291To George Washington from William Fairfax, 6 May 1757 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Gist tells Me You was unwilling to write as You could not avoid touching on a Subject that must have lately greatly afflicted Me: And indeed I have been so for near a Week, when submitting to the Apprehension of Bryan being no more in Life and reducd so by the most deplorable & shocking Case, I recd a Letter from Him dated at Annapolis certifying that He was taken up, examind and having...
292To 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...
293To 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...
294To 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...
295To George Washington from John Stanwix, 23 May 1757 (Washington Papers)
His Excellcy the Earl of Loudoun having ordd five Companys of my Battalion to serve in the back parts of the Southern Provinces and likewise that I am to be supply’d with Amunition & Military Stores from Fort Loudoun in Winchester, to prevent any dissapointmt in Carriages I have sent from this place nine Waggons which will be sufficient to bring to Lancaster the following Amunition &c. 100...
296To George Washington from John Stanwix, 23 May 1757 (Washington Papers)
By John Stanwix Esqr. Colonel Commandt of the First Battalion of his Majestys Royl American Regiment and Commander in Chief of all the Forces &c. Pensilvania and all the Southern Provinces. Wheras his Excellcy John Earl of Loudoun has thought it for his Majestys Service to Order five Companys of the First Battalion of Royal Americans under my Command to serve in the back part’s of the Southern...
297To George Washington from William Ball, 25 May 1757 (Washington Papers)
Waited on the Governour this day in Company with Capt. McNeal, on my applying to him to be paid for my Servant Man Samuel Poe, was directed to you I hope Sir you will think it Reasonable to send Me Fifteen pounds Nothing could induce Me to value Him so low only that he is in my Countrys Service & has behav’d so well as to be made a Serjeant his first cost was £30 after he had serv’d two years...
298Enclosure: John Spour’s Receipt, 28 May 1757 (Washington Papers)
Receiv’d of Colo. George Washington out of the Publick Stores at Winchester the following Particulars viz.—100 Barrls Gunpowder. 3 Tons of Lead. 100, 6 lb. Shott. and 12000 Musket-Flints to be deliver’d to Edward Shippen Esqr. at Lancaster for His Majesty’s Use, agreeable to Orders from Jno. Stanwix Esqr. Colo. Commandant of the first Battalion of the Royal American Regiment &ca. Witness my...
299To 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...
300To George Washington from John Hall, 1 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
I have to inform you I have been at this Place this 7 days. I have made use of all my Credentialls, & got admitted to an Interview with his Lordship—he seem’d much displeas’d at my leaving the Virginia Regiment, & I believe t’was owing to the Influence of yr kind Lr he did not reject me, being apprehensive I presume too favourable a Reception might encourage others of that Chore to revolt. I...
301To 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...
302To George Washington from Richard Bland, 7 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of receiving your Letter by Mr Gist: and I assure you, I should look upon it as a singular Felicity, if I could contribute towards perfecting any Scheme, for the advantage of my Country: my Endeavours, so far as my Influence will reach, shall never be wanting. I had the mortification to find the Majority of our House, against the most vigorous measures, for effectually...
303To George Washington from James Baker, 10 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
I Yesterday returned to this place with the Cherokees and have the Satisfaction to acquaint you that on the 5th Instant we fell on two Tracks about 35 Miles beyond the three Forks of Yohagany in a small path that led towards this place, we had not followed those Tracks above eight or Ten Miles, before we met 10 Frenchmen returning from a Scout, our foremost Indian discovered them first and sat...
304To George Washington from John Dagworthy, 14 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
Six Cherokee Indians who just now came from Fort Du Quesne, say that six days ago they saw a large body of troops march from that garrison, with a number of waggons & a train of artillery, & by their route, must intend an attack on this garrison. I am, Sir, Yr most humble servt Sprague transcript , DLC:GW . For further details of the report of a French invasion, see James Livingston to GW, 14...
305To George Washington from James Livingston, 14 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
I am desird by Capt. Dagworthy to accquaint you that their is a great body of the Enemy one their way too these frontiers where they intend is not Certain the Intellegince Comes from 6 of Capt. Spotswoods party that arrivd hear about 3 oClock this afternon, Says Capt. Spotswood left them 10 days ago these 6 Seprated themselfs from the Rest and went to Fort De Quisnie where they Stay’d Some...
306To 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...
307To George Washington from John Dagworthy, 17 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday in the Evening Six Indians arrived from Fort Du Quesne who left that Place last Sunday & Brought with them two Scalps which they took within a hundred yards of the Fort, I learn from them that the Fireing of the Cannon & Small Arms which I mentioned in my last was occasioned by a large Scouting Party leaving that Place to come this way, they say the Indians who came in before made a...
308To George Washington from William Fairfax, 17 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
I receiv’d yr Express this Morning at Belvoir in Compa. with Mr & Mrs Carlyle and soon after set off hither to consult with Majr West, the Captains Ramsay, Dalton, Terrett &c. On which have sent Orders to have the Several Companys to meet at different Rendezvous to morrow and Sunday, in hopes of making therefrom a Detachment of an hundred Men to meet at Mr Wm West’s on Monday night or Tuesday...
309To George Washington from Edward Shippen, 17 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure to receive your favour of 28 ult. by John Spore and Company waggoners with the Ammunition for His Majestie’s use, but there came a hundred and One Barrels of Gun Powder; and instead of 3 Tons of Lead, specified in the Receipt given you by Spore, there were but 48 boxes, designed at Home I Suppose, to contain One hundred pounds gross or 112 lb.: and I See that Mr Hamilton the...
310To George Washington from John Stanwix, 18 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
I recd both yours of the 15th & 16th of June, by the Favour of Colonel Armstrong & some hour’s before that had recd intelligence from Capt: Dagworthy & Capt. Beal of their intelligence of the Motion of the French & Indians towards Fort Cumberland, on the receipt of which I directly apply’d to the Magistrates here for Waggons, for the Baggag artillery, Ammunition and Provisions: & the moment...
311To George Washington from Edmond Atkin, 19 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
When the Swallows People came to Town this afternoon, with the Young French Officer their Prisoner, they came strait to my Lodgings, to pay their Compliment; and soon after carried him away to their own, to eat some Victuals, Hunger being uppermost in their Thoughts. In the Evening, before I would put you to the Trouble to attend (as I had determined to examine him then in the presence of...
312To George Washington from Alexander Beall, 19 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
the enclosed Letters Came from Collo. Stanwix about 11 oClock this Night, and I have Immediatly Dispatched them to you, as the Collo. writes in a Very Importunate manner for intilligence, I Shall Send a Strong party out to Fort Cumberland to morrow, tho. we want Indians Very much for Such Service, and if a few Could be Spared this way, I Apprehend it would be Very much for the Bennefit of the...
313To George Washington from William Fairfax, 19 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
This is intended to be delivered You by Bryan Fx who is appointed by Commission Captain of one of the two detacht Companys of our Militia which its hopd will amount to the Number of fifty private Men each, and Sufficient at this Time to answer yr Expectation from Us. I sent immediate Notice to Colo. Hy Lee to act the needful with the Pce Wm Malitia, and Yrs for Govr Sharpe Sent over to Mr...
314To George Washington from John Kirkpatrick, 19 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
I share in the anxiety and concern that you must undoubtedly undergo in the present melancholy prospect and very warmly wish a happy issue—Shoud my service be requisite in any shape at this juncture, I shall be glad to know it, and will immediately obey with the greatest chearfulness in whatever you are pleased to command. This County sends 120 Men to your asistance, tho’ experience gives but...
315To George Washington from Thomas Waggener et al., 19 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
We understand that Mr Atkins has either complain’d or intends to complain to you that we had the Insolence to desire one of the Cherokee Warriours with the french Prisoner to come & drink a Glass of Wine with us, if it is so, we shou’d be very much oblig’d to you if you wou’d inform that Gentleman that as our Officers & Men risk’d their Lives in taking of the Prisoner, we are entitled to speak...
316To George Washington from John Baylor, 20 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
Yrs of the 10th I rec’d & have by the Bearer sent yr Mare which I make not the least Doubt of being in Foal & you are kindly welcome to send a couple of Mares yearly to my Horses. When we come to recounting Favours I find my self so largely yr Debtor that I shall allways insist on yr commanding with Freedom any & every Thing wherin I can be Serviceable. Sorry I am for the unhappy Fall of one...
317To 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...
318To George Washington from Robert Slaughter, 20 June 1757 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Robert Slaughter, 20 June 1757. On 21 June 1757 GW wrote to Slaughter: “I received yours of the 20th instant.”
319To George Washington from John Robinson, 21 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
It gave me great Concern that Capt. Gist went back without carrying a Letter from me in Answer to your several Favours, which he should not have done had I known any thing of his going, but I never had the Pleasure of seeing him after he delivered your Letter, in Compliance to your request in his behalf, I spoke to the Managers for carrying on the Trade with the Indians the only thing that was...
320To George Washington from John Stanwix, 22 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
had I Not had a letter last night from Capt. Dagworthy Fort Cumberlands being safe and the Intelligence of Artillery, Waggons &c. &c. &c. being a Mistake, should have march’d this morning every thing being ready, but was stopd some days for want of Carriages, and it will be always the Case here in this deserted Country as I shall ever be obliged to Carry my Provisions tent Ammn &c. so that at...
321To George Washington from John Stanwix, 22 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you a letter this morning about 6 O’Clock since which I have the Favour of your’s of the 20th with the Examination of the French Officer your Prisoner for which I [am] extreemly obliged to you, shall only add to what I say’d in the morning that I highly approve of The Council of War you held and think your Fort Loudoun the properest place to make a Stand for which reason it was there I...
322To George Washington from David Ross, 23 June 1757 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from David Ross, 23 June 1757. On 25 June 1757 GW wrote to Ross: “I was this day favoured with yours of the 23d instant.”
323To 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,...
324To George Washington from William Fairfax, 26 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
I have receiv’d yr Favour by Danl Jenings, and am pleasd that the Enemy have not made any nearer Approaches with a considerable Body, so as to require a further Reinforcement of our Militia, especially as the Detachment sent You proves difficult for your Supplying Them wth the necessary Provisions &c. which We could not procure & accomadate them With at the Several Distances they were drafted...
325To 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...
326To George Washington from Archibald Cary, 28 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
By Capt. Bell I receiv’d yours and am Greatly oblig’d to you, for your Good Intentions to Serve him, and must beleive that the hopes the Gover. his Given him is due to you. Notwithstanding I hold no Milatary Commn I thought it my Duty to do all I Could to raise the Men due from our County for the presant Service and I judg’d those most proper who would Volantaryly Inlist, I Apply’d to the...
327To George Washington from Henry Lee, 28 June 1757 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Henry Lee, 28 June 1757. On 30 June 1757 GW wrote to Lee: “I have received yours of the 28th instant.”
328To George Washington from John Robinson, 29 June 1757 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you last by Mr Boyd by whom I sent Ten thousand Pounds, Six thousand for the Arrears due to the Regimt and Four thousand for Provisions &ca and Two days ago I received an Order from the Govr to send up to the Officers, appointed to receive the drafted and enlisted men, Two Thousand Pounds to pay the Men the Reward given them by the Act; and I have embraced the Opportunity by the Capt....
329To George Washington from William Fairfax, 1 July 1757 (Washington Papers)
I am glad You had no repeated Advices of the approaching Enemy wch has admitted the Discharge of Captain Fx and Company of ill disciplin’d Militia and generally composd of malevolent Persons. A Proof of our inconsiderate Medley is given in our not been able to send more than nine Persons from this County to add to yr Regiment. I referr to Colo. Carlyle’s giving You an Accot how our odly mixt...
330To 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...
331To 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...
332To 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...
333To 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 ....
334To 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...
335To 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...
336To 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...
337To 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...
338To 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£...
339To 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...
340To 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...