George Washington Papers

To George Washington from John Dagworthy, 10 July 1757

From John Dagworthy

Fort Cumberland [Md.] July 10th 1757

Sir

Yesterday in the Evening came to this Fort a whiteman & a Negro, the whiteman have Examin’d upon Oath which have Inclosed,1 and the Negro being separately Examin’d confirms wt the other Says. I am Sir Your most Obt humble Servt

Jno. Dagworthy

ALS, DLC:GW.

1The deposition of John Street made to Dagworthy as a justice of the peace of Frederick County, Md., was enclosed. Street was taken captive from Fort Granville in the fall of 1756 and remained a captive “till some time in May, when he went to Fort Duquesnee 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 Duquesnee with the Trader, that Garison Consisted of Between three and Four Hundred French and a few Indians, That about three weeks Agoe they were Reinforced by two hundred French from Massasipi with a great Quantity of Provisions, which they brought in About Twelve Large Boates, that there was great Rejoiceing by firing Canon Small Arms at their Arrivall, that About Two Hundred men French and Indians went out a few days after in Persuit of our Scouting Partys who had Killd and taken three of their Officers and three Soldiers, but on hearing of two Squaws being Scalped near the Garison after they had Left it, they all Immediately Returned, that Severall partys have since come out to these Fronteers, and Perticularly one to prevent this Garison being Supplyd with Provisions, which they understood was in great need of. That Seven hundred French men was waiting at a Fort on this Side the Lakes for the waters Rising, when they are to come down to Fort Duquesnee, and from thence with a body of Indians to attack this Fort, That the Officer who Commanded the Party from the Massasipi is to Command on this Expedition, and that the train of Artillery is to Consist of Six Canon two morters &C.” (10 July 1757, DLC:GW). GW sent a copy of Street’s deposition to Dinwiddie on 12 July, and John Stanwix sent GW another copy on 14 July.

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