George Washington Papers

[Diary entry: 14 September 1769]

14. Went to Alexandria to the Election of Burgesses for Fairfax & was chosen together with Colo. West without a Poll, their being no opposition.

This election was called in consequence of Governor Botetourt’s dissolution of the last House of Burgesses in May 1769. When there was no opposition in a burgess election (which was seldom) the sheriff took the vote “by view,” although it is not clear whether GW was reelected by voice vote or by a show of hands.

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