1Editorial Introduction (Washington Papers)
In making GW colonel of the regiment that was constituted, or reconstituted, in Virginia as a consequence of Braddock’s defeat, Robert Dinwiddie issued to GW three documents: a Commission, his Instructions, and a Memorandum. The only copy of the Commission found is in Dinwiddie’s letter book, in the hand of his clerk William Withers. It is dated 14 August. There are also letter-book copies of...
2I. 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...
3II. 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...
4III. 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...
5To George Washington from George Mason, 21 August 1755 (Washington Papers)
I fully intended to have waited on You this Evening at Belvoir, but find myself so very unwell after my Ride from Court, that I am not able to stir abroad. I have taken the Liberty to inclose You two Bills for £300 . . . Ster: drawn by Mr Paymaster Genl Johnston on Colo. Hunter, & an Ordr on Govr Dobbs from his Son for £18.15. Ster: also a Letter for Colo. Hunter, & another for his Honr our...
6To George Washington from Robert Orme, 25 August 1755 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter gave me infinite Pleasure as every Mark of your Friendship & Remembrance ever will do for believe me I shall ever however seperated cultivat⟨e⟩ as close an Intercourse as our Distance will permit. I thought you very long before you writ and feard some Accident which your ill State of Health at parting from us seem to confirm. The Part of your Letter mentioning the Reflections upon...
7To 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...
8General Instructions for Recruiting, 1–3 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
General Instructions for the Recruiting Officers of the Virginia Regiment. Septr 1755. First; That each Captain shall, by beat of Drum or otherwise, Raise Thirty men; Each Lieutenant Eighteen; and each Ensign, Twelve men. Secondly: That each Captain shall appoint proper Persons to act as non—commissioned Officers, during their Recruiting Service: But those noncommissioned Officers, so...
9Memorandum, 3 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
All the Officers then present received the foregoing Instructions, and money for Recruiting; and some of them were appointed to act ’till further Orders, as followeth: viz. To Captain Spotswoods Company, Lieutenant Lomax and Ensign Carter, were ordered to do Duty as Subalterns: and to Captain Harrison—Lieutenant John Hall; Ensign Nathaniel Thompson. To Captain Lewis: Lieutenant Peter...
10To 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...