1To George Washington from Joseph Ball, 5 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
It is a Sensible Pleasure to me to hear that you have behaved yourself with such a Martial Spirit in all your Engagements with the French Nigh Ohio. Go on as you have begun; and God prosper you. We have heard of General Bradock’s Defeat. Every Body Blames his Rash Conduct. Every body Commends the Courage of the Virginians and Carolina men: which is very Agreable to me. I desire you, as you may...
2To George Washington from William Brockenbrough, 29 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
The Parental feelings I have at the parting with a dutifull Son I hope will be some apoligie for my troubling you with this Epistle, his great inclination to go into the Army, and the friends he has got & the favours he has receiv’d made it quite agreeable to his going But I am afraid as he’s young and knowing little of the world or mankind That he’l be more lyable to Errors, But D. Sr if I...
3To George Washington from Thomas Bullitt, 18 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
Having Recd your Orders Shall Comply with them[.] As to Sending Sub[alter]ns Commands up to you I see no Hopes of doing it for I have not Recd but two Men from any of the Recruiting officers Ordered to Rendevous at Alexandria Since Capt. Wagoners Departure. Mr Triplep has Recruited One man & I am Satisfied has bin at no Small Expence[.] I have about Ten men In Town Seven Whereof I Recruited I...
4To George Washington from William Byrd, 12 December 1755 (Washington Papers)
The bearer Mr Duncanson was recommended to me by Capt. Stewart, to suceed a Lieutenant in his Light Horse who is desirous to resign. I applied to the Govr and he said he would write to you on the subject. Should you approve of preferring the young gentleman, I shall be much obliged to you. I wish I could entertain you with news, but we have none here. I am Dr Sir, Your affe & obd. Sert Sprague...
5To George Washington from John Carlyle, 9 January 1756 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Carlyle, 9 Jan. 1756. On 12 Jan. 1756 Carlyle wrote to GW : “I Wrote you the 9th Inst.”
6To George Washington from John Carlyle, 12 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
I Wrote you the 9th Inst. Acquainting you of the Arrival of the Cloathing. They are landed at Malbrough In Maryland, & I have Sent Six Wagons to bring their Loads & Expect them on Saturday Evening. I thought it better to Land them their at this Season of the Year & Trust to Land rather than Watter Carrage & Yr Men Will be upon a Certainty of Getting Cloathed 14 days Sooner & phaps a Month if a...
7To George Washington from John Carlyle, 17 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
This Will be deliver’d you by Capt. Elzey & our Draft from the Militia of Fairfax. We hope that they will be Approved of as they Are All Young healthy fellows tolerable well mounted & Accouterr’d. A Waggon woud Sett of this day from Alexandria with the Powder & Lead you desired Also the Cloaths for the Soldiers & hope they will be Up in time for you, I cou’d Nether gett Carradge horses, nor a...
8To George Washington from Landon Carter, 7 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
Captain Peachey calling to give me the Compliment of his departure gives me opportunity of acknowledging the obligation you laid on me in the favour by Mr Brockenbrough. And you must give me leave to encrease the debt by a further recommendation of Mr Peachey From experience I say his Merit has intitled him to every respect I can shew him and I shall forever acknowlege myself mistaken if he...
9To George Washington from Landon Carter, 25 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
As I know I shall not be troublesome to you with my little intimacy I have ventured to recommend John Sallard to you for a Serjeant he comes by my persuasion and is in Youth and Stature and indeed in Capacity such an one that I cannot be ashamd of[.] His family have been well respected and I shall be pleasd and obligd with any Countenance you shall shew him perhaps he may want a little...
10To George Washington from Landon Carter, 26 February 1756 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer Mr John Lawson having heard of nothing to discourage his Military inclination now comes to put himself in the Situation of a Cadet he is of a Family in Lancaster descended from the Steptoes by the mother side and I have told him that there are many waiting before him but as I learn there are three vacancys in the Company of Ensigns the number standing before him will be fewer[.] I...
11To George Washington from John Champe, 30 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
I am again Solicited to write you in favor of the bearer Mr Brockenbrough, am in great hopes his Modest Behavour will recommend him. his Circumstance’s are such, that nothing but a View of Serving his Country could induce him to this undertaking. your Protection so far as is right & Justifiable will Extremely oblige Dear Sir yr most obedt Humble Servt ALS , NN : Emmet Collection; Sprague...
12To George Washington from John Champe, 30 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Youl observe by the inclosd what is requested of me. I know nothing off the Bearer. but can safely say Colo. Tayloe is a Gentleman of great Honour & presume must know something of the Man therefore am in hopes his own behavor will be the Only recommendation. & am Sir your most obedt hum. Servt ALS , DLC:GW . John Champe (d. 1763) of Lamb’s Creek was a planter in King George County. His...
13To George Washington from Joseph Chew, 4 March 1756 (Washington Papers)
I find by the Papers that you Arrived in Boston the Fryday after we Parted, and I hope had an agreable journey Considering the Severity of the weather. The many agreable objects you there met with I conclude prevented my having a Line from you by the Post, this you can Very Easily Settle by Spending one day at New London when you Return. I Engaged a Good Boatman to Call on me this day when I...
14Memorandum from Committee to Supervise Military Expenditures, 8–11 November 1755 (Washington Papers)
At a Committee held pursuant to an Act of Assembly Intituled “An Act, For raising the Sum of Forty Thousand Pounds for the protection of his Majestys Subjects in the Frontiers of this Colony.” November the 8th & 11th 1755. Resolved That the sum of £10,000 be lodged in the hands of Colonel George Washington as a Military Chest, out of which he is to pay the Pay Master, and Commissary; (& to...
15To George Washington from John Defever, 18 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Return of the stores Belonging to the Royal Trane of Artillery Left at Fort Cumberland: viz: Tumbril 1 Cover’d Waggons 15 Sling Cart Compleat 1 Round Shot with Wooden Bottoms 6 pts 100 Tin Cases fill’d with iron shot & 12 pts 112 Fix’d with Wooden Bottoms 6 pts 392 Grape shot with Wooden Tampeons and pins Compleat for Howitzers 8
16To George Washington from John Defever, 2 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
A Return of Stores belonging to his Majesty Royall Train Left at the Undermentioned places viz. at Mr. Ambrose on the Maryland Side of potomack Musquett Shot in Boxes 22 at Konokagig . . ditto 30 Casks of flints 05 at Winchester Iron Guns 12 poundes 4 Travelling Carriages with Limbos 3 Round shot 12 pounders 1200 ADS , DLC:GW .
17To George Washington from Charles Dick, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
I wish I had been at Home when you was pleased to call last Night. it might have saved this Trouble of writing, However as you desire I now send You all the Information I can as to the Commission as Commissary, Which I think I had from the same Authority you seem to have Yours, and with very full powers and Instructions. Agreeable to which Mr Walker & my Self embarkd in the Affair, happily...
18To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 14 December 1755 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter by Capt. Mercer I receiv’d. I hope the Treasurer will send You the Money to make up 10,000 which I have desired him. If You find it for the good of the Service to remain below I have no Objection to it; but I hope the Men are duly exercised & taught the Indian Method of fighting, that they may be prepard for Action in the Spring. I am surpriz’d the Vessell with Arms &ca is not...
19II. Instructions from Robert Dinwiddie, 14 August 1755 (Washington Papers)
Instructions for Colonel George Washington Commander in Chief of the Virginia Regiment. Whereas the French have unjustly invaded His Majesty’s Lands on the Ohio, and have sent flying Parties of French and Indians, to robb, and murder our back Settlers to the Westward, which the Legislature of this Dominion having seriously taken into their Consideration, and voted Money for the Protection of...
20To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 22 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
Your two Letters of the 13th and 14th I shall answer Paragraphically. The Expedition against the Shawnesse I hope will be attended with Success, as two Women who were taken Prisoners made their Escape mention their being in their Towns & did not hear of their Intention of moving. You have done very right in ordering the Men to be train’d in the Indian Method of fighting but I can give You no...
21To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 18 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 8th ⅌ Colo. Stephens I recd & am heartily sorry for the Acct he brings, but am in hopes from the Assistance of the Militia, & the Recruits You will be able to drive those Banditti from our Frontiers; I wish You may get a Troop of Horse from Fairfax County, as they will be of great Service in clearing the Woods, & I shall be glad if they can send down a Number of their Scalps. One...
22To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 17 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
I recd yrs of the 11th with Acct of the Clothg & Provis[ion]s I suppose You will find some more Clothg at Winchester for the Acct at Alexaa belong. to me comes short of my Acct—I have had 500 Shirts made here & 100 Tents—I think you may engage from Mr Carlyle the white Shirts, Shoes, Hatts & the white Yearn Hose. Mr Dick has 84 Doz. of Soldiers Stock[ings] come in wch if he will sell...
23To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 15 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter by Jenkins I recd & it’s now before the House of Burgesses. I have reason to expect they will pass a Law for a Draught from the Militia to augment the Forces to 2000 tho’ they are very slow in their Proceedings. I am very sorry for the Acct You give of those Miscreant barbarous Murders; I hope You have sent a proper Reinforcemt to Conegachege, & for the present, with the assistance...
24I. Commission, 14 August 1755 (Washington Papers)
By Virtue of H: Majesty’s Royal Com[missi]o[n] & Instructs. appointg me Lt Gr & Commander in Chief in & over this his Colony & Dominion of Virga with full Power & Authority to appoint all Officers both Civil & Military within the same—I reposg especial Trust in Yr Loyalty Courage & good Conduct, do by these Presents appoint You Colonel of the Virga Regimt & Commander in Chief of all the Forces...
25III. Memorandum from Robert Dinwiddie, 14 August 1755 (Washington Papers)
Take a particular Acct of the Clothing at Majr Carlyles & those at Winchester & send me an acct of the Whole. The Provisions that remain at Alexa[ndri]a belonging to this Colony, is to be shipt for New York, desire Mr Carlyle to hire a small Sloop for that Purpose, & have the Pork & Beef Trimd & pickled. Consign the same to Robinson Esqr. & desire Remittans. in Flour—speak to the Treasurer for...
26Commission, 7 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Robert Dinwiddie Esqr His Majesty’s Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia. To George Washington Esqr: By Virtue of the Power and Authority to me given and granted by His Majesty I do hereby authorize and impower You to hold and appoint Courts Martial for the Tryal of Non-commissioned Officers and Soldiers as Colonel and Commander in Chief of the...
27To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 8 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
You formerly had a Commission to appoint Courts Martial, as that was not explicit enough, but rather a Repetition of the Act of Assembly. I therefore send You enclos’d an Order to appoint such Courts when You shall see proper, & it’s agreeable to Colo. Innes’s Order from General Braddock. I hope the Affairs of the Regimt are not in so bad a Condition as represented here. The Assembly were...
28To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 25 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 17th I recd the Contents duly considered, but I refer answering it till I see You, which I hope will be soon. Our Assembly sitts To-morrow when I hope they will do some necessary Things for the Service. If you find the Militia are not absolutely wanted and necessary, I hope You will order them back to their Counties, as this will be very expensive. The Commissaries cannot...
29Enclosure: Jean-Daniel Dumas to Alexandre d’Agneau Douville, 23 March 1756 (Washington Papers)
Dumas Capitaine d’infanterie Commandt—De la Belle Riviere Et ses dependances. Il Est Ordonnie au sieur douville Enseigne En second de partie à la tête d’un detachment de Cinquante sauvages pour aller observer les mouvemens des Ennemis sur les derrieres du fort Cumberlan. Il Satachera à harceler leurs Convois et tentera de Bruler leurs magazins de Canagiechuic si Cette Expédition Est...
30To George Washington from Robert Duncanson, 30 December 1755 (Washington Papers)
The Early opportunity I had of being acquainted with you, will I hope Excuse my writing you at this time in favour of my Brother who being a stranger to you, has Carry’d Recommendations from Gentlemen who have the Honour to share some part of your friendship, & I wou’d fain flatter myself that after he is known to you, youll have no Reason to blame them; Lieutent Stewart on acct of the...
31To George Washington from William Fairfax, 20 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
I had the Pleasure to receive your Favor by Colo. Stephen. As the Genl Assembly is Summond to meet the 27th inst. which may hold ten Days and as some Alteration in the Militia Law will be propos’d agreeable to what We talkt of, I hope the Service You went to do has been so successfully effected or the Orders You may leave, in a probable Way as to admit your Coming whilst the Ho. of Burgesses...
32To George Washington from William Fairfax, 14 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Yr Letter to the Governor has been read in Council, but as no Shipping has arriv’d since your Departure the Genl Assembly is at some Loss what to propose, debate on and finish —Some Jealousies interrupt the good Agreement wisht for—Your Appointment of an Aid de Camp & Secretary is thought extraordinary and think the Committee will not allow Pay for —The Ho. of Burgesses adjourn to Monday next...
33To George Washington from William Fleming, 26 November 1755 (Washington Papers)
Before this no doubt you have heard of Capt. Bells Misfortune which keept me from Settling my recruiting Accts with him but left duplicates of these Accts when I marchd. It detaind me some days in expectation of hearing from him, which I did not, and hinderd me from Paying the men Agreeable to your order to the First of October, I was Able only to Join Capt. Hog with foure men Occasion’d by...
34To George Washington from Thomas Gage, 23 November 1755 (Washington Papers)
Your obliging Letter of the 17th Octr was forwarded from Philadelphia to this Place, & came to my Hands yesterday. It gave me great Pleasure to hear from a Person, of whom The World has justly, so good an Opinion; & for whom I have so great an Esteem. I shall be extreamly happy to have frequent News of your Welfare, & hope soon to hear, that your laudable Endeavours, & the Noble Spirits you...
35To George Washington from Christopher Gist, 24 November 1755 (Washington Papers)
I have Sent twenty of My Soldiers to York Town who are all in good Sperritts there and Two I now Send to them. To Morrow I Shall follow them I have been forced to Borrow Money, and if Could have had Money enough I Bleive I Should have had 50 Men by this Time, I hope I Shall be properly Supploy’d with cash to Answer what I have done and if We want men I think I Can Soon get them. We have had No...
36To George Washington from Christopher Gist, 1 November 1755 (Washington Papers)
I have taken all the pains in My Power to find the true Intents of the Indians. Monnacatootha is return’d from the Six Nations, but is not yet come from Shamokin. but I understand he and the Other chiefs will On Sunday or Monday be at John Harrises Ferry where I intend god willing to Meet them. but I am to go to Conrad Wiser and get all he knows; I have the governors Letters to him on that...
37To George Washington from Christopher Gist, 15 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
I got home last night af getting Business Settled with proper Certificates Recorded &c. Colo. Dunbar with the Army took Shiping at Amboy 9 days this day for Albany and whither after I cannot tell Som people would Not be sorry ⟨if⟩ It was to heaven. Yor Name is more talked off in Pensylvenia then any Other person of the Army and every body Seems willing to Venture under your command and if you...
38To George Washington from Peter Hog, 17 December 1755 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of the 28th Novr and can only Say that the Uncertainty of knowing where to find you and the little care taken to forward Letters in this part of the Country Occassions great Suspence on my side and great Uncertainty on yours with regard to the State of the Company. Else you would not have doubted my care to prevent the Desertion for by the Subsequent returns you would Observe that...
39To George Washington from Peter Hog, 26 November 1755 (Washington Papers)
I have Sent under Cover the Return of the Company which tho more than a Week distant from the former I believed would be Satisfactory as it Includes the recruits by Mr Fleming and the Serjt and some of my Enlistd & Mr McNeil’s I Shall Endeavour to Compleat the Company with all Expedition and desire to know the allowance Settled for Recruiting agreable to the new Regulations. As the second...
40To George Washington from Peter Hog, 23 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here on the Sunday Evening which Majr Lewis can Inform you was using great dispatch for the badness of the Road. I send you Inclosed a return of the Men remaining at the fort, with a List of the Tentes tools Arms & Ammunition[.] You will observe the smal proportion of Each considering the great distance from Supplies. The fort is Inclosed on the four sides but the Bastions are yet to...
41To George Washington from Peter Hog, 3 February 1756 (Washington Papers)
Incolsed are the pay Rolls for the Months of Decr & January you will See I have abt £4 in my hand over the pay Bill But Advanced Serjt McCully a dbloon when he went after the Deserters, the Men grumble to have half their pay Stopt for his Charges, and he thinks hard that he has not his Charges[,] horse hire & the pistole Reward which Last the Men think can only be Stopt In Justice from their...
42To George Washington from Peter Hog, 6 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I send you the Weekly & Monthly Returns, by which you will Observe their is no Variation in the State of the Company the Drum[me]r is not Yet Come so that I imagine he is either Sick or has deserted, the party Mentd in the Monthly Return was Sent to Green Briar to protect some of the Inhabitants in Securing their Crops they all Intend to goe out during the Winter if they can be...
43To George Washington from Peter Hog, 3 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is the Return for this Month of my Company. I arrived here this Evening with the Greatest part of the Men I Carried out, greatly fatigued & mostly reduced with famine & a flux however Mr Fleming thinks that Rest & Regular Diet will recover Most of them; & therefor has returned but one Sick of those that are present. Majr Lewis no Doubt will Inform you of the State of the Ill Concerted...
44To George Washington from Peter Hog, 29 November 1755 (Washington Papers)
Since mine of the 26th Inclosing the returns which I imagine Lt. McNeil has carried to Winchester where he is gone to Meet with Comisy Walker to gett the money for the Beeves as the people are terribly harrassed for Cash and Complain greatly on the Disapointment which I could not prevent as I was Ignorant of Mr Dicks being out of place Mr Gordon has arrived with the pay of the Company for two...
45To George Washington from Peter Hog, 3 November 1755 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have the Return for Last Month I have been Oblidged to Inclose the Weekly Returns to the other field Officers as I am much put to it for papr by my bagage being not yet come up, tho’ it will be a month tomorrow Since Jno. Roe sett out for it. The Salt Lies still at Frederickbg and the Folks now Insist on having their beef Slaughter’d as they fall away greatly, the Severe frost...
46To George Washington from Peter Hog, 27 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
I Recd Yours by Capt. Bell of 10th Instant 10 Days before yours 27th Decr by Majr Lewis which only came to hand Last Night, you will See by the Inclosed Return that the Company wants but one of being Compleat: only the Mulattoes & Negos are still Included. I have Inclosed an Accot for Comisy Walker of the money I recd from Mr McNeil and have all the Vouchers Lodged to Send by the first safe &...
47To George Washington from Peter Hog, 13 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
I am Oblidged to send this wt. the Weekly Return under Cover with other Letters to Colo. Stevens the Barracks are finished. But not a Tree cut down further than we Used, for want of Iron to make Axes, all being Employed in getting timber for the Cooper who began Yesterday. Majr Lewis has not yet Sent up the Salt Iron &c. nor doe I hear that he spoke to any person on this side the Ridge to...
48To George Washington from John Jones, 17 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Its impossible to Return an exact Accot of whats on hand as to perticulars, I haveg no delivery nor could not get any. Mr Thos Walker gott an estimate of the provisions Vizt. which I think comes near the purpose an exact Return Shall be deliverd Mr Dick on Wednessdays next of whats been deliverd in my time as likewise Ed above of whats on hand. I’m Sr Yr Most Obedt Hbl. Servt ALS , DLC:GW ....
49To George Washington from Charles Lewis, 25 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
The inclos’d is a Letter from Colo. Stephen, with which I should have waited on You, had I not have heard You were gone to Williamsburg; I am now a recruiting much discourag’d by the Gentlemen’s Success, who have lately been, but no Pains shall be wanting on my Side to compleat my Company, but I fear it will be without Effect, Colo. Stephen’s Orders to repair to Winchester by the first of...
50To George Washington from John Martin, 30 August 1755 (Washington Papers)
The Under Sherif of this County Carries Down three Deserters which were taken up here and as they are of our Brave Blues, I most Earnestly Intreat your Interest in Procuring a Pardon for them. Smith has a Sweetheart & 2 Children here & Barker a Wife which I Presume were the Loadstones that Attracted them. Permit me now Sir to Congratulate on Your Late Escape & the Immortal Honr you have Gain’d...