1From George Washington to John Robinson, 25 October 1757 (Washington Papers)
John Robinson esqre—Speaker Dear Sir, [Fort Loudoun] October 25th 1757. I applied to the Governor for leave to come down in order to settle my accompts before he left the country, and to represent the melancholy situation of our distressed frontiers—which no written narrative can so well describe, as a verbal account, to a judicious person, inclined to hear. In a verbal account, the questions...
2From George Washington to John Robinson, 8 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
Being much hurried, I shall refer you to Colonel Stephen for Particulars; who brings a melancholy account of our Back-Settlers. He waits on you for some money to pay the Recruits, and answer such immediate Charges as may arise before I can see you in Williamsburgh; which can not be now, until about the 8th or 9th of November; at which time I should be glad to see you there, and to Receive such...
3From George Washington to John Robinson, 19 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are no stranger I presume to the late resolutions of the Governor & Council; the consequence of which I meditate with great concern. We are ordered to reinforce Fort Cumberland with 100 men: and, to enable me to carry that number thither, all the Stockade-Forts on the Branch are to be evacuated, & in course all the Sett[lemen]ts abandoned, except what lie under the immediate protection of...
4From George Washington to John Robinson, 1 September 1758 (Washington Papers)
To Jno. Robinson Esqr. Speaker. My dear Sir, Camp at Fort Cumbd 1 Septemr 1758. We are still Incampd here—very sickly—and quite dispirited at the prospect before Us—That appearance of Glory once in view—that hope—that laudable Ambition of Serving Our Country, and meriting its applause, is now no more! Tis dwindled into ease—Sloth—and fatal inactivity—and in a Word, All is lost. if the ways of...
5From George Washington to John Robinson, 23 October 1754 (Washington Papers)
Nothing could have given me, and the Officers under my command, greater satisfaction, than to have received the thanks of the House of Burgesses, in so particular and honourable a manner, for our Behaviour in the late unsuccessful Engagement with the French at the Great-Meadows; and we unanimously hope, that our future Conduct in the Service of our Country, may entitle us to a continuance of...
6From George Washington to John Robinson, 5 August 1756 (Washington Papers)
I hope you will not be surprized at my sudden demands for money, nor at the uncommon length of this Epistle. The five thousand pounds last received went chiefly in paying arrears which were due the Soldiers for near two months before—Discharging sundry accompts for necessaries for the Regiment; with many other things, as will appear per accompts. And the disappointments I have so often met...
7From George Washington to John Robinson, 18 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
It gave me infinite concern to hear by several letters that the Assembly are incensed against the Virginia Regiment; and think they have cause to accuse the Officers of all inordinate vices; but more especially of drunkenness and profanity! How far any one individual may have subjected himself to such reflections, I will not pretend to determine: but this I am certain of; and can with the...
8From George Washington to John Robinson, 30 May 1757 (Washington Papers)
We receive fresh proofs every day of the bad direction of our Indian affairs. It is not easy to tell what expences have arisen on account of these Indians; how dissatisfied they are, and how gloomy the prospect of pleasing them appears, while we pursue our present system of management. I therefore beg leave to propose a plan, which I know is exactly agreeable to the french policy of treating...
9From George Washington to John Robinson, 20 April 1755 (Washington Papers)
I little expected when I wrote you last that I shoud so soon engage in another Campaigne; but in this I hope doing it I may be allowd to claim some small share of some merit; if it is consider’d that the sole motive wch envites me to the Field, is, the laudable desire of servg my Country; and & not for the gratification of any ambitious or
10From George Washington to John Robinson, 9 November 1756 (Washington Papers)
I am just returned from a tedious and troublesome tour around our frontiers which has afforded me many unpleasing views of the melancholy condition of our countrymen: arising chiefly from the indolence and irregularity of the militia, posted in different places for their protection. I have always made it a principle of duty to promote the interest and Service of my Country by every endeavour,...
11From George Washington to John Robinson, 27 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
In my last I omitted to observe one thing touching the defence of our Frontiers by a chain of Forts; and it is this. If the Province of Maryland makes no provision for its Frontiers, we shall have a long unguarded space, quite open and defenceless, from Wills Creek to the mouth of Shanandoah: where the Enemy may have (and have already given proof of) free Egress and Regress in crossing...
12From George Washington to John Robinson, 10 May 1758 (Washington Papers)
I can not inform you better of the strange, and unaccountable dilemma I am reduced to, than by transmitting a copy of that part of my letter relative to Recruiting; and a copy also of a Council held here on that occasion. I must beg your assistance in the affair—if you can give any consistently: If I am to suffer, I can only say, that it is but poor encouragement for the exertion of my zeal....
13From George Washington to John Robinson, 10 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure of receiving your favours of the 21st & 29th ultimo. I did indeed begin to think (tho’ I cou’d scarcely believe it) that you had quite forgotten me. I am greatly at a loss how to proceed, wanting the mutiny-bill: and do not know whether the Assembly have provided any reward for apprehending Deserters, which is very detrimental, and impedes the service much at this time;...
14From George Washington to John Robinson, 7 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here yesterday and though not a little fatigued, and incessantly hurried by the afflicting news from the back inhabitants, who are hourly importuning me for assistance, which is not in my power to give—I can not omit this favourable opportunity to give some account of the gloomy aspect that things bear at present. And I am sorry to say, that unless there are speedy and vigorous...
15From George Washington to John Robinson, 10 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
A person of a readier pen and having more time than myself, might amuse you with the vicissitudes which have happened in the Indian Affairs since Mr Atkin came up. I acknowledge my incompetency and therefore shall only observe that the Indians have been pleased and displeased oftener than they ought to have been. And that they are gone off (that party under Warhatclie, I mean) in different...
16From George Washington to John Robinson and the House of Burgesses, October 1754 (Washington Papers)
We, the Officers of the Virginia Regiment, are higly sensible of the particular Mark of Distinction, with which you have honoured Us, in returning your Thanks for our Behaviour in the late Action: and can not help testifying our grateful Acknowledgments, for your high sense, of what We shall always esteem a Duty to our Country, and to the best of Kings. Favoured with your Regard, We shall...
17From George Washington to John Robinson, 16 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
When I wrote you last, I was in high hopes of being by this time at the head a large party scouring the Allegany Hills. But the timidity of the Inhabitants of this County is to be equalled by nothing but their perverseness. Yesterday was the time appointed for all to meet who were inclined to join for this desirable end, and only fifteen came; some of whom refused to go but upon such terms as...
18From George Washington to John Robinson, 11 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
After a small Halt at Fredericksburgh, to issue out Orders to the Recruiting Officers appointed to that Rendezvous, I proceeded to this place, in order to collect a Return of the Provisions, Clothing, &c. that were lodged here; an exact Copy of which I herewith send you. I find after the Soldiers have their short allowances, there will arise great inconveniences, if Stores of Clothing are not...
19From George Washington to John Robinson, 5 December 1755 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer, Captain John Mercer, having leave to go down and Settle his accompts with the Committee; is ordered to call upon you for the balance of the ten thousand pounds, which I believe we shall want before another opportunity may offer; this being the time when our Demands for money are greatest. When I left Williamsburgh, I intended to proceed to Winchester; but meeting with Letters at...
20From George Washington to John Robinson, 24 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I received yours by Mr Kirkpatrick, and am sorry to hear the Reflections upon the conduct of the Officers. I could wish that their names had been particularized; that justice might be done to the innocent, and guilty! For, it is extremely hard that the whole Corps should suffer the most un-genteel reproaches, for the inadvertance and misconduct of a few. The deplorable situation of...