1From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 29 May 1754 (Washington Papers)
To answer your Honour’s Letter of the 25th by Mr Birney —I shall begin with assuring you, that nothing was farther from my intention than to recede, thô I then pressd and still desire that my Services may be voluntary rather than on the present Pay—I am much concernd that your Honour should seem to charge me with ingratitude for your generous, and my undeserved favours, for I assure you Honble...
2From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 13 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
Majr Lewis being at Winchester when your Letter came to hand was immediately dispatchd to Augusta to take upon him the command of the Troops destin’d against the Shawnesse Town with orders to follow such directions as he shoud receive from you. this scheme thô I am apprehensive will prove abortive as we are told that those Indians are removd up the River—into the Neighbourhood of Du-quisne. I...
3From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 20 August 1754 (Washington Papers)
Mr Peyrouney solliciting for leave to attend the Assembly, hoping to have some allowance made for his loss of Cloaths &ca which he sustaind in common with us all, and being not thoroughly cur’d of his Wounds which has hitherto render’d him unfit for Duty I thought it proper to indulge him in his request, and he now comes for the purpose aforesaid —By him I again take the Liberty of...
4From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 10 June 1752 (Washington Papers)
Being impatient to know Colo. Fitzhugh’s result; I went to Maryland as I returned Home He is willing to accept of the Adjutancy of the Northern Neck, if he can obtain it on the terms he proposes; which he hardly expects will be granted Him: The inclosed is his Letter, wherein I believe he inform’s of his intention. He told Me, he would, when conveniency admitted, build a House in Virginia, at...
5From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 27 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
I sent an Express to Fort Cumberland on Tuesday last, who is just returned with the enclosed Letters; which I send, to prevent the trouble of extracting a part. In my letter to Colonel Stephen, I did, among other things, inform him of the accusations laid to his charge; and that he must expect to have the matter enquired into: your Honor will see what he says upon the subject. Desolation and...
6From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 29 May 1754 (Washington Papers)
Since writing the other, I have still stronger presumption, indeed almost confirmation that they were sent as Spyes, and were order’d to wait near us till they were truely informd of our Intention’s, situation, strength, &ca and were to have acquainted the Commander therewith and laid lurking near for Reinforcements before they served the Summon’s if it at all. I doubt not but they will...
7From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, August 1754 (Washington Papers)
As I wrote so lately and fully, to you by Mr Polson, on the subject of the Orders I had received, I have little to add now, only to acqaint your Honour, that as far as it is in my power, I shall endeavour to comply with them: what Men we can, we do enlist; but to send Officers into different parts for that purpose, would be unavailing, as they neither have money, nor can get any. I have given...
8From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 3 June 1754 (Washington Papers)
The Half King with abt 25 Familys contg near 80 Person’s including women and children arriv’d here last night. He has given me some acct of the Twigtwee’s, Wyendotts and several other Nations of Indians which I have transmitted to your Honour by an express as you enquird circumstancially in your last and I was then unable to give any acct at all of them. The French early in the Spring sent a...
9From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 17 September 1757 (Washington Papers)
A letter of the 22d ultimo from Captn Peachy, came to my hands the other day—contents as follows (here was inserted the letter.) I shou’d take it infinitely kind if your Honor would please to inform me, whether a report of this nature was ever made to you; and in that case, who was the author of it? It is evident from a variety of circumstances, and especially from the change in your Honors...
10From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 18 July 1755 (Washington Papers)
As I am favourd with an oppertunity, I shoud think myself inexcusable, was I to omit givg you some acct of our late Engagemt with the French on the Monongahela the 9th Inst. We continued our March from Fort Cumberland to Frazer’s (which is within 7 Miles of Duquisne) witht meetg with any extraordinary event, havg only a stragler or two picked Up by the French Indians. When we came to this...
11From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 14 August 1756 (Washington Papers)
The return of the Express that came with La Force’s escape (for which accident I am extremely concerned; and fear its productions if he is not retaken) affords me an opportunity to inform your Honor, of some occurrences which have happened since my last. Repeated complaints and applications from all quarters for men; but more especially from the Garrisons which secure the communication with...
12From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 14 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
When I was down the Committee among other things resolved that the Maryland and Carolina Companies shoud not be supported with our Provisions—This Resolve (I think) met with your Approbation; upon which I wrote to Colo. Stephen desiring him to acquaint Capt. Dagworthy thereof, who paid slight Regard to it, saying it was in the Kings Garrison and all the Troops had an equal Right to draw...
13From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 10 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
I received your Honors letter of the 27th ultimo by Jenkins. The whole of the Militia from the adjacent counties that arrived here did not amount to more than 170 men: One half of those were unarmed, and the whole without ammunition or provisions. I detained such as were fit for Service, and discharged the rest; with threats to acquaint your Honor with the naked manner in which they came out....
14From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 10 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 23d ultimo and 2d [1st] instant are received. Mr Atkin will write your Honor by this opportunity; therefore my observations shall be principally confined to Indian Affairs. In the first place, I fear that, the different colonies struggling with each other for their assistance, will be productive of very great Evils; and, in the end, introduce insupportable expence to these...
15From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 23 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
The method I shall use to inform your Honour of the proceedings of the Militia, is to enclose a Transcript of my Journal that relates to that Affair; and to send a copy of a Council of War held here by the Field Officers of these Counties you were pleased to order to our assistance —These, I hope, will be sufficient to discover the springs that actuated my Conduct. The spirit of Desertion was...
16From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 10 June 1754 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 1st, 2d, & 4th Ulto I receivd by the Post and return your Honour my hearty thanks for your kind congratulation on our late success—which I hope to improve without risquing the imputation of rashness or hazarding what a prudent conduct woud forbid. I rejoice that I am likely to be happy under the Command off an experienced Officer and a Man of Sense —it is what I have most ardently...
17From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 12 January 1757 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 27th ultimo came to hand the 9th instant—I wrote to your Honor by Capt. Spotswood (who was charged with the care of the Cuttawba Indians as far as Williamsburgh) that I had sent Colo. Stephen with a Detachment, to bring the mutineers on the Branch to this place in irons. They were secured before he got there; and he has brought all but six, who deserted from Capt. Joshua...
18From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 11 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
I had just closed mine yesterday, and was going to send off Jenkins with it, when yours of the 24th ultimo came to hand. The Deserters apprehended at Maidstone, were treated with such lenity as their subsequent behaviour convinces me was misplaced: Several of them having since deserted. This infamous practice, wherein such numbers of our men have (by means of the villainy and ill-judged...
19From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 16 April 1757 (Washington Papers)
Your letter by Express, of the 8th Instant I fear has fallen into the hands of the common Enemy, for I never have seen it—The other of the 7th I this day received: and being exceedingly embarrassed to come at your Honors intentions, and really at a loss to know in what manner to act, in such perplexed and difficult circumstances—I called a council of Officers to my aid; the result of their...
20From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 20 September 1757 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Robert Dinwiddie, 20 Sept. 1757. On 24 Sept. 1757 Dinwiddie wrote to GW: “I recd Yours of the 20th.”
21From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 14 January 1757 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Robert Dinwiddie, 14 Jan. 1757. On 26 Jan. 1757 Dinwiddie wrote to GW : “Yr Letter of the 14th I shall answer by Jenkins.”
22From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 12 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
After Jenkins left this yesterday evening, the enclosed, from Capt. Dagworthy, came to hand. We have pretty many men, and very few arms here (that are fit for service). I must now beg the favor of your Honor, to send me a commission for holding General Courts’-martial; as I apprehend that which I had under the former act, was no longer in force, than while that act existed. Irregularity and...
23From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 24 May 1757 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer of this is Sergeant Feint, a young fellow who went out with the first party of Cuttawba Indians, commanded by Captain Johny and taken near the french fort at the time we supposed and reported him to be killed, from the information which the Indians brought in. He made his escape from a small Delaware Town on a branch of Muskingum called white womans creek, in company with a Cuttawba...
24From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 3 March 1754 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Robert Dinwiddie, Belvoir, 3 Mar. 1754. On 15 Mar. 1754 Dinwiddie wrote to GW : “Yr two Letters of the 3d & 7th Currt I recd.” At this time GW had returned from a largely unsuccessful attempt to raise men in Frederick County and was engaged in recruiting men and supplies in Alexandria. See also GW to Dinwiddie, 7 Mar. 1754 .
25From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 4 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
Since writing to your Honor yesterday, a very base and villainous scheme has been discovered; which has been I believe, the sole cause of 18 Soldiers deserting from us last night. The Gentleman concerned is our (late Ensign) Denis McCarty; of whose Character and practises, the enclosed Depositions will afford your Honor a specimen: and with whom all ties of honor and morality are of no force....
26From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 9 March 1754 (Washington Papers)
In my last by Mr Stuart I slightly mentioned the objection many had against Enlisting (to wit) not knowing who was to be Pay Master, or the times for Payment: It is now grown a pretty general Clamour, and some of those who were amongst the first Enlister’s; being Needy, and knowing it to be usual for His Majesty’s Soldiers to be paid once a Week, or at most every Fortnight, are very...
27From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 23 September 1756 (Washington Papers)
Under your kind indulgence I came to this place a few days ago, expecting to meet the Executors of my deceased Brother; in order to make a final settlement of his affairs: I was disappointed tho’ in this design, by the Assembly having called away the principal persons concerned; which I was unacquainted with until Jenkins’s return, near about the same time that I got down. I shall remark, in...
28From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 3 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
I received your two Letters of the 23d and 26th ultimo. I have sent down an indian scalp which was taken off at the place where Captain Mercer had his Engagement. He was found thrust under some rocks, and stones piled up against them. They have reason to believe there were more killed, from the quantity of blood found on the ground, where the Indians fired from; and from other discoveries of...
29From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 28 July 1754 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Robert Dinwiddie, 28 July 1754. On 3 Aug. 1754 Dinwiddie wrote to GW : “I recd Yrs of the 28th ulto.”
30From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 4 August 1756 (Washington Papers)
Giving the necessary Orders and Directions about the chain of Forts to be built on the Frontiers, has kept me so closely employed, that I could not write fully to your Honor until this . But I have got that trouble now pretty well off my hands, as I have dispatched orders, plans and tools to all the officers appointed to that Duty. By the enclosed Council held at Fort Cumberland, your Honor...
31From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 25 June 1756 (Washington Papers)
I doubt not but your Honour will be as much surprized, as I have been concerned and vexed at my stay here. When I left Williamsburgh, I did it with a design to proceed with the utmost expedition to Fort Cumberland. In order thereto, I arrived at Fredericksburgh to Dinner, the day after I left your Honour, at one o’clock; and gave the officer, posted at that place, a list of such tools as were...
32From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 20 March 1754 (Washington Papers)
I was favour’d with your Honours Letter by Mr Steward, inclosing a Lieutt Colo.’s Commission; for which Promotion, I hope my future Behaviour will sufficiently testifie the true sense I have of the kindness; and as I intend strictly to adhere to all the proper Rules (as far as it is in my power) and discipline of the Profession I have now enter’d into; I am vain enough to believe, I shall not...
33From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 9 December 1756 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Robert Dinwiddie, 9 December 1756. On 15 Dec. 1756 Dinwiddie wrote to GW : “Yours of the 9th I have recd.”
34From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 11 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
After waiting a day or two at Fredericksburgh, writing Orders for the Recruiting Officers appointed to that Rendezvous, and dispatching an Express for Major Lewis, who I have ordered Captain Hogg to relieve; I set out for this place in order to examine the Clothing, Provisions, &c.; an exact Return of which I herewith send. I also enclose your Honour a List of such Things as Major Carlyle can...
35From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 9 October 1757 (Washington Papers)
To Governor Dinwiddie Honble Sir, [Fort Loudoun] Octob. 9th 1757. As I wrote to your Honor fully by Jenkins; have little more to add, than the affair hinted at in my last, on the conduct of the Majistrates here, which (from what I can collect) appears to me to be of a most extraordinary nature and whose substance is, or nearly, as follows. vizt From what the court of Enquiry, upon the...
36From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 5 December 1755 (Washington Papers)
I have sent the Bearer Captain John Mercer (who has accompts to settle with the Committee) to the Treasurer for the balance of that ten thousand pounds; and to acquaint your Honour, that meeting with Letters at Fredericksburgh, as I returned from Williamsburgh; informing me that all was peaceable above, and that nothing was so immediately wanting as Salt. I got what I could at that place, and...
37From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 10 March 1757 (Washington Papers)
We may I think with great Propriety and Justice represent. That—The Virginia Regiment was the first in arms of any Troops upon the Continent, in the prest War. That—The three Years which they have Servd has been one continued Scene of Action. That—whilst other Troops have an agreeable recess in Winter Quarters, the Nature of the Service in which we are engagd, and the smallness of Our Numbers...
38From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 16 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
This instant the enclosed letters came to my hands —I have not lost a moments time in transmitting them to you, as I look upon the intelligence to be of the utmost importance. If the enemy are coming down in such numbers and with such a train of artillery as we are bid to expect, Fort Cumberland must inevitably fall into their hands, as no timely efforts can be made to relieve the Garrison. I...
39From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 16 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
All my Ideal hopes, of raising a Number of Men, to scour the adjacent Mountains, have vanished into Nothing. Yesterday was the appointed Time, for a general Rendezvous of all who were willing to accompany Me, for that desirable End; and only 15 appeared: so that I find myself reduced, to the farther Necessity, of waiting at this Place a few Days longer, till the Arrival of a Party, which was...
40From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 24 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Not an hour, nay, scarcely a minute passes, that does not produce fresh alarms and melancholy accounts. So that I am distracted what to do! nor is it possible for me to give the people the necessary assistance for their defence; upon account of the small number of men we have, or is likely to be here, for sometime. The Inhabitants are removing daily; and in a short time will leave this County...
41From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 29 May 1757 (Washington Papers)
Mr Atkins delay is productive of numberless ill consequences. I am teased incessantly by the Indians to know when he will come; and have put them off so long, that their patience is quite exhausted; and several of them are going off without waiting his arrival. Among these are three who I must beg leave to recommend to your Honors particular notice—The first is Capt. Aires, about Hixayoura; a...
42From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 2 February 1756 (Washington Papers)
I can but return my very hearty thanks for your kind condescension in suffering me to wait upon General Shirley; as I am very assured it was done with intention to favour my Suit. There is as yet an unanswerable argument against our taking the Field, which I forgot to mention in my last; that is, the want of a Train of Artillery; and, what is full as necessary, Engineers to conduct the Affair,...
43From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 25 April 1754 (Washington Papers)
Captain Trents Ensign Mr Ward this Day arrived from the Forks of Monongehele, and brings the disagreeable account that the Fort on the Seventeenth Instant was surrender’d at the summons of Captain Contrecour to a Body of French consisting of upwards of one Thousand Men, who came from Vena[n]go with Eighteen pieces of Cannon, Sixty Battoes, and three Hundred Canoes: they gave him liberty to...
44From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 10 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Mercer returned the 7th with sixteen of the Deserters; the other two escaped his diligence. They confirm the suspicion of Mr McCarty’s villany, by confessing, he had inveigled them with promises of protection, rewards, and good usage! and a deep-laid plan was concerted for accomplishing his base designs, binding each individual with an oath to follow him; to stand true to each other in...
45From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 27 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured with yours of the 16th instant by the cherokee warrior, autasity, who I am in hopes will be of service to us. I hinted to Mr Gun your Honors’ proposals. He seemed surprized, and said you well knew he wou’d not serve for Lieutenants pay. I do not understand he has much to say with the Indians. Yours of the 20th came safe to hand. and as I wrote to you, by Jenkins concerning the...
46From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 9 May 1754 (Washington Papers)
I acquainted your Honour by Mr Ward with the determination’s, which we prosecuted in 4 Days after his Departure, as soon as Waggons arrived to convey our Provisions. The want of proper Conveyances has much retarded this Expedition, and at this time, unfortunately delay’d the Detachment I have the Honour to command—Even when we came to Wills Ck my disappointments were not less than before, for...
47From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 21 August 1754 (Washington Papers)
The bearer hereof Mr Wright discovering an Inclination to the Art Military, & having in some Measure made it his Study I have taken the liberty to recommend him to your Honour for one of the Vacancy’s in the Virginia Regiment; this I do with more assurance of succeeding, as Mr Wrights Character for good Sense and Sobriety, will render him worthy the favour you may please to confer, and I dare...
48From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 18 May 1754 (Washington Papers)
I receiv’d your Honour’s favour by Mr Ward, who arrivd here last Night just as two Indians from the Ohio Did—Which Indian’s contradict the Report of the French having receivd reinforcements, thô they agree that 800 Men are very shortly expected: those that are there, are busily employd in Erecting the Fort which they have remov’d to the point I recommended for the Countrys use, whose Walls...
49From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 27 May 1754 (Washington Papers)
The 25th Ult. by an Express from Colo. Fry I receiv’d the News of your Honour’s arrival at Winchester and desire of seeing the Half King and other Chiefs of the 6 Nations —I have by Sundry Speeches and messages invited him Monacatoocha &ca to meet me and have reason to expect he is on his Road as he only purposd to settle his People to planting at a place choose on Monongehele Yaughyaughgane...
50From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 24 October 1757 (Washington Papers)
To The Governor. Honble Sir. [Fort Loudoun] Octob. 24th 1757. Your favour of the 19th instant was delivered to me this evening. The raising a company of Rangers, or augmenting our strength in some other manner, is so far necessary, that without it, the remaining inhabitants of this (once fertile and populous valley) will scarcely be detained at their dwellings ’till the Spring. And, if there...