2331To George Washington from Peter Hog, 1 January 1757 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Peter Hog, 1 Jan. 1757. On 26 Jan. 1757 GW wrote : “Yours from Staunton of the 1st instant I have received.”
2332From George Washington to Thomas Bullitt, 1 January 1757 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Thomas Bullitt, 1 Jan. 1757. On 24 Mar. 1757 Bullitt wrote to GW : “I Recd yours Janry 1st.”
2333From George Washington to John Campbell, Earl of Loudoun, 10 January 1757 (Washington Papers)
To the Right Honourable The Earl of Loudoun, General, and Commander in Chief of all His Majesty’s Forces in North America. and Governor, and Commander in Chief of His Majesty’s most Ancient Colony and Dominion of Virginia. My Lord Fort Cumberland [Md.] January 10th 1757 The following Sheets contain a Concise, Candid, and Submissive Account of Affairs on this Quarter: particularly of the...
2334From 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...
2335From Benjamin Franklin to Elizabeth Hubbart, 13 January 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Story is well told and entertaining Only let me admonish you of a small tho’ common Fault of Story-tellers. You should not have introduc’d it by telling me how comical it was, especially a Post before you sent the Story it self: For when the Expectation is rais’d too high, ’tis a Disadvantage to the Thing expected. But let us not be merely entertain’d...
2336From George Washington to William Fairfax, 13 January 1757 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to William Fairfax, 13 Jan. 1757. On 22 Jan. 1757 Fairfax wrote to GW : “This Evening I had the Pleasure to receive your Favor of the 13th inst.”
2337From 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.”
2338To George Washington from Alexander Lunan, 14 January 1757 (Washington Papers)
By order of Colo. John Carlyle of Alexandria I send You by the bearer John Spore —Two Matted Bales qr. 22½ Rheam’s of Cartridge sorted. one long Box. contg four X Cutt saws. and 4 Whip saws. with the Handles, Files, Setts, and every thing ready fitted, the Saws are also Sharpd. & as they are extreamly well pack’d up, I hope they’l come safe to hand; they are the very best of the kinds I could...
2339Memorandum on Allowances for Officers’ Quarters, 20 January 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Library of Congress The Commissioners voted to allow the Officers of the King’s Forces, instead of Quarters Quarters were demanded of the City of Philadelphia for a Number of Officers of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Americans and one Independent Company. Billets were accordingly delivered out by the Mayor, on the Inns and other Publick Houses of the City, for the Number of Officers...
2340From George Washington to John Carlyle, 20 January 1757 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Carlyle, 20 Jan. 1757. On 22 Jan. 1757 Carlyle wrote to GW : “... In Answer to Yours of the 20th Inst.”
2341Timothy Horsfield to the Provincial Commissioners, 21 January 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Draft (incomplete): American Philosophical Society The last week Jo Peeby and Lewis Montour Came here and produced His Honour the Governour’s Pass to go to the Indian Countrey, requireing all Persons to Assist them with Such Necessary’s they Stood in need of to prosecute their Journey In Obedience to His Honour I Accordingly help’t them to Every thing they requird of Me, as per the Brethrens...
2342To George Washington from John Carlyle, 22 January 1757 (Washington Papers)
After I had wrote to Capt. Mercer I find the Wagons will not Leave The Town before I finish This In Answer to Yours of the 20th Inst. When I Wrote you & Capt. Mercer I Cou’d give no Guess at the Packages. Nor cou’d I tell What Quantity of Wagons Will doe for the things Under Contract. I beleive Twelve or fourteen Wagons will doe the Other Goods Order’d by Yr Letter of June The 20th Such as...
2343To George Washington from William Fairfax, 22 January 1757 (Washington Papers)
This Evening I had the Pleasure to receive your Favor of the 13th inst. I desird only a Sketch and You have kindly sent Me an expressive One of what I desird to know. Bryan Fx has partook of several merry Meetings and Dancings in Westmorland and Essex and it’s said addresses Miss T——ville. If He succeeds, his Friends may excuse his quitting the Military. A Life that do’s Honour to the Worthy...
2344To Benjamin Franklin from John Waring, 24 January 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I trouble You with this [to inform you of?] the Death of a worthy Clergyman the [Reverend Henry?] Wheatley, Lecturer of St. Leonard Shoreditch, [who named?] me the Sole Executor of his last Will, by which [he leaves?] a Legacy to some of his Relations now (if alive) at Philadelphia in the following words: “I give and bequeath to Benjamin Franklin Esq. of...
2345Provincial Commissioners to William Denny, 25 January 1757 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from I Pennsylvania Archives , III , 93–5. The ammunition and other Things applied for by Captain Calender, and allowed by the Commissioners, are sent up some time since, except three Drums which were not then to be had, but will be sent per the first Opportunity. With this your Honour will receive an Account of the quantity of Ammunition sent, and thereby can judge...
2346Pennsylvania Assembly: Remonstrance to William Denny, [26 January 1757] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1756–1757 (Philadelphia, 1757), pp. 73–4. On Nov. 24, 1756, at the Assembly’s request, Governor Denny had submitted an estimate of military expenses in the province for the coming year totaling over £127,000, and on December 15 the House resolved that £100,000 “be granted to His Majesty for the Service of the current Year.”...
2347From George Washington to Peter Hog, 26 January 1757 (Washington Papers)
Yours from Staunton of the 1st instant I have received. I am sorry you did not make a final settlement of your accompts, as it was for that purpose I appointed the meeting. As I do not meddle with any accompts or vouchers relative to provision, you must still settle that matter with the Commissary in the best manner you can, as it was prevented before, and draw upon him for money. At present I...
2348To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 26 January 1757 (Washington Papers)
Yrs of the 12th I recd—I am very sorry for the Mutiny You mention on the So. Branch, & I greatly approve the Steps You took to stop it; I hope the six Deserters have been apprehended & punish’d; the Persons under Sentence of Death, I hear some of them are Serjeants & Corporals, it’s a most aragant Affair in them to promote & countenance Mutiny for which they deserve the Sentence pass’d on...
2349Pennsylvania Assembly: Appointment of Franklin as Agent to Go to England, and His acceptance, [28 January 1757–3 … (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1756–1757 (Philadelphia, 1757), pp. 75, 76, 78. The sequence of events resulting in the appointment of Franklin as agent to represent the Assembly in England in its disputes over the instruction on the taxation of proprietary estates and related grievances is indicated by the following extracts from the Assembly Journals. The...
2350From George Washington to James Cuninghame, 28 January 1757 (Washington Papers)
When the inclos’d for His Excellency the Earl of Loudoun was wrote; I (as well as most others) was in hourly Expectation of His Lordships arrival in Virginia. Since then it is reported, and with an Air of great probability, That, Important affairs to the Northward will deprive this Colony of that much desird Honour and Happiness this Season which you may imagine Sir, is cause also for great...
2351Pennsylvania Assembly Committee: Report on the Easton Conference, 29 January 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1756–1757 (Philadelphia, 1757), pp. 75–6. The serious charges of land fraud made at the Easton Indian Conference, November 1756, made certain that its minutes would receive careful attention. The Assembly asked for a copy, Nov. 24, 1756, and Governor Denny transmitted it a week later. On December 14, he appointed a Council...
2352From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 31 January 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library The preceding are Copies of my late Letters; to which I have little to add, except to request you would send the Magazines mention’d in the enclos’d List, which it seems are still wanting to compleat the Sets in the Library. It may be well enough to forbear sending the Universal Magazine for the future, it contains little of Value I inclose also an Almanack, and...
2353From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 31 January 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Huntington Library The above is a Copy of my last I have now before me your Favour of Sept. 11 I shall not fail on every Occasion to recommend you to my Friends on the Book Account I wish I could give you any Hopes of soon receiving your Debt of J. Read Mr. Hall, no doubt, writes you more fully concerning him. It gives me great Pleasure to hear so good an Account of our Son Billy In...
2354From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Charles, 1 February 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I receiv’d your several Favours of August 14. Sept. 18 Sept. 22. and Oct. 16. By this Ship you will receive a Box containing sundry Copies of our last Years Votes, to which are added as you advised, the Accounts of the Expenditure of the £55,000 and the subsequent £30000 also the Papers relating to the Employing foreign Officers. There is also in the Box...
2355From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Partridge, 1 February 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society It is long since I had any of your Favours. I should now have wrote you a long Letter, but that the House have desired the Speaker and myself to go immediately home in order to get our Differences with the Proprietaries Settled some way or other, and tis probable that one of us will soon have the Pleasure of seeing and conferring with you fully on all our...
2356To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 2 February 1757 (Washington Papers)
I detain’d Jenkins here till my Express arrived from Ld Loudoun. His Lordship has desired all the So[uth]ern Governors to meet him at Philada the 17th of this Month, to consult what is proper to be done in these Parts; as this appears to me the Design of their Meeting I cannot conceive what Service You can be of in going there, as the Plan concerted will in course be communicated to You & the...
2357To George Washington from Fielding Lewis, 7 February 1757 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours by Mr Buchanan with the Cash to purchase Mrs Buckners Carpenter, but as I am apprehensive there is a Morgage, or some other incumberance as I well know that Estate is much indebt, it will be prudent to Act cautiously least there should be any dispute hereafter; I have already enquir’d about the Carpenter and have been inform’d that he will be sold some time hence but who has the...
2358Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 9 February 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1756–1757 (Philadelphia, 1757), pp. 81–2. Under the quartering act of Dec. 8, 1756, public-house keepers were required to accommodate soldiers billeted on them for 4 d. per diem , a rate at which they lost money though they were subject to fines for refusing billets. They petitioned the Assembly for relief on Jan. 3, 1757, and...
2359Pennsylvania Assembly Committee: Report on the Governor’s Message, [17 February 1757] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1756–1757 (Philadelphia, 1757), pp. 86–90. The supply bill passed by the Assembly and sent to Governor Denny on Feb. 3, 1757, differed in important respects from the rejected bill about which the House had remonstrated on January 26. It was framed as a supplement to the £60,000 act of Nov. 27, 1755, and thus did exempt the...
2360To George Washington from Robert McKenzie, 18 February 1757 (Washington Papers)
I have been lately advised by my Friends to take a Step, which though it may tend to my Advantage, may equally prove detrimental, if too rashly undertaken. And as I would not enter into an Affair of the Kind, without previously acquainting you with it, & begging your Advice; I hope you will candidly impart it to me, by which I shall regulate my Conduct. The Regiment has been for some Time in a...
2361To George Washington from Thomas Bullitt, 19 February 1757 (Washington Papers)
It is not Agreeable to my Inclinations to be Thus Troublesom as to my Repeated Letters for Leave to be Removed from this Compy and as it is much against my Inclinations the Continuing Hope you will Indulge me in this my Last Request. I have Marchd the Detacht from Fort Dinwiddie to Vases, and Shall be as Afficious as in my power for three Weeks or a month in Carrying on the Work—In which Time...
2362To Benjamin Franklin from the Earl of Loudoun, 20 February 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Huntington Library As I have been informed by Mr. Colden, that You have been enquiring when the packet for England was to sail, in Order to Your Taking Your Passage in her, I have taken this Opportunity to acquaint You, that there will be another packet to sail as soon as I return from Philadelphia, which I suppose will be about the 25th. of March. And as I have several very material...
2363From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 21 February 1757 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., A Collection of the Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Pieces of Benjamin Franklin (Boston, 1833), p. 48. I am glad to hear your son is got well home. I like your conclusion not to take a house for him till summer, and if he stays till his new letters arrive, perhaps it would not be amiss; for a good deal depends on the first appearance a man...
2364From Benjamin Franklin to William Coleman, 22 February 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Copy, MS minutes: Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania Recollecting Coll. Ludwell’s Donation of £20 Sterling to the Academy, I am desirous of settling it before I go (tho I have not yet heard that his Bill, which I sent home, is accepted.) Therefore, and to save you the Trouble of paying that Interest Money to my Order, I inclose £1 11 s . 3 d ., which added to the Interest Money £32 18...
2365From Benjamin Franklin to William Parsons, 22 February 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I thank you for the Intelligence from Fort Allen, relating to the Indians. The Commissioners have not yet settled your Account, but I will press them to do it immediately. I have not yet heard from Mr. Stephenson but will write to him once more. And now, my dear old Friend, I am to take Leave of you, being order’d home to England by the Assembly, to obtain...
2366Pennsylvania Assembly Committee: Report on Grievances, 22 February 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1756–1757 (Philadelphia, 1757), pp. 94–6. On Feb. 17, 1758, fourteen days after Franklin’s appointment as agent to England, the Assembly named a committee “to draw up the Heads of the several Grievances necessary to be represented Home to England for Redress.” Its report, submitted the 22d, was adopted and entered in the...
2367To George Washington from James Cuninghame, 27 February 1757 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive your letter from Fort Loudoun with one Inclosed to Lord Loudoun who begs that you will excuse his not writing to you by this oppertunity, the hurry of business which he is in at present, having prevented him. his Lordship seems very much pleased with the Accounts you have given him of the situation of our affairs to the South’ard. The good Charecter given of you by...
2368From George Washington to William Smith, March–April 1757 (Washington Papers)
[ March-April 1757 ]. The text of this letter is printed as Document III of “The Capitulation of Fort Necessity.” There William Smith is tentatively identified as the addressee. On 3 Mar. 1757, while GW was in Philadelphia to attend Loudoun’s meeting with the southern governors, the printer James Chattin announced in the Pennsylvania Gazette (Philadelphia) his intention to publish within two...
2369From George Washington to William Fairfax, 2 March 1757 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to William Fairfax, 2 Mar. 1757. On 22 Mar. 1757 Fairfax wrote to GW : “I rec’d your Favor from Philadelphia dated the 2d inst.”
2370From Benjamin Franklin to the Earl of Loudoun, 3 March 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Huntington Library I thank your Lordship for the Information you have been pleas’d to favour me with, relating to the Sailing of the Pacquets. It was intended that I should take Passage in the first; But I shall now wait your Lordship’s Arrival here, that if in any thing I can be of Service, I may be ready to obey your Lordship’s Commands; being, with the sincerest Respect and...
2371From Benjamin Franklin to Catharine Ray, 3 March 1757 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., A Collection of the Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Pieces of Benjamin Franklin (Boston, 1833), p. 49. Being about to leave America for some time, I could not go without taking leave of my dear friend. I received your favor of the 8th of November, and am ashamed, that I have suffered it to remain so long unanswered, especially as now, through...
2372Authorization to William Frizzel to Carry Mail, 10 March 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : Princeton University Library I do hereby permit William Frizzel, to carry and deliver Letters between Philadelphia and Lancaster, and to receive the usual Postage for his own Use, till a regular Post shall be established for that Stage. Endorsed: Benjn. Franklin’s Comission to of [ sic ] Wm Frizzle to ride Post 1757 William Frizel ( sic ) announced in Pa. Gaz ., Aug. 24, 1758, that after...
2373From 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...
2374A Testimonial, 11 March 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in John Gordon’s Mathematical Traverse Table, &c . Printed in the Year 1758, and Sold by Mr. W. Dunlap, in Philadelphia, Mr. G. Noel, in New-York, Mr. B. Mecom, in Boston, and by the Author. (Yale University Library) John Gordon (1700–1778), a former Philadelphian now living near Princeton, N.J., managed to combine the trade of a bricklayer with the teaching of surveying and other...
2375To George Washington from Joseph Chew, 14 March 1757 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here from New London a few days agoe and hearing you was at Philadelphia trouble you with this, and Capt. Mercer with the inclosed. I hope and Flater my Self my Lord Loudoun will Concert such Plans as will Effectually Secure our Frontiers and distress the Enemy, and that he will do that for you which you have so justly merrited and let your Command be Equal to your deserts. I am sure...
2376To George Washington from Clement Read, 15 March 1757 (Washington Papers)
About 10 Daies agoe, there came to my House twenty Six Indians of the Cawtaba Nation, with two War Captains, Capt. French, or the French Warrior, and Capt. Bullen, who I sent under the Care of Robert Vaughan to Williamsburg where they desir’d to go before they March’d to you. About five daies agoe, there came to my House 93 of the same Nation with their King, Haglar, after they held a Council,...
2377From Benjamin Franklin to the Earl of Loudoun: Answers to Criticisms of the Supply Bill, [21 March 1757] (Franklin Papers)
AD : Huntington Library When news that Lord Loudoun intended to hold a council of war in Philadelphia reached there in mid-January 1757, it was apparent that he and his plans would have a powerful effect on local affairs. It was reported, for example, that Governor Denny “proposes to lay Mr. F’s Conduct before Lord Loudoun … [who] can and I hope will bring him to an Ecclaircissment on which it...
2378To George Washington from William Fairfax, 22 March 1757 (Washington Papers)
I rec’d your Favor from Philadelphia dated the 2d inst. since which finding the Governor likely to stay there longer than at first expected and many Matters of Government requisite which could not be done without Me I set off from Belvoir and arrivd here the 17th The next Day I was duly qualified in Council as President & Comander in Chief, which has given Me an Opportunity of seeing and...
2379Provincial Commissioners: Order to Pay James Young, 23 March 1757 (Franklin Papers)
DS : Yale University Library Till the New Money to be struck by the One hundred Thousand Pound Act (this Day to be passed by the Governor and Assembly) comes into your Hands, the Governor and Commissioners request you to advance Three or Four Thousand Pounds, to be replaced by the first of the new Money; as that Sum is immediately wanted for the Publick Service. What you shall so advance to be...
2380Memorial to John Campbell, Earl of Loudoun, 23 March 1757 (Washington Papers)
To His Excellency, The Right Honorable John Earl of Loudoun, General, and Commander in Chief, of all His Majesty’s Forces in North America, and Governor of His Majesty’s most Ancient Colony, and Dominion of Virginia. The Memorial, of The Officers of The Virginia Regiment, Humbly Sheweth— That, The Virginia Regiment was the first in Arms, of any Troops on the Continent, in the present War: That...