851From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 27 May 1754 (Washington Papers)
The 25th Ult. by an Express from Colo. Fry I receiv’d the News of your Honour’s arrival at Winchester and desire of seeing the Half King and other Chiefs of the 6 Nations —I have by Sundry Speeches and messages invited him Monacatoocha &ca to meet me and have reason to expect he is on his Road as he only purposd to settle his People to planting at a place choose on Monongehele Yaughyaughgane...
852Some Account of the Pennsylvania Hospital, [28 May 1754] (Franklin Papers)
Some Account of the Pennsylvania Hospital; From its first Rise, to the Beginning of the Fifth Month, called May, 1754. Philadelphia: Printed by B. Franklin, and D. Hall. MDCCLIV . (Yale University Library) The history of the origin and establishment of the Pennsylvania Hospital has been briefly told in the preceding volume. To report on their stewardship and demonstrate reasons for continued...
853From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 28 May 1754 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society I had at length the pleasure of hearing from you per the Myrtilla that brought me yours of the 26th. Janry. with which I received the two Cases containing the Maps, Silk &c. all very agreeable: but nothing more so than the good News you tell me, that our Proprietor is solicitous for the Prosperity of the Academy, has ordered a Salary towards the Support of...
854From Benjamin Franklin to the President and Council of the Royal Society, 29 May 1754 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : The Royal Society The very great Honour you have done me, in adjudging me your Medal for 1753, demands my grateful Acknowledgements, which I beg you would accept as the only Return at present in my Power. I know not whether any of your learned Body have attain’d the ancient boasted Art of multiplying Gold; but you have certainly found the Art of making it infinitely more valuable . You...
855From 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...
856From 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...
857From 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...
858From George Washington to Joshua Fry, 29 May 1754 (Washington Papers)
This by an imediate express, I send to infm you that Yesterday I engagd a party of French whereof 11 were kill’d and 20 taken with the loss of only 1 of mine killd and 2 or 3 wounded among which was Lieutt Waggener: by some of their Paper’s we can discover that large detachts are expected every day, which we may reasonably suppose are to attack us especially since we have began. This is...
859From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Penn, 30 May 1754 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Mr. Peters has communicated to me a Paragraph of your Letter of Feby. 1. relating to a Plan desired by Sir Everard Fawkener, for the Extension of Correspondence, without any View to present Advantage. Immediately after the Treaty at Albany, Mr. Hunter and I are to proceed on a Journey thro’ all the Northern Colonies, to visit all the Post Offices, and...
860From George Washington to John Augustine Washington, 31 May 1754 (Washington Papers)
Since my last we have arrived at this place, where 3 days agoe we had an engagemt wth the French that is, between a party of theirs & Ours; Most of our men were out upon other detachments, so that I had scarcely 40 men under my Command, and about 10, or a doz. Indians, nevertheless we obtained a most signal Victory. The Battle lasted abt 10, or 15 minutes, sharp firing on both sides, when the...
861To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 1 June 1754 (Washington Papers)
Mr Gist brot Yr Letter & the very agreeable Acct of Yr Killing & taking Monsr Le Force & his whole Party of 35 Men on which Success I heartily congratulate You, as it may give a Testimony to the Inds. that the French are not invincible wn fairly engagd with the English; but hope the good Spirits of Yr Soldiers will not tempt You to make any hazardous Attempts agst a too numerous Enemy. When...
862To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 1 June 1754 (Washington Papers)
Mr Geo. Croghan, a Gent. well acquainted with Indn. Affairs is engag’d by me to serve His My as an Interpreter. I therefore desire You to shew him a proper regard & in such Matters relating to the Delivery of Presents, wt You may have to negotiate with the Half King & the Inds. in the British Alliance & Int[eres]t You will consult him. I am Sr Yr most humble Servt LB , ViHi : Dinwiddie Papers....
863To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 2 June 1754 (Washington Papers)
I heartily wish that YrSelf & Officers had not at this Time discover’d an Uneasiness on Acct of Yr Pay especially as the long Delay of Colo. Fry’s Detachmt in not yet joining Yrs gives me too much Concern. You must all be sensible that if Yr present Establishmt is less than the first Estimate made; it was from a Calculatn of the 10,000 only granted to support the Expedition which if it had...
864From 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...
865To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 4 June 1754 (Washington Papers)
On the Death of Colo. Fry I have thot it proper to send You the enclos’d Como. to Comd the Virga regimt, & another for Majr Muse to be Lieut. Colo. The eldest Capt. to be Majr & the eldest Lieut. to be Capt. the eldest Ensign to be Lieut. unless You shd have Objectn to them. I think You will want two Ensigns, if so, I recommend Mr Perroney if he has behav’d so as to merit it, the other I leave...
866To George Washington from Charles Carter, 5 June 1754 (Washington Papers)
We had the agreable news of the victory obtaind by the Partie under your Command I heartily congratulate you and all the Brave gentlen that were of the company. From this happy begining I am lead to hope you will soon make those cruel men know that numbers can’t support an unrighteous cause God grant you may be blest with the like success and drive them Out of our Colony I had this affair in...
867From George Washington to John Carlyle, 6 June 1754 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Carlyle, 6 June 1754. On 17 June 1754 John Carlyle wrote to GW : “I Received your favour of the 6th.” This was probably the letter to Carlyle described by GW in his letter to Robert Dinwiddie, 10 June 1754 , in which he stated that he complained to Carlyle of the “tardiness” of the commissary’s deputies and requested that “suitable stores of Ammunition might be sent...
868From Benjamin Franklin to James Alexander and Cadwallader Colden with Short Hints towards a Scheme for Uniting the … (Franklin Papers)
Copy: New-York Historical Society; also transcript: Library of Congress The Pennsylvania commissioners to the Albany Congress left Philadelphia on Monday morning, June 3, and arrived at New York on the afternoon of Wednesday, the 5th. Some of them, especially Richard Peters, were active during the next three days buying various goods for the Pennsylvania present to the Indians, apparently...
869James Alexander to Cadwallader Colden, 9 June 1754 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: New-York Historical Society; also transcripts: Library of Congress and Harvard College Library (Sparks) I communicated yours of May 16th and 28th and my Answers to Mr. Pownal Mr. Peeters and Mr. Franklin. Before I communicated them to Mr. Pownal, he had thought of forewith building one Vessel of force and sundry small Vessels to attend her, to prevent the boarding of the larger by...
870From 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...
871To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Timothy, 14 June 1754 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Favour of the 23th of April, by Capt. Robeson, has been received. Perhaps if you had been by when I read it, you would have pitied me; for my Concern was great, and very visible. I own you had some Reason to be so severe: But had you been in my Place, you might have acted as I did; Robeson came here under the Character of a professed Gamester; and...
872To George Washington from John Carlyle, 17 June 1754 (Washington Papers)
I received your favour of the 6th by Mr Gist & am Very Sorrey that its not In our power to Supply you faster & better than We doe; its not for Want of Will, but for two reasons first a Scarcity of Cash, & Secondly We are Deceived by those that we depend opon. I wrote you that I had Agreed With Mr Croghan for 10,000 Wt of Flour to be Delivered at his risque at the Camp In 15 days from the time...
873To George Washington from Sarah Carlyle, 17 June 1754 (Washington Papers)
I Received your Letter dated the 15 May, Which gave me both pleasure and pain, the first to heare of your health, the latter to be Informed of the many Risques you run, but am hopeful your good Constitution and a kind protecter will bring you out of them all as it has In the last Ingagement preserved you from harm. If I thought my Letters were Agreeabel to you I wou’d continew a Correspondence...
874To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 18 June 1754 (Washington Papers)
I rec’d Yr Letter of June 3d & I am very glad to know by it that the Half Kg with 80 Persons is arriv’d at Yr Camp. I have given all necessary Orders for a proper Supply for Yr R[egimen]t and Yr[self] not doubting but by this Time Muse has joined You—The barbarous Intents. of the French surprizes me & their Speech to the Wayandotts Twightwees &ca & it gives me Pleasure that those Nat[ion]s...
875Proceedings of the Albany Congress, 19 June 1754–11 July 1754 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Public Record Office, London; Rhode Island State Archives; John Carter Brown Library; New York State Library; Maryland Hall of Records; Massachusetts Historical Society James DeLancey had summoned the Albany Congress to meet on June 14, but its opening session did not take place until the 19th. The delay was caused chiefly by the failure of some of the Iroquois to come to Albany on...
876To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwallader Colden, 20 June 1754 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: New-York Historical Society; also transcript: Library of Congress I inclose the papers which I received from Mr. Alexander to be conveyed to you by the first opportunity to Albany. You will find that I make remarks with that freedom which I believe you expect from me that in case you find any weight in any of them you may make your scheme more perfect by avoiding reasonable exceptions...
877To Benjamin Franklin from William Daniell, 23 June 1754 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In my Last of the 12th Ultimo I made proposal for Dealing with you for paper which if Convenient should be glad you would be as Expeditious as possible in Sending me the 50 Rms. of Demy Paper I wrote for as also a Sheet of Each sort of writing or printing paper you make with the prices per Rm. wrote on Each sheet as I am taking some things in hand for the...
878To George Washington from Bryan Fairfax, 24 June 1754 (Washington Papers)
The agreeable and long wished for News of the detachments under the Command of Major Muse and Capt. McKay having joined you in time to prevent the Success of any Attacks from the french was very satisfactory to me; whose mind was continually alarmed with the Apprehensions of your being forced to another battle when unprepared for it. The Triton arrived here the 22d with the two Companies from...
879Sarah Sober to Richard Peters and Benjamin Franklin: Trust Agreement, 25 June 1754 (Franklin Papers)
DS : Franklin Institute; transcript: Department of Records, Recorder of Deeds, City of Philadelphia June 25, 1754 Abstract: An indenture by Sarah Sober of Philadelphia, widow (called in this abstract the settlor) and Richard Peters and Benjamin Franklin (called the trustees). Whereas the settlor has assigned to the trustees two bonds, one dated Aug. 17, 1753, from Stephen Shewell and Hannah...
880To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 25 June 1754 (Washington Papers)
This will (I hope) be deliver’d You by Colo. James Innes, who has my Commission to command in chief on the Expedition, which I dare say will be very agreeable to You, & am in Hopes when all the Forces are collected in a Body You will be able to turn the Tables on the French and dislodge them from the Fort, & in Time to take full Possession of the Ohio river. As I am afraid of Disputes from the...
881To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 27 June 1754 (Washington Papers)
Yr Letter without Date I recd am sorry You have occasion to complain for want of Flouer &ca it gives me much Uneasiness, & have wrote strongly to Majr Carlyle to prevent any such Complaints for the Future, & I hope You will have no room to complain for the want of Provisions or Ammunition having desired that the last may be immediately sent out. Before this reaches You I doubt not Colo. Innes...
882Albany Congress Committee: Short Hints towards a Scheme for a General Union of the British Colonies on the Continent, 28 … (Franklin Papers)
Copy: New York Public Library The first four days of the Albany Congress were devoted to organization and to consideration of matters relating to the forthcoming conference with the Six Nations. On Monday, June 24, however, a motion was passed unanimously “that the Commissioners deliver their opinion whether a Union of all the Colonies is not at present absolutely necessary for their security...
883To George Washington from Daniel Campbell, 28 June 1754 (Washington Papers)
I was agreeably favour’d with yours of 31st March last & would have wrote you sooner but was prevented for want of a proper opporty; I have since had the pleasure of Seeing the Bearer Mr Splittdorff with the fruits of your Victory over the French, the Sight of whom gave me & your other friends such satisfaction as is only felt by those who have hearts full of Mutual affection & friendship. In...
884To George Washington from John Carlyle, 28 June 1754 (Washington Papers)
I reced both your favours by Wm Jinkins & am Sorry you have so just Grounds for Complaints from my Deputys & the persons I Engage with but particularly with Mr Gist & Mr Croghan, the Latter as he’s with you I am In hopes you’l oblige him to make good his Agreements & the former has promised to do all he can hereafter. Your men have reason to Complain by not been paid regularly but I am not In...
885Minutes of a Council of War, 28 June 1754 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of War held at Mr Gists Ju⟨ne⟩ 28th 1754 After the Junction with our own Detachmt and the Independent Company To Consider what was most prudent & necessary ⟨to⟩ be done in the present Situation of Affairs: It was Unanimously Resolved that it was Absolutly necessary to Return to our Fort at the meadows & Wait there untill Supply’d with a Stock of provisions Sufficient to serve us...
886William Daniell to Franklin and Hall, 29 June 1754 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since my Last to you I received your Favour advising of not receiving my paper which I assure Is not oweing to any Neglect as I Never Fail Sending them and am very Sorry they do not Come to your hands, for the Future shall Give more particular directions to the Captain that Carries them, I am Gentlemen Your most Humble Servant Addressed: To Messrs....
887Notes on the Navigation of the Potomac River above the Great Falls, July–August 1754 (Washington Papers)
Reference Above the Mouth of Shan[andoa]h there is but one fall and that is smooth and shallow which prevents Craft from passing at all times—Abt ½ Mile below is the place Esteem’d the most difficult It runs exceeding swift for wch reason it is call’d the spout and the bottom being very Rocky occasions rough water which will prevent small Canoes ever passing as our’s that was large had like to...
888Reasons and Motives for the Albany Plan of Union, [July 1754] (Franklin Papers)
“Reasons and Motives”: MS not found; reprinted from Benjamin Vaughan, ed., Political, Miscellaneous, and Philosophical Pieces; … Written by Benj. Franklin, LL.D. and F.R.S. (London, 1779), pp. 85–119; “Remark”: AD : American Philosophical Society On July 23, 1754, soon after returning to New York from Albany, where he had been an observer, Thomas Pownall sent a long report on the Congress...
889Richard Peters: Rough Notes on a Debate at Albany, 1 July 1754 (Franklin Papers)
MS notes: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission The “Short Hints” which the committee presented to the Albany Congress contained the proposal—as Franklin’s earlier “Short Hints” had done—that an act of Parliament should be obtained to put the projected Plan of Union into effect. This appears to have been one of the most hotly debated aspects of the entire scheme. There survives as a...
890II., 3 July 1754 (Washington Papers)
Capitulation accordée par ⟨M.⟩ de Vill⟨iers Capitaine⟩ D’infant⟨erie⟩ Commandant des troupes de Sa Majesté tres Chrétienne a celuy des troupes Anglais actuellement dans le fort de Nécessité qui avoit été Construit sur les terres du Domaine Du Roy Ce 3e Juillet 1754 a huit heures du soir. Savoir. Comme notre intention n’a jamais été de troubler la Paix et la Bonne armonie qui régnoit entre les...
891To George Washington from William Fairfax, 5 July 1754 (Washington Papers)
I came hither at our Governor’s Request to view Captn Clarke’s Compa. & Captn Rutherford’s under the Care & Command of Capt. Ogilvie, who I am told have been delayd & retarded many Days, By the Muster It appeard they are not compleat. Colo. Innes is at Winchester, waiting for these and two Compas. of his own Men now here, the rest to march from No. Carolina by Land. It will yet require a long...
892James Innes to GW or James Mackay, 5 July 1754 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received your Express & am verey glade to find you are Joined. I wish My Regemt, with the New York Companeys were arrived here they are upon ther march, nor cann I laren the reason of there so long Stay att Bell Haven you may depend I will make all the heast in my Power to join you[.] If you Should be Oblidged to retire you must demolish your Works other ways it is making a...
893Albany Congress: Representation of the Present State of the Colonies, 9 July 1754 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Public Record Office, London; also copies: Rhode Island Archives, John Carter Brown Library, New York State Library, Maryland Hall of Records, Massachusetts Historical Society (2 copies) Recent events had made clear to everyone attending the Albany Congress that a struggle with the French was impending for the mastery of the continent. The chief purpose of any plan of union which they...
894To George Washington from William Fairfax, 10 July 1754 (Washington Papers)
I did my Self the Pleasure to write to You by Majr Thos Clarke now on his March from Alexandria, but He appeard to have So infirm a State of Body as Some doubt He can’t undergo the unavoidable Fatigues of his present Travel. Colo. James Innes has been at Winchester more than a Week impatiently waiting for the remaining Forces expected by Water from Cape Fear now arrivd; but when They will...
895From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 14 July 1754 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society I am very sorry that our unexpected long Stay at Albany prevents my having the Pleasure of seeing you at this time. Mr. Peters, Mr. Norris and my self, with my Son, came ashore here about 3 aClock with Intent to get a Waggon or Horses to carry us to your House, and the Sloop was to wait for us till tomorrow Noon; but after many fruitless Attempts, Night coming...
896I., 19 July 1754 (Washington Papers)
The third of this Instant July, about 9 o’Clock, we received Intelligence that the French, having been reinforced with 700 Recruits, had left Monongehela, and were in full March with 900 Men to attack us. Upon this, as our Numbers were so unequal, (our whole Force not exceeding 300) we prepared for our Defence in the best Manner we could, by throwing up a small Intrenchment, which we had not...
897From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 21 July 1754 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society I wrote a Line to you from your Landing, promising to send you a Copy of the Plan of Union, which I now enclose. We had a great deal of Disputation about it, almost every Article being contested by one or another; but at length we agreed on it pretty unanimously; and Copies are ordered for the several Governments: How they will relish it, or how it will be...
898From 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.”
899From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 29 July 1754 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am just return’d from Albany, where were Commissioners from seven Provinces to treat with the Indians of the Six Nations. I suppose the Treaty will be printed, and I shall send you a Copy. At present can only mention, that we brighten’d the Chain with them &c. and parted good Friends; but in my Opinion no Assistance is to be expected from them in any...
900From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques de Romas, 29 July 1754 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Jacques de Romas, Mémoire, sur les moyens de se garantir de la foudre dans les maisons; … (Bordeaux, 1776), pp. 145–6. (Yale University Library) Your most obliging Favour of Octob. 19 with your two very ingenious Memoirs on the subject of Electricity, came not to hand till yesterday. By this Vessel, which is just departing for London, I can only acknowledge the...