41Memorandum, 1749–1750 (Washington Papers)
When I see my Brother Austin to Enquire of Him whether He is the Acting Attorney for my Brother and as my Brother Laurence left Directions with the Hon. W. Fx to remit his Pay as Agetant whether it would not be more proper to keep it to Pay the Notes of Hands Thats Daily coming against him and to write word to Williamsburgh to Acquaint his Hon. my B:A: to write him word. AD , DLC:GW . For...
42Memorandum, 1749–1750 (Washington Papers)
Mem. To Survey the Lands at the Mouth of Little Cacapehon & the Mouth of Fifteen Mile Creek for the Gentlemen of the Ohio Com. AD , DLC:GW . For background to this document, see the editorial note to GW to Ann Washington, Sept.-Nov. 1749 , and GW to Thomas Fairfax, Oct.-Nov. 1749, source note . The Ohio Company, founded in 1747 to promote European settlement and trade with the Indians in the...
43Memorandum, 1749–1750 (Washington Papers)
Memorandom to have my Coat made by the following Directions to be made a Frock with a Lapel Breast the Lapel to Contain on each side six Button Holes and to be about 5 or 6 Inches wide all the way equal and to turn as the Breast on the Coat does to have it made very Long Waisted and in Length to come down to or below the Bent of the knee the Waist from the armpit to the Fold to be exactly as...
44Memorandum, 1749–1750 (Washington Papers)
Memorandom to Charge Mrs Ann Washington with 4/9 pd. the 20 of July to a Maryland Hou[se]wife as also Major Law: Washington with 1/3 ent[ered] the 15 of August 5/9 the 17 Do 2/6 Do. Read to the reign of K:John. AD , DLC:GW . For background on this document, see the editorial note to GW to Ann Washington, Sept.-Nov. 1749 . In an entry for 20 July 1748 in his account book, GW noted this sum as...
45Poetry, 1749–1750 (Washington Papers)
AD , DLC:GW . For background to this document, see the editorial note to GW to Ann Washington, Sept.-Nov. 1749 . Aside from the fact that this poem is in GW’s handwriting, no evidence has been found that it was of his own composition. Another fragment of a poem appears in the pages of the diary: “T’was Perfect Love before But How I do adore.”
46Poetry, 1749–1750 (Washington Papers)
AD , DLC:GW . For background on this document, see the editorial note to GW to Ann Washington, Sept.–Nov. 1749 . No evidence has been found that GW composed this work. This is an acrostic for Frances Alexander.
47From George Washington to Lawrence Washington, 5 May 1749 (Washington Papers)
I hope your Cough is much mended since I saw you last, if so likewise hope you have given over the thoughts of leaving Virginia. As there is not an absolute occasion of my coming down, hope you’l get the Deeds acknowledged without Me; my Horse is in very poor order to undertake such a journey, and is in no likelihood of mending for want of Corn sufficient to support him; tho’ if there be any...
48From George Washington to Ann Fairfax Washington, September–November 1749 (Washington Papers)
E ditorial N ote The principal Washington documents extant for the years before 1752 are, in addition to the school exercises, a group of early surveys, a 1748 diary of a surveying expedition undertaken for Lord Fairfax in Virginia’s Northern Neck, and the journal kept by GW of his trip with his half brother Lawrence to Barbados in 1751–52. GW kept his diary entries for the Fairfax surveying...
49From George Washington to Thomas, Lord Fairfax, October–November 1749 (Washington Papers)
I went Last Tuesday not knowing your Lordship had that very Day set out for Neavils to see whether you had any further Commands or directions to give concerning the Surveying of Cacapehon and as your Lordship was not at Home I was inform by Colo. G. Fairfax that you had not any Directions in Particular more than were given to the other Surveyors as your Lordship had mentioned ⟨ ⟩ therefore...
50[Diary entry: 4 November 1751] (Washington Papers)
November 4 th , 1751.—This morning received a card from Major Clarke, welcoming us to Barbadoes, with an invitation to breakfast and dine with him. We went,—myself with some reluctance, as the smallpox was in his family. We were received in the most kind and friendly manner by him. Mrs. Clarke was much indisposed, insomuch that we had not the pleasure of her company, but in her place...
51[Diary entry: 5 November 1751] (Washington Papers)
5 th. —Early this morning came Dr. Hilary, an eminent physician recommended by Major Clarke, to pass his opinion on my brother’s disorder, which he did in a favorable light, giving great assurances that it was not so fixed but that a cure might be effectually made. In the cool of the evening we rode out accompanied by Mr. Carter to seek lodgings in the country, as the Doctor advised, and were...
52Court Case, 3 December 1751 (Washington Papers)
3 Dec. 1751. “Ann Carrol and Mary McDaniel Servts of Fredericksburgh, being Committed to the Goal of this County by William Hunter Gent., on Suspicion of Felony, & Charged with robing the Cloaths of Mr George Washington when he was washing in the River some time last Summer, the Court having heard Severall Evidences Are of Oppinion that the said Ann Carroll be discharged, & Admitted an...
53From George Washington to William Fauntleroy, 20 May 1752 (Washington Papers)
I shou’d have been down long before this but my business in Frederick detain’d me somewhat longer than I expected and imediately upon my return from thence I was taken with a Violent Pleurisie which has reduced me very low but purpose as soon as I recover my strength to wait on Miss Betcy, in hopes of a revocation of the former, cruel sentence, and see if I can meet with ⟨any alter⟩ation in my...
54From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 10 June 1752 (Washington Papers)
Being impatient to know Colo. Fitzhugh’s result; I went to Maryland as I returned Home He is willing to accept of the Adjutancy of the Northern Neck, if he can obtain it on the terms he proposes; which he hardly expects will be granted Him: The inclosed is his Letter, wherein I believe he inform’s of his intention. He told Me, he would, when conveniency admitted, build a House in Virginia, at...
55From George Washington to William Nelson, 12 February 1753 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to William Nelson, 12 Feb. 1753. On 22 Feb. 1753 Nelson wrote to GW : “I have received yours of the 12th Instant.”
56Journey to the French Commandant: Narrative (Washington Papers)
On Wednesday the 31st. of October 1753 I was Commission’d & appointed by the Honble. Robert Dinwiddie Esqr. Governor &ca. of Virginia To visit & deliver a Letter to the Commandant of the French Forces on the Ohio, & set out on the intended Journey the same Day. The next I arriv’d at Fredericksburg, & engag’d Mr. Jacob Vanbraam, Interpreter, Jacob Van Braam, born about 1729 in Bergen op Zoom,...
57III., 1754 (Washington Papers)
No. 1 No. 2 No. 3 No. 4 No. 5 Peter Pharrow Abram Ned Sambo Jenny Tomboy Sando Scipio Camero Phebe Couta Lett Nell Judah
58From George Washington to Richard Corbin, February–March 1754 (Washington Papers)
In a conversation at Green Spring you gave me some room to hope for a commission above that of a Major, and to be ranked among the chief officers of this expedition. The command of the whole forces is what I neither look for, expect, nor desire; for I must be impartial enough to confess, it is a charge too great for my youth and inexperience to be intrusted with. Knowing this, I have too...
59From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 3 March 1754 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Robert Dinwiddie, Belvoir, 3 Mar. 1754. On 15 Mar. 1754 Dinwiddie wrote to GW : “Yr two Letters of the 3d & 7th Currt I recd.” At this time GW had returned from a largely unsuccessful attempt to raise men in Frederick County and was engaged in recruiting men and supplies in Alexandria. See also GW to Dinwiddie, 7 Mar. 1754 .
60From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 7 March 1754 (Washington Papers)
If the Vessel your Honour hir’d of Colo. Eyre has not left York, or Mr Carlyle’s Norfolk and Hampton We should be glad to have as many Tints sent up as can be spard, for there is no proper Linnen to make them of here and would be difficult to get done if there was[.] We also are much in want of Cutlasses, Halbards, Officer’s half Pikes, Drum’s &ca which I am inform’d are in the Magazine that...
61From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 9 March 1754 (Washington Papers)
In my last by Mr Stuart I slightly mentioned the objection many had against Enlisting (to wit) not knowing who was to be Pay Master, or the times for Payment: It is now grown a pretty general Clamour, and some of those who were amongst the first Enlister’s; being Needy, and knowing it to be usual for His Majesty’s Soldiers to be paid once a Week, or at most every Fortnight, are very...
62From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 20 March 1754 (Washington Papers)
I was favour’d with your Honours Letter by Mr Steward, inclosing a Lieutt Colo.’s Commission; for which Promotion, I hope my future Behaviour will sufficiently testifie the true sense I have of the kindness; and as I intend strictly to adhere to all the proper Rules (as far as it is in my power) and discipline of the Profession I have now enter’d into; I am vain enough to believe, I shall not...
63From George Washington to Adam Stephen, 22 March 1754 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you in Frederick not knowing your Intention of going to Stafford, desiring that all your Men &ca might be in readiness to March by the middle or last of next Week at furthest for Ohio: I have just receiv’d the Governers Orders (which was sent upon the Arri⟨val⟩ of Captn Trents express) to dispatch with all expedition thither, with the Men that are already raiz’d, and such Officer’s...
64Expedition to the Ohio, 1754: Narrative (Washington Papers)
On the 31st of March , I received from his Honour a Lieutenant Colonel’s Commission, The date of the commission’s receipt as given here is in error. Dinwiddie wrote to GW 15 Mar. enclosing the commission as lieutenant colonel of the Virginia Regiment, “pay, 12s. 6d. per day” ( ViHi ), and GW acknowledged its receipt 20 Mar. ( WRITINGS John C. Fitzpatrick, ed. The Writings of George Washington...
65From George Washington to Daniel Campbell, 31 March 1754 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Daniel Campbell, 31 Mar. 1754. On 28 June 1754 Campbell wrote to GW from Falmouth: “I was agreeably favour’d with yours of the 31st March last.” Campbell was a Scottish merchant living in Falmouth. In 1753 he served as master of the Fredericksburg Masonic Lodge No. 4 A.F. & A.M. , of which GW was a member.
66From George Washington to Thomas Cresap, 18 April 1754 (Washington Papers)
The difficulty of getting Waggons has almost been insurmountable, we have found so much inconvenience attending it here in these roads that I am determined to carry all our provisions &c. out on horse back and should be glad if Capt. Trent with your Assistance would procure as many horses as possible against we arrive at Wills Creek that as little stoppage as possible may be made there. I have...
67From George Washington to James Hamilton, 24 April 1754 (Washington Papers)
It is with the greatest concern I acquaint you that Mr Ward Ensign in Captn Trents Company was compelld to surrender his small Fort in the Forks of Monongehele to the French on the 17th Instant: Who fell down from Venango with a Fleet of 360 Batoes and Canoes with upwards of one thousand Men and eighteen pieces of Artillery—which they planted against the Fort, drew up their Men and sent the...
68From George Washington to Horatio Sharpe, 24 April 1754 (Washington Papers)
It is with the greatest concern I acquaint you, that Mr. Ward, ensign in captain Trent’s company, was obliged to surrender his small fortress in the Forks of Monongehela, at the summons of captain Contrecoeur, commander of the French forces, who fell down from Venango with a fleet of 360 canoes and battoes, conveying upwards of one thousand men, eighteen pieces of artillery, and large stores...
69From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 25 April 1754 (Washington Papers)
Captain Trents Ensign Mr Ward this Day arrived from the Forks of Monongehele, and brings the disagreeable account that the Fort on the Seventeenth Instant was surrender’d at the summons of Captain Contrecour to a Body of French consisting of upwards of one Thousand Men, who came from Vena[n]go with Eighteen pieces of Cannon, Sixty Battoes, and three Hundred Canoes: they gave him liberty to...
70From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 9 May 1754 (Washington Papers)
I acquainted your Honour by Mr Ward with the determination’s, which we prosecuted in 4 Days after his Departure, as soon as Waggons arrived to convey our Provisions. The want of proper Conveyances has much retarded this Expedition, and at this time, unfortunately delay’d the Detachment I have the Honour to command—Even when we came to Wills Ck my disappointments were not less than before, for...