From George Washington to Henry Bouquet, 24 July 1758
To Henry Bouquet
Camp at [Fort Cumberland] 24th July 1758
Sir
The Inclosd came to my hands a few hours after I dispatchd my last by Mr Frazer. I did not know but it might enable you to determine better, what shoud be done with the Waggons, and therefore send it. If we are to lye at this place any time, perhaps you may think it advisable to send the Waggons down for another Convoy.1 I shoud not choose to propose any thing that might seem officious: but woud it not facilitate the Operations of the Campaigne if the Virginia Troops were Orderd to proceed as far (at least) as the great Crossing of Yaugyauggane, opening the Road & Constructing Posts at proper places as they go2—If any use is intended to be made of this Road, from such a step, great advantages may certainly be derivd. In this event, I shoud be glad to be joind by that part of my Regiment now at Rays Town.3
Major Peachy, who Commands the working Party on General Braddocks Road writes me, that he finds little repairs wanting; I shall however direct him (to Night) to proceed as far as Savage River and then return, as his Party is rather too weak to adventure further.4
All the Indian Parties that went out, are now returnd (save one consisting of three only) without making any discoveries.5 I beg leave to assure you that I am most sincerely Sir, Yr most Obedt Hble Servt
Go: Washington
P.S. I enclose a Return of the Provisions & Stores coming up in the 2d Convoy.6
ALS, British Museum: Add. MSS 21641 (Bouquet Papers); LB (original), DLC:GW; LB (recopied), DLC:GW. GW wrote by mistake “Camp at Rays Town” instead of “at Fort Cumberland.”
1. GW wrote Bouquet on 21 July. What was “Inclosd” is not known, but see the postscript. See also Richard Vernon to GW, 20 July. GW wrote “I” in his letter book after “therefore.”
2. The Great Crossing was where Braddock’s Road crossed the Youghiogheny River above the Maryland border in Pennsylvania.
3. Before receiving this letter with GW’s suggestion that all the Virginia forces be used to reopen Braddock’s Road into Pennsylvania, Bouquet wrote GW (on 24 July) that he expected Forbes to send a body of troops by a road being built from Raystown over Laurel Hill to a new encampment. GW responded on 25 July that he would march wherever he was ordered but knew the proposed new route to be impracticable. On 27 July Bouquet picked up GW’s suggestion that the two meet to discuss the relative merits of the two routes to Fort Duquesne. It was at this meeting on 29 July that GW and Bouquet each learned that the other was not to be swayed by his arguments for (or against) Braddock’s Road or by those against (or for) a new road from Raystown.
4. Braddock’s Road crossed the Savage River in Maryland a few miles beyond George’s Creek, about fifteen miles from Fort Cumberland. No letter to or from William Peachey at this time has been found.
5. GW wrote Bouquet on 16 July about having sent out three parties of Indians.