that according to tradition Lord Fairfax was more
partial to Stephensburg than to Winchester, and used his influence to have it made
the seat of justice, but Wood, by treating one of the justices to a bowl of toddy,
secured his vote for Winchester and settled the questioB. In 1887, Stephensburg and
Newtown were incorporated and called Stephen City.

198 Letters to Washington
Seeing Cattle run they Immediately returned and
Gave in this account, all which Gives me Just reason
to Suspect that the 3, Indians Seen Last night were
Detached from their body in order to discovr the
Country & thereby find where they may Strike, the
next Stroke, there are about 46, People Safely Came
To Fry's Fort women & children
in from Cacapon Besides I am of oppinion that the
A _ _ in
Place of their General Randisvous, is about the Cove
between the heads, of this and Stony Creek Rivers, in
the mountains, a Place Commodeous for Such Ene
mies to resort — I and others are well acquainted
with the Place, and Could Pilot men there but have
not a Sufficient Number of men to Go in Search of
them, for we are weak at this time and know not
when we shall be attackd, we Shall always Give Intel-
idgence of what Occurence, and am with Due regard
Your Honours obedient
Humble Servant
Lewis Stephens

COLONEL WILLIAM TALIAFERRO TO CHARLES LEWIS, ESQ.
D^ Charles
Lieut? Charles Smith about V^ an Hour since
unfortunately killed a Man (to whom he was intire
Stranger) by a slight Stroke on y* Nose without
any Malice, his Friends here will enter into Bond as
y* Magistrates think him intit! traditur in Ballium

Letters to Washington 199
M? Smith is very desirous of seeing you & desires
me to write to you to come immediately here in
haste I am with my Love to Lucy y' B? W Taliaferro
Thursday 'A after 3 "Clock

FROM COLONEL CHARLES LEWIS.
Fredricksburg, 7 b! 21'.' 1757
D^ CoL?
Nothing could have given me more Dissatisfaction
than the inclosed Letter from our Friend Col? W?"
TaHaferro, I am inform'd M? Smith has been pru
dent enough to send you a Coppy of the Deposi
tions. He is to Day releas'd honourably by a call'd
Court of Inquiry, neither Murder, Man Slaughter, or
even Chance Mud. found against him.
I thought it my Duty to do him all the Service in
my Power, tho' little was by a reasonable Court
wanting —
I hope this Accident (for it cannot be otherwise
no
term'd) will render him. less in y? favour, with the in-
closd & other Authorities given y? good Sence will
excuse M? Smith & I little Doubt yr good Wishes for
Y? hbli Serv?
Ch^ Lewis —

200 Letters to Washington

FROM CAPTAIN THOMAS BULLITT.
Sir I Rec"? yours Jan"? i^? wherein you was pleased to
Signifie that I had not proceeded in a Regular Man
ner in not Laying in a formal Complaint if I was not
well used by my Cap? I am not unsensible Sir, of
the Difficulty an Enferiour Officer Encounters, when
he Says, in a Comp? of that Nature against one of
his Superiours in Clearly proving Alligations, espe
cially when such Superiour by our Doing Duty so
far from y? Reg? Chiefly Comands, for this Reason
did not Care to be Concernd in any such affair if in
my power to avoid —
Since Cap? Hog has bin pleased to Signifie in his
Letters to you that I am in Fault, and that his Hon?
the Govenor thought so. Beg Leave to Lay my Rea
sons before you for Writing my former Letters
Cap? Hog at his Departure from fort Dinwiddie
Left Injunctions with me to purchase Beef to be
Rec'^ in Fall Season, also Injoyn'd me to send him
returns from Time, to Time of the Quant'? I agreed
for, that he might give further Instructions when I
had a Sufficiency & y" Quantity to Receive, pursuant
to which I agreed, for a parcel of Beeves, Likew!!
Cap? Hog & M? Fleming for Quantity's, tho Differ
ent persons who had Ingaged their Beeves to us,
about the first of Novemb? Drove them in, at which
Time I had no Orders how to proceed (further than
Above Mentioned) Nor any Acc? of those purchased
Except my own Engagm'.^ more than by a Letter
from M? Fleming Acq^ me he had by his Cap'.' Orders

Letters to Washington 201
bought for use of that Fort, Upon which I sent a
Messeng? for full Instructions who returned in about
Sixteen days without any such (& Informed me he
had Leave from his Cap? to go by Stanton) at this
Suspence I was Kept Till December (tho sent Three
Times) And Noumbers of Beeves Tendered me the
Owners whereof threatened the suing for Damages
if I did not Receive them, from this, the Cold Re
ception I met with from Cap? Hog in his Behaviour
to Fort
on Return^& also his Informing Maj? Lewis I had
not Acted well in Regard to Victualling the Garr°
I coud not but Immagine it was more than probable
(on some Dislike Taken at me) he Intended to make
all Opertunity's for my Being Guilty of some Mis
conduct, then get Clear of me in a Maner that might
Reflect Dishonour on me.
Tho as I have Rec*? all the Civilities Due from a
Gent? of Cap? Hogs Rank to one of mine (Since the
Rec? of your Letter my own Inclosed) should not
have Troubled you with this, & do it in my own
Vindication. Tho shall on All Occasions (while I
Receive the Like Usage) discharge my Duty in his
Company, Till you will be pleased to Favour the
Gent? with a Sub? in my Room of a More polite
Taste, & Liberal Education, in which I shall Think
myself under as Great Obligations, to you as what
Cap? Hog can be, I am Sir, your Most
Obed? Humb! Serv?
Vass — March y? 24'M 757 ^ — ThO? BulLITT
1 This letter, although dated " March," is placed here on account of the following
indorsement by Washington — "From Cap'. Tho" BuUitt 24* Sep 1757."

202 Letters to Washington
FROM GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.
Williamsburg Sept! 24*." 1757
Sir Y!! of the I7'^ f Jenkins I rec! I have wrote Col?
Read about the Lunenburg Drafts. I am sorry to
see the List of so many Deserters, & am fully of
Opinion that those that rec'? the Bounty, Cloaths &
Arms ought to be outlaw'd & by the Desertion of
the Person that was Condemn'd & afterwards par
don'd appears so villainous, that I cannot prescribe
any Rule to keep them together, but great Severity,
& to employ them in the most laborious Work with
a Guard over them.
The Reason I wanted so earnestly the Return of
our Men, was chiefly to know the Number of Men
with You to enable me to contract for their Pro
visions ; as there must be one at Winchester & an
other in Augusta, let me know the Number to be
supplied with Provisions imediately from Winches
ter — I did not expect, but wish'd Y? Compa? wou'd be
Compleated to 100 Men each. — At the Court I shall
consult with the Council in regard to C? Gist, & the
Paym? of Demds for the Ind? M? Rutherford gave
me an Acc? on that Head & was paid it. — I do not
want to load You with any troublesome Affairs, what
I write was the Creditors to give in the Am? of their
Acc*? to be sent to the Committee. I sent up some
Drums lately, I believe there are a few more left
that may be sent when Oppty offers, for the Ind^ — I
am sorry [mutilated] the repeated bad news from the
Branch, & I have a [mutilated] ion from them signed

Letters to Washington 203
by a great Number of People, & [mutilated] not know
how to assist them, further than in the foil [mutilated] ?
Man? — the Assembly voted 300 Rangers ; 200 I
order'd to [mutilated] for the Front? of Augusta — 100
more I shall be gl [mutilated] can be rais'd, & properly
Officer'd for Y? frontiers, [mutilated] desire may be
done ; & if Cap? Hogg is up Y? way I [mutilated] glad
to give him the Comd of them, if You think he Co
[mutilated] them, if not, get a proper Person, & keep
them in in Part [mutilated] range the Woods. As to
M? Kennedy's Return of th [mutilated] left at F?
Cumbid I desire You may settle that Affa [mutilated]
M? R [mutilated] ner You can ; as the fish [mutilated] left
there I think You cannot charge them with it, a
[mutilated] a Trifle. — The Money You rec"! from the
Pay M? & 68.. 1 3. [mutilated] paid to You by Col? G. W.
Fairfax carry to the Credit of the Cotry in Y? Acc?
of Incidents &c.
As I am affraid we shall never see C? Spotswood
again. You may app? Cap? John M?Neill to his Comp^
with Proviso, if he returns he may be replaced tho'
I can see no Probability of it — & enclos'd You have
a Com? for W" Henry Fairfax to be a Lieu? in the
Regmt, to please You I have order'd it to be fill'd up
here, but I can see no Difference, if You had done it
by my Order.^
I am surpriz'd at C? Stanwix's Silence, I wrote
him some Time since but have had no Answer. I

1 Washington had asked that the lieutenant's commission the governor had desired
to be given to William Henry Fairfax might be sent from WilUamsburg, as he appre
hended an accusation of partiality in the preference shown to a known friend over
ensigns already serving.

204 Letters to Washington
spoke to M? Rutherford to send a particular Acc? of
the Provis? on hand & I desire You to consult with
him how long it may be sufficient for maintain? Y?
Men. Y? other Letter of the 1 7'? I perus'd ; I w"? gladly
hope there is no Truth in it. I never heard of it
before, or did I ever believe You would have sent
down any Alarms without proper Foundation ; how
ever I shall shew it to Col? Corbin when he comes
to Town, but I wou'd advise You not to give Notice
to every idle Story You hear for if I was to regard
Reports of different kinds, I shou'd be constantly
perplex'd.^ My Conduct to You from the Beginning was al
ways friendly, but You know I had great Reason to
suspect you of Ingratitude, which I am convinc'd
Your own Conscience & Reflection must allow, I
had Reason to be an [mutilated] but this I endeavor to
forget ; but I cannot [mutilated] M? Corbin guilty of
what is reported. How? as I [mutilated] Mtys Leave to
go Home, I propose leaving [mutilated] Nov!" & I wish
my Successor may shew You as [mutilated] Friendship
as I have done — I wish You Health & Happiness
& I am Sir 
Your most hble Servant
[Signature entirely mutilated]
1 The letter of the 1 7th of September had been written in consequence of one received
from Captain Peachey.

Letters to Washington 205
FROM GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.
Williamsburg Sept! 24*1" 1757
Sir After closing my Letter to You of this Date I
rec^ Yours of the 20'!" by Brinker giving Acc? of the
miserable Distress our Frontier Inhabitants are in,
which gives me the greatest Concern & Uneasi
ness — Really it is not in my Power to do more for
defence against the Incursions of our barbarous Ene
mies, than to recommend Your speedy executing my
Orders to You, for raising a Company of Rangers to
consist of 100 Men &c. to effect which I pray You
to exert yourself.
I agree to Lieut? Fell's Resignation, & Your ap
point? M? Chew — You will observe what I write
about C? M?Neill in my former — I remain —
Sir —
Your humble Servant
RobT Dinwiddie

FROM CAPTAIN ROBERT STEWART.
Sir, — Yesterday afternoon an unexpected occur
ence brought in part a very extraordinary Scheme of
Villainy to Light — The Girl kept by the Quarter-
mas? had some difference with Bonnet a Soldier that
waited on Hamilton, Bonnet reported that Hamilton
in Comp': with Jones (late Serj'.') went off w? an in
tention not to return ; upon which I order'd a Court
of enquiry & Inclose you a Copy of its Proceedings
from which & various hints I receiv'd in different

2o6 Letters to Washington
Channels concluded it possible to make further Dis
coveries by getting Hamilton's House and those of
his intimates Searched, the preparative steps thereto
I conducted w? the utmost secrecy & after a number
of Warrants were Sign'd by Justice Speake the only
Constable in Town (Tho? Wood) refus'd to act nor
was one in Town would serve his Country on that
office till M? Woodrow very generously accepted &
he
with indefaticable assiduity executed it .accompanied
by several officers spent the whole night in searching
many of the Houses in Town & some in its Neigh
bourhood, and several things belonging to the Regi
ment were found ; those in whose possession the
things were found, was this day brought before the
Justices Swearingen, Linsey & Speake who Bound
them over to the next Court as they were at a loss
how to act for want of the Laws relative thereto In
clos'd is a Copy of their proceedings — Lieu? Buck
ner and the Adjutant went off last night to King's
Ferry where it's said some things are conceal'd but
are not yet return'd —
As there's no Quarter Mas? and the Stores in the
greatest Confusion I judg'd it expedient to postpone
their removal till your further Orders —
Twenty Cherokee Warriours and a Squaw arriv'd
here this Evening I heard of their coming last sun-
day and desir'd M? Gist to acquaint his Father by
Express of it which he says he did, but no acco'?
from y? Father The few Indians that were here
before went out to meet the 20 just arriv'd, they had
some Conversation together, none of them would
come into Town but Encamp'd on a Rising near it.

Letters to Washington 207
Burras says that they told him Capt? Gist stays away
designedly and thinks the Cherokees not good.
Lieu? Campbell brought back Walker — he saw
another of our Deserters amongst the R. Americans
in Lancaster but the Commanding Officer there rO'
f us'd to deliver him up — I am
With the highest Esteem & Respect
Dear Sir
Your most assured &
Fort Loudoun \ Very obedient hble Serv?
Sep- 27- .757 ; R03^j^^ StEWART

Philadelphia Oct 9* 1757.
Sir. Inclosed is a copy of Sir William Johnson's letter
delivered to me by the person, who conducted the
Cherokees to this city, by which you will perceive
that they are upon an important errand, & should
not be delayed one moment. I desire you will be so
good as to mention the day & hour they arrive with
you. This province cheerfully bears the expenses
of their journey to Winchester. I make no doubt of
their receiving from you as kind treatment, as they
have met with here, & that they will be enabled to
perform the rest of their journey with satisfaction,
safety, & dispatch. I am, Sir,
Your most humble Serv?
W^ Denny.
1 Indorsed by Washington — "from Gov^ W? Denny, Inclosing a letter from Sir
W? Johnson, also an answer to Gov'. Denny, with instructions to Ensign Ray."

2o8 Letters to Washington
FROM SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON^ TO GOVERNOR DENNY.
Albany 25! September 1757 —
(Copy.)
Sir/ Four Deputies from the Cherokee Indians who
were sent by their Chief on a visit of Friendship to
the Six Nations, with whom they have had a meet
ing at my House and by whom they are charged
with a Message and invitation in conjunction with
me to their Nation and others to the Southward
in our Alliance, to hold a Congress at my House in
order to renew and strengthen their mutual alliance
and friendship — These Deputies are now setting
off from hence for their own Country accompanied
by some Indians of the Six Nations. They will pass
thro' your Province and City, and as their speedy
delivering the Message they are charged with may
be a point of considerable Moment to his Majesty's
Interest and Service. I beg leave to recommend it
to you to do what lays in your power to forward their
Journey, to prevent them and the Indians who ac
company them from being delayed by any imprudent
quantity of Liquor, as this may overset the Advan
tages hoped for from their Journey.
I am Sir, with the Greatest esteem,
Your most humble
Servant
W*^ Johnson —
I Superintendent of the Sue Nations and Indian Affairs in the North: bom in
Meath County, Ireland, in 1715 j died near Johnstown, New York, July 11, 1774.

Letters to Washington 209
-
FROM CAPTAIN THOMAS BULLITT AND OTHERS.
Sir As we are well assured You take pleasure in dis
tinguishing Merit where ever it is found. We beg
leave to recommend to Your notice a Person not
altogether unworthy of it If we may Judge from the
diligence & Fidelity he has shewn in a low Station
we may still expect he will support his Character in
a higher where he will meet with frequenter Oppor
tunities to exert himself & do Justice to Our Recom
mendation. That we may not impose on Your Judgement
through Partiality we shall endeavour Justly to draw
his Character & Pretensions to preferment.
His Education, seems to have been a Good Coun
try Education he writes a Good hand & is Ac
quainted with figures, his Courage We believe is
indisputable, his Conduct as farr as We can Judge
from many Months Observation is faultless, he was
made a Serg? when forces were first levied in this
Collony. in which Station he has serv'd with Vigi-
lence & Obedience ever Since. By Maj? Lewis? Or
der he has acted as Commissary for near a twelve
Month, as he understands there are some Vacancies
at present. And as it is not without president [pre
cedent] he hopes You will remember him, which we
beg leave to enforce, as he had some expectancy be
fore. From this description we hope You imagine the
VOL. II

2 ID Letters to Washington
Person we would recommend to Your Favour is
John MCuUy. Tho^ Bullitt
John Ed! Lomax
W^ Fleming
Fort Young. W¥ Crawford
octob! io'M7S7 Geo: Speake

FROM THOMAS GAGE, ESQ.
Albany Oct! 15*? 1757.
Dear Sir,
Your Favor was transmitted to me by M? Beverly
Robinson, by which I received great Pleasure, as I
may judge by it, that you are perfectly well; A Cir
cumstance that gives me no Small Satisfaction, hav
ing had no Acc? of you for a considerable Time,
particularly as I think your Welfare will contribute
to that of your Country. I am extreamly glad to find
your poor Inhabitants enjoy that calm under your
Protection, which alone can make life desirable, &
hope soon to hear that you are not only enabled to
protect your own Frontiers, but carry the War into
the Enemy's Country ; which I look upon as the
Surest Means to put An End to it.
The Same Fatality that has, since my Memory,
attended all our Expeditions, attended that of this
Summer to the Northward, which you will have been
long ago acquainted with. A very considerable
regular Force is now in these Parts, but what They
will be employed in, is more by far, than I can in
form you.

Letters to Washington 211
You may be assured that your Recommendation
of any Person, will be an inducement to me to do
him every Service in my Power. M? Hall, Whom
you recommended in your last, purchased an En-
signcy in our Reg? at Halifax, & I think we are
lucky in getting a Gentleman of his Understanding
& good Behaviour amongst Us. His Conduct be
ing not only approved by me but every Officer in
the Reg?
Nothing Material has happened since my Arrival
here, I wish something may happen to our Advan
tage. I shall always be glad to hear of your health,
Happyness & Success, I am
D?S? Your Most Obedient
a most humble Serv?
Tho^ Gage

FROM JAMES CUNINGHAM, ESQ.
New York i6*? Oct! 1757
Dear Sir
I had the pleasure to receive a letter from you by
M? Fairfax, to whom I shall shew every civility in my
power. M? Hall continues extremely deserving of
any favour that may have been shewen him. I have
it only in my power to assist M? Fairfax with my
to
Advice, which is to Continue with the Army & pur-
steps
sue the necessary .towards obtaining a Commission
soon, which is that of serving as Voluntier in Gen!
Abercrombys Reg? who patronises every Young man

212 Letters to Washington
that is deserving, & if I can Judge well of M? Fair
fax, he will soon obtain his favour. I have laboured
under an Indisposition several Weeks, and my dis
use to writing makes it awkward to me, as you will
see by this Scrawl which is my first Attempt, And
Which I wish you may receive as I am indebted to
you a former letter.
Continue Sir to Inform me of Any Gentleman
that you wish to serve that may be determined to
follow an Army life & they shall have Always my
best Advice & when in my power my Assistance
shall not be wanting As I shall be glad to Shew that
I esteem Col? Washington & that I am his very faith
ful & Ob? Servant Ja^ Cuningham
P. S. Your Countryman M' Byrd Still does us the
honor to remain Amongst us. & makes us all very
happy in his Company. I mention him to You be
cause he seems to have that good opinion of you
that you deserve

FROM GEORGE WILLIAM FAIRFAX, ESQ.
New York Oct! 17'." 1757 —
Dear Sir
After a very Pleasant journey we arrived here the
1 2'^ inst?, and had the good fortune to find the Parties
here, since which I have spent my time very agree-
abelly with those Gent? you where [were] so kind to
introduce me to by Letter, and found those very
serviceable at Philadelphia.

Letters to Washington 213
A Packett from Falmouth arrived Yesterday with
certain Acc'.^ that the Duke of Cumberland was
forced to a Battle with the French Army, which
lasted three days. The second he gained great ad
vantage, and would have carried the day had not
Marshial Richlieu joined them with 20 -m^ fresh
Men. which turned the Scale, and obliged the Duke
to Retreat to Hemlin, which he did in great Order,
and with such Conduct that even the Enemy ap
plauds him. They are Entered into Hanover and
appointed a Governor for that Electrate, and its wis-
perd from the Fort where his L'iship resides, That
the French King has sent to our Court, threating
that if Hawkes Fleet put to Sea. they will destroy
Hanover with Fire and Sword, and the Cap? of the
Packet assures us that his Fleet was at Spithead the
iV of Sept? — which I fear will have a bad tendency,
and perplex our good old King.
Since writing a Gent? has sent me a Paper con
firming the Action mentioned with other News,
which you'll have in the next Philadelphia Paper,
to which I must refer being just called upon to pre-
pair to Embark with about fourteen Passingers sev
erall of which are Officers —
Col? Provoe ^ has Resigned, L"? Charles Hay still
under an» Arrest at Halifax, and much blaimed. S?
John S? Clair just upon his last legs, and tomorrow
his L^ship Embarks for Albany where it seems Gen!
Webb has demanded a Court of Inquire, after which
its thought his L'!ship will soon Return to this Place,
' Thousand.
2 James Prevost, appointed colonel commandant in 1756.

214 Letters to Washington
having ordered several Regiments into Winter Quar
ters. Therefore you must not look for, or expect
any thing from this Quarter. And we hear nothing
of our Fleet of Louisburg. So that I fear the Cam
paign will end as the last. I am in great haste
Dear Sir
Your affect : and very humble Serv?
G. W. Fairfax
I understand neither Col? Young or Monroe where
[were] in Fort W?" Henry during the Seige, and that
the command of it devolved on a Militia Officer who
had not so much as an Engineer, and that the Signal
to surrender was made from the intrenchments, and
that the Fort Commanded their ground.

FROM GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.
Williamsburg Oct! 19^ 1757
Sir I rec! Y!! of the 3"! by Jenkins — As Cap? [Hog] is
to be here soon I shall talk with him about the ranging
Comp? I fear he will not be able to raise the Men ;
if they shou'd be rais'd they are to have 1/ — ^ Day,
no recruit? Money or Cloaths, & to be rais'd pro tem
pore, as they are rais'd in Augusta ; write me if You
think it absolutely necessary to have such a Com
pany, if rais'd they must be victuel'd by the Con
tractors ; — I have a good Opinion of M? Rutherford
if he wou'd accept to be Second in Command of that
Comp^ if rais'd.
I am sorry the Enemy continue their horrid De-

Letters to Washington 215
vastations, & I wish the Parties You send out cou'd
come up with them to give them a Brush ;. I am sur
priz'd the People shou'd move off, surely the Forces
with You, those of Myld, & the Regulars under C?
Stanwix's imediate Direction, I think shou'd be suf
ficient to protect the Frontiers of both Colonies ;
tho' I am convinc'd the secret Method the Enemy
comes to attack us is of great Disadvantage, & very
difficult to ferret them out of their lurking Places — I
always have been of Opinion that unless an offensive
Scheme is undertaken, we shall always be expos'd
to their villanous EncroachintsT I approve of Your
appoint? C? M?Neill & M? Chew.
It was wrong in M? Atkin to take C? Gist & the
Indian Interpreter from Winchester ; that Gent? has
render'd a monstrous Acc? of Expenses, wch is laid
before the Council to examine — C? Gist wijl be con
firm 'd in his Appointm? & he must take Care to see
the Goods for the Indians properly dispos'd of, as M?
Atkin did — It is absolutely necessary to keep well
with them & keep them in good Temper, I shall en
deavor to send some more Goods for that Purpose —
The French no Doubt are endeavor? to get the
Cherokees to their Interest, but I believe they want
Goods to supply them — M? Atkin writes to C? Gist
to take Care of the Cherokees now at the Branch; —
& I was in hopes M? Atkin wou'd have put the Ind?
Affairs in a good Posture, which he affirms he has.
I am surpriz'd Hamilton the Quarter Master shou'd
have continued so long in his villanies without De
tection — The Magistrates have behav'd most un
worthily the Affair I laid before the Atto? Gen! who

2i6 Letters to Washington
now writes on that Subject — I have no Objection
to M? Kenedy's succeeding to be Q? Master, if You
think him a deserving & honest Man in that Case
You may appoint hira.
The Dunker is to be examin'd before the Council.
I shall take notice what You write of him, & then
shall write You what is tho? necessary to be done.
As to the Officers receiving more or less Provis?
according to their Rank, the Officers of the Regu
lars when in Britain receive no Provisions; & the
Officers of the Regiment are to receive no more than
the private Men — a Cap? of a King's Ship receives
no more allowance than his Cabbin Boy, & surely
our Officers having more Pay than any Provincials in
America, cannot think of making a Perquisite from
the Provisions, or will I allow it ; — as for Yf Self
You are ^ not to have any Provisions, as You are
allow'd 200 £ ¦§ Ann. for Y? Table.
I cannot agree to allow You Leave to come down
here at this Time, You have been frequently indulg'd
with Leave of Absence — You know the Fort is to
be finish'd, & I fear when You are away little will be
done, & surely the Coiiidg Officer shou'd not be ab
sent when daily alarm'd with the Enemy's Intentions
to invade our Frontiers, & I think You are in the
wrong to ask it — You have no Acc'.' that I know of
to settle with me, & what Acc'? You have to settle
with the Country may be done at a more proper
Time — I wish You well & am
Sir
Your humble Servant
RobT Dinwiddie

Letters to Washington 217
Since writ? the annex'd I have Your Letter of the
9* — I think the poor Men that lost their Cloaths
in pursuit of the Ind? under the Comd of C? Lewis,
shou'd & I order You to supply them from the
Cloathing You have at Winchester — Settle with
Doct? Ross for the Provisions in the best Method
You can — You have enclos'd a Letter to C? Swear-
ingham from the Atto'? wch deliver Yourself —

FROM GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.
Williamsburg Oct! 24'? 1757
Sir I wrote You by Jenkins to which be refer'd. As
I have contracted with M? Ramsay to Supply the
Forces in the Pay of this Country, that are in the
Counties of Frederick & Hampshire, I enclose You
a Copy of the Contract, that You may see the sev
eral Articles thereof properly perform 'd & I am con
vinc'd this Contract will be a great Saving to the
Country — & if M? Ramsay shou'd at any Time have
occasion to transport any Provisions to the Forts in
Hampshire, You are to grant him a proper Escort ;
— he is to furnish the Ind? with fresh Provis? so that
You will have no Trouble on these Affairs.
Several People have applied to me for the Bounty
on taking up Deserters, which I cannot pay till I
have an Acc? from You of .receiving those People
from the Constables, wch I desire you will send me
by first Oppty, that they may be paid in order to
encourage others to take them up.

2i8 Letters to Washington
This comes by M? Rich"! Smith the Ind? Inter
preter, who is to rem? at Winchester till the Indians
come in, with whom he is to go out to War — M?
Gist is to take care of the Indian Goods appropriated
for Presents, which he is to dispose of on occasion
in the same Method M? Atkins did.
The Duncard's Petition was heard before me &
the Council, & Y? Letter in regard thereto ; & as the
People on the Frontiers are uneasy with them, be
lieving them to be Spies ; ^ it was resolv'd that You
send a Party out to bring in the other two Brothers,
with their Cattle & Horses & any Thing they have
that they conveniently can bring with them, & to
remain among the Inhabitants dur? the present War,
after which to be restored to their Lands, which
Order You are to comply with in the most prudent
Manner I remain Sir Your humble Servant
RobT Dinwiddie

Articles of Agreement indented made & Agreed upon this
Twenty first day of October in the Year of our Lord One thou
sand Seven hundred & fifty Seven, Between William Ramsay
of the County of Fairfax of the one part & the hon*.'* Robert
Dinwiddie Esquire his Majesty's Lieutenant Governor & Com
mander in Chief of the Colony & Dominion of Virginia for &
in behalf of the Said Colony & Dominion of the Other part. —
Imprimis the said William Ramsay for the consideration herein
I The Dunkers, Dunkards, or Brethren refuse to go to law or to engage in war.

Letters to Washington 219
Af termentioned, doth Covenant & Agree to & with the Said Robert
from &
Dinwiddie that he the Said William Ramsay Shall & will ^ After
the first day of Novemb next ensuing the date hereof till the first
day of August vf'. Shall be in the Year of our Lord 1758, at his
own proper Cosf & Charge find & provide for every Officer &
Soldier that shall be in the pay of this Collony within the Coun
ties of Frederick & hampshire during all the time Aforesaid &
for Six Women to be allowed to each Company of Soldiers the
following provisions (that is to Say) for every man or Woman
each one pound of good & merchantable flower or bread & one
pound of good Sound pork, or one & an half pound of good
Sound beef, for every day during the time Aforesaid, And the
Said William Ramsay doth further Covenant & Agree to & with
the Said Rob? Dinwiddie that he the Said W"? Ramsay shall & will
at his own proper cost & charge provide a proper person at all
& every the fortifications within the Counties Aforesaid, that are
that are
garrison'd with Officers & Soldiers. Actually in the pay of this
Colony, who Shall every week during the time Aforesaid at Such
time or times in the week & to Such person or persons as Shall
be Appointed by the Commanding Officer at the Said Fortifica
tions issue & deliver the provisions Afore Said in the following
manner, that is to Say, The pork in four & the beef in Six
pound pieces, clear of heads & Shanks, being the Allowance for
four persons in a mess. And the Said W?" Ramsay doth further
covenant & Agree to & with the Said Rob? Dinwiddie that he
the S^ W? Ramsay Shall & will at his own proper cost & Charge
transport the provisions Aforesaid to the diii? forts or to Such
Other place or places in the Counties Aforesaid as Shall be Ap
pointed by Coll? George Washington or the commanding officer
for the time being. And whereas there are Several Sorts of pro
visions remaining at WinchestT & the forts within the Counties
Aforesaid, he the Said W? Ramsay doth further covenant &
Agree to & with the Said Rob? Dinwiddie that he the Said W?
Ramsay shall & will take the Said provis?' to his own Accompt
& give the Government Credit for the same, After the following
rates, that is to Say, for every bushell of Salt that Shall be de
liver'd him at Winchester the Sum of Six Shillings, & at any the
Outforts the Sum of Ten Shillings, for every hundred pounds of

220 Letters to Washington
flower the Sum of nine Shillings for every pound of bacon the
Sum of threepence, for every pound of dried or pickled beef the
Sum of twopence halfpenny, & for every hundred pounds of bis
cuit the Sum of twelve Shillings & Six pence, & the Said W"?
Ramsay doth further covenant & Agree to & with the Said Rob?
Dinwiddie That the Said W!" Ramsay Shall & will Supply all &
every the forts Aforesaid with a Sufficient Number of Candles
during all the time Aforesaid, And that if any Indians in Alliance
with this Colony, Shall at any time during the time Aforesaid
come into either of the Counties Aforesaid, he the Said W?
Ramsay Shall & will (upon receipt of an order from Christopher
Gist for that purpose) provide them a Sufficient Quantity of
fresh provisions, And the Said W? Ramsay for himself his heirs,
doth further covenant & Agrefe to & with the Said Rob* Dinwiddie his heirs Executors & Ad-
Executors & Administrators .Shall & will at all times well & truly
ministrators Account with the Said Rob? Dinwiddie or the commander in chief
of this Collony for the time being for all Such Sum or Sums of
money & provisions as he the Said W? Ramsay Shall from time
to time Receive from the Said Rob? Dinwiddie for Supplying the
Officers Soldiers & Women Aforesaid w? provisions as Aforesaid.
And the Said Rob? Dinwiddie for & in behalf of the Said Collony
& dominion doth covenant & Agree to & with the Said W? Ram
say to pay or cause to be paid to the Said W? Ramsay at or be-
Artides of Agreement the Sum of £,1^00 Cur* money w^ Said Sum shall be Accounted for by
fore the Sealing & delivery of these , Administrators & to allow
the Said W™ Ramsay his heirs & Executors &
the Said W" Ramsay the Sum of Sixpence '^ day for every Officer
Soldier & Woman that he the Said W? Ramsay Shall provide
with provisions as Aforesaid provided the Said number of Wo
men dont Exceed Six for each Comp^ of Soldiers, And the Said
Rob? Dinwiddie doth further covenant & Agree to & with the
Said W? Ramsay that the Said Rob? Dinwiddie will well & truely
pay or cause to be paid to the Said W? Ramsay the Sum of
Eight pence ^ day for every Indian that shall be Supplyd by him
fresh
the Said W? Ramsay with .provisions as Aforesaid, Sr the Sum
of Sixpence for every pound of Candles that Shall be us'd in the
Several forts Aforesaid provided by the Said W?" Ramsay And
that if any of the forts to w"! the Said W? Ramsay Shall have
transported any provisions Shall be evacuated in that case the

Letters to Washington 221
provisions So by the Said W?" Ramsay to that place transported
Shall be from thence transported to Such place as the command
ing Officer Shall Appoint at the cost & Charge of the Governm?
and if the fort or forts to w? Such provis".' Shall by the Said W?"
be transported Shall be taken by the Enemy or the provisions
taken as they are transporting the Governm? Shall pay the Said
William for the Same, And the carriage thereof & it is further
Agreed by & between the parties Aforesaid that all the provi
sions that shall be provided by the Said W" Ramsay before they
are Receiv'd, from the Said W? Ramsay Shall be inspected by
any two persons as Shall be Appointed by Coll? George Wash
ington or the commanding Officer for the time being In Witness
whereof the parties to these presents have interchangably Set
their hands & Affixt the day and year first Above written
Sign'd Seal'd & delivred W»? Ramsay [L S]
in the presence of RobT Dinwiddie [L S]
John Tabb
WM Withers
A true Copy from the Original
[Indorsed by Washington — " Receiv'd at Fort Loudoun the e* day of Nov^ 1757."]

FROM MAJOR JOHN TULLIKEN.
Charlestown South Carolina Oct! 27'.'' 1757
Dear Sir.
Your very Agreable letter of the 1 2'!" of May I but
very lately had the pleasure of receiving, I am much
oblig'd to you for the good Opinion you have of me.
And it gave me great pleasure to be Congratulated
on my Promotion By a Person that I have so great
an esteem for. As I have for Colonel Washington ;
I shou'd be glad to hear that your Campaign was
well over. And that you had got safe into good
Quarters. We are all much concern'd here to find

222 Letters to Washington
how different things have turned out, to what we
expected, when I had the pleasure of seeing you at
Philadelphia ; We hope to be recall'd from this Pro
vince in the Spring. If we are. I hope we shall serve
the next Campaign together with Colonel Stanwix,
as to what little news there is. I refer you to Cap
tain Mercers letter As he tells me he writes to you,
I have the honour to be.
Dear Sir.
Your much obliged
& very Obed? Hum''!^ ServL
Jn9 Tulliken —

FROM JOHN KIRKPATRICK, ESQ.
Alexandria 30*? Octo"? 1757 —
Dear Sir,
I intended before now to have taken the pleasure
of writing you, but have always, somehow, been put
off —
The late instance of your Friendship when last at
Winche? demand my acknowledgements, which I
offer with the warmest gratitude — nor cou'd I help
regarding your Kindness without a mixture of Fear
— lest, my not accepting these offer'd services, shoud
be construed, an unjust contempt of your respect —
which woud have been a very unfavourable construc
tion — and equally repugnant to the sentiments, I
entertain of your sincerity — & the duty I owe your
Merit — but, why this Apology, when I consider
your Generous & Candid disposition ? — yet, the mis-

Letters to Washington 223
carriage of My answer to your affectionate Letter by
Hamilton, partly requires it —
How deserving you may think me, of the Honour
of your Friendship, woud be vainity to suppose, in
any degree — yet, the repeated proofs of your regard,
are strong motives to stand approved in your Esteem
— a Wish (above all wishes) I have desired to ac
complish, since my First Lucky admission to your
Acquaintance — and coud rejoice in an opportunity
of giving more convincing proof than it is at present
in my power —
I have laid aside my design of going to Williamsbg
— as I get my business done without the trouble of
a journey — if at any time you desire my assistance,
here or elsewhere, before you go down to Williamsbg
I am obedient to your command — and beg you
woud use me, without ceremony, in any thing I can
serve you —
We can entertain You with nothing new From
this place — Our Admiration & pleasure is raised,
to see the preparations For the entertainment of
Your Troops this Winter — which must be elegantly
we
— if ^dare conclusions From the apparent transporta
tion of Necessary's From hence to Winches? — I am
with great truth. Dear Sir
Your very Much Oblig'd & Obt Serv?
Jn9 Kirkpatrick

224 Letters to Washington

FROM CHARLES LEWIS, ESQ.
Vaux Hall November i'.'. 1757
D? Col9 — 'Tis now some Time since I wrote to M?
Woodford, desireing him to procure me the Papers I
left in y? Hands relative to my Affair with Reynolds,
I am now in want of them, and as he inform'd me
You would send them if wanting. I beg you'll con
trive them p? first Opportunity. I received Yrs in
which You inform me of Y? giving Jackson the Lib
erty to inlist a Man in Lieu of himself, I am much
oblig'd to You for the Indulgence, & indeed could
have expected no more.
I should not desire the Papers but Reynolds has
sued me & I can't possibly do without them, I should
think a Coppy of them would do for y? Bussiness, I
am S? Y? oblig'd HbkServ? Ch? Lewis —

FROM GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.Williamsburg Nov! 2? 1757
Sir Y? Letter of the 24'!^ ult? I rec^ — And as You
observe the absolute Necessity of having a Company
of Rangers, I agree to the raising sixty, seventy or
80 Men to be Comd"! by M? Rutherford, but You
must be certain of his raising the Men, not to load
the Country with a Charge, as formerly, without Men
to the different Companies ; — I do not doubt of Y?

Letters to Washington 225
keeping them strictly to their Duty — his Pay, with
first and second Lieu'.' to be the same as the Officers
in Your Regmt — & as the private Men are to have
1 2'! ¦§ Day they are to have no enlisting Money or
Clothing, & if possible they are to furnish their own
Arms, but if they cannot You are to supply them
b}' delivering a Number to C? Rutherford, on his
Receipt to restore them Casualties excepted ; & they
are to be provided with Provisions by the Con
tractor ; this I hope will encourage the Settlers to
rem? on their Plantations.
I always was strongly of Opinion that an Offen
sive War was most eligible, & I have repeatedly
urg'd it, tho' always disappointed, & before I leave
this I shall endeavor again to represent it to his
Lordship. You did very right in furnishing the Cherokees
from Pensylva? with Horses &c. I wonder C? Gist
writes Nothing of the Indians that were on the
Branch, returning Home; I hope they did not go
disgusted. As formerly, I leave the Settlem? with D? Ross,
entirely to Y'Self, & what You do therein will be
approv'd of — I am much indisposed — I remain
Sir
Y? Care in hav? proper Your mo. hble Servant
Lf for C? Rutherford RobT Dinwiddie
will be for the Public Serv.
VOL. II

226 Letters to Washington

FROM CAPTAIN GEORGE MERCER.
Dear Colonel —
Tho I have not been favored with an Answer to
one of the many Letters I have wrote you since I
came here, yet I will not let any Opportunity slip,
agreeable to my Promise ; as I shall attribute this,
to your Letters miscarrying, for I woud not suppose
but you have wrote.
Notwithstanding every Precaution which the Gov
ernor pretended he had taken, to have Us regularly
paid, We have already been three Months without
Pay, & so far advanced in a fourth that I doubt it
will not be the last — Col? Stephen sends an Express
to inform the Governor of this, and of the Impossi
bility of keeping the Men without Pay — They have
yet behaved extreamly well, & tis Pity the Country
shoud lose so many good Men after becoming ser
viceable ; and I dont much doubt but they may with
one Consent refuse to serve Us, & enlist with the
Regulars ; some of Them have attempted it already,
& been severely punished, but I am certain shoud it
come to that, as they all know We cant oblige Them
to continue without their Pay, they woud give Them
any Encouragement to enlist with Them — Tho to
do the Gentlemen Justice they have yet done all in
their Power to prevent it, but it woud be for the
Interest of the Comon Cause to have Them enlisted
in another Regiment rather than suffer Them wholly
to quit the Service — What must add greatly to pro
mote Uneasiness & Discontent in Them, is that they
see every Soldier here (except Themselves) paid
Weekly —

Letters to Washington 227
We have lately had a Reinforcement here from
Britain of 1000 Highlanders under the Comand of
Lieutenant Colonel Montgomerie — I assure you
they are a Set of fine Fellows, but quite undisci
plined yet — They take great Pains with them tho,
& they improve daily —
I coud but think my Friends had forgot Me, when
the Drumer who came from you never brought Me
a Line from any Body; I have interrogated him
often in Regard to the Disposition & Strength of
our Reg? he coud give Me no very satisfactory Ac
count of either, as I imagine, tho he seems positive
in his Assertions — What made Me give the less
Credit to his Reports was, that he says Bell — who
I remember when I left Virg? was struck off the
List, is sent to the Cherokee Fort with 200 Men,
surely they would scarce reinstate him, & after trust
him with such a Comand I can't think it possible,
the most unfit Person that ever was in the Service
for such a Charge — Cap? Paul Demere is sent from
this Place, to the S? Carolina Fort built there, really
two very proper Men to manage Indians.
We have still hoped to see Virginia this Fall, till
the Arrival of a Man of War from Lord Loudoun —
Col? Bouquet says perhaps We may get Home in the
Spring if there is nothing material to do — but if
there is — Says he, by Way of Hum Bug, We cant
do without you.
I find my long Stay in this Place has only en-
creased the very bad Opinion I at first conceived of
it — To say no more of it 'tis the most extravagant
& uncomfortable Place I ever was in — Upon my

228 Letters to Washington
Honor tis with some Degree of CEconomy that I can
live here upon my Pay — The Towns People dont
desire to cultivate an Acquaintance or maintain a
Society with Us, so that were it not for the Harmony
that subsists between Ourselves (the Officers) it woud
be intolerable
I am not a little surprized that We have no late
News with Us — A Vessel from Britain in Seven
Weeks has given Us very little fresh Intelligence;
Save only there being a very Strong Fleet of at least
30 Men of War, 400 Transports & 10,000 Troops,
among which is about 4 or 500 light Horse being
ready at Plymouth when they left it to undertake
a secret Expedition which S? John Mordaunt con
ducts, & has two other Generals with him There are
three Admirals too with the Fleet — Hawke Knowles
& Boscowen —
A French Prize was sent in here last Week, com
puted to be worth ;^40,ooo Ster —
I assure you I long much to see you again — were
I safe at Home S° Carolina woud be the last Place I
ever woud come to —
Be pleased the first Opportunity to present my
Compliments to your Mother & all your Family —
I am D'S?
Your much obliged Friend & hbie Servant
G? Mercer —
Charles Town}
Nov! 2? I7S7 \

Letters to Washington 229
FROM THE HONORABLE SPEAKER ROBINSON.
W.^BURGH Nov! 3. I7S7
Dear Sir/
I received your favour by Brinker, and am Sen
sibly affected with the Miserable Situation of the
unhappy People in your part of the Country, and
am greatly concerned at the uneasiness I know you
suffer on their Acc? in not having it [in] your Power
to prevent their Miseries, or put a Stop to the cruel
and inhuman Murders comitted upon them, I, and
with you
every Body else, must agree. that the acting offen
sively is the only method of doing it, and of the Im
possibility of guarding against the Wolfish cuning
of the Savages by keeping the Men in Forts and
Garrisons ; I had occasion to wait on the Gov? soon
after I reed your Letter, when I asked his Honor if
he had not reed a Letter from You, he told me he
had, and asked the Same Question of me to which I
answered in the Affirmative, and informed him of the
Contents, his answer was that he was always of Opin
ion that an attempt ought to have [been] made last
Summer to take Fort Du Quesne, and annoy the
Enemy in their Settlements, and that he had pressed
Lord Loudoun two or three times on the, Subject,
but his Lordship told him that he had received a
Plan of Operations from home and that he would
not deviate from it ; The Gov? at the same time told
me that he should send a Commission to Rutherford
to raise a Company of Rangers to consist of Eighty
men, which he hoped would be of some use in pre
venting the Savages from coming so far down to

230 Letters to Washington
destroy the Inhabitants, for my part, I confess I ex
pect no great Matters from them, I was this Morn
ing told that the Gov? should say part of the Royal
American Regiment was upon their march to our
Frontiers, but he mentioned nothing of it to me, his
Honor is at this time almost wholy taken up with
ing
settle .his Affairs for his departure, as he expects a
Man of War every day to carry him. We have not
yet heard who is to succeed him, God send it may be
the
some Body better acquainted with .unhappy Business
we have in hand, and by his Conduct and counsel
dispel the heavy cloud at present hanging over this
distressed and unhappy Country, till which happy
Event, I beg my dear Friend, you will bear, so far
as a Man of Honor ought, the discouragement and
Slights you have too often met with and continue to
serve your Country, as I am thoroughly convinced
you have always hitherto done, in the best manner
you can with the small assistance that is afforded
You I sincerely wish You all happiness and espe
cially that you may [be] speedily eased from that
Anxiety which a generous Spirit must labour under
from not having it in his Power to relieve the dis
tresses of his unhappy Country more — I am
D^Sir Your Most Aff'.* Friend
and Servant
John Robinson

Letters to Washington 231

FROM CAPTAIN STEWART TO GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.
HoN=?^ Sir (A Copy)
For upwards of three Months past Col? Washing
ton has labour'd under a Bloody Flux, about a week
ago his Disorder greatly increas'd attended with bad
Fevers the day before yesterday he was seiz'd with
Stitches & violent Pleuretick Pains upon which the
Doct? Bled him and yesterday he twice repeated the
same operation. This complication of Disorders
greatly perplexes the Doct? as what is good for him
in one respect hurts him in another, the Doct? has
strongly recommended his immediately changing his
air and going some place where he can be kept quiet
(a thing impossible here) being the best chance that
now remains for his Recovery, the Col? objected to
following this Advice before he could procure Y?
Hon! Liberty but the Doc? gave him such reasons as
convinc'd him it might then be too late and he has
at length with reluctance agreed to it ; therefore has
Directed me to acquaint Y? Hon? (as he is not in
condition to write himself) of his resolution of leav
ing this immediately and of his reasons for doing it
which I have now the honor to do — ^
Y\ Hon? Letter of the 24'.'' Ult? (by Smith) did not
reach the Col? till the afternoon of the (I^ Ins? he has
since sent a Copy of Y? Contract with M? Ramsay to
the Command? Officer of each Garrison in this and

1 Washington went to Mount Vernon, when his disorder settled into a slow fever that
confined him several months, and reduced him so greatly in strength that he was not
able to resume his command until April following.

232 Letters to Washington
Hampshire Counties and issued the necessary Orders
relative thereto —
There's no Deserters been brought to the Regi
ment by Constables or others for which the Col? has
not paid Rewards
In consequence of your Orders the Col? has Com
manded Capt? Waggoner to Form as strong a Party
as he can by Detachments from the different Gar
risons on the Branch to bring in the Duncards But
he humbly conceives it would have been prudent to
have confin'd the Duncard Doc? till the Return of
this Party as it's more than probable that if he's dis
affected to our Government which many violently
suspect he and his Brothers will immediately move
to Fort Duquesne, give the Commanding Officer
there Intelligence of our Intentions and thereby en
able him to Form some Plan for the Destruction of
our Party But as the Col?' Orders were positive he
did not choose to defer the Execution of them —
When I last had the honor of writing You I in
form'd Y! Hon? of my Intentions of applying to Lord
Loudoun so soon as could hear of his Lordship's
going into Winter Quarters I have since communi
cated my Intentions to Col? Washington, who was
Pleas'd to approve of it but exprest some Inclination
to have Yf Hon? approbation of my leave of absence
to Wait on his Lordship wherever He may be, this
I flatter myself You will be Pleas'd to do which will
much oblige &c (Sign'd) Robert Stewart
Fort Loudoun
Nov 9?" 1757

Letters to Washington 233
FROM THE REVEREND WILLIAM SMITH.^
Philad^ lo'l" Nov* 1757
Sr You'll perceive your name in the list of those who
'tis hoped will encourage the enclosed Magazine,^ &
I hope you'll forgive the Liberty we have taken as
you are placed in good Company & in a good design.
Tis a work which may be rendered of very general
Service to all the Colonies. We shall be under
particular Obligations for every Subscriber you can
procure, to give the work a general Run. I have
not been unmindful of the Papers you sent relating
to the French Memorial, & you would have seen
proper use made of them before now, if they had not
been designed to be inter [mutilated] in the general
History of the present War, which you find pro
mised in the Magazine I shall therefore, be greatly
obliged to you for every Light you can throw upon
that Subject, relating to the Representations made
by the Ohio Company, the first Steps taken by your
Government with the French & Indians from 1 749
to 1753, & from thence to the Defeat of General
Braddock. As you acted a principal part in all these
Affairs, and as it is our design to do the utmost Jus-
1 Provost, of the " College, Academy and Charitable School of Philadelphia," was a
Scotchman, educated in the University of Aberdeen. During the Revolution Dr.
Smith and other trustees of the Institution were accused of " Toryism," the charter of
the college was annulled, and the University of Pennsylvania, with Dr. John Ewing
at its head, estabUshed in its stead.
2 Probably the American Magazine and Monthly Chronicle for the British Colo
nies, the second periodical of that name published in Philadelphia, and volume i. of
which appeared during this time. There is, however, in Washington's Ledger an item
of interest in this connection showing his subscription to the " Pennsylvania Maga
zine " (so he calls it) at " 50/. deducting 25 pr. ct."

234 Letters to Washington
tice to all concerned, & especially those Patriots &
brave men born in America, who have distinguished
themselves in the present war, I must rely on your
Assistance, so far as comes within your knowledge.
I doubt not you have Journals of every Thing, &
you may depend the most prudent Use shall be
made of them. To you in particular we shall do all
Justice, without suffering our Friendship to influence
us farther than the world shall confess your just
merits require. As this history is to be a full one &
will probably be long preserved, I flatter myself that
your Regard for your Country & Desire to have its
Interests understood will excuse this trouble, & in
duce you to send me as soon as possible what I have
requested. If we delay long, the Thing may fall to
other hands, less inclined to a disinterested Execu
tion of it. I have already had many Materials from
the Northern Governments. Send the Subscribers
Names for the Magazine to me, but do not mention
my name to any Body. I am with much Esteem
Your obed? Serv?
W. Smith

FROM CAPTAIN WILLIAM PEACHEY.^
Richmond County 14?" Nov! 1757
Dear Sir
I received your kind letter of the 18"' September
about a week ago, the sight of which caused at al
most the same instant both a pleasing, & disagree
able sensation ; a pleasing that I had so agreeable a
1 From a copy.

Letters to Washington 235
friend & correspondent: a disageeable that I had
once enjoyed the company of that friend, whom I
had scarcely known to be such, but I lost the sweets
of a Friendship I had long and greatly desired, by
being under the necessity of leaving that part of the
world, where alone I could meet with that friend.
In poor Spotswood I lost a man I loved as a brother.
I lament the untimely fate of Bullit. Both of whom
I am convinced would have made good soldiers in
any other service but that of Virginia where a man
must either push himself into the jaws of death &
that too without the least hope of redemption, or be
Subject to the calumnious tongues of a sort of base
seducers, whose knowledge does not extend farther
than perhaps the information of a parcel of dastardly
cowards who thro' fear, Laziness, or indolence,
joined with a duly hoggish disposition have deserted
the Virginia Regiment & tell a pack of scandalous
lies, to screen themselves, which as effectually an
swers the end, as gunpowder does to throw a bullet
out of a cannon. Your letter tells me you wish I had
been continued in the regiment. Ay, I wish so too
with all my heart ; at least till I had had an oppor
tunity to convince the world I was not afraid to face
the most dreadful enemy of human life, when neces
sary — Your letter also says. Can't you get one of
the additional companys ? I believe I could. What
then ? Can I think that Col? Washington would de
sire me to come into the Regiment upon such terms
(viz. the loss of my rank) No I believe he knows me
too well & is more my friend, for if I should, I should
imagine that not only the Officers but every soldier

236 Letters to Washington
in the corps would point me out for a fool & Baggf
who could no other wise subsist. Tho I confess
freely that some of the follies of the army too soon
crept on me, for which I now condemn myself, can
you think that my Foibles were glaring enough to
have subjected me to the extreme ill treatment I met
with in the Reduction. I am upon a scheme in which
I would take your advice. If I could procure letters
recommendatory from the leading men of the Colony
with one from yourself to Lord Loudoun, What ser
vice do you think it would be of to me in the mili
tary Way to the Norw'.'' Might I not expect a com
mission of some sort in a few Months provided there
was a small matter of cash in the way ; for you must
know, that tho' I have a sufficiency to live genteely
on at home, my estate would not long hold out in
the volunteering way nor should I care to advance
much for a commission as I have children to provide
for. Your sentiments freely on the matter will be
taken as a particular favour. There is a flying re
port here that some expedition is on foot in your
quarter, that Col? Stan wicks has order'd the Virg?
troops to join him shortly at Rays Town, if so, do give
me notice as soon as possible, for I am determined if
a thing of that kind should happen before I am other
wise provided for, to have one brush with you, as a
volunteer. Upon a second application to the Gov
ernor about my arrears, he insists that M? Boyd has
the money for those purposes & he had nothing to
do with it, so that if I don't get the cash through
their means I suppose I must go without it alto
gether. N. B. he saw the certificate. I was going

Letters to Washington 237
to conclude but I can't help giving you a piece of
conversation that passed not long since between the
Governor & my brother, the clerk of Amelia, says
his honour, Well, master Peachey, I am very sorry
your brother is reduced, for I understand he was a
very useful man, but it was not my fault, I assure
you, I could not help it, for it came in turn, & all
this he said without the things being mentioned
or even thought of by my brother. Now what do
you think of this.? I shall now conclude with this
assurance, that I am with respect.
Your most obed? Servant
W^ Peachey

FROM GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.
Williamsburg Nov! 14'? 1757
Sir Y? Letter of the 5'^ I duly rec'? & I am much sur
priz'd at what You write that the Ind? Affairs have
been impeded by a Train of Mismanagem? when I
consider M? Atkin's Report that he had established
every Thing in regard to those People in a most
regular Manner I have wrote the Necessary to C?
Gist on that Head, & order'd up a Qnty of Goods
from Petersburg for that Service wch I hope will be
at Winchester before this reaches You. I have it
much at Heart to encourage the Cherokees & did
not doubt but M? Atkin had agreeable to his Decla-
rat? fix'd every Thing in proper Order, if any De
ficiency I hope the Goods sent up will supply ; &

238 Letters to Washington
C? Gist writes that he sent away the last 20, & nine
that came before, tolerably pleas'd, by the Advance
of some Goods ; — & You write that with the Ad
vice of Y? Officers You stretched a point in supply?
them with some Necessaries, wch I suppose was more
than what C? Gist had given them.
I am glad the last Party had the Success of scalp
ing two & wounding a third of the Enemy, they are
to be applauded & rewarded for their Service — Gist
complains he has no Goods which surprizes me,
when M? Atkin says he left upwards of 8oo;^ in
Goods, with him ; I believe they were design'd for
the Catawbas, but on Occasion they sM be made use
of for those Indians that may come to our Assistance,
& those for the Catawbas may hereafter be com
pleated, as the Cotry has sent Home for a large Qiity^
The Interpreter Smith left this a Month ago con
trary to my Opinion M? Atkin sent him by Augusta
but I hope he is with You long before this reaches
You. Gist's Employm? is to take Care of the Ind? &
to deliver them Presents with discretion, & he has
Goods for that Purpose, if not restrain'd by M? At
kin's Instructions, but I suppose he now writes him
fully how to act.
M? Boyd carried up Money to pay C? Gist & the
others employ'd by M? Atkin till the 14'!' of last
Month : — the Neglect or Delay of the Interpreter
has Occasion'd some Difficulties entirely owing to
M? Atkin sending him by Augusta but I hope he is
now with You.
I have formerly wrote You to know the Demands
of the poor People on Acc? of the Ind? wch I dare

Letters to Washington 239
say is but a Trifle if any Thing, M? Boyd carried up
Money for several of them ; — Gordon's Acc? was
paid, Brinker was also p"! — & a Person from the S?
Branch carried up Money to pay several Acc'.' there;
& if any is now due it is the People's own Fault in
not giving them to M? Boyd there has been a con
siderable Sum p"? this Court on that Acc? — besides
220 to M? Atkin for the Ind? Expences dur^ his
Time, & indeed I was in hopes there was no more
due. I am with Respect
Sir 
Your mo. hbie Servant
RobT Dinwiddie *

from governor dinwiddie to captain stewart.
Williamsburg Nov! 15'? 1757
Sir I rec"! Your Letter by Jenkins last Night — The
violent Complaint Col? Washington labors under

1 Governor Dinwiddie sailed for England in January, 1758. His departure was not
much regretted, although the Council together with the municipality of Williamsburg
addressed him in language expressive of their esteem and respect. Sparks vreites
of the governor that, however amiable in his social relations, however zealous in the
discharge of his public trusts, he failed to win the hearts or command the respect of
the people. Least of all was he quaUfied to transact military affairs. His whole
course of conduct was marked with a confusion, uncertainty, and waywardness which
caused infinite perplexity to Washington. Every one regarded the change as salutary
to the interests of the colony. Dinwiddle's place was filled for a short time by John
Blair, President of the Council, until the arrival of Francis Fauquier, the next gov
ernor. The Earl of Loudoun had been commissioned as successor to Governor Din
widdie, but his military occupations at the north prevented his entering upon the duties
of his office.

240 Letters to Washington
gives me great Concern, it was unknown to me or
he shou'd have had Leave of Absence sooner, & I
am very glad he did not delay following the Doct"
Advice, to try a Change of Air, I sincerely wish
him a speedy Recovery.
I observe what You write in regard to the Con
tractor, & Instructions given to Cap? Waggoner all
which I approve of — I desire You will in Your next
give me a List of Deserters rec^ & to whom the
Money was paid, as I have been much troubled with
Applications for the Reward ; — it is wrong to pay
the Constables, for they are not the People that ap
prehend them —
I wrote You lately about Y? waiting on Lord Lou
doun, & if You obtain Col? Washington's Consent I
shall not object to Your going to the N? w. as You
propose, & heartily wish You Success.
I am Respectfully
Sir Your Most hbie Servant
RobT Dinwiddie.^

1 This is a kindly letter from the governor, and shows that he was not entirely
devoid of sympathy. If his " confusion, uncertainty, and waywardness " had been
exhibited towards any one other than Washington, might not certain views of him
be somewhat modified, and a higher standing in American annals be accorded to
him,? It has been said that he was one of the best governors that Virginia ever had.

Letters to Washington 241
FROM ROBERT RUTHERFORD, ESQ.^
Winchester the 22* of Nov! 1757
Sir It is much against my desire, to give you trouble
in your Circumstances ; but as I am inform'd that it
is your Misfortune not to be free'd of Publick Busi
ness even now : I write you the Present Circum
stance of the Company — I imagine by this time
they are about 40 and as the Enimy is discovered
Nigh Cap? M'^Kenzy's have Ordered Lieu? Swear-
ingin with the men recruited by him, to Scour the
woods about back Creek &? and to Send Out Scouts
along the banks of Potowmack Cape capon, & the
Warm Springs to make discoveries, and have ordered
Lieu? M?Dowell to act in the Same Manner in the
District of Creedon Creek — but among the Popu
lace (ever grossly Ignorant) there seems to Prevail
Some Objections that Retard the Speedy raising the
Company — which I hope you can readily remove —
Notwithstanding they have been assured to the
Contrary in the Strongest terms — they are Possess'd
of the Notion that they are to be ensnar'd, into the
Regiment So that if you can Certify 2. or 3. words
under your hand that they are not to serve- inlisted
as Soldiers or to serve as such in Keeping Garrison,
Mounting Guards &c. but only to act as Rangers
under their own Officers, it woud greatly facilitate,
and Expedite the Matter, or if they Coud be inlisted
at First for 12. Months, it woud be infinitely the best
1 Son of Thomas and Susannah (Dobbin) Rutherford, married Mrs. Mary Howe ;
their daughter Susan married John Peyton. Robert Rutherford represented Fred
erick, Berkeley, and Hampshire counties in the Senate, 1777-178J.
VOL. II

242 Letters to Washington
Scheem & woud render it in my Power to make my
own Choice of men imediately, and shoud always
be able to keep the Company Compleate, as very few
of those, woud ever Leave the Company while their
Service Should be wanting
I greatly regret your Indisposition, Sincerely wish
you a Safe Recovery, and am with Just Esteem
Sir Your most
Ob? Hble
Ser?
R. Rutherford

FROM CAPTAIN STEWART TO COLONEL STANWIX.
(A Copy)
Sir For near Four Months past Col? Washington has
Labour'd under a Bloody Flux which till of late he
did not conceive could be productive of those bad
consequences it now too probably will terminate in,
at least he would not be prevaild upon in any Degree
to abate the exertion of that steady Zeal for the
Interest of the Service he in so eminent a manner
has always been remarkable for, however about two
Weeks ago his Disorder greatly encreas'd and at the
same time was seiz'd with Stitches & violent Pleu
retick Pains under that Complication of Disorders
his Strength & vigour diminish'd so fast that in a
few days he was hardly able to Walk and was (by
the Doct?) at length prevail'd upon to leave this place

Letters to Washington 243
as change of air & quietness (which he could not
possibly enjoy here) was the best Chance that re-
main'd for his Recovery he is now Retir'd to his
Seat on Potowmack River (about 90 Miles from
hence) his Physicians give him no room to hope for
his speedy Recovery. I heard from him yesterday,
he expresses much concern for his omission of not
giving you previous Notice of the necessity he was
under of leaving this place and as he's not in con
dition to write himself desires Me to inform you of
the reasons of it which I have now the hon? to do &
begs leave to subscribe myself Very respectfully Sir
Fort Loudoun &C
No^ 24'!' 1757 (Signed) Robert Stewart

from captain robert stewart.
Dear Sir
When big with the hopes of your speedy Recovery
indulging myself in the pleasing thought and impa
tiently expecting the agreeable Acco'.' Jenkins handed
me your very obliging & affectionate Epistle of the
20'!* Ins? But how great was my Disappointment at
Acc? of the bad State your obstinate & deeply rooted
Disorder has reduc'd you to ? I easily conceive how
disagreeable it must be to a person of sense to be
laid under a necessity of paying a due deference to
the Pompuous Grimace and formal Prescriptions of
the Learn'd Faculty under whose hands you have

244 Letters to Washington
the misfortune of being, but I hope My Dear Col?
that not only regard to Self Preservation but to your
Country in general and the Regiment in particular
will induce you implicitly to obey every Order your
Physicians may Judge necessary for the Conserva
tion of that Life all Justly rate so high and for which
you are undoubtedly in some measure answerable
to your Country I Beg you'll Pardon this Freedom
which proceeds from the deep Concern I'm under. —
By the Inclos'd from M? Rutherford you'll observe
his Success — Cap? Swearingen requests you'll send
him a Line signifying that the Rangers will not be
Incorporated into the Regiment and if you cou'd
limit the time of their Service it would greatly ac
celerate the Recruiting — Cunningham (of the Mill)
says that M? Ross Bargain'd with him for a q*^ of
Flower to be Deliver'd here, and that the Contractor
won't receive it he begs to be inform'd what to do }
Capt? Trent wants to know if you'll be Security for
the Indian Goods Capt? Gist wants from him .? —
Bush says the things you ordered for the Artillery
will amount to a pretty large Sum, he daily expects
them and as he's to pay ready money for them begs
you'll Please give orders for paying him — In conse
quence of the Inclos'd from Cap? MPKinzie I sent up
the Dun * Doc? which I hope you'll approve of —
no acco'.^ of the Enemy since — The Works goes on
here as well as can be expected both your Smith &
Trigg have been sick for several Days but are now
got to work again — M? Boyd arrived some time
since with four Months Pay 2 of which he has paid
;l Duncard.

Letters to Washington 245
 tl  —
I Beg you'll [mutilated] neasiness from the affairs on
the Frontiers as they are in as good a Posture as can
reasonably be hop'd for.
Agreeable to your Desire I have wrote to Col?
Stanwix (who is now mov'd to Lancaster) Inclos'd is
a Copy thereof likewise of my last to the Governor
and his answer by which you'll observe he Orders
me to send him a List of the Deserters that were
brought back to the Regiment and to whom the
Rewards were paid ? this I cannot do unless you'll
Please send it me from your Cash or Rec? Book His
Hon? has given his approbation to my going to the
North'! and when I reflect how far the Season is
already advanc'd how much time it will require to
perform my part in the Event of Success the Diffi
culties Delays may occasion and how vastly improb
able my ever having such another chance I begin to
Dread I have stayed too long, therefore requests
you'll be Pleas'd to give me your Leave and would
it not fatigue you too much a Letter to His Lord
ship and another to Capt? Cunningham would be of
infinite Service to me as you must be suppos'd to
better
know me (as a Soldier) than any that have Recom
mended me I would [mutilated] s give you so much
trouble in your present Situation did not this seem
to be my last Effort for being extricated out of that
disagreeable uncertainty in which I have so long
liv'd and were I not morally certain your Letters
wou'd be of vast advantage to me —
I Return you M? Smith's Letter Magazine &c
with a List of what have and will beyond a doubt
Subscribe will exert myself in getting all I can —

246 Letters to Washington
I'm vext I have tir'd you with the tedious length of
this will only add my most fervent Wishes for your
speedy Recovery which would make everybody here
immensely happy particularly him who ever is
V/ith the most perfect Esteem & Respect.
Dear Sir
Your most Affecttionate &
Most Obliged EEe Serv?
Robert Stewart
Fort Loudoun ¦>
Novran 24*' 1757 — \
As for Election [mutilated] ry thing goes on
in all Quart [mutUated] sfaction — No Acco'?
[mutilated] w Govem?

0'.= \
1? J

from dr. james craik.^
Fort Loudoun Nov! 25?' 1757
Dear Sir
The disagreeable news I rec"! by Jenkins, of the
Increase of your disorder, is real concern to me — I
had been flattering myself with the Pleasant hope
of seeing you here again soon — thinking that the
change of Air, with the quiet Situation of Mount
Vernon would have been a Speedy means of your
recovery — however as your disorder hath been of
long Standing, and hath corrupted the whole mass
1 Dr. James Craik (a lifelong friend of Washington, and his attendant in his last
illness) was born at Obigland, Scotland, in 1732 ; married, in 1760, Marianne Ewell,
daughter of Colonel Edwin and Sarah (Ball) Ewell jand died on his plantation, " Vau-
duse," near Alexandria, January 6, 1814.

Letters to Washington 247
of Blood — it will require some time for to remove
the cause — And I hope by the Assistance of God
and the requisite care, that will be taken of you,
where you now are; that tho' your disorder may
reduce you to the lowest ebb ; yet you will in a short
time get the better of it — And render your friends
here happy, by having the honour of serving once
more under your Command — As nothing is more
conducive to a Speedy recovery, than a tranquill
easy mind. Accompanied with a good flow of Spirits
— I would beg of you ; not as a Physician ; but as a
real friend who has your Speedy recovery Sincerely
at heart ; that you will keep up your Spirits, and not
allow your mind to be disturbed, with any part of
Publick bussiness ; that perhaps may not be going
on so well, as your concern for the Publick could
wish — Any little slip of this kind, that might hap
pen, would be triffling to the Neglect of yourself —
The fate of your Friends and Country are in a man
ner dependent upon your recovery — And as I am
sensible of the regard you have for both I make no
doubt, but that you will use every endeavour that
will be in the least conducive to your recovery — so
that both may still rejoice in the enjoyment of you
— I am very much Surprised at Doct? Browns Neg
lect in not coming to see you, I cannot see how he
can Account for it. — I wish Doct? Jameson could
be got, I have a great oppinion of his judgment and
I really believe he would be of Service to you —
Col? Stanwix I am inform'd is to continue in Win
ter Quarters at Lancaster — If it is agreeable to you,
I should be glad of your permission to go there, in

248 Letters to Washington
order to see my Cousin Capt? Stewart — The Sick
in the Hospitall are very few at present, which em
boldens me to apply for leave — As reading & writ
ing must be very troublesome to you in your present
Circumstance — I shall only Pray God, who is the
best of all Physicians, that he in his infinite mercy,
may restore you, to your wonted health, and preserve
you in the Command which is so agreeable to many,
and none more so, than to him, who has the hon
our to subscribe himself with the greatest Duty &
Esteem D?Sir
Your Most Aff? & Devoted hum? Ser?
Ja? Craik
P. S. Please hint to me
in a few lines, if your
disorder hath yet taken
a turn for the better

1

FROM captain JOHN HALL.*
Sir/ I make bold to address you & require your per
mission to leave the Virginia Regiment as likewise
if you think I deserve it y? L? recommendatory to his
Hon? the Gov? or any other you may be pleas'd to
offer that might be serviceable to me in carrying
Arms to the Northward in some of the British Regi
ments
1 This letter, without date, was written early in 1757, and is placed here because it
is so arranged in the original manuscripts.

Letters to Washington 249
From the small Acquaintance I can boast you have
hon*! me with I have discovered that a few Apologies
& a good deal of Sincerity are amongst the things
you like best I offer you as little of the first as is
consistent with Politeness, as much of the latter as
I am capable of affording, & if a frank & open Dec
laration of my Intentions entitles me to y? Esteem,
perhaps you may think I deserve it — Truth & Sin
cerity shall flow from my Pen destitute of Adulation,
destitute of unbecoming Design, destitute of ev'ry
thing w'^ shou'd not accompany it.
Know then S' nothing less than the Fear of Indi
gence prompts my Inclination — Nothing but the
hope of disappointing it to seek for other Service —
I feel no Reluctance in leaving a Country I had but
adopted — for she has treated her own Sons with
unbecoming Severity — Nor any Regret but for leav
ing you & those Officers I esteem — What then
but the Want of a Subsistance, the daily Decay of
a scanty Fortune is oblidged often to repair, can
induce me to take this step ? The Apprehensions
of swelling the Number of the unfortunate which a
Reduction or general Dismission may create amongst
us — These are y* coercive Motives — I have all that
Regard for Col? Washington he can possibly expect,
& it would be easy for him to carry me through the
World was I one of the Number he'd choose to
accompany him, & on whom he'd bestow the Assur
ance of. Bread — I only aim at such Certainty that
the Malice of Fortune, or the Caprice of People we
have to deal with coud not affect — this is Affluence
to me — & here centers all my Ambition — I aim

250 Letters to Washington I
not at Riches but Freedom — nor value^the one but
as it helps me to the other — It renders me inde
pendent — that Share of Independence I mean con
sistent with a Soldier's Character — I flatter myself
your Reflections will square with mine & I hope for
your Approbation — I trust to the Good Nature I
have often observ'! in you, to apologise for the Free
dom I take — I hope speedily the honour of a Line
hand
from your .permission to wait on you — I rest in
Confidence Give me Liberty to subscribe mys!
with great Regard
S? Y? E^ ob? hbl' Serv'
JnO Hall

FROM GEORGE WILLIAM FAIRFAX, ESQ.
London Dec! 6^ 1757 —
Dear Sir
I arrived here the 25'^ of last month, since which
there has not been an Opportunity to America, And
now to the conveyance so uncertain that I hope you'l
excuse this short Epistle, and permit me good Sir to
acquaint you that our applycations remain doubtfuU,
And that its difficult to have a hearing by reason
the great ones are so much taken up with affairs of
much greater consequence.
The Parliament met the i?' of this instant, and
Unanimously concurred in very Loyal Addresses,
and with a firm Resolution to Aid the Victorious
King of Prussia who has Surpassed all Expectation

Letters to Washington 251
and I hope yett will give the French a more defini
tive stroke.
There has been a Court of Enquiry on the late
Secret Expedition and the other day a Court Mar
tial fixed to try Gen! M  1^ &c. In short it in-
grosses the whole Legislature, so that those in Amer
ica are not thought of. But its suggested by some
that there will be great alteration there and that
L"! Geo. Sackvile may be expected, but this is a
Secret, — The Duke has certainly Resign'd, S? John
Legonier and two more appointed Field Marshals,
and the former created an Irish Peer.
The Parliament will Adjourn for the Holydays,
when I shall go with M? Fairfax into Kent, and
afterwards to Yorkshire where I shall tarry till the
approch of the Spring, in which time if you have
any other Commands it will give me pleasure to
Execute them.
When matters are more Ripe, I will take time to
give you a particular Acc? till when I remain with
the greatest Esteem Dear Sir
Your Affect and very humble
Serv? G. W. Fairfax

1 Referring, probably, to the expedition against Rochefort, which failed through the
irresolution of Sir John Mordaunt.

252 Letters to Washington

FROM ALEXANDER BOYD, ESQ.
Fort Loudoun Decern! 6*? 1757
Sir Inclosed is an Account of Monthly Disburs'? from
January i?' to June i?' made by me & settled with
the old Comittee which I humbly conceive will an
swer the End required in Ballancing my Acco? on
your Book : The Vouchers are left in M? Palmer's
hands at Williamsbg.
Agreeable to your Instructions to Cap? Stewart I
have sent by him Your Subsistence to Jan7 i^.' 1758.
I have also paid off the Troops to Novem? i?' and
shall pay them again at the Conclusion of this
month, as His Honor was so good as to let me have
a Fund sufficient for Four Months.
I shall write to Major Lewis for Officers to attend
me at Staunton on the 10'.'' of next month.
I am heartily sorry to hear of your being so greatly
Indispos'd; I sincerely wish for your speedy Re
covery With profound Esteem I am
Your most Obedient hum''!* Serv?
Alexander Boyd —

from william henry fairfax, esq.
Sir/ As you shewed your Desire for my Welfare by
your kind Recommendation to Cap? Cunningham ; I
think it necessary to apologize for not acquainting
you sooner with my Reception and Situation here.

Letters to Washington 253
— I was kindly received by Lord Loudoun, but as I
was in daily Expectations of joining some Regiment
either as a Volunteer or commissioned Officer, I was
willing to acquaint you with my being well received
& well settled at the same time. My being well set
tled was chiefly owing to Cap? Cunningham. For
after delivering my Letters to his Lordship ; I in
tended to have returned to Virginia & serve in your
Reg? till his Lordship should think proper to give
me a Commission. At this time Cap? Cunningham
was so ill that I could not see him. But when I de
livered him your Letter, & acquainted him with my
Intentions, he insisted so strongly upon my continu
ing with the Forces here; that I immediately laid
aside all thoughts of returning to Virginia then ; &
to do
determined, nothing without his Advice, while I con
tinued near him. I accordingly went up a Volunteer
to the 44'!" Reg? w?*" was then encamped at Albany.
When I arrived there I was informed that about 100
Volunteers were at that time following the Army
here ; many of them very well recommended either
by Service or Interest, who must all have been pro
vided for before me had I waited till a Commission
was given me. — This made me embrace the first
Opportunity of purchasing ; w?*" happened in a few
Days after my Arrival at Albany by a Vacancy in the
28'!' Reg? to w^ Lord Loudoun very willingly con
sented. — I am now waiting here for Orders when to
join the Reg' (w* is at Beausejour) or to go on any
other Duty. My commission cost 200^ Sterling w'^? is
the settled Price here & lOO;^ more for a Lieutenancy,
unless by a private Bargain. — I imagine. Sir, that

254 Letters to Washington
the Vacancy occassioned by my Resignation would
be filled up in Consequence of Cap? Cunningham's
Letter to you after my Arrival here. Which was the
reason of my not sending a formal Resignation. — I
am sorry to have received a Commission in a Reg?
for w"!" I have done no Service. — However my be
ing appointed will save the Expence of an Officer
during the time I had Rank in the Reg? — I have
been with Major Livingston very much since his
Arrival in these Parts ; who desired me to acquaint
you with his being here. He went with me up to
Albany ; where he was with my Lord Loudoun ; who
examined him very particularly about the Number,
Pay Cloathing &c of the Forces in the Pay of the
Southern Colonies. He talks much in favour of the
Virginia Reg? in all Companies, & sometimes makes
Comparisons between them & the Reg'.^ here, disad
vantageous to the latter. —
I am. Sir,
Your much obliged
humble Serv?
Will¥ hy Fairfax.
New-York
Dec! the 9?" 1757
Col? Cunningham is now recovered.

FROM GEORGE MASON, ESQ.
DoGUES Neck 4'" JanJ 1758

Dear Sir
The Bearer (my Cousin French Mason) waits on
You with an Acc? I rec"! from Cap? Trent, amount-

Letters to Washington 255
ing to ;!f 165.. 12.. 2V4 as I have an imediate call for
a pretty large Sum will particularly oblige Me in
Sending the Cash '^ this Bearer; who will give a
Rec? for what he receives — if you happen not to
have the Cash at Home, I must beg the favour of
You to order it for Me by the first safe Hand from
Winchester. I intended to have waited on You my
self this Day or To-morrow, with this Acc? but am
prevented by an Express this Morning from Chap-
panamsic, to acquaint Me that my Sister Selden
(who has been ill a long time) is now given over by
her physician, & not expected to live Many Hours,
& I am just setting off upon the MelanchoUy Errand
of taking my last Leave of her ! —
I hope You will comply with the Opinion & Ad
vice of all Your Friends, & not risque a Journey
to Winchester till a more favourable Season of the
Year, or a better State of Health, will permit You
to do it with Safety ; & give Me Leave Sir to men
tion another Consideration, which I am sure will
have Weight with You — in attempting to attend the
Duty of Your Post at a Season of the Year when
there is no Room to expect an Alarm ; or anything
extraordinary to require Your Presence, You will, in
all probability, bring on a Relapse, & render Your
self incapable of Serving the public at a time when
there may be the utmost Occasion ; & there is no
thing more certain than that a Gentleman in Your
Station owes the Care of his Health & Life not only
to Himself & his Friends, but to his Country — If
You continue any time at Mount Vernon, I will do
myself the pleasure of spending a Day or two with
You very soon

256 Letters to Washington
I am w*!" Mrs. Mason's Comp? & my own to Y? Bro
ther, his Lady, & Y?self D?Sir Y? affect? hbTe Ser?
G. Mason
P. S. You will be pleased to return the Acc? ^
the Bearer ; for I have not any Copy of it ; & if it's
necessary for you [to] take it in, I will enter it in
our Books & send it [to] you again —

FROM ROBERT CARTER NICHOLAS, ESQ.
Williamsburg 5'? Jan? 1758
Dear Sir
Cap? M?Kenzie fe4^ me y? Fr, which inclosed Sun
dry Papers relating to y? Dispute with M? Strother.^
Mf Power, poor Man, is gone from Home to try for
the Recovery of his Health, which I fear will never
be restored to him. M? Wythe is also out of Town,
so that I can't with any Exactness say when we shall
have an Opportunity of giving an Award ; however
I'll get it done so soon as I can. I am verj^ glad to
hear of y? Recovery from so dangerous an Illness.
If you've any good News twou'd be kind to tell it
me ; The Gov? & his Family it is Thought will em
bark on Saturday next. I wish you many happy
Years & am D? Sir 
Y? most ob? hbli Ser?
Ro. C. Nicholas
1 Handed.
2 In regard to land. See letter from Anthony Strother, May 18, 1760.

Letters to Washington 257
FROM THE HONORABLE JOHN BLAIR.^
W".' Burg Jan? 25. 1758.
Sir, We had a Council here yesterday in which was con
sidered a letter from Col. Clement Read of Lunen
burg, advising his intelligence from an Indian Har
binger, that a large body of Indians to the number
of 7 or 800, were on their march 5 days behind him
to our assistance, and would take his house in their
way to Fort Loudoun, notwithstanding the direc
tions given by Col. Atkins for another route thro'
Augusta. The Council do not suppose their num
ber can be so large as Col. Atkins had directed their
coming in small parties ; but whatever number comes
to you, we hope you will be able to employ them in
small parties, as may be judged by you most bene
ficial. I understood by the Gov? who sailed the 1 2'^
inst. that there was I think ;^iooo worth of Indian
Goods for presents left with M? Gist who had di
rections from Col. Atkins for the proper disposal
of them. I hope you will do all in your power for
having it conducted in the best manner. I take the
opportunity of M? Binn Clark of Loudon to give
you this intelligence of their coming.
S? Y? most obed? Serv?
John Blair Pres?''

1 John Blair, President of the Council of Vu-ginia, son of Archibald, and nephew of
James Blair, D. D., President of William and Mary College, was bom in Williams
burg, 1689, and died there November 5, r77r. He married Mary Munro, daughter of
Rev. John Munro, and had two sons and five daughters. His eldest son, John Blair,
was appointed Judge of the Supreme Court by Washington in September, 1789.
2 From a copy.
VOL. II

258 Letters to Washington

from john baylis.^
Sir I send you here Inclosed an Advertisement such
as contains fewer Lines than the other you saw &
answers my purpose equally as well.
I am not naturally Inclined to expose the Foibles
of mankind because many of them happen in the
course of my own Actions, but in this case I am too
sensibly touched to content myself without giving to
my Acquaintances a circumstantial acc? of the whole
Affair — which must consequently expose those who
were concerned in it as well as the Intolerable Inso
lence & cowardice of Alixand Woodrow, who has
no way Left to contradict this Just Asspertion but
by shewing the World to the contrary.
Your Observation in Regard to the Officers not
being particularized was Just. Which you must
Rember I gave up & confessed my error — & told you
I would Rectify it But putting y? self in a passion &
openly espousing the causes of the Officers before
you knew whether they were Justly or unjustly
charged — this I say accompanied with such Mena
cing Air to a Person whom you are sensible always
preserved the greatest Regard for you was a little
Imprudent and unjustifiable.
It's certain some of y? Officers behaved 111 if the fol
lowing hints have the least connection with Truth.
I can prove the Soldiers who came to my Lodg
ings to Mob me said (upon my asking Questions)
1 Major John Baylis, of Prince William County, a member of the House of Assembly,
1768.

Letters to Washington 259
they had good Backers & that their Officers sent
them. Which seem'd true to me — for in conversa
tion with the Officers — after that I never heard a
Soldier blamed for it nor no care was taken to pun
ish them for their Insolence — till the Sheriff Com-
plain'd to a Magistrate — who Ordered the Offend
ing Soldiers to Goal for want of Security for future
good behaviour.
Indeed Cap? BuUett behaved well — in everything
but a Neglect of punishing the soldiers he Dispersed
himself after I sent for him. Tho' he appeared
Ready upon complaint made as aforesaid to put the
Offenders under Military punishment
I can prove sundry ungentleman like Actions —
as well as Words — droped from Some of y? Officers
— which did not escape my Notice & Inteligence
Their abusing Lord Fairfax by setting Woodrow
on & speaking disrespectfully of him — as well as
Threat? his person — they must upon mature De
liberation condemn themselves for.
It was observed that one M? Cooper went from
my Lodgings in the Night & got most Inhumanly
Beaten by the soldiers for no other offence but that
they thought it was I — so I was credibly Informed.
This Sir is far from a circumstantial Acc? Which if
delivered minutely would confirm as bad an opinion
of the matter as I have.
I have in this narrow Detail confined myself to
truth without exagerating the matter — truly the
Motive of these Lines is to gratify y? Request &
keep up that good Harmony that usually subsisted
between us — & I Hope that a few Hot & un-

26o Letters to Washington
garded words — from both sides — will not make
breach in
the least .friendship between us.
Please favour me with a Line by the first opportu
nity intimating y? sentiments on the Matter. I am
Sir with (the usual) Respect y? most Obed?
Hbie Servant John Baylis
30" Jan. 1758

Whereas Alixander Woodrow under the encouragement & Ime
diate protection of a party of the Regimental Subaltern Officers
— then at Winchester on Wednesday the 25'? of December
at night
^757^*^^^ challenge the subscriber to Fight a Duel
Therefore (to avoid prolixity) I take this short Method to In
form the World that I waited on the said Alixander Woodrow
next Morning with my sword & Pistol's in order to give or take
satisfaction conformable to the PunctiUo's of Honour But was
surprized to find he would not fight & even denyed he had ever
challenged me. From this I hope the Judicious part of the World
will aiOT^ me the Liberty to say without censure — that the said
Alixander Woodrow is an Arrant coward — & has no way Left
to wipe off the Odium but to Re-assume the Challenge first given
— & carry it to a necessary Length to Retrieve his Honour.
28'? Jan? 1758 John Baylis

FROM CAPTAIN CHRISTOPHER GIST.
Winchester Febu? 3? 1758

D Sir
Yours of the 31'? Ultimo I reC! this day, am very
much Oblig'd to you^y" Acc? of the Indians being

Letters to Washington 261
on their March, Some flying report we had before
which few Credited, your Account is all we have for
certain as yet,
I have Made up the Acc'.' for the last year and
Sent them down by M? Cromwell with a Return of
all the goods on hand to the Last day December
last, very little has been Disposed of Since. Blan
kets guns and Ammonition is none excpt 12 guns in
the last cargo and they very bad. but as You are
going to Williamsburg you will see the Returns with
President Blair, you will then be a Judge what may
be Nessary for the ensuing Season
As to the Price of Goods left in my hands by M?
Atkin I cant Say, what the Amount May be, but I
think I Could have bought as Much and as good for
;^300 — if the Governor Says they are worth ;^iooo
it may be so, I have renderd the Acc'.' where they
are and how Disposed of to the President. Inclos'd
is my Acc? for Recruiting I have Sent Certificate
of Jacob Sowers omitted in My Acc'.' Sent please to
get it for the Poor Man
Pray Excuse hast I am with the Kindest Wishes
for your helth D?Sir Y' Most Hum'' &
Obed? Serv? ChrisT Gist

262 Letters to Washington
FROM THE HONORABLE JOHN BLAIR.
W?!burgh Feb? 5')" 1758.
Sir u
Your two Letters of 30'!* & 31?' Ult. were bro.ght
to me by yo? Express, on Friday afternoon ; by
whom, being, desirous to consult, I sent them to M?
Nelson immediately (his horse & he being well able,
he said, to go on) but he & M? Secretary happening
to be out of Town, I did not get them back till this
afternoon, with their Advice.
As to your Several Reasons for leave to come
hither we think them very cogent ; and therefore, as
I apprehend no damage can be expected to arise
from it, and strong reasons for admitting it, You
have my Leave to come to WiUiamsburgh for the
Purposes mention'd in yo? first.
As to the contents of your Second, expressing yo?
concern at such a Number of Indians coming to us,
at such an unseasonable Time ; we wish the Spring
had been advanced first, & y° rigour of Winter over,
before they came ; but as Col Read in his of the 3"!
Ult. says that a Runner was come to him with the
News of 7 or 800 of them being but five days march
yet no
behind him, and we have. certain Intelligence of
them, I see no dependance on it. Once M? Adam
Dickinson from Augusta who came to me the 28'.''
Ult for some Arms & Ammunition for his son John,
Captain of a Company of Rangers, told me he heard
that 600 were at Col. Reads, and that they were
going to my Lord Loudoun, but that afterw*!' he
heard it was a Company of 40 or 50 only, & that the

Letters to Washington 263
rest were behind ; of which however we have no cer
tainty. On the Report of their going to my Lord,
Sir John S! Clair seem'd pleased, & said my Lord
would make them wellcome ; and by M? Nelson's ad
vice I have writ, by that M? Dickinson, to M? Gist (as
I intended to write to you) to encourage the Indians
(of any number) to go to my Lord, who would re
ceive & reward them well : and I desire you will
press it upon him. But we are much surprised to
hear that M? Gist is in no wise prepared to receive
them, as our late Gov? told us that he had a ;^iooo,
pounds worth in Indian Goods left in his hands for
such purpose. I desire a particular Acc? of what he
has. We do not imagine their number will be any
thing near so large as talkt of, and I hope they will
not come this good while yet, unless they are going
to my Lord. They are said to be Creeks & Chero
kees together.
Col Read represented his want of Ammunition in
the Magazine he built last year, to comply with Maj?
Lewis's Orders to the severall Captains under him.
Whereupon by advice of the Council I sent up to
the Glebe als Osburns 6 Barl' of Powder ten Boxes
of Shot 200 '!" w? in Each, making 2 Ton of Shot, w?**
is more than sufficient for the Powder, but he wanted
Shot for the Powder he had by him. I likewise sent
up to Cap? Dickinson 100 ttr of Powder & 200 ttr of
Lead to supply his Company, and also ten Muskets
w'^ Bayonets & Cartouches, 20 Swords, 200 Gun-
flints, & 8 Trading Kettles for their Use.
We have hired two Transports to bring back our
Two Companys from S? Carolina & are providing a

264 Letters to Washington
large quantity of Bread & Flower to be sold there to
pay off their Arrears to their coming away, & they
are to be landed at Fredericksburgh.
I have not [to] add, but my hearty wishes for your
perfect recovery, and to assure you that I am
Sir
Yo? most hble Servant
John Blair, P.
We hear Col? Young
has got his Comission come
for this Government —

FROM ROBERT CARTER NICHOLAS, ESQ.
Williamsburg 6'? Feb? 1758
Dear Sir,
I have heard of Letters from the dead, but never
had the Pleasure of receiving one, till your agreeable
Favour came to Hand the other Day. It was re
ported here that Col? Washington was dead : as you
are still alive, I must own myself obliged to the
Author of that Report, as well because my Pleasure
was greatly increased upon hearing it contradicted,
as because I enjoy the additional Satisfaction of
Reflecting upon the Concern, which your Friends
shew'd on the Occasion; & this you'll allow near
the most proper Time to judge of their Sincerity. I
wish the agreeable News you kindly imparted may
prove true, but I'm apt to think that the two Re
ports were blended together by some bungling Re-

Letters to Washington 265
taller of News. We have Nothing here worth com
municating. I am with the greatest Sincerity
Y? afff hbk Ser?
Ro. C Nicholas —

FROM JOSEPH CHEW, ESQ.
N. London Feb? 11'? 1758
Dear Sir
I wrote you by the last Post to which must now
Chiefly Refer you, this being just to beg your Par
don for the freedom I have taken to direct a small
Box to you for my Brother, this Box will be for
warded to you by M' William Coxe of Phil? who will
at the desire of M'. Robinson send you a Line ac
quainting you by what Oppertunity & which way it
is sent, if we have any thing new I shall take Care
to advise you & am with great Respect
Dear Sir
Your Very Obed? Serv?
Jos Chew

FROM CAPTAIN JOHN HALL.
Suffolk in Virg* Feb? 14* 1758
D^ Sir/
I have y? acceptable fav? from M? Vernon — & I
sincerely rejoyce at y? beginning to master the In
disposition M? Boyd acquaints me you have long
labour'd under — I hope to meet you perfectly re-
cover'd, I shall impatiently wish to hear of y? being
at W^burgh —

266 Letters to Washington
Will you excuse the Liberty of intruding a Sub- day
ject not so agreeable as many others — I've this. re
ceived a L? from Col. Gage — & There cite his
happy Paragr"? | =1 must acquaint you of a Resolu
tion lately taken to raise a Reg — of light Infantry
under my command & in w''^ Corps LI Loudoun has
appointed you a Lieu? | with a Grace truly becom
ing that G? he waves the honour of the Obligation
& throws it on another — & dont think I flatter
you when I say to the more happy Influence of a
third Person I owe my present Rise — him I look
upon as my Patron & Benefactor — Accept the kind
Wishes of a heart replete with Gratitude for ev'ry
future blessing — I am in great haste to send off my
recruits — heres a Capt 3 Subs & recruiting Partys
from this new C[orps] here now moving to this
Place — I am Y' sincerely Jn? Hall

from nathaniel thompson.*
Sir
' I am very sorry that the Lies of Maj? Baylis should
give much Uneasiness to You or make You look
upon Officers who are Willing to abide (in Respect
of that Affair) by the severest Tryal in a disadvan
tageous Light. Maj? Baylis has falsly aspersed our
Character — but he has not prov'd it nor can he —
1 Lieutenant in the Virginia regiment, commissioned July 24, 1757.

Letters to Washington 267
He has sayd it, but where ? in Prince William, the
County in which he lives where he never expects to
see one of the Persons that he has accused & where
there is no one to contradict him. We did not
imagine that You or the World would have believed
him & therefore we did intend to have made our
selves easy by taking private Satisfaction. But we
now think it incumbent on us to satisfy the Publick
tho' we can't well find out the best Method. I talked
with M? Keith who saw his Advertisement & he
says there is Nothing in it against the Officers that
will bear an Action at Law but he says he believes
he may be indicted for a Libel provided we can get
one of them. We hear that you have one which we
hope You will keep & let us have — I have wrote
Baylis my Sentiments of the Matter & withal de
manded a Copy of his Advertisement which I think
he cannot well refuse — for if he does the World
must readily conceive that he has either advanced or
affirmed a Falsity or that he is afraid to abide by the
Truth. I shall be extremely obliged to You for Y?
Advice in this Affair as soon as possible. Believe
me, Sir, I know no Reason why he should say or
^ven conjecture that I have behaved amiss. I be
lieve that it will not hurt y? Interest as a Candidate
for there are too many Witnesses for it to gain Credit
in this County. We can easily I think acquit our
selves to Y? Satisfaction for there were Men enough
by. Friends to Baylis & Strangers to us & therefore
il they are prejudiced at all it must be in Favour of
Baylis & I am much mistaken if those very Persons
will not acquit us of any Thing to our Discredit —

268 Letters to Washington

I am very sorry to hear that Y? Indisposition con
tinues — I am, my dear Colonel,
Y? sincere Friend & very h!l Ser?
NATHi Thompson —
Fort Loudoun
February the 20* 1758 —

FROM CAPTAIN CHARLES SMITH.
Fort Loudoun February y' 23? 1758
Sir I have had the Happiness of Seeing the Letter
You wrote. To Doctor Craig, and am Sorry to hear
of your being so Much Indisposed in. Health, and I
must own that I am at Present much disturbed in
my mind by Maj? Baylist who Has blasted my Char
acter in A most Cruel manner, Without the least
reason. It's true when Maj? Baylist was Last in Town
there Was some disturbance between Him and M?
Fells, Maj? Baylist and I never had any Words to
gather, which I have Sufficient proff of, I have Wrote
to Maj? Baylist Concerning it, and Shall Soon Con
vince him that I am not the Man he takes me to be
— I deny the Name of a Rioter or a Coward, Which
I hope to Have liberty to get Satisfaction, and you
Need not to fear but I will Clear it up with Honour,
and with Shame to him.
Concerning the work at Fort Loudoun has gone on
tolerable Well in your Absence the third Barrack is
Intirely Coverd In, and the Last one now a framing
in Order to raise, the Parapet on the Last Curtain is
up, the Last Bastion Is Layd Over with logs and

Letters to Washington 269
two of the amburiers done and now is about the
other four, we have done all the joyners Work in
the Second Barrack, We are in Great want of a
Barrel of Double tens for the last Barrack we not
having One, Our Stone Masons has been Sick, Ever
Since you have been Away, and our Stone Work is
much Behind hand. The well has been allmost full
they
of Water But now is Cleared and ^ are at Work in it
AGain And is near Ninety foot deep, I Cant Say
that there is any Likelyhood of Any Spring, We are
almost out of Iron and plank, and am Afraid I shall
find it Very difficult to be Supply'd without a Small
quantity of money to pay them off the old arrears I
have advanced all the money I Can possibly Spare, work
The Black Smiths belonging to the publick. has
behav'd Extreamly well, I Should Send you the par
ticulars of The Work they have done but being in
Haste and my Books not being Settled,
S? I am your most Humb?
Serv? Ch? Smith

FROM MAJOR JOHN SMITH.^
Sir I am just returned from my Exile & have but a
Short time to write to you (being desirous to see my
Family after so long a Captivity) and therefore shall
write as brief as I can. I was Sir Ordered by my
I Author of the " wild scheme " mentioned by Colonel Stanwix. (See his letter of
March to, post.) Major Smith's scheme was for the reduction of the enemy on the
Ohio and the plaiming of a forced march on Detroit. Cf. Washington to Stanwix,
March 4, 175S.

270 Letters to Washington
Lord Loudoun to wait on Col? Stannacks whose
Orders is that I should Consult with you concerning
the defence of this Colony and not meeting with
you at Winchester desire you'l meet me at Augusta
Court-house or at WiUiamsburgh by the 20'!" of this
Instant (where I am Obliged to be) to pursue the
above Orders. Or if you shall be so indisposed that
you could not Attend desire you'l send one of your
Officers according to the Time mentioned above to
Consult the same I should have been glad to see
you myself but being so long from my Family am
very Desirous to see them & therefore I can only at
this Time subscribe my Self S? Y? very Hble Serv?
Jn2. Smith
Winchester 2? M°? 1758

FROM BEVERLY ROBINSON, ESQ.
New York i'.' March 1758
Dear Sir/
Inclosed is a Letter from my friend Joseph Chew
of New London which he Desires me to forward to
you, he has also sent me a Trunk for his Brother
Coleby in your Regiment, and Desires I will for
ward it to some Gen? in Philadelphia, who will send
it from thence to your Care, as M? Chew is noted for
being a Most Obliging person in things of this sort
and seems Very Desirous his Brother should get the
Trunk, I must beg you'l Excuse his taken the Lib
erty of Troubling you about it, I shall send it to

Letters to Washington z'ji
morrow by the Stage Boat to the Care of M? Wil
liam Coxe in Philad? and Desire him to write you
a Line to Acquaint you by whom or what way he
sends it from thence.
No Doubt you are Acquainted with the Expedi
tion under the Direction of Lord How he has 2500
or 3000 picked men given him to make an Attack
on Ticonderoga, we have no Acc? of his having
Marched from Albany, but as we have had fine
Weather for this week past make no Doubt he is
Marched and Dare Say every thing will be Done on
his part Lord Loudoun has lately met the New
England Governors at Hartford in Connecticut, and
from thence has gone on to Boston, what to do there
the Lord knows —
An Expedition your Way under the Command of
General Webb is talked of, and M? Byrd is gone to
South Carolina & so to the Cherokee Indians to get
a number of them to Joyne us.
Inclosed you have a Supplement to our News
paper giving the good Acc'.^ of the Brave King of
Prussia.^ M? Robinson & her Little Boys are Very Well,
She Desires her Comp'? to you. I beg you Will
Remember me to Cap? Mercer, and believe me to
be D' S' Y' Aff? iii, Se'
Bev : Robinson
1 The king at the head of an army of not more than 25,000 men utterly routed
nearly 40,000 French and nearly 20,000 German troops on November 5, 1757. —
Lecky.

272 Letters to Washington
from THE HONORABLE PRESIDENT BLAIR.
W".^burg March 10'? 1758
Sir The Bearer James Holloway is a Soldier in your
Regiment sent from York County & under cap?
Lewis at Patterson's Fort, but being very infirm got
a Furlow from his Captain for 3 Months, w'^ was
continued by the Governor for 2 more. I thought
of discharging him, but waited in hopes of seeing
you to do it. He says he has received but 2
months pay, if so there is 6. mos. pay due to him &
better. He now applies for a discharge for his
brother John & himself, on consideration of his hav
ing enlisted two men before Mr. Smith a justice of
York which he will shew you and of his delivering
them to you at his own Expence, which I think may
be accepted, as their Ancient Father wants John's
assistance & James can be of no use to you. But as
out
he could not travel with them with ^ money & he had
been at ab? 40? Expence upon them, I have furnished
him with ^5. from the Treasury, w'.*" you will deduct
from their wages; unless you think any part of it
due to him for enlisting one in his room who I am
persuaded you would have discharged as useless.
One of them John Carter says he has 10. Guineas
due to him from Capt? Whelden of a ship at Holts,
w''!' as he is enter'd into his Majesty's service he hopes
the Captain will be obliged to pay him ; if you can
be of any service to him in it, it will be kind, & help
to equip him with Linnen &c! By him I send you
Letter of the 8. Inst, but shall write again on the

Letters to Washington 273
subject lest that should miscarry I give him too a
Letter for one George Speake an Ensign in your
Regiment that came to me t'other day by an Express
from Lord Loudoun — I heartily wish you health &
am Sir Your most obed? hble. Serv?
John Blair, P.^
James tells me he knows of 5 Deserters in North
umberland w"!^ with Assistance he could take up. &
believes he could enlist some more men if he had
direction for it.

from COLONEf- STANWIX.
Lancaster, io^ March 1758.
Dear Sir
I was on the 8* Favour'd with your obliging and
find your judgment tally w'^ Lord Loudouns & mine
in reguard to Major Smiths wild schem. Shall not
trouble you with a long letter upon it, but write upon
a Theme much more interesting w"!" is the State of
your health w'=^ I am much concern'd to hear is in so
bad a Condition as to put you upon resigning your
Command w*? I am very sure will not be so well
filled for the Interest to the Country in General and
for my own wishes in particular, but be that as it may
no one can more ardently wish for every thing that
may be agreeable to you. Am sorry to tell you that
I hear that Lord Loudoun is to go home & Lord
George Sackville to command in his room with
many other alterations, that a very large fleet is ex-
1 President of the Council, now acting as Governor.
VOL. II

2 74 Letters to Washington
pected & seven Thousand men. As I have not seen
any papers since the arrival of a Twenty Gun ship
at New York with despatches, can only give you an
imperfect sketch of what is talk'd on and beg you
will believe that I am very truly D? Sir, your most
Obed. humbl. serv? John Stanwix

FROM THE HONORABLE PRESIDENT BLAIR.
Williamsburg April yrp'."" 1758
Sir/ Friday afternoon I received yours of the Second
Instant,^ with a Letter from Governor Denny and
1 To the President : written on the Road to Wmchester, April 2, 1758. —
"HoN^™ Sir, — The Bearer, unfortimately pursuing me instead of continuing on
from Fredericksburgh (when he heard that I had passed that place in my way to Alex
andria) is the cause of the enclosed being detained so long from your Honor. The
business which carried me by Alexandria was partly of a public and partly of a private
nature, and I embrace this opportunity of accomplishing both, doubting whether
another might offer before I should be obliged to take the field.
The enclosed papers contain matters of a most important and interestmg nature.
The subject is exquisitely handled ; for which reason, I shall urge nothing more on it,
than to recommend in the most pressing and submissive manner, the necessity of pro
viding for the reception of our Indian friends. The consequence of inviting these
people to our assistance, — and their finding us so unprepared when they come, may
be destructive of our interests ; it being the cause already of much murmuring and
discontent. These people are too sensible of their importance to be put off vrith vague
promises. I do not know at whose expense those numerous parties of Indians are to
be furnished ; whether at the charge of the southern colonies in general or the govern
ment in particular ? But of this I am fully satisfied that, until such time as the Indian
agent or some other person is invested with power and the means also of laying in
suitable necessaries for them we shall never be in a condition either of fitting them for
war or giving them content. For, although much money hath been laid out for goods
to present them with, yet those presents have been so injudiciously chosen that when
they have been offered to the Indians, they have laughed at and refused them. I have
no other motive for representing this matter so freely to your Honor, than as the As
sembly are about to sit, these inconveniences, if they should appear such, being fully
represented may be redressed. I have now Sir to apologize for my paper &c., The
Bearer overtook me on the road within less than a days ride of Winchester ; and being
unwilling to detain the enclosed put into the first house to dispatch him, which was

Letters to Washington 275
the Speech of the Indian King, as also Captain Bul
lets Letters, and the Proceedings of Officers held at
Fort Loudoun, which I laid before the Council next
Morning, who concur in the Opinion of the Officers
above for the Reason by them given, and for the
certain Intelligence that has lately been received of
many Murders lately been committed upon our Fron
tiers by those Western Indians. As to the Supplys
you write for, I have sent up above Seven Hundred
Pounds in Indian Goods that Mr. Rutherford Pur
chased here by my Direction and are to be Landed
at Falmouth. I had sent Mr. Gist Three Hundred
Pounds to Purchase Necessaries for the Indians by
Mr. Cromwell besides paying what was then Due,
about 500 Pounds, but finding that would not be
Sufficient for such Numbers as I hear are coming,
I have sent him by Mr. Rutherford 500 Pounds
more to Purchase Arms, and Such Things as are not
to be got here, and if any more is wanting you will
send me Word, for I would not starve the Cause, or
have the Indians Disobliged if Possible to avoid it.
I am unlookily saiz'd with an Ague and Fevor,^ but
hope you are in good Health. I have not to add but
that I am Sir, your most humble Serv' John Blair, P.
P. S. As the Assembly intend to garrison the
Forts with Drafts from the Militia I hope you will
keep your Out Parties in a readiness to rendesvous
on short Notice.
unprovided with paper, except such as could be taken from a Book ; and such is made
use of by your Honor's most obedient servant, — G. W." The foregoing is from
Washington's Manuscript Record Book.
I President Blah is not to be held responsible for this spelling. The letter is m the
handwriting of his clerk.

276 Letters to Washington
FROM CAPTAIN JOHN BAKER.
Patterson's April lo*? 1758
Sir Yesterday in the afternoon as M? Miller & 2 or 3
Countrymen more was riding from here to Jenkins's
about 4 miles from this, they were fired at by Cocks
& Lane who was lying under the fence, the Country
men came in on a full gallop and inform'd me that
they were fired on by some Indians. I immediately
sent out Lieu? Weedon with a Command of Mea
who followed their Tracts till dark, returning home
I sent Ensign Chew out again this morning to
Reconnoiter on the other side the Mountain where
he fell on their Tracts, and after pursuing them
about 10 Miles he found a Beef that they had killed
and cut out the Toungue and part of the hind quar
ters, he continued following them about a Mile far
ther and discovered a smoke in the hollow of a
Mountain, Coming nigh perceived them Bacueing
their Meet, they being acquipt every way like In
dians and as h'fe had followed their Tracts from
pretty near the place where L? Weedon left them
last night had great reason to believe they were
Enemy / and immediately fired on them. Lane was
killed Dead and Cocks mortally wounded, they
brought to Bells Fort where he left him with a
Serg? & [manuscript torn] Men, he confcsscd it was their
own fault & blame know one else but themselves for
the Accident.* I am Sir Your mo ob? Serv?
J. Baker
1 " Lane and Cox appeared to have been disguised as Indians, and it was under the
impression they were such that Lieutenant Chew shot them." — Washington to Presi
dent Blair, April 17, 1758.

Letters to Washington 277
FROM COLONEL SIR JOHN ST. CLAIR.'
Philadelphia April 13'!" 1758.
Sir, Last night I received an Order from Brigadier
General Forbes, to purchase some Match Coats and
all the light arms I could get at this Place, to equip
the Indians that are at Winchester, which I shall
send from hence tomorrow. I have sent Mr. Gist
;^300. Virginia Currency, to supply them with any
thing that he may find in Virginia. You may ac
quaint them that nothing in our power shall be
wanting to accommodate them.
I am here still employed about Artillery and Lay
ing in Stores of all kinds, that we may take the field
as soon as possible, so soon as I am able to finish it
I shall be with you, of which you will please to ac
quaint the Indians. — take care to Keep them in
Spirits as much as you can, and give them all the en
couragement you can to go out on Scouting Parties,
and if possible to bring in one prisoner with each
Party — You will please to let me know the Number
of each Nation that is with you and what more are
expected. I hope you have received the Express I
sent to you about a week ago ; if he has fallen into
the Enemy's hands it will be a great loss to us.
I must desire you will speak to my friend Charles
Smith to prepare for me at Winchester, materials for
building a couple of large Flats, so that we will have
nothing to do but join them together and Caulk
them ; They are for Cox's on Pottomack. I shall be
1 To Captain Bullet, or commanding officer at Winchester,

278 Letters to Washington
glad if You can get a few Barrels of tarr made near
you. I beg my Express may not be detained. I am.
Sir, your most obed? humb! Serv? John ST Clair

FROM BEVERLY ROBINSON, ESQ.
New York 16'? Ap' 1758
Dear SiR/Your favour of the 5'!* Instant came to
hand last Night by y? Post, Inclosing a Letter for
M' Richard Washington^ in London w'=*' shall be
I To Mr. Rich* Washington, London.
Dear Sir, — Captain Whiting is arrived & my Letters by him are come to hand,
but not the Goods : the latter I apprehend is in bad order as I understand the Captn.
entered a protest immediately upon his arrival. The Locks and Hinges I fear are
slight if I am to judge from their sizes and price. The sword p^ Capt» Nicholson I
have received.
The Inclosed is a Bill of Excha. for JSioo Sterlg. 60 of w".' y« Cash is received must
go to the Credit of Lord Fairfax. Mr. Carlyle will send the others of the same Tenor
and write fully on the matter. I lodged the other day £72 — 10' with Fielding Lewis
Esq'." to buy me a Bill of £50. and hope you will receive that also in a very short time
as he had hopes of purchasing of M^ Hunter upon Lyde of London.
You will perhaps think me a crazy fellow to be ordering and Countermanding Goods
almost in a breath. It was but the 18* Ult; from Williamsburg that I wrote you via
Bristol, advising the arrival of my Goods pr. Captn. Dick & desiring you would desist
sending me the China wrote for in a Letter of the 8" Jany. and in Ueu thereof to send
me a compleat sett of Horse Furniture I must here beg you will forbear sending either
as I am now provided with the latter but dispatch the following things by the first ship
bound to any part of Virginia (viz)
A Compleat hunting saddle & Bridle vrith two neat Saddle Cloths to cost 40/. the
whole. — As much of y! best superfine Blue Cotton Velvet as will make a Coat WMst-
coat & Breeches for a Tall Man with a fine silk button to suit it & all other necessary
Trimmings & Linings together with Garters for the Breeches. — Six pair of the very
neatest shoes (viz) 2 p' double Channel Pumps — 2 pair turned Ditto & 2 p*. Stitched
Shoes to be made by one Didsbury on Col" Beilars last but to be a little vrider over the
Instep. — Six pair Gloves, 3 p^ of w?' to be proper for Riding & not to have stiff
Tops, y« whole larger than yt middle size. —
I shoud. be extreamely glad to have the above things in as soon as passible. If they
go either to York or James River, Recommend the Package to Peyton Randolph
Esq'."l Attorney Genl WilUamsburg and he will see that they are forwarded — This Let
ter is intended to go by the Packet from New York, and the Post is just setting out for
that place which prevents my adding more than that I am Dear Sir, with great truth

Letters to Washington 279

taken care of and forwarded by the Earl of Halifax
Packet, Captn Rand who it is imagined will sail
soon. The York Bill you Inclosed will over pay the post
age of your Letter, there being no Charge paid on
Letters sent from this by y? Packets to England,
so that all yf Expence Attending your Letter is y?
postage from Fort Loudoun here. S? Charles Hardy
is off Louisburgh with 8 or 9 Sail of y? Line, & hope
he will be able to prevent any succours getting into
that place.
M"? Robinson & family are very well & Desire
their Compt? to you as does M? & M" Morris ^ and
your Most Oblidg. Hble. Serv? Bev : Robinson

FROM COLONEL SIR JOHN ST. CLAIR.
PHILADf April 20. 1758.
Dear Sir, — I received your agreeable letter of
the 12'!" by the return of the Express sent to Win
chester; it is very acceptable news to General
Forbes, Major Halkett and myself to hear you was
so well as to be able to make the campaign with us.*
and Sincerity yr most obed' & Affect. Hble. Servt — G° WASHINGTON/Winchester 5th
April 1758/P. S. You are pleased to Dub me with a Title I have no Pretensions to —
that is— Ye Honble.—
1 Who as Mary Philipse, we remember, had held the heart of our Virginia colonel.
2 Washington felt "a degree of satisfaction," as he expressed himself to Major
Halket, upon the prospect of again meeting his old companions in arms. And he
was happy to find also, writes Sparks, that his early and constant wishes were at
last to be realized by a combined expedition to the Ohio. New energy had been
recently infused in the British councils by Pitt's accession to the ministry. That
statesman, continues the same historian, always guided by an enlarged policy, always
friendly to the colonies, resolved on a vigorous prosecution of the war in America.

28o Letters to Washington
This letter goes by one Riker : I have not time to
write to you so fully as I could choose; but Mr.
Rutherford is here ; I shall write to you more fully
as he sets out in a day or two.
Be so good as to tell Mr. Gist that I rec'd. his let
ter last night, and have received orders from Genl.
Forbes to provide every thing the Indians may want.
I have sent to Winchester about 60 Fuzees w? 100
match coats, and am now about collecting 300 arms
more with other Indian goods ; all which shall be sent
from hence as soon as possible. The arms are good.
The bearer is in a great hurry to be gone so that
I must conclude with saying that I am, D? Sir, Y?
most obed? John ST Clair ^

FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL STEPHEN.
Sir, — I am this moment arrived, and find your
orders to march which shall be Comply'd -with ; tho'
the President gave directions for refreshing the men
and paying them off here. — As soon as the men are
One of his first acts was a plan for the campaign of 1758, in which offensive operations
were to be pursued throughout the frontiers. Colonel John Forbes, who had been
Lord Loudoun's adjutant, was commissioned a brigadier- general and appointed to suc
ceed him. He was directed to undertake a new expedition against Fort Duquesne.
Washington, in a letter of March 10, 1758 [Ford's Writings of Washington, vol. ii.
p. 6], had asked to be recommended to General Forbes in favorable terms, " not as a
person, who would depend upon him for further recommendations to military prefer
ment, for I have long conquered all such incUnations (and serve this campaign merely
for the purpose of affording my best endeavors to bring matters to a conclusion), but
as a person who would gladly be distinguished in some measure from the common run
of provincial ofBcers, as I understand there will be a motley herd of us."
1 Sir John St. Clair was quartermaster-general of the combined arn^.

Letters to Washington 281
on their march I will come on, and hope the pleasure
of seeing you Thursday night ; in the mean time ; I
am with Respect Sir, your most ob? hub. Serv?
Adam Stephen
Fredericksburg April 22? 1758

The Proceedings of a Council of Officers held at Fort Loudoun
April 24*? 1758. to consider whether it was most for the In
terest of the Service or whether it was practicable to comply
with the Instructions contained in a Letter from the President
of Virginia to Col° Washington. Officers Present
Col° George Washington, President
Capt" Lieu? Bullitt ] " f Lieut. Campbell
Lieut. King l"^ J ^i^'^t- Buckner
Lieut. Thompson f « 1 Lieut. Smith
Lieut. Roy J ^ .1 Ensign Russell
I" That Part of the President's Letter in which he advises
Col° Washington to incorporate part of the Officers and Non
Commissioned Officers of his Regiment with the Second Regi
ment, and to take part of them into his was considered and it
was unanimously agreed that the first Regiment would receive
a greater Detriment thereby than the Second would gain an Ad
vantage as the Officers (were they exchanged) would not have
sufficient time to Discipline the new raised Regiment and our
Non Commissioned Officers & Soldiers would with Reluctancy
change their Officers to be Commanded by those they must be
convinced were entirely ignorant of the Duty either of Officer or
Centinel and it is also imagined that such a change would be
look'd. on as an Imposition by the Officers who might be ordered
into the Second Regiment.
2"'' We considered the Abstract from Brigadier General Forbes,
his Letter and find that the Performance of but a small part
thereof can be in the power of the Commanding or other Officers
of this Regiment for as our Troops cannot march (by express

282 Letters to Washington
Orders from the President) from the Places at which they are
stationed 'till they are relieved by Militia it is impossible to
assemble them so soon as the General desired ; for the time is
past and no orders issued even for the Assembling of the Militia,
nor for the same reason 'till we are relieved can we quit our Post
to attempt clearing the Road nor do we know w* way the Gen
eral intends to march as there are different Roads.
3*!'' We considered that part of the Letter in which he leaves
a discretionary power in the Hands of Colonel Washington in
draughting the Militia and we verily believe that were he to
order out the Militia of the frontier Counties (who always have
been taken out on every Immergency) it would be productive of
an almost General Mutiny — besides the Disadvantage in case
of an Invasion on the South-western Parts of the Colony as the
Militia in those Counties would be present to assist the Militia
that were ordered from the Interior Counties and in case he
orders the Militia from the Lower Parts of the Country we think
that they would be so long assembling and marching that Col°
Washington might be blamed (if not by the Colony) by the Gen
eral who desired the Companys of this Regiment to be at this
Place by the 20th. of this Ins? tho' the Col° has received no
orders about it 'till this day. Besides Col° Washington ought to
have the County-Muster Rolls before it will be possible for him
to make an Equitable Draught of the Militia to relieve the Gar
risons nor can he (as he has not the Acts of Assembly, nor him
self nor any of us know the Act past in June last) either call out
or appoint such Officers as is there directed & as the President
orders. Upon the whole it appears to be an affair so interesting to the
Colony j so nice & of such importance for the service of His Ma
jesty that (as it will take only three or four Days more to assem
ble the Militia) it is our unanimous opinion that it is more ad
viseable for the President or his Council to give Orders to the
Militia and proper directions concerning those things that we
have had in consideration than us to determine on them
G? Washington
Tho! Bullitt Nath^ Thompson
John Campbell Ch! Smith
John King Ja! Roy
MoRD^ Buckner Henry Russell

Letters to Washington 283

FROM lieutenant BASSET, ENGR.
Fort Frederick 27^ April 1758
Sir, — I am sent here by S? John S? Clair to re
pair the Roads &c on both sides of the Potowmack ;
to forward which service he told me he had Ordered
200 of the Virginia Troops to take Part at Enoch's :
whenever this is done you will please to let me know
& I shall be ready to attend them.
Lieu? Shelby who is employed to buy Forrage, has
contracted for Some Oats & Indian Corn to be de
livered at Captn. Caton's on your side of the Potow
mack : As it may be a Week or Ten Days before
he can send for it & as he thinks it a dangerous
Place, he desired I would mention it to you ; being
assured that, if you think it necessary, you will order
a small Guard there from Patterson's Fort or else
where. I am Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant
T. Basset, Engineer

FROM THE HONORABLE PRESIDENT BLAIR.
Wmsburgh May 3? 1758
Sir, — Col. Taylor, Col. Lee & Col. Geo. Mason have
strongly recommend to me M? French Mason,^ the
Bearer, for an Ensign's Commission in your Regi
ment, which the late Promotions they hope will
make room for, after your Volunteers. They assure
1 Probably the son of George Mason's uncle of the same name. — Miss Rowland.

284 Letters to Washington

me he is a young fellow of Integrity & Spirit, & has
a small Fortune that might well support him in no
despicable way ; so it is not necessity, but a Zeal for
his Country's Cause, draws him into the Field, where
they are confident he will behave so as to merit
approbation. I told them I had yesterday by Jenkins sent you
Six blank Commissions for that purpose, which you
had promised to fill up w'^ a just regard to justice &
the Rules of War ; but as I hear you have only two
Volunteers to provide, I should be glad if you could
find room for this hopefuU young man so powerfully
recommended. I am Sir Your most obed? hble Serv?
John Blair

FROM FRANCIS HALKETT, ESQ.^
Philadelphia 4'!" May, 1758.
Dear Sir, — General Forbes having information
that a party of our Catawbas are just return'd to
Winchester, from a Scout to the Ohio, and have
brought in with them several Prisoners and Scalps,
— as the General is extreamly desirous of Knowing
the condition of Fort Duquesne, & the situation of
the Enemy's strength in these parts, he has ordered
me to acquaint you, that if the Intelligence the Pris
oners give is so distinck, and of such consequence,
as to be of service to the General, that you will take
the first opportunity to send them to Philadelphia —
and to facilitate their Conveyance, you will send an
open letter to the Commanding Officers at the dif^
1 Brigade Major to General Forbes.

Letters to Washington 285
ferent Posts upon their Route, that they are to for
ward them with an escort from Post to Post You
will at the same time be pleased to send the Gen
eral any information that you have taken from the
Prisoners.^ Their is a Treaty on foot just now between the
Shawanees, the Delawares and the people of this
province, and he is very sorry to learn that several
of the Cherokees have taken into their heads to
ramble this way, that several of them are come to
Carlisle, and he is just now informed that some of
them are coming into this Town. The General
therefore desires that you will be at particular pains
to prevent any more of them coming this way, and
that they may be employed as much as possible in
Scouting parties, to cover our Posts, and Magazines
& Keep the frontiers of the Country quiet ; & as the
most effectual Route for that purpose, he would
recommend to you, the sending of them out by Rays
Town, & Franks Town, to long Island in the West
branch of the Susquhana, and examine all the Paths
leading to wards the Ohio.
The General is very much alarmed with a letter
which he has this moment Received, with an Ac
count that the Raven (a Cherokee Captain) and 30
of his men, having returned to their own Country
much displeased with the English, he therefore must
press it in the warmest manner that the utmost at
tention be paid by every body under your Command

1 The reply from Washington was that nothing of this kind had occurred this year,
nor had any prisoners been taken, nor scalps, except two taken near Fort Duquesne
by the young warrior, Ucahula.

286 Letters to Washington
towards keeping the Indians in a good disposition,
& that all means be used in bringing back the Raven
& those Indians who have Return home.^
The General is just now employed in buying all
the strouds, and goods that will be necessary to
make in presents to the Indians & has laid an Em
bargo upon every thing in this Town that will be
of service in that way.
Provided that the Catawbas are not disposed to
part with their Prisoners, you are not to send them,
but if they can be procured without giving umbrage,
the General will be very desirous of seeing them. I
am with great regard. Dear Washington, Your most
obedient & most humble Servant Francis Halkett
P. S. — You will please for the future, to send all
your Returns to me at Philadelphia, that I may make
up a general State of the Whole to be laid before
General Forbes at the different times as they shall
offer.

1 The Raven warrior was on a scout from Fort Frederick, Md., in which he was
unsuccessful. On his return to Fort Loudoun he produced two white men's scalps,
which he brought from his own tribe, and wanted to pass them for the enemy's, taken
in his unsuccessful scout. In this villainy he was detected by the other warriors, who
were highly offended at so base a deceit and threatened to kill him for it. A con
sciousness of his guilt and a dread of being called to a severe account by his own tribe
were the reasons which many of them assigned for his going away in so abrupt, but
to Washmgton by no means dissatisfactory, a manner. See Washington's letter to
Major Halket of May ii, 1758.

Letters to Washington 287

FROM COLONEL GEORGE MASON.
Race Ground at Boggess's Saturday 6* May
1758— SO'Clockp: m: —
Dear Sir, — The Bearer French Mason, a Rela
tion of mine, has an Inclination to serve his Country
upon the Intended Expedition : I recommended him
to the President for a Lieutenancy in the Regiment
now raising ; but unfortunately before he reached
W!!!burg every Commission was disposed of ; other
wise he was sure of succeeding, as the President
would have done him any service in his power — As
there are some Vacancys in your Regiment, his
Honour has been so kind to give him a Letter of
Recommendation to you — Had I known of these
Vacancys I should have taken the Liberty of apply
ing to you sooner on his Behalf ; for as he proposes
to continue longer in the service than this Cam
paign & push his fortune in that way of Life, I
would prefer a Commission in your Regiment ; & it
would give me great satisfaction that he was under
the immediate Command of a Gentleman for whom
I have so high an Esteem. You may be assured.
Sir, that I would not recommend a Person to your
Favour, whom I did not from my own knowledge,
believe to be a young fellow of Spirit & Integrity —
He has lived a good while with me & if I am not
greatly deceived, he has personal Bravery that will
carry him thro' any Danger with Reputation & this
Opinion I am the more confirmed in, as he never was
a flashy fellow. He has been but little in Company &
has not that Address which is requisite to set a Man

288 Letters to Washington
in an Advantageous light at first ; but he is a very
modest lad, & does not want parts ; & I am confi
dent will endeavour to deserve your good opinion as
well as to support the Character I have given him.
He this moment came up from Wmsburg & found
me here & as I thought there was no time to be lost
I advised him to set off instantly for Winchester, as
soon as I could procure this scrap of paper, & get
a place in the Crowd to sit down to write — If he
fails in a Commission, he had thoughts of going out
a Volunteer but as he has but a Small Fortune, I
advised him against it — Whatever you are so kind
to do for him on this occasion I shall always regard
as a particular obligation on me — I beg You '11
excuse this trouble & believe me on all occasions
very Sincerely, Dear Sir, Y? most ob? Hble Serv?
G. Mason.
I have really wrote this in such a Hurry that I am
afraid its hardly intelligible.^
1 The " Race Ground at Boggess's " from which this letter is dated is pointed out
to-day as near the present Pohick Church [about six miles below Mount Vernon]. And
the race of Bogges has disappeared as completely as the race-course itself, though the
older inhabitants in the neighborhood still recall the name. It is difficult now, in driv
ing over this quiet, rather deserted locahty, to picture the gay scenes of the early days,
when the gentry of the country, the Fairfaxes, Lees, Washingtons, Masons, and others,
indulged in one of their favorite amusements on this old race-ground. The yellow
manuscript, with its faintly traced characters, penned by Colonel Mason in such haste,
amidst the crowd and confusion of that May afternoon in r75S, still seems, however,
to carry with it a suggestion of the genial, stirring, eighteenth-century life of which it
was once a part. — Miss Rowland.

Letters to Washington 289

FROM COLONEL HENRY LEE.
Prince William County May 16'? 1758.
Sir, — In obedience to His Hon' The Presidents
Orders to me w* I inclose you a Copy off, I have
sent One hundred Men of this Militia Commanded
by Cap* Tho? M-iClanahan & Capt. William Tebbs to
Garrison Fort Loudoun at Winchester.
I have directed them to apply to you for arms and
ammunition & to the Commissary for provisions : the
Arms sent for the use of this County not being yet
arrived, I am, Sir, Your most Obedient H''!^ Serv?
Henry Lee

FROM PRESIDENT BLAIR TO THE LIEUTENANT OF PRINCE
WILLIAM COUNTY
Sir, — As the Law directs the Forts to be gar
risoned by the Militia in the absence of the Forces
belonging to the Regiment, I do therefore by Virtue
of the Power and Authority with which I am in
vested as Commander in Chief hereby require and
Command you to Raise and send one Hundred men
of your Militia under the Command of two Captains
2 Lieutenants. 2 Ensigns & 6 Sergeants, with 2
Drums to Garrison Fort Loudoun at Winchester to
continue there till the 20th of December next or
the Return of the Regiment and you are immediately
to return to me an Acc? of your proceeding Herein
with the names of the Officers and soldiers sent on
the service aforesaid.
VOL. II

290 Letters to Washington
Given under my hand this 4th day of May 1758
(Signed) John Blair, P.
A Copy

FROM WARNER LEWIS, ESQ. May s, 1758
Dear Sir
The Bearer M? Charles Tomkins an Officer in
Col? Byrds Regiment will deliver you this, and shall
be obliged to you for any thing wherein you can be
serviceable to him, not doubting your readiness to
oblige me in a thing of this sort, I have taken upon
me to recommend him to you as a Gentleman of
worth & particular friend of mine. I heartly wish
you success, & may all happiness attend you. I am
D? Sir Y? Affect KinsmanWarner Lewis

FROM WARNER LEWIS, ESQ.
Dear Sir, — Lieutenant Thurston of Colo. Byrd's
regiment will deliver you this & I beg leave to recom
mend him to you, for your kind advice, notice, &
assistance, & shou'd anything happen in the course
of this undertaking, wherein a friend may be requi
site, I hope (upon my account) You will think of
Mr. Thurston & do him all the good services in your
power, as it will be doing me a singular favour. M?
Edwl Cary will be with him, who I likewise recom-

Letters to Washington 291
mend to your kind notice. I am. Sir, y? most Obed'
& Affectionate Serv? Warner Lewis
Warner Hall,
May 65 1758.

FROM COLONEL SIR JOHN ST. CLAIR.
York, May 7, 1758.
Dear Sir, — Two days ago I received your Let
ter of the I'.' which I transmitted yesterday morning
by Express to General Forbes, this morning the
Post gave me your other Letter of the 4'.'' which I
shall send likewise to the Gen? You '11 see by Major
Hackett's Letter that the Gen! was greatly alarmed
w? a Report which prevailed of some Cherokees hav
ing left Winchester. I am glad not to find it men
tioned in any of yours. I am sorry to hear of the
Incursion the Indians have made in Augusta.
I coud easily foresee the Inconveniencys you
wou'd labour under at Winchester, I have and shall
do everything in my power to have the service carry'd
on. There is to be a meeting the i8th. Inst. at. Win
chester of Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Blair and Myself to regu
late many things, Untill that time I do not see in
what manner you can get in your Out Garrisons.
Cou'd I be of any Service to you before that time I
wou'd come to you.
I am busy about Roads, Hay, Oats, Indian Corn,
& Waggons, & I am to have a meeting with all the
people of this County the 1 1'!', that done I shall set
out for Winchester, but I must return this day to
Lancaster.

292 Letters to Washington
I have got 360 Match Coats & a Doz° more light
Guns with some Vermilion, I shall send them off
tomorrow for Winchester, with Mr. Henry & two
men more who I sent to repair your arms. I shall
be with you the 16* or 17'.'' at furthest. I beg the
Favour of you to get me a Lodging.
Please to make my Compliments to the Gentle
men of your Corps and be assured that I am with
great Regard Dear Sir Your most obedient and most
humble Serv? John ST Clair.

FROM JOHN NORTON, ESQ.
York the 9th. May 1758
S?^, — I take the liberty to Recommend the bearers
hereof, Mr. Thurston & Mr. Cary to your favour,
they have I believe raised about 30 Men for the new
Regiment, the former is in hopes of a 2* Lieuten
ancy & the latter to be an Ensign, they are both
very Sober young men & I doubt not but will be
have themselves in such manner as to merit your
esteem. Any civilitys you shew them will much
oblige S! y? most hubl. Serv? John Norton

FROM PRESIDENT BLAIR

W™BURGH May 11'? 1758
Sir, — I have just received a Letter from the
Honb'." W:::^ Nelson, Esq", in favour of Lieut. Baker

Letters to Washington 293
now here with yo? permission. His friends have
prompted him to think of filling the vacancy occa
sioned by the resignation of Captn. Joshua Lewis,
and have strongly solicited Mr. Nelson to intercede
with me for that promotion, in consideration of his
bold and gallant behaviour in his Excursion towards
Fort Du Quesne. His Honor was afraid lest it
might be thought unjust to the Senior Lieutenant,
who seemed to have a Right to a Preference. They
replied that when a junior officer had signalized him
self by his remarkable good behaviour on any par
ticular occasion, as Mr. Baker had, it was not unjust
nor unusual to promote such an one, as it would
inspire others to emulation ; and that Rewards to
merit are the best means to make good officers,
rather than to adhere invariably to seniority. Upon
the Whole His Hon? was so convinced of Mr. Bakers
merit that he strongly recommended him to me, if it
could be done without prejudice to the service & that
it would be very obliging to him. I have had other
solicitations to the same purpose, but I need not
mention them after Mr. Nelsons, whom I would fain
oblige ; only Col. Rob? Burwell urges the Governor's
promise to promote him for his gallant conduct on
that occasion. I told Col° Burwell I was convinced
of his merit & would gladly oblige ; but that I had
at y? request sent you up 6 blank Commissi ab? 10
Days ago. If that is yet blank I desire it may re
main so, till I hear from you. I wish you had men
tioned Mr. Baker's courage & conduct on that occa-

294 Letters to Washington
sion, at the same time with L? Bullits Seniority, that
it might have been considered here.^
I am Sir your very hble Serv'
John Blair
At least I hope Mr. Baker may fill Col. Mercer's
Post in your Regiment for this Campaign.

FROM JOHN BLAGG. May the Ii5 1758
Sir, — I Have in Listed twenty two men & thare
is eight or tenn more that Has Promised if Can Gift
the money to Give them for they will Not take orders
for any Part the Officers of the New Regiment Has
Made a Practiss of Giving the full Bounty so that
they are not to be Gott with out Pray send me Some
money Down for I have Borrowed upwards of a
Hundred Pound in town & Promised to Return it
before I Left this Col? Stephen Has a Return of the
Stores which I sent up by Serj? Edmonson I am Sir
with Respect your Hum Serv'
John Blagg

1 Washington replied as follows : " It will cause great dissatisfaction in the regiment
if Lieutenant Baker is put over the heads of older officers. It is granted that Mr.
Baker is a very deserving officer, but there are others equally deserving and have ad
ventured equally to seek glory, and to merit applause. Ensign Chew, for instance,
was with him when the scalps were taken ; Capt. M°Kenzie, Lt. Gist, Mr. Woodward
and many others have adventured as far into the enemy's country, tho' with less suc
cess. I therefore hope (to prevent the disorders consequent upon his advancement)
that your Honor will suffer Colo. Mercer's company to be given to Mr. Stewart, the
oldest Lieutenant, as Captn. Lewis was in the like case to Mr. Bullitt."

Letters to Washington 295
FROM COLONEL SIR JOHN ST. CLAIR.
Frederick Town Sunday forenoon May 14^ 1758.
Dear Sir, — Yesterday afternoon the Post gave
me your Letter of the 1 1'^ which I transmitted to
Brig'l' fforbes. I expect Gov? Sharpe at this place
every moment, and if I was at Winchester I cou'd
do but little untill he & M? Blair arrived. I shall
be with you at furthest on teusday morning which
makes me not enter upon particulars as I am to see
you so soon. I am with great Sincerity Dear Sir,
Your most obedient and most humble servant
John ST Clair.

FROM THE HONORABLE PRESIDENT BLAIR.
Williamsburg May 15'!' 1758
Sir, — I have yours now by Mr. Jenkins of the
lO?" with the advice of your Council of Officers, on
the Straits you are reduced to in recruiting, for want
of Money. I have called a full Council to meet on
Friday next ; which considering their distance, could
not be sooner, and shall lay it fully before them ; and
you may depend on all in my Power to serve you in
it. I write this now by Maj? Finnie to let you know
the occasion of my keeping Jenkins 'till the Council,
when I propose to write fully to you.
General Forbes expects a proposal from Gov?
Sharp to me to take the Maryland Forces in our
Pay. I have writ fully to Sir John, and to Col? Peter
Randolph about it, so need only refer you to them,

296 Letters to Washington
as I expect they will both be with you as soon as this.
It is now past Eleven so I bid you Good Night and
am Sir Your very Hum Serv?
John Blair

FROM WILLIAM CALLAWAY. Bedford 15'" May 1758
Sir The Circumstances of afairs at this time causes
my Boldness in hopes To Receive Information what
was y? Reason of our frend Indions as we Call
them Returning Home if they are Returned & To
inform you how we are opressd & what has hapened
Last week by several Parties of Indions by Compu
tation about 70 or 80 which Cald themselves Sum-
times Cherokees and sumtimes Shonees & has acted
Vilinously Robing & Stealing, Plundering houses;
Puling men of their horses striping & whiping Beat
ing with tomahoaks & Stoning many People in so
much that the People Gathering demanded Reasons
& their Horses to be Returned On that they have
had two scrimidges There was four white men
folowed & Come up with three Indions who Put
our men to defianc & shott at them several runs &
then went of our white men being Joynd by seven
other white men folowed y* Indions who when they
Came to them was Joynd by Ten more Indions Our
men Told y° Indions they were brothers & that
they wanted their horses The Indions told them
that they must fight for them and Prepared them-

Letters to Washington 297
selves for Battle Our People Told yf Indions they
did not want to fight they were Brothers they only
wanted their horses y* Indions called themselves
Shawnees & fird three guns at our men & omediatly
three more & shot down W"^ Hall one of our men
on which although our men had not all got guns &
sum of them wood not fire they Returned yf fire
so Brisk that they Kild three Indions & wounded
several Took the stolen Horses & plunder there
was one white man kil? & one wounded — Likewise
another Party Comited yf same vilony with Cuting
open beds & throughing out yf fithers & was folowed
& when the white men Came near a Cap of Luning-
burg and a Leutenant of this County went up to
talk with yf Indions & Cald them Brothers & desird
to be in frend ship with them. The Indions answd.
no Brothers no Cherokees they were Shonese Took
the Cap & Leutenant & strapd them & Beat Them
That they were Glad to Got off naked to save Life
on which the Rest of their men Pursued & Gott
before the Indions & had a scurmidge with them
But yf number of Indions computed sixty or Seventy
& white men about forty & sum Part of yf white
men Run before a gun fird Others Broke soon after
without being of any service the Indions Kept the
grounds when the white men went yf next day there
was but one Indion But many Horses & sum Bagidg
The Consequence of this time only Is to determine
If the Indions should be Cherokees Acting this to
open a War It may Hasten the Crises if not they
must Explain their frendship on better firms Our
County as well as the Neighbouring Countys is in

298 Letters to Washington
the greatest Consternation Imaginable I thought it
most Expedient to Comunicate this to you & hope
you will mutely consider the Case & as we are not
aprised Whether those Indions if Cherokees is
diserted or not that its Quite nesary you should
know their behavour you may the better deal with
those still at that place though the distance was
great it must be Expedient to Comunicate the Case
which I hope you will give your self the Trouble to
send an answer by yf bearer & other news if not
ag'.' your athoritys Intrests
I shall subscribe my self your most
oblid your Humf ser? W^ Callaway

FROM COLONEL GEORGE MASON.
Dogues Neck i6*? May 1758
Dear Sir
I am favour'd with y'.' of the 8'^ Inst, pr. French
Mason, & am perfectly satisfied w'? the Justice of y?
Reasons for not providing for him in y? Regiment
at this Time. I am Convinced from your State of
the Case that it Could not have been done without
prejudicing the service. He tells me you were kind
enough to promise him a Commission the next va
cancy that happens. I shou'd have been very glad
his Fortune would have supported him as a Volun
teer : both he & I were very found of his entering as
such in yr Regiment ; but I really did not think it
advisable that he shou'd run his own little Estate in
Debt upon the occasion : You know what kind of

Letters to Washington 299
an establishment our Virginia Troops are on — No
body can tell how soon they may all be disbanded
without any provision for a broken Leg, or a short
ened Arm ! or if they shou'd happen to be kept up
for a good many years, how possible is it for an
Officer to be reduced without being guilty or so
much as accused of any Misbehaviour ? Faith these
are discouraging Circumstances. On the British Es
tablishment a young fellow may venture to dip his
Estate a little on the Road to preferment, where he
is sure, if he behaves well that a Commission is some
sort of a provision for Life ; but here I really think
a young man who Enters into the service, & has
but a small Estate of his own ought if possible to
preserve it unimpaired, to return to in case of a
Disappointment, or an Accident. — These Reasons
have influenced me to dissuade French Mason from
entering as a Volunteer ; & as he is very fond of
trying a Soldiers Life & indeed I found it absolutely
necessary that he should do so, as the only means of
getting clear of a very foolish Affair he is likely to
fall into with a Girl in this Neighbourhood, I have
advised him to enlist in the new Regiment, if he can
be made a Serjeant : my Reason for advising him to
enlist in that Regiment, is that if he shou'd be dis
appointed in getting a Commission, he may if he
pleases, quit the Service the first of December next ;
whereas, from the Act of Assembly, it appears to
Me, that the Men who enlist in the old Regiment
may be detain'd as long as any Troops are kept up
in the pay of this Government ; at least it may admit
of a Dispute — I speak this to you only as my own

300 Letters to Washington
private Opinion, without any Intention of making it
public to the prejudice of the recruiting Service —
If he shou'd have the good fortune to get a Com
mission, tho' he will accept of the first that offers
in either Regiment, he will prefer an Ensignsy in y?
Regiment to a Lieutenancy in the other, & I have
advised him if he shou'd get a Com? in Col? Byrd's
Regiment to exchange it if he can by any Means for
one in yours — I shall relye Sir on your good Offi
in his Favour whenever a Vacancy happens, &
flatter myself that, by a strict Adherence to hi
Duty, he will strive to deserve your good
Opinion — I very sincerely wish you [mutilated]
Health & every Felicity & am D? Sir
Y^ most obd : Ser
GMa

FROM JOSEPH CHEW.
New London May lo? 1758
Dear Sir
I Rece"? your Very kind Letter by my Brother and
assure you both my Little Partner and self Return
you our sincere thanks for your kind wishes, how
Earnestly Dear sir Do I wish your Business would
now Call you to the northward, that I might have an
opportunity of behaving to you in a more suitable
manner than I could when you was last here, believe
me when I say my Sincere hearty good wishes ac
company Every undertaking & step you take and
Permit me to add that you have my Earnest Prayers,

Letters to Washington 301
that you may make a Glorious & successfull Cam-
pain, after which I hope you will meet with that Re
ward and notice from your king & Country you have
so Long merited ; and so greatly deserved.
The Transports & Troops for Hallyfax sail'd last
Wensday from New York — we have a Report that
Admiral Boscowin is arrived, but that the post must
determine who will be [here] in about one hour if so
you will find it in the Boston papers w'^? I shall in
close you, — our Levys here do not goe on with that
success & spirrit I could wish, N. England Vanity
seems to be at as high a flow as Ever, it would divert
you to see many of the Officers they have appointed,
one of the finest Fellows in this Colony was abso
lutely Rejected by the Assembly, for no other thing
than using the following words at Lake George
(1755) when the forces seem'd inclynable to give way
— Dam ye m-y Lads, stand to the Breastwork & fire
away, — you kill them Faster than the Devill can
Carry them off
This was & is Esteemed by Our Pious sanctified
Brutes, as great Prophaness & shows the want of
Faith & Grace
if I Receive a more than ordinary Joy at the Pre
parations which are making this season it is at the
Promising Prospect from those in my own Country.
I am much Pleased to hear of the number of Indians
you have and hope your operations will begin before
they are disatisfied at Lying still. I will Write
you Every Post and pray give you as Early acc'-' as
Possible of what is doing here, and hope to hear

302 Letters to Washington

from you what passes in your Neighbourhood, be as
sured that I am with Real truth & Respect my Dear
Sir Your most affectionate Jos Chew

FROM LIEUTENANT BULLITT.
Patterson's May 21".' 1758.
D^ Sir/
As John Ward, a Soldier in my Company was
seting at the Indian Camp Eating some Victuals,
one of the Cherokees askt him for some whiskey, he
not giving him a Direct answer, pickt up his gun
and shot him through the back, I imediately sent
out a Camand to the Camp which place was found
Avacuated by all of them but one which was found
dead with his throat Cut from Ear to Ear by one of
their own men, by what I can Understand of them
it was he that Shott the Soldier, Some part of them
Imediately took to the woods, the others Remains
att this place, I took the Oppinion of the Gentlemen,
and it was agreed not to use any harsh means with
them till you ware Acquainted with the Accident,
Please send the Doc'.' down with all Immagenable
speed as there is some hopes of the mans Recovering
also the Indians Desires M? Smith to Come down as
soon as Possible he can I cant give you a true Light
of the affair till Mr. Smith comes down. — I be
obliged to you if you '11 tell the Doct? to bring down
some sarve fore sore Leggs.
I am D? Sr your most Obt. Hble.
Tho? Bullitt

Letters to Washington 303
FROM BEVERLY ROBINSON, ESQ.
New York 21',' May 1758.
DlEAR Sir/
Yours of the 27?? Ap? I iied as I did Sometime
before yours of y? 6'.*? Inclosing one for M? Richar
[mutilated] ton. which Letter I forwarded by [mutilated]
pshire Man War she Saild the 3"? Instant [mutilated]
Sandy Hook With Lord Loudoun on Board [muti-
iated]ve no News but what yea- is in the Inclosed
paper Except that some of our Rangers & Indians
have brought in about 20 french prisoner & 8 or 10
Scalps Lately but what Acco?? they give I dont know
I am Dear Sir Yf Aff? H Ser?
Bev: Robinson

FROM JOSEPH CHEW.
New London 17'? May 1758 I
Dear Sir
The Post waits I can therefore only stop him to
cover the inclosed paper to w''!' Refer you for news.
my Little Woman Returns you her most sincere
thanks for your kind wishes and says she Longs to
have the Pleasure of seeing you in this Part of the
world having heard me often mention you — I Pray
you to accept of Both our Compliments & best
wishes for your sincere Happiness & believe me to
be my Dear Friend Your affectionate Jos Chew

304 Letters to Washington
FROM THE HONORABLE PRESIDENT BLAIR.
Williamsburg May 24". 1758
Sir The distresses in Bedford and Halifax had occa
sioned my Calling a full Council to meet on the I9'^
Inst? which obliged Col: Maury to a long attendance
here, in which time Jenkins bro? me yours of May
lo'? with the Opinion of your Council of Officers on
your Necessity of imploying the ;^400 — sent you
for Contingencies in the recruiting Service; and the
utter insufficiency of that, to discharge your Engage
ments. Being under Difficultys about it, I kept him
several days 'till the Council; who did not appre
hend you was warranted to give more than ^5 —
bounty Money, for the Recruits of your Regiment;
and yet I cannot see how it could at this time be
expected, while we were giving Ten pounds for the
other. Be that as it will, we determined to send you
a Supply of Money; and I sent presently to the
Treasury for ;^iooo — for you. But to my great sur
prise M? Cock whom I expected to deliver it out)
was gone out of Town. As I had kept Jenkins 'till
then, it vexed me heartily to find a further delay. I
first endeavoured to get it from the Gentl? Signers
here, but the Attorney was gone too, who should
have signed M? Nicholas's Book. I then thought to
send express to the Speaker, and writ for an Order
to some Gent? here but hearing that M? Cock had
the Key with him I sent an Express to him at Col?
William Randolphs, and got him to Town last
Night, and at last got the money this Morning, as

Letters to Washington 305
I thought it vain to send him up without it.* Dur
ing this delay, I received a Letter from Gov? Sharp,
acquainting me that his Assembly had broke up
without so much as paying the arrears of their Men
from the 8'^ of Oct? Last. He purposes, if we are
in want, to offer some of his, on terms of your pay
ing their Arrears, which he thinks will be less than
our Bounty. But I perceive he has some view of
getting the General to take them; and I imagine
we are near full. Jenkins ^ has bro? me two lusty
able Sailors, that are willing to enlist for this Cam
paign, so I send them to you by him, as he was ear
nest to carry up two such fine fellows. Last Saturday
bro? me an Acco? of a large party of Indians who in
passing thro' Bedford spread themselves in smaller
Companys many Miles wide and Robb'd every Plan
tation they came at. This provoked the Inhabitants
to a great degree ; Col : Talbot sent out Militia to
protect them, who came up with a Party of them
and seeing some of their Horses demanded restitu-
l By reason of the great scarcity of gold and silver in Virginia at this time, the taxes,
imposed for augmenting the forces in the pay of the colony, could not be collected in
time to answer the purposes intended. It was therefore made lawful for the treasurer
to issue treasury notes to answer the demands made upon him. Such notes were to be
printed, engraved, and numbered in such form and after such method as the treasurer
should judge most safe from counterfeits and forgeries; and were to be signed by
Peyton Randolph and Robert Carter Nicholas, each of whom were to receive the sum
of twenty shilhngs for every thousand notes by him signed and delivered to the trea
surer. In September of this year WilUam Prentis, James Cocke, and Thomas Ever-
hard, gentlemen, were appointed commissioners to examine, state, and settle such
accounts as should be referred to them by the governor or commander-in-chief. Ben
jamin Waller, Philip Johnson, and Edmund Pendleton were added to the signers of
notes, and John Palmer and George Davenport were appointed to overlook the press
during the time of the printing of the notes.
» Jenkins, the indefatigable bearer of dispatches on the " express " between Washing
ton and Williamsburg, deserves more than passing notice. Among Washington's
accounts for this period are many items paid by Washington to Wilham Jenkins by
order of Governor Dinwiddie and President Blair in recognition of his services.
VOL. II

306 Letters to Washington
tion ; but the Indians answered they must fight for
them, and fired upon them, and killed one Man;
whereupon they fired upon the Indians and killed
some of them. But to save my writing I send you
the accounts I received, having ordered a strict en
quiry to be made above, by Col : Read, Col? Talbott
and Col. Maury, which when transmitted to me I
purpose to send by express to Gov? Lyttleton to beg
his Assistance, to prevent the disaffection of the
Nation and the ill consequences that might ensue
on a misrepresentation. I writ some acco? of this by
Lieut? Waller who I hope will be up this day, and I
desired Col? Mercer to communicate it to Sir John
S? Clair and you and to M? Gist. You may assure
them if our Men were the aggressors they will be
severely punished and if the Indians were guilty of
what is charged upon them the Wise great Men our
good Friends will not blame what was done, but think
they brought it upon themselves by their own folly.
I am Sir Your very humbl Serv?
John Blair.
P. S.
I have been obliged this day to change the Militia
I had ordered to garrison in Augusta, and to order
50 from Goochland and 50 from Hanover for that
Service, which will unavoidably retard Maj! Lewis
in joining you at Winchester which I am sorry for
One of the Men I send by Jenkins whose name is
Hugh Glass, says he was Armourer in the Spy Pri
vateer of Liverpool, and Gunners Mate in the Mon
mouth Capt? Twentyman a Letter of Marque now
ft: In:
here. He hopes as he is an able man 5.. xo.. and

Letters to Washington 307

used to business, some little post above the coiiion
level (if not rather in his former imployment may be
bestowed upon him.
Depositions and Letters in Regard to Behavior of Friendly
Cherokees}
Bedford County
This Day Timothy Dalton made Oath before me one of his
majestyes Justices of the peace for the Said County : that yester
day there Came to his house three Indians and Quickly after
Came four white men in Pursuit of the Said Indians namely
John Wheeler Rob? Dalton Henry Wooddy William Hall from
whom the Said Indians had Stollen horses from and Demanded
the horses of the Said Indians but they Refused to let them have
them on which the Said Wheeler went to take one of the horses
on which they Shot at the Said Wheeler three times but Missed
him on which the Said Indians went away and the Said white
men in a Small time Joined with Seven more white men and
went in Pursuit of the Said Indians again and them Indians
being Joined by ten more Indians went over Stanton River a
mile above the mouth of Pigg River and Threw off there Packs
and Prepared them Selves for Battle then William Vardeman
Sener and Some of the Rest went up to them and told them they
Did not want to fight they only wanted there Horses and Did
not want to hurt them on which the Indians told them they
Should fight for them and Immediately the Indians fired on them
three Guns StUl the white men would not Shoot at them then the
Indians fired three Guns more at them on that the Battle Began
in which William Hall was mortally wounded of which wound
he Died this Morning : and Likewise Richard Thompson was
wounded in the Shoulder and Buttock ; and that the white men
Like Wise Killed and Scalped three Indians on which the Rest
of the Indians Ran away and Left the horses and the Chief of
the Plunder they had Stolen ; and farther this Deponent Saith
not Certified under my hand this the 9 Day of May 1758
RobT Baber
1 Sent by President Blair to Washington.

3o8 Letters to Washington

James Turners Goose Creek May yf S*? 1758
Sir With Sorrow I inform you that this Instant I was Pursueing
the Indians we take to be our friend and meet Jn? Echoles who
was a Comeing from Tho? Morgans who inform me that the In
dians has taken all Tho? Morgans family and all are Carried
away or kill? and all the Goods Carried away and destroyed and
it is the opinion of the men that Some are Kill? by the Signs
as
they Saw — and. you render the Good of your Self and Country
beg youl Send men immediately without Calling them together
give
and y^ Express or oond orders for the men to march immediately
out to our assistance as we have but about Seventeen men and
they are thirty Large odd in Company and if men Comes directly
to Pursue them make no doubt with gods assisting Power to
relieve the Poor distressed Prisoners I shal directly Pursue them
they made Signs at my house that all the rest of the Indians are
a Comeing from Winchester and think it would be Proper to
Send to other Countyes for assistance So with Expectation of your
best Assistance Rest your obedient friend and humble Ser?
William Mead
To CoL? MattY Talbot

Dear Sir

from CHARLES TALBOT.
May 1 1*— 10 of the Clock 1758

Pray be so good as Send an Express to Prince Edward if
Father has not thought to put you in mind of it Yesterday I
understand that that they had theare Companys Called togeather
to Draft Sum men to Send to our Relef but I have no opportu
nity to Send Theare Thearefore I hope you will as we have no
Friend to Depend on for pore Bedford but you you will do what
you Can for us for we never had the Like need of help I am
Dy Sir Yf Hum Ser?
Cha? Talbot.
To CoL. Clem? Read on his Maj! Servis

Letters to Washington 309
FROM PINKNEY HAWKINS. Bedford May 10'? 1758
Dear Sir
Last Thursday CoU? Witton Order'd me out to Blackwater
Fort to Releave Cap? Cargill tho Instead of Releaving any we
want five Times as many more, Tuesday Morning I Received an
Express from Col? Talbott to March immediately to Join Cap?
Mead with another party of men to follow some Indians that had
done some Mischef on Goose Creek we follow'd hard after Still
till this Morning about 10 OClock we Came to an engagement in
which we were forced to give Ground, by all that I Can gether
from my men & Com.y we have killed 16 or 17 of them, we have
Six Men Mising tho hope they are not all killed for they Still
keep Comeing inn the Battle was faught 9 Miles from hence ; if
Lieutenant Mitchell has not 30 Men Make up that Quantity and
30 More besides at Least, the Wood is full of Indians and few
White ; we faught 35 Men to at Least By all Acc*.' vs 70 or 80
Indians, I offered them a parley which Occasion'd me to fall in
their hands, they beat me and Strip'd me and then sent me away,
pray dont fail making Mitchell's Company Sixty men for these
back Parts wholey Depend on Lunenburg for Sucker ; healp is
now so much wanting that these Parts dont Gett Immediate help
Col? Talbott will be the frontear house in one Weak, pray be as
expeditious as Possable I am Dear Sir Yf Most
Jifete- Ser? &c?
Pink? Hawkins
P. S. pray be so good as to Write to my Brother I have no
time Likewise to James Coleman that his son is well. P. H.
To CoL^ Clement Read
Lunenburgh.
D?Sir in what Manner Shall I Represent to you the Horror and
anxieties that at this time reigns among our Inhabitants (indeed
as I have not words I must be Silent and Leave it to your im-

3IO Letters to Washington
magination) Occasioned by these banditties of Cherokees who
daily are traveling through our County (either as they Say)
going to Winchester or returning from thence in which travel
that
they Rob our houses of all things they Like So . oftentime they
Leave us not one rag of Cloaths to Shift our Selves withall nor
never a horse to goe mill or plough withall, yet these people are
Called our friends our people will bear it no Longer Indeed I
think they have bore it to Long allready and I do not know but
the persons who have exerted them Selves in defence of their
rights and properties may be Called to a Strict account for it,
all persons Same
but if nobody had the ^Sentiments of it that I have, they would
resolution
incourage and Commend them for their bravery and Resolve in
no
not tamely resigning up their Goods when they Can get .restitu
tion for them a Specimen of which you have in the affidavit of
Timothy Dalton which I have Inclosed in the Letter to the presi
dent and have Left open for you to peruse and beg youl Seal it
before it goe from you and beg youl Send it away as Soon as you
an
Can that I may have, answer and See what Measures are to be
taken in it the men not one of them will budge a foot I beg youl
write to me and Give me your Sentiments on the affair. Last
Sunday there passed by 33 Indians in another parCel which
Robed and pillaged as they went Cap? mead with Seventen men
went in pursuit of them and wrote to me to beg I would Send
him Some assistance on which Letter (which I Shall IncU- In
close to you a Copy) I Sent an Express to Pinkey Hawkin (who
went from my house the evening before) to Join mead — and if
they Come up with the Indians as I expect they will and the
not
Indians will ^deliver the Horses and other things they have Stole
a Battle will insue for our people is determined to bear Such
usage no Longer — our County County is intirely broke by them
I really bleive if the people Continue to move as they have done
I shall be Left the frontier plantation toward Blackwater fort
before the Last of this week (that is where no men are Stationed)
I have been uneasey ever Since Since- Sunday that I have not
heard from you for it is from you and only you that I expect
relief from, I beg if this Come to yf Hand before you Send to

Letters to Washington 311
me that youl be so good as to Send Isham up to me to be Some
assistance to me in these troublesome times for I am very much
afraid I must move my wife and what Small effects to Some
place of Safety and I wish you would be pleased to Look out for
a west house a Small one would do for my wife and I though I
will be hear as Long as I Can Yf Complyance will Greatly
oblige Df Sir yr very Hble
Ser? Matt^ Talbot
May y? lo'? 1758
P°/NSir I beg youl Hasten up what men you design for our re
lief D' Sir I beg youl Let Isham Come up to me directly and be
So good as to Send me a 100 flints and if you have not a horse
to Spare Let him Come afoot the Bearer if you order him will goe
to Wmburgh with the Letter to the President — I this minute
Reed yrs by Hicks and alas See our frontiers (as you observe)
is) Little regarded I Sent Hicks to Agusta with the Letters for
there and have Sent a Messenger to Col? Howard to Albemarle —
if I had the Eloquence of Cicero I Could not tell you the anx
iety of my Soul at this time for my Self family and Inhabitants
here — Keith Daughter is dead Likewise I am informed to day
that Bruff wife is Likewise dead
[Here follows a copy of the letter of W? Mead from James Turner's Goose Creek
May ye 8 1758]
D? SiR/Theo. Morgan is at my house now but time will not
permit me to give you an acc? of it through mistake I broke open
yf I.etter for God Sake Send help immediately I refer you to
MeSheer Hole for farther paarticulars.
To Glem. Read Esq
Lunenburgh
for God Sake Send us all the assistance you Likewise order us
arms amunition and flints immediately
FROM JOSEPH COLLINS.
S5 I am Credibly Informed that the Indian's 50 at Least if not
Sixtjr has Broke on the Inhabitants of pigg river & proclaims
wars openly with us & I am Inform, d that above me the people

312 Letters to Washington
namely
are Some gone against them^^Ja? Dil? Ja? Collins & others & I
understand ammunition is very Scarce & partly believe it to be
so thro the County So pray Sf fail not to make application to
Co? Reed according to the advice of the pres? Immediately if we
have any regard to our offsprings for it appears on the face of my
mind that we Shall be farther alarm* soon when perhaps unpro
vided give Notice to as many as possible but pray^ to Col Reed
& yourself From a friend &c. Jo^ Collins
A widow woman of varassity Came running from my Bro-
to me
thers & with this melancholy News — says they are and has Been
Certainty of the whole of what I have writen & more also
TO JO" BATES
The woman tells me that two men ran from She says the bat
tle to Cap. Dillard & says that mischief had happen? on Each
side some Indians killd & some of our men Likewise J.C.
Dear sir my oppinion is that it would be good to Send to Cap?
Spraggen that he might acquaint COL MURCEV
that the Militia might be might be raised
FROM MATTHEW TALBOT.
Otter River May y? 3 1758
D? Sir
I write this now expecting to have an opportunity to Send to
you — I Rec? yours by the Rev? Mr Townshend of April 19^
which was a great pleasure to me to hear you was Setting of to
W?'burgh because I knoes you will be so Good as to Lay our
deplorable Situation before his Honf and the Council and I am
in Great hopes you will be Invested with Such a power as to
relieve our Poor unhappy Country on any emergant accession
without to
wh©. Sending^ town — I Sent the Express by Majf Smith who Pro
mised to Contrive it with the Greatest Expedition but I as yet hear
nothing of them — I do everything I can to keep a few men out
on the frontiers of this County but alass I fear it will not be long
they will Continue indeed it is very hard for men to be from there

Letters to Washington 313
plantations at this time of the year when they Should be plant
ing Com to make bread for their families — it did not ly in
Majf Caldwell nor Cap? Duggin power to keep your men out — I
Could get Some men to keep out if I would engage they Should
Stay out all the Summer and So make a Crop out of their wages
to maintain themselves and families (those that have any) Df
Clem I am very uneasy about the Cherokees there was about
fifteen Came through the Settlement where I Live and Spread
to
themselves at least ten miles in breadth and went Every planta
tion in their way I Cant Say they did much mischief or behaved
very ill but their presence frithen the women very much So much
be with them
that if they allowed to Come without white men without I do not
blieve our County will Stand a month Longer there Came about
d
nine or ten to my house they reley Seem to me as if they Came
see what
to See what white men and negroes we have and so y^-e«f- Strength
we are of, the people in general Seem to fear the return of them
with more force they made for Stanton and So to Pig river which
Course lies intirely open to them their being no Inhabitants or
they
very few and Every time they Come ^ Still keep Lower down I
Just now heard after they Got over Stanton they went to a house
where there was not any body but a man and his wife and ran-
thought
sacked the house of every thing they ^Proper to take and I expect
to hear of Some murder Committed by them when they Get to the
outward Inhabitants — my Son James told me when they got
about Sixty miles of Winchester they meet three Indians Come
ing from thence and then there was a Council held -afffl- among
them and on the Breaking up of it one Cap? and about forty In-
the
dians would goe no farther but returnd back and that y^ Cap? told
James the french were Good Shawnees were Good and The Eng
lish were Rogues James told him the reverse he told him he was
a d — m* -tiw Lyar and I am very apt to blieve these are Some
of the forty and if so what may we not Expect to be done by them
So that Look which way we will we are really in a miserable Sit
uation —
my Son Matt is endeavouring to raise men to goe out after the
Indians and to lie in wait for them and tell me he is determin"

314 Letters to Washington

if it be possible to goe till he get Some of there Scalps a»d- Leave
his he immagines to get about five and twenty men — I told him
he had better Join Cap? Anthony he says no if he goes he will
good woodmen
have none but what is Select Gunners and Gunners I know he
refuses Several who offer to goe because they are not Such he
I forbear
Seems to be very ambitious that way and. Cannot. incouraging
it
him in^he hath Listed the Last the Last prisoner which made
his escape and yesterday went to get marris Griffith and I dare
to blieve if Peter Luney do not wait in expectation of Majf Smith
goeing he will goe with him — he tell me he will goe as far as he
Can without running so Great a hasard to no Effect he Says he
wants but eight days provision and Some affiunition he tell me
he doth not design to be in again under two months he will Leave
his wife and Children with me or at Charles — Majf Sam" Harris
niy
Came to .house this evening and we have agreed to Settle our
affairs by arbitration at our next Court So that beg youl Send
me the Copy of the Judgm? and beg youl be So good as Con-
it fail
trive. without .the Letter he hath wrote to mr. Goode to meet at
that time for if I Can Settle that affair it will be of Great Content
to me — Sir as I expect the rangers Daily and am at a Loss to
dictate a warrant to Send them I Should take it extreamly kind
of you to be so good as to form one Leaving the places Blank
that they are to range and the places they are to be Stationed
it
at — and Inclose^to me^and the favour Shall be gratefully
acknowledged by him who is D' Sir Y' very most ^eki^ and
Affect— Serf
Matt'7 Talbot
P7as to y" Relateing to Chiles Negroes he Sold one to rat.
Arther which with Some tob° he let mr. Hossy have they have
Compromised tbe matter *h4 if their had been a Sale I would
have done my utmost to Serve you I am y'
M T
I Likewise beg D' Sir that youl be So good as to write me

Letters to Washington 315
Such a bond as may oblige Harris and Goode to Stand to the
to
Settlement they make and Inclose it .me
To ClemT Read Esq.
Lunenburgh.
A merandom of what of what we the supcribers have seen by
the indins when we come to the house we saw a indin with a knife
in his ban* gun acting as tho he had a mind to kill us and went
out and gave a hallow and then several more apear* and he re
turnd in again and took my gun and took site at my face and the
rest Jumpt of their horses with their guns and knives dran in
their hands and hallowing and runing as fast as they could to
the hous and when we told them they should not doe so they
with their knives opened to stab us so we maid off as fast as fast
as we could and we heard them braking open the chests as we
took it to be as witnes our hands thomas morgain
Jacob Dilinn
Christian Choat
FROM MATTHEW TALBOT.
DK Sir
When Hawkins Letter Came away I had not finished the presi
dent Letter and I was not willing to detain the Bearer from
Comeing to you I have Sent the president Letter with the In
closed open that you may perruse them Send the messenger of
Directly and Seal the Letter — I at present live in danger of my
life every moment being alone none but my wife the neighbours
all round me is moved and moveing I intend to Station Some of
at my house
our or your Militia . I being now allmost the frontier and Shall be
quite So by Sunday Night I expect to hear of another ingage-
ment in a day or two our people is Reinforceing themselves to
overtake them our people Seems to be in high Spirits I hear but
I hope it is not true that W? Irvine was kill* in the Last ingage-
ment — Df Sir be pleased to order Some arms and ammunition away
with Some flints for our defence Pray if Isham is not Come . I beg
youl Send him to assist his mother to Some place of Safety if
you Cannot Spare him a Horse Let him Come afoot I expect the
Messenger to Come this afternoon which is to bring this —

3i6 Letters to Washington
I am very Scant of paper haveing used what you gave me
one
and .Quire more and have but one Sheet Left and the waggon is
not Come which was to bring mine up Lf any thing material hap
pens you Shall hear from me if Life be Spared me
I am Df Clem as allways
your most Hble Ser? to Com*
MattY Talbot
May y? 12* 1758 [A postscript has been blotted out.]
To Clem^ Read, Esq.
Lunenburgh. FROM CHARLES TALBOT.
May 12'? 2 of the Clock
Dea? Sir
This moment I Rec* a Letter from John wood & Paul Chiles
and he says that Yesterday the Indians and the white folks had
a very hard Battle and the we are much betten and many Killed
on both Sids the Last Battle was fought at the Mouth of pigg
River that we are all Like to be Killed & taken thearefore for
God Sake Send Your Men as fast as possabel or thear will not
be a man Left in pore Bedford Paul Chiles and all his fammilly
is now at my Hows and pays Negrows and a grate many money
more I Expect this Night thearefore Dear: Sr: Do what you
Can for our Relif I am Sir yf Hum Ch^ Talbot.
To Co'i Clem* Read.
Orders for CoP. Washington Com^. the Troops of the Collony Ssf
Dominion of Virginia}
I am directed by the Commander in Chief of the Forces in the
Southern district of North America to acquaint you that it is his
1 These orders were received the same day, and Washington immediately proceeded
to their execution, impressing it upon his officers that not a moment was to be lost.
On the same day, in obedience to orders, he left Fort Loudoun for Williamsburg to
advise with the President and the Council respecting many essential points. Lieu
tenant-Colonel Stephen was left by Washington in command during his absence.

Letters to Washington 317
orders that you call the whole Reg? that is under your Command
to Winchester excepting the Two Companys on the S° Branch of
Pottomack & if the Militia should come up to relieve those they
are Likewise to Join at Winchester.
You are to hold your Reg? & the 2* Reg? ready to March at
the first notice, either the whole or any part of them & prepare
every thing for taking the Field You will take care that your
Commissarys have always in readiness for your March 8 Days
Provisions until you can reach the Kings Magazines from y" time
you come to them the Virginia Forces will be victualled as his
Majestys Regular Troops.
to
You are ^ give 40 Men to Cap? Stewart for a Troop of Light
Horse from the 1°.' Virginia Reg? those Men to be replacd from
the 2* Reg? & the 40 Men given to Cap? Stewart to be carried on
the Rolls & Returns of the 2* Reg? & paid by them as a part
of the Troops furnished by the Collony of Virginia.
You are to compleat the i".' Reg? and are to receive directions
from Mf Pres? Blair in what manner he would have it done. I
have sent to Philadelphia for Tents for the 2 Reg? which shall be
deliverd you upon Mf Pres? Blairs engaging to pay what they
Cost. It will be expected that these Gen! Forbes's orders will
be complyd with so that the whole may be in readiness to move
in Fifteen days from the date hereof.
Given under my Hand at Winchester this Twenty fourth day
of May 1758. John S^ Clair.

from robert rutherford, esq.
Sir Agreeable to what Past when last I had the Honf of Confering
with You — Inclosed are copys of the Instructions which I have
me
given to the ofiicers acting under. — by which You'l discover
that they are Divided & Weekend in such a maner that Puts
them intirely in the Power of the Enemy as they must cons'^
Range — besides they cannot Be of the same service to the
Inhabitants being unable to Oppose a strong Party that may

31 8 Letters to Washington
Rush
sudinly.into the Country* — You will further Discover that all
the support that the whole of the upper part of the County has,
1 Inclosures in letter of Captain Rutherford, June 6 : —
LieOt. Joseph M? dowell
Sir
You are to Detach Ensign Fry a serjent & twenty Five men with all imaginable
Despatch to Daniel Holemans Fort on the North River of Shannandoah which is
to be his place of Rendezvous from which he is to Rang back as far as the Lost
River of Capcapon & Downwards towards Potamack as far as the most convenient
place for your party and his to Meet Wendalls Fort being the place most advisable in
my Opinion that point you are to settle to your liking— When Ensign Fry is Marched
with his party, you are with the Remainder of the Comp? to Act in the Best manner
in your power for the safety of the Inhabitants According to your former Instructions
Received from tune to tune. I shall order part of L'. swaringens party to join you
soon as Possible — you are to hold the strictes correspondence with Ensign Fry that
you may join his Party or his yours on the first emergency
I Depend greatly on your good intentions and Conduct I wish you success
& am your Respectful Friend
R Rutherford
Given at Winchester the I
22* of May 1758 — '
Lieut Tho? Swaringen
Sir
You are imediately on the Receipt of this to Detach serjant Morgan with thirteen
men to Join Lt M" dowells party, and with the Remainder of your party you are to
continue to observe the Instructions which you have Rec* from time to time, of me
I Depend greatly on your constant care — Wish you success
& am
Y'. Respectful friend
RT Rutherford
Given at Winchester the 1
23* of may 1758 — 1
Ensign Samuel Fry
Sir
You are to depart with all Imaginable Dispatch and March the Party assignd to
you, by L'. M". dowell to Daniel Holemans Fort on the North River of Shannandoah
which place you are to make your greates Rendezvous from whence you are to Range
Back as far as the Lost River and towards Potomack as far as the place agreed on on
by L'. M". dowell for his party & yours to meet and as your party is But small their
greatest use will be for Intelligence which you are to give the Inhabitants and Lieut
M» dowell on the Least discovery and then you are to Act as the Nature of the Case
will Best admit of by Persuing the Enimy Joining L'. M* dowell or any other party most
Convenient and Expedient for the Common good — you are to observe to Tread every
step with caution you have a Crafty Warlike Enimy to Cope with which you are not

Letters to Washington 319
is Ensign Fry & 25 of the Rangers whereas it is absolutely Ne
cessary that Different Partys of the Militia should be in those
Parts — Namely at the fine new Mill formerly Lewis Stephen? —
Holemans Fort & Pennywitz Mill as the Inhabitants cannot sub
sist Except those Mills & that Fort is Kept up — & small Num
bers at Each place would answer the End together With the
Inhabitants — which would enable Mf Frys Party to join L? M!
dowell, & then they could Range in a strong Body — Pray give
me Leave to say it is absolutely Necessary for Militia to be
Stationed at the afforesaid places Otherwise the Comunication
Between Winchester & Augusta will be Emediately Cut off — I
am truly sensible nothing in your Power will be Wanting — I
have Done every thing in mine —
Am Obliged to set out to consult some Skilful Physition —
May the Guardian Powers Protect you my Worthy Friend &
give me leave Dear Sir
to subscribe myself
Your Most Obliged
'B.v!'}^ Ser?
R? Rutherford.
Winchester 6'? June 1758

FROM COLONEL FIELDING LEWIS.
June 10'." 1758.
I have sent you 4 p'? Blankets w''^ contain 60
Blankets, as I have no receipt for them shall be
Oblig'd to you to give one to M? James Strawhan,

to let Escape if ever in your power Nor are you to Expose your men Rashly I De
pend greatly on your Resolution Care and Conduct in Keeping your Men in a Deep
sense of their duty as men & Christians and the Constant care they owe to their fellow
subjects in this Branche of Business I wish you success -^
& am your Respectful Friend
R Rutherford
Given at Winchester 1
the 32* of may 1758 i

320 Letters to Washington
or the Cash w''.'' will be more acceptable as it often
proves Troublesome gitting of it below.
I am y? most Hum! Servant
Fielding Lewis
A BalewR'oyN'? 2
Col° Washington for the Country D?
To 60 Blankets (^ 11/6 . . . . £¦^0,: 10 — o
Package & Cord  2: 6

34: 12: 6

Dot? Halkerston desires me to inform you that he
has never rec"! a farthing of his last Acc? given in
to the against the Country, and says that he hopes
you will assist him in getting of it as you directed
him to take care of the Sick. The acc? am?? to
Eighty Five Pounds & upwards.
Cap? Thompson is arriv'd in Potomack from Lon
don

Orders for Colonel Washington commanding the Troops of the Colony
of Virginia,
As you will receive near 700 Arms for the 2* Virginia Regi
ment from Williamsburg, you are to take into your Store at
Winchester the Maryland Arms which were deliverd to the 2*
Regiment, these Arms are to be delivered to Govf Sharpe or his
Order. The same proportion of Tools that the 1°' Company of Arti
ficers had, to be delivered to the 2* Company, with an addition
of 12 Pick Axes and 12 Spades or Shovels. The half of the Sand
Bags at Winchester to be sent to Connsgochieg, and the other

Letters to Washington 321
half will serve to carry up to Fort Cumberland the Corn that may
be got about Winchester and the South Branch : —
Five Companies of the first Virginia Regiment to begin their
March for Fort Cumberland the 24'? of June, with the 2* Com
pany of Artificers of the 2I Regiment. QoV. Byrd with as many
Companies as are ready of his Regiment to March the 26'.?' and
the Rest of that Regiment to follow with Lieut? Col° Mercer so
soon as they can be got ready.
One Company of the 2* Regiment to be station'd at Job Pear
salls and Edwards on the South Branch & Edwards's till all the
Convoys of Provision's have passd and then to join — Whatever
Escorts are required by Mf Commissary Walker are to be fur
nished to him ; he is to lay in Provisions for iSoo Men for Six
Cumberland
Weeks at Fort Loudoun .from the day of their arrival, and victual
them on their March. The Ofiicers are only to draw single Ra
tion's of Provisions for themselves as the GenJ has no more
Cap? Stewarts Troop of Light Horse are to March up to Fort
Cumberland. 30 Barrels of Powder and 100 Boxes of Shott to
be carried from Fort Loudoun with 8 Whip Saws to Fort Cum
berland. — Given under my Hand at Conegocheague this 13'? day
of June 1758
John ST Clair

from mr. john patterson.
Honourable S?^
I return you thanks, for Complying with my re-
e
quests & hope to giv content for your goodness —
I shall take y* Roof off y°. House,^ as soon as y° Car
penters gets y! Laths for to shingle on; having y*
chief of y! Work fream'd at this Instant, I shall
k
want two inch plan for to Cover y? Balustrade, & am
of Opinion that Pine, is before Oak for that purpose.
But if you think proper to have y? Latter, y! Carpen-

I At Mount Vernon.
VOL- n.

322 Letters to Washington
ters can get it. Likewise its requisite yf weather-
t
boarding tha is up, & will be, had a coat of Paynt,
for which I spoke to M? Washington & he desir'd I
would make Uce of y? red Paynt, when Oyle was
got ; y! sooner y? better that yf Work may not suffer.
The s'? Gen? desir'd I woold write, what M? Possey
Kitchen amounted to, yf Value whereof being four
teen Pound. And yf other work View'd by M?
Adams Six. Depend Sir on my deligence to for
ward yf Work, & will stick to it early & laite til fin
ish'd ; & shall allways make it my study to please &
serve a Gen? that has done me such a singular piece
of Service I remain Honr''!^ Sir with yf greatest re
spect Your Honours Most
Oblidg'd, Most Humble Serv?
John Patterson.^

th
Juneyt 17: 1758

P. S S? please to send yf Wallnut plank
with yf Oyles, The Demensions is
f In la
6 feet long by i: 6 Broad & 6 thick.

FROM MR. HUMPHREY KNIGHT.^
Sir I Receivd yours by M? Posey and Emeadiatley
wrote up to you to aquint you of all affairs but fear-
full the Letter miscarride, I instantly proceeded in
1 From Washington's ledger it appears that John Patterson was engaged in this
work, as overseer, from December 20, 1757, to September 15, 1759, for which he received
^335- °- 5- ^his included supplies.
3 Washington's overseer.

Letters to Washington 323
Geting Possey work Vallued and after it was Val-
lued to Settle with him, he told me at first he would
pay the hole acct, but afterwards would pay but
£2^: o: o which you will see in his Credit, I have
sent his Acct and Credit in the Letter which I hope
will Safeley Get to you I Expect to Discharge mox-
leys acct which is in the hands of M? Piper at Court,
I Expect all the rents in next week without fail, I
shall act according to your orders in paying piper,
John Berry Refuses to pay what adams Vallued his
work to the other people is willing to pay and I be
lieve ready but not without an Order from you or
M? John Aug? Washington Sir I hope you will not
be Douptfull of my Digles Diligence in your busi
ness He Loose my life before any thing should Go
amiss if I can help it, our people has bin very sickly
which has hurt us and a Great Deal of hinderence
in building which I hope your H? will Consider yf
fraime is all sawd but the Leaths which will soon be
done yf house will be raisd next week, M? Grymes
has had 6 hM^ of Sweet Scented Tob''.° from muddy
hole which is all of that sort and 3 hh^ which Come
from the mountain Quar*? which was to light & I
Carried Tob"? from mudy hole and repriz^ & maid
one heavier In all M? Grymes has had 9 Plese to
Excuse our making So little Tob" I hope we Shall
make a good Crop this year I have planted Seventy
thousand and Shall finish next season our Corn is
very likely and in good Order yf water fails at the
mill Very mutch I sent in the other letter how mutch
Corn She has got sence Christmas and wheat All
our stock is well and a fine parcell of Lambs the

324 Letters to Washington
roan mairs Colt groes very fast, I Deliv"? to the Sloop
belonging to Norfolk 168V2 bushels of wheat which
was all we could Get ready and I Deliv^ the Receipt
to Coif Carlisle their is few people in our County will
plant their Crops Our wheat is midling Likeley our
of oats
oats is very good we sew'^^90 bushels I have Draw**
Poseys acct of «f the book right and set Down all
his Credit I shall be Diligent in geting your Debts
in and all other things I hope, and shall with Safety
Keep the money for you or your order and Should
be glad to see Your Hon' Down at your Estate in
fairfax County
I am Sir your Most Hble Servant to Com"*
Humphrey Knight
Mount Vernon
16" June 1758

FROM COLONEL JOHN ST. CLAIR.
Carlisle June 18'.' 1758
Sir Yesterday at Noon I was favour'd with your Letter
of the I4*^ ^ with several others enclosed in it. I hope
by the time you receive this that you have got the
better of all your difficultys, but after all that has
been done if any thing is wanting let me know it
and I shall bring it with me to fort Cumberland.
1 Washington returned to Fort Loudoun the night of the 13th of June, aud, finding
letters there addressed to Colonel St. Clair, forwarded them. Concerning these letters
he observed : " I should hardly have opened them, notwithstanding you desired me to
do so (with any that might be directed to you at this place relative to the public
service), had not Col. Byrd, the bearer, advised it ; conceiving there was something
contained in them which I might be preparing to execute." This is but one of the
many evidences of the implicit confidence reposed in Washington, and of his own
strict observance in such matters.

Letters to Washington 325
I must beg you will send me to this place 8 or
10 of Cap? Stewarts light Horse with an Officer and
for an Example to the Pensylvanians I shoud be
of
glad those that are best mounted.
I send you all the News that I can pick up so that
I need not repeat what you see in Print. M? Hoops
writes to M? Walker about provisions.
I shall represent to the General the difficiency of
Bayonets to Coif Byrds Reg? if he thinks them neces
sary he has it now in his power to supply them. I
expect the Gen? will leave Philadelphia this Week.
I beg you will make my Compliments to all the
Gentlemen of the Virginia Brigade, I am with a
most Sincere Reg^
D?Sir Your most obedient and most
humble Servant John ST Clair

from JAMES SINCLAIR, ESQ.^
Carlisle 20 June 17J8.
Sir, I am desired by Sir John S? Clair to acquaint you
it is his desire that you send six men of the light
horse that he already required to the mouth of Cono-
gockuk, to .escort Mr. Glen^ the late Gov? of S. Caro
lina from thence to Winchester, where he is going
1 "James Sinclair, Esqre!' aidede-camp to Colonel St. Clair. In indicating the
names and ranks of the writers of the letters, the editor follows Washington's own
wording, as shown by his indorsements on the originals.
2 James Glen.

326 Letters to Washington
to meet Col. Boyd with instructions from Genl Forbes
relating to Indian affairs.
I am. Sir, Y? most obed serv?
James Sinclair A D C M G

FROM JOSEPH WOLGAMOTE.
Island Connigochig June yi 20th 1758.
May it Pleas Your honers Gentlemen it not With
any Pleasure that I Give You This Trouble There
fore I hope You Will Excuse the freedom I have
Taken With You it is from the Good personal Car-
recture You bear As to adhearing Strictly to Do or
Cause Justice to be Done by all Such Persons As
You have the honour to Command Therefore it is
to You only that I Adress my Self To for Justice
The Matter is As followeth Cap? Feilos Came to my
house With A parceil of Wagins Said to belong To
A Sutler And Turned All Their horses into my
medow that was fit to mow I Applied To the Cap?
And Complained of the Hardship Who Replied if
I Was Displeased With What he had Done he
Would Turn them into my Grain And Confine me
A prisoner Also And in As much As All Wagins
Are hired by the Day I am of Opinion they have
No Right to Any thing but What They pay for
And in As much As I Am one of Them Whose
Lot it is to be one of the Distresed fronters family
Not Dareing to Go out to Worke Even to Raise
Bread This Treatment from Such As Ought to be

Letters to Washington 327
our Protectors is unjust And What We Could Only
Expect from The Enemy And Ading Distres on
Distrest persons in Stead of Protection You Are
not un Sencable how hard it Was And is With
Such As had the Lot of being The Frontears As
Well as my Self Therefore I hope You Will Cause
Justice To be Done me by Which it Will Induce
me To Acknowledg And Confeirm That Good Car-
recture of You Which I have heard of You before
As Well As my own private Opinion
I am Gentel men Your Obeadent Humble
Servant To Command Joseph Wolgamote

FROM JOHN kidd.
Sir I have made Inquiry Concerning the 200 Hatchets
Mention'd in your's but has yet got no Information
n
Concer.ing them I am Sir
Y? Most Obed? h''!' servt
Jn? Kidd
Conegocheague 21'.' June 1758
List of Sundry's from Carlyle
Kettles  171
Canteens  465
Barrels of Powder Horns .... 3
Saddles  18
Box of Furniture for Ditto .... i
Spades  12
Picks  12

328 Letters to Washington
FROM COLONEL JOHN ST. CLAIR.*
Carlile THE 22* June 1758
Sir I am extremely sorry that a great Quantity of
Powder Horns for the second Virginia Regiment
were sent up from this place before my Arrival, so
there will be no possibility of getting them for you
untill you arrive at Fort Cumberland, you must do
the best that you can without them. I hope you
have received the Kettles & Canteens from the mouth
of Conegogie, I have received the three hundred
Arms that was sent there, but by mistake they have
sent me up the two hundred Hatchets, which like
wise shall be sent up to you to Fort Cumberland.
I have enclosed you a march Route for a hundred
of the N: Carolina Provincials that ought to be at
Winchester, they will serve for an Escort for M?
Walkers second Convoy of Provisions. You '11 please
tell the Commanding Officer that any Carriages he
may want upon his march shall be paid for upon
his giving them a Certificate of their Service. The
other two hundred of them that arrived at Alexandria
are to march up by Fort Frederick I wish you with
all my heart a good march and hope soon to have the
pleasure of Joining you. My Compliments to M?
Commissary Walker, tell him a Commissary is sent
down to Alexandria to take Care of the N: Carolina
1 Addressed to Colonel Washington, " or the Commanding Officer at Winchester."

Letters to Washington 329
Provincials there and that he '11 be so good as victual
those at Winchester. I am Sir
Your most Obed? &
most humble servant
John ST Clair
The Black is arrived ^

FROM COLONEL FIELDING LEWIS.
June 25'^ 1758.
Dear Sir
I rec"? yours inclosing Forty Pound w* I have
placed to your Credit,^ and shall settle your Acc? with
M? Strother.
James Gallemore the bearer some time since de
serted from Coif Byrds Reg? and is now return'd on
my promise that he shall be excused for it, as he
voluntarily surrenders himself I immagine he will
meet with a ready Pardon I am y? most
Humble Serv?
Fielding Lewis

1 In his letter of June 14 to Colonel St. Clair, Washington wrote : " Among the en
closed you will find a letter from Mr. Strother, concerning the French negro I wrote to
him for, by your desure. This Negro is a shrewd, sensible fellow ; and may be useful,
if he was not sent in to the Inhabitants for the purpose of discoveries, rather than of
his own accord, for the purpose of escape. He is well acquainted with the Ohio and
its dependancies, but hath been longer from Fort Du Quesne than I at first under
stood. He will set from this tomorrow with a waggon which I shall send towards Fort
Loudoun (in Pennsylvania) and I shall desire that he may be forwarded to you from
thence." 2 Cash paid his brother, Charles Lewis.

330 Letters to Washington
FROM BRIGADE MAJOR FRANCIS HALKETT.*
Philadelphia Sunday 25*? June 1758
Dear Washington
I Receiv'd your letter yesterday from Connogo-
chieg of the 13* June, and I am thoroughly satis
fyed of your way of thinking, in the importance
are
that Indians. of to us, the great application you have
you have bad
given, with the opportunities, and experience^ not
only of acquiring the knowledge of their usefullness,
but likewise the proper methode of managing them,
gives you very good pretentions to advise the Gen
eral how to act with them, it would be doing injustice
both to you, & the General, if I did not say that he
puts that confidence in your way of thinking, which
your merit deserves, nor does the General debar any
body from telling their way of thinking, when at the
same time he only makes use of that part of their
way of thinking, which corrisponds with his own, by
which means he forms his judgment from the Whole,
& acts accordingly, your proposal for a proper per
son being sent to the Cherokee nation, to remove
any disgust that those Indians may have, from the
treatment they met with going home, as likewise to
endeavour to persuade some of them to Return, &
join us, requires a proper attention, and to which the
General will pay a due Regard when ever he gets
up the Country, as also to the Management of the
Indians with us, which till he arrives, can never be
1 Addressed to " Colonel Washington, Commanding at Rays Town or Fort Cumber
land."

Letters to Washington 331
properly Regulated — he leaves this upon Wednes
day, and the last of Montgomerys Battalion, & Artil
lery, Marches to morrow. The last accounts from
General Abercromby was, his takeing post at Lake
George, no News from the Fleet since they saild
from Hallifax, Compliments to Stewart, and I Re
main Dear Washington Yours most sincerely &c
Francis Halkett

FROM CAPTAIN WALTER STEUART.
Raes Town June 27? 1758
Sir, — I Acknowledge the Recc? of your Letter by
Cap? Fields, Inclosing me a Blank Commission ; but
his being detain'd so long upon the way to Fort
Littleton, prevented my sending ane Express to
Winchester, & I was told by Col! Bouquet that the
day I got your Letter, you was to set off for Fort
Cumberland — I Confess myself greatly Obliged to
you for your kind offer, and agree with you in oppin
ion, that a Comp'! in the Regiment is preferable to
the Lieut^ of the Troop, therefore shall keep the
Commission you sent me, & trust to the event of
this Campaign for my Continuance —
I am Sir
with due respect
y? most Obed? hum'f Servt
Walter Steuart

332 Letters to Washington

Philad* June 27'? 1758
Sir
I had p? Spore the pleasf of a Letter of 18'? ins?
with ;^i96 . . 15 . . 2, Supposed to be from you, there
being no name Sign'd, Inclos'd are the Rec*? you
desire,^ Seperately, shall be glad to hear the Pack
Saddles are Right Sort, the Cost I Sent in a Letter
with them.
I wish you a Successfull Campaign, & with great
Respect I am
the Letter pi 30/ for Dear Sir
y? most obeid? Serv?
David Franks

FROM COLONEL HENRY BOUQUET.^
Camp at Reas Town, 27'.' June 1758
Sir I hope this Letter will find you Safely arrived at
Fort Cumberland ; as Soon as you are Settled in
1 Philad^ June 26^' 1758 Rec? of Coll George Washington, One hundred & Ninety
Three pounds 16/2 for a Qty halfticks Sent him, & p'. hands of Jn" Spore
£193 . . 16 . . 2 David Franks
Rec? philad? June 26?" 175S From CoIl°. George Washington Two pounds 19/on
Acco'. p; Jn°. Spore Dav? Franks
£2 . . 19
2 Colonel Henry Bouquet, the first in command under General Forbes in the expedi
tion against the French at the head of the Ohio in 1758, vras born in Ralle, Switzer
land in 1719, and died in Pensacola, Florida, in February, 1766. His taste led him into
a military life. He first entered the Dutch service and afterwards that of Sardinia,
and in 1748 was again in the service of Holland as lieutenant-colonel of Swiss guards.
He entered the English army with the same rank in 1756, and became Colonel of the
Sixtieth Foot 19th February, 1762, and brigadier-general in 1765. Secretary William

Letters to Washington 333
your Camp, I beg you will begin to cut the Waggon
Road to open the Communication between us.
I have ordered Nichols the Pilot to blaze the Road
in going, and to Stay w* you His Escort may rest
one day or two, then come back again.
I have wrote to Col. Byrd to engage the Indians
to cover you in your march. I need not recomand
you to keep always Strong flanking Parties besides,
as you are perfectly acquainted w'^ the dangers of a
Sudden attacq.
We have not discovered yet any trac or appear
ance of Ennemis, but we expect to be harrassed as
Soon as they know our position.
M? Walker has not engaged I hear to Supply you
for more than a fortnight after your arrival, and it
will be necessary therefore that we join here as Soon
as possible.
You will be pleased to provide for the Safety of
the Fort, in leaving a Sufficient Garrison w* Pro
visions and Ammunition. I think the Maryland
Troops could be lefft untill we have further orders
from the General.
As I allow no other Pay than one Jill of Rum a
day here for common Work as Roads & Intrench-
Pitt in planning the campaign of 1758 against the French, in North America, assigned
Bouquet's troops, the Royal Americans, then in South Carolina, as was also Colonel
Montgomery's Highlanders, to place themselves under General Forbes, at Philadel
phia. These were the regulars upon whom General Forbes relied. They arrived in
Philadelphia early in June, 1758. Bouquet was a man of courage and a soldier of
ability, with the large amount of self-conceit and dogmatism so common [then] to Brit
ish ofiicers. His devotion to duty minimized these limitations in his character as a
soldier. It vras chiefly through his influence that the new road from Raes Town was
opened and the Braddock road ignored, though recommended by Washington, the delay
in the making of which came so near the defeating the purposes of the expedition under
Forbes. (Seethe Washington-Bouquet Letters.) — Toner.

334 Letters to Washington
ments, I beg you will give the Same Allowance to
your men
I shall be extremely glad to See you Soon and am
w* great Regard
Sir Your most obed?
& most hK'* servant
Henry Bouquet

FROM COLONEL ADAM STEPHEN.
Camp at Raystown June 28? 1758
Sir We arrived at this place on the 24* with 500 of
the Pennsylvanians — Col. Bouquet designs a place
of Some Strength hereabouts — From Shippensburg
to Fort Loudon 22 miles from that to F. Littleton
extreamely bad Road, hilly & stony 20 miles From
that to Juniata where there is built a Small Stocade
18 miles From that post to Raystown Camp ... 14
miles The road from Loudon to Juniata worse by
far than any betwixt Cumberland & Duquesne, which
has engaged Col. Bouquet to adopt the Scheme of
Carrying horses.
I reed the Cash of Cap* Fields 20/ Short in the first
Sum, and only Currency instead of Sterling from M?
Lawson.
the
Messiers Gist and Allen came up with us. night
before we marched from Littleton, and as it was Col.
Bouquets Opinion that you would have left Win
chester before they could reach it — He thought it
could be no great disappointment to have them join
you at F Cumberland. —

Letters to Washington 335
Hayton Joind us at this place only two days ago
— The Waggons were overloaded & all broke on
the Road, without any loss of the Cargo —
There were Regulations made here, by Which two
Batmen are Batmen are Allowed to Each Company,
two hatchet & two Camp Colour men clear of all
Camp Duty. —
The Gentlemen here will be at a loss for Carrying
Saddles, and as there were Some left at Cumberland
belonging to Virginia as I imagine; They will be
obligd to you for Sending them a Dozen besides
paying for them.
The men are a good deal harassd, but we have
lost none — I am with respect.
Sir,
Your most Ob? hu''.^ Ser?
Adam Stephen.

FROM MR. JACOB HITE.
Sir As the Stationing Twenty of cap? Rutherfords
men at Fort Loudoun Gives yf Greatest uneasyness
to yf Inhabitants In General for Several Reasons
First it being Contrary to our Ingagements to yf
men on Cap? Rutherfords behalf Secondly yf Grate
Incouragement we have by So many Active Men
Rangeing on our Frontier Thirdly yf greate Dis
like yf men have to be Stationed There — and
fourthly the Inactive Company of Militia could Part
better be Spared from Pattersons Fort as we cannot

336 Letters to Washington
Expect to Receive So much Sattisfaction from the
hole Company of Militia as we Should Do from
Them Twenty men Besides other Militia I hope to
be had
Not as I wood have you Think that we Emagen
you to be the author of Such orders But that we
Expect it will be in your Power to have those orders
Coundermanded and a more Sattisfactorey one Put
in Execution that Those men may go to Their for
mer Station
I heartly wish you your health a Successfull Cam-
pain and a Safe Return and am Sir
your Friend and Verey Hum Servt
Jacob Hite
June 29'." 1758

FROM LIEUTENANT CHARLES SMITH.
FouRT Loudoun July i"? 1758
Sir Since Your Departure there is Nothing happened
Extronery, June the 29* I Settle'ed with Comis^ry
Walker Your Acco'.' & Your Brothers Which Yours
was 7809 Pound of Flour which Amounted to
;^39 " o " 10 & his Account, Against You for Rum
was ;^2i"i3"4 The Ballance Recel by me is
;^i7 " 7 " 6 & M? Washington Acco? comes to £"] "
10 " Which I Rece"?
Your Over Seear informs me that there was Wheat
Enough Carried to Purkins Mill for Teen or Eliven
Thousand Weight of Flour which I Cannot Get no
Account of only the Above mentioned M? Purkins

Letters to Washington 337
he Denies as he Knows any thing of but I beleave
as You may find out by M? Ramsey as M? Purkins
Sold him a Prety Deal of Flour in Barrells which
the Over Sear Says that they were Yours,
I should be glad to Know if I am to Supply* the
Overseer with a Suffitient Sum of Money for to
Secour his harves as he has been at me for Sum,
I hav Setled with the Miner & M' Reddiford
Acceding to Your Orders, which the Ballance due
the
to Miner was Eight Pound,
I have 28 of the New Ridg? Left here Very sick
& has a Deal of Trouble with them.
The Raingers that is Lef with me is Very uneasy
as they Should kept in a Garrison & Did Refuse
Mounting Guards which Six of them Deserted but
now is Brought back they seem to be Satisfyd now
as Cap? Bideford [promised] them if he Can Get
them Relevd he will The inhatance is Very uneasy
as there was no more men Left here for there
Safety, the Most of them sems in a fare way to
Move off, without more Assistance, the has been a
Small Party of the Ennemy In the Inhabitance best
Part of the Time as You have been away but has
Dun but Little Mishchief any more then Making
the People flye off, from there Farms
I Should be Glad to hav Your Advise at all Op-
pertunities, & to hear of your Health & well fare,
from Your Humble Serv? to Command
Ch^ Smith
vol. II.

1

A WEEKLY RETURN OF THE SOULDERS LEFT AT FOURT LOUDON UNDER THE
COMMAND OF LE^ CHARLES SMITH

The First Virg» Ridgment

Raingers

Second Vurg" Ridgment

fi

B a

1al gg

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Total of the i^ Virginia Rigement . 36
of the Raingers  21
of the Second Regment ... 28
Cha! Smith
Total . . 8s
00 to
To George Washington Esq"?
Col? of the First Virginia Regement
Letters to Washington 339
from mr. john hite.^
Sir Our Inhabitants is -most all Fled from Messenut-
ing and we are Generally in Great Expectation Fair
of the Enemy upon us at Some Quarter or other
and as we have No other Dependens for any Intili-
gance But yf Ranging Company, and that Being
Weakend by Party Stationed at Fort Loudoun and
Part at Daniel Holemans Fort I hope therefore you
will think it Reasonably to alter that Property So
that Those Rangers May be Restord to their former
Duty to yf Sattisfaction of our Inhabetants in Gen
eral I am Sir with Regard your Sincear friend and
Hum Servt Jn? Hite
July 2* 1758 To Coll? George Wasenton
These

FROM ROBERT RUTHERFORD, ESQ.
Winchester the 2I of July 1758
Dear Sir
The Stationing of the Rangers in Fort Loudoun
gives Such general discontent to the Inhabitants
that it obliges me to apply to you to Countermand
1 John Hite, James Wood, and Robert Rutherford, gentlemen, were commissioners
for Frederick County, to examine and state the accounts of provisions, and the pay of
the militia, and of the damages done the inhabitants by the Cherokee and Catawba
Indians. Hite was also one of the trustees for the enlargement of Winchester, and
the building of Stephensburg and Leesburg.

340 Letters to Washington
the Orders, or direct me how to apply to have it
done — for I am from being a Person of as much
Interest, as any among the Common People, become
almost Liable to be Stoned. In Short it is so oppo
site to the Terms of inlisting the Company, and the
engagements made with the men & the People in
general at the time of their inlisting, that I am not
Surprized it Produces things of this nature.
The Inhabitants (whom I have taken Care to in
form that those orders were Contrary to your desire)
Rely wholy on you for redress as also dos the Com
pany and as the turns of affairs Since the Issuing
those Orders are reasons Sufficient for revoking of
them Shall hope for your Interposition in this Case,
as the Inhabitants of Messanutting and the whole of
the upper Part of the County are intirely gone off,
which I very Plainly foresaw, for Some time Past,
and it will be the Case here if every endeavour is
not used to Support and Comfort the People, as the
greatest Pannick now Prevails — Whatever I have
done was with a view to Serve the Country and have
altogether depended on you for Protection and am
Sensible that far as Justice is on my Side I may
depend on your favour, and it Coud never be offered
to me more timely than in this Distressd Sircum-
stances. I am sorry to give you this trouble, but am forced
by meer Extreemity, and as you are at Present blessd
with Health, I hope it will Sit Light on you. Which
may every toil you are now intering into and the
Hours Pass cheerfully, till you enjoy the inexpres
sible Sattisfaction of Compleat Victory and Return

Letters to Washington 341
with wreaths of Laurel, Elate, with Youth and Suc
cess to your friends and fortune, to Compleat and
forward which may the Guardian Powers aide is the
unfeignd wish of Dear Sir
Y? greatly affectionate
and Most Ob*
Hble Ser?
R. Rutherford.

FROM CAPTAIN A. BOTOMWORTH. Camp at Reas Town
4'." July 1758
Dear Sir
I Desire you'll be so good as forward the inclosed
to Cap? Gist that he may not be imposed upon by a
Scalp which Capt° Johnny pretends to have taken
with his Catawbas, Coif Bouquet is well convinced
of the Deceit & desires you will take Care Gist's
letter getts to Winchester before Johnny can, The
Circumstances are so Strong against him that they
admit of no manner of doubt, therefore think he has
been sufficiently rewarded for the Service he has
done us & deserves not the least Countenance for
such a Scandalous attempt,* I hope to have the
pleasure of seeing you soon & am
D'S' With perfect regard
Your most Obedt Hble Serv?
A. Botomworth
My Compl'.' to Col° Byrd &c^
Please to Seal Gists letter
1 According to Colonel Bouquet, the Catawbas under Captain Johnny had behaved

342 Letters to Washington
FROM COLONEL BOUQUET.
Camp near Reas Town s^ July 1758
Sir General Forbes having ordered a Communication
to be opened from Fort Frederic to Cumberland;
I must desire that you will order three Hundred
men (Including the Maryland Troops under your
Command) to begin to cut on your Side the Said
Road already blazed towards Fort Frederic, and to
proceed until they meet the 500 men employed to
cut from F? Frederic. They must have Waggons
to carry their Tools, Rum, and Provisions.
If you want Tools, Please to apply to Sir John S?
Clair, or to Governor Sharpe.
Besides that Detachment, you will garrison Fort
Cumberland, and with the remainder of your Troops,
open the Road to Reas Town, where I hope to have
Soon the Pleasure to See you, and Col. Byrd.
I am with the highest regard
Sir Your most obedient
and most hble servant
Henry Bouquet

in a most shameful manner and run away, he wrote, like a parcel of thieves rather
than warriors. They had never even killed a deer, and Colonel Bouquet had every
reason to suspect that this scalp, which they pretended to have taken, vras an old one.
When Washmgton vrrote to Governor Fauquier, he touched on the Catawbas, who had
" so egregiously misbehaved."

Letters to Washington 343

FROM GABRIEL JONES.^
D? Sir
The Writs for Election being so long on their way
that it was yf 4'!? (our Court day) before they came
to yf Sherifs hands, made it Impossible to have yf
Election before the 24* as yf Law directs 20 day's
between yf time they come to hand & that day -ef
Election. I am sorry to find that yf people & those
whom I took to be y.' friends in a great measure
change their sentiments & now raise doubts in Mfes'^
that seem to be clear w* them before, this is yf con
sequence of yf back being turned — your Potow-
people
mack^I am afraid will not be stedfast they talk now
of the Old Burgesses. West has been two days w*
them, & intends to be very busy till yf time comes.
him
Col? Martin publickly accused. with some low trans
actions, which the other could not clear up, & stands
condemned by some of his best friends for such
scandalous proceedings — the whole inre is to be laid
open the day of the Election. Col? G. Fairfax will
be up & am in hopes will make a great Alteration
upon Potowmack the disturbance in Col? Hites
neighbourhood is occasioned by yf Ranger's being
garrisoned — if the removing this Obstacle could be
1 Gabriel Jones was appointed deputy attorney of Augusta County, April 14, 1746,
" as a fit person to transact his majesty's affairs in this county," and qualified the
following May. He was a learned lawyer, and married a Miss Strother, of Stafford
County, a sister of Mrs. Thomas Lewis and Mrs. Madison, mother of Bishop Madi
son. Peyton's History of Augusta County. At this period Washington's friend
was also actively engaged as county commissioner on the militia, town building, etc.
This letter was written on the eve of Washington's election to the Virginia House of
Burgesses. 3 Matters.

344 Letters to Washington
consistent with yf Interest of the Country & your
glad
Duty should be heartily, there is now yf Carolina
forces in yf Fort.
The late blow in Massanutting & the Harvest will
prevent a great many from being down, this I don't
think will prejudice you so much as my other friend,*
his Interest I think declines among the Quakers
where I imagine your's is pretty good, in short affairs
are totally changed & may be many times so yet
before yf day, your being elected absolutely depends
on your presence that day, this is yf Opinion of every
thinking friend & therefore must in yf most pressing
manner desire it. it happened very unluckily that
the writs was so long delayed as it was the Case in
Augusta, so that both Election's will interfere, how-
you
ever as I have undertaken to serve ^ no Considera
tion shall deter me from it. I shall give up mine,
in order to be at your's, where if possible I hope
you'l be. I think I have said every thing that yf
little time I have to spare allows me, only be assured
of the best endeavour's of
D?Sir Y? most Obed? &c?
Gabriel Jones
Winchester
July 6^ s8.
P. S. Pray tell Cap? Stewart I shall kindly think
of him till he return's

1 Colonel Washington, Colonel F. B. Martin, Mr. Hugh West, and Thomas Swear
ingen, were the candidates for Frederick County.

Letters to Washington 345
FROM JOHN KIRKPATRICK, ESQ.
Winchester 6'? July 1758
Dear Sir
I received your very welcome favour from Pearsals
— and embrace your kind offers of Correspondence,
with the highest pleasure — truely sensible of the
Honour you do me. —
The disapointment I met with in not seeing you
before march? gave me much concern — and your
necessary hurry, plague and perplexities — attending
the preparations for the field — plead an excuse for
not writing you — satisfied of your dispositions to
think me incapable of declining a Friendship which
every Motive of Gratitude bids me esteem in the
warmest manner — and this kind instance Confirms
me, I share your friendly regard — in condescending
to Communicate your intelligence, and make me a
Correspondant — 'tis a favour I greatly Value —
and will omit no means on my part to continue and
Establish a lasting intercourse —
You have no doubt, many disagreable & fatiguing
matters to engage with — 'tis the case of a Military
profession — which your good sense and prudence
enables you to support w' wonder — By this time I
suppose You at Rays town — from whence a Road
we hear is to be open'd to Fort Cumberland — and
thro' that Fort the Rout of Your Army is in
tended — we are also told the General is got to the
Camp — tho' Reports are very false —
Our news here and below — are very triffiing —
Election of Burgesses take up the whole talk at

346 Letters to Washington
present — this County Chuse their Representatives
the 24'^ ins? — when your presence will avail Vastly
to accomplish your point — the promises of the Vul
gar are too precarious to build your hopes upon —
unless you could attain to influence their perform
ance — they entertain a notion of the inconvenience
you lye under of attending the Assembly and de
fending them at the same time — but, you coud
speedily reconcile that paradox was it suitable to be
here —
The candidates for Fairfax are Col? Mason —
Cha? Broadwater — and Geo : Johnston — the days
of Election for Loudoun & Fairfax happen both the
so*?" which will weaken Col? Lee's interest, & it is
thought occasion him to be Drop't —
Yesterday 120 North Carolina Men arrived here
— they waite orders, for some necessarys to enable
them for following you — Winchester has lost its
attractions to me, since your departure — All are
Dull & dead — Tho' the Court call'd me hither —
on Business — yet I am uneasy to begone — When
Your Complements shall be duely deliverd your
Friends — Continue Your Correspondence & be
lieve me unfeign'dly D? Col? Your Sincere Serv? &
Obliged — Jn9 Kirkpatrick

FROM COLONEL ADAM STEPHEN.
Sir, I congratulate you on your Arrival at Fort Cum
berland ; * It would have saved Us a deal of trouble
1 On the 2d of July.

Letters to Washington 347
to have taken the Same Route — From 800, which
is about our Number here, besides Cap? Field's Com
pany There is about 200 on Guard & 150 at the
different Works every day. The Engineers have
made Choice of a piece of Ground very much re
sembling that on which F Cumberland Stands, only
not So strong
A Detachment of the Pennsylvanians went to
wards Laurel-Hill in order to discover a Road that
way, but returnd without any Satisfactory Account—
There has been no Sign of the Enemy about Us
since we incamped at this place —
The first week we were at Raystown our men were
so dispersed in Scouting parties, Commands and
work, that Col Bouquet did not receive a Return of
Troops under his Command at this Place before last
Sunday — I am with respect
Sir Your most Ob? hu"-!" Ser?
Adam Stephen
Camp at Raystown
July 6'? 1758 
FROM CAPTAIN A. BOTOMWORTH.
Camp at Reas Town 7'? July I7j8
Dear Sir
I take this opportunity of acquainting you that I
have sent off this morning 24 Pickt Warriors to
Fort Du Quesnes, with Orders to take a Prisoner if
possible, and make what Discoveries they can about
the Fort ; I make no doubt from the good Opinion
I have of them, but on their Return we shall receive

348 Letters to Washington
some Intelligence of the Strength and Motions of
the Enemy. Coif Bouquet has thought proper to
send Williams and Vaughan two Serjeants of your
Reg? along with them, to prevent Imposition, and
desired me to inform you that all our Indians are
now distinguished by a yellow Badge, or Fillett
which they wear round their Heads, or tye about
their Arms or Breast, as they think best and are
very conspicuous, & easily seen at a distance in the
woods. You'll therefore please Direct the Same
Marks to be affixed to all those Indians with you at
Cumberland and let them know they are never to
appear from Camp without them, as by Neglect
thereof, they will be deemed Enemies and fired upon
by the White People ; You will therefore be so good
as recommend the Strict Observance of this De-
stinction in the Strongest Terms you can, to pre
vent the fatal Effects of killing one another & Com
municate the same to Col? Byrd on his Arrival, & in
case any of his People should go a Scouting, or be
sent to the French Fort he will take Care they are
all distinguished in the manner described, I have
sent you a Pattern enclosed & am
D?Sir With all Sincerity
Your much Obliged Hble Servant
A. Botomworth
My best Compl*.= to Col? Byrd
& all your Gentlemen
I shall be glad to hear from you if your Time will
permit we hear nothing extraordinary at this Camp
but wait in daily expectation of the Arrival of the

Letters to Washington 349
General & the Artillery — I have heard nothing yet
about the Canteens which I wrote to Philad? for but
dare say they will be here soon.

FROM JAMES WOOD.*
Sir The 24* of this month is appointed the day for
the election. Mr. Jones has promised to be here. I
wish with him & the rest of your friends that it was
possible you could be present to give life to the
cause. I have done my endeavor to search into the
opinions of the people, and cannot perceive your in
terest on the decline, tho' some try to persuade me
to the contrary. I must own experience has con
vinced me there is no relying on the promises of the
common herd, the promise is too often forgot when
the back is turned. There are many of us embarked
in the same cause with you, and a disappointment
will set heavy on us. If the duty of your station will
permit, come down and show your face.^ I think I
can then promise success. If you cannot, depend
nothing in my power shall be wanting to promote

1 The Associate of Gabriel Jones. It was Colonel Wood who sat on the bench and
represented or took the poll for Washington, and who was " carried round the town
in the midst of a general applause and huzzaring for Colonel Washington." Joseph
Carroll was clerk of Washington's poll.
2 Having resolved to quit the army at the close of the present camp^gn, Colonel
Washington had proposed himself to the Electors of Frederick County, as a candidate
for the House of Burgesses. The election was now approaching, and some of his
friends had urged him to be at Winchester on that occasion, fearing the successful
activity of three rival candidates. Regarding his duties in the army, however, as out
weighing the considerations of personal interest, he remained at his post, and the elec
tion was carried through without his presence. — Sparks.

350 Letters to Washington
your interest. Mrs. Wood and the rest of the family
send their compliments. I am, Sir, with respect,
Y? humble serv? J. Wood.*
Winchester 7 July 1758.

FROM COLONEL HENRV BOUQUET.
Camp near Reas Town SI" July 1758
Sir The only Reason I had to desire you to march
w^ your Troops to Reas Town was the Scarcity of
your Provisions, as it would otherwise not be advise
able to move you, till the General is fully determined
upon the different Roads.
As I See that you can be Subsisted for a Sufficient
time, you will Stay at Cumberland till further orders.
All your Waggons must be Sent immediately back
for the other Convoy. Keeping only with you the
number wanted to carry Provisions to the 300 men
who are cutting this Road taking the Same precau
tion for the 200 Marylanders who are to cut towards
Fort Frederic.
As I have not here a Number of Troops sufficient
for all the different Services of Partys, Escorts, &
Works, You will be pleased to Send me to morrow
a detachment of 200 men by the Path, and as your
1 From a copy. Throughout the original manuscript collection of the Letters to
Washington there are copies of letters inserted in lieu of the original letter. The
originals were ^ven away probably by Bushrod Washington when the manuscripts
were at Mount Vernon.

Letters to Washington 351
Troops are allowed Bat money, I Suppose that you
may provide them w* the necessary Carrying Horses
for their Tents.
I Shall in the beginning of next Week open our
Communication on this Side to meet your 300 men.
I have ordered a Party of 100 men on the other
Side of the Allegheny. —
M? Fraser the Cap? of the Guides, and J? Walker
being best acquainted w* the different Path, I Shall
be obliged to you to Send them both to me to mor
row. General Abercrombie has taken Possession of the
Lakes ; Gen! Forbes was expected at Carlisle the
first Inst, no Letters from him. I am. Sir
Your most obed?
hble Servant
Henry Bouquet

FROM MR. WILLIAM POOLE.*
Most honourabel Cornal this with Great Sub-
mishon and i hope with out a fens and i hope your
honour is in good health, i have hear made Bold to
let you no the Qualatys of your mill i have in gande
now gaind 604 Barels of Corn and Sixteen Barels of
wheat and have in gaind a Great Deal of Custum
from meariland as well as heare and now She fails
for want of water By reason of a good Deel of Dry
weather which makes me Sorry that i cant grind
faster for your Custumers and by have in soCloes in
1 Washington's mill superintendent and one of his tenants.

352 Letters to Washington
ploy with the mill the fore part of the year it has
hind ard me from tendin the ground which i was to
have and by M? John Washingtons Desiers i throd up
the ground to humphry Knight and M? John Wash
ington told me he would be bound your honour
would Sattis fy me for it in which i make no Dout
of your honours goodness as i am reaDy to obay
and have in a Large famalea to maintane i must in
Deaver for a maintaneance for them in which i hope
youre honour wont tak it amiss and that you will
bepleast to let me no in time if i am to minde the
mill argane and upon what firms as i Can maintane
my famalea i be in very willin to serv your honour
with out hurtin my Self the hors which your Brother
put here Dyl with a Distemper which is a great Dis
a pointment to the meariland Custumars and now
Sur i must begg a line as to from your honour that i
ma no what i have to Doo up on which i Shall rely.
and so to Conclud from your humbel Servant at
Command A
WiLLiM Poole miller
July y 9: 1758
To
The Honourabel Curnal George
Washinton —att Win Chester or
Elsewheare This.

FROM CAPTAIN A. BOTOMWORTH.
Camp at Rays Town ii*? July 1758
Dear Sir
I rec"? your favor of the 6* and Communicated the
Contents to Colonel Bouquet; I acquainted you in
VOL. II

Letters to Washington 353
my last of a Party of 24 Indians being gone off to
Fort Du Quesne, when they come near the Place
they will divide into two or three small Parties by
which means we shall have the greater Chance of
getting a Prisoner, I expect them back in 14 days
when I hope to send you good news, I really believe
the French are but weak & that there are but few
Indians at Du Quesne tho' Moskingo is so far dis
tant that there's little Dependance upon the Intel
ligence we receive from that Quarter, I hear Paris
has Carried the Indians who took the Scalp in all
1 7 down to Fort Loudoun & is now on the road to
this place; Maj? Lewis arrived here last night Col?
Bouquet is mightily pleased with their Dress,* I am
D? S? your most Obed? Serv? A. Botomworth

FROM MR. CHRISTOPHER HARDWICK.
BuLLSKiN July y? II* 1758.
HoN«^^ Col9
This Serves to inform you that all's Well Since
you left this or my seeing you last. Likewise Serves
to inform you of the great Drought Since then, that
I have not had a Season to Plant one Single Plant.
1 Washington had equipped Major Lewis's companies with the Indian costume. In
writing on this subject to Colonel Bouquet he said : " My men are bare of regimental
cloathing and I have no prospect of a supply. So far from regretting this want during
the present campaign, if I were left to pursue my own inclinations, I would not only
order the men to adopt the Indian dress, but cause the officers to do it also, and be the
first to set the example myself. Nothing but the uncertainty of obtaining the general
approbation causes me to hesitate a moment to leave my regimentals at this place, and
proceed as light as any Indian in the woods. It is an unbecoming dress, I own ; but
convenience rather than show, I think, should be consulted." It appears that Colonel
Bouquet so much approved of " the dress " that he encouraged the army to adopt it.

354 Letters to Washington
Every thing fit to Burn up with heat if any Should
offer though late I Shall use my best Industry that
Way. The Wheat is now Ripe which Shall be laid
up as soon and as Safe as Possible, I am at loss in
regard to the hands after harvest is over if there's
no Tob? Made Should be glad of Advice Whether to
let or Agree with M? Stephen's About them to Cut
Wood as I am very Willing to do the best I can —
I should be glad to know when to let the two Pigs
loose which you had of M? Dick they are grown
very large I conclude with the greatest regard
Your honours most humble Servant
Christopher Hardwick

FROM COLONEL HENRY BOUQUET.
Camp near Reas Town ii July 1758
Sir Major Lewis with the two hundred men under
his command arrived here last night. I am ex
tremely obliged to you for this extraordinary de
spatch. Their dress should be our pattern in this
expedition. The mistake of the 6000 of flour is a great disap
pointment. I beg you will continue to supply pro
visions for the Maryland troops, as they are to be
supplied by the crown. As soon as the communica
tion will be opened, I will replace what may be con
sumed. We begin tomorow to cut the road on this

Letters to Washington 355
side to meet Col. Mercer & save him the trouble of
going so far.
I have heard nothing of General Forbes since the
19'!' June. With the most sincere regard,
Yr most obed? Serv
Henry Bouquet.

FROM COLONEL GEORGE MERCER.
Sir The four days provision we brought from fort
Cumberland exclusive of Monday, will be exhausted
tomorrow night, & as I am so little advanced, & no
waggon road to Raes Town I find it impossible to
send there for a supply.
I have detached a serjeant & 15 men with 3 wag
gons which I beg you will despatch to me again to
day with provision. I imagine what those 3 waggons
will bring, may carry us at least so near, if not to
Raes Town, that I shall not be troublesome to you
again upon this head.
The woods are open here, but as I have orders to
make the road wide, I find it very difficult to clear
the timber being all large. A road for one waggon
might be cleared as fast as it could drive, we only
cleared half a mile the day before yesterday, Yester
day we made out more than two but we are now
encamped only 6 miles from you. I had a most vio
lent fit of the ague & fever Tuesday, which confined
me all day from 8 in the morning to a waggon, &
did not leave me till the same hour next morning.

356 Letters to Washington
There were 2 barrels of powder put into the wag
gons for us of which I informed M? Kennedy, & he
took out one in my presence. The other the Wag
goner suffered too to be taken from him by a little
serjeant in a green waistcoat (he says) by the descrip
tion Sir our quarter master serjeant; of whom I
much suspect such a thing as I know him to be
very ignorant, impudent & stupid. I beg you order
me another barrel as our men are not at all fully
supplied & in case of an accident, we have no
remedy save two boxes of ball. Pray Sir dont allow
the waggons to be overloaded.
If I have my health dont doubt but I will be very
diligent in completing the road, but I assure you 2
or 3 more fits will make me incapable of any thing.
I am Sir Your most obedient & humble
Servant
Geo. Mercer*
Camp 6 miles from ^
Fort Cumberland >
July 12'? 1758. ) or Capt Waggoners
If any of the men of my company which I left
behind sick are recovered, I hope you'll please to
order them to join me with this command as I am
very weak here. 1 From a copy.

Letters to Washington 357

from mr. humphrey knight.
Sir, I wrote to you as often as proper but fearfuU Some
of the Letters miscarried I sent you an Acc? of all
I Rec^ and what is Due to you, by the bo0cks M?
John Aug? Washington Left with me, I shall be
CairfuU and Dilligent you may be sure In Your
business an all Acc*.' I have paid M? Piper and Rec"?
all Rents and Cash I Can and Shall Render a Just
Acc? you need not Doupt, the Great house was Rais*
about 6 Days ago the bricks is all burnt, in Quan-
tanty 16000 Sixteen thousand all things Goes on well
I hope, our negros & stock [mutilated] Well your Colts
Groes well, we have [mutilated] Planting which is a
Strang thing in our Parts but short seasons and hot
weather some is mising but we Shall be Diligent
in making it Good When a season permits, I shall
work the Carpntr? to your advantage I hope and all
the Rest of your people that I am Consernd with
We have a very fine Crop of Corn and in Good
Order I am Sir Your Very Hble Serv? to Com^
Humphry Knight
Alexandria July 13'? 1758

FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ADAM STEPHEN.
Camp at Raes-Town July i^ 1758
Sir, Inclosd is a Return of the Strength of the Six
Companies at this Place. —

358 Letters to Washington
I wish you would order by the first Opportunity
Breech-Clouts for the men; Send the Paymaster
and the Store Accounts, in order the Officers of
Companies might have time to Settle those matters
before the General Arrives, when Some of us will
be Orderd to pass the mountains, & perhaps have
no Opportunity of Joining again, before We get in a
place too much hurried for Settling Acc*?
I doubt not but you will think it proper to have
all the mens Cloaths at one place, before we march
and as it is uncertain which way they march across
the mountains, it would be adviseable to lodge them
at Fort Cumberland as soon as possible.
I receivd no orders about the New Coats Maj?
Lewis brought along with him, but imagine you will
have all your Regiment, dress or reg? undress in the
Same Manner. It will be necessary the Q'master
comes with the Paymaster, to prevent any disputing
accounts I am with respect
Sir Your most Ob? huWf Ser?
Adam Stephen

I

A Return of the Six Companies of the /? Virginia Reg*, encampt at Rays Town Under y. Comnfi of L*,
Cof. Stephens July y
I2*h 1738.

Officers

Effective Rank and File
Companies
Commissiond
Non
Comniiss^
Fit
for Duty Sick Hatchett. Camp Coll and
Bat Men
Total
^ S -I ^i 1
3 a s 1 a
I
B.
s. a
Ul Q
1
Col" Washingtons
I I
4 I
2
80 3 6
89
L'..Col°. Stephens's
. 1 • . 2
4 a
•
?9 3 a
88
Maj^ Andrew Lewis
..1.2
3 a
•
87 6 S
99
Cap'. Rob'. Stewarts
. . 2
3 2
«
?6 3 6
85
Cap' Thom". BuUitts
..12
4 2
•
?7 4 6
87
Cap^ Walt'. Stewarts
I 2
4 2
2
78 3 6
87
Total
. I I 3 II
3
22 II
4
477 22 3§
 .
535
360 Letters to Washington
FROM COLONEL JOHN CARLYLE. ALEX^July I4'^ 1758 —
D? Sir
This Serves Chiefly to Inform you that I rec^ the
fav? of yours the Day before you marched for Which
I am Much Obliged, & Also to Inclose you A Let
ter from M? Rich^ Washington the things Ship*? by
him for You '^ Cap? Mirrias is in our Warehouse Safe
As your own house is Now Uncover'd We Shall
keep them for Some Time, Y? People Shall Want
No Assistance in our Power I Intend to be At the
Election In Frederick & may depend on Every thing
In My Power, We Are told the Two R"? Lee's are
gone for Westmoreland, Fran? Lee & Thomp" May-
son ^ for Strafford —
The Ladys here Joyn M? Dalton & Self In Wishes
for y? health & Safe Return & believe me to be
D^SiR Y? Obliged Hble Ser?
John Carlyle
To George Washington, Esq
To be forwarded by
Lie*. Smith at
Fort Loudoun

FROM COLONEL HENRY BOUQUET.
Camp near Reas Town 14'? July 1758
Sir Having been out to visit the Roads I received this
afternoon your two Letters of yesterday —
1 Thompson Mason.

Letters to Washington 361
I am obliged to you for the notice of the Sad
Accident happened to your Men. This Warning
may prevent more effectually than orders the Care
lessness and disobedience of our People.^
The General recommends me to Send frequent
Partys to harrass the Ennemies at home, I have
actually four out, besides the Indians Sent by Col.
Byrd. If you Should think proper to Send Some of
your brisk young fellows under the Care of a pru
dent Officer, we could keep them busy at home.
As I am entirely unacquainted w*.** this Country I
would look upon it as a favour, if you would let me
know your opinion, upon the Possibility of Sending
a Strong Party to the Indian Settlements upon the
Ohio ; If their houses and familis were in danger, I
would think that a great inducem? for them to pro
vide for their immediate defence and leave to the
french their own quarrels to fight
Before the General could be acquainted w*!" your
New Dress, he has approved it extremely upon a hint
I gave him Some time ago.^
It takes very well here, and thank God, we See
nothing but Shirts and Blanketts, Sec*
The Convoys fall So thick upon us, that we have
no time to do any thing but to lodge them and I am
obliged to beg the assistance of your Second Comp^
1 The killing of two men by the enemy, due to their going out in a careless, straggling
mass contrary to Washington's positive and repeated orders.
2 " It gives me great pleasure to find you approve of the Dress I have put my men
into. It is evident soldiers in that trim are better able to carry their provisions ; are
fitter for the active service we must engage in ; less Uable to sink under the fatigues of
a march and by this means get rid of much Baggage, which would otherwise lengthen
our line of march. — These and not whim or caprice were my reasons for ordering them
into a." — Washington's reply.

362 Letters to Washington
of artificers for a few days after they have cut the
Road, and build two Logg houses half Way, for a
detachment and Some Stores if wanted.
The General desires you would Send a Party to
reconnoitre Braddocks Road, and begin to clear a
few miles, repairing the Bridges, &c*
We have not a Soul idle in the Camp The Field
Officers being themselves overseers
We Shall have Carrying horse, aad few Waggons
and Still less Bagage ;
Our new comers Cherokee, are gone away after
having Stolen our goods. It is a great humiliation
for us to be obliged to Suffer the repeated Insolence
of Such Rascals ; I think it would be easier to make
Indians of our White men, than to cox that damned
Tanny Race.
You will receive the General's Standing Orders
which we have read this morning to the Troops here.
I am at a Loss how to Settle the money between
the two Provinces ; If you could tell me the way, I
woud be obliged to you.
My Respects to M? Glen & Col. Byrd
I am most Sincerely, Sir,
Your most Obed?
humble Servant Henry Bouquet
You have forgot the Letter from Cap? Dagworthy *
I write to Col. mercer.

1 Washington swore once. It is said, in later years, at the battle of Monmouth ; per
haps twice, but this Is the first and only time, I believe, of record, that he was told,
" You have forgot." " The enclosed," he had vfritten, " I this instant receive from
Captn. Dagworthy — If it is not in your power to afford him assistance, he must suffer,
as it is entirely out of mine to do t^."

Letters to Washington 363
FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ADAM STEPHEN.
Camp at Raestown July 14*.' 1758
Sir, I wrote yesterday, intended by Cap? Botomworth
but was out when he sett off —
Nothing new Since, only two men have deserted
Viz John Clandinnon a damnable tall fellow & Adam
Clandinnon his brother inlisted lately by L? Charles
Smith — I have sent Advertisements through Penn
sylvania, & have trusted to the Officers of their Com
panies to send you by this Opportunity —
I have thirteen of Cap? Flemings Company left
here sick, one of Cap? Fields Company had his Leg
broke yesterday & another cut him himself much on
the Road, These beside our own sick are a Burthen
to me, which would be much relievd by a Surgeons
mate — I Expected M? Johnston yesterday, — And
Beg — you will order him off immediately if the
Bearer should find him at Fort Cumberland
I am with Respect Sir
Your most Ob? hb! Serv?
Adam Stephen.

FROM MR. EDWARD HUBBARD.
Sir Cap? Rob? Stewart writes me he show'd you my
letter . . . wherein I wish'd to be in the Light horse
— and tho he is Engag'd if 'tis left to his Choice —
and you will not interfere in it —

364 Letters to Washington
Give me leave to Accept the Friendship Colonel
Bouquet has for me — who told me he wou'd ask it
for me of the General — I wait your permission (if
it is not promis'd tho indeed I 'm afraid it is. Col
Bouquet will Endeavor to get it for me)
therefore as he is kind enough to Interest himself
so much in my behalf . . . permit me Receive this
favor . . . which will give me great pleasure and the
more as I shall still Continue under your Command
I am Sir
your very Obed?
Humble Serv?
Edw Hubbard
Camp Rays Town
July 17 1758

FROM GENERAL JAMES SINCLAIR.
Carlile the 19* July 1758
Sir I am desired by General Forbes to acquaint you
that there is sent up to Rays Town in Order to be
forwarded to you at Fort Cumberland Eighty tents
with Tent poles compleat for the use of your Regi
ment & Colonel Byrds. This number is all we have
at this place at present. I am
Sir Your most Obedient & most
humble Serv?
James Sinclair
A: D: Q? M? Gen!

Letters to Washington 365
FROM JAMES GLEN, ESQ.^
Camp Reas or Bouquetsburgh July 19*? 1758
Gentlemen ^
The civilities I received from you at your Camp
were many, but at present my acknowledgments must
be few, for I have borrowed this single sheet of paper
to pay my thanks to you both.
The beauty, regularity and cleanliness of this camp
will charm you. It is slightly fortified with a parapet
of wicker work, extreamly neat, rammed full of earth
taken out of a small ditch on the outside and (which
is surprizing) it was begun and finished in one day,
altho' it be near 400 feet square, with small bastions
in the middle of each side, and no interruption of
the other Camp duty; There are at present 1500
men in it, but it is capable of containing 4000 by
placing the Tents nearer, which are all so disposed,
that in case of an alarm, every man who stepps out
of his Tent finds himself at his post. There are also
Forts, Redouts, Raselins, Magazines &c &c and all
this without one farthing expence (except about nine
pence per day to the best house Carpenters) such
wonders does the admirable Bouquet work in the
Wilderness. Come and see, or will you defer it till
your return from Du Quesne ?
I wish Col Washington could be prevail'd upon to
think with me that his presence is more necessary
at Winchester, for one day at least, than in Camp
Cumberland, had I the pleasure of being better ac-
1 Late Governor of South Carolina.
3 Colonels Washington and Byrd.

366 Letters to Washington
quainted I would press it, had I any authority I
would command it, I hope he will permit me to pray
it. A propos I was at public prayers this morning
before four Oclock. I hope M? Barcklay is better.
A hint.
I hope the party that were sent to view the road
have not lost themselves for they have not been able
to find their way back yet
The General is expected at this Place the begin
ning of next week depend upon my writing to you
every thing that happens — now and then what is
likely to happen
My Compliments to my friend and fellow-traveller
Cap? Stewart and all the Gentlemen Officers of both
Battallions I am with truth
Gentlemen Your most Obedient Servant
James Glen

FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ADAM STEPHEN.
Camp at Raes Town July 19'.^ 1758
Sir, Col. Bouquet was at first in a great dilemma
betwixt his great inclination to serve you, & the
Attachment he has to regularity, duty & discipline.
He is sensible the Enemy we deal with is Active
and Enterprizing, & thinks himself answerable for
What happens in your Absence. But as he is really
a good man, & willing to Oblige, His Inclination to
Serve you gaind the Superiority, and He has such a

Letters to Washington 367

favourable Opinion of you that. That he will not
easily believe that matters go Right until you re
turn* I have sent a provision Return of this Detachml
and will Obey your Orders respecting the Dress
&c. John Dow never wrote me whether you paid him
my order, ;^3o for Alexander & Lochard & ;^23
L? Blagg amounting to ;^53 If it is not paid be so
good as take up the Order, now you are going down,
and oblige Sir Your most Ob? h''}^ Ser?
Adam Stephen

FROM MR. EDWARD SNICKERS.
dere Coll I Shold take it as a greait favor if you
wold Send the Cash for the iron by the first oper-
tunety to me as ihave got the order and it is in
Closed in this Leter and we arc all youere a mo3
frendes are dowing all that Lyes in there power to
have you alectid and I hope it will be mead out if

1 Colonel Bouquet gave Washington leave to attend the election. In acknowledg
ment Washington said : " I am exceedingly obhged by the handsome and polite man
ner in which you are pleased to give me leave to attend the Election at Winchester.
Altho' my being there on any other occasion would, at any other time, be very agree
able to me ; yet I can hardly persuade myself to think of being absent from my more
immediate Duty, even for a few days. I will not however come to any absolute de
termination on this matter till I receive answers to some letters on that subject
(which I expect this night or tomorrow) In the meantime I beg you will allow me to
subscribe myself &c., &c."

368 Letters to Washington
you wore here youere Self it wold be out of despute
So no more at present from youere frend and hombil
N B M? Balindine Sarvent to Comand
Sent M? Linton up Edward Snickers
after the pay for the J"iy the 19th 1758
[mutilated] M? Smith
and as he Cold not
geat it he give me an
order, iam yours E. S.

FROM CAPTAIN CHRISTOPHER GIST.
Winchester July the 20^ 1758.
Sir here with you you have the agreeable News of
taking all the Outworks at Lewisburg your Papers
will come by the Command & as the Carolina Sol
diers had no Arms I Sent Cap? Tom with 25 Indians
as far as South branch who is to come back to this
town, from ther ; as no doubt you will Send a Guard
to South Branch, to take Care of these 50 Waggons
with Stores & Provisions, & as your waggons will
come again the Same Indians will come then with
Me. I have advices from the Cherokee Country
that the Indians will not come untill the heat is a
little over, I Sent Smith away the I4*^ the express
Met him at augusta I orderd M? Cromwell with him
who will Delay no time, they cannot be here in less
than forty days from this day, I believe it is a good

Letters to Washington 369
thing Smith is gone there as he will Set every thing
right. I have a Letter from M? Turner to General
Forbes, which I am going with My Self, he is at
Carlyle the waggons is at Parrises the Bearer will
Set Out at 10 OClock hope you will See him to
morrow let him come with the next command or
Sooner excuse hast Sir Y? Most Obed?
Hum! Serv?
Christ. Gist

FROM THE HONORABLE GOVERNOR FAUQUIER.
WJ'burgh July 20'." 1758
S^ I rec? your Favour of the IO*^ on the 18'!" with an
inclosed Acc? of the Stores left at Winchester, and
of the Tools deliver'd for the use of the 2'! Regi
ment : but had no Acc? from M? Smith of the Arms,
nor from M? Ramsay of the Provisions issued for
the Subsistance of the Men since S? John S? Clair's
Arrival at Winchester, when I apprehended our Men
were to be provided for out of the Stores belonging
to the Crown.
In Relation to Col! Bouquets paragraph about the
Catawba's I am not much surprized for I have never
entertain'd any high Opinion of the Friendship of
any Indians, nor form'd any great Expectations from
their Services, as for sending any Messenger to them
as he proposes I apprehend it will be too late to
VOL. II

37© Letters to Washington
undertake any Thing of that Sort for the Benefit of
this Campaign, and according to their Behaviour in
it, we shall be better able to know what to say to
them at the End of it. All that is now to be done
seems to me to be this, to keep those in good Hu
mour who still remain with you, lest they should do
Mischief to the Inhabitants in their Return home
(as some have done) if they leave you in an ill Hu
mour. But as you have already wrote to General
Forbes on this Subject I shall readily acquiesce in
any Measure you shall agree to be proper.
I beg you would assure the General and S? John
S? Clair of my Respect to them, and of my Readi
ness on all Occasions to assist his Majestie's Forces
in all their Operations, in which I sincerely wish you
all imaginary Success and am with great Regard
S? Yf very Humble
Serv? Fran: Fauquier

from captain charles smith.
Sir In my last I omitted to inform you that I sent
four Boxes in room of the three Barrells of flints
orderd in your letter of the lo'!* Ins? ; Since which I
have the favour of your letters dated the 1 1*? & 14*!'
I sent your horses imediatly to your Quarter and
shall take the first safe opertunity of forwarding
them to your house in Fairfax ; The answere I had
from old M? Stinsons, was, that Valentine Crawford

Letters to Washington 371
had deliverd the Hanger your Brother left there to
Bishop, about six week months agoe. — I gave your
Overseer Seven pounds with instructions to pay
none of it away without Receipts, and to produce the
same at his settling with me, when, he shall have
more if wanted, I take this to be the most prudent
manner. Imediatly on receiving your last, I obeyd your
orders relating the Rangers as you'l observe by the
Inclos'd returns and as soon as a reduction of the
men is made if under 40 shall apply to Cap? Ruther
ford for sufficient to make that number up; But
Pray Sir of what service can fourty men be off, to
this place? alowing (which I have reason to think
will be the case all this Summer and fall) thirty of
them not able to crawl out of their Beds : They
are not indeed a Sufficient Guard to the Stores nor
will those that are well be able to bring water to the
Sick; Besides with this number I am ordered to
Carry on the Well and cover the Barracks, which
no doubt is expected from me. I shall take it kind
after considering on this if you'l assist me with your
advice ; In the mean time I shall act according to
the orders I have and endeavour as far as in my
power to do for the Best.
I receiv'd a Letter from Quarter Mas? Kennedy
wherin, " by your orders " he sends for 1000 pair of
Shoes, 200 Shirts, with a Drum & Sticks ; M? Ken
nedy is no doubt sencible that there was a Receipt
given for only 708 pair of Shoes however I found
four pair more which makes 712 p?: As I imagin'd
no Officer wou'd presume to make use of your name

372 Letters to Washington
without your orders I have sent by this Escort these
things, Notwithstanding yours orders to me are, not
to deliver any stores without letters from yourself
or orders from the Governor, Of Consequence I was
also oblig'd to give out to Cap? Bayly for his men
that are in this Escort, Twelve Musketts ; My not
having your own Letter to send these Stores gives
me uneasyness, and I shall be glad to hear from you
by first Oportunity whether or not I have Acted
right, I imagind this might be the last Escort and
that it woud have putt the Country to much Charge
and perhaps a Delay to the forces if I had denyd
M? Kennedys order, or waited till I sent an Express
to you.
This day I am to receive from the Armourer all
the Arms belonging to the Country in his Charge,
these, with what are here I shall imediatly make an
Exact return of, and send a Copey to the Governor
and one to you by first oportunity after this
I had almost omitted to inform you that the Maga
zine has sprung a Great many Leaks which keeps
every man in Garrison that is fitt to move besides
myself constantly employed, to make it tight
I am hopefuU the Small pox will do no mischief ;
The Soldiers are never out of Garrison nor your
men from the Shop day or night except for water
which is a Diffrent Course from where the Man lyes
that has that Dissorder
I wish Sir it was in my power, to give you more
incouragement than I can with truth do in relation
to the Election; A great many of your pretended
Freinds at the time you was here, now seem doubt-

Letters to Washington 373
full, and will not promise whether they'l give you a
vote or not; Your Freinds here have not yett de
termin'd who, will be the properest person to take
the Pole for you — Col? Wood is propos'd, as it is
thought Col? Hite and M? Jones as active men can
be of more service out of door & perhaps my stand
ing might give disgust to some of the weaker free
holders whose votes goe as farr as those of men of
sence. You may be assured we will consult for and
do for the best before the Election begins, This farr
you may depend, on having the most Creditable
vote of the Whole Candidates, as there is not one
of your real Freinds but what are more active and
industrious in your behalf than they wou'd be was
you present. Your Brother Col? Lewis coud not be
carryed in Spotsylvania, Col? Walker and Zachrey
Lewis went by a Vulgar Majority from Matapony.
— Col? Wood at this time is desperatly Bad with the
Gout, he wanted to write you but is not able.
I heartyly Congratulate you on the Good news
from Lewisb? the Particulars you'l receive by the Pa
pers which acompany this. I am
Sir Your most Obed? Hum? Ser?
Cha^ Smith
Fort Loudon 20'? July 1758

FROM ROBERT RUTHERFORD, ESQ.
Winchester July 20I? 1758
Sir It gives me Real Concern to trouble you further
— but the Continued Complaints of the Inhabitants

374 Letters to Washington
and intreaties of my men; as almost the whole of
them that have been in the Fort have Contracted
Severe fluxes which has vastly weakend the Com
pany ; Obliges me to Presume to Mention One Step
which Might be taken to Relieve them; which is
this ; there are in Fort Loudoun Several of the new
Regiment in Such a State that it is impossible for
them to undergo the fateigues of Marching this Sea
son, even if they are removed from that Place, their
Corps must inevitably inrich the Soyl only a Little
further from home & were they Continued there
where they Can be Comforted with Proper Nourish
ments, it woud render them Capable of Performing
duty in the Garrison very soon, by this time I am
also truly Sensible there are many others of that
Regiment in the Same Circumstance, and were they
Sent back to this Garrison 2/3"!^ of them Might be
recovered, which wou'd be treating the Poor wretches
with the Hospitality due to Human Creatures, and
Disposing of them for the Common Good — I am
truly Conscious that every thing in your Power will
be done for the best —
There is a good Prospect of Success in the ensu
ing Election, as your friends Push every thing with
the greatest ardour ; even down to Will the Hatter
and his Oyly Spouse Show the greatest Spirit in the"
Cause I am with Sincere Esteem
Dear Sir
Your most ob'
Hble Ser? R Rutherford

Letters to Washington 375
FROM CAPTAIN BOTOMWORTH.
Camp at Rays Town 20? July 1758
Dear Sir
I have the pleasure to acquaint you that Yester
day a Runner arrived here from one of the Parties
of Indians which I had sent out to Fort du Quesne
& brought the agreeable News of their having killed
& Scalped one Frenchman & mortally wounding
two others near the Fort, they only saw a few In
dians but that a great Number of Frenchmen were
at work in some Trenches at a small distance from
the Fort I verily believe they are but weak & that
their main Body of Indians is certainly gone to the
Northward. I have the Satisfaction of assuring you
that our Troops were all landed in Gabrouse ^ Bay
and had sufferd much from the French in their
Trenches & Battery which they had erected to annoy
them the Highlanders^ distinguished themselves
greatly in this action by falling upon their Flanks
& forcing their Trenches the French abandoned all
their Batterys along Shore & we had made ourselves
masters of the Lighthouse Battery & hope before
this we are in Possession of Louisbourg,' we have
also taken a 64 Gun Ship coming in there with a
1 Gabarouse or Gabarus Bay.
* Frazer's Highlanders. General Wolfe was so pleased with the behavior of two
of these Highland soldiers that he gave each of them a guinea.
8 Until the 7th of June the high winds and surf had prevented every attempt of the
British to land. On the morning of the 8th, however, wind and swell having abated,
the cannon of the English fleet began to play upon the French works, and shortly
after a landing was effected. It is to this action, known as " the battle of the surf,"
that Captain Botomworth refers. It was the opening move against Louisburg, and is
of additional interest from the fact that then the gallant Wolfe made his first appear
ance in American annals.

376 Letters to Washington
Transport or two. I'm sorry to tell you that the
brave Lord ^ was killed in dispossessing the French
of one of their Posts in a Small Island upon Lake
Sold"
George that we had taken 140. Prisoners & 8 Offi
cers after landing & were in Possession of the same,
I can't give you an exact account where Gen! Aber
cromby was but its thought he must be in Posses
sion of Ticonderoga before this or repulsed there
are various Conjectures. Your Canteens are not yet
come up but are upon the road as soon as they come
here shall take Care to send them, I have desired
M? Gist to deliver you a dozen of Lemons w^ were
all I could gett The Artillery is at Shippens Town
& I expect the Gen! here the beginning of next
Week I have heard that Gen! Stanwix is at Albany
collecting all the N York Militia nothing further
remarkable fe«t this I am
D?Sir Your much Obliged Hble Serv?
A Botomworth
my Compl*? to Cap? Stuart &c?

FROM CAPTAIN WALTER STEUART.
Raes Town July 20*? 1758
Sir As you did not Acquaint me, when I was to Date
the Commission, you was Pleased to send me, I have
I Lord Howe was killed at Ticonderoga on the 6th of July. For an admirable
account of this distinguished officer, see Letters of an American Lady, voL ii. J Bio
graphy of James Wolfe, Wright. Read, also, Thackeray's yirginians.

Letters to Washington 377
referr'd filling it up, untill I had the Pleasure of See
ing you ; But as you Seemd to be of Oppinion, when
I spoke to you at Winchester, that I had a right
to the Pay, from the Date of Col Mercers Commis
sion, I drawd Pay from M? Boyd — from the first of
May — If the thing is Disagreeable to you, I shall
Return the money again to him —
Col. Bouquet has been Pleas'd to Appoint me
Major of Brigade, for this Division of the Troops,
untill the General Came up, & tells me there is one
to be Appointed for the Virg*?' As your letter gave
me reason to believe you was willing to do me
a kindness, I beg leave to request your interest
again in this, which fav? shall be gratefully acknow
ledged by S? Y? most Obed? hum'? Serv?
Walter Steuart

FROM JOHN KIRKPATRICK, ESQ.
Alexandria 21'.' July 1758 —
Dear Sir
Your intelligence of the 12*!? came regularly to
hand — in which no circumstance equals the agre
able account of your good health — the only blessing
necessary for Life — but more especially to promote
Spirit & pleasure in the Toils of a Campaigne
The invariable attention, indefatiguably pursued
by the Pennsilvanians, without regard to the common
interest, for advancing their private fortunes — have
long been glaring proofs of a Selfish & Sordid prin-

378 Letters to Washington
ciple — which will ever prevail to obstruct the Gen
erous attempts of their associates for Liberty and
Property — and this instance of the partiality paid
them by Siguier S? Cl — r the Bashaw^ — is certainly
owing to the influence of that meaness — wrought
upon his Foible by some fellow of address — but
Quere, — how far the Bashaw's penetration can carry
him to distinguish in matters of such importance —
where prejudice — or rather pride in the first place
— attended w? the love of power — passion — and
Self Sufficiency — Conspire to put him into Motion
— We must undoubtedly expect nothing but irregu
larities & inconsistancies, from Such a Contrasted
Character —
We who view the actions of high life at so vast a
distance, can only form conjectures — agreable to the
small extent of our knowledge — & ignorant of the
comprehensive Schemes intended — mistake plaguily
in Judging by the piece — Perhaps the Pensilvanians
— had plan'd Some grand Affair — to be perfected
a Century hence — by cuting a Road from Rays
Town — however, all Jesting apart — this delay and
triffling of time is a Lamentable matter — We had
1 The writer by " Signer S'. C — r " substitutes Major S'. Clair for General Forbes.
The latter was believed by the Virginians and Marylanders to have been too much under
a Pennsylvania influence, in resolving to make this new road across the mountains from
Carlisle to Fort Duquesne, by way of Raystown, in opposition to the Braddock road
by way of Forts Frederic and Cumberland favored by Washington. Washington wrote
to Governor Fauquier on this subject : " The Pennsylvanians, whose present as well
as future interest it was to have the expedition conducted through their government,
and along that way, because it secures their frontiers at present, and their trade here
after, a chain of forts being erected, had prejudiced the General absolutely against the
old road, and made him beUeve that we were the partial people, and determined him
at all events to pursue that route." See, also. Governor Robinson's letter of September
'3) 1758, with particulars regarding the action of the Virginia Assembly on what they
imagined was partiality shown to Pennsylvania.

Letters to Washington 379
accounts last Post of the armys landing & incamp-
ing at Louisburg — and expect by this time they
have reduced it — however, you have the news more
particularly & readier at Fort Cumb"! than we —
therefore I need not repeat them —
Your Regiments attachm? and Spirit to the Ser
vice, shews itself not only in Change of Dress —
adapted to the Service — but in every Steddy pur
pose for the publick Good — that motives of patriot
ism and principles of true Honour can inspire —
as they have always been the Spring of Your Actions
— may they produce their due reward for the toils
that accompany them — A Glorious & Peaceful
retirement — to the pleasures of private Life —
To tell you our Domestick occurrences woud look
silly — & ill sute your time to peruse — We have dull
Barbecues — and yet Duller Dances — An Election
causes a Hubub for a Week or so — & then we are
dead a While — Yesterday Geo : Mason & Geo :
Johnston — were Chosen for Fairfax — Francis Lee
& James Hamilton for Loudoun — Other Matters
are not worth notice — to speake of Tob? to You — •
is Still more impertinent — tho' it is Tob? in reality
this Summer — & exceeds the highest prices for
many Years — 30/ Curr? has absolutely been given
& 25/ is frequent — whoever consigns Tob? surely
must be Enemys to their own interest —
Your friends Salute You w? the greatest Respect

380 Letters to Washington
— & Unite their Wishes with me for Your Health
& Happy Success — I am
Dear Col?
Your Most Affec? Serv?
Jn9 Kirkpatrick.
P. S. I 'm astonish'd Doct? Craik ^ does]
not write — I fancy his hands are full J

from captain robert stewart.
Dear Sir
Your favour of yesterday's Evening was handed me
this morning before Reville Beating — In answer I
beg leave to assure you that should that formidable
Body of Indians attempt this place I will exert my
self to the utmost in giving them a proper Recep
tion —
It was some time after dark before the Junction of
the little Partys that compose my small Command
could be effected, then I did not loose a moment in
placing advanc'd Sentrys and appointing Alarum
Posts &C* on rec? of yours we repair'd to these Posts
and so soon as day came Detach 'd some of our best
woodsmen different ways to endeavour at making
some discoverys, employ'd a Party to repair the
Fences and finish the Penns and at present thinks
I have little to fear from double my numbers
The Doct? & M?Neil desir'd I would have an
Escort for them at Enocks's Wednesday night
' D; Craik undoubtedly had " his hands full." He was working zealously for Wash
ington : the election was to take place on the 24th.

Letters to Washington 381

as the Enemy is about will send every body I can
spare There's glorious Grass here, I wish to God you
would use your Interest to keep me here till we
begin our long March — I beg you '11 Please present
my Complim'.^ to Col? Byrd and the rest of my good
acquaints with you & believe me to be with unalter
able Regard My Dear Colonel
Your truely affect? &
much obliged hble Servt
Robert Stewart
Cresups July 23^ 1758 >
8 oCIock P. M. i

FROM CAPTAIN JOHN MCNEILL.
D? Burgess^
I have the infinite pleasure to Let you know that
you exceeded all the Candidates here and carry'd it
over the highest 71 Votes Extrodinary
I am Sir
Your Most humble Serv?
John M?Neill
JuUy 24* 1758
p. S. M? Martin is 1
your CoUegue J

1 Such term being more expressive of McNeill's joy at Washington's election than
" Dear Colonel " or " Dear Sir."

382 Letters to Washington

FROM GABRIEL JONES, ESQ.
D?SiR Permit me just as I am going off to wish you joy
of y? Election & tell you that I am very sincerely
D? Sir Y? most Obed? Serv? G. Jones
24^'' July 1758
Bush's

FROM CAPTAIN A. BOTOMWORTH.
Camp at Rays Town 24*!" July 1758
Dear Sir
I rec^ your favour & am sorry to tell you that we
have been repulsed at Fort Carillon,^ we lost 1000
men & the brave Lord How fell the first fire they all
landed at the bottom of the Lake without opposi
tion the French Indians run away at the first Fire,
Major Rutherford & Capt? Rutherford are in the list
of the Slain, The Remains of Lord How are brought
to Albany ; we have taken a French Frigate coming
out of Louisbourg with the Governor's Lady & all

1 As part of the military operations for 1758, it was intended to dislodge the French
from Ticonderoga or Carillon (as the French called it), and accordingly on July 6,
Major-General James Abercromby determined to carry the place by assault. The siege
lasted until the 9th, and ended in Abercromby's complete rout, so much so, says Mr.
Gerald E. Hart in his admirable paper. The Pall of New France, read before the Society
for Historical Studies of Montreal, that had he been followed by Montcalm he would not
have escaped without a tremendous loss of life. According to the same authority, the
English forces consisted of the Royal Artillery, the 27th, ^2i Highlanders, 44th, 46th,
55th, 1st, and 2d Battalions of Royal Americans (the 6oth), commingled with 9000 pro
vincial troops. Major Rutherford and Captain Rutherford, of whom Captain Botom
worth writes to Washington, were of the latter, and our own countrymen, who gave up
their lives in the winning of Canada for Britain.

Letters to Washington 383
the Treasure of the place there is not the least rea
son to doubt of its being in our Possession — The
Delaware Indians have sued for a Peace Old King
n
Tudyuscan^y has taken up the Hatchett against the
French I wish this may not be a Stroke of French
Policy, they Promise to join us from the Ohio and
have settled Signals for that Purpose I shall have
some dependance upon them when they bring in
their Women and Children They are to release 300
English Captives, the Gen! sleeps at Fort Lyttleton
this night & will be at this Camp on Wednesday for
certain. I am D?S?
Your most obed? Hble Serv?
A. Botomworth.
Your Canteens are upon the road/

FROM COLONEL THOMAS WALKER.
Fort Loudoun July y" 24 1758
Dear Sir
I have the Pleasure of congratulating you on
being Elected by a great majority of the freholders
of Frederick
I am at present very 111 with the Rheumatism in
my knees which with the different contradictory
orders from M? Hoops puts me much to it, how to
act and indeed almost determines me not to be con
cernd further than I have already engaged, of which

384 Letters to Washington
I will write you more fulley when oppertunity Per
mits lamS? Your Humble Serv?
Tho^ Walker
P. S. I propose to send y^ next Convoy on y' 14
of next month & hope for some waggons down from
you & a Guard

FROM CAPTAIN CHARLES SMITH. .
FoRT Loudoun July -f. 2/(!' 1758
D^ BURGIS^
I have the Happiness to Inform You your Friends
have been Very Sincere So that were Carried by a
Number of Votes more than any Candidate, as by
the number? under Certifyed. Col° James Wood
Sat on the Bench, and Represented Your Honour,
and was Carried round the Town with a General
applause, Huzawing Col? Washington, pray Excuse
my haste I am Entertaining Your and my Friend^^
and am with Due Regard Your most
Humble Serv?
Charles Smith.
P. S. the representatives that Sat up were as Fol
loweth and Number of Votes Viz.,

I Captain Smith must also make use of some term more expressive of his rejoicing
than commonplace " dear Sir." He was one of Washington's devoted friends.
2 " I am extremely thankful to you and my other friends for entertaining the Free
holders in my name. I hope no Exception was taken to any that voted against me, but
that all were aUke treated, and had enough. It is what I much desired. My only fear
Is that you spent with too sparing a hand." — Washington to Colonel Wood.

Letters to Washington 385
Your Honour .... 307
Col° Martin  240
Cap? Swearingen ... 45
Hugh West  199
791— y^ half is 395
This is the True State of y' EUection

FROM COLONEL JOHN CARLYLE.
Winchester July 25 1758
D^ Sir ^
I Rece'! yours f D? Craiks with 75 Wch Shall
Immediatly Lay out In A bill & Remit as Directed
— the Goods In my Care Seemed to be Chairs & a
Small box that has y? Armes In it Cut In Wood —
If your Letter that you mention Comes to my hand
Shall Immediatly forward up to you, I cannot Say
how M? Washington has Settled the Insurance but
Shall Write him Ab? it f first Oppertunity —
I have Yett not given up hopes of Copethorn I
have Ten hhd° ^ on hand without one Penny Insured
& now woud not Give 25 ^c? I heartily Congratulate
you on y? Election here you Need Not doubt but
We did Every thing in our Power to Serve you We
Came here on Purpose
I Wish y? Health & us a happy Meeting Concludes
Me D? Sir Y? Very Affectionate Hble Ser?
John Carlyle
1 Of tobacco. Washington's crop or sales at this period (July 22, 1758) amounted
to £244. 10. 10.

386 Letters to Washington
FROM CHARLES DICK, ESQ.
Winchester July 25* 1758
Sir I heartily wish you joy on your Election and hope
you will soon return crownd w? Laurells to take your
place in the house
I shoud not now trouble you farther was it not
necessity obliges me, as a word from you may bring
the Gent"? to a just sense of gratitude which all the
methods I have taken cannot. In April 1755 At
Cap? Woodwards earnest supplication & his promise
to repay me very soon I let him have above ;^22 "
Cash to clear him of small debts out of Fred?, many
months after I got ten pound of it from Anth^ Stro
ther on Acco? of a ;^ioo Bill Cap? Woodward drew
on London endorsed by Col. Tayloe who has Since
been obliged to pay it as it came back protested.
I have repeatedly wrote Cap? Woodward when in
Augusta & the L? delivrd to his own hands but no
Answer, the inclosed order M? Strahan showd him
when here he promised to pay it before he went up
but took care to march without doing it, I beg the
favour you will speak to him so as I may get my
money which is too much to lose as I have a family
& it is no charity to let him have it wantonly to
spend w? the Sutlers &c^ I have endorsed the Note
pay! to M? Ramsay as he will soon return, your
friendly Assist".^ therein will very much add to the
many Obligations conferrd on
Sir Your most Humb° Serv?
Cha^. Dick

Letters to Washington 387
FROM WILLIAM FAIRFAX, ESQ.
Winchester July 25*? 1758
Dear Sir
Since my Arrival I have been much indisposed
and am now troubeld with slow Fevers every day.
But yett was determined to try my old friends for
you and Col? Martin, and have scarcely time to
acquaint you that we have succeeded in our Wish
and that your Colleague sett of tomorrow to Attend
the Assembly which is thought will be but Short. —
Upon the Receipt of your favour I went to Mount
Vernon in Order to assist M? Patterson with my
advice if wanted. But I found every thing fraimed
and prepaired to put up. and when I was last their
the Roof was Raised and they were larthing of it, so'
that I hope it will soon be coverd, but if any thing
will prevent it, it will be for want of Shingles. But
I expect John Gladin will soon be up with some.
Triplett has made and burnt the Bricks and intends
immediately to sett about the underpinning — I pro
pose and shall Recommend their priming the weather
boards as soon as possible to prevent Warping —
and any thing else that I see to your interest ^ — I
congratulate you on our Success to the Northward
and hope we shall soon have the Dunkirk of N?
America ^ in our haflds, and I think I may Venture
to say M? Pitt woud give it up for Minorca or any
other Island, as his grand and favourite Object is
these Colonies ® — I have not time to add more than
1 Details of the rebuilding of the mansion at Mount Vernon,
* Louisbourg.
8 Our forefathers bear testimony that we should ever honor the name of William Fitt,

388 Letters to Washington may
my best wishes attend you and that you. add Sprigs
to your Laurels and sit down quiet and easy for
the future on the banks of Potomack, which will be
the greatest inducement to keep me on this side the
water. I am Dear Sir your very humble Serv? W¥ Fairfax
Pray excuse haste our Horses being
at the door

FROM CAPTAIN ROBERT STEWART.
Dear Sir
From the bottom of a heart that overflows with
Joy I beg leave to offer my Congratulations on you
happy Election ! doubly so in it's manner, which con
sidering the vast majority of votes, your absence and
your having so long Commanded the whole of that
Country in the worst of times,^ must greatly redound
Earl of Chatham, as our staunch friend. " It was the zeal of William Pitt, Earl of
Chatham, that had produced a change in the Counsels of his Majesty's ministers
respecting America. He stipulated that the colonial troops should be supplied with
arms, ammunition, tents, and provisions, in the same manner as the regular troops, and
at the King's expense ; so that the only charge to the colonies would be that of levy
ing, clothing, and paying the men. The governors were, also, authorized to issue com
missions to provincial, officers, from Colonels downwards, and these officers were to
hold rank in the united army according to their commissions. He had from the first
requested and secured the hearty cooperation from the Colonial Assemblies, and had
his liberal and just system been adopted at the outset it would have put a different face
upon the military affairs of the colonies." — Sparks.
1 Considering the command which he had been obliged to exercise in Frederick
County for near five years, and the restraints which the exigency of circumstances
required him occasionally to put upon the inhabitants, this result was deemed a tri
umphant proof of his abilities, address, and power to wm the affections and confidence
of the people. — Sparks.

Letters to Washington 389
to your honour and in all true human probability will
be thrice happy in its consequences
Tomorrow morning a Strong Party Marches from
hence to Escort our two Heroes up
Inclos'd is my weekly Return —
Nothing remarkable has happen'd since my arrival
here — Our Reconnoitring Party have made no Dis
coveries —
My bad State of Health continues or rather en-
creases — That you may enjoy Health and every
thing else agreeable are the sincere wishes of him
who ever is with the highest Esteem & Regard
My Dear Col?
Your most affect? &
Ob? hble Serv?
Robert Stewart
Cresaps July 25'? 1758
8 oClock P M —
Please offer my Complem*.^ 1
to Col? Byrd & Col? Mercer j

FROM ROBERT RUTHERFORD, ESQ.
Winchester July 26? 1758
Sir The Punctual discharge of every trust, in you
reposed — Your humane and Equitable treatment of
each individual and your Ardent Zeal for the Com
mon Cause ; (so Obvious to every unprejudic'd ra
tional Person) has gain'd your point with Credit ; as
your friends Coud with the greatest warmth & truth
urge, the worth of those noble endowments & Prin-

390 Letters to Washington
ciples ; as well as Your Superior interest, both here
& in the House ; in which I am truly Sensible you
will acquit yourself with Equal Hon? if the fates
decree you there a Seat, — to Complete which and in
the intermediate Space ; Crown you with Laurels,
joy and Success, may every Guardian Power of the
Just; be Propitious is the unfeign'd wish of
Dear Sir your Most Affectionate
and Most Ob? Hble Ser?
R. Rutherford

FROM JOSEPH CHEW, ESQ.
New London July 17^ 1758
Dear Sir
I was on a Vissit over to Long Island a few days
agoe and unexpectedly Came here, shall Return in
the morning for New London —
am Very sorry to give an Acco? of the Repulse our
Forces met with before Ticonderoga we Landed on
the 7'^ near that Fortress with the Loss of ab? 30 men,
but what was Very Fatall the Gallant Lord How
there Lost his Life, we drove the Enemy from all
their out Posts and killed an took ab? 400 Prisoners ^
— the 8* our army attacked the Retrench'd Camp
with before The Fort sword in hand, there is so

1 A skirmish with the advance guard of the French in which they were quickly
defeated. The Annual Register has it that Lord Howe was killed in this skirmish.

Letters to Washington 391
many Various Reports of the Attack and Loss, that
it is Very hard to Come at the truth, however we
met with a Very Warm Reception the Enemy were
trebly intrenched to their Teeth, how Long the at
tack lasted I cannot say but the General has Re
treated in good order to the Place where Fort Wil
liam Henry Stood with the Loss of near 1600 men
killed missing and wounded it is said 97 Officers are
killed missing & wounded their is as yet no Returns
or List Come to hand therefore I can give the Names
of but Very few and them only of the greatest Note
Viz? Lord How,^ Col? Donaldson, Col? Beaver, Maj? Proby,
Maj? Rutherford, Maj? Tulither these most People
agree are Certainly amongst the slain Wounded, Col?
Gage, Col? Delaney of the Yorks Col? Grant Maj?
for an occasion
Ayers, M? Clark Enginere & I am Verysorry^to give
you any Acco? of this kind but as it is so wish it was
in my Power to give you a more Particular one, of
this severe and unexpected blow — I Sincerely hope
we shall have a Better story to tell Very soon from
you in the Neighbourhood of Fort Duquesne, where
may he who governs the universe have you under his
Peculiar Care and send you back Loaded with Hon-
1 " Soon after the news of Lord Howe's death arrived m England, the following ad-
vert:isement appeared in the public papers ; an application worthy of a Roman matron,
m the virtuous tunes of the Republic, and which could not fail of success, where the
least spark of virtue existed: To the gentlemen, clergy, freeholders, and burgesses, of
the town and county of Nottingham. ^ As Lord Howe is now absent upon the public
service and Lieutenant Colonel Howe is with his reghnent at Louisbourg, it rests upon
me to beg the favour of your votes and interests, that Lieutenant-colonel Howe may
supply the place of his late brother, as your representative in ParUament.
« Permit me, therefore, to implore the protection of every one of you, as the mother
of him, whose life has been lost in the service of his country. Charlotte Howe,
Albemarle Street, Sept. 14, i'js%." - Annual Register,

392 Letters to Washington
nour a thing you have always so much merrited.
Please to give my Love to my Brother. I have not
time to write to him. Excuse this scrawl being in
great haist and Accept of my most sincere wishes
for your safety & welfare and Assure your self that
I am my Dear Sir Your affectionate Jos Chew
our Friend Beverly is
at Albany w'."" Gov? Delancey
his Dear good woman and
Prety Boy are Very well —
if Doct Thomas Walker is with you Pray give my
best Respects to him, I greatly thank him for his
kindness to my Brothers

FROM JOSEPH CHEW, ESQ.
New London July 26'? 1758
Dear Sir
I have only time to forward you the inclosed Paper
I most sincerely Long to hear from you. May the
almighty giver of all good; Preserve Protect and
have you under his immediate Care I Pray you also
to be assured I am my Dear Sir
Your affectionate Jos Chew.

Letters to Washington 393

from colonel george mercer.
Dear Sir
Col? Bouquet has directed the Coiiiand to return
to you, but desires Me to remain here till the Gen-
who
eral arrives which is expected this Day. This Camp
furnishes no News. We expect to hear of a Party
of Shawnesse & Delawares having joined you, one
of the Pennsylvania Light Horse having assured us
that he saw 30 or 40 come in the Day he left Fort
Cumberland. I am
D' S? Your most obed? hble Servant
Ge? Mercer
Camp at Raes Town
July 27*? 1758 —

to

A Weekly Return of the Soldiers left at Fort Loudoun, under the Com', of Lieu*. Ch'. Smith,
July 26, 1758,

^

^

"^

I!' Virgi; Reg* 1 Ramger

2'! Vhg' Reg!

1

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Sura Total fit for Duty 23, Total of the Whole 61, Ch? Smith
Letters to Washington 395
FROM COLONEL HENRY BOUQUET.
Camp near Reas Town 27^ July 1758
Dear Sir
I received the favour of your Letters of the 24* &
25* Ins? with the inclosed Papers.
The Maryland Troops at Cumberland have re
ceived the General's orders to march to Reas Town,
and the Garrison at Fort Frederic is to join them
here by Loudoun in Pensilvania where they are to
receive Tents.
I Shall Supply the 200 actually w^ you on their
arrival here ; Therefore Please to Send them as Soon
as you can bring them together : I thought that one
Part of them Should garrison Fort Cumberland, but
Since they have orders to the Contrary, they must
follow them.
I have received about 100 Tents to compleat your
Troops, the marylanders, and Pensilvanians, which
is by far not Sufficient : I expect Soon another Sup
ply : I Shall compleat your Six Companies here w'?
the two of Col Byrds : Be So good as to let me
know the number you Will want absolutely to com
pleat the four comp? w? you, and the 8 of Col. Byrd :
L? Col. Mercer tells me that the Second Reg? will
want about 1 2 Tents in all. Soldiers Tents for offi
cers haye not been provided, and if they can not
get them made I am afraid we Shall be in want.
I have no directions about your Waggons, but if
you receive no orders to the Contrary from the Gen?
or Sir John &c? they are to be Sent back immedi
ately for another Convoy ; and ordered to make all
possible dispatch.

396 Letters to Washington
The case of M? Dow had been misrepresented (as
usual) your Regulations for that material Branch are
very just.
I come now to the most important article the
determination of a Road: nothing can be greater
than your generous dispositions for the Service,
and the candid Exposition of your Sentiments : I
See w*? the utmost Satisfaction that you are above all
the Influences of Prejudice, and ready to go heartily
where Reason and Judgment Shall direct I wish
Sincerely that we might all center in one and the
Same opinion ; Therefore I desire to have an Inter
view ^ with you at the houses built half Way betwixt
our Camps : I will communicate to you all the In
telligence I was able to collect, and weighing impar
tially the advantages and disadvantages of Each
Communication We Shall I hope be able between
you and I, to determine what is most eligible : and
Save to the General trouble and loss of time in in
quiring upon the Same Subject. I hear that he was
still at Carlisle on Sunday, a little Indisposed,'^ as he
takes an Escort of Col. Montgomerys Regt. he can
not well be here before Sunday next : Therefore if
we meet Saturday 29'^ Inst, we have time enough —
Col. Byrd may give in your Short absence the neces
sary Directions for the Convoy and Waggons &c?
1 This interview took place, at which the subject of the two roads was fully dis
cussed, without, however, bringing the general to Washington's views.
2 " General Forbes, it is to be remembered, was taken seriously ill with camp dysen
tery at Carlisle, early in July, and was rarely or never after able to ride on horseback.
His movement with the army was upon a litter fastened to poles suspended at the
sides of horses, one walking behind the other, as in shafts, the General's litter being
placed upon the poles between the horses. A detail of soldiers marched by his side to
steady the General's couch." — Toner.

Letters to Washington ^gy
In the mean time Please to order back your Partys
advanced upon Braddocks Road, to prevent any
accident as that Road can be opened as fast as we
can march if we make use of it.
It was a great Neglect in the Quarter Master Gen
eral not to have given directions in time, to make
magazines of Hay at Cumberland, having Such facil
ity, and So many Hands to employ : That omission
is Sufficient to ruin the Expedition, as I hear that
grass is very Scarce in Several Places upon the Road,
and we Shall be unable to Support the horses in the
Several transports, as we can not carry the whole at
once, but proceed by Deposite. — besides the con
tinual Supply, when arrived upon the Ohio, This
Consideration Seems to me of great Importance, and
a Strong argument for two Communications, but that
I defer to Saturday. I am most Sincerely
Dear Sir
Your most obed? hble serv?
Henry Bouquet

FROM CAPTAIN CHARLES SMITH.
Fort Loudoun July y! 26? 1758
S? I have this Day Discharged the Expence on acc!
of EUection, as by the Enclosed acct? I have Sent
an acc? of The proceedings by Express, also I have
Sent your two horses By Col? John Carlyle, who is
to receive them at your quarter and Take them down

398 Letters to Washington
to your , Place, according to your Order, The Small
Pox has not Spread in Town as yet, but the Flux is
Very bad in the fort, there has been two of y? old
Regiment Dead, and five of the new, Since your
departure. I am but weack in the Garison, as by
my weekly return to you will appear, I have Sent
You a True Copy of the Poll whereby you will be
a Compitent Judge of your Friend? Your Friend
Joseph Carroll whom I Employ'd To take y? Poll as
one of the Clerks Desires to be remembered to you.
Pray Sir Excuse hast, as I am your sincere friend,
and Hble Serv? Ch^ Smith

Election Accounts, July y? 24^ 1758 .
George Washington Esq' Commander of y! First
Virginia Regiament DT
To 40, Gallons of Rum Punch @ 3/6 ^T Gal : 7 " o " o
To IS, Gallons of Wine @ lo/o f r Gall : 7 " 10 " o
To Dinner for Your Friend! @ 3 " o " o

£\1 "10 "o
Fort Loudoun July y? 26^' 1758
Received of Lieu? Charles Smith the above acc? in Behalf of
Col? George Washington ^r me Henry Heth
Test Joseph Carroll

Letters to Washington

399

Col? George Washington DT to John Funk July 24'? 1758

To 13V2 Gall! of Wine @ 10/
To 3V2 pt! of Brandy @ 1/3
To 13 Gall! Bear @ 1/3 . .
To 8 Q'.» Cyder Roy? @ 1/6
To Punch 

£

S.

D.

6

IS

-

-

4

. 4V«

-

16

3

-

12

-

8

3

9

II

4%

Fort Loudoun July 26? 1758
Receiv'i of Lent. Ch! Smith the above Acco? in the Behalf of
Col? George Washington
. frme, John Funk
Test Joseph Carroll

1758
Cor? George Washington DT To Henry Brinker July y! 24
one the Acc? of the Election d A
To Thirtey Gall! of Strong Beer at 8 ^T GalR . . . 01 - -
Rec* -f. above Acc? of Leu? Charles Smith one the Acc? of Cor?
George Washington
July y? 25"^ ^T me Hawkins Childs.
1758
Test RobT Fox

400 Letters to Washington
DT Col? George Washington By order of Lieu? Cha! Smith
To Alex? Wodrow
Winchester 1758
July 24 For i hhd & i Barrell of Punch
consisting of 26 Gal! best Barbadoes
Rum 5/ , 6 : 10:
& 12V2 lb! S Ref* Sugar — 1/6 — 18 :
To 6 Gallons best Madiera Wine )
of MT Tho! Limen \ 10/ 3 : - :

£io; 8:9
Rec* of Lieu? Charles Smith Ten Pounds Eight Shill! and nine
pence in full of the Above Acco? Alex? Wodrow
Test Joseph Carroll
1758 ^
th
July y! 24 George Washington EsqT Col?
of The First Virginia Regiam? DT
To 3 Gallons and 3 Quarts of Beer @ i/o ^
Gall:
To 10 Bowls of Punch @ 2/6d Each.
To 9 half Pints of Rum @ ff^ Each
To I Pint of Wine @

Received the above acct From
Lieu? Charles Smith ^T Jn? Hite

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Letters to Washington

401

AN ALPHABETICAL POLL FOR FREDERICK COUNTY, TAKEN
THE 24TH DAY OF JULY, 1758.1

Col» Washmgton

Col» Martin

M» West

Capt" Sweringen

Rob« Ashby 

Rob' Ashby . . .

Thomas Ashby . . .
Rob' Allan 

Thomas Ashby . .
Robert Allan . . .

John Ashby 
Stephen Ashby ... 5
John Ashby , . .
Steph" Ashby . 5
Jn» Alderson Revii .
Jn' Armstrong . .
John Alderson ....
Jn' Armstrong .
John Allan Tayl' . . .
John Arnold ....
John Arnold
John Anderson .
B
John Anderson .
B
B -
\ ames Burn ....
''. Jennis Bow . . 10
B
James Burn . . .
Dennis Bow . . .
Christ' Beiler ....
Christopher Beiler . . .
And" Blackburn , 10
Jacob Burner . , ,
And° Blackburn . . .
James Ballenger . . .
Jacob Burner ....
James Ballenger
Jn° Bombgardner . . 15
Sam> Blackburn . . .
Tho' Babb 
Jn" Bombgardner .
Sam' Blackburn . .
Thomas Babb ',
Charles Baker ....
Ch» Baker ....
Sam' Beam 
Sam' Beam . . 15
Rey' Baldwin . .
Rich<' Barber . . .
Reynald Baldwin . . 20
Rich* Barker ....
John Blair 
Jn» Blair ....
George Bower ....
Henry Biber ... 25
Martm Black ....
Jocob Bowman . .
Geo : Bower . . 20
Henry Biber . . .
Martm Black . . .
Philip Babb ....
Philip Babb . .
William Bald
win ....
"^ The list of voters sent to Washington by Captain Smith gives the names regardless of alpha
betical arrangement. Washington's own fair copy is entirely in his own characteristically clear
and well-balanced handwriting. It is from his copy that this print is made. In addition to
enabling Washington " to judge of his friends," it is an interesting list of the freeholders of
Frederick County.
By the Act of Assembly declaring who should have a right to vote in elections of Burgesses
to serve in the General Assembly, for counties, and for preventing fraudulent conveyances, in
order to multiply votes at such elections, the qualification of voters was that no person or per
sons whatsoever should have the right to vote at any election who had not an estate of free
hold, or other greater estate, in one hundred acres of land at least, if no settlemeut or improve
ment had been made on it ; or twenty-five acres with a house and plantation, in his possessioni
or in the possession o£ his tenant or tenants, for term of years, in the same county where he
gave such vote. But if any person or persons should have such estate in one hundred acres of
land, uninhabited, or upwards, lying in two or more counties, such persons should have the
right only to vote in that county wherein the greater quantity of said land lay, although the same
should not amount to one hundred acres in either county. — Hbnxng, vol. iv. pp. 47S-478'
VOL. II
402

Letters to Washington

CoI« Washington

Col' Martin

M' West

Capt' Sweringen

Joseph Burden. .

• 3°

Joseph Burden .
James Blau; . 10

Henry Brinker . .
'35
Phil)'
Henry Brinker , .
Charles Barnes . ,
Charles Barnes , 25
Jn' Briscoe . . .
James Barret . .
James Barret .
W» Barret . .
WilUam Barret .
Jn» Briscoe . . .
Tho' Babb (son of
Thomas Babb .
George Bruce 15
Henry Bowen .
Tho' Babb jun'.
George Bruce . .
Henry Bowen ....
Tho' Babb jun' .
.40
Peter Babb . , .
Peter Babb . .
Joseph Babb ....
Bryan Bruin . .
• 45
Bryan Bruin . . .
John Buckley . .
Jacob Barret . .
Joshua Baker , ,
John Buckley . .
Jacob Barret 20
Joshua Baker .
Tobias Burk .
Geo : Bowman .
Sam' Baldwin 25
Benj' Blackburn
Jn' Becket . .
Tobias Burk . . .
John Bentley , . .
Jn» Burden . . .
George Bowman . .
Samu' Baldwin . .
Benj' Blackburn .
n' Becket . . 35
Jn° BayUs ....
John Bentley . .
• 30
Jn' Burden . .
::.:::::
• •
Cha' Buck. . . .
Cha' Buck . .
*
Josiah Ballenger
Rob' Buckles 30
C
Josiah Ballenger.
Rob' Buckles
c
Col" Tn» Carlyle .
D-od? Ja" Craik .
W" Cockran . .
'.50 • 55
C
Col" Jn" Carlyle . ,
Doct' Ja' Craik . .
C
W» Cockran . . .
Atid" Calvin . .
Martin Cryler . .
And' Calvin .
Martin Cryler . .
Shnon Carson . .
Chris' Clark . .
Simon Carson . .
Ch' Clark ....
David Chester . .
David Chester . .
Jacob Cockener .
Thomas Chester ,
Jacob Cockener . .
Thomas Chester . ,
John Cook . . .
John Cook . , .
Nath'Carr . . ,
Nath' Carr . . .
Matthew Caiman .
.60
Matthew Caiman 50
Edward Corder . .
Edw* Corder . .
Will" Cromley ....
W" Cromley .
Rob* Cunning
ham . . .
Rob* Cunningham
Jn' Cromley
Jo' Calvin . 35
Jos'" Calvin . .
Jacob Cowper .
Tho' Carney . .
.65
W° Cocks ....
Th« Carney . .
W» Cocks 
Valen' Crawford (j
un') .
. . 70
Valentine Craw
ford . . .
Jn» Colston . .
Jn' Colston , ,
Tho' Cooper . .
Th' Cooper . . .
Letters to Washington

403

Col' Washington

W

n' Chinoweth .
Coil . . .
Ja' Carter (jun')
Edw* Cartwell/
Jo' Combs . .
W"» Chambers .

.80

M' Cha' Dick .
Tn» Dyer . . .
Edw'' Dodd . .
David Dedrick .
Thomas Doster .
Jn» Dow . . .
Patrick Duncan

Isaac Evans . . .
W" Evans . . .
Jos'" Edwards Jun'
W" Ewings . . .

Col' Martin

I?: Ja' W"

,85

.90

95

Edw« Cartwell
o' Combs Chambers
Carter Chaplin
Tho' Caton
Tho' Colston
James Cromley
W" Calmes

M' Cha' Dick
Jn' Dyer

55

M' West

Capt" Sweringen

W'

n° Chinoweth .
Coil . . 40
Ja' Carter Jun' .

65

David Dedrick

Jn' Dow . .
Pat' Duncan .
W" Duckworth

?5

W" Evans . .
Jos'" Edwards Jun'
W" Ewings . .
Henry Easton .
Tho' EUis . . .

45

Ja" Carter
W» Chaplin
Tho» Caton
Tho' Colston
James Cromley
W Calmes
Tho' Cgrdery 50

D

Edwa Dodd .

Tho' Doster .
W" Duckworth

Tho' Cordery 5

Henry Easton .
Tho' Elhs . 55

Tho" L* Fairfax
Paul Frowman .
Rich* Foley . .
Abr° Fry . . .
Jacob Fry . .
Joseph Fry .
Benj" Fry .
Henry Funk .
Martin Funk
Joseph Fossett
Sam' Fry . .
Joseph Funk
Jn' Funkhauser
Richard Fosset ....
Wil" Frost 
Matthias Funk . . . .
George Farrar . . . .
Isaac Foster . - • no
Col' Geo. W" Fairfax .
Jn« Fossett 

105

Tho' L* Fairfax,. .
Paul Frowman , .
Rich* Foley . . .
Abr" .... 80
Jacob Fry ....
Joseph Fry . . .
Benj" Fry . . .
Henry Funk . . .
Martin Funk . . 85
Joseph Fossett . .
Sam' Fry - - .

E
Isaac Evans

ios. Funk . . .
n' Funkhauser ,
Uch* Fosset .

90

Matthias Funk
George Farrar

Col' G. W" Fahfax
Jn» Fossett . , .

Wil" Frost

Isaac Foster

404

Letters to Washington

Col' Washington

Col' Martin

M' West

Capf Swearingen

Capt' Jn» Funk . . . .

Capt" Jn' Funk . 95
John Fife ....
Martin Funk . . .
G

Jn'Fife . . .

•

Martin Funk .

G
G
G
David Glass . . . 115
James Grinnan ....
W" Glover 
David Glass . . .
James Grinnan . .
W» Glover . 100
W" Gaddis 
W° Gaddis 60
Jos" Glass 
Jos'" Glass ....
Rob' Glass ... 120
Jn' Grinnan , . ,
Rob' Glass . .
John Grinnan ....
Christ' Grable ....
Christ' Grable . .
Philip Glass . . .
Edw* Griffith . 105
Jacob Gibson . . .
H
Adam Hunter . .
Edw* Griffith .
Jacob Gibson .
H
Adam Hunter ....
H
H
Noah Hampton . 125
Noah Hampton . ,
n' Harbinger ....
Jn' Harbinger . .
.
Rev* Jn° Hoge ....
Rev* Jn» Hoge no
George Hardin . .
Jn' Housman , .
George Hardin ....
n' Housman ....
James Hoge, Jun' . 130
James Hoge
Jun' . . .
Henry Heth 
Henty Heth 65
Geo ; Henry 
George Henry . .
Nich' Hanshaw ....
Tho' Hart 
Nich" Hanshaw
Tho' Hart . .
Rob' Harper ... 135
George Huddle . .
Rob' Harper .
Geo : Huddle ....
Murtle Handley . . .
Murtle Handley
Jn» Harrom . 70
Jn' Hope 
Jn' Hope . . 115
Stephen Hotzenbell
Rob' Halpenny , .
Godfrey Humbert .
Tho' Hampton . .
Rob' Haines . 120
Col' John Hite . .
James Hog . . .
Tho' Helms . . .
W" Helms . . .
Rich* Highland 125
acob Hite ... 140
Jacob Hite . .
Stephen Hot-
zenbeU . .
Godfrey Hum
bert . . . .
Rob' Halpenny .
Tho' Hampton .
Col»jn»"Hite" .' .' .' .'
James Hog .' 75
Tho' Helms
Rob' Haines
W" Helms . .
Richard High
land . . .
George Hamp
ton ....
Simeon Hyat 80
George Hamp
ton ... 10
Simeon Hyatt .
Letters to Washington

405

Col' Washington

Isaac Hite

Peter Jordan .
Aaron Jenkins

Daniel Johnston . 145
Rob' Johnston Gen' . .
Stephen Johnston . . .

Jos'" Jones 
In' Jones 
W" JoUffe J' . . 130
Gabriel Jones Gent . .

K
George Keller
James Knight

Fields Lewis Esq'
Tho' Lemon . .
Joseph Lupton .
W° Lupton . .
Edward Lucas .
Samuel Littler .
James Loyd . .
And' Longacre . . .
Josh. Langdon . . .
Geo : Mich' Lovenger

'55

160

Francis Lilbum
Geo: Lochmiller
Isaac Laren . .
Rob' Lemon . .

165

Col' Martin

Peter Jordan

Rob' Johnston Gen'

Gabriel Jones Gent ,

George Keller
James Knight

130

Field* Lewis Esq'
Tho' Lemon . .

And' Longacre
Jos. Langdon

Geo : Lochmiller 135
Isaac Laren . . ,

Jn' Lemon
Jn' Leith . .
Nich' Lemon .
Henry Loyd .
Jn' Lindsay .

140

M' West

Joseph Homer
Jonus Hedge .
Jno House . ,

Dan' Johnston ,

Stephen Johns
ton . . , .
Jos'" Jones . .
Jn' Jones , ,
W" Joliffe jun' .

Sam' Isaacs

K

Jn° Keywood 90

Joseph Lupton
WilUam Lupton
Sani' Littier ' '.
James Loyd . .

G. M. Lovenger
• •.„• -95
Fran' Lilbum .

Rob' Lemon
Jn' Lemon . .
Jn° Leith . .
Nich' Lemon
. . . 100
Henry Loyd
Jn° Lindsay . .
James Lindsay .
Tho' Loudon .
Edmond Lind
say , . 105

Capt" Swearingen

Jo' Homer .
Jonus Hedge
Jn° House .

Aaron Jenkins

•5

K

Jn' Keywood

Edward Lucas

James Lindsay
Tho' Loudon 20
Ed* Lindsay

4o6

Letters to Washington

Col' Washington

Darby M'Carty .
W" Monger . .
W» Miller . .
Tho» Mason . .
Darby Murphey
Paf" M'Daniel .
Lewis Moore ,

N
George Neirl.

170

M
Rev* W" Meldrum
W° M'Gee . . .
David Miller . .
Rob' Mamey . .
Jo' M'Dowell . . . .
David Morgan . . . .
W" M'Mahan . . . .
Rich* M'Mahan . 175
Jn' Milburn 
Ja" M'Gill 
Rob' M'Coy 
Jacob Morgan 
Laughlen Maddin . 180
Jos. M'Carmish . . . .
Jn' Maddin 
Jo' M'Carmick ....
Jno. M'Cormick . . .
Henry Moore Gen . . ..
Rob' Milbura ....

190

Isaac Perkins ....
Nich' Princeller . . .
MicW Poker .....
W" Patterson ....
Geo : Paul . . . 200
Cha' Perkins . . . .

Col' Martin

VL
Rev* W" Meldrum ,

Rob' Mamey ,
Jo' M'DoweU

Rob' M'Coy , 145

Jn' Maddin

Jn' M'Cormick ,
Hen. Moore Gent"

Darby McCarty

W°> Miller

150

Darby Murphey ,
Pat' McDaniel ,
Lewis Moore , ,
Rich* Mercer . .
Mayberry Maddin

175

Col: M. Morgan
Rich* Morgan ,
Jacob Miller , .
Edw* Mercer Jun'

N
Geo. Neirl , 160
Jn° Nisewanger . ,

Nich' Princeller . .
Mich' Poker . 165

M'West

M

David Morgan .
W M'Mahan .
Rich* M'Mahan
Jn' Milburn . .
Ja' M'GiU no

Jacob Morgan .
Laugh' Maddin
Jo' M'Carmish .

Jo' M'fiarmick ,

Rob' Milburn

n5

W" Monger .
Tho' Mason .

Rich* Mercer .
May. Maddin ,
Col : M. Mor
gan . . 120
Rich* Morgan .
Jacob MiUer
Edward Mercer
Jun' . . .
Jn° Mendenhall
Morgan Morgan
Jun' . . 125
Jacob Moon , ,

Jn' Nisewanger P
Isaac Perkins .

Chai Perkins

Capt" Swearingen

M

W" M'Gee .
David Miller

Jn' Mendenhall
M. Morgan jr 25
Jacob Moon . .

N

W" Patterson
Geo: Paul ,

Letters to Washington

407

Col' Washington

Col' Martin

M' West

Capt" Swearingen

W" Pickering ....
W» Pickering
... 130
Sam' Pearson .
Job Pugh . .
Sa 
Sam' Pearson .
Job Pugh . .
Jesse Pugh 
Xho! Postgate . . 205
osiah Pemberton . . .
OS : ParreU 
Thos! Postgate '. ',
Jos: Pemberton
ParreU . . .
n' ParreU ....
. . . w ¦ • .
Peter Perry . . .
Phil. Poker . . .
Jn" ParreU . .
Peter Perry 
Philip Poker ... 210
Tho' Perry 
Azaiiah Pugh ....
Jonathan Perkins . . .
Tho» Perry . 170
Jn' Painter , . .
Rob' Pearis . . .
Tho' Pugh . . .
Sam' Pritchard . .
Jon : Perkins ,
Rob' Pearis . .
Jn" Painter . .
Tho' Pugh 140
Sam' Pritchard
George Pember
ton .... R
W° RusseU
R
W" RusseU . 175
Jn« Road ....
Capt" Rutherford .
Geo : Pemberton R
n» Road . ... 215
iob* Rutherford

Tho" Reece
Tho' Reece^ , ,
Jacob Reece
lenry Rinker ^ . • ¦
Henry Rinker
Geo: Ross . .
George- Ross , . 220
Patrick Rice
Ed4 Rice . . .
Geo Rice . .
W™ Reynolds . , , ,
W" Reynolds
... 150
Isaac Riddell . . 225
Isaac Riddell. . .
Henry- Reece . .
W" Roberts , . .
W° Roberts Jun' . . .
Tn** Reed
W" Roberts Jun' 1 80
Ulrich Rubble ', '. 230
Jos : Roberts . . .
Edward Rogers . .
Cor' Ruddle , , .
Ulrich Rubbell .
Cornel' RuddeU . . .
Lieut Cha' Smith . . .
In' Smith 
>»Snap. ... 235
n' Snap, Jun' ....
3an' Stover ....
Henry Stephens . . .
Jacob Stricklet . . .
Ed* Rogers 155
S
Jn» Smith .. .. '. .
S
L' Ch' Smith .
'. S
Pf^tpr Stenhens l8c
Tn' Snap . . .
Jn" Snap • , , , ,
Jacob Stnctler 190
4o8

Letters to Washington

Col' Washington

240

Benj* Strickler .
David Snodgrass
Jn" Snodgrass ....
Law' Smalgolfer . , ,
Nich' Schrack , . , .
Ulrich Stoner . . 205
Rob' Stewart . . . .
Jacob Sowers ....
Jon' Seaman ....
Jn" Strickley ....
Jn' Sewell . , . 250
Jacob Sebert ....
Jos : Strickler ....
David Shepherd . . .
Jn» SmaU 
Tho' Shepherd . 255
Lewis Stephens , , .
Jacob Stover ....
Dennis Springer . . ,
Rich* Stephenson . . .
Edw* Snickers , , 260
Law" Snapp ....
Rob' Stewart ....

Dan' Stephens ,
Geo: Shade
Tho' Speake .

265

Jos. Thompson

Evan Thomas . ,
Jn' Thomas . . .
Sam* Taylor . .
Anth. Turner . .
EUis Thomas . .
Anthr Turner Jun'

275

Harr» Taylor
Edw* Thomas

Col' Martin

Benj, Strickler

Law Smalgolfer
Ulrich Stoner . ,

Jn' Strickley , , ,
Jos: Strickler 195

Lewis Stephens
Jacob Stover .

Rich* Stephenson
Ed" Snickers . .
Law* Snapp . .

Geo : Shade

Law" Stephens . ,
Tho" Sharp . . .
Jer' Smith ....
Peter Stover . 205
W" Stevenson , .
Jn' Scene ....

Jn' Thomas

EUis Thomas ,

Harrison Taylor 216

Zebulon Sharp . ,
Sunon Taylor . .

M' West

Nich' Schrack

Rob' Stewart
Jacob Sowers

Jacob Sebert 160

David Shepherd
Jn' SmaU . .
The Shepherd .

Dennis Springer

Rob' Stewart
. . . T65
Dan' Stephens ,

Tho' Speake .
Law' Stephens
Tho' Sharp . .
Jerem"" Smith
. . . 170
Peter Stover
W" Stevenson .
Jn' Scene , ,
Jn' Stroud . .

Jo" Thompson ... 175
Evan Thomas .

Sam' Taylor
Anth. Turner

AnthJ Turner
Jun' . .

Ed* Thomas .
Zebulon Sharp ,
Simon Taylor .
Owen Thomas .
Jn' Taylor . .
Magnus Tate
. . . 1S5

Capt' Swearingen

David Snodgrass
Jn' Snodgrass 35

Jon» Seaman .
Jn" SeweU . .

Jn" Stroud

Owen Thomas
Jn' Taylor .
Magnus Tate

Letters to Washington

409

Col' Washington

Col' Martin

M' West

Capt' Swearingen

V
Alex' Vance . .
James Vance , .
Sam' Vance . . .

275

V
Ja' Vance .' ' .' .'

V

V
Alex' Vance . .

Sam' Vance . . .

And' Vance 

And' Vance . . .

Jn' Vanmeter ....
Jn' Vanmeter .
Abram. Vanmeter .
Jn' Vestal . . .
280
Jn" Vestal ." !
Ab" Vanmeter .
acob Vanmeter . . .
n" Vance 
Jn" Vance ....
Jacob Vanmeter
lenry Vanmeter , . .
Henry Vanme
ter ... .
285
n" Fred' Vanfagan .
David Vance . . .
Jo' Vance ....
W" Vance . . 220
W
Jn" Fred' Vanfagan
David Vance
W" Vance . .
W
Col' Ja' Wood . .
W
Col' Ja' Wood .
Alex' Woodrow
W
Alex' Woodrow Gen
Peter Woolf
t° .
Peter' w'oolJE '. ', ',
Isaac White . . .
Isaac White . . .
Geo. Whitzel
Geo. Whitzel . . .
Jas. Wright . .
Rob' Wason
395
Rob' Wi'lson , . .
Geo: Wright . .
[acob Wright . .
David Wright . .
Chr' Wendall
Geo. Wright . 225
Jacob Wright . . .
David Wright . .
Chr» Wendall . . .
Aug' WendaU . .
James WUson . .
Val' Wendall
Aug' WendaU , .
James Wilson 230
Val' WendaU . . .
Tho' Waters . . .
Jos: WUkinson .
Jos. Wilkinson
... 295
Rob' Worthing
ton ....
Rob' Worthington
305
Ralph Withers 235
Ralph Withers . .
Jn' Wilson . .
Ttio Wrie-ht
Jn' Wright . . .
W" White
W" White . .
W" Wilson . . .
Rob'Warth . . .
Y
Jn' Young . . 239
Rob'Warth! !
W" WUson . .
Y
Jn' Young . . .
3°9
Y
... 199
Y
. . • • 45
4IO Letters to Washington
FROM COLONEL ADAM STEPHEN.
Camp near Raes-Town July 27* 1758
Sir, There is nothing new here — By last accounts the
General was indispos'd & had not left Carlisle, on
Sunday. By all reports, there has been a great miscarriage
at an Enimy's post calld the Saw-Mill within two
miles of Ticonderogo — We have have no distinct
account of the Affair, nor is it known here, who
Commanded the Attack; It is imagind that the
Advanced Party, or rather First Division, made too
great hast forward ; befor the Body of the Army were
at hand to Support them.
I expect you soon will have the Regiment together,
but as you will have an interview with Col. Bouquet
in a few days I shall refer saying any thing of it —
The purport of your meeting is to Consult mea
sures for expediting matters, & the Roads will be the
Chief Subject, I give you this hint, that may you have
in readiness, what is to be said on that head, and am
with respect Sir Your most Ob? hu''!* Serv*
Adam Stephen

ELECTROTYPBD AND PRINTED
BY H. O. HOUGHTON AND CO.
CAMBRIDGE, MASS., U. S. A.

%^'