From George Washington to Charles Green, 26–30 August 1761
To Charles Green
The Warm Springs [Va.] 26th[–30] Augt 1761
Revd Sir
I shoud think myself very inexcusable were I to omit so good an oppertunity as Mr Douglass’s return from these Springs, of giving you some Account of the place, and of Our Approaches to it.1
To begin then—We arrivd here yesterday, and our Journey (as you may imagine) was not of the most agreable sort, through such Weather & such Roads as we had to encounter; these last for 20 or 25 Miles from hence are almost impassable for Carriages; not so much from the Mountainous Country (but this in fact is very rugged) as from Trees that have fallen across the Road, and renderd the ways intolerable.
We found of both sexes about 2⟨5⟩0 People at this place, full of all manner of diseases & Complaints; some of which are much benefitted, while others find no relief from the Water’s—two or three Doctors are here, but whether attending as Physicians or to Drink of the Waters I know not—It is thought the Springs will soon begin to loose there Virtues, and the Weather get too cold for People, not well provided, to remain here—They are situated very badly on the East side of a steep Mountain, and Inclosed by Hills on all Sides, so that the Afternoon’s Sun is hid by 4 Oclock and the Fogs hang over us till 9 or 10 wch occasion’s great Damps and the Mornings and Evenings to be cool.
The Place I am told, and indeed have found it so already, is supplyed with Provisions of all kinds—good Beef & venison, fine Veal, Lamb, Fowls &ca may be bought at almost any time; but Lodgings can be had on no Terms but building for them, and I am of opinion that numbers get more hurt by there manner of lying, than the Waters can do them good—had we not succeeded in getting a Tent & marquee from Winchester we shoud have been in a most miserable situation here.
In regard to myself I must beg leave to say, that I was much overcome with the fatigue of the Ride & Weather together—however I think my Fevers are a good deal abated, althô my Pains grow rather worse, & my sleep equally disturbd; what effect the Waters may have upon me I cant say at present, but I expect Nothing from the Air—this certainly must be unwholesome—I purpose to stay here a fortnight & longer if benefitted.
I shall attempt to give you the best discription I can of the Stages to this place, that you may be at no loss, if after this Acct, you choose to come up. Toulston I shoud recommend as the first, Majr Hamilton’s, or Israel Thompson’s the 2d; the one abt 30, the other 35 Miles distant; from thence you may reach Henry Vanmeter’s on Opeckon Creek, or Captn Paris’s 4 Miles on this Side, which will be also abt 35 Miles; and then your Journey will be easy the following day to this place.2
I have made out a very long, and a very dirty Letter, but my hurry must apologize for the Latter &, I hope your goodness will excuse the former—please to make my Complimts acceptable to Mrs Gr⟨ee⟩n and Miss Bolan, & be assurd Revd Sir that with a true respect I remain yr Most Obedt & Obligd
Go: Washington
P.S. If I coud be upon any certainty of yr comg, or, coud g⟨et⟩ only 4 days previous notice of yr arrival I woud get a House built such as are here erected very indifferent indeed they are thô for yr receptn.
30th Augt
Since writing the above Mr Douglass lost his Horses & was dataind, but I met with a Fairfax Man returng home, who is to be back again immediately for his wife. this Person I have hird to carry some Letters to Mrs Washn undr whose cover this goes; by him you are furnish⟨ed⟩ with an oppertunity of honouring me with yr Commands, if you retain any thoughts of comg to this place—I think myself benefitted by the Water’s, and am not witht hopes of their making a cure of me—a little time will shew no⟨w⟩.
ALS (photocopy), ViWsBCh.
The Rev. Charles Green (c.1710–1765), rector of GW’s home parish of Truro where GW would later serve on the vestry, also attended the family at Mount Vernon as a medical practitioner.
1. GW went to Warm Springs (now Berkeley Springs in Morgan County, W.Va.) in an attempt to recover his health. See GW to Andrew Burnaby, 27 July 1761, n.7. Mr. Douglass may have been Capt. William Douglas (Douglass), a merchant in Alexandria, but he also may have been one of several other Douglasses living in Fairfax County at this time.
2. Towlston Grange was a large tract of land in the northwest part of Fairfax County which was left to Bryan Fairfax by his father’s will. Fairfax would later, about 1767–68, move his family to the new house he built at Towlston. Difficult Run provided the northern and western boundaries of the tract, and GW undoubtedly crossed Difficult Bridge. James Hamilton (c.1720–c.1775) a burgess for Loudoun County from its formation from Fairfax in 1758 until 1771, lived on the road from Leesburg to Purcellville in the central part of Loudoun County. He is probably the same man who came with a company of Fairfax County militia to Winchester in 1756. Israel Thompson (d. 1795), a Quaker, lived on a plantation in the vicinity of Catoctin Creek in north central Loudoun County. Henry Van Meter owned several tracts of land near Opequon Creek. This is not the Henry Van Meter (died c.1759) who lived on the South Branch, who was killed near Fort Pleasant by Indians. Capt. Robert Pearis of the Frederick County militia had a home a few miles west of Winchester.