From George Washington to Thomas Bryan Martin, 10 October 1755
To Thomas Bryan Martin
Winchester October 10th 1755.
Copy of a Letter to Colonel Martin.
Dear Sir,
Captain Harden1 arrived in about half an hour after you went away, and informs me, he has about Seventeen Men coming to Town.
This I thought proper to acquaint you of, that you may advise with his Lordship, whether with these Rangers in Town, the Twenty odd you spoke off, and those Captain Smith thinks he is sure of getting,2 it would not be necessary to attempt Something—I have sent off these two Men you saw for Intelligence,3 but have little hope of any Satisfactory account from one of them, who seems much addicted to Drinking. Pray make my Compliments to His Lordship, and believe me to be, Yours &c.
G:W.
If you think these men and Officers may be depended upon; I do not know but it would be advisable, to send them up: it will at least be a Strong Reconnoitering Party.
LB, DLC:GW.
1. A committee of the House of Burgesses reported on 3 June 1757 that “Capt. John Hardin and his Company of Militia, in Frederick County, were in the Service of the Country eight Days each” and were entitled to their pay (, 483–85). John Hardin was a justice of the peace in Frederick County in 1755 and was sheriff in 1758.
2. This is almost certainly Jeremiah Smith of Frederick County, the same Captain Smith to whom GW refers in his orders to John Hardin and Thomas Lemen, 11 Oct. 1755, and in his letter to Henry Harrison, 23 April 1756.
3. GW is referring to Power Hazel and James Sands. See GW’s Memorandum, 10 Oct. 1755, n.2.