2231From George Washington to David Lewis, Jr., 18 October 1756 (Washington Papers)
Lieutenant Bullet, who commands at this place in the absence of Captain Hogg, tells me, that he applied to you for a few men to join such parties as this Garrison can afford, to range the woods, and assist the inhabitants in securing their Grain, gathering their Corn, &c. and that you have refused to aid him. I conceive if you did so, it must have proceeded from a misapprehension of his...
2232From John Adams to Charles Cushing, 19 October 1756 (Adams Papers)
I look upon myself obliged to give you the reasons that induced me to resolve upon the study and profession of the law, because you were so kind as to advise me to a different profession. When yours came to hand I had thoughts of preaching, but the longer I lived, and the more experience I had of that order of men, and of the real design of their institution, the more objections I found in my...
2233Orders, 23 October 1756 (Washington Papers)
It is Colonel Washington’s positive orders to the Officer of the Day—to Captain Stone, and all overseers of the public works, not to suffer any man to straggle from his work, on any pretence whatever; as they are constantly running about the Streets, when they shou’d be employed. Therefore no man is to be seen in town without a ticket in writing from his overseer, setting forth the reasons of...
2234From George Washington to Adam Stephen, 23 October 1756 (Washington Papers)
Last night I returned from a very long and troublesome jaunt on the Frontiers, as far as Mayo; where affairs seem to be in a dangerous situation: and to add to our misfortunes, I find our neighbourhood here on the wing—you and your Garrison, in great distress & danger. The Enemy ravaging the country about Conogochieg, stony-run, and South-Branch—Loud and general complaints for protection—few...
2235Orders, 24–26 October 1756 (Washington Papers)
The workmen on the Fort are to continue henceforth, ’till retreat beating every night. The Quarter-master is to deliver Blankets for each Sentry that is kept out at night: which are to be given to each relief, and taken care of for that purpose. LB , DLC:GW .
2236To 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...
2237Orders, 27–28 October 1756 (Washington Papers)
As Colonel Washington is to hold conference with the catawba Indians, betwixt eleven & twelve o’clock —He desires all the Officers in town to attend at that time. and during the time of conference, he orders a Sergeant & Drummer to beat through the Town, ordering all Soldiers & Towns people to use the Indians civilly and kindly; to avoid giving them liquor; and to be cautious what they speak...
2238To George Washington from Andrew Lewis, 28 October 1756 (Washington Papers)
I Received a Letter from Capt. Paris Deated the 21t of ⟨thi⟩s Month, he tels me that he Sent for Guns and other Necessarys for the Indians with him. the Indians are highly pleased with the Arms and the Large preparations made for them the wareour proposed sending a Runar to the Nation with one of the guns, and Likewis to Aqueant them what is provided for them. he makes no Dout of a great...
2239Orders, 29–30 October 1756 (Washington Papers)
The Guard to be reduced to a corporal and six men. The men to parade at 12 o’clock to-morrow, on beating the Long Roll, to attend prayers. LB , DLC:GW .
2240Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 29 October 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1756–1757 (Philadelphia, 1757), pp. 23–4. When the newly elected Assembly met to organize on October 14, Governor Denny informed it that “several weighty Affairs” required their immediate attention: viz., an embargo on food, clothing, and warlike stores to possessions of France; provision for transporting and quartering British...
2241Adam Stephen’s Council of War and George Washington’s Comments, 30 October 1756 (Washington Papers)
A Council of War, held at Fort Cumberland October 30th 1756. in pursuance of an order received from Colonel George Washington; agreeable to an order from Governor Dinwiddie; to consult whether it is most for the advantage of His Majesty’s Service, to keep or demolish Fort-Cumberland. Present. Lieut. Colo: Adam Stephen, President. Capt. Wm Bronaugh } { Capt. Hen. Woodward Capt. Robt Spotswood...
2242Orders, 31 October 1756 (Washington Papers)
Officers commanding Companies to set about making out their pay-rolls, in order to have them ready; as Captain Mercer is expected in town this night. So soon as the waggons arrive in town they are to be employed on the Fort; as they can not possibly go to-morrow. LB , DLC:GW . Aide-de-camp George Mercer went to Williamsburg on 10 October both to appear at the general court to testify in the...
2243To George Washington from John McNeill, 31 October 1756 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday Mr McClanachan, Colo. Stewart, & Captn Brackanridge Came home here from Willg, and they report, that they made enquirie of the Gover: how they were to be paid for their Servts, and that the Govr deny’d he had given any orders to Inlist Servts nor would have any concern in the matter, I can find by them they are design’d to Cause me some Trouble, therefor Shall be much Oblidg’d if...
2244Orders, 1–5 November 1756 (Washington Papers)
Lt Lowry with one Sergeant & 25 men, to parade at 12 o’clock; and march as an Escort for the waggons. The men to be picketted; taking those who are least useful at the works. Detail for the party— The Colonel’s company 4 } Capt. Mercers 11 25 Rank & file Lt Williams’s 10 The Quarter-master to deliver out arms for all the waggoners; taking their receipts for them. LB , DLC:GW . See Orders, 31...
2245Provincial Commissioners: Orders for Payment [November 23–December 29, 1756] (Franklin Papers)
DS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania After the return of the provincial commissioners from the Easton Indian conference they resumed their regular sessions and began again to issue orders for money payments on November 23. By December 28 the end of their available funds was once more in sight and on that day and the next they authorized a few large payments, including one which turned over...
2246Mutiny Act, [4 November 1756] (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted (in part only) from The Statutes at Large of Pennsylvania from 1682 to 1801 , V (Wm. Stanley Ray, State Printer of Pennsylvania, 1898), 266–8. The Mutiny Act passed on April 15, 1756 (see above, VI , 434–7), expired by its own limitation on October 30. Two days before that event Franklin brought in a bill, by leave of the House, to renew the law for a short term. With nearly a...
2247From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 5 November 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library; also extract: The Royal Society The above is a Copy of my last, and I now send the two second Bills of Steevens and Ludwell. I wrote then in great Hurry, being just setting out for the Frontiers, to visit some of the Forts with the Governor; a long Journey. Since our Return, I have scarce had a Moment’s Time to write to my Friends, the Assembly sitting twice a...
2248To George Washington from Robert Stewart et al., 5 November 1756 (Washington Papers)
We are inform’d that a vagancy has lately happen’d in your Regiment, by the Resignation of Ensign McCarty, and begs leave to Recommend the Bearer Mr Speake, a young Gentn who has ever since he join’d us, made the study of his Profession the principal object of his care and attention; he has with chearfulness undertaken and with the utmost Spirit and alacrity executed, every kind of Duty that...
2249Orders, 6–9 November 1756 (Washington Papers)
The men to parade to-morrow at 12 o’clock, at long-roll beating, to attend prayers. Lt Williams to take his tour of Duty with the other Officers. To-morrow being the anniversary of His Majestys Birth-day; the men to be drawn up at 12 o’clock, and marched to the Fort, there to fire three vollies, which is to be taken from the cannon—officers to appear in their Regimentals; and the Soldiers to...
2250From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 9 November 1756 (Washington Papers)
In mine from Hallifax I promised your Honour a particular detail of my remarks and observations, upon the situation of our Frontiers, when I arrived at this place. Altho’ I was pretty explicit in my former, I can not avoid recapitulating part of the subject now : as my duty, and its importance for redress, are strong motives. From Fort-Trial, on Smith’s river, I returned to Fort-William, on...
2251Enclosure: Proposal for Frontier Forts, 9 November 1756 (Washington Papers)
A Plan of the number of Forts, and strength necessary to each, extending entirely across our Frontiers, from South to north. Names of the forts, or persons Commandg in ’em. On what waters placed Distance from each other in miles No. of men Garrisoning each Capt. Harris Mayo 20 Galloway Smith’s-river 15 miles 20 Terry
2252From George Washington to John Robinson, 9 November 1756 (Washington Papers)
I am just returned from a tedious and troublesome tour around our frontiers which has afforded me many unpleasing views of the melancholy condition of our countrymen: arising chiefly from the indolence and irregularity of the militia, posted in different places for their protection. I have always made it a principle of duty to promote the interest and Service of my Country by every endeavour,...
2253Draft of a Speech for William Denny, [12 November 1756] (Franklin Papers)
AD : Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission At the Council meeting following receipt of the Assembly message urging him to meet the Indians in spite of Lord Loudoun’s orders not to, Denny was distressed to learn that the Indians insisted the conference be held in Easton. He agreed unwillingly to go, declaring it “rediculous” to leave the comforts of Philadelphia “to humour the Indians,”...
2254To George Washington from William Peachey et al., 12 November 1756 (Washington Papers)
On the 5th or 6th of October, We met with a papr in the Virginia Gazette intitled the Centinel N : 10, wherein some person or persons have undertaken to callumniate Us in the most vile & scandalous Manner, on which We address’d ourselves to Lieutt Collo. Stephen (a Copy of which Address You have herewith) desiring him to apply to the Governr for Redress, but as his Honour has not thot propper...
2255Orders, 13–14 November 1756 (Washington Papers)
The Soldiers to parade to-morrow at 11 o’clock, to hear prayers: and this to be a standing order for the future. The Officers are no longer to take their tour of Duty in overlooking the workmen—Ensign Smith is appointed for that purpose, and to be exempt from all other duty. No orders upon the Commissary, Quarter-master or any other person or persons for necessaries for the work or work-men to...
2256From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 13 November 1756 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from William Duane, ed., The Works of Dr. Benjamin Franklin , VI (Philadelphia, 1817), 14. I wrote to you a few days since, by a special messenger, and inclosed letters, for all our wives and sweethearts; expecting to hear from you by his return, and to have the northern newspapers and English letters, per the packet; but he is just now returned without a scrap for poor...
2257Draft of a Speech for William Denny, [15 November 1756] (Franklin Papers)
Copy : Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Teedyuscung, responding to Denny’s “Question in plain Terms” about land fraud on November 13, said that French influence with the young braves was the principal cause of the Indian attacks in Pennsylvania. Then, being pressed on the land question, he made the dramatic accusation the anti-proprietary interest, and especially the Quakers, had...
2258From George Washington to Peter Hog, 15 November 1756 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Peter Hog, 15 Nov. 1756. On 8 Dec. 1756 Hog wrote to GW: “I am favoured with yours of the 15th.”
2259Enclosure: Minutes of the Council, 15 November 1756 (Washington Papers)
At a Council held Novemr 15th 1756. Present The Governor John Blair Peter Randolph William Nelson Philip Ludwell Esqrs. Thomas Nelson Mr Commissary Philip Grymes William Byrd Esqr. The Governor was pleased to communicate to the Board a Letter from Colonel Washington dated at Winchester the Ninth of November, with his Observations on the Situation of our Frontiers; and inclosing a Copy of the...
2260To 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...