To George Washington from William Meldrum, 26 July 1757
From William Meldrum
[Winchester] 26th July 1757
Sir.
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.1 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 to such a sudden (and seeminly unconsistent) change, shall referr You to Mr Thomson,2 who, I flatter myself, will conceal no part of what I have already told him. I am wt. unfeigned regard Sir Your most affect. & most obedt Humble Sert
Will: Meldrum
ALS, DLC:GW.
The Reverend William Meldrum was ordained in 1756 by the bishop of London and for a time served as the rector of Frederick Parish in Frederick County, the site of Fort Loudoun.
1. The General Court-Martial of 25–26 July at Fort Loudoun gave fourteen men accused of deserting the sentence of death by hanging or shooting.
2. Mr. Thomson may be Lt. Nathaniel Thompson of the Virginia Regiment, about whom Edmond Atkin complained to GW so bitterly on 19 June 1757.