To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 15 April 1756
From Robert Dinwiddie
Williamsburg Apr. 15th 1756
Sir
Your Letter by Jenkins I recd1 & 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.2
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 of Lord Fairfax, raise as many of the Militia as You may see necessary, till the Act of Assembly passes for Draughts from the Militia.
I am endeavouring to prevail with the Cherokees to have a number of them sent to the Fort, but they also are very tedious in their Consultations, but I hope to prevail with them to send forty or fifty.3
I am extremely hurried must therefore be excused writing further, but sincerely wishing You Health & Protection from the Banditti I remain Sir Your most humble Servt
Robt Dinwiddie
LS, DLC:GW.
1. Dinwiddie is referring to GW’s letter of 7 April.
2. The act for raising £25,000, passed by the House of Burgesses on 24 April 1756 and approved by Dinwiddie on 1 May, provided for the enlistment or drafting of 1 out of every 20 militiamen (7 9–20). The House began consideration of the bill on 2 April.
3. In his letter of 7 April, GW urged Dinwiddie to encourage the Cherokee who had gone on the Sandy Creek expedition to come to his aid at Winchester.