To George Washington from Charles Smith, 24 July 1758
From Charles Smith
Fort Loudoun July the 24th 1758
Dr Burgis
I have the Happiness to Inform You Your Friends have been Very Sincere so that were Carried by a Number of Votes more than any Candidate, as by the Numbers under Certifyed. Colo: James Wood Sat on the Bench, and Represented Your Honour,1 and was Carried round the Town with a General applause, Huzawing Colo. Washington, pray Excuse my haste. I am Entertaining Your and my Friends, and am with Due Regard Your Most Humble Servt
Charles Smith
P.S. The representitives that Sat up were as Followeth and Number of Votes Viz.
Your Honour | 307 | |
Colo. Martin | 240 | |
Captn Swearingen | 45 | |
Hugh West | 199 | |
791 | —the half is 395 |
This is the True State of the Ellection.2
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. At elections, candidates for a seat in the House of Burgesses usually sat at both ends of the table in the courthouse where the sheriff assisted by several senior justices presided over the taking of the poll of the freeholders by voice vote. James Wood, the leading citizen of Winchester and its founder, sat at the table to thank those who voted for the absent young colonel.
2. The poll sheet an enclosure in Charles Smith to GW, 26 July. See also John McNeill to GW, this date.