31From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 28 August 1762 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured with your Epistle wrote on a certain 25th of July when you ought to have been at Church, praying as becomes every good Christian Man who has as much to answer for as you have—strange it is that you will be so blind to truth that the enlightening sounds of the Gospel cannot reach your Ear, nor no Examples awaken you to a sense of Goodness—could you but behold with what religious...
32From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 9 September 1770 (Washington Papers)
If this Letter reaches you in time, it will serve to ask if you have any commands to Yaughyaughgany, as I purpose to set out for that part of the World about the 3d or 4th day of Octr Next for a Short stay —A Report prevails here that the Ministry have lately granted to a Company in England, a large Tract of Country on the Ohio (Including the Lands we have just given £2500 Sterg for) to be...
33From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 20 April 1773 (Washington Papers)
The interruption of the Post for several Weeks, prevented our receiving the melancholy account of your loss till within these few days. That we sympathize in the misfortune, and lament the decree which has deprivd you of so dutiful a Child, & the World of so promising a young Lady, stands in no need, I hope, of argument to proove; but the ways of Providence being inscrutable, and the justice...
34From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 2 August 1765 (Washington Papers)
By a craft sent round by Captn Boyes we had the pleasure to hear you were all well, but suffering with the drought as we are—We have never had the Ground wet in this Neighborhood since the heavy Rains which fell about the first of May; in June early we had a Shower that refreshed the Corn, & gave a little start to Hemp; but the dry weather which followed, and hath since continued, renders our...
35From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 9 August 1773 (Washington Papers)
As I wrote to you by the last Post, and nothing New has happend since, this Letter only serves to cover the Inclosed to Mrs Bassett. The Horse Abel left here, is got quite well of his Lameness, but not recoverd of an exceeding swelld, & sore back which he received in coming up—This, and the boy telling me you did not work, or put him to any particular kind of Service, is the Reason why I have...
36From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 16 January 1775 (Washington Papers)
Mount Vernon 16 January 1775 . The description of this letter in the dealer’s catalog reads: “Immediately upon my return from Col. Mercers sale . . . I wrote you a letter, by post, on the melancholy occasion of your sons death. . . . Mrs. Washington, Mr. & Miss Custis intend to accompany me down to the Assembly but it will be the 4th, possibly the 11th of the Month (Feby) before I shall see...
37From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 18 June 1769 (Washington Papers)
As we have come to a Resolution to set of (if nothing unforeseen happens to prevent it) for the warmsprings about the 18th of next Month; I do, according to promise, give you notice thereof, & shoud be glad of your Company up with us, if you still entertain thought⟨s⟩ of trying the effects of those waters. You will have occasion to provide nothing, if I can be advisd of your Intention’s,...
38From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 12 July 1773 (Washington Papers)
Abel set of on Friday last to return, but his Horse fell lame and he came back before he reachd Colchester—I thought it better to keep him a day or two to see if the Horse could travel, than send him of upon one of mine; but finding the swelling in his Leg no better, I have fixd him of upon a small thing of mine which you will please to send over to Claiborne’s. In the mean while your Horse...
39From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 12 February 1774 (Washington Papers)
I find there will go some matters from this country, which will make my attendance at the Assembly necessary; this I cannot possibly do and go over the Mountains this Spring. I have therefore determined, much against my Inclination & Interest, to postpone my Trip to the Ohio till after Harvest (as I cannot well be absent from home at that Season.) As March therefore (at least the first of it)...
40From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 15 February 1773 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 5th came to my hands in course of Post, last Thursday, and fill’d us with no small concern at the Indisposition of yourself and Family —equally concernd am I to hear of the unhappy state of our Paper Currency, and that the Interposition of the Assembly is thought necessary—should this measure be resolvd on, be so good as to advise Me, whether it be intended that the Country...
41From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 15 December 1771 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Burwell Bassett, 15 Dec. 1771. On 21 Dec. Bassett wrote to GW : “Your favour of the 15 Inst. I receive in Wmsburg yesterday.”
42From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 5 July 1763 (Washington Papers)
So good an oppertunity as Turner Crump on a visit to his Father (affords) I coud not omit of asking how you do; for I have nothing to require, and as little to communicate in this Epistle, as it cannot be News to inform you, that the Peace of the Frontier Inhabitants seems to have met with almost as rude a shock from the late Indian Insults, as it did from any of their Barbarities in the...
43From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 20 June 1773 (Washington Papers)
It is an easier matter to conceive, than to describe, the distress of this Family; especially that of the unhappy Parent of our Dear Patcy Custis, when I inform you that yesterday removd the Sweet Innocent Girl into a more happy, & peaceful abode than any she has met with, in the afflicted Path she hitherto has trod. She rose from Dinner about four Oclock, in better health and spirits than she...
44From George Washington to Thomas Basset, 4 May 1758 (Washington Papers)
To Mr T. Basset—Engineer. Sir Fort L[oudou]n May 4th 1758. Your letter of the 27th ultimo came to my hands only last night. I have received no Orders yet for marching 2,00 men to Enoch’s; when I do, you shall be informed thereof. I am Sir, Your most obedient, humble Servant, LB , DLC:GW .
45From George Washington to William Baylis, 21 July 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are to use your utmost endeavours with the men under your command, to gather in all the Harvest on the Plantations abandoned by the Inhabitants, and secure it in the best manner you can. You are also to assist the inhabitants about you all you can in collecting their harvest; and guard them while they are about it. Let Captain Hamilton, and the rest of the Officers of the Militia, know the...
46From George Washington to John Baylor, 10 June 1757 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Baylor, 10 June 1757. On 20 June 1757 Baylor wrote to GW : “Yrs of the 10th I rec’d.”
47From George Washington to Alexander Beall, 20 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 19th instant came to hand about noon this day—As there now remain but a few Indians here, who cou’d by no means be prevailed on to return towards Fort Cumberland, altho’ so much wanted on that Quarter; imagining we wished to sacrifice them by attempting to expose them to (what they think) certain destruction, they positively refused marching until they saw such numbers as wou’d...
48From George Washington to George Beall, 2 June 1756 (Washington Papers)
I have Governor Dinwiddie’s orders to remove the Cannon &c. from Rock-creek to Winchester: In consequence thereof, I have ordered down ten waggons for that purpose: and desire that you will deliver them and all the appurtenances thereunto belonging; together with about five hundred weight of Rice or Barley: as I understand, a large quantity of one or the other was lodged in the Stores under...
49From George Washington to Joshua Beall, 1 November 1757 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 25th ultimo was delivered me to-day —If you had been more explicit in relating the circumstances of the abuse you were pleased to complain of, I shou’d have been better enabled to judge of the fact. But, after confessing, as you have done, that you made no enquiry at all into the affair, I am not more surprized at your making the complaint, than I am at a loss how to redress...
50From George Washington to David Bell, 28 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
I have Ordered Ensign Fleming to Repair to Captain Hoggs Company with eight good men; which I expect you will see immediately complied with. He is to account with you for his recruiting money before he leaves you. You are hereby ordered, peremptorily, to be at this place with what men you have, or can enlist by the 1st of December. Your late disobedience of Orders has greatly displeased me—It...
51From George Washington to David Bell, 8 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
To Captain David Bell. of the Virginia Regiment. You are Hereby Ordered to proceed immediately to Conogochege; and are there to take upon you the Command of the Troops now stationed there, for defence of the Stores, &c.—You are to endeavour with all possible expedition, to procure a sufficient number of Batteaus and Canoes (assisted by those which are already gone up with Captain Gist) to...
52From George Washington to David Bell, 22 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Waggons will be sent down to Conogochiege to bring some provisions to this place. Let the chief part of their loads be Flour; and put some Beef and Fish into each waggon—Take care to reserve a sufficient quantity for your own and Captain Gist’s Company, for a month. Captain Gist and you must remain at Conogochieg until further Orders: you must not neglect to procure as many Canoes as possible....
53Orders, 15 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Instructions for the Commanding Officer at Winchester. 1st So soon as you arrive in Town, you are hereby Ordered to take upon yourself the Command of the Recruits Raised and brought in by the several Officers appointed to that Rendezvous; and to keep it until another Officer arrive, who shall be Senior to yourself in Rank: then and in that case, you are immediately to give up the command, and...
54From George Washington to David Bell, 6 September 1756 (Washington Papers)
I received yours of the 15th August; which I had answered before I received yours of the 25th —I am sorry the Rangers seem to dislike the Service so much, but am still in hopes, the encouragement given by the committee will have some weight with them. They have allowed our Soldiers 8d. per day, with [no] deductions for clothes or Surgeon: A General Hospital is established for their reception...
55From George Washington to David Bell, 10 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
As the Inhabitants of the place seem much alarmed, and under continued apprehensions of being attacked—It is my Orders, that you keep out constant Scouting Parties of the Light Horse, &c. in order that you may receive timely notice of the approach of the Enemy; which you are immediately to communicate to the Inhabitants. If you think you can strengthen the place where you are, by throwing up...
56From George Washington to David Bell, 12 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
If you find it impossible to procure a sufficient number of canoes to transport the Stores at Conogchieg to Fort Cumberland at one Trip[,] you are to endeavour to engage as many as you can, to be in readiness against Captain Gists return: and then proceed with them, and those that come with Captain Gist, to Fort Cumberland. Captain Gist is to remain at Conogochieg with his Party, until further...
57From George Washington to David Bell, 14–15 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
It is my Orders that you send out Scouting Parties of the Light Horse as often as it can possibly be done, without too much fatiguing them. And you must order them to scour the Woods round for six or seven miles: as I am informed they never proceeded more than three or four miles upon any of their Scouts, heretofore. LB , DLC:GW .
58From George Washington to David Bell, 15 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
If it happens that I am not in Winchester when you arrive there with your Recruits; You are hereby ordered to put yourself &c. under the Command of the oldest officer then present; observing particularly, all such Directions as you shall from time to time receive from him. But, if it should so fall out, that you are the first that arrive there, or if you should be the oldest Officer there; you...
59From George Washington to David Bell, 3 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
As His Majesty’s Service requires that the Garrison at Fort Cumberland should be Strengthened; You are hereby Ordered, to march your Recruits to that place immediately, and to put yourself under the Command of Lieutenant Colonel Stephen, or in his absence, the Officer commanding the Fort. Given under my hand, this 3d of October 1755. LB , DLC:GW .
60From George Washington to David Bell, 25 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
As the roads at present are so much infested, I do not think it safe to send the things you wrote for until another opportunity. I must desire that you will be very diligent, and guard against a Surprize from the Enemy, as they will certainly attact you, if they find it possible to surprize you. You are to detach Ensign Crawford with twenty men, to reconnoitre the Country towards Hites, on...