2551To George Washington from John Hall, 5 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you last from New York, & have now to acquaint you Our Fleet arriv’d at this place the 30. Ultimo, after a blustring Passage of 9 days: Heaven propitious to our Designs, happily carrd the french Fleet under Marq. Beaufremont off this Coast a very few days before, where he had been cruising sometime with 8 Sail of the Line—had they fell in with us, the Event wou’d have disconcerted all...
2552Memoranda, 6–10 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
The Speaker Write to him that upon settling an acct with Colo. Carlyle of this date there appeard to be a ballance of £186.9.2 – ½ justly due him for Sundry Services done, and necessarys furnishd for the use of the Publick witht havg any connection with other accts—whether am I to pay the acct or not he is uneasy abt the Payment. Govr Whether is Jenkin’s to be continu’d as post—& how is he to...
2553From George Washington to John Stanwix, 8 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed was wrote the 28th ulto upon Mr Atkins giving me notice that he shou’d send an Express to you the next day. But, the important affairs in which he is continually engaged, have detained the express day after day ’till now. Nothing remarkable has happened in this quarter. We continue to discover tracks and signs of the enemys parties, but none appear to be numerous: nor have they...
2554Memoranda, 10–29 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
Company’s recommend to the Officers the Study of their Duty—The Reading of such Treatises on Discipline as will give them an insight into, and knowledge of the Service and to make themselves familiar with the Articles of War. Govr Write to him for the Articles of War and desire him to Order the Printer to Publish a great Number of them[.] most Serjeants in the Regular Service are presented...
2555From George Washington to John Robinson, 10 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure of receiving your favours of the 21st & 29th ultimo. I did indeed begin to think (tho’ I cou’d scarcely believe it) that you had quite forgotten me. I am greatly at a loss how to proceed, wanting the mutiny-bill: and do not know whether the Assembly have provided any reward for apprehending Deserters, which is very detrimental, and impedes the service much at this time;...
2556From 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....
2557To George Washington from John Dagworthy, 10 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday in the Evening came to this Fort a whiteman & a Negro, the whiteman have Examin’d upon Oath which have Inclosed, and the Negro being separately Examin’d confirms wt the other Says. I am Sir Your most Obt humble Servt ALS , DLC:GW . The deposition of John Street made to Dagworthy as a justice of the peace of Frederick County, Md., was enclosed. Street was taken captive from Fort...
2558From 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...
2559To George Washington from John Stanwix, 11 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
had I had any Opportunity of returning an Answer to the Favour of yours of the 24th of June should have acknowledged it much sooner but would not mis the Opportunity of this Express to Mr Atkins wch I send in this manner as Govern. Denny tell’s me the letter is to him of moment from Sir Wm Johnston and that if he has left your Country you will know how to Forward it to him. I have had severl...
2560To Benjamin Franklin from Ezra Stiles, 12 July 1757 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): Yale University Library Just before you sail’d from New York, you was so good as to inclose to me a Copy of your philosophic Letter to a Friend in Carolina, for which please accept my Thanks. The Philosophy of Light and Fire, Heat and Cold has hitherto been a Mystery to me. Even the luminous Emanations of a burning Candle I never could solve in my own Mind. I am half persuaded...
2561From 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...
2562From George Washington to John Dagworthy, 12 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
I recd your’s of the 10th Inst. Covering the Drummer’s Deposition about the Enemy⟨’s⟩ Motions and Designs which I hope will prove as favourable to us as the last Intelligence from that Quarter—I have Transmitted Governor Dinwiddie a Copy of it and would have sent an ⟨exprs⟩ to Colo. Stanwix did not the Bearer assure me that there cou’d be no doubt of your Expresses reaching him in due time—If...
2563To George Washington from Joseph Chew, 13 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
My not answering my Friend’s letters Punctually is not owing to want of Respect or Regard but am Often Prevented by Business, and the Cares of Life, or some other Accidents for which I never fail to Condemn myself and sue for Pardon as I now do to you for not Answering your kind favor from Phila. you Please me my dear Friend in what you say with Regard to the Campain and your being employ’d ....
2564To 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...
2565To George Washington from John Stanwix, 14 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
Thô it is very probable Captain Dagworthy has sent you a Copy of a Deposi[tio]n from John Street a Drumr yet least this should not be so have enclosed that which he sent me what Stress there is to be laid on it I can not say, but by your Corpl ⟨ illegible ⟩ you the trouble of & if there should be any truth in it will put us upon our Guard, Thô I rather think if the Enemy are so strong as...
2566From George Washington to John Stanwix, 15 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
Your obliging favour of the 11th instant I received this morning. It will seem odd to send you three letters under one cover; and those so widely differring in their dates: But the truth only shall account for it. Mr Atkin has told me day after day, since the date of my first, that his Express wou’d go off the next morning, as he wou’d the preceding evening be able to finish his dispatches to...
2567To George Washington from William Ramsay, 15 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
I am favor’d with yours, Mr Barnes Accepts your proposals. Mr Barnes did not doubt the goodness of the Mine, but was rather too sanguine in his expectations from the prospect. As he was incumbred he hop’d to raise three or four hundred pounds that way, but was to return it if the Search shou’d not answer, by the Sale of the whole Land, if not otherwise to be Accomplish’d. I have engag’d you...
2568From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 17 July 1757 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract reprinted from WTF, Memoirs , I , 133 n. The bell ringing for church, we went thither immediately, and with hearts full of gratitude, returned sincere thanks to God for the mercies we had received: were I a Roman Catholic, perhaps I should on this occasion vow to build a chapel to some saint; but as I am not, if I were to vow at all, it should be to build a lighthouse ....
2569William Franklin to Elizabeth Graeme, 17 July 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library I have now the Pleasure to inform my dearest Betsy that her Franklin is safely arriv’d in England about two Hours ago, after a Passage of 27 Days. I am so much hurried in getting our Things ashore, and enquiring for Horses and Carriages for transporting us up to London, that I have not Leisure to give you any of the Particulars of our Voyage. I design to do it...
2570From George Washington to William Fairfax, 17 July 1757 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to William Fairfax, 17 July 1757. On 20 July 1757 Fairfax wrote to GW: “I rec’d yr Favor of the 17th inst.”
2571From George Washington to John Kirkpatrick, 17 July 1757 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Kirkpatrick, 17 July 1757. On 21 July 1757 Kirkpatrick wrote to GW: “I am honor’d with yours of the 17th.”
2572To George Washington from William Fairfax, 17 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
I rec’d yr Favor by Mr Kirkpatk and sorry that our Men have deserted in the great Number You mention, to Remedy such an evil Tendency appears improbable and whilst a branch of the Legislature seem afraid to enact a more forcible Law, all Delinquents will find an Asylum to skreen them—I am glad You are in a near Prospect of making Fort Loudoun defensible against any Enemy not very numerous and...
2573To 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£...
2574Enclosure: Commission to Hold General Court-Martials, 18 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
Whereas by an Act of Assembly of this Colony made at a General Assembly held at the Capitol the Fourteenth Day of April in the XXXth Year of his present Majesty’s Reign and in the Year of our Lord 1757 Intituled “An Act for preventing Mutiny and Desertion,[”] it is among other Things enacted That if any Person being mustered or in Pay as an Officer, or who is or shall be inlisted or in Pay as...
2575To George Washington from John Robinson, 18 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
I recd your favour of the 10th Instant by Jenkins, and am not a little concerned, that you should harbour the least thought of my forgeting you, which if I know myself is impossible for me to do, but shall always with the greatest satisfaction remember the friendship which has and I flatter myself will always subsist between us. I have procured a Copy of the Mutiny Act for you and delivered it...
2576To George Washington from John Stanwix, 18 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
a Cherokee Indian is just arrived here & has put the ten indians waiting at this place for Prestents from this Collony into very ill humour, by telling them that their Brothers have been put into Prison at Winchester, so that is with the Greatest difficulty I could prevale with them to stay ’till this afternoon to take with them to our Fort Loudoun £400 worth, of presents to be there...
2577From George Washington to John Stanwix, 19 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 14th instant is come to hand. I wrote you fully in three several letters, under one cover, about four days ago. Before yours came to hand, I had received a letter from Captn Dagworthy, enclosing a copy of Steels [Street’s] depositions; & made particular enquiry (of the bearer) whether the account was transmitted to you; being answered in the affirmative, and hearing by the...
2578From George Washington to Horatio Sharpe, 20 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
I have undoubted intelligence that many Deserters from the Virginia Regiment are gone to, and are harboured and protected in several counties of your province, especially Baltimore-county, under the specious pretext of their unjust detention, after the expiration of the time, which, the Deserters (I learn) pretend was limited when they enlisted. And some in authority, either from an ill-placed...
2579From George Washington to Robert Fell, 20 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
You are ordered to wait upon His Excellency, the Governor of Maryland, with a letter which you will receive with this; and to request the favor of him to issue his warrant for the more effectually apprehending the many Deserters of the Virginia Regiment, that now appear publickly in Baltimore-county, under the protection of the civil Majistrates. If His Excellency shou’d entertain any doubts...
2580From George Washington to William Crawford, 20 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
You are ordered forthwith to go in pursuit of Wm Smith, a Deserter from the aforesaid regiment, and to use your best endeavours to apprehend and bring him to justice at this place. If he shou’d resist, and stand upon his defence, contrary to the Laws of the country; you are in that case, to fire upon him as an Enemy. Given &c. this 20th July 1757. LB , DLC:GW . In the list of deserters...
2581To George Washington from Edmond Atkin, 20 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
When the 10 Indians were taken into Custody yesterday was Se’nnight, you may remember I expressed my Desire, that they might be treated in point of Necessaries rather better than before, because it was pretended that two of them were Cherokees—On Saturday Morning being informed, that the Prisoners made great Complaint for want of fresh Meat, and that Some of them had contracted Fluxes by a...
2582To George Washington from William Fairfax, 20 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
I rec’d yr Favor of the 17th inst. this Day by your Messenger. The Narrative of the Deposition recited, seems to agree with what is containd in the Northern Papers as to the Reinforcement of Men, Provisions &c. brought up the Missisippi, which together with what’s imported to Louisburg and Quebeck the French have found Time eno[ug]h to strengthen every Fortress and Place We have been long...
2583To George Washington from John Stanwix, 20 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
I hope Col. Washington has not been upon the Cerimony of not going for ten days on his private affairs without my leave, hope he will always take this upon himself, being well assured of your not being Absent from your Command where your presence is so very necessary, but when you can with safety to his Majestys Service, I have the pleasure to be very Sincerly Sir your most Obedt humble Servt...
2584To George Washington from John Kirkpatrick, 21 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
I am honor’d with yours of the 17th inclosing a list of articles necessary for the Artillery —which cannot readily be procured here by what endeavours I have yet had occasion to make—indeed some triffling things may be had, vizt Sheep skins, Hair Cloths, Old Junk, Sifters and some spirits of Wine—the others will be difficult to meet with nigher than Philadelphia—if there—the Match I believe is...
2585From George Washington to Peter Hog, 24 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
I should have written fully to you long since, and sent an Officer to relieve you, but the expectation we were in (by reports from Fort Cumberland) of a french invasion from Ohio, kept us in continual alarm, and readiness to oppose the attempt. I must now, as I formerly have done, say, that all accompts relative to provisions must be settled with the Commissary; and all that concern the...
2586From George Washington to Thomas Bullitt, 24 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
I have received two or three letters from you and Ensign Fleming —In answer I shall observe, that I think you have an undoubted right to sit as a regimental court martial, and to punish offenders; and that I am sorry to hear of the desertions which have happened in your company, and the temper of mind that prevails in your men; and hope, that you hitherto have, and do still continue to check...
2587General Court-Martial, 25–26 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
The Proceedings of a General-court-martial held at Fort Loudoun on the 25th & 26th Days of July 1757 by Vertue of a Commission directed to Major Andrew Lewis President Capt. Waggener M e m b e r s Capt. Lieut. McNeill Lieut. Lomax Lieut. Steenbergen Lieut. Campbell Ensn Roy Ensn Russell Ensn Speake Lieut. Nathl Thompson Judge Advocate After the President, Members & Judge Advocate had taken the...
2588To George Washington from William Meldrum, 26 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
When I did myself the pleasure to wait on you this morning, I proposed being in Town sometime to morrow afternoon, with a view to assist all in my power, those unhappy wretches under Sentence, in prepareing for Eternity. Something has happened Since that obliges me to absent myself, and not to attend agreeable to my then resolutions. If you are desirous to know the motives that have induced me...
2589Enclosure II: Horatio Sharpe’s Proclamation, 26 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
To All and Every of the Officers both Civil & Military in Baltimore County Given at Annapolis [Md.] the 26th day of July. 1757. It having been represented to me by Ensign Fell that there are many Deserters from the Virginia Regiment at this time harboured & concealed by sundry of the Inhabitants of Your County, and Colonel Washington having informed me that he has sent Mr Fell to search for...
2590From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 27 July 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We arrived here well last Night, only a little fatigued with the last Day’s Journey, being 70 Miles. I write only this Line, not knowing of any Opportunity to send it; but Mr. Collinson will enquire for one, as he is going out. If he finds one, I shall write more largely. I have just seen Mr. Strahan, who is well with his Family. Billy is with me here at...
2591To George Washington from Horatio Sharpe, 27 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
This serves to acknowledge the Receit of Your Letter by Mr Fell & also to inclose You a Copy of a Deposition that was made by a Sergeant who was sent some time ago to apprehend the Deserters that You say are harboured in Baltimore County. Could Mr Fell have named the Deserters I would have desired One of the Provincial Magistrates to issue a special Warrant for apprehending them, but as he did...
2592From George Washington to William Fairfax, 28 July 1757 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to William Fairfax, 28 July 1757. On 6 Aug. 1757 Fairfax wrote to GW: “I had yr Favor of the 28th.”
2593Memoranda, 29 July–3 August 1757 (Washington Papers)
Mr Milner Whether he intends to continue in the Service, or not. Govr Write to concerning the Impropriety of giving Sergeant Feint a Commission in preference of the Volunteers. Look at his Letters of the 13th & 18th July. Quarter Master. get back an Order from him for 12 Camp Kettles deliverd to Captn Lewis because 6 of the 12 were returnd into the Store again from Conogochieg and an order...
2594To Benjamin Franklin from John Bartram, 29 July 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I now take the Freedom of thy usual Benevolence and favour of thy wife to inclose this letter in hers hopeing this way we may keep the chain of friendship bright while thee art diverting thy self with the generous conversation of our worthy friends in Europe and adding dayly new acquisitions to thy former extensive stock of knoledge by thair...
2595Instructions to Company Captains, 29 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
The principal end proposed in sending you to the post to which you are ordered, is, to protect the Inhabitants of those parts, and to keep them if possible easy and quiet. I injoin it upon you, therefore, to use every means which you and your Officers shall judge advisable, to answer this salutary purpose—particularly by keeping out constant scouting parties; who with diligence, care and...
2596From George Washington to Andrew Lewis, 29 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
You are ordered forthwith to march with all the Draughts which are at this place belonging to your own company & Capt. Woodwards, together with Capt. Spotswoods, to Dickinsons plantation, on the cow-pasture; where I expect you will meet Captn Woodward on his march to Vauses. When a junction of these three companies is formed, you are, if the ravages of the Enemy, and circumstances of the...
2597From George Washington to Thomas Waggener, 29 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
You are Ordered forthwith to march from hence to the South-branch with your own men, and such of Capt. McKenzie’s as are at this place. The latter you are to deliver to him so soon as you arrive at this Garrison (with the orders and Instructions herewith given you for him.) And, immediately after he has taken a size and necessary roll of his company, you are to demand 25 men and an Officer,...
2598From George Washington to Henry Woodward, 29 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
You are ordered, immediately upon receipt hereof, to march with your own company (which by a late regulation, has the one that was Capt. Bronaughs added to it) to the plantation of Captn Dickenson on the cow-pasture; and to pursue the following rout, vizt First you are to go up the south fork; thence to the head of the cow-pasture river, and thence down the same to Dickensons; where you are to...
2599From George Washington to Robert McKenzie, 29 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
I have received yours; and have paid Doct. Craik the contents of your recruiting accompt. Colo. Stephen has given so many strange orders, orders, so inconsistent with my Instructions and incompatible with his own—that it will be with great difficulty, if it is even possible, to extricate the Officers and myself from the dilemma and trouble they have occasioned. What right Colo. Stephen had to...
2600From George Washington to John Stanwix, 30 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
My former letters wou’d inform you how little share I had in confining the Indians in the public Jail at this place. Mr Atkin, in His Majesty’s name, applied to me, as commanding Officer, for aid to secure these people; which I thereupon did: but not without first representing the consequences that might, and in some measure, really did happen. This step was no sooner taken, than the Cherokees...