1From 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.”
2From 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.”
3Robert Stewart to Robert Dinwiddie, 9 November 1757 (Washington Papers)
For upwards of three Months past Colo. Washington has labour’d under a Bloudy Flux, about a week ago his Disorder greatly increas’d attended with bad Fevers, the day before yesterday he was seiz’d with Stitches & violent Pleuretick Pains upon which the Docr Bled him and yesterday he twice repeated the same operation. This Complication of Disorders greatly perplexes the Doctr as what is good...
4From 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 .
5From 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.”
6From 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.”
7From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 23 May 1756 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Robert Dinwiddie, 23 May 1756. On 27 May 1756 Dinwiddie wrote to GW : “Your two Letters of the 23rd I recd last Night.” Only one of the two has been found.
8From 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...
9From 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...
10From 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...
11From 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...
12From 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...
13From 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....
14From 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...
15From 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...
16From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 19 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Since writing my Letter of Yesterday’s date the inclosd came to hand by which your honr will be informd of a very unlucky affair. I immediately consulted Colo. Innis and such Officers of my own Regiment as were at this place on the necessary steps to be taken: they unanimously advisd that I shoud remain here with the 50 Recruits that are in Town for the defence of the place till the Militia...
17From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 29 May 1754 (Washington Papers)
The bearer hereof, Monsieur Druillong, with Monsieur LaForce and two Cadets I beg leave to recommend to your Honour’s particular Notice as Prisoner’s of War, and Officer’s whom I had the Honour of taking. I have assur’d them they will meet with all the Respect and favour due to their Charactr and Personal merit: and I hope they will do me the justice to acquaint your Honour that I neglected no...
18From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 21 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
I this day received the enclosed from Capt. Dagworthy: The Indians mentioned therein are likewise got here with their scalps: and altho’ I believe from several circumstances that the Enemy are bringing down no Artillery—Yet, as they all agree that a formidable body of french and indians is certainly on their march down; and as it is impossible to know what province they will make an eruption...
19From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 24 September 1757 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is a copy of a letter which I received from Captn McKenzie. Since my last, the different parties I detached in quest of the Enemy (who committed the late depradations in this neighbourhood) are returned; after having prosecuted the most probable measures, and exerted their utmost efforts in vain, in endeavouring to come up with, and prevent the enemys escape: nor is it in any degree...
20From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 25 June 1756 (Washington Papers)
I was in hope that by Garrisoning the Forts with part of the Militia, we should have been able to have mustered a greater number of Soldiers to work upon the Forts that are to be built: But I am under the greatest apprehensions, that all who are now up will desert: They go off in twenties—and all threaten to return, if they are not relieved in a very short time, or discharged. Many...
21Enclosure: Horatio Sharpe to Robert Dinwiddie, 30 March 1756 (Washington Papers)
I send this to acquaint You with an unhappy Affair that I am told has lately happened at the Mouth of Conegochiege within this Province; I have my information only from Report, but by what I can learn there was a Party of Colonel Washington’s Regiment posted somewhere in Virga opposite the place abovementioned; Lieutenant Gordon who commanded it on some Account or other came over into Maryland...
22From 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...
23From 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...
24From 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...
25From 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...
26From 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...
27From 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...
28From 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...
29From 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...
30From 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...
31From 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....
32From 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...
33From 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...
34From 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...
35From 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...
36From 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...
37From 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...
38From 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...
39From 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...
40From 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...
41From 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...
42From 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...
43From 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...
44From 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...
45From 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...
46From 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...
47From 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...
48From 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...
49From 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...
50From 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,...