To George Washington from Fielding Lewis, 8 March 1775
From Fielding Lewis
March 8th 1775
Dear Sir
Mr Page inform’d our Committee that you could furnish them with a quantity of Powder having imported more than you had occasion for in your County; I am directed to request that you will reserve Ten Barrells for the use of this County; and if you can contrive it to Malborough it will be convenient for us to send there, wch I am in hopes you can do as I am informed that you have purchased the wheat made there from Mr Mercer.1 my Scyths may be sent at the same time.2 Mr Fitzhugh informs me that I shall have the pleasure of Yr Company on friday senight on Yr way to the Meeting of the Delegates.3 I am Dr Sir Your most Affectionate Humble Servant
Fielding Lewis
ALS, ViMtvL.
1. Fielding Lewis was elected chairman of the Spotsylvania County committee in December 1774, and he and six other men were “empowered to contract for” gunpowder, lead, and gunflints for the use of the Spotsylvania Independent Company (, 2:196–98). Mr. Page was either Mann Page (b. 1718) or his son Mann Page, Jr. (c.1749–1803), both of Mannsfield near Fredericksburg. The younger Page had been a member of the House of Burgesses since 1772 and served on the five Virginia conventions.
2. See Cash Accounts, January, and note 9 of that document.
3. Mr. Fitzhugh is probably William Fitzhugh of Chatham. GW arrived in Fredericksburg on Friday, 17 Mar., on the way to the convention meeting in Richmond.