1Commission as adjutant for southern district, 13 December 1752 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Document not found: commission as adjutant for southern district, Williamsburg, 13 Dec. 1752. For background to this document, see GW to Dinwiddie, 10 June 1752, n.2 . On 6 Nov. 1752, some months after Lawrence Washington’s death, the governor and council “finding by Experience the Insufficiency of one [adjutant], fully to discharge a Business of so much Importance,” created four military...
2Commission from Robert Dinwiddie, 30 October 1753 (Washington Papers)
E ditorial N ote The commission from Governor Dinwiddie to GW to investigate reports that French forces were encroaching on frontier territory claimed by Great Britain marks the beginning of GW’s military career. Although both France and Britain had long entertained vague ambitions in the Ohio country, it was not until the middle years of the eighteenth century that the two powers met...
3Instructions from Robert Dinwiddie, 30 October 1753 (Washington Papers)
Instructions for George Washington Esqr. Whereas I have receiv’d Information of a Body of French Forces being assembled in an hostile Manner on the River Ohio, intending by force of Arms to erect certain Forts on the said River, within this Territory & contrary to the Peace & Dignity of our Sovereign the King of Great Britain. These are therefore to require & direct You the said George...
4Passport from Robert Dinwiddie, 30 October 1753 (Washington Papers)
Virginia [Williamsburg, 30 October 1753 ] To All to whom these Presents may come or concern Greeting Whereas I have appointed George Washington Esqr. by Commission under the Great Seal, My express Messenger to the Comandant of the French Forces on the River Ohio, & as he is charg’d with Business of great Importance to His Majesty & this Dominion. I do hereby Command all His Majesty’s Subjects,...
5To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, January 1754 (Washington Papers)
E ditorial N ote The reports that GW made to Dinwiddie upon his return from his mission to the French commandant reinforced the governor’s conviction that no time was to be lost in taking action against French encroachment on the Ohio. Dinwiddie had held a British vessel, the Speedwell , in port pending GW’s return from the Ohio and at once notified Holderness and the Board of Trade that the...
6To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 15 March 1754 (Washington Papers)
Yr two Letters of the 3d & 7th Currt I recd & the enclos’d from Messrs Trent & Cresap. I am surpriz’d from their Letters that the French are so early expected down the Ohio; which I think makes it necessary for You to march what Soldiers You have enlisted immediately to the Ohio, & escort some Waggons, with the necessary Provisions; Colo. Fry to march with the others as soon as possible. I...
7To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 4 May 1754 (Washington Papers)
This Day I recd Yr Advices by Mr Ward, which give me great Concern to experience that my Fears of the French geting Possessn before us of the Fork of Monongehela were too prognistic —The March of our Forces has been delay’d by unfortunate Circumstances. The Independt Compa. from So. Car. arriv’d two Day ago, is compleat 100 Men besides Officers, & will reembark for Alexa. next Week, thence...
8To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 25 May 1754 (Washington Papers)
I can assure You I am concerned & no less surpriz’d to find by Yr Letr of the 18th of this Mo. such ill timed Complaints & as I conceive not altogether founded in such real Cause as I am sorry to find You think they are —You certainly judge very rightly of the Importance of the Service & that Yr Honrs are engag’d too far to recede from it, which I hope an attentive reflection on wt I am going...
9To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 1 June 1754 (Washington Papers)
Mr Gist brot Yr Letter & the very agreeable Acct of Yr Killing & taking Monsr Le Force & his whole Party of 35 Men on which Success I heartily congratulate You, as it may give a Testimony to the Inds. that the French are not invincible wn fairly engagd with the English; but hope the good Spirits of Yr Soldiers will not tempt You to make any hazardous Attempts agst a too numerous Enemy. When...
10To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 1 June 1754 (Washington Papers)
Mr Geo. Croghan, a Gent. well acquainted with Indn. Affairs is engag’d by me to serve His My as an Interpreter. I therefore desire You to shew him a proper regard & in such Matters relating to the Delivery of Presents, wt You may have to negotiate with the Half King & the Inds. in the British Alliance & Int[eres]t You will consult him. I am Sr Yr most humble Servt LB , ViHi : Dinwiddie Papers....