George Washington Papers

To George Washington from Richard Bland, 7 June 1757

From Richard Bland

Williamsburgh June 7th 1757

Dear Sir

I had the pleasure of receiving your Letter by Mr Gist:1 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 putting a Stop, to the French attempts upon our Frontiers;2 But tho’ numbers carried it against my Opinion, I am not yet convinced, that an attack upon Fort duquesne, or a lodgment near that Place, with a sufficient Force, so as to keep them in perpitual alarm, is impracticable. This is my favorite Scheme, and I should be very glad to hear of its having your approbation.

We have had a dispute with the Council, who flung out our first Bill of Supply, by an equal Division of 5 on each Side; upon the Question being put for a third reading. This strange Conduct, under our present situation gave our House great Resentment; they Voted a Severe Resolve against the Council and immediately ordered the Same Bill, under a different Title, to be brought in, which was passed in two days, and sent—again to the Council, who gave thier Concurrence to it upon more mature Consideration so that you are to have this year 1272 Men including non Commission Officers to compose your Regiment. and I do not at all doubt but that you will do every thing in your Power, for the advantage of your Country, that can be done by so small a Force; & I most heartily wish you success in all your undertakings.3

Another Bill has passed our House for Laying out 5000£ in a proper Cargo of Goods to carry on a Trade with the Indians for the Public Benefit under the Direction of Colo. Peter & Wm Randolph. Mr Cary Mr Walker & my Self.4 this Bill is now before the Council if it passes into a Law, we shall I believe, engage with Mr Gist, as Factor, to carry it on: your Recommendation of him will have all proper weight with me and I am persuaded with the other Trustees or Directors as I have some thoughts of writing an Account of our Transactions, which I design to communicate to Public View in order to wipe off all Reflection from my Country and the Several Person concerned in the conduct of our Military Enterprizes so far as they can be justified; I shall take it ⟨a⟩s a peculiar Mark of Friendship, if, at your leisure Hours, if you have any, you would send me short Heads of such things, relative to the French Invasion, with the dates, when they happened, as you Judge most Interesting and proper for such a Work.5 I will speak the truth with boldness and I hope with approbation from eve⟨ry⟩ honest and good Man, amongst whom, I assure you wi⟨th⟩out Flattery, I place you in the first Rank. I ⟨am⟩ Dear Sir Your most humble Servant

Richard Bland

If I have the pleasure of hearing from you please direct to me at Jordans in Prince George County.6

ALS, PHi: Gratz Collection.

Richard Bland (1710–1776) was a leader of the House of Burgesses, in which he served from 1742 until it last met in 1776. Called by Thomas Jefferson “the most learned and logical man of those who took prominent lead in public affairs” in the years before the Revolution, Bland seems to have been a consistent and effective supporter of GW throughout GW’s career as colonel of the Virginia Regiment (Jefferson to William Wirt, 5 Aug. 1815, in Ford, Writings of Jefferson description begins Paul Leicester Ford, ed. The Writings of Thomas Jefferson. 10 vols. New York and London, 1892–99. description ends , 9:472–76).

1The letter has not been found.

2Bland must have proposed his “measures” during the discussion by the House, beginning on 18 April and continuing for several days, about what should be done to support and strengthen the Virginia Regiment.

3For the passage of “An Act for granting an aid to his majesty for the better protection of this colony . . . ” (7 Hening description begins William Waller Hening, ed. The Statutes at Large; Being a Collection of All the Laws of Virginia, from the First Session of the Legislature, in the Year 1619. 13 vols. 1819–23. Reprint. Charlottesville, Va., 1969. description ends 69–87), see Dinwiddie to GW, 1 June 1757, n.1.

4Col. Peter Randolph of Chatsworth, Henrico County, was a member of the council. In 1755 he had been a member of the commission sent to treat with the Cherokee. William Randolph, brother of Peter Randolph, represented Henrico County in the House of Burgesses. Archibald Cary (1721–1787) was a member of the House of Burgesses for Chesterfield County. Mr. Walker was Dr. Thomas Walker, who was at this time representing Hampshire County in the assembly. See “An Act for establishing a trade with the Indians in alliance with his majesty” (7 Hening description begins William Waller Hening, ed. The Statutes at Large; Being a Collection of All the Laws of Virginia, from the First Session of the Legislature, in the Year 1619. 13 vols. 1819–23. Reprint. Charlottesville, Va., 1969. description ends 116–18).

5GW’s response to this request has not been found, and it is not known whether Bland ever wrote such a tract, but see Augustine Washington to GW, 16 Oct. 1756, n.3, for a description of Bland’s piece defending the Virginia Regiment against the charges made in Virginia-Centinel No. X.

6Jordans Point on the James River was Bland’s house which he inherited from his father.

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