1101From George Washington to Benjamin Grymes, 31 July 1755 (Washington Papers)
I do n’t remember not recollect to have receivd more than one letter from you, and that I shoud have answerd sooner ; but knowing that I cou’d give you no satisfactory acct myself, of your Bed &ca, I thought it more advisable to desire Doctr Walker to enquire of Mr Gist, and of Colo. Cresap (at whose Ho. I perfectly remember the great Tent was left) concerning them, and to let you know their...
1102From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Peters, [c. 1 August 1755] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The House is not yet together: But the Speaker and a Number of the Members are of Opinion that a Common Messenger will be sufficient to carry the Letters; and are not inclin’d that any Gentlemen should be charg’d with them in Behalf of the Publick. They hope the Colonel does not mean to come to Philadelphia but only into this Province, to be near the...
1103From George Washington to Robert Jackson, 2 August 1755 (Washington Papers)
I must acknowledge you had great reason to be terrified with the first accts that was given of our unhappy defeat, and I must own, I was not a little surprisd to find that Governour Innis was the means of alarming the Country with a report of that so extraordinary nature , without having any better confirmation of the truth, than the story of an affrighted Waggeners Story —Its true, we have...
1104From George Washington to Augustine Washington, 2 August 1755 (Washington Papers)
The pleasure of your Company at Mount-Vernon always did, & always will, afford me infinite satisfaction but at this time I am too truely sensible how needful the Country is of the assistance of all its Members, to desire have a wish to hear that any are absent from the assembly . I most sincerely wish that harmony & Unanimity may prevail amongst you in all your Councils , and that a happy...
1105From George Washington to the County Lieutenants, 2 August 1755 (Washington Papers)
I intend myself the honour of waitg upon your County, in order to exercise the Militia thereof ; and shoud be glad if you woud appoint your Officer’s to meet me at the Court Ho., or some other convenient place with a Firelock, Ammunition, &ca on the of September next, and the Militia properly accoutre’d, the day following. I am Sir Yr most Obt Servt LB (original), DLC:GW ; LB , DLC:GW . See...
1106Memorandum, 2 August 1755 (Washington Papers)
Fairfax ... Officers 31st 1st Militia Prince Wm 4 5 } September Culpeper 8 9 Stafford 12 13 King George 15 16 Westmoreland 19 20
1107From George Washington to Colin Campbell, 2 August 1755 (Washington Papers)
The Army under the Comd of G: Braddock has met with an fortunate defeat, ⟨ erasure ⟩ un⟨ erasure ⟩ which has occasioned my retn much sooner than was ⟨ erasure ⟩from the Ohio; expectd⟨.⟩ This circumstance enables me ⟨ erasure ⟩ full time to ⟨ erasure ⟩ order s the Militia of the several Countys in my district, to meet me; on the days I have appointed.
1108Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 5 August 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), p. 121. Meeting on July 25 after receiving news of Braddock’s defeat, the Assembly resolved that £50,000 be granted for defense of the province and that a committee of the whole consider ways and means of raising it. Following adoption on the 29th of resolves to tax “all Estates, Real and...
1109Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 8 August 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), pp. 123–6. Governor Morris responded on August 6 to the Assembly’s message of the day before, and the Assembly appointed a committee of eight, including Franklin and four other members of the last committee, to prepare a reply. It was reported and approved the next day and sent to the governor on...
1110To George Washington from Philip Ludwell, 8 August 1755 (Washington Papers)
I most heartily congratulate your safe return from so many Dangers & Fatigues & by this Time I hope you are well enough recovered to give us the pleasure of seeing you here which all your Friends are extremely desirous of. The House has voted 1200 Men but it is very probable they will determine at last for 4000. In Conversation with the Govr about it, I said if this should be done, I supposed...
1111To George Washington from Charles Lewis, 9 August 1755 (Washington Papers)
My Man waits on You with a Letter from my Brother, I suppose to give You Notice of the good Opinion the Governour Assembly &c. entertain of yr Conduct, I assure You Sir scarce any thing else is talk’d off here, & I with the whole Country most heartily join in congratulating yr safe Return from this last most Dangerous Expedition, and wish with the greatest Sincerity yr Speedy Recovery from an...
1112To George Washington from Warner Lewis, 9 August 1755 (Washington Papers)
I am just come from Wmsburgh where your Friends are extreamly impatient to see you, and our Speaker among them, as every one of my acquaintance profess a fondness for your having the command of the men now to be raised, thought proper to send a man to you to acquaint you of it. Shou’d you incline to proceed on this expedition, ’twou’d give a general satisfaction to our Country, and shou’d be...
1113From Benjamin Franklin to William Johnson, 11 August 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Antiquarian Society I received your Favour of the 1st Instant, and have forwarded the Letter to Capt. Orme. Mr. Pownall is gone to New York, and I return his Letter per this Day’s Post. I shall acquaint the Governor, as you desire, that the Records of your Proceedings are with Mr. Banyar. Our Assembly have sent up a Bill to give £50,000 to the King’s Use, of which part might be...
1114From George Washington to Mary Ball Washington, 14 August 1755 (Washington Papers)
If it is in my power to avoid going to the Ohio again, I shall, but if the Command is press’d upon me by the genl voice of the Country, and offerd upon such terms as can’t be objected against, it woud reflect eternal dishonour upon me to refuse it; and that I am sure must, or ought, to give you greater cause of uneasiness than my going in an honourable Comd; for upon no other terms I will...
1115From George Washington to Warner Lewis, 14 August 1755 (Washington Papers)
After returning the you my most sincere, and grateful thanks for your kind condolance on my late indisposition; and for the too generous, and give me leave further to say, partial opinion you have entertaind of my military ability’s; I must express my concern for not having it in my power to meet you, and other Friends, who have signified their desire of seeing me (in Williamsburg). Your...
1116From George Washington to Charles Lewis, 14 August 1755 (Washington Papers)
I return most you my unfeigned thanks for your hearty demonstrations expressions of Friendship, in & kind congratulation’s on my safe return, and I wish, my dear Charles, it was more in my power than it is to answer the favourable opinion my Friends have conceiv’d of my military
1117I. Commission, 14 August 1755 (Washington Papers)
By Virtue of H: Majesty’s Royal Com[missi]o[n] & Instructs. appointg me Lt Gr & Commander in Chief in & over this his Colony & Dominion of Virga with full Power & Authority to appoint all Officers both Civil & Military within the same—I reposg especial Trust in Yr Loyalty Courage & good Conduct, do by these Presents appoint You Colonel of the Virga Regimt & Commander in Chief of all the Forces...
1118II. Instructions from Robert Dinwiddie, 14 August 1755 (Washington Papers)
Instructions for Colonel George Washington Commander in Chief of the Virginia Regiment. Whereas the French have unjustly invaded His Majesty’s Lands on the Ohio, and have sent flying Parties of French and Indians, to robb, and murder our back Settlers to the Westward, which the Legislature of this Dominion having seriously taken into their Consideration, and voted Money for the Protection of...
1119III. Memorandum from Robert Dinwiddie, 14 August 1755 (Washington Papers)
Take a particular Acct of the Clothing at Majr Carlyles & those at Winchester & send me an acct of the Whole. The Provisions that remain at Alexa[ndri]a belonging to this Colony, is to be shipt for New York, desire Mr Carlyle to hire a small Sloop for that Purpose, & have the Pork & Beef Trimd & pickled. Consign the same to Robinson Esqr. & desire Remittans. in Flour—speak to the Treasurer for...
1120Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 19 August 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755, pp. 144–52. The Assembly’s long message of August 8 to Governor Morris had been the first heavy salvo in the battle over taxation of the proprietary estates. Words, however, could scarcely effect the settlement of the issue, since the governor insisted he was enjoined from approving such bills by the terms of his...
1121Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 20 August 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), p. 153. We have considered the Governor’s Message of the 16th Instant, with the Extract from Governor Lawrence’s Letter to Governor Phips, in which it is observed, “That if the excellent Laws prohibiting the Transportation of Provisions to Louisburg continue in Force for two Months longer, there...
1122To George Washington from George Mason, 21 August 1755 (Washington Papers)
I fully intended to have waited on You this Evening at Belvoir, but find myself so very unwell after my Ride from Court, that I am not able to stir abroad. I have taken the Liberty to inclose You two Bills for £300 . . . Ster: drawn by Mr Paymaster Genl Johnston on Colo. Hunter, & an Ordr on Govr Dobbs from his Son for £18.15. Ster: also a Letter for Colo. Hunter, & another for his Honr our...
1123Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 22 August 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), pp. 155–6. On August 16, while the Assembly was considering the long message to the governor which they sent three days later, Morris informed the House that, since the treasury was exhausted, he would “readily pass a Bill for striking any Sum in Paper-Money the present Exigency may require;...
1124From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 25 August 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Benjamin Franklin, Experiments and Observations on Electricity (London, 1769), pp. 356–9. As you have my former papers on Whirlwinds, &c. I now send you an account of one which I had lately an opportunity of seeing and examining myself. Being in Maryland, riding with Col. Tasker, and some other gentlemen to his country-seat, where I and my son were entertained by...
1125To George Washington from Robert Orme, 25 August 1755 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter gave me infinite Pleasure as every Mark of your Friendship & Remembrance ever will do for believe me I shall ever however seperated cultivat⟨e⟩ as close an Intercourse as our Distance will permit. I thought you very long before you writ and feard some Accident which your ill State of Health at parting from us seem to confirm. The Part of your Letter mentioning the Reflections upon...
1126From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 27 August 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library I received your Favours of May 28 and June 1. I believe I have already wrote you, that our Friend Smith is not thought here to be the Author of the Pamphlet you mention: ’Tis generally suppos’d to be the Governor’s (with some help from one or two others) as his Messages are fill’d with the same Sentiments and almost the same Expressions. He is, I think, the...
1127To George Washington from John Martin, 30 August 1755 (Washington Papers)
The Under Sherif of this County Carries Down three Deserters which were taken up here and as they are of our Brave Blues, I most Earnestly Intreat your Interest in Procuring a Pardon for them. Smith has a Sweetheart & 2 Children here & Barker a Wife which I Presume were the Loadstones that Attracted them. Permit me now Sir to Congratulate on Your Late Escape & the Immortal Honr you have Gain’d...
1128From Benjamin Franklin to Jared Eliot, 31 August 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I have been employ’d almost all this Summer in the Service of our unfortunate Army, and other publick Affairs, that have brought me greatly in Arrear with my Correspondents. I have lost the Pleasure of conversing with them, and I have lost my Labour: I wish these were the only Losses of the Year: But we have lost a Number of brave Men, and all our Credit with the...
1129William Smith to Thomas Penn, [September? 1755] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania In June 1755 Franklin had written that he “liked neither the Governor’s Conduct, nor the Assembly’s; and having some Share in the Confidence of both, I have endeavour’d to reconcile ’em but in vain,” and that “Our Friend [William] Smith will be very serviceable here.” By November, however, Franklin thought Governor Morris “half a Madman” and a year...
1130From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Pownall, [before 20 September 1755] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract reprinted from New York Colonial Documents , VI , 1008–9. Conraed Weiser informs me that the Six Nations have actually sent a Message to the Indians in their Alliance at Aukwick and the Ohio, to sharpen their arrows and prepare for war, for they are now determined to drive the French from Ohio, and do all in their power to assist the English. In a letter from Pownall to...
1131General Instructions for Recruiting, 1–3 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
General Instructions for the Recruiting Officers of the Virginia Regiment. Septr 1755. First; That each Captain shall, by beat of Drum or otherwise, Raise Thirty men; Each Lieutenant Eighteen; and each Ensign, Twelve men. Secondly: That each Captain shall appoint proper Persons to act as non—commissioned Officers, during their Recruiting Service: But those noncommissioned Officers, so...
1132From John Adams to Nathan Webb, 1 September 1755 (Adams Papers)
The Favour you granted me on aug. 12 was unluckily packeted with a number of Letters and carried to Leicester, but a certain kind Gentleman has just brought it to hand. I will not lessen the pleasure it gave by a Description. But one detestable quality that usually attends your Letters, I find has stain’d it. I think Phylosophers call it, brevity. But, on second reflection I am not surpriz’d....
1133From Benjamin Franklin to Joshua Babcock, 1 September 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Yale University Library I beg Leave to introduce to you the Revd. Mr. Allison Rector of our Academy; a Person of great Ingenuity and Learning, a catholic Divine, and what is more, an Honest Man; For as Pope says By Entertaining then this Gent. with your accustomed Hospitality and Benevolence, you will Entertain one of the Nobility. I mean one of Gods Nobility; for as to the Kings , there...
1134From Benjamin Franklin to Jared Eliot, 1 September 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I wrote to you yesterday, and now I write again. You will say, It can’t rain, but it pours: For I not only send you manuscript but living Letters. The first may be short, but the latter will be longer and yet more agreable. Mr. Bartram I believe you will find to be at least 20 folio Pages, large Paper, well fill’d, on the Subjects of Botany, Fossils, Husbandry,...
1135From Benjamin Franklin to Ezra Stiles, 1 September 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library At the same time I acknowledge the Receipt of your Favours of March 12th from New Haven, and May 20th. from Newport, I must beg your Pardon for not answering them sooner. Mr. Allison will tell you how my Time has been devoured this Summer, and how impracticable it has been for me to keep up my philosophical Correspondencies. I have not yet made the Experiment I...
1136From John Adams to Richard Cranch, 2 September 1755 (Adams Papers)
I promised to write you an account of the scituation of my mind. The natural strength of my facultys is quite insufficient for the task. Attend therefore to the invocation. Oh! thou goddess, Muse, or Whatever is thy name who inspired immortal Miltons pen with a confusion ten thousand times confounded, when describing Satan’s Voyage thro’ Chaos, help me in the same cragged strains, to sing...
1137Memorandum, 3 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
All the Officers then present received the foregoing Instructions, and money for Recruiting; and some of them were appointed to act ’till further Orders, as followeth: viz. To Captain Spotswoods Company, Lieutenant Lomax and Ensign Carter, were ordered to do Duty as Subalterns: and to Captain Harrison—Lieutenant John Hall; Ensign Nathaniel Thompson. To Captain Lewis: Lieutenant Peter...
1138Introduction to John Pringle’s Account of Gaol Fever, 4 September 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , September 4, 1755. This introduction preceded a reprinting of John Pringle’s “Account of several Persons seized with the Goal Fever, working in Newgate; and of the Manner, in which the Infection was communicated to one entire Family,” from Phil. Trans ., XLVIII , pt. I (1753), 42–55. Because of BF ’s interest in the subject as it related to German...
1139To George Washington from Joseph Ball, 5 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
It is a Sensible Pleasure to me to hear that you have behaved yourself with such a Martial Spirit in all your Engagements with the French Nigh Ohio. Go on as you have begun; and God prosper you. We have heard of General Bradock’s Defeat. Every Body Blames his Rash Conduct. Every body Commends the Courage of the Virginians and Carolina men: which is very Agreable to me. I desire you, as you may...
1140Memorandum, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
At the same time, the Instructions given to the other Subalterns were the same with these, differing only in this Respect; those who were ordered to Rendezvous at Fredericksburgh, were to apply to Mr Dick for orders, in case the Field Officer for that place was not arrived; and those who were ordered to Alexandria, were to apply to Mr Carlyle. After issuing the aforesaid Orders, I set out for...
1141From George Washington to Peter Hog, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
By the new Appointment and Regulations, you stand as eldest Captain in the Virginia Regiment; which I hope will be agreeable: I have therefore sent you your Commission, and orders to Relieve Captain Lewis; which I expect will be immediately complied with, his presence at Fredericksburgh being much wanted. As these kind of Orders will admit of no Delay; I must again repeat, that I expect your...
1142From George Washington to Peter Hog, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby Ordered, and strictly commanded, to repair immediately, upon the Receipt of this, to Jackson’s River, or the Head-Quarters of Captain Lewis’s Company; and there take upon you the Command of said Company. You are therefore to be very punctual in obeying such Orders as have or may be given, by the Governour; and such as you shall receive, from time to time, from me: And above all;...
1143From George Washington to Andrew Lewis, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
The Country have come to a Resolution, to Raise Sixteen Companies, to be Formed into a Regiment; the command of which they have honoured me with; and were kind enough to allow me the Liberty of appointing my Field Officers. In consequence of which I have commissioned you, Major, and must desire you will, so soon as Captain Hogg arrives, to take the command of your Company; repair to...
1144From George Washington to Andrew Lewis, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby ordered, to repair to Fredericksburgh immediately upon the arrival of Captain Hogg; who is to take the command of your Company: And upon applying to Mr Dick, you will meet with your Commission and Instructions—You must, before you quit your Company, be careful in collecting an exact Return of the Effectives, and non-effectives; the State of their Arms of all sorts; the...
1145Memorandum, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
After this, I sent to Mr Dick and finding him irresolute and indetermined, whether to continue to act as Commissary or no; I took an opportunity to write as followeth, in order to receive a written answer. LB , DLC:GW .
1146From George Washington to Charles Dick, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
I called at your Store last night, in order to converse farther with you, concerning the Commission of Commissary; but not meeting with you there, I have taken this method of desiring to be better informed of your Sentiments; I have enclosed you a Copy of that article of my Instructions, which empowers me to appoint another , in case you do not act; that you may see by what authority I am...
1147Memorandum, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Mr Dick hereupon Resolved, to act until a Meeting of the Committee in October—and Received the following Orders. LB , DLC:GW .
1148From George Washington to Charles Dick, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Orders for Mr Commissary Dick You are hereby ordered, to ascertain as near as possible the Country’s Debts, that they may be transmitted to the Governour. You are to Lay in Provisions at Winchester, Fredericksburgh and Alexandria, as they arrive, and to send up a Quantity of Salt for Curing the Beef at Fort Cumberland—Also to procure Coopers to make Casks for Pickling the Beef. You are to...
1149From George Washington to Andrew Lewis, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Instructions for Major Lewis. 1st So soon as you arrive in Town, you are to take upon you the Command of the Troops that are Recruited, and brought in from the different Counties by the several Officers: and after Reviewing, you are to Receive and reject such men as fall under the enclosed Instructions; which were delivered to each Recruiting Officer, to Regulate his Conduct by. 2dly You are...
1150From George Washington to Robert Spotswood, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
As soon as you arrive in Town with your Recruits, you are to put yourself under the Command of Major Andrew Lewis, or the Field Officer appointed for that Rendezvous: and you are to be strictly obedient to all such lawful Commands, as you shall from time to time receive from him: and particularly to observe, that the Muster Rolls of your Men are regularly called three times a day, and that...