1To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 14 November 1757 (Washington Papers)
Yr Letter of the 5th I duly recd & I am much surpriz’d at what You write that the Indn Affairs have been impeeded by a Train of Mismanagemt when I consider Mr Atkin’s Report that he had established every Thing in regard to those People in a most regular Manner I have wrote the Necessary to Ct. Gist on that Head, & order’d up a Quantity of Goods from Petersburg for that Service which I hope...
2To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 2 November 1757 (Washington Papers)
Yr Letter of the 24th Ulto I recd—And as You observe the absolute Necessity of having a Company of Rangers, I agree to the raising sixty, seventy or 80 Men to be Commanded by Mr Rutherfurd, but You must be certain of his raising the Men, not to load the Country with a Charge, as formerly, without Men to the different Companies; I do not doubt of Yr keeping them strictly to their Duty—his Pay,...
3To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 24 October 1757 (Washington Papers)
I wrote You by Jenkins to which be refer’d. As I have contracted with Mr Ramsay to supply the Forces in the Pay of this Country, that are in the Counties of Frederick & Hampshire, I enclose You a Copy of the Contract, that You may see the several Articles thereof properly perform’d, & I am convinc’d this Contract will be a great Saving to the Country—& if Mr Ramsay shou’d at any Time have...
4Enclosure: Articles of Agreement, 21 October 1757 (Washington Papers)
Articles of Agreement indented made & Agreed upon this Twenty first day of October in the Year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred & fifty Seven, Between William Ramsay of the County of Fairfax of the One part & the honble Robert Dinwiddie Esquire his Majestys Lieutenant Governor & Commander in Chief of the Colony & Dominion of Virginia for & in behalf of the Said Colony & Dominion of the...
5To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 19 October 1757 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 3d by Jenkins I rec’d as Capt. Hogg is to be here Soon I Shall talk with him Abt the ranging Co[mpan]ys tho’ I fear he will not be able to raise the men, If they Should be rais’d they are to have 12d. ⅌ day no recruiting money or Cloaths & are to be rais’d protempore, So they are rais’d in Augusta, write me if you think it absolutely necessarie to have Such a compay if rais’d they...
6To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 24 September 1757 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 17th ⅌ Jenkins I recd—Ive wrote Colo. Read about the Lunenburg Draughts. I’m sorry to see the List of so many Deserters & I’m fully of Opinion that those that recd the Bounty, Cloaths & Arms ought to be outlaw’d & the Desertion of the Person that was condemn’d & afterwards pardon’d appears to me so villanous that I can’t prescribe any Rule to keep ’em together, but gt Severities,...
7To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 24 September 1757 (Washington Papers)
After closing my Letter to You of this Date I recd Yours of the 20th by Brinker giving Acct of the miserable Distress our Frontier Inhabitants are in, which gives me the greatest Concern & Uneasiness —Really it is not in my Power to do more for defence against the Incursions of our barbarous Enemies, than to recommend Your speedy executing my Orders to You, for raising a Company of Rangers to...
8To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 2 September 1757 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 27th Ulto I recd last Night. Colo. Read from Lunenburg says he had sent You up twenty nine Soldiers, probably in two Parties, the last I suppose were not arrived when You wrote me. I am sorry so many have deserted since Yr last, or do I know what to do unless they will Out-law all those that do desert, & I wish You wou’d send the Names of those that deserted after receiving the...
9To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 1 September 1757 (Washington Papers)
My Friend Colo. Fairfax earnestly desires his Son Wm Henry may have a Lieutt’s Commission in the Regiment, if any Vacancy I desire You may give him a Commission accordingly, & as You have Blank Commissions fill one up for him if any Vacancy, which will be agreeable to Sir Your mo. humble Servant LS , DLC:GW . Dinwiddie enclosed this note in a letter to William Fairfax (see Dinwiddie to GW, 2...
10To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 13 August 1757 (Washington Papers)
Yr Letter of the 3d I received from Mr Boyd, I don’t want the Vouchers from the People to whom Money is due for the Indns, but surely yo. may get the particular Summs to qualify me to grant a Warrant on the Treasurer, by this loose Method of writing, I know not whether they amt to 100£ or 1000£—Yo. will before this have some more Draughts from Lunenburg, & some other Counties which I hope will...
11To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 8 August 1757 (Washington Papers)
the Bearer hereof Sam. Akerling has desir’d my Leave to go to see his Brothers, near the Monongahely proposing to give Security with You of his return to be here in the Octr Court; as I am a Stranger to the Evidence against him on Suspicion of being a Spy, which he sincerely denies & begs to be tried, but that cannot be ’till Octr—wherefore I refer him to You, & if You have any favorable...
12To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 18 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
Your two Letters of 10th & 11th I recd by Jenkins & observe their Contents—I wrote You the 13th which sent up by Serjt Fent—There will soon be Publicats. for any Persons inclineable to contract for Provisions for the Forces at Winchester, & those in Augusta; they are to give in their Proposals in Writing, & by this Method I hope they will be properly supplied. The Money remaining of the 2000£...
13To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 13 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
I recd Yrs of 27th Ulto—As to Mr Gun, if he rejects Lieutt’s Pay, I shall not give him more, & I hear he is come down the Country. I wrote You pretty fully by Jenkins to which be refer’d. I now send You 400 Arms, which with those You have will be sufficient to Arm the Draughts &ca. they come under the Care of Serjeant Fent, who appears to me to be a deserving Young Man, I therefore desire You...
14To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 27 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
I recd Yrs of the 21st ⅌ Jenkins —& am glad the first Intelligence of the French & Indians formidable March with Artillery, Waggons &ca proves false; that they will continue to send scouting Parties to harrass these Colonies, I always expected, & probably they may now increase their Numbers to make a strong Push; but still as it’s Indian News, who cannot count Numbers, I wou’d gladly hope they...
15To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 24 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
I cd not answer yr several Letters till now, I’ve wrote to Mr Atkin abt the Indians, & he must know better than I can how to manage ’em—Capt. Pearis having accepted a Comisso. from Govr Sharpe any Expectations from this Colony, his Conduct has been bad, so I think it’s a good riddance of him. As to Bat-Men I presume My Ld overlook’d that Article, but on return from me he’ll be more particular,...
16To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 20 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
Yr Letter by Express, I received last Night, & I am sorry for the Intelligence it brings of such a No. of French & Indians marching from Fort Du Quesne, and it’s more than probable their Design is agst Fort Cumberland, and am sorry that Garrison is in so poor a Condition for Defence, & I really fear it is in the Enemys Hands before this can reach You. If so they probably will proceed to fort...
17To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 16 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the Receipt of Yrs of the 10th but I am so much hurried that I cannot answer it, but as Mr Boyd is daily expected by him I shall write You more fully. Otassity of Ostenaker, conducts thirty Cherokees to You with Intention to go out against the Enemy; I think he is a brave Indian, & talks much of Majr Lewis; I believe he may be prevail’d on to stay with his People all the...
18To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 6 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
I recd Yr Letter of the 30th Ulto ⅌ Ct. Gist—I am sorry the Indians are so refractory, which I conceive is entirely owing to Capt. Mercer’s promising them Presents, which he had no Power or Authority to do—Those Indians had a sufficient Supply at Bedford Court House agreeable to the Treaty; but their Avarice is such that if they had all their Expectations, they wou’d demand more, & it is a...
19To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 1 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 24th May I received, Serjt Fent has given a pretty good Accott of his remarks at Fort Du Quesne &ca & appears to be a well behav’d Man—I’m sorry to acquaint You that the Bill for Supplies was rejected by the Councill but the Ho: of Burgesses are prepairing another which I hope will have a better Fate, they propose augmenting the forces, but ’till they vote Suplies nothing can be...
20To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 23–27 May 1757 (Washington Papers)
This probably may be deliver’d to You by the Hon. Edmd Atkin Esqr. who has his Majesty’s Commission to transact & superintend all the Affairs with the different Tribes of Indians the back of Georgia, South & No. Ca⟨r⟩olina & this Dominion; I desire You will receive him in a genteel Manner, & on his meeting with the Indians now at Fort Cumberland, give a Grace to his Operations by having a...
21To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 16 May 1757 (Washington Papers)
You are, so soon as you arrive at Fort Loudoun, to inform the Officers that the Assembly having consider’d the great expence the Virginia Regiment has cost The Country from the Number of Companies it consisted of, And those Companies not half compleat in proportion to the vast Charge of Officers—It is resolved, for the better Saving of expences, and establishing a proper Regulation, that The...
22To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 16 May 1757 (Washington Papers)
Whereas I have thought proper to discontinue the two pr ct Commissions (which the Country Committee have allowd you) for your trouble, Risk and loss; in receiving and Paying away the Publick Money; settling and adjusting of accounts &ca; I shall only lodge a fund of Money in your hands to answer Contingent Expences; as they shall arise from time to time in the Execution of your Command. The...
23To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 7 April 1757 (Washington Papers)
I recd Yours of the 2d last Night & must refer You to mine of the 5th which I sent You by Express, & doubt not You will receive at Fort Loudoun; The pressing Letter from Govr Littleton makes it absolutely necessary to send 200 of our Regimt to his Assistance; & I must therefore repeat my Orders for their march to Fredericksburg, & I hope they will be there by the 20th of this Month & I am...
24To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 5 April 1757 (Washington Papers)
I hope by the Time this reaches Your Hands that Govr Sharpe has relieved Fort Cumberland by sending into it a Garison from his Maryland Forces, if so, this is to order You immediately to send down to Fredericksburg two hundred Men Officers included to be transported to South Carolina, under the Command of Lieut. Colo. Stephens, Captain Waggoner, Capt. Joshua Lewis, Lieuts. John Blag, John...
25To 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...
26To 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...
27To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 27 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 19th by Jenkins I recd last Night—& do observe You have ordered the Garisons on the Branch to Percealls, to escort the Flour to Fort Cumberland. The Provisions lying in Bulk at the different Forts, if possible shou’d be Smoked, which wou’d be a great Saving to the Country & I hope You have order’d it so. As we have had great Rains lately I hope a sufficient quantity of Flour may...
28To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 15 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 9th I have recd—I am glad Ct. Mercer has brought back sixteen of the Deserters, upon Promise of Pardon, which I agree to on Your Recommendation; but I hope You will make them sensible of their Crime & that they are pardon’d on Your Solicitation. You recommend Messrs Carlyle & Ramsay to be Commissaries in the room of Mr Walker, which I by no means approve of—the first resign’d when...
29To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 10 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 2d by Jenkins I recd two Days ago, & observe its Contents, the Return of Your Strength at Fort Loudoun supriz’d me, when I consider’d that Capt. Mercer declared to the two Mr Nelsons & the Speaker, that You had there 160 enlisted Men, which with the fifty Servants recruited after, I thought You might have march’d 100 Men from thence for reinforcing Fort Cumberland, & left a...
30To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 16 November 1756 (Washington Papers)
Yr Letter of the 9th I recd with a Report of Yr Journey along our Frontiers—The abuses mention’d in Yrs I have been made acquainted with from several Hands, but I expected You wou’d have been more particular in regard to the Officers neglecting their Duty, & the different Forts not being properly garrison’d with Men, nay witht their Officers: this vauge Report makes it impossible for me to...
31To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 26 October 1756 (Washington Papers)
I recd Your Letter from Augusta & observe its Contents —the Behaviour of the Militia is very unaccountable, & am convinc’d they are under no Command; I order’d Part of the Militia to the Frontiers & there to remain till reliev’d by others, which I propos’d shou’d be done in a monthly manner, & so to be continued by a proper Rotation, instead thereof they go & come at their own Pleasure, & many...
32To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 30 September 1756 (Washington Papers)
Last Night I recd a Letter dated the 23d from Alexaa not sign’d, but by its purport I believe it from You—Jenkins’s delay prevents laying any Thing before the Assembly as they were prorogued the Morning he arriv’d —I am of Opinion You may enforce the Articles of War the same as in the British Establishmt that with tenderness as the Exigency of Affairs may require; & tho’ no Crimes but Mutiny &...
33To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 13 September 1756 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 8th I recd last Night—I am affraid the Draughts from Prince William, Culpeper & Fairfax are not made agreeable to expectation, as I hear many of the Young Men have made their Escape & do not appear at the Musters. Sir, I mention’d in my Letter of the [1]9th Ulto to enlist Servants agreeable to the Act of Parliament; that of Act of Parliamt I wrote from Yr Letter to me, I...
34To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 21 August 1756 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 14th Inst. I just now recd. La Force was taken two Days after he made his escape & is properly secur’d—No doubt Your Men will be fully employ’d in garrisons &ca. I have in my former given You my Opinion in regard to Fort Cumberland, & now I am of Opinion that You shou’d send for some of the Stores from thence to Winchester for fear of Accidents or an Attack of the Enemy against...
35To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 20 August 1756 (Washington Papers)
Since writing You Yesterday The Express I sent to the Cherokees arrived & they have engag’d to send us 150 Warriors, who I expect with Major Lewis in about a Fortnight; I shall order the Majr to march them to Winchester to be under Your direction. The Cherokees & Catawbas are at prest strongly attach’d to our Interest; the Catawba King is gone to Chas Town So. Carolina & on his return he...
36To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 19 August 1756 (Washington Papers)
Yr Letter of the 4th I recd & note it’s Contents —I observe You have been much engag’d in settling the proper Plans for the Chain of Forts propos’d to be built; & I doubt not the Places You have fix’d on are the most proper as You know the Situation of the Cotry You are the best Judge thereof. With Concern I see the Roll of Yr Companies & I am sorry they are so deficient in Numbers, the...
37To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 12 July 1756 (Washington Papers)
At the Desire & Request of Colo. Wm Byrd I recommend the Bearer Mr Henry Timberlake to Your Favour & Countenance he has great Inclinations to serve in Your Regiment & I hope his Spirit & Behavior may recommend him to Preferment, in proper Course upon any Vacancy. I have Acct that a number of French & Indians have invaded Augusta & committed horrid Murders &ca as usual I have order’d out Part...
38To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 1 July 1756 (Washington Papers)
Last Night I recd Yrs of the 25th Ulto —I am sorry for the Delay of the Waggon with the Tools, probably occasion’d by the badness of the Horses, but I hope e’er this they are with You. I approve of Your consulting at a Council of War in regard to building of Forts, which I fear will be attended with very great Delays from the small number of Men You have, & I think it will not be proper to...
39To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 18 June 1756 (Washington Papers)
I desire You to send me a List of the Volunteers ⟨You are⟩ to appoint to the Vacancies in Your Regiment—& the Number of Draughts from the Militia, which I am sorry to think will be much fewer than I expected. As the Regimt will be pretty much divided in Forts &ca I thot it proper & necessary to appoint Mr Boyd the Pay-Mr, Muster Master, by which on paying the Men he will be able to make an...
40To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 12 June 1756 (Washington Papers)
I have read over Yr Memo. & observe thereon; I cannot advise how the Virga Regiment will be compleated if the Draughts from the Militia do not answer that End; but must here observe, if the Officers had perform’d their Engagements the Regiment wou’d have been in good Order, their Neglect & Breach of Promise is a great Loss to the Country. The Scheme of forming the Regiment into two Battallions...
41To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 1 June 1756 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer hereof Mr Richd Baker has been very active in getting Men from the Isle of White County & unless he had engag’d to go with them none wou’d have enlisted, his Friends have applied to me for a Commission, which I cou’d not regularly give, not knowing what Vacancies may be. I therefore take this Method of recommending him to You, & if You can fill up a Vacancy by giving him a...
42To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 27 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
Your two Letters of the 23d I recd last Night & note their Contents. I recd Your Journal relating to the Militia which gives me some surprize to observe their dastardly Behavior, in deserting & returning Home, I am sorry their Officers had no better Command over them, & indeed I always was of Opinion they wd not answer my Intentions in sending them to Winchester. I observe the Council of War...
43To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 8 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 3d I recd Yesterday, & observe its Contents. I have recd the Indian Scalp & I doubt not but many more were killed in that small Skermish. I am glad the Indians are gone over the Mountains, but I cannot think they were so numerous as represented, unless they have prevailed on the Twightwees to join with them; I am of Opinion if You cou’d send a Message to them by some trusty...
44To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 3 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
I am sincerely concern’d for Your Situation from the many flying Parties of French & Indians, but I hope before this reaches You a large body of Militia are at Winchester to reinforce You, & if possible to drive the Enemy over the Allegany Mountains; besides the Militia there are to be Drafts from each County to compleat Your Regiment to 1500 or 2000 Men, but I fear it will be a Month before...
45To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 29 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 24th was delivered me by Capt. Peachy, which Letter with his Information gives me great Pain & Uneasiness for the back Settlements, & Your present distress’d Situation, I have & continue to do every Thing in my Power for Your relief. The Militia of ten Counties are ordered to march directly for Winchester, Small Arms, Powder Shott &ca have been sent from this to...
46To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 26 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
I recd Yr Letter by this Express last Night, & this Morning laid all the Letters before the House of Burgesses & really it gives me very great uneasiness & Concern to observe the dismal Situation our back Settlers are in—And when I consider the Slowness of the House in raising Men—I have sent Expresses to the Counties of Frederick Fairfax, Prince Wm Culpeper, Orange Stafford Spotsylvania,...
47To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 23 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Your Letr of the 19th by Mr Rutherfurd came to my Hands Tuesday last, but Yours of the 16th by Express did not reach me till the day after. I am heartily sorry for the Death of Capt. Mercer, & the other poor Men that were killed with him, it appears to me that the Enemy drew them out after them, pretending to fly, in order to destroy them from their lurking Places; but it surprizes me that we...
48To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 15 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter by Jenkins I recd & it’s now before the House of Burgesses. I have reason to expect they will pass a Law for a Draught from the Militia to augment the Forces to 2000 tho’ they are very slow in their Proceedings. I am very sorry for the Acct You give of those Miscreant barbarous Murders; I hope You have sent a proper Reinforcemt to Conegachege, & for the present, with the assistance...
49To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 8 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
You formerly had a Commission to appoint Courts Martial, as that was not explicit enough, but rather a Repetition of the Act of Assembly. I therefore send You enclos’d an Order to appoint such Courts when You shall see proper, & it’s agreeable to Colo. Innes’s Order from General Braddock. I hope the Affairs of the Regimt are not in so bad a Condition as represented here. The Assembly were...
50Commission, 7 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Robert Dinwiddie Esqr His Majesty’s Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia. To George Washington Esqr: By Virtue of the Power and Authority to me given and granted by His Majesty I do hereby authorize and impower You to hold and appoint Courts Martial for the Tryal of Non-commissioned Officers and Soldiers as Colonel and Commander in Chief of the...