To George Washington from John Blair, 10 March 1758
From John Blair
Wmsburgh March 10th 1758th
Sir
The Bearer James Holloway is a Soldier in your Regiment sent from York County & under Capt. Lewis at Patterson’s Fort, but being very infirm got a Furlow from his Captain for 3 Months, wch 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 Bror John & himself, on consideration of his having 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 antient Father wants John’s assistance & James can be of no use to you. But as he could not travell with them without Money & he had been at abt 40s. Expence upon them, I have furnished him with £5. from the Treasury, wch 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 perswaded you would have discharged as useless.1 One of them John Carter says he has 10. Guineas due to him from Capt. Whelden of a Ship at Holts, wch as he is enter’d into his Majestys 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 &ca2—By him I send you Letter of the 8. Instt but shall write again on the Supject lest that should miscarry.3 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 Obedt hble Servt
John Blair, P.
James tells me he knows of 5 Deserters in Northumberland wch with Assistance he could take up. & believes he could enlist some more men if he had direction for it.
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. Joshua Lewis’s size roll, c.September 1757, indicates that both James and John Holloway enlisted in York County in October 1756; certificates signed by the clerk of York County, Augustine Moore, attest that the two brothers enlisted in the Virginia Regiment on 24 June 1757 (DLC:GW). They were Virginia-born farmers, James 25 years old and John 22.
Robert Smith was one of the senior justices of York County.
2. The recruit John Carter has not been identified. Holt’s was a warehouse and settlement on York River in New Kent County, just east of the courthouse. Capt. John Wheldon entered the river on 15 Feb. 1758 from Gibraltar (P.R.O., C.O. 5/1447, f. 83).
3. John Blair’s letter of 8 Mar. to GW has not been found.