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THE  WRITINGS 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


VOL.   11. 


1758-1775 


Of  this  Letter-press  Edition 
750  Copies  have  been  Printed  for  Sale 


No ./■ 


June,  i88g 


THE   WRITINGS 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


COLLECTED   AND   EDITED 


WORTHINGTON   CHAUNCEY   FORD 


Vol.  II. 


1758-1775 


NEW  YORK  AND  LONDON 

G.    p.   PUTNAM'S    SONS 
1889 


Press'  of 

G.  P.  Putnam's  Sons 

New  York 


CONTENTS   OF   VOL.   II. 


1758. 


PAGE 


To  John  Blair,  January  31st i 

Indian  affairs — Gist's  embarrassments — Unfortunate  time  of 
visit. 

To  Colonel  Stanwix,  March  4th  ....  3 

Major  Smith's  project  absurd — His  unfitness  to  command — 
Has  thoughts  of  resigning  because  of  ill-health. 

To  Brigadier-General  Stanwix,  April  loth  .         .  6 

Congratulates  him  on  his  promotion — Asks  to  be  recommended 
to  General  Forbes — An  early  campaign  expedient — Indians  and 
their  mercenary'  characters — The  place  of  rendezvous. 

To  Major  Francis  Halket,  April  12th  ...  8 

Satisfaction  on  prospects. 

To  the  President  of  the  Council,  April  17th        .         .  9 

Accidental  shooting  of  some  soldiers — Needs  of  the  regiment 
— Resignation  of  Joshua  Lewis,  and  promotions  incident  to  it — 
Appointment  of  a  chaplain. 

To  Sir  John  St.  Clair,  April  i8th         .         .         .         .         ii 

Attitude  towards  Indians — Number  of  allies — The  building  of 
flats — Votes  of  the  Assembly. 
To  the  President  of  the  Council,  April  24th        .         .  13 

Ordering  out  the  militia — Mercer's  request  for  exchange  of 
officers  most  extraordinary — Rutherford's  company  more  useful 
in  Virginia  than  in  the  south — The  recruiting  ser^•ice. 

To  the  President  of  the  Council,  May  4th  .         .         16 

Defeat  of  provincial  troops — Reinforcements  of  militia  needed 
at  South  Branch — Public  arms — Roads — Recruiting  expenses — 
Case  of  John  Berrj- — Appointments  in  the  regiments. 

To  Major  Francis  Halket,  May  nth  ....         23 

No  prisoners  taken  by  friendly  Indians  this  season — Cherokees 
moving  to  Virginia — Tricker)*  of  the  Raven  warrior — Importance 
of  the  Indians. 


CONTENTS  OF  VOL.  II. 


PAGE 


To  the  President  of  the  Council,  May  28th         .         .         26 

Wants  of  the  force — Allowance  to  officers — Differences  of 
pay — Clothing — Promotions  —  Completing  the  regiment  —  The 
case  of  Lt.  Steenbugen — Fort  Loudoun — The  ranging  company 
— Indians  and  desertions. 

To  General  Forbes,  June  19th     .....         32 

Unfortunate  arrival  of  Cherokees — Necessity  of  Indians,  and 
their  utility — Agent  should  be  sent  to  Cherokee  nation  with 
presents — Indians  at  Duquesne. 

To  Governor  Fauquier,  June  19th       ....         37 

March  of  Prince  William  militia — Short  of  men  and  of  arms 
— Expence. 

To  Colonel  Henry  Bouquet,  July  3d  ...         39 

Has  marched  from  Winchester — Question  of  forage — Mary- 
land forces  and  stores — Drawing  of  provisions  by  servants — 
Tools  and  men  scarce — How  forts  were  garrisoned — Clothes — 
Indian  dress  recommended. 

To  Colonel  Bouquet,  July  7th     .....         43 

Arrival  of  Col.  Byrd — Orders  and  directions  needed — Sharpe's 
road — Catawba  Indians  have  misbehaved. 

To  Colonel  Bouquet,  July  13th  ....         46 

Encounter  with  Indians. 

To  Colonel  Bouquet,  July  13th  ....         47 

Slow  progress  of  road — Indian  dress  approved  for  the  men. 

To  Colonel  Bouquet,  July  i6th  ....         49 

Parties  sent  out  to  harass  the  enemy — Plan  for  an  irruption 
into  enemy's  country  criticised — Roads  and  Indians — Currency 
exchanges. 

To  Colonel  Bouquet,  July  19th  .         .         .         .         51 

Dagworthy's  jjarty  returned  and  working  on  bridge — Election 
at  Winchester. 

To  Mrs.  Martha  Custis,  July  20th       ....         53 
To  Colonel  Bouquet,  July  21st   .         .          .  .  .  54 

Will  not  attend  election  at  Winchester — Progress  on  the  road 
— Asks  to  be  among  the  lirst  to  go  forward — Covers  for  locks. 

To  Colonel  Bouquet,  July  25th  .....          55 
Second  convoy  of  wagons — Offers  liis  views  on  the  road — No 
tolerable  road  from   Kays  Town — Provisions — Commissaries  at 
fault — Returns  of  forces. 


CONTENTS  OF  VOL.  II. 


To  Gabriel  Jones,  July  29th        .....         58 

Thanks  him  for  assistance  at  election — Backwardness  of  ex- 
pedition— Conference  on  road. 

To  Colonel  James  Wood,  July  —       ....         59 

Thanks  for  part  he  took  in  election — Entertainment  of  friends. 

To  Colonel  Bouquet, ......         60 

Considerations  on  a  proposed  expedition — Provisions — Attack 
in  the  woods  of  little  advantage. 

To  Colonel  Bouquet,  August  2d  ....         62 

The  question  of  the  road — History  of  the  Braddock  road — 
Difficulties  to  be  overcome  in  constructing  another — Forage  of 
importance — Rivers  to  be  passed — Comparative  distances — Ob- 
jections to  dividing  the  army — Advancing  by  deposites  ;  first  at 
Great  Meadows,  second  at  Salt  Lick — Time  required. 

To  Major  Francis  Halket,  August  2d  ...         72 

Bouquet  determined  as  to  road — If  the  General  coincides,  all 
is  lost — His  own  motives. 

To  Governor  Fauquier,  August  5th    ....         73 

Fatal  resolution  of  opening  new  road — Considerations  urged 
on  Col.  Bouquet — Small-pox  among  troops — Orders  received  to 
open  new  road. 

To  Colonel  Bouquet,  August  6th         ....         75 

Orders  as  to  road  will  be  obeyed — Duty  to  king  and  colony 
induced  him  to  express  opinion — Men  at  work. 

To  Colonel  Bouquet,  August  i8th      .         .         .         .         79 

Wishes  to  be  sent  forward — Kelly  on  the  comparative  merits 
of  roads — Strong  parties  to  be  kept  out — Sickness  in  camp — 
Convoy  from  Winchester. 

To  Colonel  Bouquet,  August  21st       .         .         .         .         82 
Arrival  of  Indians — Questions  as  to  Gov.  Sharpe's  rank. 

To  Colonel  Bouquet,  August  28th      ....         83 

Melancholy  reflections  on  campaign — The  roads. 

To  John  Robinson,  September  ist      .         .         .         .         85 

Fatal  inactivity — All  is  lost — Conduct  of  the  leaders — The 
question  of  roads — Strength  of  French  at  Duquesne — Repre- 
sentation should  be  made  to  the  king — Virginia  a  victim  to  the 
craft  of  her  neighbors. 


CONTENTS  OF  VOL.  II. 


To  Governor  Fauquier,  September  2d         ...         88 

Progress  on  road — Much  time  consumed — Advance  of  army 
— Condition  of  road  taken — Number  of  the  French  force — In- 
telligence— Considerations  urged  with  Col.  Bouquet — The  Gen- 
eral prejudiced  by  Pennsylvanians — Garrison  at  Loyal  Hanna — 
Major  of  brigade  requisite — Indians — Letters  on  road  sent. 

To  Mrs.  George  William  Fairfax,  September  12th     .         95 

Correspondence  reopened — A  votary  of  love — Mrs.  Custis — 
Mrs.  Spotswood  a  reigning  toast  in  camp. 

To  Governor  Fauquier,  September  25th     ...         98 

The  expedition  of  Major  Grant — Death  of  Major  Lewis — 
Bravery  of  Virginia  troops — Consequence  of  this  affair. 

To  Mrs.  George  William  Fairfax,  September  25th     .        loi 

Defeat  of  Major  Grant — Probable  failure  of  expedition — 
Personal  gossip. 

To  Governor  Fauquier,  September  28th     .         ,         .       104 

Grant's  defeat — Prisoners  sent  to  Montreal — Condition  of  the 
new  road. 

To  General  Forbes,  October  8th  ....       105 

Line  of  march  proposed. 

To  Governor  Fauquier,  October  30th  .         .         .        108 

Army  matters — Governor  Sharpe  at  Fort  Cumberland — The 
road. 

To  General  Forbes,  November  17th    .         .         .         .110 

Orders  to  Armstrong — Indians  needed  to  gain  intelligence — 
Release  of  sergeant  requested. 

To  General  Forbes,  November  17th    .         .         .         .112 

Acknowledges  orders — Tiie  road. 

To  General  Forbes,  November  i8th   .         .         .         .        113 

Advance  reported — Errors  of  distance — Fortifying  and  pro- 
visioning the  camp. 
To  Governor  Fauquier,  November  28th      .         .  ,116 

Fort  Duquesne  fallen — Future  movements — l.ittle  Carpenter's 
conduct — Indians  suing  for  peace — Trade  with  tlie  Indians. 

To  Governor  Fauquier,  December  2d  .         .         .119 

Force  to  be  left  at  Fort   Duquesne — I'ost  should  bo  taken  at 
Redstone  Creek — Indian  trade — Condition  of  Virginia  regiment. 
To  General  I^^orbes,  December  30th    .          .  .  .124 

Measures  to  l)e  taken  hy  Virginia — Conlinement  of  troops  a 
piece  of  raslniess. 


CONTENTS  OF  VOL.  II. 


1759- 
To  Robert  Gary  and  Co.,  May  ist       .         .         .         .       126 

Announces  marriage  with  Mrs.  Custis — Will  consign  tobacco 
as  usual — Prices — Invoice  of  goods. 

To  Richard  Washington,  September  20th  .         .        130 

Hopes  to  visit  England — Successes  in  America — His  retire- 
ment. 

To  Robert  Car>'  and  Co.,  September  20th  .         .       131 

Former  letters — Poor  returns  for  tobacco — The  duty — Three 
accounts  should  be  opened — Shipment  of  tobacco — Proposes 
tobacco  for  his  Shenandoah  estate — Invoice  of  goods  required. 

To  Robert  Cary  and  Co.,  November  30th  .         .       139 

Loss  of  vessel — Goods  ordered — Tobacco. 
1760. 

Journal,  January-May  ......       140 

To  Richard  Washington,  August  loth        .         .         .       170 

Disappointed  in  sales  of  tobacco — Interest  charged — American 
affairs — Prospects  of  his  going  to  England  remote. 

To  Robert  Cary  and  Co.,  August  loth        .         .         .172 

Interest  on  bank  stock — Tobacco — Complaint  against  prices 
and  quality  of  goods — Ships  to  the  Potomac — Prospects  of  to- 
bacco crop — Drafts. 

To  Captain  Robert  Mackenzie,  November  20th  .       177 

Reply  to  a  request  for  a  recommendation  to  General  Amherst. 

1761. 

To  Richard  Washington,  July  14th     .         .         .         .178 

Tobacco  consignment — Canada  and  the  Indians. 

To  Rev.  Charles  Green,  August  26th  .         .         .180 

Journey  to  the  springs — Provisions — His  health — Stages  of 
journey. 

To  Richard  Washington,  October  20th       .         .         .183 

His  sickness — Operations  against  the  Cherokees — Clothes 
ordered. 

1762. 

To  [George  William  Fairfax],  October  30th        .         .       186 

Death  of  his  mare. 


CONTENTS  OF  VOL.  II. 


1763. 
To  Charles  Lawrence,  April  26th         .         .         .         .188 

Order  and  measurements  for  suits. 

To  Robert  Stewart,  April  27th   .....       189 

His  financial  condition — Heavy  debts — Will  send  ;i{J^300. 

To  Robert  Stewart,  August  13th         ....       192 

Paper  emissions. 

Notes  on  the  Dismal  Swamp,  October  15th        .         .       194 

1764. 
To  Robert  Gary  &  Co.,  August  loth  ....       200 

Reasons  for  his  indebtedness — Interest  on  money. 
1765. 

To  Carlyle  &  Adam,  March  9th 203 

Sale  of  wheat — Manner  of  weighing. 

To  Colonel  Burwell  Bassett,  August  2d      .         .         .       205 

Drought  and  condition  of  crops — Elections. 

To  Francis  Dandridge,  September  20th      .         .         .       207*^ 

Reasons  for  writing — The  Stamp  Act  and  its  effect  on  the 
colonies — closing  of  the  courts — His  situation. 

1766. 

To  Captain  Joh.  Thompson,  July  2d  .         .         .211 

Has  a  negro  to  sell  in  the  Islands — His  qualities — Purchases 
to  be  made  with  proceeds. 

1767. 

To  Captain  John  Posey,  June  24th     ....       213 

Surprise  at  request  for  a  new  loan — Consideration  of  assets — 
Cannot  be  security  for  further  sums — Advice  to  sell  and  move  to 
the  western  country — Depression  general. 

To  William  Crawford,  September  21st        .         .         .       218 

As  to  lands  in  Pennsylvania — Must  l)e  rich — Proceedings  to 
be  taken — Lands  in  the  king's  part — Wishes  to  take  some  up  in 
spite  of  proclamation — A  good  deal  to  be  secured — Plan  to  be 
kept  a  secret. 

To  Colonel  Armstrong,  September  2 1st       .         .          .       224 
Lands  in  disjiuted  territory — What  proceedings  necessary  to 
obtain  lands  under  Pennsylvania  laws — C'rawford  instructed. 


CONTENTS  OF  VOL.  II. 


PAGE 


To  Captain  John  Posey,  September  24th    .         .         .       226 

His  demands  and  security  examined — Reasons  for  past  ad- 
vances— Mason's  loan — His  prospects — Will  go  on  his  bond  to 
Col.  Mason. 

1768. 
Diary — January-December  .....       230 

Indian  outbreak  and  Bouquet's  expedition — Need  of  money. 

To  Rev.  Jonathan  Boucher,  May  30th         .         .         .       257 

Wishes  him  to  take  Custis  as  a  pupil — Acquirements  and  pro- 
vision to  be  made — What  will  be  necessarj-  ? 
To  Robert  Cary  &  Co.,  June  6th  .         .         .         .259 

Directions  for  a  chariot. 

1769. 

To  William  Ramsay,  January  29th      ....       262 
As  to  sending   his   son   to   college — Will   contribute  to  his 
expenses. 

To  George  Mason,  April  5th 263*' 

Measures  necessary  to  counteract  British  aggression — Starving 
their  trade — Advantages  and  obstacles — Colonial  debts  and  dis- 
tress— Extravagance — ^\^lat  steps  should  be  taken  ? 

To  Colonel  Bassett,  June  i8th    .....       268 

To  go  to  the  springs — The  association. 

To  Colonel  John  Armstrong,  August  i8th  .         .       270 

At  the  springs — Land  speculations — Indian  disturbances  mis- 
represented. 

1770. 

To  Lord  Botetourt,  April  15th   .....       272 

Walpole's  grant — Extent  of  claim — Covers  the  grant  to  the 
ofiBcers  and  soldiers — Rights  of  the  troops. 

To  Dr.  Boucher,  April  20th 276 

Jack  Custis'  inoculation. 

To  Dr.  Boucher,  May  13th  .....       277 

Proposition  for  Mr.  Custis  to  travel — Position  of  a  guardian — 
Some  plan  should  be  laid  down — Opinion  on  advantages  of 
travelling — His  source  of  income. 

Session  of  the  House  of  Burgesses,  May-June  .         .       280 
To  George  William  Fairfax,  June  27th        .         .         .       282 

Assembly  matters — New  association — Stone. 


CONTENTS  OF  VOL.  II. 


PAGE 


To  Dr.  Boucher,  July  30th 283 

Dissatisfaction  with  association — Hopes  for  its  success. 
Journal  of  a  Tour  to  the  Ohio  River  .         .          .       285 

To  Dr.  Boucher,  December  i6th         .         .         .         .316 

Custis'  tastes — Should  be  carefully  guarded. 
I77I. 

To.  Dr.  Boucher,  January  2d       .         .         .         .         .319 

Custis'  return  delayed — His  studies. 

To  Dr.  Boucher,  June  5th  ......       320 

Makes  a  remittance — Proposed  trip  to  England — Necessity  of 
further  education — Advantages  of  Boucher's  guardianship — 
Progress  in  studies. 

To Colston,  June  24th         .....       324 

Western  lands — Expenses  of  survey — Opposition  to  grant. 
To  Dr.  Boucher,  July  9th    ......       329 

Division  of  opinion  on  expediency  of  Custis'  travelling — His 
responsibilities  in  the  matter — Education  not  sufficient — Should 
see  something  of  America — His  position  doubtful — The  mother's 
vi'ishes. 

To  Robert  Gary  &  Co.,  July  20th        ....       334 

Disadvantages  of  indirect  shipments — Error  in  satisfying 
orders — Cash  purchases — The  association. 

The  Annapolis  Races,  September  21st        .         .         .       339 
To  George  Mercer,  November  7th      ....       339 

Claims  for  lands — Difficulties  encountered  in  their  settlement — 
Petition  for  ascertainment  of  shares  rejected  by  governor — No 
inducements  for  explorations — Locating  the  grant. 

To  Robert  Stobo,  November  22d        ....       345 

Claim  for  lands  on  the  Ohio — Expenses  of  determining  the 
grant. 

1772. 

To  Dr.  Boucher,  May  4th    ......       347 

Assembly  measures. 

To  Dr.  Boucher,  May  21st  .         .         .         .         .         .       349 

Peale  is  painting  his  portrait — Slieep. 

To  Lord  Dunmorc,  June  15th    .         .         .  .         .351 

Crant  of  lands  to  tlic  officers  and  soldiers. 

To  Matthew  Campbell,  August  2d      .         .         .         .       354 

I'urchase  of  goods — A  matter  of  prices. 


CONTENTS  OF  VOL.  II. 


PAGE 


To  Lord  Dunmore  and  Council,  November  5th         .       356 

Land  grants  to  soldiers — Payment  of  expenses  by  participants. 

1773- 
To  Colonel  Bassett,  February  15th     ....       363 

Paper  money — Com — Personal  gossip. 

To  Captain  John  Dalton,  February  15th     .         .         .       364 

Action  of  vestry — Conditions  of  subscription  to  church — Pro- 
tests against  change. 

To  Rev.  Dr.  Thruston,  March  12th    ....       366 

Land  due  to  his  son — History  of  negotiations  and  proceedings 
under  grant — Charge  of  partiality  answered. 

To  James  Wood,  March  13th 372 

Florida  lands. 

To  James  Wood,  March  30th 373 

Lands   in  Florida — Directions  for  obtaining — Conditions  of 

grant. 

To  Benedict  Calvert,  April  3d     .         .         .         .         .       376 

Custis'  engagement  to  Miss  Calvert. 

To  Lord  Dunmore,  April  13th 379 

Trip  to  the  north — Plan  for  a  western  journey. 

To  Colonel  Bassett,  April  25th 380 

Sympathy  for  loss  of  daughter — Trip  to  the  north — Custis' 
engagement. 

Journey  to  New  York,  May  loth        ....       382 
To  Colonel  Bassett,  June  20th    .....       384 

Death  of  Patsy  Custis. 

Advertisement  of  the  Ohio  Lands,  July  15th    .         .       386 
To  William  Crawford,  September  25th       .         .         .       388 

Directions   for   taking  up   lands — Pennsylvania   plans — Salt 
springs — His  journey  to  the  west. 

To  Michael  Cresap,  September  26th   ....       392 

Protests  against  occupation  of  his  claims. 

To  Colonel  Armstrong,  October  loth  .         .         .       394 

Grant  of  lands  by  Lord  Dunmore. 

To  Lord  Dunmore,  November  2d       ...         .       395 

Western  lands — Effect  of  order  in  Council — Right  of  gov- 
ernor to  issue  patents — Occasion  for  action. 


CONTENTS  OF  VOL.  II. 


^774- 


PAGB 


To  William  Black,  January  17th  ....       398 

Mrs.  Black  refuses  to  acknowledge  her  right  of  dower  to  lands 
— The  withholding  of  the  mills — Return  of  bond  denied — His 
intentions.. 

To  Colonel  Bassett,  February  12th      ....       402 

Postponement  of  western  journey. 

To  Henry  Riddell,  February  22d        ....       403 

Desires  to  import  Palatines — Inducements  offered — Manner 
of  reaching  the  lands — Queries  in  the  matter. 

To  Thomas  Lewis,  May  5th        .....       408 

Survey  and  settlement  of  Ohio  lands — Mr.  Cresap's  pre- 
tensions. 

Session  of  the  House  of  Burgesses,  May  5th     .         .       412 

To  Bryan  Fairfax,  July  4th         .....       417 

Wishes  him  to  stand  at  election — His  political  sentiments — 
Conduct  of  Parliament — Measures  against  Massachusetts  colony — 
Withholding  of  remittances. 

To  Bryan  Fairfax,  July  20th        .....       420 

Reasons  for  not  reading  his  letter — Futility  of  petitioning 
Parliament — Right  of  taxation  involved  in  the  controversy — 
Severity  of  measures  against  Boston — Steps  to  be  taken — Non- 
importation scheme. 

Virginia  Convention,  August  ist         .         .         .         .       426 
To  Richard  Henry  Lee,  August  7th  ....       428 

.Statement  of  trade — Tithables. 

To  Bryan  Fairfax,  August  24th  .....       429 
Reply  to  his  loyalist  views — Has  no  new  light  to  offer — Con- 
duct of  Parliament  and  the  Ministry. 

The  Continental  Congress  of  1774,  August  30th        ,       437 
To  Robert  Mackenzie,  October  9th    ....       441' 

Conduct  of  Massachusetts  people — His  own  views  in  the 
matter — Not  for  independence,  but  for  rights. 

To  James  Mercer,  December  26th       ....       446 

Purchase  of  lands — Differences  in  surveys — Terms  of  war- 
ranty— Wheat — Cattle  purchase. 


CONTENTS  OF  VOL.  II. 


PAGE 


1775. 

Instructions  for  James  Cleveland,  January  loth  .       451 

To  John  West,  January  13th      .         .         .         .         .455 

Education  of  young  West — His  business  engagements — Will 
accept  trust — Suggestion  as  to  will. 

To  John  Connolly,  Februarj^  25th       ....       457"' 

Affairs  in  the  West — Indian  matters — Attitude  of  British 
ministry. 

To  John  Washington,  March  6th  ....  458 
Instructions  for  William  Stevens,  March  6th  .  .  459 
To  John  Augustine  Washington,  March  25th    .         .       464 

The  Assembly — Deeds — Independent  company. 

To  Lord  Dunmore,  April  3d       ....         .       465  - 

Land  surseys — Rumors  of  their  being  invalid — The  troops 
deservang  of  their  reward — Proclamation  of  1754 — Injustice  of 
proceeding. 

To Montague,  April  5th      .....       469 

Col.  Mercer's  affairs — Mortgage  to  Miss  Wroughton — Family 
differences — Depression  in  estates. 

To  George  Mercer,  April  5th 472 

Raising  of  companies — Col.  Stewart. 

Advertisement,  April  23d    ......       473 

To  George  William  Fairfax,  May  31st        .         .         .       474" 

Engagement  with  king's  troops  in  Massachusetts — General 
Gage's  admissions — Narrow  escape  of  regulars  from  destruction. 

Acceptance  of  Command  of  the  Army,  June  15th     .       476 

Commission,  June  19th 482 

To  Mrs.  Martha  Washington,  June  i8th    .         .         .       483 

His  appointment — Not  of  his  seeking — Cannot  refuse — Her 
happiness — His  will. 

To  John  Parke  Custis,  June  19th        ....       486 

His  appointment — Concern  about  Mrs.  Washington — Can  no 
longer  assist  in  management  of  estate. 

To  Col.  Bassett,  June  19th 487 

Reasons  for  accepting  appointment — Currency  to  be  issued  by 
Congress — Urges  visits  to  Mount  Vernon. 


CONTENTS  OF  VOL.  II. 


To  the  Captains  of  the  Several  Independent  Compa-  . 

nies  in  Virginia,  June  20th  .....       489 

His   farewell  —  Appointment  —  Urges    that    discipline    be 
maintained. 

To  John  Augustine  Washington,  June  20th       .         .       491 

His  appointment — Acts  of  Congress — Tiie  majors-general. 

To  the  Continental  Congress,  June  24th     .         .         .       493 

His  arrival  at  New  York — Powder  wanted — Governor  Tryon. 

To  the  Continental  Congress,  June  24th     .         ,         .       497 

News  from  Massachusetts — Powder. 

To  General  Schuyler,  June  25th  ....       497 

Instructions  for  commanding   in    New  York  department — 
Governor  Tiyon — Col.  Guy  Johnson. 

Answer  to  an  Address  of  the  New  York  Provincial 

Congress       ........       506 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


TO    JOHN    BLAIR,    PRESIDENT    OF    THE    COUNCIL/ 

Fredericksburg,  the  31st  Jany.,  1758. 

HoNBLE.  Sir, 

I  wrote  to  your  Honor  yesterday. ""  Since  which 
your  favor  of  the  25th  is  come  to  hand,  I  am  greatly 
distressed  to  know  what  conduct  to  observe  with  regard 
to  the  Indians  that  are  coming  to  our  assistance.  I 
would  notwithstanding  the  ill  state  of  health  I  am  in, 
go  directly  to  Winchester,  cou'd  I  flatter  myself  that 
the  Service  wou'd  reap  any  real  advantage  from  it ; 
but  as  I  am  not  entrusted  with  the  management  of 
Indian  Affairs,  farther  than  directing  their  war- 
route's  (and  even  here,  they  are  governed  by  caprice 
and  whim  rather  than  by  real  design),  I  am  of 
opinion,  I  should  only  share  in  Mr.  Gist's  embarrass- 
ments, without  rendering  him,  the  desired  assistance. 
Because,  if  he  informs  me  rightly,  he  is  in  no  wise 
prepared  for  the  reception  of  such  a  party,  either 
with  arms,  or  proper  goods,  and  how  he  can  be  timely 
supplied  with  either,  I  know  not.  But  this  I  am  cer- 
tain of  ;  that  were  I  on  the  spot,  all  their  disappoint- 

"  John  Blair  was  bom  in  Williamsburg  in  i68g,  and  died  there  November  5, 
1771.  He  was  long  a  member  of  the  House  of  Burgesses,  member  of  the 
council,  its  president  in  1757-58  and  acting  governor  of  Virginia  in  1768. 

'  Printed  in  Sparks,   Writings  of  Washington,  ii.,  271. 

I 


2  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

ments  would  be  attributed  to  me,  as  they  look  upon 
the  commanding  officer  to  be  culpable  in  all  those 
cases. 

Never  was  any  thing  more  unlucky,  perhaps,  than 
these  Indians  coming  at  this  time,  having  very  little  to 
apprehend,  and  the  season  being  too  rigorous  to  ad- 
mit of  incursions  into  the  Enemy's  country.  If  they 
were  sent  out  to  war,  it  is  more  than  probable  that 
they  would  return  to  their  nation  as  soon  as  they 
came  in  ;  by  which  means  we  should  need  their 
assistance  in  the  Spring,  when  they  would  be  of 
infinite  service  in  offensive  or  defensive  measures  ; 
and  to  feed  and  clothe  them  thro'  the  winter,  if  they 
could  be  prevailed  with  to  stay,  would  be  attended 
with  great  expence. 

Upon  the  whole,  it  appears  to  be  a  very  ill  judged 
step,  the  sending  them  in  at  this  time  and  an  affair 
of  so  much  importance,  that  I  do  not  care  to  meddle 
in  it,  without  particular  instructions  from  your  Honor. 

I  have  dispatched  a  special  messenger  to  Mr.  Gist, 
apprizing  him  of  this  matter,  and  shall  wait  at  this 
place  for  your  Orders,  as  to  my  own  conduct. 
I  am,  &c.' 

'  "  I  set  out  for  Williamsburg  the  day  after  the  date  of  my  letter,  but  found  I 
was  unable  to  proceed,  my  fever  and  pain  increasing  upon  me  to  a  high  degree  ; 
and  the  physicians  assured  me,  that  I  might  endanger  my  life  by  prosecuting 
tlie  journey. 

In  consecjuence  of  that  advice  I  returned  to  this  place  again,  and  informed 
your  Honor  of  the  reason  of  my  detention  by  the  post,  wliom  I  met  on  the  road, 
and  who,  I  have  since  understood,  never  lodged  my  letter  in  the  postoffice  at 
Fredericksburg,  which  is  the  cause  of  my  now  writing  to  the  same  purport. 
When  I  shall  be  sufliciently  able  to  attempt  the  journey  again,  I  cannot  say  ; 
but  I  shall  make  no  delay  after  I  am  in  a  coiuiition  to  perform  it." — To  Presi- 
dent li  lair,  20  February,  1758, 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  3 

TO    COLONEL    STANWIX. 

Mount  Vernon,  4  March,  1758. 

My  Dear  Colonel, 

Your  favors  of  the  13th  January  and  the  24th 
ultimo,  with  the  extract  of  a  letter  from  Lord  Lou- 
doun, were  this  day  delivered  to  me.  In  the  latter 
you  condescend  to  ask  my  opinion  of  Major  Smith. 
Pray,  does  not  his  plan  sufficiently  indicate  the  man  ? 
Can  there  be  a  better  index  to  his  abilities,  than  his 
scheme  for  reducing  the  enemy  on  the  Ohio,  and  his 
expeditious  march  of  a  thousand  men  to  Detroit  ? 
Surely,  he  intended  to  provide  them  with  wings  to 
facilitate  their  passage  over  so  mountainous  and 
extensive  a  country,  or  what  way  else  could  he  ac- 
complish it  in  ? 

I  am  unacquainted  with  the  navigation  of  the 
rivers  he  proposes  to  traverse,  and,  consequently, 
cannot  be  a  competent  judge  of  his  scheme  in  this 
respect  ;  but  the  distance  is  so  great,  and  that  through 
an  enemy's  country,  that,  I  candidly  confess,  it  ap- 
pears to  me  a  romantic  plan,  in  general,  that  may 
exist  in  the  imagination,  but  cannot  be  executed. 
For,  if  we  are  strong  enough  to  attempt  the  reduction 
of  the  Ohio,  what  necessity  is  there  for  our  making 
such  a  circuitous  march,  and  leaving  Fort  Duquesne 
behind  us,  which  is  the  source  from  whence  flow 
all  our  ills  ?  And  if  we  are  too  weak  to  attempt  this 
place,  what  have  we  not  to  dread  from  leaving  it  in 
our  rear  ? 

These,  Sir,  are  my  sentiments  upon  Major  Smith's 
plan.     With  regard  to  the  person,   if   I   have  been 


4  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

rightly  informed,  he  actually  had  a  commission  to 
command  a  ranging  company,  and  obtained  it  by 
making  promises,  he  never  could  comply  with.  He 
was  adjudged,  by  persons  better  acquainted  with  him 
than  I  am,  to  be  quite  unfit  to  command  even  a  com- 
pany, and  lost  the  Block-House,  in  which  he  com- 
manded, by  suffering  his  men  to  straggle  from  it  at 
pleasure,  which  the  Indians  observing,  took  advantage 
of  his  weakness,  and  attacked  him  at  a  time  when  he 
had  no  men  in  his  works.  It  is,  nevertheless,  agreed 
on  all  hands,  that  he  made  a  gallant  defence,  but  I 
never  before  heard  of  any  capitulation  that  was 
granted  to  him. 

I  have  not  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  Major 
Smith,  though  I  have  been  favored  with  a  letter  from 
him,  in  which  he  politely  professes  some  concern  at 
hearing  of  my  indisposition,  as  it  prevented  him  from 
seeing  me  at  Winchester  ;  but  desires,  at  the  same 
time,  that  I  will  attend  him  at  his  ho2ise  in  Augusta, 
about  two  hundred  miles  hence  !  or  in  Williamsburg 
by  the  20th  instant,  when,  I  suppose,  he  intends  to 
honor  me  with  his  orders^- 

I  have  never  been  able  to  return  to  my  command, 
since  I  wrote  to  you  last,  my  disorder  at  times  return- 
ing obstinately  upon  me,  in  spite  of  the  efforts  of  all 
the  sons  of  yEsculapius,  whom  I  have  hitherto  con- 
sulted. At  certain  periods  I  have  been  reduced  to 
great  extremity,  and  have  now  too  much  reason  to 


'  Colonel  Stanwix  replied  : — "  I  have  been  favored  with  your  obliging  letter, 
and  find  your  judgment  tallies  with  Lord  Loudoun's  and  mine,  in  regard  to 
Major  Smith's  wild  scheme." 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  5 

apprehend  an  approaching  decay,  being  visited  with 
several  symptoms  of  such  a  disease. 

I  am  now  under  a  strict  regimen,  and  shall  set  out 
to-morrow  for  Williamsburg  to  receive  the  advice  of 
the  best  physicians  there.  My  constitution  is  cer- 
tainly greatly  impaired,  and  as  nothing  can  retrieve 
it,  but  the  greatest  care  and  the  most  circumspect 
conduct,  as  I  now  have  no  prospect  left  of  preferment 
in  the  military  way,  and  as  I  despair  of  rendering 
that  immediate  service,  which  my  country  may 
require  from  the  person  commanding  their  troops, 
I  have  some  thoughts  of  quitting  my  command,  and 
retiring  from  all  public  business,  leaving  my  post  to 
be  filled  by  some  other  person  more  capable  of  the 
task,  and  who  may,  perhaps,  have  his  endeavors 
crowned  with  better  success  than  mine  have  been. 
But,  wherever  I  go,  or  whatever  becomes  of  me,  I 
shall  always  possess  the  sincerest  and  most  affection- 
ate regards  for  you  ;  being,  dear  Sir,  your  most 
obedient  and  obliged  humble  servant.' 

•  Soon  after  writing  this  letter,  he  went  to  Williamsburg.  Ha\-ing  attended 
to  the  necessary  affairs,  which  called  him  there,  he  returned  to  his  command 
at  Fort  Loudoun  about  the  ist  of  April. 

While  he  was  in  Williamsburg  the  Assembly  was  in  session,  and  an  act 
passed  to  augment  the  forces  of  the  colony  to  two  thousand  men,  besides  the 
three  companies  of  rangers.  A  bounty  of  ten  pounds  was  to  be  paid  to  every 
new  recruit  to  serve  only  till  December.  A  second  regiment  was  organ- 
ized, and  officers  appointed.  By  the  same  act,  all  the  Virginia  forces 
were  to  be  united,  by  direction  of  the  president,  or  commander-in-chief,  to 
such  troops  as  should  be  furnished  by  his  Majesty,  or  by  the  other  colonies,  for 
a  general  expedition  against  the  enemy,  and  were  to  be  subject  to  the  orders 
of  the  commanding  officer  of  his  Majesty's  forces  in  America. 

When  Pitt  assumed  office  he  recognized  the  importance  of  the  struggle  in 
America  and  recalled  the  incompetent  Loudoun,  appointing  General  John 
Forbes  to  the  command.     In  his  instructions  urging  the  southern  colonies  to 


6  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

TO    BRIGADIER-GENERAL    STANWIX. 

Fort  Loudoun,  10  April,  1758. 

Dear  Sir, 

Permit  me, — at  the  same  time  that  I  congratulate 
you,  (which  I  most  sincerely  do)  on  your  promotion, 
you  have  met  with  and  justly  merited, — to  express 
my  concern  at  the  prospect  of  parting  with  you.  I 
can  truly  say,  it  is  a  matter  of  no  small  regret  to  me, 
and  that  I  should  have  thought  myself  happy  in  serv- 
ing this  campaign  under  your  immediate  command. 
But  every  thing,  I  hope,  is  ordered  for  the  best,  and 
it  is  our  duty  to  submit  to  the  will  of  our  superior.  I 
must,  nevertheless,  beg,  that  you  will  add  one  more 
kindness  to  the  many  I  have  experienced,  and  that  is, 
to  mention  me  in  favorable  terms  to  General  Forbes,' 
(if  you  are  acquainted  with  that  gentleman,)  not  as 
a  person,  who  would  depend  upon  him  for  further 
recommendation  to  military  preferment,  for  I  have 
long  conquered  all  such  inclinations,  (and  serve  this 
campaign  merely  for  the  purpose  of  affording  my 
best  endeavors  to  bring  matters  to  a  conclusion), 
but  as  a  person,  who  would  gladly  be  distinguished 
in  some  measure  from  the  co7Jimon  run  of  provincial 
officers,  as  I  understand  there  will  be  a  motley  herd 
of  us. 


new  efforts,  Pitt  wrote :  "  And  all  officers  of  the  Provincial  forces  as  high  as 
Colonels  inclusive  are  to  have  rank  according  to  their  several  respective  com- 
missions in  like  manner  as  is  already  given  by  his  Majesty's  Regulations  to 
the  Captains  of  Provincial  Troops  in  America."     30  December,  1757. 

To  his  London  Agent  Washington  wrote  :  "  You  are  pleased  to  dub  me  with 
a  title  I  have  no  pretentions  to — tliat  is,  ye  Ilonble."     5  April,  1758. 

'  "  Col.  John  Forbes  of  tlie  I7tli  Foot,  who  had  been  Lord  Loudoun's  Adju- 
tant-General, was  commissioned  a  Urigailicr-General,  and  directed  to  undertake 
a  new  expedition  against  Fori  Dufiuesnc." — Finn.  Mat:;.  Hist.,  ix.,  8. 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


Nothing  can  contribute  more  to  his  Majesty's  in- 
terest in  this  quarter,  than  an  early  campaign,  or 
a  speedy  junction  of  the  troops  to  be  employed  in 
this  service.  Without  this,  I  fear  the  Indians  will 
with  difficulty  be  restrained  from  returning  to  their 
nation  before  we  assemble,  and,  in  that  event,  no 
words  can  tell  how  much  they  will  be  missed.  It 
is  an  affair  of  great  importance,  and  ought  to  claim 
the  closest  attention  of  the  commanding  officer  ;  for 
on  the  assistance  of  these  people  does  the  security  of 
our  march  very  much  depend. 

There  should  be  great  care  taken,  also,  to  lay  in  a 
supply  of  proper  goods  for  them.  The  Indians  are 
mercenary ;  every  service  of  theirs  must  be  pur- 
chased ;  and  they  are  easy  offended,  being  thor- 
oughly sensible  of  their  own  importance.  Upwards 
of  five  hundred  are  already  come  to  this  place,  the 
greatest  part  of  whom  are  gone  to  war.  Many  others 
are  daily  expected,  and  we  have  neither  arms  nor 
clothes  (proper)  to  give  them.  Nor,  indeed,  is  it 
reasonable  to  expect,  that  the  whole  expense  accru- 
ing on  account  of  these  people  should  fall  upon  this 
government,  which  hath  already  in  this  as  well  as 
in  many  other  respects,  exerted  her  utmost  abilities 
for  his  Majesty's  interest,  and,  in  the  present  case, 
shares  only  an  equal  proportion  of  the  advantages 
arising  from  Indian  services. 

These  crude  thoughts  are  hastily  thrown  together. 
If  you  find  any  thing  contained  in  them,  which  may 
be  useful,  be  pleased  to  improve  them  for  his  Ma- 
jesty's interest.     The  latitude  which  you  have  hith- 


8  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

erto  allowed  me,  joined  to  my  zeal  for  the  service, 
has  encouraged  me  to  use  this  freedom  with  you. 
Sir,  which  I  should  not  choose  to  take  unasked  with 
another. 

If  it  is  not  inconsistent,  I  should  be  glad  before 
I  conclude  to  ask  what  regular  troops  are  to  be 
employed  under  Brigadier-General  Forbes,  and  when 
they  may  be  expected  ?  Also,  where  they  are  to 
rendezvous. 

Fort  Frederic,  I  hear,  is  mentioned  for  this  pur- 
pose, and,  in  my  humble  opinion,  a  little  improperly. 
In  the  first  place,  because  the  country  people  all 
around  are  fled,  and  the  troops  will,  consequently, 
lack  those  refreshments  so  needful  to  soldiers.  In 
the  next  place,  I  am  fully  convinced  there  never  can 
be  a  road  made  between  Fort  Frederic  and  Fort 
Cumberland,  that  will  admit  the  transportation  of 
carriages.  For  I  have  passed  it  with  many  others, 
who  were  of  the  same  opinion  ;  and  lastly,  because 
this  is  the  place  [Fort  Loudoun]  to  which  all  Indian 
parties,  either  going  to,  or  returning  from  war,  will 
inevitably  repair. 

I  am  with  most  sincere  esteem,  dear  Sir,  your  most 
obedient  and  obliged  humble  servant. 


TO    MAJOR     FRANCIS    HALKET. 

Fort  Loudoun,  12  April,  1758. 

My  dear  Halket, 

Are  we  to  have  you  once  more  among  us  ?  And 
shall  we  revisit  together  a  hapless  spot,  that  proved 
so  fatal  to  many  of  our  (former)  brave  companions  ? 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


Yes  ;  and  I  rejoice  at  it,  hoping  it  will  now  be  in  our 
power  to  testify  a  just  abhorrence  of  the  cruel  butch- 
eries exercised  on  our  friends,  in  the  unfortunate  day 
of  General  Braddock's  defeat ;  and,  moreover,  to 
show  our  enemies,  that  we  can  practise  all  that  lenity 
of  which  they  only  boast,  without  affording  any  ade- 
quate proofs  at  all. 

To  cut  short,  I  really  feel  a  degree  of  satisfaction 
upon  the  prospect  of  meeting  you  again,  although  I 
have  scarce  time  to  tell  you  so,  as  the  express  is 
waiting. 

I  am  with  most  sincere  regard,  dear  Sir,  yours,  &c. 


TO    THE    PRESIDENT    OF    THE    COUNCIL. 

Fort  Loudoun,  17  April,  1758. 

HoNBLE.  Sir 

An  unlucky,  but  unavoidable  accident  happened  in 
the  neighborhood  of  Patterson's  fort  the  other  day. 

The  proceedings  of  an  examining  court  of  officers 
on  that  occasion  (which  are  herewith  sent)  will  bring 
your  Honor  acquainted  with  the  circumstances.  I 
caused  a  very  strict  enquiry  to  be  made  into  the  con- 
duct of  Mr.  Chew,  that  equal  justice  might  be  done 
to  the  dead  and  to  the  living  ;  and  it  appeared  that 
Mr.  Chew  had  acted  with  great  spirit  and  activity  in 
pursuing  the  tracks  of  those  people  ;  and  that  in 
shooting  them  (altho'  it  was  unlucky  in  the  event)  he 
had  done  nothing  that  was  not  strictly  warrantable. 
Lane  and  Cox  appearing  both  in  dress,  disguise  and 
behavior,  to  be  no  other  than  Indians. 


lo  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

I  think  it  incumbent  on  me  to  be  informed  by  your 
Honor,  how  the  regiment  under  my  command  is  to 
be  furnished  with  tents,  ammunition,  cartridge-paper, 
and  many  other  requisites,  that  may  be  wanted  in  the 
course  of  the  campaign.  We  expect  it  is  here  to  be 
furnished  with  all  those  articles  from  his  Majesty's 
stores,  but  it  is  necessary  for  me  to  learn  this  from 
your  Honor. 

Captain  Joshua  Lewis,  of  the  Virginia  regiment 
has  applied  to  me  for  leave  to  resign,  urging  as  a 
reason,  that  his  interest  lies  in  the  navy,  and  if  longer 
neglected,  it  may  be  very  detrimental  to  him.  He 
has  therefore  obtained  my  consent  to  do  so,  and  my 
promise  of  mentioning  the  thing  to  your  Honor. 

Captn.  Thomas  Bullet  will  in  this  event,  by  sen- 
iority, succeed  to  his  company  ;  which  with  the  death 
of  Lt.  Milner,  and  the  removal  of  Mr.  Wm.  Henry 
Fairfax  to  the  northward,  cause  two  or  three  vacan- 
cies (to  be  filled  up,  I  hope,  by  the  volunteers  who 
have  served  for  that  purpose)  and  some  promotions 
of  Ensigns  to  Lieutenants,  which  will  require  at  least 
half  a  dozen  blank  commissions.  I  therefore  beof  the 
favor  of  your  Honor  to  send  them  to  me  ;  and  you 
may  depend,  that  in  filling  them,  I  shall  have  strict 
regard  to  justice,  and  will  act  conformably  to  the 
rules  of  the  army.  I  have,  at  this  time,  four  or  five 
blank  commissions  of  Govr.  Dinwiddie's  signing,  but 
they  are  now  useless. 

The  last  Assembly,  in  their  Supply  Bill,  provided 
for  a  chaplain  to  our  regiment,  for  whom  I  had  often 
very  unsuccessfully  applied  to  Governor  Dinwiddle. 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  ii 

I  now  flatter  myself,  that  your  Honor  will  be  pleased 
to  appoint  a  sober,  serious  man  for  this  duty.  Com- 
mon decency.  Sir,  in  a  camp  calls  for  the  services  of 
a  divine,  and  which  ought  not  to  be  dispensed  with, 
altho'  the  world  should  be  so  uncharitable  as  to  think 
us  void  of  religion,  and  incapable  of  good  instructions. 
I  now  enclose  a  monthly  return  for  March,  and  am, 
honorable  Sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant. 


TO    SIR    JOHN    ST.    CLAIR. 

Fort  Loudoun,  the  iS  April,  1758. 

Sir, 

Your  letter  of  the  13th  addressed  to  Captain 
Bullet,  came  to  my  hands  about  an  hour  ago.  I  have 
not  words  to  express  the  great  pleasure  I  feel,  at 
finding  General  Forbes  and  yourself  so  heartily  dis- 
posed to  please  the  Indians,  who  are  our  steady 
friends  and  valuable  allies.' 

Mr.  Gist  will  send  you  a  return  of  the  number  of  In- 
dians who  have  come  to  our  assistance, — of  what  na- 
tions they  are  composed  ;  how  many  are  gone  to  war  ; 
and  what  number  is  yet  expected  in  ;  and  I  shall  enclose 
you  a  return  of  the  Virginia  Regiment,  for  the  month 

'  This  hardly  consists  with  Sir  John's  conduct  in  a  case  that  occuiTcd  at  this 
time.  Forty  Cherokees  had  come  naked  and  without  arms  to  Fort  Loudoun  and 
Governor  Denny  asked  Sir  John  if  he  would  order  these  Indians  to  be  supplied 
with  guns,  match  coats  and  a  little  leather  to  make  moccasins.  * '  Sir  John 
answered  that  the  Assembly  and  people  of  this  Province  had  such  singular  and 
unreasonable  nations  of  Indians,  and  particularly  the  Cherokees,  that  he  would 
not  have  any  thing  to  do  with  them,  nor  order  the  Indians  the  things  wanted." 
— Penn,  Col.  Rec,  viii.,  77. 


12  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

of  March  last.  The  Indians  seem  hearty  in  our 
cause,  and  full  of  spirits  at  the  prospect  of  an  Expe- 
dition, which  they  have  long  been  wishing  for.  But 
I  fear  the  rendezvous  of  the  troops  at  the  mouth  of 
Conococheague  will  give  them  some  disgust ;  because 
from  long  use,  this  place  is  become  perfectly  known 
and  familiar  to  them ;  and  it  is  here  they  repair  upon 
every  occasion.  Here,  also  all  their  scouting  parties, 
that  are  gone  to  war,  will  return,  and  at  this  placCy 
the  earliest  intelligence  of  occurrencies  on  the 
frontiers,  will  always  arrive. 

I  have  taken  great  pains  to  encourage  all  that 
have  gone  to  war,  since  my  return  here  to  take  each 
a  prisoner ;  and  if  they  should  get  more  than  one,  to 
keep  them  asunder  ;  which  they  have  promised  to  do.' 

That  part  of  your  letter  relative  to  the  building 
fiats,  I  have  communicated  to  Lt.  Smith,  and  we 
shall  endeavor  to  get  plank  and  other  materials  in 
readiness  ;  but  at  the  same  time  I  must  observe,  that 
all  the  men  of  this  garrison  are  employed  (by  authority 
of  this  government)  in  finishing  the  works  here  ;  and 
I  do  not  know  how  far  my  conduct  may  be  justified 
in  withdrawing  them  from  them,  as  I  have  received 

'  "  The  Indians  seem  to  anticipate  our  success,  by  joining  us,  thus  early,  with 
seven  hundred  of  their  warriors  ;  of  whose  good  inclinations  to  assist  his  Majes- 
ty's troops.  Captain  Bosomworth,  who  held  a  conference  with  their  chiefs  can 
fully  inform  you  and  to  whom  I  shall  refer.  There  are  two  things,  however, 
which  I  must  beg  leave  to  indicate,  as  likely  to  contribute  greatly  to  their  ease 
and  contentment  ;  to  wit,  an  early  campaign,  and  plenty  of  goods.  These  are 
matters,  which  they  often  remind  us  of,  both  in  their  public  councils  and  private 
conferences." — To  Brigadier-General  Forbes,  23  April,  1758. 

Colonel  Stephen  had  just  arrived  at  Fredericksburg  with  the  two  companies 
returned  from  South  Carolina.  These  troops  were  daily  expected  at  Fort 
Loudoun. 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  13 


no  order  from  the  President  to  regard  any  instructions 
but  his  own. 

I  now  flatter  myself,  that  this  settlement  will  be 
able  to  furnish  a  pretty  number  of  waggons,  &  will- 
ingly ;  but  what  quantity  of  forage  may  be  had,  I  am 
unable  to  say.  I  have,  however,  made  your  desires 
known  to  the  people  on  this  occasion. 

I  have  advice,  that  our  Assembly  have  voted  2,000 
men  for  the  expedition  ;  who  are  to  be  commanded 
by  General  Forbes,  besides  militia,  for  the  security 
of  the  frontiers  ;  and  that  they  have  also  voted  an 
additional  fund  of  ^6,000  for  Indian  expences.' 

Your  express  with  letters  of  the  7th  came  safe  to 
this  place,  on  the  12th  in  the  Evening,  and  was  dis- 
patched early  next  morning.      I  am,  &c. 


TO    THE  PRESIDENT    OF    THE    COUNCIL. 

Fort  Loudoun,  24  April,  1758. 

Sir, 

Your  letter  of  the  19th  instant,  intended  to  come 
by  Colonel  Stephen,  was  delivered  me  to-day  about 
noon  by  express.  As  there  are  several  matters  con- 
tained in  it  of  an   interesting  nature,   I  chose  to  be 

'  "  Permit  me  to  return  you  my  sincere  thanks  for  the  honor  you  were  pleased 
to  do  me,  in  a  letter  to  Mr.  President  Blair,  and  to  assure  you,  that  to  merit  a 
continuance  of  the  good  opinion  you  have  therein  expressed  of  me,  shall  be 
among  my  principal  studies.  I  have  no  higher  ambition,  than  to  act  my  part 
well  during  the  campaign  ;  and  if  I  should  thereby  merit  your  approbation,  it 
will  be  a  most  pleasing  reward  for  the  toils  I  shall  undergo. 

"  It  gives  me  no  small  pleasure,  that  an  oflScerof  your  experience,  abilities,  and 
good  character  should  be  appointed  to  command  the  expedition,  and  it  is  with 
equal  satisfaction  I  congratulate  you  upon  the  promising  prospect  of  a  glorious 
campaign." — To  General  Forbes,  23  April,  1758. 


14  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

aided  in  my  determinations  by  the  advice  of  my 
officers,  and  have  enclosed  your  Honor  their  and  my 
opinion  on  the  several  heads. 

I  could  by  no  means  think  of  executing,  (willingly,) 
that  discretionary  power,  with  which  you  were  pleased 
to  invest  me,  of  ordering  out  the  militia.'  It  is  an 
affair,  Sir,  of  too  important  and  delicate  a  nature  for 
me  to  have  the  management  of ;  for  much  discontent 
will  be  the  inevitable  consequence  of  this  draft. 

Your  Honor  will  no  longer  be  at  a  loss  for  a  re- 
turn, after  you  receive  my  letter  by  Jenkins  ;  and  lest 
any  accident  may  have  happened  to  that,  I  herewith 
enclose  another  for  the  same  month. 

When  the  relief  of  our  outposts  in  Augusta  marches, 
Major  Lewis,  who  commands  on  that  quarter,  should 
be  advised  thereof,  and  he  will  order  them  to  their 
stations. 

That  was  a  most  extraordinary  request  of  Colonel 
Mercer,  concerning  the  exchange  of  officers,  and 
calculated,  it  would  seem,  rather  to  breed  confusion, 
and  to  gratify  his  own  vanity,  than  to  benefit  the 
other  regiment  There  is  not  an  ensign  there,  that 
would  not  rather  quit  the  service,  than  accept  of  a 
company  in  the  other  regiment,  so  much  do  they  dis- 

'  This  power  of  drafting  tlie  militia,  with  which  the  forts  were  to  be  gar- 
risoned while  the  regular  troops  were  employed  in  the  expedition,  was  conferred 
equally  on  the  President,  and  the  Commander-in-chief  ;  a  substantial  proof  of 
the  confidence  reposed  in  the  latter  by  the  Assembly,  although  in  this  case,  as 
in  all  others,  he  could  not  be  prevailed  upon  to  exercise  a  delegated  power  to 
any  greater  extent,  than  was  absolutely  necessary  for  a  full  discharge  of  the 
duties  of  his  station. — Sparks. 

''■  Mercer  was  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  second,  or  new  regiment.  The  com- 
manding officer  of  this  regiment  was  Colonel  Byrd. 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


approve  Colonel  Mercer's  proposal ;  and  I  have 
neither  inclination  nor  power  to  force  their  com- 
pliance. 

Captain  Rutherford's  company  was  raised  and 
posted  on  this  quarter  by  Governor  Dinwiddie's  ex- 
press orders,  and  can  be  more  useful  here,  than  any 
other  men  whatever,  being  all  sons  of  the  neighboring 
farmers,  men  of  property,  young,  active,  and  en- 
tirely acquainted  with  the  woods  on  these  frontiers. 
Whereas,  if  they  go  to  the  southward,  they  will  be 
utter  strangers  to  the  enemy's  haunts,  and  of  no 
more  use  there,  than  the  militia  of  an  adjacent 
county;  while  their  places  here  must  be  supplied  by 
militia  equally  ignorant  of  these  woods  as  they  will  be 
of  any  others  ;  besides  giving  them  a  useless  march 
of  two  hundred  miles,  and  exposing  the  frontiers  in 
the  mean  time.  Another  reason  mav  be  urored ; 
their  property  all  lies  in  this  county.  Interested 
motives  induced  them  to  enlist,  and  to  be  vigilant  in 
defending  it,  and,  I  believe,  they  would  desert,  rather 
than  go  to  the  southward. 

Your  Honor  will  please  to  remember,  it  was  one 
among  the  last  questions,  I  had  an  opportunity  of 
asking,  if  I  should  send  parties  a  recruiting  ?  You 
replied,  "  that,  as  the  Assembly  was  so  near  meeting, 
you  would  defer  giving  any  directions  on  that  head," 
and  as  I  had  no  money  for  the  purpose,  I  hope  it  will 
not  seem  surprising,  that  we  have  recruited  but  a  few 
men  since,  and  that  I  have  been  waiting  for  orders  to 
complete  the  regiment.  I  shall  now  use  my  best  en- 
deavors, with  what  few  officers,  can  be  spared  from 


i6  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

the  garrisons,  (which  will  be  very  few,  indeed  !)  dis- 
persed as  we  are.  I  shall  also  be  under  a  necessity 
of  sending  down  for  money  to  carry  on  this  service ; 
and  should  be  glad  that  your  Honor  would  order  it 
to  be  ready  immediately  to  prevent  delay  of  the 
officer,  who  will  set  off  to-morrow,  or  the  next  day 
after  at  the  farthest.     I  am,  &c. 


TO    THE    PRESIDENT    OF    THE    COUNCIL. 

Fort  Loudoun,  4  May,  1758. 

HoNBLE.  Sir, 

The  enclosed  letter  from  Capt.  Waggener,  will 
inform  your  Honor  of  a  very  unfortunate  affair. 
From  the  best  accounts  I  have  yet  been  able  to  get, 
there  are  about  60  persons  killed  and  missing.  Im- 
mediately upon  receiving  this  Intelligence,  I  sent  out 
a  Detachment  of  the  Regiment,  and  some  Indians, 
that  were  equipped  for  war,  in  hopes  of  their  being 
able  to  intercept  the  Enemy  in  the  retreat.  I  was 
fearful  of  this  stroke,  but  had  not  time  enough  to  avert 
it,  as  your  Honor  will  find  by  the  following  account 
which  came  to  hand  just  before  Capt.  Waggener's 
letter,  by  Captn.  McKenzie. 

Lieutenant  Gist  with  6  soldiers  and  30  Indians  marched  the  2d 
of  April  from  the  South  Branch  ;  and  after  a  tedious  march  (oc- 
casioned by  the  deep  snows  on  the  mountains)  got  on  the  waters 
of  the  Monongahela,  where  Mr.  Gist  was  lamed  by  a  fall  from  a 
steep  bank,  and  rendered  incapable  of  marching.  The  white  peo- 
ple and  some  of  the  Indians  remained  with  him  ;  and  the  rest  of 
the  Indians  divided  themselves  into  three  parties  &  separated. 


1758]    .  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  17 

Ucahula  and  two  more  went  down  the  Monongahela  in  a  bark 
canoe  and  landed  near  Ft.  Duquesne,  on  the  north  side,  where 
they  lay  concealed  for  two  days.  At  length  an  opportunity  of- 
fered of  attacking  a  canoe,  in  which  were  two  French  men  fishing  ; 
those  they  killed  and  scalped  in  sight  of  two  other  canoes  with 
French  men  in  them,  and  came  off  safe. 

When  he  got  about  15  miles  on  this  side  Ft.  Duquesne,  he  came 
upon  a  large  Indian  Encampment,  from  the  size  of  which,  and  the 
number  of  tracks,  judged  to  be  at  least  100,  making  directly  for 
the  frontiers  of  Virginia,  as  they  again  discovered  by  crossing 
their  tracks.* 

At  present  I  have  nothing  more  to  add  to  your 
Honor,  having  written  several  times  lately  on  matters, 
to  which  I  have  received  no  answer. 

I  had  wrote  thus  far,  and  was  going  to  send  off  an 
Express  with    this  melancholy  account,    when  I   re- 

'  "  This  Indian's  account  of  Ft.  Duquesne,  corresponds  with  most  others  I 
have  heard,  vizt.,  that  it  is  strong  on  the  land-side,  but  stockaded  only  where 
it  faces  the  Ohio-river.  It  does  not  appear  from  his  information  that  there  are 
many  men  there,  or  that  they  have  thrown  up  any  new  works.  He  saw  a 
party  on  the  other  side  of  the  river,  which  he  supposed  to  be  newly  come,  be- 
cause there  were  several  canoes  near  them  ;  and  they  seemed  to  be  busy  in 
putting  up  bark  huts,  which  however  were  not  many — and  only  two  tents 
pitched.  When  he  had  got  about  15  miles  on  this  side  of  Fort  Duquesne  he 
came  upon  a  large  Indian  encampment  and  tracks,  steering  towards  Virginia  ; 
and  after  the  parties  had  joined  and  were  marching  in,  Lt.  Gist  came  upon  a 
track  of  another  large  party,  pursuing  the  same  course.  These  parties  have 
since  fallen  upon  the  back-inhabitants  of  Augusta  County,  and  destroyed  near 
50  persons,  besides  an  officer  and  i3  men,  belonging  to  Captn.  Hog's  ranging- 
company,  who  we  suppose  (for  I  have  no  advice  from  him)  were  sent  to  the 
country-people's  assistance.  As  soon  as  I  obtained  notice  of  this,  I  ordered  a 
detachment  from  the  Regiment,  and  some  Indians,  that  were  equipped  for  war, 
to  march,  and  endeavor  to  intercept  their  retreat — if  they  are  not  too  numerous. 
— I  have  also  engaged  Ucahula,  with  a  small  party  of  brisk  men  to  go  immedi- 
ately for  Ft.  Duquesne,  and  try  to  get  a  prisoner.  He  seems  confident  of  suc- 
cess, and  promises  to  be  back  in  20  days  at  the  farthest.  The  two  Virginia 
Companies  from  Carolina  came  to  this  place  yesterday. — Enclosed  is  a  return 
of  their  strength." — To  Sir  John  St.  Clair,  4  May,  175S. 


1 8  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

ceived  advice,  that  the  Particulars  relative  to  those 
murders  had  been  transmitted  from  Augusta,  to  your 
Honor.  I  thereupon  thought  it  most  advisable  to 
postpone  sending  'till  I  should  receive  answer  to 
my  several  letters  by  Jenkins  and  Mr.  Gist  ;  which 
I  was  accordingly  honored  with,  the  7th  and  last 
night. 

May  loth.  After  due  deliberation  on  your  Honor's 
letter  of  the  2d  by  Gist,  I  am  of  opinion,  that  the 
number  of  Militia  you  have  ordered  for  the  defence 
of  the  Posts,  to  be  evacuated  by  the  regiment,  will  be 
sufficient,  unless  the  completing  the  works  at  this 
place  should  be  thought  necessary. 

As  it  can  not  be  supposed  that  the  Enemy  will 
attempt  any  formidable  incursion  after  the  march  of 
our  army  ;  and  as  to  the  depredations  to  be  feared 
from  their  small  scalping-parties,  it  would  be  out  of 
the  power  of  thrice  the  proposed  number  (or  indeed 
of  a7ty  number)  effectually  to  prevent  them.  But,  as 
you  are  pleased  to  desire  my  opinion — I  beg  leave  to 
offer  a  few  things  relative  to  the  disposition  you 
propose. 

I  humbly  conceive  therefore,  that  it  would  be  in- 
finitely more  for  the  interest  of  the  service,  to  order 
the  100  from  Prince  William  to  the  South  Branch, 
and  continuing  Rutherford's  company  in  its  present 
station,  making  this  its  headquarters.  For,  as  that 
company  is  perfectly  acquainted  with  all  that  range 
of  mountains,  extending  from  the  Potomack  to  the 
Augusta  Line,  and  thro'  which  the  Enemy  make  in- 
cursions into  this  settlement,  tJicy  could  with  greater 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  19 

facility  obstruct  their  inroads  and  assist  the  inhabi- 
tants of  this  valley  (of  whom  they  themselves  form  a 
very  great  part)  than  those  who  are  ignorant  of  the 
ground.  The  militia  from  Prince  William,  equally 
know  the  Branch  and  this  vicinity,  and  therefore  may 
be  supposed  to  do  as  much  there,  as  here  ;  whereas 
moving  Rutherford's  there,  would  be  stripping  them 
of  those  essential  advantages  which  they  may  derive 
from  their  thorough  knowledge  of  these  parts,  and 
removing  them  from  defending  their  immediate 
rights  (the  sole  motive  of  the  enlisting). 

One  half  of  this  company,  were  it  continued  here, 
might  be  constantly  ranging,  and  the  other  left  in 
this  fort,  which  is  centrical  to  their  present  station. 

If  the  works  here  are  to  be  completed,  which  from 
their  great  importance  I  should  think  highly  neces- 
sary, in  that  event,  an  additional  number  of  60  or  80 
good  men  from  the  militia,  for  that  particular  service, 
would  be  wanted  ;  and  I  do  not  know  any  person  so 
capable  of  directing  the  works  as  Major  Joseph 
Stephen,  of  Caroline  County.  He  formerly  had  the 
overlooking  of  them,  and  managed  with  remarkable 
industry-. 

A  part  of  the  militia  ordered  for  the  Branch  should 
take  post  at  Edwards's  (on  Cacapehon)  and  at 
Pearsalls,  for  the  security  of  convoys  passing  from 
hence  to  Fort  Cumberland. 

I  really  do  not  know  what  method  can  be  practised 
to  compel  the  country  people  to  deliver  up  the 
public  arms,  unless  there  could  be  a  general  search  in 
every  county. 


20  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

Governor  Dinwiddle,  if  I  remember  right,  issued 
two  or  three  proclamations  ordering  them  in,  to  no 
purpose. 

With  regard  to  opening  the  roads,  I  think  it  would 
be  most  advisable  to  postpone  all  attempts,  'till  Sir 
Jno.  St.  Clair's  arrival,  as  he  is  expected  so  soon. 
For  Pearsalls,  altho'  it  is  the  most  convenient  road 
for  the  Virginia,  may  not  be  used  by  the  northern 
troops  ;  as  I  understand  their  rendezvous  is  ordered  at 
Fort  Frederick  in  Maryland.  This  may  also  (altho' 
I  cannot  yet  absolutely  say)  render  garrisons  at 
Edwards  and  Pearsalls,  useless,  unless  it  be  a  few  to 
preserve  the  forts  and  the  families  gathered  into 
them. 

As  several  of  our  best  sergeants  were  made  officers 
in  the  Carolina  Regiment  (besides  some  other  vacan- 
cies in  that  Rank)  parting  with  10  for  the  use  of  the 
new  Regiment  will  be  a  very  great  hardship  at  this 
juncture. 

We  are  likewise  short  of  our  number  of  Drummers, 
and  many  of  those  we  have  are  raw  and  untutored. 
As  the  General  expects  not  regularity  from  the  new 
levies,  well  knowing  how  little  any  attempts  towards 
it,  in  a  short  time,  would  avail  ;  I  can  not  help  being 
surprized  at  their  requesting  your  Honor  to  give 
directions  for  doing  what  would  be  of  no  real  service 
to  the  new  Regiment,  and  would  be  of  vast  prejudice 
to  that  I  have  the  honor  to  command. 

In  consequence  of  your  orders  for  completing  the 
Regiment  (with  all  possible  despatch)  by  recruiting, 
I  sometime  ago  sent  all  the  officers  I  could  spare  to 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  21 

those  parts  of  the  Country-  where  there  is  the  greatest 
probabihty  of  success  and  furnished  them  with  all  the 
money  I  had,  and  directions  to  draw  upon  me  for 
whatever  sum  they  might  want  for  that  service.  I 
likewise  engaged  some  of  the  most  popular  of  the 
country  gentlemen  to  recruit  for  me,  giving  them  the 
same  liberty  to  draw  upon  me.  Well  knowing  the 
difficulty  of  getting  any  tolerable  number  in  a  short 
time,  I  exerted  myself  in  prosecuting  every  measure, 
that  afforded  a  prospect  of  success,  having  then  not 
the  least  reason  to  doubt  of  being  duly  supplied  with 
money  :  But  how  great  is  my  surprise  at  that  para- 
graph of  your  Honor's  letter,  that  you  can  not  send 
me  a7iy  for  that  service.  As  I  had  immediate  demands 
upon  me,  which  I  put  off  until  Mr.  Gist's  arrival,  I 
consulted  with  my  officers  about  applying  the  ^400, 
sent  for  contingencies,  towards  these  demands  ;  and 
enclose  you  their  opinion  on  that  head  ;  and  I  must 
earnestly  request,  that  you  will  be  pleased  to  fall  upon 
some  measures  of  sending  me  800  or  1,000^  more  ;  as 
your  honor,  the  honor  of  the  Colony,  as  well  as  mine, 
and  the  officers,  together  with  that  of  those  gentle- 
men above-mentioned,  whom  I  have  employed,  is  so 
nearly  and  immediately  interested  in  the  completion 
of  those  engagements,  which  I  have,  in  consequence 
of  your  orders,  entered  into.  Surely  it  cannot  be 
imagined  that  I  can  pay  the  money  (if  I  had  it  to 
deposit)  out  of  my  own  private  fortune  ;  nor  does  the 
shortness  of  the  time,  nor  the  circumstances  I  am 
under,  admit  of  any  other  alternative. 

I  will  chearfully  bespeak,  and  can  easily  procure, 


22  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

the  Stage  Horses  you  desire — when  furnished  with 
money  for  that  purpose. 

As  J  no.  Berry  was  made  a  soldier  (how  legally  the 
Court  of  Officers  &c,  that  sent  him  can  better 
declare)  I  must  think  it  not  only  repugnant  to  law,  but 
to  the  articles  of  War,  and  the  customs  of  the  army, 
to  allow  him  to  enlist  in  any  other  corps  ;  for,  by  this 
means,  if  there  were  no  other  bad  consequences 
attending  it,  he  defrauds  the  Country  of  double- 
bounty-money. 

I  shall  make  a  prudent  use  of  the  power  you  have 
been  pleased  to  give  me,  respecting  the  issuing 
orders  to  the  parties  of  militia. 

Your  favor  of  the  3d  by  Mr.  French  Mason,  I  have 
just  been  presented  with ;  and  would  gladly  have 
appointed  him  Ensign  in  the  regiment,  had  not  the 
vacancies  been  disposed  of,  in  the  following  manner, 
before  it  came  to  hand,  vizt.  : 

Capt.  Lt.  Bullet,  to  Joshua  Lewis's  company — Mr. 
Duncanson,  oldest  Ensign,  to  the  Lieutenancy  occa- 
sioned by  this  removal :  and  Mr.  Thomas  Gist  and  Mr. 
Allen,  volunteers,  and  John  McCully&  John  Sallard, 
worthy  Sergeants,  (all  of  whom  had  served  a  consid- 
erable time  with  credit  and  reputation)  to  be  Ensigns. 
— I  had  likewise  before  the  receipt  of  yours,  promised 
Major  Hite,  of  this  County,  a  gentleman  of  good 
character,  the  Colors  that  would  become  vacant  ; 
upon  the  event  of  Colo.  Mercer's  Company  being 
filled  up  ;  as  he  in  consideration,  had  engaged  to 
recruit  50  men,  for  the  service — which  I  then  thought 
would  be  a  vast  advantage.    1  am,  &c. 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  23 

TO    MAJOR    FRANCIS    HALKET. 

Fort  Loudoun,  ii  May,  1758. 

Dear  Sir, 

I  am  this  day  favored  with  yours  of  the  4th  instant, 
and  would  have  thought  myself  extremely  culpable 
and  deficient  in  my  duty,  had  I  delayed  one  moment 
in  transmitting  to  the  General  any  intelligence  I  could 
procure ;  much  less  such  a  material  one  as  that  he  has 
had  information  of.  I  must,  therefore,  beg  that  you 
will,  from  me,  assure  the  General,  the  Catawbas  have 
not  this  year  brought  in  one  prisoner  or  scalp  to  this 
place,  nor  indeed  to  any  other  that  I  ever  heard  of. 
There  hath  been  no  prisoner  taken  by  any  of  our 
friendly  Indians  this  season,  and  no  scalps,  except 
the  two  taken  near  Fort  Duquesne  by  Ucahula, 
of  which,  and  all  the  intelligence  of  the  enemy  in 
that  quarter,  which  that  young  warrior  was  able  to 
give,  I,  by  the  last  post,  sent  to  the  General  a  full 
and  circumstantial  account.  Nor  would  I  have  failed 
to  have  kept  him  duly  informed  of  every  interesting 
occurrence,  even  had  it  not  been  recommended  to  me. 

It  gave  me  no  small  uneasiness  when  I  was  in- 
formed of  the  resolution  which  some  of  the  Chero- 
kees  had  made  of  wandering  towards  the  Indian 
settlements  in  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania,  clearly 
foreseeing  the  bad  consequences  such  a  peregrina- 
tion would  produce.  I  therefore  represented  the 
matter  to  Captain  Gist  in  the  strongest  manner, 
and  must  do  him  the  justice  to  say,  that  nothing 
in  his  power  was  left  unessayed  to  prevent  it.  But 
our  efforts  proved  ineffectual,  as  those  two  provinces 


24  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

last  year,  very  impolitically  I  humbly  conceive,  made 
those  Indians  presents,  and  encouraged  their  return- 
ing thither  this  spring.  And  such  is  the  nature  of 
Indians,  that  nothing  will  prevent  their  going  where 
they  have  any  reason  to  expect  presents,  and  their 
cravings  are  insatiable  when  there  is  any  farther 
prospect  of  getting  a  benefit. 

I  and  my  officers  constantly  have,  and  always  will 
pay,  the  strictest  regard  to  every  circumstance,  that 
may  contribute  to  put  and  keep  the  Indians  in  a  good 
humor.  But,  as  Governor  Dinwiddle  ordered  me  not 
to  meddle  or  interfere  with  Indian  affairs  on  any  pre- 
tence whatever,  the  sole  management  of  them  being 
left  to  Mr.  Atkin  and  his  deputy  Mr.  Gist,  and  those 
orders  having  never  been  countermanded,  neither  I, 
nor  my  officers,  have  adventured  to  do  any  thing 
relative  to  them,  but  in  a  secondary  manner  through 
Mr.  Gist. 

The  Raven  warrior  was  on  a  scout,''  In  which  he 
was  unsuccessful.  On  his  return  hither,  he  pro- 
duced two  white  men's  scalps,  which  he  brought 
from  his  own  nation,  and  wanted  to  pass  them  for 
the  enemy's,  taken  in  his  unsuccessful  scout.  In  this 
villany  he  was  detected  by  the  other  warriors,  who 
were  highly  offended  at  so  base  a  deceit,  and  threat- 
ened to  kill  him  for  it.  A  consciousness  of  his  guilt, 
and  a  dread  of  being  called  to  a  severe  account  by 
his  own  countrymen,  were  the  reasons  which  many 
of  them  assigned  for  his  going  away  in  so  abrupt 
(but  by  no  means  dissatisfactory)  a  manner  to  the 

'  P'rom  Fort  Frederick,  in  Maryland. 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  25 

English.'  As  Captain  Bosomworth  was  here  trans- 
acting Indian  affairs,  under  the  immediate  orders  of 
the  Commander-in-chief,  when  the  Raven  warrior 
returned  and  was  detected,  I  only  wrote  in  mine  to 
General  Forbes  superficially  on  the  subject,  referring 
to  Captain  Bosomworth  for  particulars  imagining  it 
more  properly  belonged  to  him  to  do  so. 

It  gives  me  infinite  pleasure,  that  the  General 
seems  (by  the  great  pains  he  takes)  to  be  so  well 
satisfied  of  the  importance  their  services  will  be  of  ; 
but  cannot  help  being  under  some  uneasiness  that  it 
will  be  almost  impracticable  to  keep  them  until  they 
will  be  wanted.  They  say  that  they  did  not  leave 
home  with  an  intention  of  staying  any  considerable 
time,  that  they  can  see  no  appearance  of  our  being 
soon  able  to  take  the  field,  that  staying  any  time  for 
our  assembling,  and  afterwards  for  our  slow  motions, 
would  detain  them  too  long  from  their  own  nation  ; 
but  that  they  would  go  home  and  be  back  again 
by  the  time  they  are  wanted.  These  and  many  things 
to  the  same  purpose  are  used  by  most  of  the  parties 
that  come  in  from  war,  as  reasons  for  going  off;  and 
altho'  we  have  (here)  done  ever)'  thing  in  our  power 
to  remove  these  objections  and  to  prevent  their 
going,  yet  a  party  of  25  Cherokees  went  off  this 
morning.  But  on  receipt  of  your  letter  I  followed 
them,  told  them  it  was  from  the  General,  and  by  its 
assistance  at  last  prevailed  on  them  to  return.     Yet  I 

'  To  St.  Clair,  Washington  wrote  that  the  "  Raven  warrior  with  30  others 
(some  of  whom  afterwards  returned)  left  this  place  for  their  nation  about  the 
24th  or  25th  of  last  month."  It  appears  that  the  Deputy  Indian  Agent  (Gist?) 
gave  the  Raven  a  present  to  prevent  "  bad  talks  "  among  his  people. 


26  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

dread  that  unless  they  see  the  troops  assemble  soon, 
it  will  be  very  difficult  if  not  impossible  to  retain  any 
number  of  the  Cherokees,  altho'  nothing  in  my  power 
will  be  wanting  to  prevent  their  leaving  us,  which 
might  be  of  the  most  fatal  consequences  to  this  part 
of  the  continent. 

Enclosed  is  my  return  for  April,  but  you  will  please 
to  observe  that  Captn.  Woodward's  is  made  out  from 
his  last,  as  his  great  distance  from  hence  puts  it  out  of 
his  power  to  send  it  in  due  time. 

I  beg  you  will  inform  the  General,  that  I  shall,  with 
great  alacrity,  obey  all  the  orders,  with  which  he  may 
honor  me.  In  the  mean  time,  I  am,  with  unfeigned 
regard,  dear  Halket,  yours,  &c. 


TO    THE    PRESIDENT    OF    THE    COUNCIL. 

Williamsburg,  28  May,  1758. 

HoNBLE.  Sir, 

I  came  here  at  this  critical  juncture,  by  the  express 
order  of  Sir  John  St.  Clair,  to  represent  in  the  fullest 
manner  the  posture  of  our  affairs  at  Winchester,  and 
to  obviate  any  doubts,  that  might  arise  from  the  best 
written  narrative.  I  shall  make  use  of  the  following 
method,  as  the  most  effectual  I  can  at  present 
suggest,  to  lay  sundry  matters  before  you,  for  your 
information,  approbation,  and  direction.  And  I  hope, 
when  your  Honor  considers  how  we  are  circum- 
stanced and  how  absolutely  necessary  [is]  despatch, 
that  you  will  please  to  give  me  explicit  and  speedy 
answers,  on  the  several  points  which  are  submitted. 
For  without  the  latter  the  service  will  be  greatly  im- 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHIXGTOX.  27 

peded,  and  wanting  the  former,  my  conduct  may  be 
liable  to  error  and  to  censure.     To  begin  : 

I  St.  Sir  John  St.  Clair's  letter  will,  I  apprehend, 
inform  your  Honor  of  our  principal  wants,  namely, 
arms,  tents,  and  other  sorts  of  field-equipage, — articles 
so  absolutely  and  obviously  necessar}-,  as  to  need  no 
argument  to  prove,  that  the  men  will  be  useless 
without  them,  and  that  the  vast  sums  of  money  which 
have  been  expended  in  levying  and  marching  them  to 
the  place  of  rendezvous,  will  be  entirely  lost,  besides 
impeding  if  not  defeating  the  expedition,  and  losing 
ever}'  Indian  now  on  our  frontiers  by  delay. 

2.  The  officers  will  be  entirely  unprovided  with 
the  means  of  taking  the  field,  till  they  have  an  allow- 
ance made  to  them  of  baggage,  forage,  and  bat- 
money.  Governor  Dinwiddle,  from  what  cause  I 
could  never  yet  learn,  thought  proper  to  discontinue 
this  allowance  to  the  companies  that  remained  in 
Virginia,  at  the  same  time  that  he  allowed  it  to  those 
who  went  to  Carolina,  although  I  produced  evidence 
under  General  Stanwix's  hand,  (the  then  commanding 
officer  on  this  quarter)  that  all  officers  were  entitled 
to  it,  and  that  it  was  indispensably  necessary^  to 
equip  them  for,  and  enable  them  to  take  the  field. 
General  Forbes  has  obtained  this  allowance  for  the 
Pennsylvania  troops,  and  desired  Sir  John  St.  Clair 
(who  has  given  me  a  copy  of  it  signed)  to  urge  it 
strongly  on  this  government  also.     See  the  copy. 

3.  The  difterent  pay  of  the  two  Mrginia  regiments 
will,  I  conceive,  if  a  stop  is  not  put  to  it,  be  produc- 
tive of  great  discontent,  and  manv  evils.      For  the 


28  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

soldiers  of  the  first  regiment  think  their  claim  upon 
the  country  equally  good,  if  not  better  than  that  of 
the  second,  because  their  services  are  not  limited." 
They  have  lacked  the  great  bounty,  which  the  others 
have  received,  and  have  had  no  clothes  for  near  two 
years,  when  in  strictness  they  have  an  annual  call  for 
and  an  equal  right  to  expect  them. 

4.  As  our  regimental  clothing  cannot  possibly  last 
the  campaign,  will  it  not  be  advisable  to  send  for  a 
supply  against  next  winter  ?  I  have  sent  to  Phila- 
delphia for  one  thousand  pair  of  Indian  stockings, 
(leggings),  the  better  to  equip  my  men  for  the  woods  ; 
and  should  be  glad  to  know  whether  I  am  to  pay  for 
them  in  behalf  of  the  country,  or  deduct  the  cost  out 
of  their  pay.  As  they  have  not  received  the  clothing 
they  are  entitled  to,  they  may  think  this  latter  rather 
hard. 

5.  Should  not  the  pay  of  the  surgeon's  mates  in  the 
first  regiment  be  equal  to  that  of  those  in  the  second  ? 
The  latter  have  four  and  the  former  only  three  shil- 
lings per  day,  and  should  there  not  be  the  same  num- 
ber of  surgeon's  mates  allowed  to  the  old  as  are  to  the 
new  regfiment  ? 

6.  It  will  cause  cj'reat  dissatisfaction  in  the  reei- 
ment,  if  Lieutenant  Baker  is  put  over  the  heads  of 
older  officers.  It  is  granted,  that  Mr.  Baker  is  a 
very  deserving  officer,  but  there  are  others  equally 
deserving,  and  have  adventured  equally  to  seek  glory, 

'  The  second  regiment  was  raised  only  for  the  campaign,  and,  by  the  terms 
of  llie  act  of  Assembly,  it  was  to  be  disl)andc(l,  and  the  men  discharged  on  the 
first  of  December;  whereas  the  soldiers  of  the  fust  regiment  were  enlisted  to 
serve  during  the  war. 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  29 


and  to  merit  applause.  Ensign  Chew,  for  instance, 
was  with  him  when  the  scalps  were  taken  ;  Capt.  Mc- 
Kenzie,  Lt.  Gist,  Mr.  Woodward  and  many  others 
have  adventured  as  far  into  the  enemy's  country',  tho' 
with  less  success.  I  therefore  hope  (to  prevent  the 
disorders  consequent  upon  his  advancement)  that 
your  Honor  will  suffer  Colo.  Mercer's  company  to  be 
given  to  Mr.  Stewart,  the  oldest  Lieutenant,  as  Captn. 
Lewis'  in  the  like  case  was  to  Mr.  Bullet. 

7.  Sir  John  St.  Clair  directs  in  consequence  of 
orders  from  the  General,  that  the  first  Virginia  regi- 
ment shall  immediately  be  completed,  and  leaves  the 
mode  of  doing  it  to  your  Honor.  I  should  be  glad  of 
direction  in  this  affair.  The  season,  I  fear,  is  too  far 
advanced  to  attempt  it  now  by  recruiting. 

8.  Lt.  Steenbugen,  having  been  guilty  of  several 
irregular  and  ungentlemanly  practices,  and  finding  his 
conduct  was  about  to  be  inquired  into,  begged  leave 
to  resign,  which  I  granted  so  far  as  depended  upon 
me  ;  because  the  crimes  he  was  then  accused  of,  were 
not  sufficient  to  break  him,  altho'  quite  sufficient  to 
give  the  whole  corps  the  most  indifferent  opinion  of 
his  morals.  This  resignation,  and  Captn.  Lt.  Stew- 
art's promotion  will  cause  two  vacancies  in  the  regi- 
ment ;  to  fill  up  which,  and  to  make  the  several  pro- 
motions hereby  occasioned  will  require  five  blank 
commissions. 

9.  I  should  be  glad  to  know  if  the  works  at  Fort 
Loudoun  are  still  to  go  on  ?  In  what  manner  to  be 
forwarded,  and  under  whose  direction  ?  Nothing 
surely  will  contribute  more  to  the  public  weal,  than 


30  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

his  fort  when  completed  ;  because  it  will  be  a  valu- 
able repository  for  our  stores,  if  the  event  of  our 
enterprise  prove  successful,  and  an  asylum  for  the  in- 
habitants, (and  place  of  retreat  for  our  troops,)  in 
case  of  a  defeat. 

10.  Great  advantages  must  consequently  arise,  by 
appointing  Lieutenant  Smith  to  that  direction,  and  to 
the  command  of  Fort  Loudoun.  First,  because  he 
has  had  the  overlooking  of  the  works  for  nearly  two 
years,  is,  by  that  means,  become  perfectly  well  ac- 
quainted with  every  thing  intended  to  be  done,  and 
is  exceedingly  industrious.  Secondly,  because  there 
must  necessarily  be  many  sick  and  lame  soldiers  left 
at  that  garrison,  who  may  require  the  eye  of  a  diligent 
officer  to  keep  them  together.  Thirdly,  because  all 
the  regimental  stores  and  baggage  must  be  left  at 
that  place,  and  ought  to  be  under  the  care  of  an 
officer,  who  can  be  made  accountable  for  his  conduct ; 
and  not  left  to  the  mercy  of  an  ungovernable  and  re- 
fractory militia.  And  fourthly,  it  is  necessary,  if  for 
no  other  reason  than  to  preserve  the  materials  for 
finishing  the  works  that  are  now  lying  there. 

11.  I  conceive  we  shall  be  ordered  to  take  with  us 
the  greatest  part  of  the  ammunition  now  at  Fort  Lou- 
doun. It  will  be  necessary,  therefore,  to  have  a  supply 
laid  in  at  that  place  for  the  use  of  the  frontier  garrisons. 

12.  I  did  in  a  late  letter  endeavor  to  point  out,  in 
what  manner  the  service  would  be  benefited,  by  con- 
tinuing Rutherford's  rangers  in  the  parts  they  now 
are,  and  sending  the  militia  of  Prince  William  to  the 
Branch  in  their  stead,  and  I  again  recommend  it,  for 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  31 

the  reasons  then  given,  and  for  many  others,  which 
might  be  given. 

I  must  now  conclude,  with  once  more  begging, 
that  your  Honor  will  come  to  some  speedy  determina- 
tion on  these  several  matters.  From  what  Sir  John 
St.  Clair  has  wrote,  from  my  orders,  and  from  what  I 
have  here  set  forth,  I  conceive  it  must  sufficiently 
appear,  that  the  greatest  dispatch  is  absolutely 
necessary, — the  success  of  our  expedition,  in  a  man- 
ner, depending  upon  the  early  commencement  of  it. 
Every  delay,  therefore,  may  be  attended  with  perni- 
cious consequences. 

The  Indians,  glad  of  any  pretence  for  returning 
home,  will  make  use  of  delays  for  a  handle  ;  and  a 
spirit  of  discontent  and  desertion  may  spring  up 
among  the  new  levies  for  want  of  employment. 

These  are  matters  obvious  to  me,  and  my  duty  re- 
quires, that  I  represent  them  in  this  free  and  candid 
manner.' 

'  As  the  government  in  England  had  determined  to  prosecute  offensive 
operations  on  the  southern  frontiers,  great  preparations  had  been  contemplated 
for  a  vigorous  campaign  under  General  Forbes  against  Fort  Duquesne.  Mr. 
Pitt  had,  on  the  30th  of  December,  written  a  circular  to  the  governors  of  Penn- 
sylvania and  the  several  colonies  at  the  south,  requesting  a  hearty  cooperation 
from  the  Assemblies  in  aid  of  General  Forbes'  expedition.  He  stipulated, 
that  the  colonial  troops  raised  for  this  purpose,  should  be  supplied  with  arms, 
ammunition,  tents,  and  provisions,  in  the  same  manner  as  the  regular  troops, 
and  at  the  king's  expense  ;  so  that  the  only  charge  to  the  colonies  would  be 
that  of  levying,  clothing,  and  paying  the  men.  The  governors  were,  also, 
authorized  to  issue  commissions  to  provincial  officers,  from  colonels  downwards, 
and  these  officers  were  to  hold  rank  in  the  united  army  according  to  their  com- 
missions. Had  this  liberal  and  just  system  been  adopted  at  the  outset,  it 
would  have  put  a  very  different  face  upon  the  military  affairs  of  the  colonies. 

Major-General  Abercromby,  who  had  succeeded  Lord  Loudoun  to  the 
command  in  America,  assigned  six  thousand  troops  to  Pennsylvania,  Virginia, 


32  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

TO    GENERAL    FORBES. 

Fort  Loudoun,  19  June,  1758. 

Sir, 

Pardon  the  liberty  I  am  going  to  use — a  liberty 
that  nothing  but  the  most  disinterested  regard  for 
the  safety  and  welfare  of  these  Colonies  would  in- 
duce me  to  take.  How  far  my  Ideas  on  what  I  am 
about  to  observe  are  compatible  with  reason,  and 
may  correspond  with  your  Sentiments  on  the  matter, 
I  candidly  submit  to  your  Excellency's  determination. 

The  unfortunate  arrival  of  the  Cherokees  into 
these  Governments  so  early  in  the  Spring,  and  the 
unavoidable  accidents  that  have  hitherto  prevented  a 

and  Maryland,  as  their  quota  for  the  expedition  to  the  Ohio.  Of  this  number 
the  Pennsylvania  Assembly  resolved  to  raise  two  thousand  seven  hundred. — 
Votes,  &c.  of  the  Assembly,  vol.  iv.,  p.  799.  The  Maryland  Assembly  voted 
one  thousand,  but  their  bill  was  defeated  by  the  usual  quarrel  with  the  Govern- 
or, who  refused  his  assent  to  their  proposed  mode  of  levying  the  tax  to  defray 
the  expense. —  Votes  and  Proceedings  for  March,  IJ^S. 

The  troops  actually  employed  under  General  Forbes  were  twelve  hundred 
Highlanders,  three  hundred  and  fifty  Royal  Americans,  about  twenty-seven 
hundred  provincials  from  Pennsylvania,  sixteen  hundred  from  Virginia,  two  or 
three  hundred  from  Maryland,  who  had  been  stationed  in  garrison  at  Fort 
Frederick,  under  Colonel  Dagworthy  ;  and  also  two  companies  from  North 
Carolina ;  making  in  all,  including  the  wagoners,  between  six  and  seven 
thousand  men. 

"  Among  the  inclosed,  you  will  find  a  letter  from  Mr.  Strother  concerning 
the  French  negro  I  wrote  to  him  for,  by  your  desire.  This  negro  is  a  shrewd, 
sensiVjle  fellow,  and  may  be  useful  if  he  was  not  sent  into  the  inhabitants  for 
the  purpose  of  discoveries,  rather  than  of  his  ovyn  accord  for  the  purpose  of 
escape.  He  is  very  well  acrjuaintcd  with  the  Ohio,  and  its  dependencies,  but 
has  been  longer  from  Fort  Du  Quesne  than  I  at  first  understood.  He  will  set 
out  from  this  to-morrow,  with  a  waggon  I  shall  send  towards  Fort  Loudoun  in 
Pennsylvania,  and  I  shall  desire  that  he  may  be  forwarded  to  you  from 
thence." — To  Sir  John  St.  Clair,  14  June,  1758. 

"  I  shall  leave  this  [Fort  Loudoun)  tlie  23d  inst.  with  three  companies  of  my 
regiment,  one  of  the  second  regiment,  and  the  troop  of  Liglit  Horse,  and 
expect  to  be  at  I'earsalls  the  25th,  if  not  delayed  by  my  waggons." — To  Captain 
Waggener,  15  June,  175S. 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  33 

junction  of  the  Troops  intended  for  the  Western  Ex- 
pedition, have  caused  them  (as  they  are  naturally  of 
a  discontented  temper)  to  be  tired  of  waiting  :  and 
all  except  those  who  came  last,  with  Colo.  Byrd,  and 
a  few  others  that  have  joined  since,  to  return  home. 
How  long-  these  can  be  prevailed  upon  to  remain 
with  us,  I  will  not  take  upon  me  to  affirm  ;  but  I  can 
venture  to  say  it  will  not  be  6  weeks  if  it  requires 
that  time  to  form  our  Magazines,  and  prepare  for  our 
march — as  Colo.  Bouquet  seemed  to  think  it  would. 
Now,  in  this  event,  we  shall  be  left  to  perform  with- 
out them  a  march  of  more  than  icx)  miles  from  our 
advanced  Post,  before  we  shall  arrive  at  Fort  du 
Quesne  ;  a  great  part  of  which  will  be  over  moun- 
tains and  Rocks,  and  thro'  such  Defiles,  as  will  ena- 
ble the  Enemy,  with  the  assistance  of  their  Indians, 
and  Irregulars,  and  their  superior  knowledge  of  the 
country,  to  render  extremely  arduous,  unsafe,  and  at 
best,  tedious,  our  intended  Expedition  ;  unless  we 
also  can  be  assisted  by  a  Body  of  Indians  ;  who  I 
conceive  to  be  the  best  if  not  the  07ily  Troops  fit  to 
cope  with  Indians  in  such  grounds.  For,  I  beg  leave 
further  to  add,  that  I  do  not  suppose  Success  in  such 
a  country  as  I  have  described,  is  to  be  the  conse- 
quence of  numbers.  On  the  contrary,  I  conceive  the 
march  of  an  unwieldy  Body  of  Troops,  co\'ering  their 
convoys,  may  be  penetrated  by  a  few  who  are  light 
and  unencumbered  : — Of  this,  however,  I  am  certain, 
they  may  be  greatly  harrassed,  and  their  march  much 
incommoded  by  the  skulking  Enemy  we  have  to  deal 
with. 


34  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

From  what  has,  and  might  be  said  on  this  occasion, 
it  should  appear  that  Indians,  to  us,  are  of  the  utmost 
importance  ;  and  as  I  understand  your  Excellency- 
proposes  to  keep  open  the  communication  with  the 
Inhabitants,  and  to  secure  a  retreat,  (if  it  should  be 
our  misfortune)  by  the  establishment  of  Posts  at  ad- 
vantageous situations  and  at  proper  distances,  as  the 
Army  advances  (a  work  truly  of  the  greatest  import- 
ance, especially  as  we  shall  but  too  probably  begin 
our  march  with  a  hand-full  of  Indians)  I  think  it 
would  be  practicable,  during  the  prosecution  of  this 
plan,  to  get  a  number  of  the  Indians  to  our  assistance 
(by  sending  a  person  of  abilities  and  address  imme- 
diately for  them)  before  we  could  approach  Fort  du 
Quesne  :  and  I  think  it  is  not  likely  we  shall  meet 
with  any  formidable  opposition  till  we  get  pretty  near 
that  place. 

Another  great  advantage  that  might  be  derived 
from  sending  a  person  to  the  Cherokee  nation  would 
be  to  reconcile  (tis  to  be  hop'd)  those  differences  that 
have  lately  happened  between  them  and  some  of  the 
frontier  inhabitants  of  this  colony  ;  which,  if  not 
properly,  and  timously  attended  to  may  be  produc- 
tive of  the  most  serious  consequences  to  the  British 
Interest  in  America,  and  terminate  in  the  ruin  of  our 
Southern  Settlements.  The  Southern  Indians,  of 
late,  seem  to  be  wavering  ;  and  have,  on  several  oc- 
casions, discovered  an  inclination  to  break  with  us.  I 
think  it  will  admit  of  no  doubt,  that,  if  we  should  be 
unsuccessful  in  this  Quarter,  which  Heaven  avert!  the 
united  force  of  several  powerful  nations  of  them  might 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  35 

be  employed  against  us ;  and  that  such  an  acquisition 
to  the  Enemy  would  enable  them  to  desolate  our 
Southern  Colonies,  and  make  themselves  masters  of 
that  part  of  the  continent,  is  not  to  be  questioned. 
Wherefore,  that  nothing  should  be  omitted  that  might 
contribute  to  prevent  so  dreadful  a  calamity,  I  sug 
gest  the  idea  of  sending  a  proper  person  immediately 
to  the  Cherokee  nation  ;  who  may  not  only  heal  the 
differences  which  now  subsist,  but  get  a  Body  of  them 
to  join  the  army  on  their  march,  and  no  person, 
surely,  who  has  the  interest  of  our  important  cause  at 
heart,  wou'd  hesitate  a  moment  to  eng-ao-e  in  such  a 
Service,  on  the  event  of  which  our  all,  in  a  manner, 
depends. 

There  is  now  a  large  cargoe  of  proper  Goods  for 
trading  with  them  just  arrived  from  England  in  this 
Colony.  Necessary  supplies  might  be  drawn  from 
thence  and  laid  in  at  proper  places,  for  them,  which 
would  prevent  those  delays  and  disappointments, 
which  they  have  had  too  much  cause  to  complain  of. 

It  would  I  confess  require  much  time  before  In- 
dians (who  are  now  to  be  sent  for)  could  join  us  : 
but,  as  the  delays  are  to  be  expected  in  forming  our 
Magazines,  establishing  our  Posts,  and  marching 
thro'  such  an  extent,  will  also  require  time,  it  may, 
I  think  be  effected,  and  the  farther  the  Summer  is 
advanced,  the  more  will  our  want  of  Indians,  and  our 
march  be  facilitated  and  secured  by  means  of  them. 
For,  if  a  decisive  Action  should  happen  to  the  north- 
ward, and  the  Enemy  prove  victorious,  they  would, 
in  that  case,  add  strength  to  their  Garrisons  on  the 


36  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

Ohio — by  Indians  at  least :  who  would  easily  be 
induced,  by  the  prospect  of  plunder,  to  come  to  their 
aid — But  no  delay,  in  expectation  of  Indians,  or  on 
any  other  account,  ought  to  be  admitted  :  because 
among  other  Evils,  resulting  from  it,  would  be  the 
expiration  of  the  term  of  service  of  the  Second  Vir- 
ginia Regiment,  who  stand  engaged  to  the  ist  of 
December  only^ 

What  time  the  French  may  require  to  assemble 
a  formidable  Body  of  Indians  at  Fort  du  Quesne, — 
how  they  are  provided  for  victualling  such  a  Body 
there,  and  how  far  they  may  be  able  to  prevail  upon 
them  to  wait  the  uncertain  march  of  our  Army,  when 
they  have  assembled  them, — are  matters  I  profess 
myself  to  be  ignorant  of. — But,  if  we  are  allowed 
to  draw  inferences  from  our  own  difficulties  in  these 
cases,  we  may  in  the  first  place  conclude,  I  think,  that 
our  preparations,  &c.,  have  sufficiently  alarmed  them  ; 
— and  that  they  have  got  together  what  Indians  they 
can, — next, — that  those  Indians  will  require  the  same 
Provisions,    and    perhaps    the    same    humoring   that 


'  This  paragraph  was  originally  written  :  "  It  woud  I  confess,  require  a  con- 
siderable time  before  the  Indians  that  are  yet  to  be  sent  for,  coud  join  us  ;  but, 
as  the  inevitable  obstructions  to  be  met  with  in  forming  Magazines,  erecting 
the  Posts,  and  marching  on,  must  require  much  time,  it  may  be  effected,  and 
the  farther  the  summer  is  advancd,  the  operations  of  the  Camj^aign  for  many 
obvious  Reasons,  cou'd  be  executed  with  the  greater  security,  unless  there  shoud, 
e'er  then,  happen  a  decisive  action  to  the  No.  ward  and  the  Enemy  prove  suc- 
cessful ;  in  that  case  they  woud  j^our  in  their  Troops  upon  us  to  the  Southward. 
At  all  events  they  couel  easily  ])revail  uj)on  many  of  their  northward  Indians, 
by  ])romiscs  and  the  views  of  Plunder,  to  join  their  Troojjs  upon  the  Ohio. 
Another  Misfortune  that  woud  arise  by  a  hile  Canqiaign  is  that  the  limited 
time  for  the  service  of  the  2d  Virginia  Regiment  woud  be  near  or  perhaps (juitc 
elapsed  before  the  Campaign  coud  be  over." 


1758]     .  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  37 

ours  do  ;  and  lastly ;  that  they  may  also  get  dis- 
satisfied at  waiting,  and  return  home  like  ours  have 
done,  thinking  our  preparations  a  feint  only  to  draw- 
off  their  attention  from  the  northward. 

My  solicitude  on  account  of  Indians  sufficiently 
appears  throughout  all  I  have  said. — Your  Excel- 
lency is  the  best  judge  of  the  Plan  you  have  to 
execute,  and  the  time  it  will  require  to  bring  your 
operations  to  bear.  You  are  also  a  proper  judge  of 
the  time  it  will  take  to  accomplish  the  Scheme  I 
have  proposed  of  getting  Indians  to  our  assistance, 
and  how  far  it  may  correspond  (in  point  of  time) 
with  other  measures,  and,  therefore  it  wou'd  be  pre- 
suming too  much  after  I  have  endeavored  (tho'  a 
little  indigestedly)  to  shew  the  necessity  of  Indians, 
and  the  advantages  and  disadvantages  of  a  late  cam- 
paign to  say  any  thing  further,  unless  it  be  to  apolo- 
gize once  more  for  the  freedom  I  have  taken  of  men- 
tioning matters,  which  I  suppose  you  are  equally  (if 
not  better)  acquainted  with  than  I  am  :  and  to  assure 
your  Excellency  that  I  am,  &c. 


TO    GOVERNOR     FAUQUIER. 

Fort  Loudoun,  19th  June,  1758, 

HoNBLE.  Sir, 

The  letter  herewith  enclosed  woud  have  been  sent 
according  to  the  date,  but  I  have  been  waiting  'till 
now  for  Capt.  Rutherford's  pay-roll ;  his  company 
being  much  dispersed  in  the  Ranging  Service. 

This  day  the  Prince  William  Militia  are  to  march 
for  the  South-Branch,  to  relieve  two  companies  of  my 


38  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

Regiment,  agreeably  to  orders — Enclosed  is  a  return 
of  their  present  strength.  I  should  think  myself  defi- 
cient in  duty,  were  I  to  pass  over  in  silence  the  conduct 
and  state  of  this  company  from  their  first  coming  out 
— about  the  20th  ultimo — until  the  present  moment. 

One  hundred  Militia  were  ordered  from  Prince 
William  County,  (but  at  what  time  I  can  not  exactly 
say),  by  Mr.  President  Blair.  Instead  of  that  num- 
ber ']2)  only  came  :  and  every  one  of  them  unprovided 
with  arms  and  ammunition,  as  the  Law  directs  ;  by 
which  means  they  were  not  only  useless,  but  really 
burthensome  to  the  Country ;  as  they  were  eating  its 
Provisions  and  had  their  pay  running  on.  This  mat- 
ter was  represented  to  Colo.  Henry  Lee,  Lieutenant 
of  that  county,  by  Sir  John  St.  Clair,  then  command- 
ing officer  here.  The  consequence  of  this  representa- 
tion was,  that  about  the  ist  of  this  instant,  near  100 
arms  were  sent  up  by  his  order  ;  out  of  which  number 
scarce  five  were  serviceable,  and  not  more  than  30 
coud  be  made  to  fire.  This  was  also  represented  to 
Colo  :  Lee,  who,  after  expressing  his  concern  for  it, 
said,  the  County  expected  arms  from  England  every 
day,  and  has  taken  no  farther  notice  of  the  matter 
since,  that  1  have  yet  heard.  I  immediately  set 
Smiths  to  repairing  their  arms,  and  have,  with  the 
assistance  of  35  old  muskets,  which  I  caused  to  be 
delivered  out  of  the  Store  here,  got  this  company, 
which  ought  to  have  consisted  of  100  men  (tho'  there 
are  but  68)  at  last  completed. 

'Till  this  time  they  have  been  a  dead  expence  to  the 
Public,  and  of  no  service  to  the  inhabitants.       This, 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  39 

Sir,  is  a  true  statement  of  Facts,  and  really  merits 
reprehension :  for,  if  such  Behavior  is  suffered  to 
escape  unnoticed,  the  most  destructive  consequences 
may  accrue.  In  the  present  case  :  if  the  Troops  had 
marched  agreeable  to  the  orders  I  at  first  received, 
the  companies  on  the  South-Branch  would  have  been 
drawn  off,  and  the  inhabitants  thereby  left  destitute 
of  support  ;  or  must  have  come  off  with  them  which 
it  seems  they  were  determined  to  do.  This  I  under- 
stand actually  did  happen  in  Augusta  County,  when 
Major  Lewis  came  from  thence,  by  the  negligence  (I 
suppose)  of  the  County-Lieutenants.       I  am,  &c.' 


TO    COLONEL    HENRY    BOUQUET,    COMMANDING    AT 
RAYSTOWN. 

Camp  near  Fort  Cumberland,  3  July,  1758, 

Sir, 

Your  favors  of  the  27th  ulto  and  first  inst.  I  have 
had  the  honour  to  receive. 

According  to  order  I  marchd  from  Winchester  the 
24th,  and  arrivd  at  this  place  Yesterday  in  the 
afternoon,  with  five  Companies  of  the  first  Virginia 
Regiment,  and  a  company  of  Artificers  of  the  second, 
as  you  may  observe  by  the  enclosed  returns. 

My  March,  by  bad  Teams  and  bad  Roads,  (not- 
withstanding I  had  sent  the  Artificers  and  a  Covering 
Party  on  three  days  before)  was  much  delayed. 

'  "  I  expect  to  march  to-morrow  agreeable  to  my  orders.  Woodward's 
Company  of  the  first  Regiment  coverd  the  artificers  of  the  2d,  and  left  this  the 
22d,  to  open  the  Road  from  hence  to  Pearsalls,  which,  by  information,  is  al- 
most impassible." — To  Sir  John  St.  Clair,  23  June,  1758. 


40  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

I  herewith  send  a  return  of  the  Provisions  and 
Forage  that  came  up  under  my  Escort.  We  lost 
three  Bullocks,  and  that  in  driving.  I  can't  abso- 
lutely say  for  what  purpose  the  Forage  is  intended, 
or  where  to  be  lodged.  It  was  engaged  by  Mr. 
Walker  at  Sir  J  no.  St.  Clair's  request,  and  I  believe 
for  the  light  Horse.  The  principal  part  of  it  met 
us  at  Pearsalls,  on  the  South  Branch  ;  and  neither 
myself,  nor  any  person  else  was  empowered,  or  even 
desird,  to  receive  and  pay  for  it.  I  was  at  a  loss 
how  to  act,  but  thought  it  most  advisable  to  bring  it 
on.  If  it  is  not  intended  for  the  light  Horse,  as  I 
apprehend,  I  shoud  be  glad  of  your  directions  con- 
cerning it ;  for  Captn.  Stewart,  who  possibly  may  be 
Instructed  for  this  purpose,  I  left  equipping  his 
Troop  at  Winchester,  and  is  not  yet  joind  me. 

As  I  can't  suppose  you  intended  to  order  any  part  of 
my  men  upon  the  Roads,  till  joind  at  this  place  by  Colo- 
nel Byrd,  I  shall  decline  sending  any  upon  that  Ser- 
vice till  his  arrival,  which  I  suppose  may  be  to-morrow, 
as  he  was  preparing  to  march  the  26th  after  me. 

I  enclose  you  an  exact  return  of  the  Maryland 
Troops  in  Garrison  at  this  place,  also  of  their  Pro- 
visions and  of  the  King's  stores,  and  shoud  be  glad 
to  know  what  strength  you  woud  have  this  Garrison 
consist  of,  how  many  days'  Provisions  left  for  them, 
and  what  quantity  of  Ammunition.  I  brought  one 
half  of  all  that  was  orderd  from  Winchester  by  Sir 
J  no.  St.  Clair,  and  left  the  other  half  to  follow  with 
Colo.  Byrd — Powder  excepted.  And  of  that  Article 
there  was  only  16  barrels  in  the  store  there,  besides 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  41 

6  others  that  were  made  up  into  Cartridges — which 
are  also  brought  up  between  us. 

Mr.  Walker,  in  consequence  of  Instructions  from 
Mr.  Hoops,  (who  I  believe  purposd  to  supply  us 
from  Rays  Town),  put  a  stop  to  a  further  purchase 
of  Provisions.  You  will  see  by  the  Returns  for  what 
number  of  days  I  am  supplied,  and  I  desird  Colo. 
Byrd  to  bring  as  much  to  this  place  as  would  serve 
his  Men  a  fortnight  at  least.  I  am  at  a  loss  to  know 
whether  officers'  servants,  that  are  not  Soldiers,  are 
allowd  to  draw  Provisions,  and  shoud  be  thankfull 
for  your  directions,  as  I  have  had  many  applications 
on  that  head. 

There  are  few  tools  ^  for  the  Services  requird  ; 
but  before  a  supply  coud  be  got  to  this  place  from 
Sir  Jno.  St.  Clair  or  Governor  Sharpe,  the  Work 
(with  what  few  we  have)  I  hope  may  be  near  fin- 
ishd.  Rum  too,  I  fear,  will  be  a  scarce  article  with 
us. 

Pray  what  will  be  done  with  the  company  of  Byrd's 
Regiment  ordered  to  take  post  at  Edwards's  and 
Pearsalls  ?  Shall  they  continue  there,  or  join  their 
Regiment  ?  I  left,  in  consequence  of  your  Orders, 
an  Officer  and  thirty  Men  Invalids  at  Fort  Loudoun 

'  There  are  too  few  tools  here.  Of  Washington's  letters  to  Bouquet,  the 
originals  have  been  preserved  and  are  now  deposited  in  the  British  Museum. 
The  letter-books  which  were  prepared  from  Washington's  drafts  are  in  the 
Department  of  State,  Washington.  It  is  therefore  possible  to  compare  the 
two  series,  and  illustrate  in  what  manner  Washington  altered  his  letters  in 
later  years.  I  have,  except  where  otherwise  stated,  printed  the  original  as 
published  by  Mr.  William  Henry  Smith,  in  \\vq  Magazine  of  American  History, 
February,  1 338  ;  and  in  the  foot-notes  to  a  few  of  the  letters  given  such  varia- 
tions as  are  to  be  found  in  the  letter-book. 


42  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

for  safety  of  the  stores,  &c.,  lodgd  there,  and  also  a 
sergeant  and  12  at  Pearsalls,  to  secure  that  Post  and 
keep  open  the  Road  for  Expresses  (for  no  more  can 
be  expected  from  so  small  a  Command).  Byrd,  I 
hope,  will  leave  6  or  8  of  his  invalids  or  bad  Men  at 
Edwards's,  for  the  same  purpose. 

There  came  28  wagons  to  this  place  with  me,  and 
I  believe,  if  they  were  wanted,  10  more  might  be  had 
upon  the  South  Branch,  strong  and  good  ;  but  carry- 
ing-Horses are  certainly  more  eligible  for  the  service 
we  are  destind. 

I  have  used  my  best  endeavors  to  get  my  men 
equipd  with  Powder  Horns  and  Shott  Pouches,  and 
have  procured  330  of  the  former  and  339  of  the 
latter  ;  besides  the  Linnen  ones,  with  which  we  are 
compleated. 

I  have  received  a  very  scanty  allowance  of  Tents 
for  the  5  companies  with  me,  vizt.,  sixty-nine  only. 
Out  of  these  most  of  the  officers  must  be  supplied,  or 
lye  uncoverd.  They  will  readily  pay  for  what  they 
receive,  if  requird.      No  Bell  Tents  were  sent  to  us. 

My  men  are  very  bare  of  cloaths  (Regimentals,  I 
mean),  and  I  have  no  prospect  of  a  Supply.  This 
want  so  far  from  my  regretting  during  this  campaign, 
that  were  I  left  to  pursue  my  own  Inclinations,  I  woud 
not  only  order  the  Men  to  adopt  the  Indian  dress, 
but  cause  the  Officers  to  do  it  also,  and  be  the  first 
to  set  the  example  myself.  Nothing  but  the  uncer- 
tainty of  its  taking  with  the  General '  causes  me  to 
hesitate  a  moment  at  leaving  my  Regimentals  at  this 

'  general  (ipproluilion. 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  43 


place,  and  proceeding  as  light  as  any  Indian  in  the 
Woods.  'T  is  an  unbecoming  dress,  I  confess,  for  an 
officer  ;  but  convenience,  rather  than  shew,  I  think, 
shoud  be  consulted.  The  reduction  of  Bat  Horses 
alone  is  sufficient  to  recommend  it  ;  for  nothing  is 
more  certain  than  that  less  baggage  will  be  requird, 
and  that  the  Publick  will  be  benefited  in  proportion. 

I  was  desirous  of  being  thus  full  in  my  Letter  to 
you.  How  far  it  may  be  consistent  with  good  Policy, 
as  there  is  at  least  a  possibility  of  its  falling  into  the 
Enemy's  hands,  I  know  not  ;  but  I  shall  be  directed 
in  these  affairs  by  you.' 


TO    COLONEL    BOUQUET. 

Camp  near  Fort  Cumberland,  7  July.  1758. 

Sir, 

Colo.  Byrd  with  eight  companies  of  his  Regt. 
arriv'd  here  yesterday.  He  left  many  sick  Men 
behind  him,  as  may  be  seen  by  the  enclosed  re- 
port ;  which,  with  the  company  he  posted  at  Ed- 
ward's and  Pearsalls,  reduces  our  strength  consid- 
erably. 

I  am  a  good  deal  at  a  loss,  therefore,  to  know  how 
to  act  for  the  best,  as  your  last  orders  for  joining  you 
at  Rays  Town  were  not  positive,  and  seemed  to 
be  given  on  a  supposition  that  Mr.  Walker  either 
coud  not,  or  was  net  to  supply  us  with  Provisions 
here.  Your  doubts  will  in  some  measure  be  obviated 
when  you  see  Mr.  Walker's  Letter  to  me  on  this 
head,  and  the  returns  of  our  Provisions,  which  I  now 

'  by  you  in  future. 


44  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

send.  If  this,  therefore,  was  your  motive  for  desiring 
a  Garrison  to  be  left  at  this  place,  and  for  me  to 
march  on  to  Rays  Town  with  the  remainder  of  the 
Virginia  Troops,  you  will,  I  presume,  countermand 
our  march  to  that  place,  for  the  following  reasons  : 
first,  because  300  men  may  I  think,  open  the  Com- 
munication to  Rays- Town  with  safety,  and  with  much 
greater  ease  and  convenience,  than  if  our  whole  Body 
marches  on  incumbered  with  a  number  of  Wagons. 
Secondly,  it  will,  if  the  army  is  obliged  to  take  this 
route,'  as  I  am  told  from  all  hands  it  certainly  must, 
prevent  the  fatigues  ^  of  a  Counter-march  to  Men  and 
Horses  just  going  upon  Service.  Thirdly,  it  will 
afford  us  an  opportunity  of  lodging  our  Provisions 
and  Stores  here,  while  the  Wagons  may  return  for 
another  Convoy,  and  save  by  that  means  the  great 
expense  of  transporting  them  to  there  and  back 
again,  if  we  should  not  be  able  to  proceed  from 
thence.3  And  fourthly,  Colo.  Byrd  assures  me  that 
the  Indians  with  him  absolutely  refuse  to  march  any 
other  road  than  this  they  know.'* 

I  was  advised  to  hint  these  matters  ^  to  you  and 
wait  ^  the  result  of  your  answer  before  I  put  the  whole  ^ 
in  motion.  Whatever  you  direct^  under  these  circum- 
stances I  shall  ^  execute  with  the  greatest  punctuality 
and  Expedition  in  my  power.  I  enclose  return  of  the 
No.  of  waggons  now  at  this  place,  that  you  may  be 
judge'"  of  the  Expense. 

'  The  route  Genl.  Braddock  did.  "  shall  wait 

'  supersede  the  necessity  of  '  troops 

^  if  we     .     .      .     thence,  om\Hci\.  '^  shall  direct 

*  than  this  which  they  are  acquainted  zuith.  "  this  information  f  will 

'  I  have  judi^ed  it  expedient  to  hint  these  thitii^s  '"  may  judge 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  45 

Captn.  Dagworthy  telling  me  that  Governor  Sharpe 
is  to  open  the  Road  to  the  Town  Creek  (which  is 
within  15  miles  of  this  place)  and  as  lMar}'land  has 
near  200  Men  here  fit  for  Duty,  I  hope  you  will 
be  of  opinion  that  they  are  sufficiently  strong  to 
proceed  on  the  Fort  Frederick  Road  without  need- 
ing a  reinforcement  from  us  ;  especially  if  you  will 
please  to  consider  at  the  same  time  that  they  are 
in  a  manner  coverd  by  the  Troops  at  this  place,  and 
those  which  may  be  employd  on  the  Road  to  Rays 
Town,  on  which  I  shall  send  a  detachment  to  work 
tomorrow.' 

I  had  wrote  thus  far  when  your  Letter  of  yesterday 
came  to  hand.  As  w^e  lye  so  contiguous,  and  can 
hear  in  so  short  a  time  from  you,  I  shall  only  be  pre- 
paring to  obey  your  Orders,  but  shall  not  actually 
march  till  I  hear  from  you  again." 

A  pretty  good  stock  of  Liquor  came  up  with  the 
last  convoy.  We  have  no  Hay  at  this  place  ;  'twas 
corn  I  calld  forage.  We  shall  have  Tools  sufficient 
for  opening  the  Road  to  Rays  Town  among  the  artifi- 
cers of  Colo.  Byrd's  Regiment,  and  I  enclose  a  list  of 
what  is  here,  belonging  to  Maryland,  that  you  may 
be  able  to  judge  of  their  wants. 

'  "  Captain  Dagworthy  and  the  Marylanders  begin  to  open  the  road  to-mor- 
row, towards  Fort  Frederick,  and  are  furnished  with  ten  days  provisions  for 
that  purpose  ;  but  an  extraordinary  affair  has  happened  in  regard  to  their 
provisions, — I  mean  that  having  no  flour  notwithstanding  6,ooo  weight  and  bet- 
ter was  included  in  a  return  which  I  sent  you  signed  by  their  commissary.  I 
have  been  obliged  already  to  supply  them  with  2000  lbs.  of  this  article.  .  .  . 
Under  the  circumstances  they  were.  I  was  obliged  to  deliver  out  the  above 
flour  or  see  them  starve  or  desert.  The  latter  they  yet  seem  very  inclinable  to 
do." —  Washington  to  Bouquet,  g  July,  1758. 

*  to  cut  in  till  I  receive  your  further  orders. 


46  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

I  am  sorry  to  hear  that  the  Cattawbas  have  so 
egreglously  misbehaved.  When  I  write  to  Govr. 
Fauquier,  which  I  expect  may  be  in  a  few  days  I 
shall  touch  on  this  subject.' 


TO    COLONEL    BOUQUET. 
Camp  at  Fort  Cumbd.  abt  g''  Thursday  Night  July  13th,  1758. 

Sir, 

Abt.  4  Oclock  this  afternoon — after  I  had  closed 
my  letter  to  you — I  received  information  ^  that  two 
men  were  killed  and  a  third  taken  prisoner  on  the 
Road  about  a  mile  from  this  place.  I  got  the  In- 
dians to  go,"^  and  sent  a  command  of  50  men  imme- 
diately to  the  spot,  where  they  took  the  Track  of  six 
Indians  and  followed  them  till  near  dark,  when  the 
Indians  returned,  as  did  our  party  also. 

They  discovered  that  one  of  the  men  ^  killed  was 
a  soldr.  of  the  second  regiment,  and  that  the  other 
two  were  herds  ^  going  to  our^gra&s  guards  in  the 
most  careless,^  straggling,  manner,  contrary  to  re- 
peated, and  positive  orders  given  to  prevent  small 
parties'^  stragling  from  camp.'° 

'  Colonel  BoiKiuet  had  written  July  6  :  "  The  Catawbas,  under  the  command  of 
Captain  Johne,  arc  gone  to  Winchester.  They  have  behaved  in  the  most  shame- 
ful manner,  and  run  away  like  a  parcel  of  thieves,  rather  than  warriors,  without 
seeing  me.  They  have  never  killed  even  a  deer,  and  there  is  the  strongest 
reason  to  suspect,  that  the  scalp,  which  tlicy  pretend  to  have  taken,  was  an  old 
one.  I  think  it  would  be  very  necessary  to  send  a  message  to  their  nation  to 
complain  of  their  conduct,  and  know  at  once  if  they  arc  friends  or  enemies.  If 
you  ap[)rove  of  it,  I  shall  be  obliged  to  you  to  propose  the  thing  to  the  (lovernor 
of  Virginia."  *  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy  '  the  '^  a  most  careless 

''  of  the  clock         '  who  was  killed  '  soldiers  from 

*  intelligence         ^  herdsmen  '"  or  small  parties  goint^  out  without  orders. 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  47 

The  mischief  was  done  abt.  8  this  morning — Our 
discover)-  of  it '  too  late  to  give  us  a  chance  to  over- 
take ^  the  enemy — I  thought  it  advisable,  neverthe- 
less, to  give  you  Intelligence  ^  that  the  enemy  are 
about,  and  that  I  expect  we  shall  be  pester'd  with  their 
parties*  all  this  morn,^  haunting  our  camps,  and 
watching  our  motions. 

I  have  apprizd  Colo.  Mercer,  Captn.  Dag\vorthy 
and  all  our  out  parties  of  this  murder,  that  they  may 
be  strictly  ^  upon  their  guard  marching — and  vigilant 
in  their  Camps. 

The  Inclosd  I  this  instant  received  from  Captn. 
Dagworthy — If  it  is  not  in  your  power  to  afford  him 
assistance  ^ — tis  entirely  out  of  mine  to  do  it. 

P.  S.  Captn.  Bosomworth  &c,  are  safely  arrivd 
here  ;  he  and  Colo.  Byrd  join  me  in  their  compli- 
ments.^ 


TO    COLONEL    BOUQUET. 

Camp  at  Fort  Cumberl.vsd,  istli  July,  175S. 

Sir, 

Your  favor  of  the  nth  by  Doctr.  Johnston,  I  had 
the  pleasure  to  receive  the  same  day — nothing  extra- 
ordinar}-  since  my  last  has  occurr'd. 

By  a  party  from  Colo.  Mercer  to  this  place  for  pro- 
visions I  find,  they  have  opend  the  road  only  6  miles  ; 
and  that  they  proceed  much  slower  in  this  service 
than  I  expected  :  this  possibly  may  arise  from  the 
pains  they  take  to  make  the  road  '  good,  and  from  the 

'  'Mas  *  them  '  he  mitst  suffer  as  it  is 

'  0/  overtaking  *  moon  ^  Not  as  a   P.  S. 

^  information  *  strictly  omitted  *  it 


48  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

width  of  it  (30  feet),  which  I  directed,  that  two  wag- 
gons might  conveniently  go  a  brest. — If  you  don't 
open  on  your  side  in  this  manner,  I  shoud  be  obHgd 
to  you  to  direct'  Colo.^  Mercer  otherwise, ^ — as  it  will 
be  useless  to  have  one  part  wide  and  the  other  narrow." 

It  gave  5  me  great  pleasure  to  find  you  approv'd  ^  of 
the  dress  I  have  put  my  men  into.  I  have  really 
done  it  from  a  good  intention.^  Caprice  and  whim 
had  no  share  in  causing  of  it — on  the  contrary,^  't  is 
evident  I  think,  that  soldiers  in  such  a  dress  ^  are  bet- 
ter able  to  carry  their  provisions  ;  are  fitter  for  the 
active  Service  we  are  engaged  '°  in  ;  and  less  liable  to 
sink  under  the  fatigues  of  a  long"  march,  besides  the 
advantages  of  contracting,  by  this  means,  our  Line  of 
march  which  must  extend  always  in  proportion  as  we 
are  incumber'd  with  carriages  or  horses." 

I  have  heard  nothing  from  Captn.  Dagworthy 
since  he  marched  ;  but  expect  the  waggons  are  at 
Winchester  by  this  time  that  I  dispatched  the  same 
day.'3 — I  beg  pardon  for  the  liberty  I  have  taken  in 
recommending  a  letter  for  Majr.  Halket  to  your  care. 

'  for  directing  '  to  narrow  his  *  gives 

'  Captain  ■*  if  the  other  is  narrow.  •"  apptvve 

■"  "  I  am  sensible  that  I  have  lessened  the  appearance  of  the  First  Virginia 
regiment  ;  but  I  beg  the  General  to  think  that  I  have  rendered  them  more  fit 
for  the  active  service  they  are  intended  to  be  engaged  in."—  To  J/alket,  July  i6th. 
Col.  Stephen  described  it  as  an  undress  rather  than  dress.  Bouquet  wrote  : 
"  Major  Lewis  with  two  hundred  men  arrived  here  last  night.  I  am  extremely 
obliged  to  you  for  this  extraordinary  despatch.  Their  dress  should  be  our 
pattern  in  this  expedition."  And  again,  afterwards, — "  The  dress  takes  very 
well  here,  and,  thank  God,  we  see  nothing  but  shirts  and  blankets." 
^  "  J  have  really     .     .      .     on  the  contrary"  o\n'i\.\.in\.  ^'^  must  engage 

''  in  that  trim.  ^^  of  a  march 

'^  and  by  this  means  get  rid  of  much  /'oggoi^e,  which  would  otherwise 
lengthen  our  line  of  march.  These,  and  not  ivliim  or  caprice  were  my  rea- 
sons for  ordering  them  into  it.  "  Knd  of  letter. 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  49 

TO    COLONEL    BOUQUET. 

Camp  at  Fort  Cumberland,  16  July,  1758. 

Sir, 

I  was  favored  with  yours  of  the  14th  instant,  at 
eleven  o'clock  last  night.  The  express,  who  brought 
it,  informs  me,  that  he  was  fired  at  twice  by  six 
Indians,  and  obliged  to  abandon  his  horse. 

There  have  three  parties  gone  from  hence  towards 
the  enemy's  country  within  these  few  days.  The 
largest  of  them,  (consisting  of  an  officer  and  eighteen 
Cherokees,)  marched  three  days  ago.  I  always  send 
out  some  white  people'  with  the  Indians,  and  will, 
to-day  or  to-morrow,  send  an  officer  and  some  alert "" 
white  men  with  another  party  of  Cherokees,  as  you 
desire  it ;  tho',  I  must  confess,  that  I  think  these 
scalping  parties  of  Indians  we  send  out  will  more 
effectually  harass  the  enemy,  (by  keeping  them  under 
continual  alarms,)  than  any  parties  of  white  people 
can  do  ;  as  small  parties  of  ours  ^  are  not  equal  to 
the  undertaking,  (not  being  so  dexterous  at  skulking 
as  Indians;)  and  large  ones  will  be  discovered  by 
their  scalping  parties  "•  early  enough  to  give  the  enemy 
time  to  repel  them  by  ^  a  superior  force.  And,  at  all 
events,  a^  great  probability  of  losing  many  of  our 
best  men,  and  fatiguing  many  more,^  before  the  most 
essential  services  are  ^  entered  on,  and  am  afraid,  not 
answer  the  proposed  end.^ 

'  men  '  a  greater  number  of  them  ^  the  latter 

■*  spies  '  to  have  a  superior  force  opposed  to  them. 

^From  whence  indeed  in  either  case  there  would  bet  '  wearing  down  the  rest 

'  of  the  campaign  would  be  '  this,  I  am  afraid,  without  answering 


50  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

You  are  pleased  to  desire  my  opinion  with  regard 
to  ^  making-  an  irruption  into  the  enemy's  country 
with  a  strong  party.  As  such  an  enterprise,  at  this 
juncture,  when  we  may  suppose  the  enemy  have,^  or 
are  collecting,  their  principal  ^  force  in  that  vicinity, '^ 
would  require  a  formidable  party,  the  supplying  of 
which  with  provisions,  etc.,  immediately  might  be 
difficult  and  the  march  of  such  a  body  so  consider- 
able a  distance  must  be  discovered,  as  they  have 
parties  continually  watching  our  motions,  which  would 
too  probably  terminate  in  the  miscarriage  of  the  enter- 
prise and  perhaps  the  destruction  of  our  party.  I 
should  think  it  more  eligible  to  defer  it,  till  the  army 
reaches  pretty  near  that  country. 

I  shall  direct  the  officer,  that  marches  towards  the 
enemy,  to  be  at  particular  pains  in  reconnoitring 
General  Braddock's  road,  tho  I  have  had  repeated 
accounts  of  it  wanting  such  small  repairs,  as  can 
with  ease  be  done  as  fast  as  the  army  can  march.  It 
is  impossible  for  me  to  send  out  any  men  to  repair  it, 
as  Colo.  Mercer  and  Captn.  Dagworthy  got  every  tool 
for  that  purpose  I  had.  If  we  had  tools,  to  go  upon 
the  roads,  the  second  company  of  artificers  would  no 
doubt  be  wanted  here  ;  but,  as  it  is,  I  imagine  they 
will  be  better  employed  with  you. 

The  malbehaviour  of  the  Indians  gives  me  great 
concern. 5     If  they  were  hearty  in   our  interest,  their 

'  of  the  propriety  of        '  have  collected        ^  whole        ^  at  Fort  Duquesru 
'  The  Cherokees  had  gone  away  with  stolen  goods.     Bouquet  wrote  :   "  It  is 
a  great  humiliation  for  us  to  be  obliged  to  suffer  the  repeated  insolence  of  such 
rascals.     1  think  it  would  be  easier  to  make  Indians  of  our  white  men,  than  to 
cox  [coax]  that  damned  tanny  race."  j 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  51 


services  would  be  infinitely  valuable.  As  I  cannot 
conceive  the  best  white  men  to  be  equal  to  them  in 
the  woods.  But  I  fear  they  are  too  sensible  of  their 
high  importance  to  us,  to  render  us  any  very  accepta- 
ble service. 

As  the  par  of  exchange  between  Virginia  and 
Pennsylvania  is,  by  the  laws  of  the  two  provinces, 
settled  at  twenty-five  per  cent  in  favor  of  the  former, 
I  apprehend  we  can  have  no  right  to  settle  on  any 
other  footing  ;  especially  as  any  material  deviation 
therefrom  might  be  productive  of  very  bad  conse- 
quences. 

Since  writing  the  above,  the  warriors  of  the  party 
of  Cherokees  insisted  on  marching  instantly,  and  that 
but  one  white  man  should  go.  They  are  gone,  and  I 
have  given  the  white  man  the  necessary  orders  relative 
to  the  roads,  &c. 

Inclosed  is  a  return  of  our  provisions  ;  since  which 
was  made  out  the  Marylanders  drew  for  200  men  for 
ten  days.      I  am,  &c. 


TO    COLONEL    BOUQUET. 

Camp  near  Fort  Cumberland,  19  July,  1758. 

Sir, 

Your  obliging  favor  of  this  date  I  just  now  had 
the  pleasure  of  receiving.  You  make  me  quite  happy 
by  your  coinciding  with  me,  relative  to  the  proposed 
expedition. 

Captain  Dagworthy's  party  returned  hither  yester- 
day in  consequence  of  orders  from  Sir  John  St.  Clair, 


52  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

forwarded  by  the  commanding  officer  at  Fort  Fred- 
erick. I  have  directed  him  to  finish  a  bridge  at  this 
place,  which  I  imagine  he  will  effect  by  to-morrow 
night ;  with  his  tools  I  will  next  day  send  out  a  party 
on  General  Braddock's  road,  which  I  shall  be  able  to 
reinforce  when  Colonel  Mercer  returns.' 

I  am  excessively  obliged  by  the  very  handsome 
and  polite  manner,  by  which  you  are  pleased  to  give 
me  leave  to  attend  the  election  at  Winchester.  Tho' 
my  being  there  on  that  occasion  would,  at  any  other 
time,  be  very  agreeable  to  me,  yet  at  this  juncture 
I  can  hardly  persuade  myself  to  think  of  being  ab- 
sent from  my  more  immediate  duty,  even  for  a  few 
days.  However,  I  will  not  come  to  any  absolute 
determination  in  this  matter,  till  I  receive  answers  to 
some  letters  on  that  subject,  (which  I  expect  this 
night  or  to-morrow).^     I  am,  &c. 

'  Colonel  Mercer  had  been  employed,  with  a  detachment  of  soldiers,  in 
opening  a  road  from  Fort  Cumberland  to  the  camp  at  Raystown,  a  distance 
of  thirty  miles. 

'  Washington  had  now  decided  to  propose  himself  to  the  electors  of  Fred- 
erick as  a  candidate  for  the  House  of  Burgesses.  Some  little  opposition  was 
aroused  that  to  his  friends  required  his  presence  during  the  poll  to  allay,  and 
Col.  Bouquet  gave  him  leave  to  attend  the  election,  a  permission  of  which  he 
did  not  avail  himself.  In  his  absence,  Col.  James  Wood,  the  founder  of  Win- 
chester, represented  him,  being  "carried  round  tlie  town  in  the  midst  of  a 
general  applause  and  huzzaing  for  Colonel  Washington."  "We  have  dull 
barbacues,"  wrote  his  former  secretary,  Kirkpatrick,  "  and  yet  duller  dances. 
An  election  causes  a  hubbub  for  a  week  or  so,  and  then  we  are  dead  a  while." 
']"he  vote  was  taken  on  July  24th  and  resulted  in  tlie  election  of  Washington 
and  Col.  Martin,  tlie  i)oll  standing  as  follows  :  Washington,  307  ;  Col. 
Martin,  240  ;  Captn.  Swearingen,  45  ;  and  Hugh  West,  199.  Colonel 
Martin  was  a  nephew  of  Lord  Fairfax  and  afterwards  agent  of  the  Fairfax 
estates. 

There  are  five  accounts  j)reserve(i  sliowing  tlie  items  of  Washington's  ex- 
penses for  entertaining  the  voters  at  this  election  . — 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  53 

TO    MRS.    MARTHA    CUSTIS. 

July  20,  1758. 

We  have  begun  our  march  for  the  Ohio.  A 
courier  is  starting  for  Williamsburg,  and  I  embrace 
the  opportunity  to  send  a  few  words  to  one  whose 
life  is  now  inseparable  from  mine.  Since  that  happy 
hour  when  we  made  our  pledges  to  each  other,  my 
thoughts  have  been  continually  going  to  you  as  an- 
other Self.  That  an  all-powerful  Providence  may 
keep  us  both  in  safety  is  the  prayer  of  your  ever 
faithful  and  affectionate  friend.' 


1.  To  40  gallons  of  Rum  Punch  (5;  3  /  6  pr.  gain. 

15  gallons  of  Wine  @  10  /  o  pr.  gain. 
Dinner  for  your  Friends 

2.  I3i  gallons  of  Wine  (S)  10  / 
3i  pts.  of  Brandy  @  i  /  3 
13  Galls.  Bear  @  i  /  3 

8  qts.  Cyder  Royl.  @  i  /  6 
Punch 

3.  To  30  gallns.  of  strong  beer  (o;  8d.  pr.  gall. 

4.  To  I  hhd.  &  I  Barrell  of  Punch,  consisting  of 

26  gals,  best  Barbadoes  rum,  5  / — 
I2|  lbs  S.  Refd.  Sugar  1/6 
6  galls,  best  Madeira  Wine  10  / 

5.  To  3  galls,  and  3  quarts  of  Beer  @    i  /  pr,  gall. 

10  Bowls  of  Punch  @  2  /  6  each 

9  half  pints  of  rum  @  7*d.  each 
I  pint  of  wine. 

This  does  not  appear  to  have  been  the  first  time  Washington  had  offered 
himself,  for  among  his  papers  is  a  poll  list  of  voters  in  Frederick  County  with 
the  names  of  the  candidates  voted  for,  each  free  holder  being  entitled  to  vote 
for  two  candidates.  The  result  of  that  poll,  of  unknown  date,  was  the  defeat 
of  Washington  ;  Hugh  West  receiving  271,  Thomas  Swearingen,  270,  and 
Washington  only  40  of  the  votes. 

'  Written  near  Fort  Cumberland.  It  is  one  of  the  few  letters  to  Martha 
Custis  that  have  escaped  destruction. 


7 

0 

0 

7 

10 

0 

3 

0 

0 

6 

15 

4 

4i 

16 

3 

0 

12 

0 

3 

9 

I 

6 

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0 

18 

9 

3 

3 

9 

I 

5 

0 

5 

1\ 

I 

6 

54  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

TO    COLONEL    BOUQUET. 

Camp  near  Fort  Cumberland,  21  July,  1758. 

Sir, 

Before  Colonel  Stephen  came  to  this  place  last 
night  I  had  abandoned  all  thoughts  of  attending  per- 
sonally at  the  election  in  Winchester,  determining 
rather  to  leave  the  management  of  that  matter  to  my 
friends,  than  be  absent  from  my  regiment,  when  there 
is  a  probability  of  its  being  called  upon.  I  am  now- 
much  pleased,  that  I  did  do  so.  Colonel  Byrd  has 
given  me  your  letter  of  yesterday,  in  consequence,  I 
send  you  a  return  of  the  forage.  And  he  writes  to 
Mr.  Gist,  concerning  vermilion  for  the  Indians. 

We  participate  in  the  joy  felt  for  the  success  of  his 
Majesty's  arms  at  Louisburg,  &c,  but  sincerely  lament 
the  loss  of  that  brave  and  active  nobleman  Lord 
Howe. 

We  have  got  the  bridge  finished  at  this  place,  and 
to-morrow  Major  Peachy,  with  three  hundred  men, 
proceed  to  open  General  Braddock's  road.  I  shall 
direct  their  going  to  George's  Creek,  ten  miles  ad- 
vanced. By  that  time  I  may  possibly  hear  from  you. 
If  they  go  farther,  it  may  be  requisite  to  reinforce 
the  party.  But  this  matter,  I  suppose,  will  be  or- 
dered according  to  the  route  determined  on  by  the 
General,  for  it  will  be  needless  to  open  a  road  that 
no  use  is  made  of.' 

'  "The  Ocncral  has  scut  my  brother  Ccortjc  to  I\cas'  Town,  with  orders  to 
take  with  him  a  hundred  men,  in  order  to  find  out  and  mark  a  road  from  Rcas' 
Town  as  near  to  l'"ort  Duijuesne  as  lie  can  ])()ssil)Iy  f;o,  leavinj;  C^cncral  Brad- 
dock's  road  and  the  Yohiogaine  entirely  to  tlie  left."  Col.  John  Armstroui;  to 
Gov.  Denny,  20  July,  1758. — J'enn.  Archives,  ii.,  4S3. 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  55 

Colonel  Stephen  gives  me  some  room  to  appre- 
hend, that  a  body  of  light  troops  may  soon  move  on. 
I  pray  your  interest,  most  heartily,  with  the  General, 
to  get  my  regiment  and  myself  included  in  the  num- 
ber. If  there  needs  any  argument  to  obtain  this  fa- 
vor, I  hope  without  vanity  I  may  be  allowed  to  say, 
that,  from  long  intimacy  and  scouting  in  these  woods, 
my  men  are  as  well  acquainted  with  all  the  passes  and 
difficulties,  as  any  troops  that  will  be  employed,  and 
therefore  may  answer  any  purpose  intended  by  them, 
as  well  as  any  other  body. 

The  General  directs,  that  the  troops  be  provided 
with  covers  to  their  locks.  Where  to  get  these  I 
know  not.  There  is  but  one  possible  way  of  succeed- 
ing, and  that  is,  by  taking  the  neat  hides,  and  these 
will  fall  short.  The  commissaries  ask  eighteen  shil- 
lings  apiece  for  them.  I  should  be  glad  of  your  ad- 
vice in  this  case,  as  also,  what  will  be  done  with  the 
wagons  expected  up  in  our  next  convoy.  I  cannot 
say  exactly  what  number  there  may  be  of  them,  but 
suppose  the  provisions,  forage,  and  stores,  cannot 
employ  less  than  fifty. 

Please  to  offer  my  compliments  to  Mr.  Glen,  & 
forward  a  letter  herewith  sent  to  Majr.   Halket. 


TO    COLONEL     BOUQUET. 

Camp  at  Fort  Cumberland,  25  July,  1758. 


Dear  Sir, 

I  wrote  to  you  by  Colonel  Stephen.  Since  which 
I  have  been  favored  with  your  kind  and  obliging 
letter  of  yesterday. 


56  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

We  have  received  advice,  that  our  second  convoy 
of  seventy-odd  waggons  (an  account  of  the  contents 
of  which  I  enclosed  you  yesterday,)  will  be  at  the 
South  Branch  to-day  ;  where  I  expect  they  will  be 
joined  by  some  waggons  with  forage,  the  number  I 
can  not  ascertain  and  will  all  proceed  to  this  place 
immediately.  On  friday  I  shall  look  for  them.  I 
shall  most  chearfully  work  on  any  road,  pursue  any 
route  ;  or  enter  upon  any  Service,  that  the  General 
or  yourself  may  think  me  usefully  employed  in,  or 
qualified  for  ;  and  shall  never  have  a  will  of  my  own 
when  a  Duty  is  required  of  me.  But  since  you  de- 
sire me  to  speak  my  sentiments  freely,  permit  me  to 
observe,  that,  after  having  conversed  with  all  the 
Guides,  and  having  been  informed  by  others  who 
have  knowledge  of  the  country  that  a  road  to  be 
compared  with  Genl.  Braddocks  (or  indeed  that  will 
be  fit  for  transportation  even  by  pack  horses)  cannot 
be  made,  I  own  I  have  no  predilection  for  the  route 
which  you  have  in  contemplation  for  me  ;  (not  be- 
cause difficulties  appear  therein,)  but  because  I  doubt 
the  giving  satisfaction  in  the  execution  of  the  plan. 

I  know  not  what  reports  you  may  have  received 
from  your  reconnoitring  Parties  ;  but  I  have  been 
uniformly  told  that  if  you  expect  a  tolerable  road  by 
Rays  Town  you  will  be  disappointed  ;  for  no  move- 
ment can  be  made  that  way,  without  destroying  our 
horses. 

I  should  be  extremely  glad  of  one  hour's  confer- 
ence with  you  when  the  General  arrives  ;  I  would 
tJie7i  explain  myself  more  fully,  and   I  think  I  could 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  57 

demonstrate  the  advantages  of  pushing  out  a  body  of 
light  troops  on  this  Quarter. 

I  would  make  a  trip  to  Rays  Town  with  great 
pleasure,  if  my  absence  here  could  be  dispensed  for  a 
day  or  two,  of  which  you  can  best  judge. 

We  shall  want  no  Provisions  from  you.  The 
second  convoy,  added  to  what  we  have,  will  furnish 
us  with  a  tolerably  good  stock.  If  Major  Livingston, 
or  any  other  officer  at  this  place,  draws  more  than 
one  ration^  it  is  contrary  to  orders,  and  without  my 
knowledge,  and  must  be  attributed  to  the  Commis- 
sary whose  fault  alone  it  must  be  in  delivering  it. 
We  have  been  obliged,  for  the  sake  of  our  Cattle,  to 
move  the  grass  guard  to  Cresaps,  15  miles  hence. 
There  the  provision  is  slaughtered  and  served  to  the 
guard,  and  to  the  troops  of  light-horse  (also  at  that 
place.)  It  is  therefore  necessary  that  Mr.  Dow,  or 
an  attendant  of  the  Commissary,  should  be  present 
and  see  to  the  Issuingr  of  it. 

There  were  two  Commissaries  at  this  place,  beside 
a  numberless  train  of  butchers,  herdsmen,  &c.,  so 
immensely  lazy,  that  I  was  under  the  necessity  of 
ordering  some  of  them  to  attend  the  guard  ;  for  the 
Commissaries  looking  upon  cattle  to  be  at  the  King's 
risque,  were  quite  indifferent  what  became  of  them, 
and  of  course  gave  themselves  no  trouble  about 
them. 

I  send  you  a  return  of  Colonel  Byrd's  Regiment, 
and  of  the  Maryland  troops  at  this  place.  I  should 
have  done  the  same  with  respect  to  the  first  Regi- 
ment,   had    not    the    adjutant    accompanied     Colo. 


58  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

Stephen  to  Rays  Town  and  locked  it  up.  I  can 
only  send  one  for  the  companies  here  present,  and 
this  is  forwarded  to  him,  that  it  may  be  completed 
there  for  your  use. 

Kelly  &  Stalnaker  (two  of  our  guides)  are  on  the 
road  with  Major  Peachy.  The  rest  at  this  place,  I 
have  directed  to  attend  you.  It  would  be  extremely 
inconvenient  for  me  at  this  time  to  Garrison  the 
Block-house  on  the  Rays  Town  road  having  such 
large  detachments  already  out,  and  the  camp-duty 
very  hard  upon  us.      I  am,  &c.^ 


TO    [GABRIEL    JONES]  ? 

Camp  at  Fort  Cumberland,  29th  July,  1758. 

Dear  Sir, 

Permit  me  to  return  you  my  sincerest  thanks  for 
your  great  assistance  at  the  late  election,  and  to 
assure  you  that  I  shall  ever  return  a  lively  sense  of 
the  favor.  I  am  extreme  sorry  that  you  neglected 
your  own  election  in  Augusta  by  this  means,  but  I 
hope  you  are  secure  in  Hampshire. 

Our  expedition  seems  overcast  with  too  many  Ills 
to  give  you  any  satisfaction  in  a  transient  relation  of 
them.  God  knows  what's  intended  ;  for  nothing 
seems  ripe  for  execution  ;  backwardness,  and  I  would 
if  I  dare,  say  more,  appears  in  all  things. 

'  "  Forty  six  of  Col.  I5yrd's  Indians  left  this  for  tlicir  nation  yesterday 
evening,  after  having  reeeived  their  presents.  I  was  inucli  surprized  to  hear 
of  a  report  spread  and  prevailing  in  your  eanij),  tiial  a  jiarty  of  Shawanese  and 
Delawares  were  come  into  this  place.  Tliere  lias  not  been  the  most  distant 
cause  for  such  a  report  since  I  came  here." — \Vasliin>^ton  to  Colonel  Bouquet, 
28  July,  1758. 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  59 

Tomorrow  I  am  summon'd  to  a  conference  with 
Colonel  Bouquet  on  the  Ray's  Town  Road,  when  I 
shall  warmly  urge  the  advanced  Season  and  every 
other  argument  that  the  Important  matter  requires  to 
hurry  things  forward  and  shall  endeavor  to  obtain 
leave  (if  possible)  to  advance  on  with  the  Virginians 
to  the  crossing  at  least,  opening  the  Road  &  con- 
structing Posts  as  we  go.     I  am,  &c. 


TO  COLONEL  JAMES    WOOD. 

[July,  1753.] 

My  Dear  Colonel, 

If  thanks  flowing  from  a  heart  replete  with  joy  and 
Gratitude  can  in  any  Measure  compensate  for  the 
fatigue,  anxiety  and  Pain  you  had  at  my  Election* 
be  assured  you  have  them  ;  'tis  a  poor,  but  I  am  con- 
vinced, welcome  tribute  to  a  generous  Mind.  Such, 
I  believe  yours  to  be. 

How  I  shall  thank  Mrs.  Wood  for  her  favorable 
Wishes,  and  how  acknowledge  my  sense  of  obligations 
to  the  People  In  general  for  their  choice  of  me,  I  am 
at  a  loss  to  resolve  on.  But  why  ?  Can  I  do  it  more 
effectually  than  by  making  their  Interest  (as  it  really 
is)  my  own,  and  doing  everything  that  lyes  in  my 
little  Power  for  the  Honor  and  welfare  of  the  Coun- 
try ?  I  think  not ;  and  my  best  endeavors  they  may 
always  command.  I  promise  this  now,  when  prom- 
ises may  be  regarded,  before  they  might  pass  as 
words  of  course. 

I  am  extreme  thankful  to  you  and  my  other  friends 
for  entertaining  the  Freeholders  in  my  name.      I  hope 


6o  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

no  Exception  was  taken  to  any  that  voted  against 
me,  but  that  all  were  alike  treated,  and  all  had 
enough.  It  is  what  I  much  desired.  My  only  fear 
is  that  you  spent  with  too  sparing  a  hand. 

I  don't  like  to  touch  upon  our  Public  Affairs.  The 
Prospect  is  overspread  by  too  many  ills  to  give  a 
favourable  account.  I  will,  therefore,  say  little,  but 
yet  say  this  ;  that  backwardness  appears  in  all  things 
but  the  approach  of  winter — That  joggs  on  apace.' 


TO    COLONEL    BOUQUET.^ 

Monday  9  oClock  P.M. 

Dear  Sir, 

You  will  be  surprisd  (till  I  give  you  a  reason  for 
it)  at  receiving  a  letter  from  a  person  in  the  same 
camp  with  you,  and  who  has  free  access  at  all  times 
to  your  tent. — But  when  I  tell  you  that  we  were 
interrupted  while  conversing  on  a  very  important 
matter,  and  that  I  did  not  certainly  know  whether  I 
might  have  another  opportunity  of  renewing  the 
conversation  till  you  had  some  how  or  other  settled 
the  point  with  the  General,  I  flatter  myself  you  will 
excuse  the  freedom  I  now  beg  leave  to  use  with  you. 
I  don't  doubt.  Sir,  but  you  have  thoroughly  consid- 
ered the  practicability  of  the  scheme  you  this  night 
mentioned  to  me  and  the  good  or  evil  consequences 
to  be  derived  there  from,  according  to    its  success — 

'  From  a  draft  in  Washington's  MS. 

'■'•  Washington  and  Bou(iuct  met  on  July  3otli,  and  it  is  probable  this  letter  was 
written  at  that  time  ;  although  it  may  belong  to  an  earlier  date,  referring  to 
the  exj)cdition  mentioned  in  the  letter  of  July  19,  jwge  51. 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  6i 

It  might  therefore  seem  unreasonable  to  offer  the 
following  crude  thoughts,  did  I  not  believe  you  are 
desirous  of  hearing  opinions,  at  least  on  this  occasion. 

How  far  then  do  you  believe  our  stock  of  provi- 
sions— to  say  nothing  of  other  matters — will  allow  you 
to  execute  this  plan  ?  Will  it  last  'till  we  could  reduce 
Fort  Duquesne  and  march  back  to  the  inhabitants — 
or  receive  a  supply  elsewhere  ? — If  it  would  do  this, 
the  measure  may  be  right  ;  but  if  it  will  not,  what  is 
the  consequence  ?  Is  it  not  neglecting  the  strength- 
ening of  this  place,  consuming  the  provisions  that 
should  support  a  garrison  here,  and  abandoning  our 
artillery  either  to  the  enemy  or  a  general  destruc- 
tion ?     It  appears  to  me  in  that  light. 

Now  suppose  the  enemy  gives  us  a  meeting  in  the 
field  and  we  put  them  to  the  route,  what  do  we  gain 
by  it  ?  Perhaps  triple  their  loss  of  men  in  the  first 
place,  tho'  our  numbers  may  be  greatly  superior  (and 
if  I  may  be  allowed  to  judge  from  what  I  have  seen 
of  late,  we  should  not  highten  much  that  "  good  "  opin- 
ion they  seem  to  have  of  our  skill  in  wood  fighting). 
Therefore  to  risk  an  eno;ao;ement  when  so  much  de- 
pends  upon  it,  without  having  the  accomplishment  of 
the  main  point  in  view,  appears  in  my  Eye,  to  be  a 
little  imprudent — Could  we  suppose  the  Enemy  would 
immediately  evacuate  their  Fort  in  case  of  a  defeat  in 
the  wood, — or,  as  I  before  observd,  could  we  be 
certain  of  provisions  in  the  other  event,  I  think  not  a 
moment's  time  is  left  for  hesitation.  But  one  or 
t'other  of  these  we  ought  to  be  assurd  of.  You,  I 
am  sensible,  stand  very  little  in  need  of  any  of  these 


62  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

suggestions, — which  are  thrown  together  in  haste,  as 
I  waited  'till  this  moment  almost,  expecting  to  see 
you.  You  will  at  least  pardon  this  liberty,  and  believe 
me  to  be,  &c. 


TO    COLONEL   BOUQUET. 

Camp  at  Fort  Cumberland,  2  August,  1758. 

Sir, 

Those  matters  we  talked  of  relative  to  the  Roads, 
has  since  our  parting  been  the  object  of  my  closest 
attention  ;  and  so  far  am  I  from  altering  my  opinion, 
that  the  more  time  and  attention  I  give  thereto,  the 
more  I  am  confirmed  in  it ;  the  validity  of  the  reasons 
for  taking  the  old  road  appear  in  a  stronger  point  of 
view.  To  enumerate  the  whole  of  these  reasons 
would  be  tedious — and  to  you  who  are  become  so 
much  master  of  that  subject,  unnecessary  ;  therefore 
I  will  only  briefly  mention  a  few  which  I  conceive  so 
obvious  in  themselves,  as  must  to  any  unbiassed  mind 
effectually  remove  what  is  objected  to  General  Brad- 
dock's  Road,  and  urged  in  favor  of  a  road  to  be 
opened  from  Rays  Town. — 

Several  years  ago  the  Virginians  and  Pennsyl- 
vanians  commenced  a  trade  with  the  Indians  set- 
tled on  the  Ohio,  and  to  remove  the  many  incon- 
veniences a  bad  road  subjected  them  to,  they,  after 
reiterated  efforts  to  discover  where  a  good  one  might 
be  made  were  found  ineffectual,  employed  several  of 
the  most  intelligent  Indians,  who  in  the  course  of 
many  years'  hunting  acquired  a  perfect  knowledge  of 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  63 

these  mountains  to  attempt  it.  But  these  Indians 
after  having  taken  the  greatest  pains  to  gain  the 
rewards  then  offered  for  this  discovery  declared  the 
track  leading  from  Wills-Creek  was  infinitely  prefer- 
able to  any  that  could  be  made  at  any  other  place. 
Time  and  experience  so  clearly  demonstrated  this 
truth,  that  the  Pennsylvania  traders  commonly  car- 
ried their  goods  thither  by  Will's  Creek.  Therefore 
the  Ohio  Company  in  1753,  at  a  considerable  expense 
opened  a  road  thither.  In  1754  the  troops  I  then 
had  the  honor  to  command,  greatly  repaired  it  as  far 
as  Gist's  Plantation;  and  in  1755  it  was  widened, 
and  completed  by  General  Braddock  within  6  miles  of 
Fort  Duquesne.  Consequently,  a  road  that  has  been 
so  long  opened,  so  well  repaired, — and  so  often,  must 
be  much  firmer,  and  better  than  a  new  one,  allowing 
the  ground  to  be  originally,  equally  as  good. 

But  supposing  it  was  practicable  to  make  a  road 
from  Rays  Town  quite  as  good  as  General  Brad- 
dock's,  I  ask  if  we  have  time  to  do  it  ? — Certainly 
not.  Surmountinor  the  vast  difficulties  to  be  encoun- 
tered,  in  making  it  over  such  monstrous  mountains, 
covered  with  woods  and  rocks,  would  require  so 
much  time  as  to  blast  our  otherwise  well  grounded 
hopes  of  striking  the  long  wished  for,  and  important 
stroke  this  season  ;  and  deferring  it,  to  another  year, 
would,  I  am  morally  certain  be  productive  of  the 
most  destructive  consequences  to  the  Southern,  and 
middle  colonies  ;  for  they  have  to  make  a  noble  push 
towards  ending  those  calamities  under  which  they  so 
long  have  groaned  ;  granted  supplies,  beyond  their  abil- 


64  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

ities — these  funds  will,  in  a  few  months  be  exhausted, 
the  troops  of  course  disbanded, — their  inability  and 
discouragement  from  so  great  a  disappointment,  will 
prevent  their  attempting  a  similar  effort  against 
another  season  ;  and  experience  evinces  that  expence 
and  numbers,  must  be  encreased  in  proportion  to  our 
delays. 

The  Southern  Indians  have  from  our  bad  success  and 
inactivity,  long  looked  upon  us  in  a  despicable  light, 
have  already  committed  hostilities  on  our  frontiers, 
and  only  wait  the  result  of  this  campaign  to  unmask 
themselves  ;  which  would  be  such  an  acquisition  to 
the  enemy  as  might  terminate  in  our  destruction. 

The  favorable  accounts  some  give,  of  the  forage  on 
the  Rays  Town  road  being  so  much  better  than  the 
other,  are  certainly  exaggerated  greatly,  as  every 
unprejudiced  person  who  is  acquainted  with  both, 
agrees  that  the  only  difference  between  the  moun- 
tains here  and  there  is,  that  those  are  more  inacces- 
sible. And  it  is  well  known  that  in  both,  the  rich 
valleys  between  the  mountains  abound  with  good 
food,  and  those  that  are  stony  and  brushy  are  desti- 
tute. Col.  Byrd  and  the  Engineer  who  accompanied 
him  confirm  this  truth.  And  surely  the  meadows  on 
this  road,  would  greatly  overbalance  the  advantage 
of  having  grass  to  the  foot  of  the  ridge  (on  this  side 
the  mountain)  on  the  Rays  Town  Road ;  and  all 
agree  that  a  more  barren  road  is  no  where  to  be 
found  than  Rays  Town  to  the  inhabitants,  which 
is  likewise  to  be  considered  with  the  badness  of 
the  road. 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  65 

And  the  principal  objection  made  to  General 
Braddock's  Road  is  that  of  the  waters  to  pass.  But 
these  very  rarely  swell  so  much  as  to  obstruct  the 
passage.  The  Yaughyaughgane  which  is  the  most 
rapid  and  soonest  filled,  I,  with  a  body  of  troops, 
have  crossed  after  30  odd  days  almost  constant  rain. 
In  fine,  any  difficulties  that  may  arise  therefrom  are 
so  trivial,  that  they  are  really  not  worth  mentioning. 
The  Monongahela,  the  largest  of  all  these  rivers, 
may,  if  necessar}',  be  easily  avoided  (as  Mr.  Frazer, 
the  principal  guide,)  informed  me,  by  passing  a  defile, 
which  I  cannot  conceive  to  be  so  bad  as  commonly 
represented ;  but  even  that  he  tells  me  may  be 
shunned. 

It  is  said  again,  that  there  are  many  defiles  on  this 
road — I  grant  there  are  some,  but  know  of  none  that 
cannot  be  traversed  if  found  necessarv^ ;  and  I  should 
be  glad  to  know  if  a  road  can  be  had  over  these 
mountains  not  subject  to  this  inconvenience — unless 
they  kept  the  heights  always, — and  that  is  impracti- 
cable. 

The  shortness  of  the  road  from  Rays  Town  to 
Fort  Duquesne  by  Loyal  hanny,'  is  used  as  an  argu- 
ment in  disfavor  of  this  road  ;  and  bears  some  thing 
in  it  unaccountable  to  me,  for  I  must  beof  leave  to  ask 
here,  if  it  requires  more  time,  or  is  it  more  difficult 
and  expensive,  to  go  145  miles  in  a  good  road  already 
made  to  our  hands,  or  to  cut  a  road  100  miles  in 
length,  great  part  of  which  over  almost  inaccessible 
mountains, — and, — to  say,  or  think,  we  can  do  noth- 

*  Fort  Ligonier  was  aftenvards  built  on  this  spot. 


66  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

ing  more  this  fall  than  to  fortify  some  post  on  the 
other  side  of  the  mountains,  and  prepare  against 
another  campaign — I  must  pray  Heaven,  most  fer- 
vently, to  avert  !  till  we  find  it  impracticable  at  least 
to  prosecute  with  prudence  the  enterprise  in  hand. 
We  have  yet  time  enough  to  transport  Provisions  to 
last  the  siege,  and  to  support  the  Troops  that  may 
Winter  there,  as  I  shall  endeavor  hereafter  to  shew, 
— at  any  rate  it  never  can  be  an  argument  for  open- 
ing the  other  road  at  this  time,  because  supposing  we 
are  not  able  to  do  more  than  construct  a  Post  on 
t'other  side  the  mountains — that  Post  undoubtedly 
should  be  on  a  road  that  has  the  easiest,  and  nearest 
communication  with  the  settlements,  where  supplies 
are  to  be  drawn  from  ;  for  to  say  nothing  of  the  great 
advantage  of  water  carriage  this  way,  which  certainly 
is  immense,  (as  you  will  find  by  Doctr.  Ross's  estima- 
tion that  you  shewed  me)  or  of  the  infinite  odds  in 
the  goodness  of  the  Roads,  which  is  very  evident  to 
all  who  have  travelled  both, — either  from  the  inhabi- 
tants to  the  advanced  posts,  or  from  the  advanced 
posts  to  Fort  Duquesne, — I  say,  to  put  these  reasons 
aside,  (altho'  they  ought  to  have  their  due  weight,) 
yet  this  way,  as  being  so  much  nearer  the  settlements 
has  much  advantage. — That  it  is  nearer  Winchester 
in  Virginia,  and  P^ort  Frederick,  in  Maryland,  by 
many  miles,  are  incontestable  facts  :  and  I  here  shew 
the  difference  of  the  two  roads  to  Carlyle  ;  by  giving 
you  the  distance  of  the  different  stages  ;  some  of 
which  I  have  from  information  only,  but  believe  them 
to  be  just  : — 


1758] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


67 


From  Carlyle  to  Fort  Duquesne,  by  Rays  Town. 
From  Carlyle  to  Shippensburg     ....     21  miles. 
From  Shippens^  to  Fort  Loudoun    . 
From  Ft.  Loudoun  to  Ft.  Lyttleton 
From  Ft.  Lyttleton  to  Juneattasing  , 
From  Juneatta  to  Rays  Town 


From  Rays  Town  to  Ft.  Duquesne 


24 
20 
14 
14 

93 
100 


193- 


From  Carlyle  to  Ft.  Duquesne  by  Ft.  Fredk.  and  Cumberland. 
From  Carlyle  to  Shippens^ 21  miles. 


From  Shippens^  to  Chambers 
From  Chambers  to  Paulins 
From  Paulins  to  Ft.  Frederick     .     . 
From  Ft.  Fredk.  to  Ft.  Cumberland 


12 
12 
12 

40 

97 


From  Ft.  Cumberland  to  Ft.  Duquesne        115 


By  this  computation  there  appears  to  be  a  differ- 
ence of  19  miles  only.  Were  all  the  supplies  obliged 
to  come  from  Carlyle,  it  is  well  known  that  the  good- 
ness of  this  road  is  a  sufficient  compensation  for  the 
shortness  of  the  other,  as  the  wrecked  and  broken 
waggons  there  clearly  demonstrate. 

I  shall  next  give  you  my  Reasons  against  dividing 
the  i\rmy  in  the  manner  you  propose,  and  after  that 
endeavor  to  shew  how  the  grass  on  the  other  Road 
can  be  made  proper  use  of. 

First  then,  by  dividing  our  Army  we  divide  our 
strength,  and  by  pursuing  quite  distinct  routes  put  it 
entirely  out  of  the  power  of  each  division  to  succor 
the  other,  as  the  proposed  new  Road,  has  no  commu- 
nication with  the  old. 


68  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

Secondly,  to  march  in  this  manner  will  be  attended 
with  many  inconveniences.  As,  first,  if  we  depart 
from  our  advanced  posts  at  the  same  time,  and  make 
no  deposits  by  the  way ;  those  troops  who  go  from 
Rays  Town,  as  they  will  be  light,  having  carrying 
horses  only,  will  arrive  at  Fort  Duquesne  long  before 
the  others  ;  and  must,  if  the  enemy  are  strong  there, 
be  expos'd  possibly  to  many  insults  in  their  intrench- 
ments  from  the  cannon  of  the  enemy,  which  they 
may  draw  out  upon  them  at  their  pleasure  :  if  they 
are  not  strong  enough  to  do  this  to  that  Division,  we 
have  but  little  to  apprehend  from  them,  go  which 
way,  or  how  we  will.  Thirdly,  if  that  division  that 
escorts  the  convoy  is  permitted  to  march  first,  we 
risk  our  all  in  a  manner,  and  are  ruined  if  any  acci- 
dent happened  to  the  artillery,  to  the  stores,  &c. 
And  lastly,  if  we  advance  on  both  roads  by  deposites, 
we  must  double  our  number  of  troops  over  the 
mountains,  and  distress  ourselves  by  victualling  of 
them  in  these  deposites  :  besides  losing  the  proposed 
advantage,  that  of  stealing  a  march.  For  we  cannot 
suppose  the  French,  who  have  their  Scouts  constantly 
out,  can  be  so  difificult  in  point  of  intelligence,  as  to 
be  unacquainted  with  our  motions  when  we  are  ad- 
vancing by  slow  degrees  towards  them. 

Now,  Sir,  the  advantage  I  would  propose  to  make 
of  the  forage  along  the  other  path  is,  to  support  all 
the  carrying  horses  that  can  possibly  be  collected, 
and  sent  that  way  after  we  are  fortunate  enough  to 
lie  before  Fort  Duquesne.  Here  not  only  the  carry- 
ing horses    that  were    to  be   used  out  as  such,   but 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  69 

officers'  horses,  and  even  the  waggon  horses  also, 
may  be  employed  in  this  service,  if  saddles  or  packs 
are  provided  in  the  meantime  at  Rays  Town  for 
them  to  return  with. 

Great  advantages  may  be  derived  from  such  a 
measure,  because  as  the  food  of  the  old  road  would 
be  entirely  eaten  up  going,  and  the  horses  get  weak, 
it  would  be  impossible  that  the  waggons  could  return 
for  another  convoy  :  tho'  the  horses  might  neverthe- 
less be  in  a  condition  to  come  down  lig^ht,  alone  a 
road  abounding  with  food,  and  be  able  to  carr}^  up 
another  convoy,  giving  them  two  or  three  days  rest 
at  the  most  convenient  feeding  places.  By  this  means 
the  waggon  horses  would  be  eased  of  the  fatigue  of 
bringing  down  even  the  empty  waggons,  which  is 
something  along  a  Road  stripped  of  the  food.  In 
the  condition  the  horses  by  this  time  may  be  sup- 
posed to  be,  they  will,  I  conceive,  carry  near  or  quite 
as  much  weight  on  their  back  as  they  could  draw  in 
a  waggon. 

From  what  has  been  said  relative  to  the  two  roads, 
it  appears,  I  think  very  clearly,  that  the  old  one  is 
infinitely  better  than  the  other  can  be  made  ;  and, 
that  there  is  no  room  to  hesitate  a  moment  which  to 
take,  when  we  consider  the  advanced  Season,  and 
little  time  left  to  execute  our  plan  in.  I  shall  there- 
fore in  the  last  place  offer  (as  desired,)  my  senti- 
ments on  advancing  by  deposites  ;  the  first  of  which 
I  should  have  been  for  getting  at  the  Little  Meadows, 
would  time  have  permitted  ;  but,  as  the  case  now 
stands,  I   suppose  at  the   Great  Crossing,  or  Great 


70  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

Meadows  our  first  must  be  formed.  The  Great 
Crossing  I  esteem  the  most  advantageous  post  on 
several  accounts,  especially  that  of  water,  and  security 
of  the  passage  ;  but  then  it  does  not  abound  in  food 
as  the  Great  Meadows,  nor  has  not  so  much  level 
land  about  it  fit  for  culture. 

To  this  latter  place  a  body  of  1 500  men  may  march 
with  300  waggons  or  carrying  horses  (which  would 
be  much  better,)  equivalent.  Allowing  each  waggon 
to  carry  800  lbs  of  flour,  and  400  of  Salt  meat,  you 
carry  40  days'  provisions  of  the  former,  and  20  of  the 
latter  for  6000  men  ;  besides  your  live  Cattle,  any 
number  of  which  might,  but  ought  not  to  be  carried 
for  these  two  reasons  :  first,  they  would  destroy  your 
pasturage — and  next  your  men  being  employed  at 
work,  you  would  have  none  to  attend  or  guard  them. 
Your  next  convoy,  which  I  suppose  to  consist  of  500 
provision  waggons  and  all  the  Army,  will,  at  the 
above  rate,  carry  66  days'  provisions  of  flour,  and  '^'x, 
of  salt  flesh,  besides  6  days  which  the  men  may  carry 
on  their  backs;  as  it  is  supposed  the  1500  are  to  do 
also,  so  that  you  have  at  the  Meadows  according  to 
this  calculation,  113  days'  Flour,  and  56  salt  meat, 
deducting  the  daily  consumption.  Now,  to  accom- 
plish this,  I  allow  26  days ;  to  wit  :  to  the  Great 
Meadows  8,  to  unload  and  return  6  ;  then  I  allow  the 
army  1 2  days  more  to  prepare  and  arrive  in  ;  by 
which  I  apprehend  our  works  may  be  finished,  and 
the  whole  ready  to  proceed. 

Our  next  deposite  probably  will  be  at  Salt  Lick, 
about  35  miles  from  the  Meadows.      To  this  place  I 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  71 

conceive  it  necessary  to  send  2500  men  to  construct 
some  post ;  taking  6  days'  provisions  only,  which  are 
sufficient  to  serve  them  till  the  convoy  comes  up  ; 
against  which  time  I  suppose  an  Intrenched  camp,  or 
some  other  kind  of  defensible  work,  may  be  effected. 
And  from  hence  I  conceive  it  highly  expedient  to 
detach  3000  or  4000  of  the  best  troops  to  invest  the 
place,  and  prevent  if  possible  an  ingagement  in  the 
woods,  which  of  all  things  ought  to  be  avoided.  The 
Artiller}'  and  stores  may  be  up  from  Salt  Lick  in  four 
days,  and  from  that  time  I  will  allow  18  days  more 
for  the  carr}'ing  horses  to  perform  a  trip  to  Rays 
Town  for  provisions  ;  passing  along  the  old  path  by 
Loyal  hanny.  In  this  time  they  may  do  it;  as  the 
horses  will  go  down  light ;  but  what  quantity  of  pro- 
visions they  can  bring  up,  I  cannot  say,  that  depend- 
ing upon  the  number  of  horses  fitted  out  with  sad- 
dles, &c. 

From  this  state  of  the  matter  (which  is  really  a 
candid  one)  and  from  my  calculations,  in  which  large 
allowances  are  made  for  the  quantity  of  provisions,  as 
well  as  for  the  time  of  transporting  them  ;  it  appears, 
that  from  the  time  the  front  division  beofins  its  march 
from  hence,  till  the  whole  army  gets  before  Fort 
Duquesne,  is  34  days,  at  which  time  there  will  be  87 
days'  provisions  on  hand,  allowing  for  the  consumption 
on  the  march  ;  and  that  18  days  added  to  this  make 
52  in  all ;  which  is  required  for  our  operations,  and 
these  ought  to  be  finished  if  possible  by  the  middle 
of  October. 

I   have  offered   nothing,  but  what  to  me  appears 


72  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

beyond  a  probability.  I  have  nothing  to  fear  but  for 
the  general  service,  and  no  hopes  but  the  advantages 
it  will  derive  from  the  success  of  our  operations  ; 
therefore  cannot  be  supposed  to  have  any  private  in- 
terest or  sinister  views,  by  any  freedom  my  regard 
for  the  benefit  of  the  service  on  this  occasion  has  in- 
duced me  to  use.     I  am,  &c. 


TO    MAJOR    FRANCIS    HALKET,    BRIGADE    MAJOR. 

Camp  at  Fort  Cumberland,  2  August,  1758. 

My  dear  Halket, 

I  am  just  returned  from  a  conference  held  with 
Colonel  Bouquet.  I  find  him  fixed,  I  think  I  may 
say  unalterably  fixed,  to  lead  you  a  new  way  to  the 
Ohio,  thro  a  road,  every  inch  of  which  is  to  be  cut 
at  this  advanced  season,  when  we  have  scarce  time 
left  to  tread  the  beaten  track,  universally  confessed 
to  be  the  best  passage  through  the  mountains. 

If  Colonel  Bouquet  succeeds  in  this  point  with  the 
General,  all  is  lost, — all  is  lost  indeed  !  Our  enter- 
prise will  be  ruined,  and  we  shall  be  stopped  at  the 
Laurel  Hill  this  winter;  but  not  to  gather /(^z/r^/>$-, 
(except  of  the  kind  that  covers  the  mountains.)  The 
southern  Indians  will  turn  against  us,  and  these  colo- 
nies will  be  desolated  by  such  an  acquisition  to  the 
enemy's  strength.  These  must  be  the  consequences 
of  a  miscarriage ;  and  a  miscarriage  the  (almost) 
necessary  consequence  of  an  attempt  to  march  the 
army  by  this  new  route.  I  have  given  my  reasons  at 
large  to  Colonel  Bouquet.      He  desired  that  I  should 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  73 


do  so,  that  he  might  forward  them  to  the  General. 
Should  this  happen,  you  will  be  able  to  judge  of  their 
weight. 

I  am  uninfluenced  by  prejudice,  having  no  hopes 
or  fears  but  for  the  general  good.  Of  this  you  may 
be  assured,  and  that  my  sincere  sentiments  are  spoke 
on  this  occasion.  I  am,  dear  Halket,  most  affection- 
ately yours. 

TO    GOVERNOR    FAUQUIER. 

Fort  Cumberland  Camp,  the  5th  August,  1758. 

HoNBLE.  Sir, 

Your  favor  of  the  20th  ultimo  I  was  honored  with 
the  day  before  yesterday.  I  am  sorry  to  find  that  Mr. 
Smith  has  not  sent  you  a  return  of  the  arms,  nor  Mr. 
Ramsay  a  return  of  the  Provisions.  I  will  write  to 
both  those  eentlemen  to  know  the  reason.  Enclosed 
is  a  Return  of  the  first  Regiment. 

I  have  delayed  till  now,  purposely  since  my  last  of 
the  loth  ultimo,  to  give  your  Honor  any  account  of 
our  movements,  hoping  to  be  furnished  with  some- 
thing agreeable.  Being  disappointed  in  this,  I  am 
sorry  to  inform  you  that  we  are  still  encamped  here, 
and  have  little  prospect  of  de-camping,  unless  a  fatal 
resolution  takes  place,  of  opening  a  new  road  from 
Rays  Town  to  Fort  du  Quesne.  In  this  event,  I  have 
no  doubt  that  the  Virginia  troops  will  be  honored 
with  a  full  share  of  the  labor  as  they  have  already 
been,  in  opening  a  communication  from  hence  to 
Rays  Town,  and  doing  the  principal  part  of  the  work 
at  that  place. 


74  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

I  am  just  returned  from  a  conference  held  with 
Colo.  Bouquet  on  this  occasion,  the  General  lying 
indisposed  at  Carlyle.  In  this  conference  I  urged  in 
the  most  forcible  terms  I  was  master  of,  the  advanced 
season  as  an  argument  ag-ainst  new  discoveries.  I 
pressed  also  the  difficulties  attending  the  cutting  a 
road  over  these  mountains, — known  to  me  from 
experience  ;  the  length  of  time  it  must  require  to  do 
it ;  the  little  time  left  for  that  Service  ;  the  moral 
certainty  of  its  obstructing  our  march,  beyond  what 
the  advanced  Season  will  admit — and  the  probable 
miscarriage  of  the  Expedition  from  that  cause,  and 
lastly  I  endeavored  to  represent  the  distressed  condi- 
tion the  Colonies  would  be  reduced  to  consequent 
thereon.  In  fine  I  said  every  thing  which  the 
importance  of  the  subject  suggested  to  me,  to  avert 
a  measure  that  seemed  to  forebode  the  manifest  ruin 
of  the  Expedition. 

This  is  the  light  in  which  it  presents  itself  to  my 
mind.  I  pray  Heaven  my  fears  may  not  be  realized  ! 
But  the  thoughts  of  opening  a  Road  100  miles,  over 
mountains  almost  inaccessible,  at  this  advanced 
Season,  when  there  is  already  a  good  road  made, — A 
road  universally  confessed  to  be  the  best  that  either 
is  or  can  be  found  anywhere  thro'  these  mountains, 
prognosticates  something  not  quite  favorable. 

I  have  now  drawn  up  a  representation  of  real  Facts 
to  be  presented  to  the  General  ;  in  which  I  think  the 
advantages  of  going  the  old  road,  and  moral  certainty 
of  failing  in  the  new  are  so  clearly  demonstrated  that 
they  must  strike  every  unbiassed  mind. 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  75 

The  Small-pox  getting  among  the  Troops,  is 
another  unpromising  circumstance.  An  officer  and 
two  men  of  my  regiment  are  now  confined  with  it  at 
Rays  Town. 

From  this  short  narrative  of  our  affairs  your  Honor 
may  draw  conclusions.  You  may  depend  the  state- 
ment is  true  ;  free  from  exaggerations  and  flowing 
from  a  mind  deeply  affected  at  the  prospect  before  us. 
I  hope,  as  I  once  before  said,  that  I  see  matters  in 
too  strong  a  point  of  view,  and,  that  my  apprehen- 
sions for  the  consequences  of  opening  a  new  road, 
are  groundless.      I  am,  &c. 

P.  S.  I  was  this  moment  presented  with  a  letter 
from  Colo.  Bouquet  telling  me,  that  the  General  had 
directed  the  other  road  to  be  opened.  I  expect 
therefore  to  be  ordered  that  way  immediately. 

Orders  are  not  yet  arrived. 


TO    COLONEL    BOUQUET. 

Camp  at  Fort  Cumberland,  6th  August,  1758. 

Dear  Sir, 

The  General's  orders, — or  the  order  of  any  Supe- 
rior Officer  will,  when  once  given,  be  a  law  to  me. 
I  shall  never  hesitate  in  obeying  them  ;  but,  till  this 
order  came  out,  I  thought  it  incumbent  upon  me  to 
say  what  I  could  to  divert  you  (the  Commanding 
Officer  present)  from  a  resolution  of  opening  a  new 
road,  of  which  I  had  the  most  unfavorable  reports, 
and  believe  from  the  hight  of  the  hills, — the  steep- 
ness of  them,  the  unevenness  of  the  ground  in  gen- 


76  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

eral, — and  what  above  all  principally  weighed  with 
me  the  shortness  of  the  Season,  that  it  was  impossible 
to  open  a  road  in  time  to  answer  our  purpose.  I  am 
still  in  this  opinion,  partly  from  my  own  observations 
of  the  country,  and  partly  from  the  information  of  as 
good  judges  as  any  that  will  be  employed.'  My  duty 
therefore  to  his  Majesty,  and  the  Colony  whose  troops 
I  have  the  honor  to  command,  obliged  me  to  declare 
my  sentiments  upon  the  occasion  with  that  candor  and 
freedom  of  which  you  are  witness.  If  I  am  deceived 
in  my  opinion,  I  shall  acknowledge  my  error  as  be- 
comes a  gentleman  led  astray  from  judgment,  and 
not  by  prejudice,  in  opposing  a  measure  so  conducive 
to  the  public  Weal  as  you  seem  to  have  conceived 
this  to  be.  If  I  unfortunately  am  right,  my  conduct 
will  acquit  me  of  having  discharged  my  duty  on  this 
important  occasion  ;  on  the  good  success  of  which, 
our  all,  in  a  manner  depends.^ 

'  "  The  road  up  the  Allegheny  Mountains  so  far  as  cleared  (by  information), 
is  steep,  stony,  and  of  very  difficult  access,  even  alpine  difficulties  attend  the 
lightest  carriages.  How  the  artillery,  &c.,  vv'ill  be  got  up  this  and  Laurel  Hill, 
must  be  left  to  better  judges  and  time  to  determine." —  Wm.  Ramsay  to  Wash- 
ington, 17  August,  1758. 

^  "  They  flatter  themselves  with  getting  a  better  [road]  than  General  Brad- 
dock's.  They  may  do  so,  and  I  shall  believe  it  when  I  am  an  eye-witness 
thereof — not  before." — Washington  to  Walker,  ii  August,  1758.  "I  offer 
you  my  sincere  congratulations  upon  the  discovery  of  ■x  good  road,  which  I  hear 
you  have  made." — Washhigton  to  St.  Clair,  13  August,  1758. 

The  question  of  the  road  by  which  the  troops  were  to  reach  the  Ohio  occa- 
sioned great  uneasiness  in  Washington,  and  gave  rise  to  a  belief  on  his  part  that 
Lord  Loudoun  had  been  unduly  influenced  by  Pennsylvania  in  his  decision.  In 
March,  1757,  the  General  had  called  for  a  descrijUion  of  the  frontiers,  and 
Pennsylvania  promptly  replied,  showing  that  through  the  county  of  Cumberland 
was  "  a  great  and  good  wagon  road  thro'  tliis  Province  to  Virginia  and  Carolina, 
on  wliich  are  Harris'  Ferry,  the  towns  and  forts  of  Carlisle  and  Siiippcnslvurg, 
the  Magazine  at  McDowell's  Mill,  and  Forts  Loudoun  and  Lyttlelon  ;  to  this 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  77 

I  have  repaired  the  road  over  the  mountain  at  this 
place  as  Sir  J  no.  St.  Clair  desired.  I  had  also  sent 
the  2nd  company  of  artificers  to  make  bridges  on  the 
Rays    Town    road,  according  to   your  orders  trans- 


fine  valley  there  is  an  easy  access  from  the  Ohio  by  several  good  passes  in  the 
mountains."  Through  one  of  these  passes  ran  a  path  through  Rays  Town,  65 
miles  from  Shippensburgh,  and  through  another,  a  path  leading  to  Franks 
Town  situated  about  30  miles  north  of  Rays  Town,  and  affording  a  bad  pas- 
sage by  reason  of  swamps  and  broken  hills.  "A  new  road  was  opened  and 
cleared  thro'  Rays  Town  over  the  Allegheny  Hills,  for  the  use  of  General 
Braddock,  and  is  now  a  good  one," — Penn.  Col.  Records,  vii.,  445.  In  June 
Sir  John  St.  Clair  asserted  the  necessity  of  opening  one  or  more  roads  on  the 
frontiers  of  Cumberland  County,  and  it  was  doubtless  to  his  efforts  that  an 
attempt  to  cut  a  new  road  was  determined  upon.  This  new  route  instead  of 
passing  through  Carlisle  was  to  be  directed  through  York  To^vn,  Fort  Frederick 
and  Fort  Cumberland,  making  the  distance  from  Lancaster  to  Fort  Du  Quesne 
about  245  miles,  or  no  longer  than  the  existing  road,  but  easier  to  get  over,  and 
allowing  some  use  of  the  Potomac  for  transport  of  goods.  Not  only  would  the 
passage  of  the  troops  carry  advantage  to  the  colony  through  which  it  was  made, 
but  the  rich  lands  of  the  Ohio  would  attract  settlers  and  it  was  the  wish  of  Vir- 
ginia to  possess  the  main  road  to  that  region.  This  was  one  of  the  reasons  for 
Washington's  insistance  and  he  was  certain  of  a  support  from  the  colony.  "  The 
Virginians  are  making  great  interest  that  our  Rout  may  be  by  Fort  Cumberland, 
but  I  hope  they  will  not  succeed." — James  Young  to  R.  Peters,  23  July,  1758. 
"  The  Virginians  are  much  chagrined  at  the  opening  of  the  road  through  this 
government,  and  Colonel  Washington  has  been  a  good  deal  sanguine  and  obsti- 
nate upon  the  occasion." — Armstrong  to  Peters.  3  October,  175S. 

Such  was  his  insistance  that  General  Forbes  took  offense,  and  in  writing  to 
Bouquet  advised  him  to  consult  with  Washington,  "  though  perhaps  not  follow 
his  advice,  as  his  behaviour  about  the  roads  was  no  ways  like  a  soldier."  Gen- 
eral Forbes  had  good  reason  for  delay,  as  the  Indian  allies  of  the  French  were 
in  council  with  the  English  colonies,  and  should  they  be  weened  from  their 
hostility  a  serious  blow  would  be  given  to  French  influence  and  French  power 
in  that  quarter,  a  success  far  greater  than  mere  force  of  arms  could  attain.  It 
was  Bouquet's  opinion  after  the  fall  of  Du  Quesne  that  had  the  Braddock  road 
been  taken  at  first,  as  Washington  wished,  the  expedition  would  have  been 
doomed. — Bouquet  to  Allen,  25  November,  175S.  As  it  was,  the  treaty  of 
Easton  deprived  the  French  of  their  main  strength,  and  when  it  was  perceived 
that  the  season  was  too  advanced  to  complete  the  new  road,  the  troops  employed 
upon  it  were  recalled,  and  an  advance  ordered  by  way  of  Turkey  Creek,  with 
ultimate  success. — Parkman,  Montcalm  and  Wolfe,  ii.,  133  et  seq. 


78  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

mitted  by  Colo.  Stephen  to  me. — 'Twas  yesterday 
before  I  could  get  them  in,  and  to-day  they  march. 

Nineteen  waggons  came  here  yesterday  loaded 
with  Ball  (musket  Ball),  from  Fort  Frederick  ;  18  more 
left  their  loads  at  the  Old  Town,  and  are  gone  back. 
— The  first  19  wagons  and  an  escort  are  gone  to 
bring  up  their  load,  and  will  be  here  to-day.  I  can't 
send  you  a  return  of  the  contents  having  received 
none. 

The  waggoners  are  constantly  applying  for  grain. 
I  should  be  glad  if  you  would  direct  how  I  am  to  act 
in  this  case. 

Inclosed  is  a  return  of  provisions  wanting  to  serve 
us  till  our  next  convoy  arrives  from  Winchester. 
We  have  not  above  5  days  flour  upon  hand.  I  shall 
therefore  send  the  waggons  to  Rays  Town  to-morrow 
for  this  article,  &c.,  after  they  return  from  the  old 
Town. 

Twelve  Tents  was  the  number  I  returned  for,  and 
they  ftre  arrived  safe. 

If  you  approve  of  it,  I  would  send  50  men  the 
length  of  the  great  ring  to  way  lay  the  road  there- 
abouts ;  I  think  it  the  most  eligible  method  of  get- 
ting a  prisoner  for  intelligence.  The  enemy  are 
watchful  when  they  are  near  our  garrisons,  and  it  is 
too  far  and  unsafe  to  bring  one  from  their  own.' 

•  "  I  was  this  instant  favored  witli  yours  per  express.  I  am  not  surprised  to 
hear  tlie  enemy  are  about,  i)ut  have  really  been  astonished  at  the  calm  that  has 
prevailed  so  long.  I  shall  this  moment  send  out  a  party  to  waylay  the  road.  I 
anticipated  this  order  by  re(juesting  leave  to  do  it  in  a  letter  I  wrote  to  you  yes- 
terday."—  Washivi^'ton  to  Bouquet,  7  August,  1758. 

"  I  could  wish  most  sincerely  that  our  accounts  from  the  northward  were 
clearer,  and  more  favorable  than  they  appear  to  be.     If  you  have  any  intcUi- 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  79 

TO    COLONEL    BOUQUET. 

Camp  at  Fort  Cumberland,  iSthAugt.,  1758. 

Dear  Sir, 

I  am  favored  with  yours  of  yesterday,  intimating 
the  probability  of  my  proceeding  with  a  body  of 
troops  on  General  Braddock's  road,  and  desiring  my 
retaining  for  that  purpose,  a  month's  provisions  at 
this  place,  a  thing  which  I  should  be  extreme  fond 
of,  but  as  I  cannot  possibly  know  what  quantity  of 
provisions  may  be  necessary  for  that  time,  without 
knowing  the  number  of  men  I  may  probably  march 
with,  and  when  it  is  likely  we  may  leave  this,  I  hope 
you  will  be  pleased  to  give  me  the  necessary  informa- 
tion on  this  head.  As  also  how  this  place  is  to  be 
garrisoned,  and  what  provisions  and  stores  should  be 
left. 

I  have  talked  a  good  deal  with  Kelly  upon  the 
nature  of  the  intervening  ground,  from  the  new  road 
to  Braddock's,  and  from  what  he  says  I  apprehend 
it  impracticable  to  effect  a  junction  with  the  troops 
on  the  new  Road  till  we  advance  near  the  Salt  Lick, 
which  is  no  great  distance  from  Fort  Duquesne. 
And  how  far  it  may  be  advisable  to  send  a  small 
body  of  troops  so  near  the  enemy  at  so  great  a  dis- 
tance from  the  army  without  any  kind  of  tools  (which 
is  certainly  our  case)  for  repairing  the  roads,  or 
throwing  up  any  kind  of  defence  in  case  of  need,  I 
shall  not  presume  to  say,  but  I  cannot  help  observ- 
ing, that  all  the  guides  and  Indians  are  to  be  drawn 

gence  from  Ticonderoga,  I  should  be  extreme  thankful  for  the  account.  We 
have  expected  hourly  to  hear  that  Louisburg  is  in  our  hands.  Pray  Heaven, 
we  may  not  be  disappointed  at  last." — Washington  to  Bouquet,  13  August,  1758. 


8o  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

from  hence,  and  that  the  greatest  part  of  my  regi- 
ment is  on  the  other  road  ;  so  that  I  have  but  few 
remaining  with  me  of  the  first  regiment,  and  8  com- 
panies of  the  second  only,  whose  officers  and  men 
can  be  supposed  to  know  Httle  of  the  Service,  and 
less  of  the  country,  and  near,  or  I  believe,  quite  a 
fifth  of  them  sick.  I  thought  it  incumbent  on  me  to 
mention  these  things,  that  you  might  know  our  con- 
dition ;  at  the  same  time  I  beg  leave  to  assure  you 
that  nothing  will  give  me  greater  pleasure  than  to 
proceed  with  any  number  of  men,  that  the  general 
or  yourself  may  think  proper  to  Order. — 

With  regard  to  keeping  out  a  succession  of  strong 
parties  on  this  road  from  the  troops  here,'  I  must  beg 
leave  to  observe,  that  we  have  not  so  much  as  one 
carrying  horse  to  take  provisions  out  upon,  being 
under  a  necessity  t'other  day  of  pressing  five  horses 
from  some  countrymen,  (that  came  to  Camp  on  busi- 
ness,) before  I  could  equip  Captn.  McKenzie's  party 
for  a  14  days  march. ""  That  we  have  not  an  oz. 
of  salt  provisions  of  any  kind  here,  and  that  it  is  impos- 
sible to  preserve  the  fresh,  (especially  as  we  have  no 

'  "As  it  is  higlily  necessary  to  keep  the  enemy  in  doubt  about  our  roads,  the 
General  desires  that  you  continue  sending  strong  parties  along,  with  orders  to 
reconnoitre  where  the  junction  of  the  two  roads  could  be  made.  I  hear  by 
Kelly,  who  is  gone  from  Loy :  II. —  to  the  Salt  Lick,  that  it  is  about  16  miles 
across  from  that  post  to  the  end  of  Chestnut  Ridge,  where  this  path  goes  ;  and 
the  woods  so  open  tliat  without  cutting,  carrying  horses  may  easily  go  through, 
ail  pretty  level." — Bouquet  to  Washington,  17  August,  1758. 

'  "  I  detached  Captain  McKenzie  with  four  officers  and  75  rank  and  file  to 
way  lay  the  road  at  the  Great  Crossing.  From  him  a  sergeant  and  four  active 
woodsmen  are  to  proceed  to  Fort  l)u(juesnc,  so  that  I  am  in  great  ho])es  we 
shall  be  able  to  get  some  intelligence  of  tiie  sUengtIi  of  the  enemy  at  that 
j)lace." — Washington  to  Bouquet,  13  August,  175S. 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


salt  neither)  by  any  other  means  than  Barbacuring  it 
in  the  Indian  manner ;  in  doing  which  it  loses  near  a 
half  ;  so  that  a  party  who  receives  lo  days  provisions 
will  be  obliged  to  live  on  little  better  than  5  days' 
allowance  of  meat,  kind — a  thing  impracticable.  A 
great  many  of  Colo.  Byrd's  men  are,  as  I  before 
remarkd,  very  sickly,  the  rest  became  low  spirited 
and  dejected.  Of  course  the  greatest  share  of  that 
service  must  fall  upon  the  4  companies  of  the  first 
regiment.  This  sickness  and  depression  of  spirits, 
cannot  arise  I  conceive  from  the  situation  of  our 
Camp,  which  is,  undoubtedly  the  most  healthy  and 
best  aired  in  this  vicinity,  but  is  caused,  I  apprehend, 
by  the  change  in  their  way  of  living,  (most  of  them 
till  now  having  lived  in  ease  and  affluence,)  and  by 
the  limestone  water  and  air.  The  soldrs.  of  the  first 
would  be  sickly,  like  those  of  the  2d  Regiment,  was 
it  not  owing  to  some  such  causes  as  these. 

Captn.  McKenzie's  party  is  not  yet  returned.  I 
will  advertise  you  of  his  discoveries,  if  any  are  made 
by  him.' 

'  "  This  afternoon  the  party  commanded  by  Capt.  McKenzie  returned  with- 
out being  able  to  discover  any  thing  of  the  Enemy's  motions.  They  waylaid 
the  road  for  several  days  near  the  great  Crossings,  and  intended  to  have 
advanced  quite  to  that  post,  had  not  their  provisions  entirely  spoiled,  notwith- 
standing every  method  and  the  utmost  pains  for  its  preservation  was  taken. 
Some  of  their  advanced  sentries  had  nearly  killed  a  small  party  of  3  Cherokee 
Indians,  returning  from  war.  This  small  party  went  from  hence  upwards  of  six 
weeks  ago,  and  this  is  the  fourth  day  since  they  left  Fort  Duquesne,  the 
environs  of  which  they  long  watched.  At  length  was  obliged  to  cross  the  Ohio, 
where  they  killed  two  squaws,  whose  scalps  they  brought  in  here.  They 
say  there  are  a  good  many  women  and  children  on  that  side  the  river,  but  very 
few  men,  either  French  or  Indians,  at  the  Fort.  Captn.  McKenzie  says  there 
is  no  sign  of  the  Enemy,  having  been  lately  on  General  Braddock's  road  so  far  as 
he  proceeded  on  it.     Sergeant  Scott  and  four  privates  of  his  party  went  on  to 


82  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

We  have  reasons  to  believe  that  parties  of  the 
enemy  are  about  us  likewise.  Yesterday  afternoon  a 
waggoner  had  his  horse  shot  under  him  about  three 
miles  from  hence. 

The  convoy  from  Winchester  has  been  detained 
much  longer  than  was  expected.  Mr.  Walker  desired 
a  party  to  reinforce  the  escort  at  Pearsalls  (30  miles 
distant),  the  15th  Inst.,  which  was  accordingly  sent  ; 
but  I  have  since  been  informed  that  the  waggons  did 
not  leave  Winchester  till  a  few  days  ago. 

We  have  no  Indian  goods  of  any  kind  here.  It 
gives  me  great  pleasure  to  hear  that  the  General 
is  getting  better  and  expected  soon  at  Rays  Town.' 

1  am,  &c. 

TO    COLONEL    BOUQUET. 

Camp  at  Fort  Cumberland,  2rst  August,  1758. 

Dear  Sir, 

Thirty^  Cuttawba's  came  here  this  Evening  and 
the  Convoy  may  be  expected  on  Wednesday,  as  it 
was  at  Pearsalls  last  night.^ 

Fort  Duquesne.  So  soon  as  they  return  will  transmit  you  any  intelligence  they 
may  procure." — Washington  to  Bouquet,  19  August,  1758. 

"  Sergeant  Scot  (mentioned  in  a  late  letter)  this  day  returned. — He  when 
within  2  miles  of  Fort  Duquesne  came  upon  a  few  fresh  trails  making  inwards 
which  he  followed,  apprehending  that  they  were  just  at  hand,  till  his  provisions 
were  expended,  and  was  thereby  obligd  to  return  without  making  any  discov- 
eries worth  mentioning." — Washington  to  Bouquet,  24  August,  1758. 

'  "  I  went  Saturday  to  the  top  of  the  Alleglieny  Hill,  where  I  had  the  satis- 
faction to  see  a  very  good  road  ;  20  loaded  wagons  went  up  without  doubling 
their  teams,  and  proceeded  as  far  as  Edmund's  Swamp." — Bouquet  to  Wash- 
ington, 21  August,  1758. 

''■  Twenty  five  according  to  the  Letter-Book. 

'  "  When  the  Convoy  got  within  6  miles  of  this  place  3  Cuttawba  men  and 

2  squaws  contrary  to  the  advice  of  the  Officers  set  on  before  the  Convoy  for 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTOX.  83 


Governor  Sharpe  I  am  told  will  be  here  In  a  day  or 
two — I  am  at  a  loss  to  know  how  he  ranks,  and 
whether  he  is  entitled  to  the  command — In  the  Army 
he  ranks  as  Lieut.  Colonel  only — but  what  his  preten- 
tions as  Governor  in  his  own  Province  are,  I  really 
don't  know,  or  whether  he  has  any  or  not.  I  should 
therefore  be  glad  of  your  advice,  being  unwilling 
either  to  dispute  the  point  wrongfully,  or  to  give  up 
the  command  to  him  if  it  is  my  right,  neither  of  which 
I  would  do  knowingly.  At  all  events  I  shall  keep  it 
till  I  hear  from  you.'     I  am,  &c. 


TO    COLONEL    BOUQUET. 

Camp  at  Fort  Cumberland,  2Sth  Augt.,  1758. 

Dear  Sir, 

Your  favor  by  Mr.  Hoops  has  in  some  measure 
revivd  a  hope  that  was  almost  extinguishd,  of  doing 
something  this  Campaign.    We  must  doubtless  expect 

their  Garrison  and  soon  after  were  fired  upon  by  lo  or  12  of  the  Enemy  who 
killed  Captn.  Bullen  and  Captn.  French  and  wounded  one  of  the  Squaws. 
The  loss  we  sustain  by  the  death  of  these  two  Indian  Warriors  is  at  this  junc- 
ture very  considerable  as  they  were  very  remarkable  for  their  bravery,  and 
attachment  to  our  interests — particularly  poor  Bullen,  whom  (and  the  other)  we 
buried  with  Military-  Honors.  The  rest  of  the  Cuttawbas,  and  what  Nottaway's 
and  Tuscaroras  that  are  here  sets  out  to-morrow  with  the  waggons  for  Rays- 
Town. 

"As  we  had  intelligence  of  several  parties  of  the  Enemy  being  about  I  detachd 
parties  in  different  ways  in  hopes  of  coming  up,  or  cutting  of  the  retreat  of  some 
of  them  but  without  any  effect — At  same  time  I  reinforced  the  Convoy  with 
50  men." — Washington  to  Bouquet,  24  August,  1758. 

'  "  The  Governors  in  America  have  no  command  of  the  troops  even  of  their 
own  Province  as  soon  as  they  are  joined  with  any  other  of  his  Majesty's  forces, 
unless  they  have  a  commission  from  the  Commander-in-chief  for  that  purpose. 
I  have  commanded  the  forces  at  Philadelphia  and  at  Charles  Town,  tho'  the  Gov- 
ernor was  Captain  General  in  his  Pro\-ince,  and  was  entirely  independent  from 


84  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

to  encounter  many  difficulties  in  opening  a  new  road 
thro'  bad  grounds  in  a  woody  country  of  which  the 
enemy  are  possest,  but  since  you  hope  our  point  may 
be  carried  I  would  feign  expect  the  surmounting  these 
obstacles. 

'Tis  a  melancholy  reflection  tho'  to  find  there  is 
even  a  doubt  of  success,  when  so  much  is  depending, 
and  when  in  all  Human  probability  we  might  have 
been  in  full  possession  of  the  Ohio  by  now,  if  rather 
than  running  ourselves  into  difficulties  and  expence 
of  cutting  an  entire  new  road  the  distance  we  have, 
first  and  last  Braddock's  had  been  adopted. 

Every  one  knows  what  could  have  been  done  [on] 
the  old  road — few  can  guess  what  will  be  [done  on] 
the  new,  their  being  not  only  the  difficulties  of  the 
Road  to  encounter,  but  the  chance  of  a  French  rein- 
forcement also,  but  it  is  useless  to  add  on  this  head. 
I  should  rather  apologise  for  what  I  have  said. 

All  the  waggons  at  this  place  fit  for  service,  come 
to  you  under  the  escort  ordered  for  Mr.  Hoops. 

Any  Troops  not  of  Virginia,  shall  be  forwarded  to 
you  according  to  Order — and  I  could  wish  most  sin- 
cerely that  our  route  was  fixed  that  we  might  be  in 
motion  ;  for  we  are  all  of  us  most  heartily  tired,  and 
sick  of  inactivity.  Colo.  Byrd  in  particular  is  really 
ill. 

Frazer  having  left  this  with  the  Convoy  must 
be    with    with  you    e'er    now.      I    am    very    glad  to 

them.  Governor  Sharpe  will  not  expect  to  have  the  command  as  governor  ; 
and  as  Lieut.  Col.  he  cannot,  and  would  not,  I  suppose,  choose  to  serve  in  that 
rank.  Therefore,  you  are  very  right  in  keeping  it." — Bouquet  to  Washington, 
23  August,  1758. 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  85 


hear  that  your  artillery  pass  the  Alligany  with  so 
much  ease. 

A  letter  which  Colo.  Byrd  reed,  from  the  Genl.  of 
the  19th  Inst  :  gives  room  to  imagine  that  the  desti- 
nation of  the  Virginia  troops  will  be  fixed  upon  so 
soon  as  he  arrives  at  Rays  Town,  as  he  there 
expresses  a  desire  of  [seeing]  Colo.  Byrd  and  I 
there  immediately. 

Mr.  Walker  was  a  long  time  as  he  enformed  me, 
under  doubtful  Orders  in  regard  to  his  purchase  of 
cattle,  so  that  he  was  obligd  at  last  to  pick  up  what 
he  coud  get  at  a  short  warning  ;  which  is  I  believe, 
the  real  reason  of  the  cattle  not  having  [been]  so 
good  as  they  other  wise  might  be.'     I  am,  etc. 


TO    JOHN    ROBINSON. 
Camp  at  Fort  Cumberland,  i  September,  1758. 

My  Dear  Sir, 

We  are  still  encamped  here,  very  sickly,  and  quite 
dispirited  at  the  prospect  before  us.'' 

That  appearance  of  glory,  which  we  had  once  in 
view,  that  hope,  that  laudable  ambition  of  serving 
our  country,  and  meriting  its  applause,  are  now  no 
more ;  but  dwindled  into  ease,  sloth,  and  fatal 
inactivity.  In  a  word,  all  is  lost,  if  the  ways  of  men 
in  power,  like  (certain)  ways  of  Providence,  are  not 
inscrutable.  But  why  may  not  ?  For  we,  who  view 
the  actions  of  great  men  at  a  distance,  can  only  form 

^  This  last  paragraph  is  not  found  in  the  Letter-Book. 

■  On  the  next  day  he  received  orders  to  march  by  Braddock's  road,  and  take 
position  at  Salt  Lick. 


86  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

conjectures  agreeably  to  a  limited  perception  ;  and, 
being  ignorant  of  the  comprehensive  schemes,  which 
may  be  in  contemplation,  might  mistake  egregiously 
in  judging  of  things  from  appearances,  or  by  the 
lump.  Yet  every  fool  will  have  his  notions, — will 
prattle  and  talk  away  ;  and  why  may  not  I  ?  We 
seem  then,  in  my  opinion,  to  act  under  an  evil  genii. 
The  conduct  of  our  leaders,  (if  not  actuated  by 
superior  orders,)  is  tempered  with  something  I  do 
not  care  to  give  a  name  to.  But  I  will  say  they  are 
'  or  something  worse  to  P — j — v — n^  artifice,  to 
whose  selfish  views  I  ascribe  the  miscarriage  of  this 
expedition  ;  for  nothing  now  but  a  miracle  can  bring 
this  campaign  to  a  happy  issue. 

In  my  last,  (if  I  remember  rightly,)  I  told  you,  that 
I  had  employed  my  small  abilities  in  opposing  the 
measures  then  concerting.  To  do  this,  I  not  only 
represented  the  advanced  season,  the  difficulty  of 
cutting  a  new  road  over  these  mountains,  the  little 
time  left  for  that  service,  the  moral  certainty  of  its 
obstructing  our  march,  and  the  miscarriage  of  the 
expedition  consequent  thereupon.  But  I  endeavored 
to  represent,  also,  the  great  struggle  Virginia  had 
made  this  year  in  raising  a  second  regiment  upon  so 
short  a  notice,  and  the  great  expense  of  doing  it,  and 
her  inability  for  a  future  exertion  in  case  of  need.  I 
spoke  my  fears  concerning  the  southern  Indians,  in 
the  event  of  a  miscarriage,  and  in  fine  I  spoke  all 
unavailingly,  for  the  road  was  immediately  begun, 
and  since  then  from  one  to  two  thousand  men  have 


Blank  in  MS.  ■'  I'robaljly  Pcnnsyh'attian. 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHIXGTON.  87 

constantly  wrought  on  it.  By  the  last  accounts  I 
have  received,  they  had  cut  it  to  the  foot  of  Laurel 
Hill  (about  thirty-five  miles)  ;  and  I  suppose  by  now 
fifteen  hundred  men  have  taken  post  at  a  place  called 
Loyal  Hanna,  about  ten  miles  further,  where  our 
next  fort  is  intended  to  be  constructed. 

We  have  certain  intelligence,  that  the  French 
strength  at  Fort  Duquesne,  on  the  13th  ultimo, 
did  not  exceed  eight  hundred  men,  Indians  included, 
of  whom  there  appeared  to  be  three  or  four  hundred. 
This  account  is  corroborated  on  all  hands — two  offi- 
cers of  the  first  Viro-inia  reg'iment,  vizt.  Chew  and 
Allen,  having  come  from  thence,  since  that  time 
(both  in  different  parties,  and  at  different  times,) 
after  lying  a  day  or  two  concealed  in  full  vie\v  of 
the  fort,  and  observing  the  motions  and  strength  of 
the  enemy.  See,  therefore,  how  our  time  has  been 
misspent.  Behold  how  the  golden  opportunity  is 
lost,  perhaps  never  more  to  be  regained  I  How  is 
it  to  be  accounted  for  ?  Can  General  Forbes  have 
orders  for  this  ?  Impossible.  Will,  then,  our  injured 
country  pass  by  such  abuses  ?  I  hope  not.  Rather 
let  a  full  representation  of  the  matter  go  to  his 
Majesty.  Let  him  know  how  grossly  his  glory  and 
interest,  and  the  public  money,  have  been  prosti- 
tuted. I  wish  I  were  sent  immediately  home,  as  an 
aid  to  some  other  on  this  errand.  I  think,  without 
vanity,  I  could  set  the  conduct  of  this  expedition  in 
its  true  colors,  having  taken  some  pains,  perhaps 
more  than  any  other  man,  to  dive  to  the  bottom 
of  it.      But  no  more. 


88  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

Adieu,  my  dear  Sir.  It  hath  long  been  the  luck- 
less fate  of  Virginia  to  fall  a  victim  to  the  views 
of  her  crafty  neighbors,  and  yield  her  honest  efforts 
to  promote  their  common  interests,  at  the  expense  of 
much  blood  and  treasure  !  whilst  openness  and  sin- 
cerity have  governed  her  measures.  We  now  can  only 
bewail  our  prospects,  and  wish  for  happier  times,  but 
these  seem  to  be  at  so  remote  a  distance  that  they  are 
indeed  rather  to  be  wished,  than  expected. 

Colonel  Byrd,  (who  is  really  unwell,)  joins  me  in 
compliments  to  you,  the  Attorney-General,  and  the 
rest  of  our  friends.' 


TO    GOVERNOR    FAUQUIER. 

Camp  F.  Cd.,  2d  Sept.,  1758. 

HoNBLE.  Sir, 

Your  favor  of  the  17th  ultimo  I  had  the  honor  to 
receive  the  30th  following.  If  you  are  surprized  to 
find  us  still  encamped  at  this  place,  I  shall  only 
remark,  that  your  surprize  can  not  well  exceed 
my  own. 

In  my  last  I  informed  your  Honor  that  a  resolu- 
tion was  taken  to  open  a  new  road  from  Rays  Town 
to  Fort  Duquesne— It  was  instantly  begun,  and  since 
that  time  from  one  to  two  thousand  men  have 
wrought  on  it  continually.  They  had,  by  the  last 
accounts  I  received,  cut  it  to  the  foot  of  Laurel-Hill 
about  35  miles,  and  I  suppose  by  this  time  have  taken 

'  General  Forbes  arrived  at  Raystown  on  the  15th,  and  Colonel  Washington 
was  called  to  that  place.  Fort  Cumberland  was  garrisoned  hy  Maryland  militia, 
under  the  command  of  Governor  Sharpe. 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  89 

posts  at  Loyal  Hanning  10  miles  farther,  where  I 
understand  another  fort  is  to  be  built,  in  which  to 
deposit  our  provisions. 

What  time  it  will  require  to  build  a  fort  at  Loyal 
Hanning,  and  after  that  is  accomplished,  what  further 
time  is  necessary  to  cut  the  road  thro'  very  rugged 
grounds  to  Fort  Duquesne  (grounds  of  which  the 
Enemy  are  actually  possessed  [of]  and  know  ever)^ 
advantageous  post  to  harass  and  dispute  with  us  in) 
— I  say  what  time  is  required  for  the  completion  of 
all  this,  I  must  leave  to  time,  that  faithful  expositor 
of  Events,  to  reveal,  not  caring  even  to  guess  at  it 
myself. 

The  first  division  of  the  artillery  has  passed  the 
Alleghany  hill,  and  I  suppose  may  by  now  be  got  up 
with  the  advanced  working  party.  The  second  divi- 
sion, I  believe  may  have  marched  by  this  ;  and  they 
talk  of  putting  all  the  troops  in  motion  immediately. 
We  have  not  in  our  stores  at  Rays  Town  two  months' 
provisions  for  the  army  ;  and  if  the  best  judges  are  to 
be  credited,  the  nipping  frosts  will  soon  destroy  the 
herbage  on  the  mountains  ;  and  then,  altho'  the  com- 
munication be  not  quite  stopped,  the  subsistence  for 
horses  is  rendered  very  difficult,  till  snows  and  frosts 
prevent  all  intercourse  with  the  Ohio  ;  and  these  set 
in  early  in  November.  The  road  from  Rays-town  to 
Carlyle,  whence  the  provisions  and  stores  chiefly 
come,  [is]  perhaps  worse  than  any  other  on  the  con- 
tinent, infinitely  worse  than  any  part  of  the  road 
from  hence  to  Fort  Duquesne,  along  Genl.  Brad- 
dock's  road,  and  hath  already  worn  out  the  greatest 


90  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

part  of  the  horses  that  have  been  employed  in  trans- 
porting the  provisions,  the  carriage  of  which  alone,  it 
is  said  (and  I  have  it  from  good  authority,)  stands 
the  Crown  upwards  of  40  /  every  hundred  weight. 

We  have  certain  advices  that  the  French  on  the 
13th  ult.  had  received  no  new  reinforcements  at  Fort 
Duquesne,  from  Canada,  and  that  their  total  strength 
at  that  garrison,  could  not  exceed  800  men,  Indians 
included. 

This  intelligence  is  brought  by  two  officers  of  the 
first  Virginia  Regiment,  vizt.  Chew  &  Allen — who 
at  different  times  and  in  different  Parties  since  the 
aforesaid  13th  have  been  to  Fort  Duquesne,  and 
there  lay  in  wait  in  view  of  the  fort,  observing  the 
works  and  strength  for  several  days.  Their  accounts 
exactly  agree  and  have  given  great  satisfaction  to  the 
commanding  officer  at  Rays  Town  (from  whence  they 
were  sent,)  being  corroborated  by  Indian  intelligence 
also,  a  party  of  Cherokee's  having  been  out  there,  and 
some  Delawares  just  come  in.  What  a  golden  op- 
portunity have  we  lost  !  but  this  is  past,  and  I  fear 
irretrievably  gone  !  A  party  of  our  Troops.  (75  in 
number)  is  now  40  miles  advanced,  way-laying  the 
road,  from  whom  I  hope  a  prisoner  if  the  enemy 
should  be  passing  or  re-passing.  I  sent  out  also  the 
day  before  yesterday,  a  Sergeant  and  5  men  to  Fort 
Duquesne  for  intelligence.  They  will  be  back  in 
fourteen  days.  I  can  give  your  Honor  no  satisfac- 
tory account  of  the  General.  He  lay  ill  at  Carlyle  a 
long  time  of  a  flux,  from  thence  (gathering  a  little 
strength,)  he  moved  to  Shippensburgh,  where  his  dis- 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  91 

order  returned,  and  where  I  am  told  he  now  is.  By 
a  letter  received  from  him  the  other  day,  he  hopes 
soon  to  be  at  Rays-town,  where  he  desires  to  see 
Colo.  Byrd  and  myself.  But  alas,  the  Expedition 
must  either  stand  or  fall  by  the  present  plan. 

In  the  conference  which  I  had  with  Colonel  Bou- 
quet, and  of  which  I  gave  your  Honor  an  account  in 
my  last,  I  did,  among  other  things,  to  avert  the 
resolve  of  opening  a  new  road,  represent  the  great 
expence  the  colony  of  Virginia  had  been  at  to  sup- 
port the  War ;  the  charge  of  raising  a  second  Regi- 
ment at  so  short  notice  ;  the  time  limited  for  the 
service  of  it ;  and  therefore  the  cruelty  of  risquing  the 
success  of  an  Expedition  upon  such  precarious  meas- 
ures, when  so  much  depends  on  it,  and  our  inability 
to  do  more.  I  then  expressed  my  apprehensions  of 
the  southern  Indians  in  case  of  a  miscarriage,  and  the 
increase  of  French  strength  by  new  alliances  ;  and 
after  this  I  demonstrated,  very  clearly  (or  endeavored 
so  to  do,)  the  time  it  would  take  us  to  proceed  on  the 
old  road  ;  and  at  how  m.uch  less  expence,  even  if  we 
were  obliged  to  get  all  our  provisions  and  stores  from 
Pennsylvania  (and  surely  there  is  no  occasion  for 
this). 

In  fine  I  urged  every  thing  then  that  I  now  can 
do  ;  and  repeated  it  by  letters,  copies  of  which  I  have 
now  to  shew  if  required — but  urged  in  vain  !  The 
Pennsylvanians,  whose  present  as  well  as  future  in- 
terest it  was  to  conduct  the  Expedition  thro'  their 
Government,  and  along  that  way,  because  it  secures 
at  present  their  frontiers  and  the  trade  hereafter — a 


92  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

chain  of  Forts  being  erected — had  prejudiced  the 
General  absolutely  against  this  road  ;  made  him  be- 
lieve we  were  the  partial  people  ;  and  determined 
him  at  all  events  to  pursue  that  rout.  So  that  their 
sentiments  are  already  known  on  this  matter  and  to 
them,  as  instigators,  may  be  attributed  the  great  mis- 
fortune of  this  miscarriage — for  I  think  now  nothing 
but  a  miracle  can  procure  success. 

The  contractor  has  orders  to  lay  in,  at  Loyal  Man- 
ning for  4,000  men  the  winter.  Whence  it  is  ima- 
gined, that  our  expedition  for  this  campaign  will  end 
there.  Should  we  serve  to  make  up  the  troops 
which  garrison  that  place,  our  frontiers  will  thereby 
not  only  be  exposed,  but  the  soldiers,  for  want  of 
clothing  and  proper  conveniences  must  absolutely 
perish,  few  of  them  having  a  whole  coat  to  their 
backs,  and  many  none  at  all.  This  is  a  matter  I 
have  fully  and  repeatedly  written  about  these  12 
month's  past  :  I  hope  it  will  now  merit  the  Assem- 
bly's notice. 

A  major  of  Brigade  is  an  officer  absolutely  neces- 
sary for  the  Virginia  troops  while  there  is  more  than 
one  regiment  : — The  General  has  repeatedly  urged 
this  matter  ;  and  Colo.  Byrd,  who  once  recommended 
another  gentleman,  who  is  now  found  to  be  too 
deeply  engaged  in  Indian  Affairs,  joins  me  in  pro- 
posing Captn.  Robert  Stewart  for  this  office,  a  gen- 
tleman, whose  assiduity  and  military  capacity  are 
second  to  none  in  our  Service.  We  beg  the  favor 
therefore,  of  a  commission  for  him,  and  that  your 
Honor  would  be  pleased  to   leave   the    date    ot    it. 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  93 

blank,  in  order  that  he  may  take  Rank,  before  some 
other  majors  of  Brigade,  to  which  his  longer  services 
entitle  him. 

The  First  Virginia  Regiment  have  August's  pay 
due  to  them,  and  no  money  in  the  Paymasters  hands 
— This  he  will  inform  your  Honor  more  particularly 
of,  as  desired. 

Captains  Bullen  and  French,  two  Cuttawba's  much 
esteemed  for  their  bravery  and  steady  attachment  to 
our  interest,  were  killed  about  10  days  ago,  on  their 
way  from  Winchester  to  this  camp  by  the  enemy  of 
which  we  got  very  early  notice  (it  happening  within 
3  miles,)  and  sent  out  several  parties  to  pursue  ; 
which  they  did  fruitlessly  ! 

I  have  written  to  Mr.  Gist ;  who  had  the  direction 
of  Indian  affairs,  to  make  out  such  a  return  as  your 
Honor  requires,  and  forward  it  to  you.  He  is  now 
at  Rays-town.  Enclosed  is  a  return  of  my  regiment. 
I  believe  it  is  exact,  but  as  six  of  the  companies  are 
upon  the  new  road  I  cannot  absolutely  say  what  alter- 
ations have  happened  therein  since  my  last  advices. 

Thus,  Sir,  I  have  given  your  Honor  a  full  and  im- 
partial account  of  the  present  posture  of  affairs  here  ; 
of  which  any  use  may  be  made  you  shall  think 
proper.  I  may  possibly  be  blamed  for  expressing  my 
sentiments  so  freely, — but  never  can  be  ashamed  of 
urging  the  truth  ;  and  none  but  obvious  facts  are 
stated  here.  The  General,  I  dare  say  from  his  good 
character,  can  account  fully,  and  no  doubt  satisfac- 
torily, for  these  delays,  that  surprize  all  who  judge 
from  appearances  only  ;  but  I  really  can  not. 


94  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

Colo.  Byrd,  being  very  unwell,  has  desired  me  to 
offer  his  compliments  to  your  Honor  [and]  an  excuse 
(which  is  sickness)  for  his  not  writing. 

P.  S.  Upon  second  thought,  I  have  transmitted 
copies  of  some  of  the  letters  which  I  wrote  to  Colo. 
Bouquet,  (who  commands  in  the  General's  absence,) 
upon  the  posture  of  our  affairs ;  particularly  my 
sentiments  of  the  new  road.  It  will  give  your  Honor 
some  trouble  to  peruse  them  ;  and  they  will  at  the 
same  time  shew,  that  nothing  in  my  power  has  been 
wanting  to  bring  this  Expedition,  to  a  speedy  (and  I 
hoped)  to  a  happy  conclusion.  As  I  well  foresaw 
that  every  delay  still  subjected  us  to  further  difficul- 
ties, and  the  chance  of  encountering  a  French  rein- 
forcement, which  very  clearly  appears  they  had  not 
received  in  the  middle  of  August,  long  before  which 
might  we  have  been  there,  had  the  old  Road  been 
timely  adopted.^ 

'  "  The  Assembly  met  the  12th  of  September,  and  from  the  long  delay  of  the 
march  of  the  forces,  and  the  partiality  they  imagined  shewn  to  Pennsylvania, 
were  not  in  a  very  good  humor  ;  and  not  thinking  any  attempt  would  be  made 
on  Fort  Duquesne  so  late  in  the  year,  they  passed  an  act  to  withdraw  the  first 
regiment  from  the  regulars  after  the  first  of  December,  and  station  them  upon 
the  frontiers  of  this  colony  for  the  protection  of  the  inhabitants.  But  upon 
some  letters  that  the  Governor  received  about  a  fortnight  after  that  Assembly 
broke  up,  assuring  him  that  an  attempt  would  be  made,  he  thought  it  proper  to 
call  the  Assembly  again,  and  they  accordingly  met  on  Thursday  last,  when  he 
laid  the  letters  before  them,  which  they  immediately  took  into  consideration, 
and  that  no  blame  might  l^e  laid  to  this  Colony,  for  the  failure  of  the  expedition 
which  they  imagined  some  people  would  be  glad  of  having  an  opportunity  of 
doing,  they  proceeded  with  a  despatch  never  Ijcfore  known,  and  in  three  days 
passed  an  act  to  emj)Ower  the  Governor  to  continue  the  forces  in  the  pay  of  this 
Colony  on  that  service  till  the  first  of  January,  if  the  expedition  was  not  over 
before  that  tinie." — Robinson  to  IVashim^ton,  13  Septem.,  1758.  Gov.  Fau- 
fjuier  hoped  that  "  the  ardor  this  Colony  has  sliewn  to  support  the  war  will 
continue  for  another  year,  the  flame  being  a  little  stifled  by  the  inactivity  of  this 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  95 

TO    MRS.   GEORGE    WILLIAM    FAIRFAX. 

Camp  at  Fort  Cumberland,  12th  September,  1758. 

Dear  Madam, 

Yesterday  I  was  honored  with  your  short  but  very 
agreeable  favor  of  the  first  inst.  How  joyfully  I 
catch  at  the  happy  occasion  of  renewing  a  corre- 
spondence which  I  feared  was  disrelished  on  your 
part,  I  leave  to  time,  that  never  failing  expositor 
of  all  things,  and  to  a  monitor  equally  faithful  in 
my  own  breast,  to  testify.  In  silence  I  now  express 
my  joy  ;  silence,  which  in  some  cases,  I  wish  the  pres- 
ent, speaks  more  intelligently  than  the  sweetest  elo- 
quence. 

If  you  allow  that  any  honor  can  be  derived  from 
my  opposition  to  our  present  system  of  management, 
you  destroy  the  merit  of  it  entirely  in  me  by  attribu- 

campaign." — To  Washington,  16  September,  1753.  The  Speaker's  letter  gives 
an  impression  that  he  was  describing  the  proceedings  of  two  assemblies,  but 
Ramsay  shows  it  was  the  same.  "  The  ist  Virginia  Regiment  had  like  to  have 
been  broke  by  a  vote  of  the  House,  but  the  old  and  judicious  carried  it  against 
the  young  members  by  a  majority  of  five.  However,  they  have  so  far  prevailed, 
that  unless  the  regiment  return  into  this  Colony  by  the  1st  of  December  next  and 
guard  our  frontiers,  they  are  to  be  no  longer  in  the  pay  of  this  Colony.  There 
is  to  be  no  Lieut.  Colo.,  Quarter  Master,  Adjutant  nor  Chaplain,  and  the 
yearly  allowance  for  your  table  is  voted  away." — Ramsay  to  Washington, 
17  October,  1758.  The  act  is  printed  in  Hening's  Statutes,  vii.,  p.  171. 
"Some  other  saving  schemes  were  obliged  to  be  complied  with,  for  fear  the 
whole  should  be  given  up.  By  a  letter  I  received  from  Col.  Byrd  I  find  the 
army  will  be  in  the  heat  of  action,  and  the  fate  of  Du  Quesne  depending  at 
that  time  [Decern,  i.]  I  have  therefore  summoned  an  Assembly  to  meet  on 
Thursday  the  tenth  inst.  in  order  to  prolong  the  time  for  both  the  regiments  to 
remain  in  the  field  in  conjunction  with  the  rest  of  his  Majesty's  forces.  This  is 
the  only  step  I  could  take  to  prevent  the  ruin  of  the  whole  expedition,  and  save 
this  colony  from  the  censure  they  would  lie  under  as  being  the  sole  cause  of 
the  miscarriage  of  the  whole,  if  the  fort  should  not  be  reduced  by  that  date." 
— Fauquier  to  Washington,  4  Novem.,  175S. 


96  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

ting  my  anxiety  to  the  animating  prospect  of  possess- 
ing Mrs.  Custis,  when — I  need  not  tell  you,  guess 
yourself.  Should  not  my  own  Honor  and  country's 
welfare  be  the  excitement  ?  'Tis  true,  I  profess  my- 
self a  votary  of  love.  I  acknowledge  that  a  lady  is 
in  the  case,  and  further  I  confess  that  this  lady  is 
known  to  you.  Yes,  Madame,  as  well  as  she  is  to 
one  who  is  too  sensible  of  her  charms  to  deny  the 
Power  whose  influence  he  feels  and  must  ever  submit 
to.  I  feel  the  force  of  her  amiable  beauties  in  the 
recollection  of  a  thousand  tender  passages  that  I 
could  wish  to  obliterate,  till  I  am  bid  to  revive 
them.  But  experience,  alas  !  sadly  reminds  me  how 
impossible  this  is,  and  evinces  an  opinion  which  I 
have  long  entertained,  that  there  is  a  Destiny  which 
has  the  control  of  our  actions,  not  to  be  resisted  by 
the  strongest  efforts  of  Human  Nature. 

You  have  drawn  me,  dear  Madame,  or  rather  I  have 
drawn  myself,  into  an  honest  confession  of  a  simple 
Fact.  Misconstrue  not  my  meaning  ;  doubt  it  not, 
nor  expose  it.  The  world  has  no  business  to  know 
the  object  of  my  Love,  declared  in  this  manner  to 
you,  when  I  want  to  conceal  it.  One  thing  above  all 
things  in  this  world  I  wish  to  know,  and  only  one 
person  of  your  acquaintance  can  solve  me  that,  or 
guess  my  meaning.  But  adieu  to  this  till  happier 
times,  if  I  ever  shall  see  them.  The  hours  at  present 
are  melancholy  dull.    Neither  the  rugged  toils  of  war, 

nor  the  gentler  conflict  of  A B s,'  is  in  my 

choice.      I  dare  believe  you  are  as  happy  as  you  say. 

'  "  Asscnil)ly  IJalls"  arc  jiroliahly  tlic  words  intended. 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHIXGTOX.  97 

I  wish  I  was  happy  also.  Mirth,  good  humor,  ease 
of  mind,  and — what  else  ? — cannot  fail  to  render  you 
so  and  consummate  your  wishes. 

If  one  agreeable  lady  could  almost  wish  herself  a 
fine  gentleman  for  the  sake  of  another,  I  apprehend 
that  many  fine  gentlemen  will  wish  themselves  finer 
e'er  Mrs.  Spotswood  is  possest.  She  has  already  be- 
come a  reigning  toast  in  this  camp,  and  many  there 
are  in  it  who  intend  (fortune  favoring)  to  make  hon- 
orable scars  speak  the  fullness  of  their  merit,  and  be 
a  messenger  of  their  Love  to  Her. 

I  cannot  easilv  forgive  the  unseasonable  haste  of 
my  last  express,  if  he  deprived  me  thereby  of  a  single 
word  you  intended  to  add.  The  time  of  the  present 
messenger  is,  as  the  last  might  have  been,  entirely  at 
your  disposal.  I  can't  expect  to  hear  from  my  friends 
more  than  this  once  before  the  fate  of  the  expedition 
will  some  how  or  other  be  determined.  I  therefore 
beg  to  know  when  you  set  out  for  Hampton,  and  when 
you  expect  to  return  to  Belvoir  again.  And  I  should 
be  glad  also  to  hear  of  your  speedy  departure,  as 
I  shall  thereby  hope  for  your  return  before  I  get 
down.  The  disappointment  of  seeing  your  family 
would  give  me  much  concern.  From  any  thing  I 
can  yet  see  'tis  hardly  possible  to  say  when  we 
shall  finish.  I  don't  think  there  is  a  probability  of  it 
till  the  middle  of  November.  Your  letter  to  Cap- 
tain Gist  I  for\varded  by  a  safe  hand  the  moment 
it  came  to  me.  His  answer  shall  be  carefully  trans- 
mitted. 

Col.   Mercer,  to  whom   I   delivered  your   message 


98  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

and  compliments,  joins  me  very  heartily  in  wishing 
you  and  the  Ladies  of  Belvoir  the  perfect  enjoyment 
of  every  happiness  this  world  affords.  Be  assured 
that  I  am,  dear  Madame,  with  the  most  unfeigned 
regard,  your  most  obedient  and  most  obliged  humble 
servant. 

N.B.  Many  accidents  happening  (to  use  a  vulgar 
saying)  between  the  cup  and  the  lip,  I  choose  to 
make  the  exchange  of  carpets  myself,  since  I  find 
you  will  not  do  me  the  honor  to  accept  mine.' 


TO    GOVERNOR    FAUQUIER. 

Camp  at  Raystown,  the  25th  Septemb.,  1758. 

HoNBLE.  Sir, 

I  think  it  incumbent  upon  me  to  give  you  the  fol- 
lowing account — altho'  it  is  with  very  great  concern 
I  am  furnished  with  the  occasion. 

The  1 2th  instant  Major  Grant,  of  the  Highland- 
battalion,  with  a  chosen  detachment  of  800  men 
marched  from  our  advanced  post,  at  Loyal  Hannan, 
for  Fort  Duquesne  ; — what  to  do  there  (unless  to 
meet  the  fate  he  did)  I  can  not  certainly  inform  you. 
However,  to  get  intelligence  and  annoy  the  Enemy, 
was  the  ostensible  plan. 

'  Printed  in  the  Herald,  30  March,  1877,  and  in  Welles'  Pedigree  and  History 
of  the  Washington  Family.  "  Mrs.  Gcorfje  William  Fairfax,  the  object  of 
George  Washington's  early  and  ]iassionate  love,  lived  to  an  advanced  age,  in 
Bath,  England,  widowed,  childless,  and  utterly  infirm.  Upon  her  death,  at 
the  age  of  eighty-one,  letters  (still  in  possession  of  the  Fairfax  family,)  were 
found  among  her  effects,  showing  that  Wasliington  had  never  forgotten  the 
influence  of  his  youthful  (iisa])pointment." — Constance  Cary  Harrison,  in 
Scribner's  Monthly,  July,  1876. 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  99 

On  the  13th,  in  the  night,  they  arrived  near  that 
place,  formed  upon  the  hill  in  two  columns,  and  sent 
a  party  to  the  fort  to  make  discoveries,  which  they 
accomplished  accordingly — and  burned  a  log-house 
not  far  from  the  walls  without  interruption.  Stimu- 
lated by  this  success,  the  major  kept  his  post  and 
disposition  until  day,  then  detached  Major  Lewis  and 
part  of  his  command  2  miles  back  to  their  baggage 
guard  and  sent  an  Engineer  with  a  covering  party  in 
full  view  of  the  fort,  to  take  a  plan  of  the  works, — at 
the  same  time  causing  the  revile  to  beat  in  several 
different  places. 

The  enemy  hereupon  sallied  out,  and  an  obstinate 
Engagement  began,  for  the  particulars  of  which  I 
beg  leave  to  refer  your  Honor  to  the  enclosed  letters 
and  return  of  the  Regiment.  Major  Lewis  it  is 
said  met  his  fate  in  bravely  advancing  to  sustain 
Major  Grant.  Our  officers  and  men  have  acquired 
very  great  applause  for  their  gallant  behavior  during 
the  action.  I  had  the  honor  to  be  publickly  compli- 
mented yesterday  by  the  General  on  the  occasion. 
The  havock  that  was  made  of  them  is  a  demonstrable 
proof  of  their  obstinate  defence,  having  6  officers 
killed,  and  a  7th  wounded  out  of  8.  Major  Lewis 
who  chearfully  went  upon  this  Enterprise  (when  he 
found  there  was  no  dissuading  Colonel  Bouquet  from 
the  attempt)  frequently  there  and  afterwards  upon 
the  march,  desired  his  friends  to  remember  that  he 
had  opposed  the  undertaking  to  the  utmost.  He  is 
a  great  loss  to  the  Regiment,  and  is  universally 
lamented.      Captn.    Bullet's    behavior    is    matter   of 


loo  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

great  admiration  and  Capt.  Walter  Stewart,  the 
other  surviving  officer,  distinguished  himself  greatly 
while  he  was  able  to  act.  He  was  left  in  the  field, 
but  made  his  escape  afterwards/ 

What  may  be  the  consequence  of  this  affair,  I  will 
not  take  upon  me  to  decide,  but  this  I  may  venture 
to  declare,  that  our  affairs  in  general  appear  with  a 
greater  gloom  than  ever  ;  and  I  see  no  probability  of 
opening  the  road  this  Campaign  :  How  then  can  we 
expect  a  favorable  issue  to  the  Expedition  ?  I  have 
used  my  best  endeavors  to  supply  my  men  with  the 
necessaries  they  want.^  70  blankets  I  got  from  the 
General  upon  the  promise  to  return  them  again.  I 
therefore  hope  your  Honor  will  direct  that  number 
to  be  sent  to  Winchester  for  his  use.  I  must  also 
beg  the  favor  of  having  blank-commissions  sent  to  me, 
— it  will  take  near  a  dozen  for  the  promotions  and  va- 
cancies.— I  must  fill  up  the  vacancies  with  the  volun- 
teers I  have,  and  some  of  the  best  Sergeants.  I  marched 
to  this  Camp  the  21st  instant,  by  order  of  the  General. 

Having  little  else  of  ^noinent  to  relate ;  I  beg  leave 
to  assure  your  Honor  that  I  am,  &c. 

'  "  The  Major  [Grant]  conducted  the  march  so  that  the  surprise  was  com- 
pleat,  and  the  enterprise  must  have  succeeded,  but  for  an  absohite  disobedience 
of  orders  in  a  provincial  officer,  the  night  tliey  reached  tlie  Ohio  ;  and  by  this 
man's  quitting  his  post  next  morning,  the  i)arty  was  in  a  manner  cut  to  pieces. 
Major  Grant,  as  he  was  unfortunate,  may  be  l)lamed,  but  from  his  letter  to 
General  Forbes  .  .  .  you  will  not  only  see  he  was  not  in  fault  ;  but  from  the 
Ijehaviour  of  the  provincial  officer,  you  will  be  satisfied  that  a  planter  is  not  to 
be  taken  from  the  plough  and  made  an  officer  in  a  day." — Letter  from  an 
officer  who  attended  Urigadier  General  Forbes,  printed  in  the  Gftitlcmans 
Magazine,  1759. 

'^  Three  days  later  General  Forbes  threatened  to  draw  off  the  army  into  the 
more  ])0])ulous  districts  unless  provisions  were  supplied  at  Kays  town. — Penn. 
Col.  Kec,  viii.,  167. 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  loi 

TO    MRS.    GEORGE    WM.    FAIRFAX. 

Camp  at  Rays  Town,  25th  Sept'r.  1758. 

Dear  Madam  : 

Do  we  still  misunderstand  the  true  meaningr  of 
each  other's  Letters  ?  I  think  it  must  appear  so, 
tho'  I  would  feign  hope  the  contrary  as  I  cannot 
speak  plainer  without. — But  I'll  say  no  more  and 
leave  you  to  guess  the  rest. 

I  am  now  furnished  with  news  of  a  very  interest- 
ing nature.  I  know  it  will  affect  you,  but  as  you 
must  hear  it  from  others  I  will  state  it  myself.  The 
1 2th  past,  then  Major  Grant  with  a  chosen  detach- 
ment of  800  men,  march'd  from  our  advanced  post  at 
Loyal  Hanna  against  Fort  Duquesne. 

On  the  night  of  the  13th  he  arriv'd  at  that  place  or 
rather  upon  a  Hill  near  to  it  ;  from  whence  went  a 
party  and  viewd  the  Works,  made  what  observations 
they  could,  and  burnt  a  Logg  house  not  far  from  the 
Walls.  Egg'd  on  rather  than  satisfied  by  this  suc- 
cess, Major  Grant  must  needs  insult  the  Enemy  next 
morning  by  beating  the  Reveille  in  different  places  in 
view.  This  caus'd  a  great  body  of  men  to  Sally  from 
the  Fort,  and  an  obstinate  engagement  to  ensue, 
which  was  maintained  on  our  Side  with  the  utmost 
efforts  that  bravery  could  yield,  till  being  overpow- 
erd  and  quite  surrounded  they  were  obliged  to  re- 
treat with  the  loss  of  22  officers  killed,  and  278  men 
besides  wounded. 

This  is  a  heavy  blow  to  our  affairs  here,  and  a  sad 
stroke  upon  my  Regiment,  that  has  lost  out  of  8  offi- 


I02  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

cers,  and  168  that  was  in  the  Action,  6  of  the  former 
killd,  and  a  7th  wounded.  Among  the  Slain  was  our 
dear  Major  Lewis.  This  Gentleman  as  the  other  offi- 
cers also  did,  bravely  fought  while  they  had  life,  tho' 
wounded  in  different  places.  Your  old  acquaintance 
Captn.  Bullet,  who  is  the  only  officer  of  mine  that 
came  of  untouched,  has  acquired  immortal  honor  in 
this  engagement  by  his  gallant  behavior,  and  long 
continuance  in  the  field  of  Action.  It  might  be 
thought  vanity  in  me  to  praise  the  behavior  of  my 
own  people  were  I  to  deviate  from  the  report  of  com- 
mon fame, — but  when  you  consider  the  loss  they  have 
sustained,  and  learn  that  every  mouth  resounds  their 
praises,  you  will  believe  me  impartial. 

What  was  the  great  end  proposed  by  this  attempt, 
or  what  will  be  the  event  of  its  failure,  I  can't  take 
upon  me  to  determine ;  it  appears  however  (from  the 
best  accounts)  that  the  enemy  lost  more  men  then  we 
did  in  the  engagement.  Thus  it  is  the  lives  of  the 
brave  are  often  disposed  of.  But  who  is  there  that 
does  not  rather  Envy  than  regret  a  death  that  gives 
birth  to  honor  and  glorious  memory. 
.  I  am  extremely  glad  to  find  that  Mr.  Fairfax  has 
escap'd  the  dangers  of  the  Seige  at  Louisburg.  Al- 
ready have  we  experienced  greater  losses  than  our 
army  sustained  at  that  place,  and  have  gained  not 
one  obvious  advantage.  So  miserably  has  this  expe- 
dition been  managed  that  I  expect  after  a  month's 
further  tryal,  and  the  loss  of  many  more  men  by  the 
sword,  cold  and  perhaps  famine,  we  shall  give  the 
expedition  over  as  perhaps  impracticable  this  season, 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  103 

and  retire  to  the  inhabitants,  condemned  by  the  world 
and  derided  by  our  friends. 

I  should  think  our  time  more  agreeably  spent  be- 
lieve me,  in  playing  a  part  in  Cato,  with  the  company 
you  mention,  and  myself  doubly  happy  in  being  the 
Juba  to  such  a  Marcia,  as  you  must  make. 

Your  agreeable  Letter  containd  these  words. 
"  My  Sisters  and  Nancy  Gist  who  neither  of  them 
expect  to  be  here  soon  after  our  return  from  Town, 
desire  you  to  accept  their  best  complimts.  &c." 

Pray  are  these  Ladies  upon  a  Matrimonial  Scheme  ? 
Is  Miss  Fairfax  to  be  transformed  into  that  charming 
domestick — a    Martin,  and    Miss    Gary    to    a  Fa — ? 

What  does  Miss  Gist  turn  to A  Cocke?'    That 

can't  be,  we  have  him  here. 

One  thing  more  and  then  have  done.  You  ask  if 
I  am  not  tired  at  the  length  of  your  letter  ?  No 
Madam,  I  am  not,  nor  never  can  be  while  the  lines 
are  an  Inch  asunder  to  bring  you  in  haste  to  the  end 
of  the  paper.  You  may  be  tird  of  mine  by  this. 
Adieu  dear  Madam,  you  will  possibly  hear  something 
of  me,  or  from  me  before  we  shall  meet.  I  must  beg 
the  favor  of  you  to  make  my  compliments  to  Colo. 
Gary  and  the  Ladies  with  you,  and  believe  me  that  I 
am  most  unalterably.^ 


'  Miss  Fairfax  married  Warner  Washington,  and  not  Mr.  Martin.  Soon 
after  this  letter  was  written  Elizabeth  became  the  wife  of  Brj-an  Fairfax,  sub- 
sequently the  eighth  Lord  Fairfax.     Captain  Cocke  was  then  in  service. 

"^  This  letter  was  first  published  by  Mr.  Everett,  who  supposed  it  had  been 
written  to  Mrs.  Martha  Custis.  Dr.  Neill  reprints  it  in  his  Fairfaxes  of 
England  and  America,  but  believes  the  recipient  to  have  been  Miss  Mary 
Cary. 


I04  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

TO    GOVERNOR    FAUQUIER. 

Camp  at  Raystown,  the  28th  September,  1758. 

HoNBLE.  Sir, 

I  forgot  to  notice  in  my  last  of  the  25th  instant 
that  a  flag  of  truce  was  sent  to  Fort  Duquesne  by 
Colo.  Bouquet.  It  is  now  returned,  and  we  learn 
with  certainty  (tho'  few  things  have  yet  transpired) 
that  Major  Grant  with  two  other  Highland  officers, 
and  Major  Lewis,  with  two  officers  of  the  Royal 
Americans, — and  one  belonging  to  Pennsylvania, 
together  with  2  Sergeants  and  30  private  men,  were 
made  prisoners  in  the  late  action,  and  sent  immedi- 
ately to  Montreal.  From  all  the  accounts  I  have  yet 
been  able  to  collect,  it  appears  very  clear,  that  this 
was  either  a  very  ill-concerted  or  very  ill-executed 
plan  :  perhaps  both :  but  it  seems  to  be  generally 
acknowledged  that  Major  Grant  exceeded  his  orders 
in  some  particulars  ;  and  that  no  disposition  was 
made  for  engaging. 

The  troops  were  divided  : — which  caused  the  front 
to  give  way,  and  put  the  whole  into  confusion,  except 
the  Virginians,  commanded  by  Captn.  Bullet,  who 
were  (in  the  hands  of  Providence)  a  means  of  pre- 
venting all  of  our  people  from  sharing  one  common 
fate. 

This  mistake,  I  fear,  may  be  productive  of  bad 
consequences  to  the  common  cause  ! 

The  promoters  of  opening  a  new  road,  either  do 
believe  (or  would  fain  have  it  thought  so,)  that  there 
is  time  enough  to  accomplish  our  plan  this  season  : 
but  others  who  judge  freer  from  prejudice,  are  of  a 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  105 

quite  contrar}'  opinion.  As  the  road  is  not  yet 
opened  half-way,  and  not  20  days'  provision  for  the 
troops  got  the  length  of  this  place — which  cannot  be 
attributed  to  a  juster  cause  than  the  badness  of 
the  road  ;  altho'  many  other  reasons  are  assigned 
for  it.  We  find  that  the  frosts  have  already 
changed  the  face  of  nature  among  these  mountains. 
We  know  there  is  not  more  than  a  month  left  for 
enterprize,  we  know  also  that  a  number  of  horses  can 
not  subsist  after  that  time,  on  a  road  stripped  of  its 
herbage, — and  very  few  there  are  who  apprehend 
that  our  affairs  can  be  brought  to  favorable  issue  by 
that  period,  nor  do  I  see  how  it  is  possible,  if  every 
thing  else  answered,  that  men  half-naked  can  live  in 
Tents  much  longer.      I  am,  &c. 


TO    GENERAL    FORBES. 

Camp,  at  Raystown,  8  October,  1758. 

Sir, 

In  consequence  of  your  request  of  the  Colonels  as- 
sembled at  your  lodgings,  the  15th  instant,'  I  offer  the 
plans  (on  the  other  side)  to  your  consideration.  They 
express  my  thoughts  on  a  line  of  march  thro'  a  coun- 
try covered  with  woods,  and  how  that  line  of  march 
may  be  formed  in  an  instant  into  an  order  of  battle. 
The  plan  of  the  line  of  march  and  order  of  battle,^  on 
the  other  side,  is  calculated  for  a  forced  march  with 
field-pieces  only,  unincumbered  with  wagons.     It  rep- 

'  Should  be  ultimo.  '  See  diagram. 


io6  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

resents,  first,  a  line  of  march  ;  and,  secondly,  how 
that  line  of  march  may  in  an  instant  be  thrown  into 
an  order  of  battle  in  the  woods.  This  plan  supposes 
four  thousand  privates,  one  thousand  of  whom  (picked 
men,)  are  to  march  in  the  front  in  three  divisions,  each 
division  having  a  field-officer  to  command  it,  besides 
the  commander  of  the  whole  ;  and  is  always  to  be  in 
readiness  to  oppose  the  enemy,  whose  attack,  if  the 
necessary  precautions  are  observed,  must  always  be 
in  front. 

The  first  division  must,  (as  the  second  and  third 
ought  likewise  to  be,)  subdivided  for  the  captains  ; 
these  subdivisions  to  be  again  divided  for  the  subal- 
terns ;  and  the  subalterns  again  for  the  sergeants  and 
corporals.  By  which  means  every  non-commissioned 
officer  will  have  a  party  to  command,  under  the  eye  of 
a  subaltern,  as  the  subalterns  will  have,  under  the  di- 
rection of  a  captain,  &c. 

N.B.  I  shall,  altho  I  believe  it  unnecessary,  re- 
mark here,  that  the  captains,  when  their  subdivisions 
are  again  divided,  are  to  take  command  of  no  par- 
ticular part  of  it,  but  to  attend  to  the  whole  sub- 
division, as  the  subalterns  are  to  do  with  theirs,  each 
captain  and  subaltern  acting  as  commandant  of  the 
division  he  is  appointed  to,  under  the  field-officer, 
visiting  and  encouraging  all  parts  alike,  and  keeping 
the  soldiers  to  their  duty.  This  being  done,  the  first 
division  is,  so  soon  as  the  van-guard  is  attacked  (if 
that  gives  the  first  notice  of  the  enemy's  approach), 
to  file  off  to  the  right  and  left,  and  take  to  trees, 
gaining  the  enemy's  flanks,  and  surrounding  them,  as 


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PLAN 

OF 

A  Link  of  March 

for  the  Army 

under 

GENERAL  FORBES, 

Oct.,  1758. 
Drawn  by  G.  Washington. 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  107 

described  in  the  second  plan/  The  flank-guards  on 
the  right,  which  belong  to  the  second  division,  are 
immediately  to  extend  to  the  right,  followed  by  that 
division,  and  to  form,  as  described  in  the  aforesaid 
plan.  The  rear-guard  division  is  to  follow  the  left 
flankers  in  the  same  manner,  in  order,  if  possible,  to 
encompass  the  enemy,  which  being  a  practice  differ- 
ent from  any  thing  they  have  ever  yet  experienced 
from  us,  I  think  may  be  accomplished.  What  In- 
dians we  have,  should  be  ordered  to  get  round,  un- 
perceived,  and  fall  at  the  same  time  upon  the  enemy's 
rear.  The  front  and  rear  being  thus  secured,  there 
remains  a  body  of  two  thousand  five  hundred  men  to 
form  two  brigades,  on  the  flanks  of  which  six  hun- 
dred men  must  march  for  the  safety  of  them,  and  in 
such  order  as  to  form  a  rank  entire,  by  only  marching 
the  captains'  and  subalterns'  guards  into  the  intervals 
between  the  sergeants'  parties,  as  may  be  seen  by  plan 
the  second.  The  main  body  will  now  be  reduced  to 
nineteen  hundred  men,  which  should  be  kept  a  corps 
de  reserve  to  support  any  part,  that  shall  be  found 
weak  or  forced.' 

The  whole   is  submitted  to    correction    with    the 
utmost  candor,  by  Sir,  &c. 

'  This  paper  was  reproduced  in  fac-simile  and  published  in  Monuments  of 
Washington  s  Patriotism  (1841). 

^  An  orderly  book  of  this  date  shows  the  following  course  of  the  advance 
troops,  by  encampments  : — 
Octo    13.  Reas  Town. 
Goto.   14    Shawnese  Cabins. 
Octo.   15    Edmonds  Swamp. 
16    Stoney  Creek 
17-19    Muddy  Run 


io8  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1758 


TO    GOVERNOR     FAUQUIER. 

Camp,  at  Loyal  Hanna,  30  October,  1758. 

HoNBLE.  Sir  : 

Colo  Byrd  promised  to  apologize  to  you  for  my 
not  writing  by  Jenkins  ;  since  which  I  have  been  hon- 
ored with  your  second  favor  of  the  7th  instant,  both 
of  which  now  lie  before  me  for  acknowledgement. 
My  sudden  march '  from  Raystown  (the  intent  of 
which  I  presume  you  are  already  informed  of)  allowed 

Octo.  20   White  Oak  Ridge 

21.  S.  E.  side  Laurel  Hill 

22  N.  W.  side  Laurel  Hill 

23  Loyal  Hannon 

Here  they  remained  until  November  15th,  when  they  removed  to  Chestnut 
Ridge. 

Nov.   16    N.  Bush  Run 

17  Bullock  Camp 

18  New  Camp. 

19  N.  Turtle  Creek 

20  Turtle  Creek. 

22  cross  Turtle  Creek 

23  Bouquet's  Camp 

A  skirmish  had  occurred  on  the  evening  of  the  12th,  and  a  force  of  543  offi- 
cers and  men  was  sent  on  the  next  day  to  the  spot.  On  the  14th  the  army  was 
divided  into  three  bodies,  to  be  commanded  by  Colonels  Bouquet,  Montgomery, 
and  Washington,  acting  as  Brigadiers.  To  Washington  was  assigned  the  com- 
mand of  the  right  wing,  consisting  of  the  ist  Virginia  regiment,  two  companies 
of  artificers,  and  men  from  North  Carolina,  Maryland,  and  the  Lower  Counties. 
Orderly  book.  "  Our  army  in  its  approach,  was  divided  into  three  brigades, 
one  commanded  by  Col.  Bouqtiet ;  another  by  Col.  Alontgomery  ;  and  the  third 
by  Col.  Washington.  These  brigades  marched  in  columns  to  shorten  their 
lines,  and  enable  them  to  form  expeditiously.  Flanking  parties  of  the  best 
gunmen  marched  on  the  flanks  ;  Indians  and  light  horse  reconnoitred  the 
ground  as  we  advanced  ;  and  parties  had  l)een  out  the  night  before  all  round  ; 
a  strong  guard  was  advanced  before  the  army,  in  the  rear  of  which  the  General 
was  in  his  litter  with  an  officer's  guard,  a  little  advanced  before  Col.  Montgom- 
ery, who  commanded  the  center  brigatle.  A  strong  rear  guard  was  likewise  or- 
dered, as  also  a  guard  for  the  artillery." — Letter  from  an  Officer. 

'  Colonel  Washington  had  now  ])een  sent  forward,  in  advance  of  the  main 
army,  to  take  command  of  a  division  em])l()ye(l  in  opening  the  road. 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  109 


me  no  time  to  furnish  Mr.  Boyd  with  proper  estimates 
for  drawing  the  pay  of  our  regiment,  and  I  was  less 
anxious  on  that  head,  as  the  officers  equally  with  my- 
self considered  that  our  affairs  would  some  how  or 
other  come  to  a  conclusion  before  he  could  return, 
and  that  it  might  be  difficult  and  very  unsafe  for  him 
to  follow  us.  I  am  very  much  obliged  to  your  Honor 
for  the  commissions  you  were  pleased  to  send.  Be 
assured.  Sir,  the  confidence  which  you  have  reposed 
in  me  shall  never  be  wilfully  abused.  I  am  not  less 
obliged  to  your  Honor  for  the  favor  of  returning  so 
readily  the  blankets  which  I  borrowed  of  the  General. 
I  am,  however  sorry  to  inform  you,  that,  upon  re- 
viewing the  six  companies  of  my  regiment  at  this 
place,  (which  had  been  separated  from  me  since  my 
last,)  I  found  them  deficient  in  the  necessaries  con- 
tained in  the  enclosed  return,  and  consequently  I  am 
under  an  indispensable  duty  of  providing  them,  or 
more  properly  of  endeavoring  to  do  so ;  for  I  doubt 
very  much  the  possibility  of  succeeding.  Your 
Honor,  therefore,  will  not,  I  hope,  be  surprised, 
should  I  draw  on  you  for  the  amount,  in  case  of 
success. 

Governor  Sharpe  in  person  commanded  a  garrison 
of  militia,  (from  his  province,)  at  Fort  Cumberland, 
when  the  magazine  was  blown  up,  and  had,  I  believe^ 
his  store-keeper  included  in  the  blast.     *     *     * 

My  march  to  this  post  gave  me  an  opportunity  of 
forming  a  judgment  of  the  road,  and  I  can  truly  say, 
that  it  is  indescribably  bad.  Had  it  not  been  for  an 
accidental  discovery  of  a  new  passage  over  the  Laurel 


no  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

Hill,  the  carriages  must  inevitably  have  stopped  on 
the  other  side.  This  is  a  fact  nobody  here  takes 
upon  him  to  deny.  The  General  and  great  part  of 
the  troops,  &c,  being  yet  behind,  and  the  weather 
growing  very  inclement,  must  I  apprehend  terminate 
our  expedition  for  this  year  at  this  place.  But  as  our 
affairs  are  now  drawing  to  a  crisis,  and  a  good  or  bad 
conclusion  of  them  will  shortly  ensue,  I  choose  to 
suspend  my  judgment,  as  well  as  a  further  account 
of  the  matter,  to  a  future  day.' 


TO    GENERAL    FORBES. 

Camp,  near  Bushy  Run,  17  November,  1758. 

Sir, 

After  the  most  constant  labor  from  daybreak  till 
night,  we  were  able  to  open  the  road  to  this  place, 
only  about  six  miles  from   our  last  camp.      Here  it 

'  "  The  General  being  arrived,  with  most  of  the  artillery  and  troops,  we  ex- 
pect to  move  forward  in  a  very  few  days,  encountering  every  hardship,  that  an 
advanced  season,  want  of  clothes,  and  a  small  stock  of  provisions  will  expose 
us  to.  But  it  is  no  longer  a  time  for  pointing  out  difficulties,  and  I  hope  my 
next  will  run  in  a  more  agreeable  strain.  In  the  mean  time,  I  beg  leave  to 
assure  your  Honor,  that,  with  very  great  respect,  I  am,  &c." — Washington  to 
Gov.  Fauquier,  November  5. 

When  the  General  reached  Loyal  Hanna,  a  council  of  war  was  called,  and 
it  was  determined  to  be  inadvisable  to  proceed  further  that  season.  But  the 
report  of  three  prisoners,  who  were  shortly  afterwards  brought  in,  and  who 
communicated  the  weak  state  of  the  garrison  at  Fort  Duquesne,  induced  a 
change  of  opinion,  and  the  enterprise  was  prosecuted. 

"  The  keeping  Fort  Dutjuesne  (if  we  should  be  fortunate  enough  to  take  it) 
in  its  present  situation,  will  be  attended  with  great  advantages  to  the  middle 
colonies  ;  and  I  do  not  know  so  effectual  a  way  of  doing  it,  as  by  the  commu- 
nication of  Fort  Cumberland  and  General  Braddock's  road,  which  is,  in  the 
first  place,  good,  and  in  the  next,  frcsli  ;  affording  good  food  if  the  weather 
keeps  open,  which  is  more  than  a  road  can  do  as  much  used  as  this  has  been." 
—  Washington  to  General  Forbes,  16  November,  1758. 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  iii 

was  that  Captain  Shelby  overtook  us,  and  presented 
me  with  yours  and  Colonel  Bouquet's  letters,  enclos- 
ing one  to  Colo.  Armstrong ;  all  of  which  were 
forwarded  to  that  gentleman  last  night  by  Shelby, 
as  soon  as  the  last  of  the  enclosed  came  to  my  hands. 
A  junction  with  Colonel  Armstrong  this  morning 
would  have  prevented  the  good  effects  of  a  fortified 
camp  to-night,  and  retarded  our  operations  a  day  at 
least ;  for  which  reason  I  desired  him  to  march > 
forward  this  morning  at  2  o'clock,  to  such  place  as 
Captn.  Shelby  should  point  out  (with  Capt.  Gordon's 
approbation  of  the  ground)  and  there  secure  himself, 
as  you  have  directed.  If  he  accomplishes  that  work 
before  night,  he  is  in  that  event  to  begin  opening  the 
road  towards  us.  I  shall  struggle  hard  to  be  up  with 
him  to-night,  being  but  two  and  a  half  miles  from  his 
last  camp. 

I  received  but  thirty  six  of  the  forty  two  axes  sent 
by  Colo.  Montgomery,  and  those  in  the  very  worst 
order.  Last  night  was  spent  in  doing  the  needful 
repairs  to  them.  We  have  four  carriages  with  us 
that  follow  with  great  ease. 

If  Indians  ever  can  be  of  use  to  us,  it  must  be 
now,  in  the  front,  for  intelligence.  I  therefore  beg 
you  will  order  their  conductors  to  bring  them  at  all 
events,  and  that  we  may  get  our  bullocks  immediately 
up  ;  otherwise,  as  our  meat  will  be  out  to-morrow,  we 
shall  possibly  be  delayed  the  next  day  in  serving  it 
out,  when  we  should  be  marching  to  the  next  post. 

There  was  a  sergeant  (Grant)  of  mine,  confined 
for  insolent  behavior  to  an  officer  of  Pennsylvania, 


112  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

and  tried  at  the  last  General  Court-martial ;  but  the 
sentence  was  not  known  when  I  came  away,  altho' 
the  court  sat  five  days  before.  I  applied  (thro* 
Major  Halkett)  to  get  him  released,  but  could  not. 
He  is  a  very  fine  fellow,  and  I  am  as  desirous  of  get- 
ting him,  as  he  is  to  come.  I  should  be  glad  therefore 
if  the  nature  of  his  office  will  admit  of  it,  with  pro-, 
priety,  that  he  was  sent  on  accordingly. 


TO    GENERAL    FORBES. 

Camp,  (at  night)  17th  Novem.  1758. 

Sir, 

Colonel  Bouquet's  letter  came  to  my  hands,  (just 
as  the  bearer  was  passing  by,)  from  Colonel  Arm- 
strong. I  shall  punctually  observe  all  the  directions 
contained  therein,  altho'  I  shall  at  the  same  time 
confess  I  think  it  much  safer  and  more  eligible  to 
have  marched  briskly  on  to  our  second  post,  leaving 
the  road  for  Colonel  Montgomery  to  open.  We 
should  by  that  means  have  been  as  good  as  a  cover- 
ing party  to  him,  while  we  are  fortifying  a  camp, 
which  may  be  of  great  importance  to  the  army.  Less 
time  would  be  lost  by  this  means,  and  a  straggling 
front,  (which  will  ever  happen  in  expeditious  cutting,) 
would  be  avoided  ;  besides  the  probable  advantage 
of  (perhaps)  getting  into  a  secure  camp  before  we 
might  be  discovered. 

I  have  opened  the  road  between  seven  and  eight 
miles  to  day,  and  am  yet  three  miles  short  of  Colonel 
Armstrong,  who  marched  at  eight  o'clock.      I  under- 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  113 

stand  by  Captain  Shelby,  who  is  just  come  from  him, 
that  Col.  Armstrong  is  not  yet  begun  entrenching  his 
camp,  which  must  again  retard  us  to-morrow.  For- 
warding provisions  is  highly  necessary ;  hard  labor 
consumes  them  fast ;  but  all  the  men  are  in  high 
spirits,  and  are  anxious  to  get  on. 

I  shall  be  much  pleased  to  see  the  Indians  up,  and 
am  very  glad  to  hear  that  Mr.  Croghan  is  so  near  at 
hand.  The  number  with  him  is  not  mentioned.  I 
wish  they  were  in  our  front  also. 

I  was  extremely  sorry  to  hear  of  your  indisposition 
to  day,  being,  Sir,  yours,  &c. 


TO    GENERAL    FORBES. 

Armstrong's  Camp,  18  November,  1758. 

Sir, 

I  came  to  this  camp  about  eleven  o'clock  to-day, 
having  opened  the  road  before  me.  I  should  imme- 
diately have  proceeded  on,  but,  as  the  bullocks  were 
to  [be]  slaughter[ed,]  and  provisions  to  be  dressed,  I 
thought  it  expedient  to  halt  here  till  three  in  the 
morning,  when  I  shall  begin  to  march  with  one  thou- 
sand men,  leaving  Colonel  Armstrong  and  five  hun- 
dred more  in  this  camp,  until  Colonel  Montgomery' 
joins  [him.]  I  took  care  that  the  road  should  not  be 
delayed  by  this  halt,  for  I  ordered  out  a  working 
party,  properly  covered,  before  I  came  here,  to  cut  it 
forward  till  night  should  fall  upon  them,  and  then 
return  back  again. 

I  fear  we  have  been  greatly  deceived  with  regard 


114  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

to  the  distance  from  hence  to  Fort  Duquesne.  Most 
of  the  woods-men,  that  I  have  conversed  with,  seem 
to  think  that  we  are  still  thirty  miles  from  it.  I  have 
sent  out  one  party  that  way  to  ascertain  the  distance, 
and  the  kind  of  ground  between  ;  and  two  others  to 
scout  on  the  right  and  left,  for  the  discovery  of 
tracks,  &c.  To-morrow,  Captn.  Shelby  and  Lt.  Gist 
of  my  regiment,  will  go  off  on  the  like  service  that 
the  former  of  these  parties  has  done  this  day,  under 
Lt.  Ryley. 

I  found  three  redoubts  erecting  for  the  defence  of 
this  camp.  Mr.  Gordon  thinks,  that  it  will  be  suffi- 
ciently secured  by  these  means  ;  but,  for  my  own 
part,  I  do  not  look  upon  redoubts  alone,  in  this  close 
country,  to  be  half  as  good  as  the  slightest  breast- 
work ;  indeed,  I  do  not  believe  they  are  any  security 
at  all  where  there  are  no  other  works. 

I  enclose  you  a  return  of  the  total  strength  of  this 
place,  and  for  what  time  they  are  served  with  pro- 
visions, by  which  you  will  see  how  much  a  supply  is 
needed,  and  I  must  beg,  that  commissaries  and 
stilliards '  may  be  sent  forward,  otherwise  a  continual 
dissatisfaction  will  prevail,  as  well  on  the  part  of  the 
contractors,  as  on  that  of  the  soldiers,  who  think  they 
have  injustice  done  them  in  their  allowance,  notwith- 
standing the  fifteen  bullocks,  which  were  received  as 
provisions  for  four  days,  were  issued  out  for  three 
only,  by  the  judgment  of  an  officer  of  each  corps,  as 
well  as  my  own,  for  I  took  pains  to  examine  into  it 
myself. 

'  Steelyards. 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  115 

I  had  wrote  thus  far,  when  your  favor  of  this  morn- 
ing came  to  hand.  I  shall  set  out  at  three  o'clock,  as 
above,  leaving  the  Hiofhlanders  to  finish  the  redoubts, 
according  to  Mr.  Gordon's  plan,  and  to  secure  the 
tools,  until  Colonel  Montgomer)'  comes  up,  leaving 
it  then  to  Colonel  Bouquet's  option  to  bring  or  leave 
them. 

We  shall,  I  am  apprehensive,  have  a  great  space 
between  this  post  and  the  next,  as  I  have  before 
observed,  tho'  I  shall  be  a  better  judge  to-morrow 
night. 

The  enclosed  return  shows  what  provisions  each 
corps  ought  to  have  upon  hand  ;  but  few  can  make 
it  hold  out,  so  that  I  must  again  urge  the  necessity  of 
a  commissary  and  weights,  also  of  provisions,  for 
were  we  all  completed  properly  to  a  certain  day, 
there  are  yet  parties  and  light-horsemen  coming  and 
going,  who  complain  much  on  this  head. 

Your  chimney  at  this  place  is  finished.  I  shall  take 
care  to  put  up  one  at  the  next  post.' 

I  shall  use  every  necessary  precaution  to  get  timely 
notice  of  the  enemy's  approach,  so  that  I  flatter  my- 
self you  need  be  under  no  apprehensions  on  that 
head.  A  scouting  party  is  just  returned,  and  reports, 
that,  five  miles  advanced  of  this  they  discovered  the 
tracks  of  about  forty  persons  making  towards  Kiske- 
manetes.  The  tracks  appear  to  have  been  made 
to-day,  or  yesterday.      I  am,  &c. 

'  The  General  had  ordered  a  chimney  to  be  built  for  his  use  at  each  of  the 
entrenched  camps. 


ii6  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 


TO    GOVERNOR    FAUQUIER. 

Camp,  at  Fort  Duquesne,  28  November,  1758. 

HoNBLE.  Sir, 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you,  that  Fort 
Duquesne,  or  the  ground  rather  on  which  it  stood, 
was  possessed  by  his  Majesty's  troops  on  the  25th 
instant.  The  enemy,  after  letting  us  get  within  a 
day's  march  of  the  place,  burned  the  fort,  and  ran 
away  (by  the  light  of  it,)  at  night,  going  down  the 
Ohio  by  water,  to  the  number  of  about  five  hundred 
men,  from  our  best  information.  The  possession  of 
this  fort  has  been  matter  of  surprise  to  the  whole 
army,  and  we  cannot  attribute  it  to  more  probable 
causes,  than  those  of  weakness,  want  of  provisions, 
and  desertion  of  their  Indians.  Of  these  circum- 
stances we  were  luckily  informed  by  three  prisoners, 
who  providentially  fell  into  our  hands  at  Loyal 
Hanna,  at  a  time  when  we  despaired  of  proceeding, 
and  a  council  of  war  had  determined,  that  it  was  not 
advisable  to  advance  beyond  the  place  above  men- 
tioned this  season,  but  the  information  above  caused 
us  to  march  on  without  tents  or  baggage,  and  with  a 
a  light  train  of  artillery  only,  with  which  we  have 
happily  succeeded.  It  would  be  tedious,  and  I  think 
unnecessary,  to  relate  every  trivial  circumstance,  that 
has  happened  since  my  last.  To  do  this,  if  needful, 
shall  be  the  employment  of  a  leisure  hour,  when  I 
have  the  pleasure  to  pay  my  respects  to  your  Honor. 

The  General  purposes  to  wait  here  a  few  days  to 
settle  matters  with  the  Indians,  and  then  all  the 
troops,  (except  a  sufficient  garrison  which  will  I  sup- 
pose be  left  here,  to  secure  the  possession,)  will  march 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  117 

to  their  respective  governments.  I  therefore  give 
your  Honor  this  early  notice  of  it,  that  your  direc- 
tions relative  to  those  of  Virginia  may  meet  me  timely 
on  the  road.  I  cannot  help  premising,  in  this  place, 
the  hardships  the  troops  have  undergone,  and  the 
naked  condition  they  now  are  in,  in  order  that  you 
may  judge  if  it  is  not  necessary-  that  they  should  have 
some  little  recess  from  fatigue,  and  time  to  provide 
themselves  with  necessaries,  for  at  present  they  are 
destitute  of  every  comfort  of  life.  If  I  do  not  get 
your  orders  to  the  contrary,  I  shall  march  the  troops 
under  my  command  directly  to  Winchester  ;  from 
whence  they  may  then  be  disposed  of,  as  you  shall 
afterwards  direct. 

General  Forbes  desires  me  to  inform  you,  that  he 
is  prevented,  by  a  multiplicity  of  different  affairs, 
from  writing  to  you  so  fully  now,  as  he  would  other- 
wise have  done,  and  from  enclosing  you  a  copy  of  a 
letter  which  he  has  written  to  the  commanding  officer 
stationed  on  the  communication  from  hence  to  Win- 
chester, &c.  relative  to  the  Little  Carpenter's  conduct, 
(a  chief  of  the  Cherokees).  But  that,  the  purport  of 
that  letter  was  to  desire,  they  would  deprive  him  of 
the  use  of  arms  and  ammunition,  and  escort  him  from 
one  place  to  another,  to  prevent  his  doing  any  mis- 
chief to  the  inhabitants,  allowing  him  provisions  only. 
His  behavior,  the  General  thought,  rendered  this 
measure  necessary\ 

This  fortunate,  and,  indeed,  unexpected  success  of 
our  arms  will  be  attended  with  happy  effects.  The 
Delawares  are  suing  for  peace,  and  I  doubt  not  that 
other  tribes  on  the  Ohio  will  follow  their  example. 


ii8  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

A  trade,  free,  open,  and  upon  equitable  terms,  is  what 
they  seem  much  to  stickle  for,  and  I  do  not  know 
so  effectual  a  way  of  riveting  them  to  our  interest,  as 
sending  out  goods  immediately  to  this  place  for  that 
purpose.  It  will,  at  the  same  time,  be  a  means  of 
supplying  the  garrison  with  such  necessaries  as  may 
be  wanted  ;  and,  I  think,  those  colonies,  which  are  as 
greatly  interested  in  the  support  of  this  place  as  Vir- 
ginia is,  should  neglect  no  means  in  their  power  to 
establish  and  support  a  strong  garrison  here.  Our 
business,  (wanting  this)  will  be  but  half  finished  ; 
while,  on  the  other  hand,  we  obtain  a  firm  and  lasting 
peace,  if  this  end  is  once  accomplished. 

General  Forbes  is  very  assiduous  in  getting  these 
matters  settled  upon  a  solid  basis,  and  has  great  merit 
(which  I  hope  will  be  rewarded)  for  the  happy  issue 
which  he  has  brought  our  affairs  to,  infirm  and  worn 
down  as  he  is.'  At  present  I  have  nothing  further 
to  add,  but  the  strongest  assurances  of  my  being  your 
Honor's  most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant.^ 

'  General  Forbes  died  a  few  weeks  afterwards  in  Philadelphia. 

'  The  Freneh  account  of  the  later  events  of  this  campaign  may  be  found  in 
the  "  Papers  relating  to  the  French  Occupation  in  Western  Pennsylvania,' 
published  in  the  Pennsylvania  Archives,  Second  Scries,  Vol.  VI.  Extracts 
from  a  few  of  the  more  important  letters  are  here  quoted  : — "  M.  de  Ligneris 
has  written  me  from  Fort  Duquesne  on  the  30th  of  last  month  ;  he  continues 
to  have  parties  out,  wlio  liroughl  him  two  prisoners  on  the  30th,  from  whom 
he  learned  that  General  ]""orbes  was  immediately  exjiected  at  Royal  Amnon  ; 
where  there  were  more  than  2,000  men,  under  the  command  of  Colonel 
Boucjuet,  with  8  pieces  of  cannon  on  field  carriages  and  several  mortars  ;  that 
a  fort  had  ])een  built  there  of  jiiece  upon  jiiece,  and  one  saw  mill  ;  as  for  the 
rest,  they  are  ignorant  whether  i''ort  Ducpiesne  is  to  be  attacked  this  fall  ;  that 
the  F'rovincials  had  orders  to  go  into  winter  (piarters  ;  that  they  had  been 
since  countermanded,  but  that  people  slill  s])()ke  of  dismissing  them  ;  that 
there  are  no  more  horned  cattle  at  Koyal  Amnon,  but  i)lenfy  of  provisions  of 
flour  and  salt  meats  ;    that  the  Fnglish  su])]u)sc  us  to  be  ver>'  numerous  at  Fort 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  119 


TO  GOVERNOR   FAUQUIER. 

Loyal  Hanna,  2  December,  1758. 

Sir, 

The  enclosed  was  wrote  with  the  intention  to  go 
by  an  express  of  the  General's,  but  his  indisposition 

Duquesne.  I  am  not  sure,  my  Lord,  whether  the  enemy  will  organize  any 
expedition  this  fall,  or  wait  until  spring  ;  the  advanced  season  and  the  two 
advantages  we  have  gained  in  succession  over  them,  would  lead  me  to  hope  that 
they  will  adopt  the  latter  course.  'Tis  much  to  be  desired,  for  'twould  not  be 
possible  for  M.  de  Ligneris  to  resist  the  superiority  of  the  enemy's  forces. 
Meanwhile,  he  will  use  all  means  in  his  power  to  annoy  them  ;  embarrass  their 
communications  and  intercept  their  convoys.  It  is  a  great  pity  that  he  has 
been  absolutely  obliged,  by  the  scarcity  of  provisions,  to  reduce  his  garrison  to 
200  men  ;  fortunately,  the  messages  he  has  delivered  in  my  name,  to  the  Dela- 
wares  and  Chawenons  of  the  Beautiful  river,  have  confirmed  these  nations  in 
their  attachment  to  the  French.  The  Delawares  of  the  mountains  have  also 
favorably  received  the  messages  sent  to  them,  and  are  beginning  to  remove 
their  villages  to  our  territory.  I  have  renewed  my  orders  to  all  the  posts  to 
procure  for  M.  de  Ligneris,  early  in  spring,  all  the  assistance  in  their  vicinity. 
I  beg  you,  my  lord,  to  be  pleased  fully  to  assure  his  Majesty  that  I  will  neglect 
nothing  to  preserve  for  him  the  possession  of  the  Beautiful  river,  and  of  this 
colony  in  general  ;  that  it  will  not  be  my  fault,  should  our  enemies  make, 
eventually,  any  progress,  but  in  fact  and  strict  truth,  the  salvation  of  this  colony 
will  depend  on  the  prompt  arrival  of  the  succors  of  every  description,  which 
I  have  had  the  honor  to  demand  of  you." — M.  de  Vaudreuil  to  M.  de  Massiac, 
28  November,  1759.  "We  obtain[ed]  some  new  advantages  on  the  Beautiful 
river,  at  the  close  of  the  month  of  October.  The  English  repaired  in  force,  on 
the  23d  of  November,  to  within  three  leagues  of  Fort  Duquesne,  which  was 
abandoned  after  having  marched  out  of,  and  burned  it  ;  the  artillery  has  been 
sent  to  the  Illinois,  by  descending  the  Beautiful  river  which  empties  into  that 
of  the  Onias,  the  latter  flowing  into  the  Mississippi,  which  is  ascended  thirty 
leagues  to  reach  the  fort  of  the  Illinois  ;  and  the  garrison  retreated  to  Fort 
Machault,  where  it  still  remained  on  the  8th  of  March,  according  to  intelli- 
gence received  on  the  day  before  yesterday.  .  .  .  Scarcity  of  provisions 
and  the  bad  position  of  Fort  Duquesne  have  compelled  its  abandonment.  The 
consequences  may  become  unfortunate,  if  the  Indians  pronounce  in  favor 
of  the  English.  Although  they  hesitate,  they  appear  still  attached  to  us  ;  'tis 
to  be  hoped  that  they  will  remain  at  least  neutral.  M.  de  Ligneris,  who  com- 
mands at  Fort  Machault,  writes  that  the  English  are  constructing  forts  at 
Attique  and  Royal  Hannon  ;  that  the  Indians  are  become  very  familiar  with 
them  ;  he  flatters  himself,  however,  that  he  will  induce  them  to  strike,  if  he 
receive  reinforcements  capable  of  controlling  them  ;  the  greatest  part  of  them 
are  on  the  way." — M.  Malartic  to  M.  de  Cremille,  9  April,  1759. 


I20  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 


prevented  that  express  from  setting  out  for  three 
days  afterwards  ;  and  then  the  General  thought,  that 
my  waiting  upon  your  Honor  would  be  more  eligible, 
as  I  could  represent  the  situation  of  our  affairs  in  this 
quarter  more  fully,  than  could  well  be  done  by  letter. 
This  I  accordingly  attempted  ;  but,  upon  trial,  found 
it  impracticable  to  proceed  with  despatch,  for  want  of 
horses,  (now  having  near  two  hundred  miles  to  march 
before  I  can  get  a  supply,)  those  I  at  present  have 
being  entirely  knocked  up.  I  shall,  notwithstanding, 
endeavor  to  comply  with  the  General's  request,  as  I 
cannot  possibly  be  down  till  towards  the  ist  of  next 
month,  (and  the  bearer  may  much  sooner.) 

The  General  has,  in  his  letters,  told  you  what  gar- 
rison he  proposed  to  leave  at  Fort  Duquesne,'  but 
the  want  of  provisions  rendered  it  impossible  to  leave 
more  than  two  hundred  men  in  all  there.  These, 
without  great  exertions,  must,  I  fear,  abandon  the 
place  or  perish.  To  prevent,  as  far  as  possible,  either 
of  these  events  happening,  I  have  by  this  conveyance 
wrote  a  circular  letter  to  the  back  inhabitants  of  Vir- 
ginia, setting  forth  the  great  advantages  of  keeping 
that  place,  the  improbability  of  doing  it  without  their 
immediate  assistance,  that  they  may  travel  safely  out 
while  we  hold  that  post,  and  will  be  allowed  good 
prices  for  such  species  of  provisions  as  they  shall 
carry.  Unless  the  most  effectual  measures  are  taken 
early  in   the  spring  to  reinforce   the  garrison  at  Fort 

'  (Icneral  Forljes  liad  (letcrniiiicil  to  leave  at  l'\)rt  Duquesnc  two  hundred  of 
the  jjfovincial  troop  of  Pennsylvania,  with  a  ijrojiortionahle  number  of  Virginia 
and  Maryland  forces. 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  121 

Duquesne  the  place  will  inevitably  be  lost,  and  then 
our  frontiers  will  fall  into  the  same  distressed  condi- 
tion that  they  have  been  in  for  some  time  past.  For 
I  can  very  confidently  assert,  that  we  never  can  secure 
them  properly,  if  we  again  lose  our  footing  on  the 
Ohio,  as  we  consequently  lose  the  interest  of  the 
Indians.  I  therefore  think,  that  every  necessary' 
preparation  should  be  making,  not  a  moment  should 
be  lost  in  taking  the  most  speedy  and  efficacious  steps 
in  securing  the  infinite  advantages  which  may  be  de- 
rived from  our  regaining  possession  of  that  important 
country. 

That  the  preparatory  steps  should  immediately 
be  taken  for  securing  the  communication  from  Vir- 
ginia, by  constructing  a  post  at  Red-stone  Creek, 
which  would  greatly  facilitate  the  supplying  of  our 
troops  on  the  Ohio,  where  a  formidable  garrison 
should  be  sent,  as  soon  as  the  season  will  admit  of  it. 
That  a  trade  with  the  Indians  should  be  upon  such 
terms,  and  transacted  by  men  of  such  principles,  as 
would  at  the  same  time  turn  out  to  the  reciprocal 
advantage  of  the  colony  and  the  Indians,  and  which 
would  effectually  remove  those  bad  impressions,  that 
the  Indians  received  from  the  conduct  of  a  set  of  ras- 
cally fellows,  divested  of  all  faith  and  honor,  and  give 
us  such  an  early  opportunity  of  establishing  an 
interest  with  them,  as  would  be  productive  of  the 
most  beneficial  consequences,  on  getting  a  large 
share  of  the  fur-trade,  not  only  of  the  Ohio  Indians, 
but,  in  time,  of  the  numerous  nations  possessing  the 
back  country  westward  of  it.   And  to  prevent  this  dis- 


122  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

advantageous  commerce  from  suffering  In  its  infancy, 
by  the  sinister  views  of  designing,  selfish  men  of  the 
different  provinces,  I  humbly  conceive  it  absolutely 
necessary  that  commissioners  from  each  of  the  colo- 
nies be  appointed  to  regulate  the  mode  of  that  trade, 
and  fix  it  on  such  a  basis,  that  all  the  attempts  of  one 
colony  undermining  another,  and  thereby  weakening 
and  diminishing  the  general  system  might  be  frus- 
trated. To  effect  which  the  General  would  (I  fancy) 
cheerfully  give  his  aid.' 

'  While  the  capture  and  destruction  of  Fort  Duquesne,  and  the  occupation  by 
the  English  removed  for  the  time  the  fear  of  a  French  invasion,  the  western 
and  northern  tribes  of  Indians  were  still  too  closely  bound  to  the  French, 
and  offered  a  more  dangerous  and  insidious  weapon  of  offense  against  the 
frontiers  of  the  colonies  than  any  line  of  French  forts  or  number  of  French 
troops  could  have  supplied.  French  influence  still  controlled  among  the  In- 
dians of  the  upper  country,  though  shaken  by  the  retreat  from  Fort  Duquesne  ; 
French  missionaries  were  more  active  in  maintaining  and  extending  French 
interests  ;  French  traders  divided  with  the  English  the  rich  fur  trade  of  the 
western  country  ;  and  a  greater  liberality  and  a  more  intelligent  exercise  of 
authority  gave  the  French  a  hold  upon  the  tribes  that  the  English  in  vain 
long  sought  to  break.  The  high  utility  of  Indian  allies,  and  the  importance 
of  maintaining  their  influence  over  the  tribes,  were  clearly  recognized  by 
Montcalm,  de  Vaudreuil,  and  other  of  the  P'rench  commanders,  and  no  effort 
was  spared  to  estaljlish  that  influence  the  more  firmly.  To  counteract  these 
endeavors,  the  colonies  sought  first,  to  so  intimidate  the  openly  hostile  tribes, 
as  to  induce  them  to  Ijreak  with  the  French,  and  become  allies  of  the  English, 
or,  at  all  events,  neutral  in  case  of  war  ;  and  secondly,  to  remove  all  causes 
of  complaint  by  proliibiting  settlement  on  lands  claimed  by  the  Indians,  and 
by  regulating  the  system  of  conducting  trade  with  the  Indians. 

To  accomplish  tliese  ends  effectually,  the  united  action  of  the  colonies  was 
desirable.  No  single  colony  would  be  able  to  cope  with  the  Indians  in  war, 
and  the  different  measures  adopted  by  the  different  colonies  presented  serious 
obstacles  to  the  proper  control  and  regulation  of  relations  with  the  Indians  in 
time  of  peace.  Tlie  organ  of  coTUinuiiication  l)et\veen  the  crown  and  the  In- 
dians had  been  the  governors  of  the  resjicctive  colonics.  The  engrossing 
and  multifarious  duties  of  the  governors  in  other  directions  led  to  a  neglect  of 
Indian  affairs,  while  the  want  of  proper  agents,  of  system  and  uniformity  of 
treatment,  arising  from  this  neglect,  and  a  conflict  of  interest  among  the  cole- 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  123 

Although  none  can  entertain  a  higher  sense  of  the 
great  importance  of  maintaining  a  post  on  the  Ohio 
than  myself,  yet,  under  the  present  circumstances 
my  regiment  is,  I  would  by  no  means  have  agreed  to 

nies,  induced  great  abuses,  and  kept  the  Indians  and  settlers  perpetually  at 
difference  and  oftentimes  at  war.  The  colonies  licensed  traders,  but  the 
character  of  these  privileged  persons  was  not  inquired  into,  and  the  contempt 
which  Washington  had  for  them  was  in  general  the  uniform  sentiment,  north 
as  well  as  south.  Franklin  called  them  "the  most  vicious  and  abandoned 
wretches  of  our  nation."  {Works,  II.,  467.)  Sir  William  Johnson  spoke  of  the 
Albany  Commissioners  for  Indian  affairs  as  "  persons  of  very  little  capacity, 
who  were  all  devoted  to  their  own  interest  and  trade,  and  by  whose  means  the 
French  were  constantly  supplied  with  Indian  and  other  goods,  thro'  the  chan- 
nel of  Canada  Indians."  {To  the  Lords  of  Trade,  13  November,  1763.) 
Massachusetts  was  successful  in  bettering  her  relations  with  the  Indians  by 
constructing  "  truckhouses  "  where  the  natives  could  purchase  at  stated  prices, 
or  exchange  their  peltries,  and  were  assured  of  the  quality  of  the  goods  sold. 
Such  houses  for  Indian  trade  were  "  a  more  effectual  bar  against  private  trade 
than  all  the  laws  that  can  be  invented."  {Govr.  Bowdoin  to  Franklin,  Works 
[Bigelow 's  edition]  II.,  316,  note.)  Pennsylvania  adopted  the  Massachusetts 
idea  at  the  treaty  of  Carlisle  (1753),  and  it  was  the  place  of  deposit  con- 
structed by  the  Ohio  company  that  led  to  the  Indian  war  in  which  Washington 
served.  Franklin  urged  the  framing  of  some  uniform  policy  of  direction  before 
the  Albany  Congress  of  1754. 

The  plan  of  union  was  not  adopted,  and  in  default  of  action  by  the  colonies, 
the  crown  introduced  a  new  system.  The  colonies  were  divided  into  two  dis- 
tricts, the  northern  and  the  southern,  and  over  each  was  placed  a  ' '  Superinten- 
dent or  Agent  for  the  Affairs  of  Indians,"  holding  his  commision  from  the 
crown  and  independent  of  the  colonial  government.  The  Indian  outbreak  of 
1763  directed  attention  to  certain  inconveniences  of  this  arrangement,  and  the 
English  government  called  upon  the  agents  to  suggest  alterations.  The  reply 
of  Sir  William  Johnson,  one  of  the  ablest  and  most  successful  Indian  agents  of 
that  period,  may  be  found  in  the  second  series  of  the  Pennsylvania  Archives, 
VI. ,  600.  The  royal  proclamation  of  October,  1763,  appears  to  have  anticipated 
in  a  measure  his  recommendations.  {See  note  to  the  letter  of  Washington  to 
Crawford,  21  September,  1767,  post.)  The  policy  thus  introduced,  of  confining 
the  trade  to  certain  posts  and  places,  was  advantageously  applied  to  the 
southern  colonies,  but  was  not  so  effective  in  the  north,  principally  because  of 
the  easy  connection  the  Indians  could  have  with  Canada,  and  the  number  of 
posts  necessary  and  the  expense  of  maintaining  them.  In  1769  the  "Com- 
missioners of  Trade  "  proposed  to  entrust  the  entire  management  of  the  Indian 
trade  to  the  colonies  themselves.     Pennsylvania  Archives,  l\.,  319,  320. 


124  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1758 

leave  any  part  of  it  there,  had  not  the  General  given 
an  express  order  for  it.  I  endeavored  to  show,  that 
the  King's  troops  ought  to  garrison  it ;  but  he  told 
me,  as  he  had  no  instructions  from  the  ministry  .rela- 
tive thereto,  he  could  not  order  it,  and  our  men  that 
are  left  there,  are  in  such  a  miserable  situation,  having 
hardly  rags  to  cover  their  nakedness,  exposed  to  the 
inclemency  of  the  weather  in  this  rigorous  season, 
that,  unless  provision  is  made  by  the  country  for  sup- 
plying them  immediately,  they  must  inevitably  perish, 
and  if  the  first  Virginia  regiment  is  to  be  kept  up  any 
longer,  or  any  services  are  expected  therefrom  should 
forthwith  be  clothed  as  they  are.  By  their  present 
shameful  nakedness,  the  advanced  season,  and  the 
inconceivable  fatigues  of  an  uncommonly  long  and 
laborious  campaign,  rendered  totally  incapable  of 
any  kind  of  service  ;  and  sickness,  death,  and  deser- 
tion must,  if  not  speedily  supplied,  greatly  reduce  its 
numbers.  To  replace  them  with  equally  good  men 
will,  perhaps,  be  found  impossible.  *  ^'  *  With  the 
highest  respect,  I  am,  &c. 


TO    GENERAL    FORBES. 

Wn.LiAMsiiURG,  30  December,  1758. 

Sir, 

The  Governor's  writing  fully  to  [youj  upon  the 
posture  of  affairs  here,  and  the  present  system  of 
management,  leaves  me  no  room  to  add.  I  was  in 
liope  a  General  Assembly  would  have  been  called 
immediately;  but  the  Council  were  of  opinion,  that, 


1758]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  125 

as  they  had  met  so  lately,  and  were  summoned  to 
attend  some  time  in  February,  it  would  be  incon- 
venient to  convene  them  sooner  ;  so  that  no  measures 
for  securing  the  communication  betw^een  Fort  Cum- 
berland and  Fort  Duquesne,  or,  in  short,  any  thing 
else,  can  be  effected,  or  even  attempted,  until  their 
resolutions  are  known  thereupon. 

Captain  McNeill,  (who  commanded  the  first  Vir- 
ginia regiment  in  my  absence,)  committed  an  error,  I 
am  informed,  at  Raystown,  in  confining  Mr.  Hoops, 
the  commissar}'.  I  am  not  thoroughly  acquainted 
with  the  particulars  of  that  affair,  but  I  believe,  from 
the  accounts  which  I  have  received,  that  Mr.  Hoops 
was  equally  culpable  in  detaining  the  provisions  from 
half-starved  men.  This  piece  of  rashness,  I  am  told, 
is  likely  to  bring  McNeill  into  trouble.  I  therefore 
beg  the  favor  of  you,  Sir,  as  I  am  well  convinced  Mc- 
Neill had  nothing  in  view  but  the  welfare  of  his  men, 
to  interpose  your  kind  offices  to  settle  the  difference. 
This  will  be  doing  a  singular  favor  to  Captain 
McNeill,  as  well  as  to  myself. 

I  should  be  extremely  glad  to  hear  of  your  safe 
arrival  at  head-quarters,  after  a  fatiguing  campaign, 
and  that  a  perfect  return  of  good  health  has  contrib- 
uted to  crown  your  successes.' 


'  As  Colonel  Washington  had  determined  at  the  beginning  of  the  season  to 
remain  in  the  army  no -longer  than  till  the  conclusion  of  this  campaign, 
he  resigned  his  commission  immediately  after  his  arrival  in  Williamsburg.  On 
this  occasion  his  officers  presented  to  him  an  address,  deeply  expressive  of  their 
affection,  their  respect,  and  their  ardent  wishes  for  his  future  prosperity  and 
welfare. 

He  was  married  on  the  6th  of  January,  1759,  to  Martha  Custis,  widow  of 
Daniel  Parke  Custis,  and  daughter  of  John  Dandridge.       The  ceremony  was 


126  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1759 

TO  ROBERT  GARY    AND   COMPANY,    MERCHANTS,    LONDON. 

Williamsburg,  i  May,  1759. 

Gentln., 

The  inclosed  is  the  minister's  certificate  of  my 
marriage  with  Mrs.  Martha  Custis,  properly,  as  I  am 
told,  authenticated.  You  will,  therefore  for  the 
future  please  to  address  all  your  letters,  which  relate 
to  the  affairs  of  the  late  Daniel  Parke  Custis,  Esqr., 
to  me,  as  by  marriage  I  am  entitled  to  a  third  part  of 
that  estate,  and  invested  likewise  with  the  care  of  the 
other  two  thirds  by  a  decree  of  our  General  Court, 
which  I  obtained  in  order  to  strengthen  the  power  I 
before  had  in  consequence  of  my  wife's  administration. 

I  have  many  letters  of  yours  in  my  possession  un- 
answered ;  but  at  present  this  serves  only  to  advise 
you  of  the  above  change,  and  at  the  same  time  to 


performed  by  the  Rev.  David  Mossum  in  St.  Peter's  Church,  a  few  miles  from 
the  Custis  "  White  House,"  which  was  on  the  Pamunkey  River  in  New  Kent 
County. 

Being  now  a  member  of  the  House  of  Burgesses,  he  joined  that  Assembly 
when  it  was  next  convened.  The  House  resolved  to  return  their  thanks  to  him, 
in  a  public  manner,  for  the  services,  which  he  had  rendered  to  his  country,  and 
this  duty  devolved  on  his  friend  the  Speaker.  Mr.  Wirt  relates  the  anecdote 
in  the  following  words,  on  the  authority  of  Edmund  Randolph  : — 

"  As  soon  as  Colonel  Washington  took  his  seat  [in  the  Assembly],  Mr. 
Robinson,  in  obedience  to  this  order,  and  following  the  impulse  of  his  own 
generous  and  grateful  heart,  discharged  the  duty  with  great  dignity,  but  with 
such  warmth  of  coloring,  and  strength  of  expression,  as  entirely  to  confound 
the  young  hero.  He  rose  to  express  his  acknowledgments  for  the  honor  ;  but 
such  was  his  trepidation  and  confusion,  that  he  could  not  give  distinct  utter- 
ance to  a  syllable.  He  blushed,  stammered,  and  trembled,  for  a  second  ;  when 
the  Speaker  relieved  him,  by  a  stroke  of  addiess,  that  would  have  done  honor 
to  Louis  the  Fourteenth,  in  his  proudest  and  hajipicst  moment.  '  Sit  down,  Mr. 
Washington,'  said  he,  with  a  conciliating  smile,  '  your  modesty  is  equal  to  your 
valor,  and  that  surpasses  the  power  of  any  language  that  I  possess.'  " — Life  of 
Patrick  Henry,  p.  45. 


1759]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  127 

acquaint  you,  that  I  shall  continue  to  make  you  the 
same  consignments  of  tobacco  as  usual,  and  will  en- 
deavor to  increase  it  in  proportion  as  I  find  myself 
and  the  estate  benefited  thereby.' 

The  scarcity  of  the  last  year's  crop,  and  the  high 
prices  of  tobacco,  consequent  thereupon,  would,  in 
any  other  case,  have  induced  me  to  sell  the  estate's 
crop  (which  indeed  is  only  16  hhd.)  in  the  country  ; 
but,  for  a  present,  and  I  hope  small  advantage  only, 
I  did  not  care  to  break  the  chain  of  correspondence, 
that  has  so  long  subsisted,  and  therefore  have, 
according  to  your  desire,  given  Captn.  Talman,  an 
offer    of  the    whole. 

On  the  other  side  is  an  invoice  of  some  goods, 
which  I  beg  of  you  to  send  me  by  the  first  ship, 
bound  either  to  Potomack  or  Rappahannock,  as  I  am 
in   immediate  want  of  them.      Let  them  be  insured, 


'  "  I  shall  keep  the  estate  under  the  same  direction  as  formerly,  neither  alter- 
ing the.  managers,  kind  of  tobacco,  or  the  manner  of  treating  it,  unless  you 
advise  otherwise  for  our  interest  ;  and,  while  I  continue  to  pursue  this  method, 
I  hope  you  will  be  able  to  render  such  sales,  as  will  not  only  justify  the  present 
consignments  to  you,  but  encourage  my  enlarging  them  ;  for  I  shall  be  candid 
in  telling  you,  that  duty  to  the  charge  with  which  I  am  entrusted,  as  well  as 
self-interest,  will  incline  me  to  abide  by  those,  who  give  the  greatest  proof  of 
their  abilities  in  selling  my  own  and  the  estate's  tobacco,  and  purchasing  our 
goods,  which  I  can  no  otherwise  judge  of,  than  by  the  accounts  that  will  be 
rendered.  And  here  permit  me  to  ask,  if  it  would  be  advisable  to  change  the 
marks  of  any  of  the  tobacco,  or  had  I  best  ship  it  all  under  the  usual  marks  ? 
If  so,  my  part  may  be  known  by  some  small  distinction,  such  as  you  can  best 
advise. 

"In  my  last,  among  other  things,  I  desired  you  would  send  me,  (besides  a 
small  octavo  volume,)  the  best  system  now  extant  of  agriculture  ;  since  which, 
I  have  been  told,  that  there  is  one,  lately  published,  done  by  various  hands, 
but  chiefly  collected  from  the  papers  of  Mr.  Hale.  If  this  is  known  to  be  the 
best,  pray  send  it,  but  not  if  any  other  is  in  higher  esteem." — Washington 
to  Robert  Cary  &"  Company,  I2  June,  1759. 


128  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1759 


and,  in  case  of  accident,  re-shipped  without  delay. 
Direct  for  me  at  Mount  Vernon,  Potomack  River, 
Virginia ;  the  former  is  the  name  of  my  seat,  the 
other  of  the  river  on  which  t'  is  situated.      I  am,  &c. 

May,  1759. 

Invoice  of  Sundry  Goods  to  be  Ship'd  by  Robt.  Gary,  Esq.,  and 
Company  for  the  use  of  George  Washington — viz  : 

I  Tester  Bedstead  i\  feet  pitch  with  fashionable  bleu  or  blue 
and  white  curtains  to  suit  a  Room  laid  w  yl  Ireld.  paper. — 

Window  curtains  of  the  same  for  two  windows  ;  with  either 
Papier  Mache  Cornish  to  them,  or  Cornish  covered  with  the 
Cloth. 

1  fine  Bed  Coverlid  to  match  the  Curtains.  4  Chair  bottoms  of 
the  same ;  that  is,  as  much  covering  suited  to  the  above  furniture 
as  will  go  over  the  seats  of  4  Chairs  (which  I  have  by  me)  in 
order  to  make  the  whole  furniture  of  this  Room  uniformly 
handsome  and  genteel. 

I.  Fashionable  Sett  of  Desert  Glasses  and  Stands  for  Sweet 
meats  Jellys  &c — together  with  Wash  Glasses  and  a  proper  Stand 
for  these  also. — 

2  Setts  of  Chamber,  or  Bed  Carpets — Wilton, 

4.  Fashionable  China  Branches  &  Stands  for  Candles. 

2  Neat  fire  Screens — 

50  lbs  Spirma  Citi  Candles — 

6  Carving  Knives  and  Forks — handles  of  Stained  Ivory  and 
bound  with  Silver. 

A  pretty  large  Assortment  of  Grass  Seeds — among  which  let 
there  be  a  good  deal  of  Lucerne  &  St.  Foi,  especially  the  former, 
also  a  good  deal  of  English  or  bleu  Grass  Clover  Seed  I  have. — 

1  Large  neat  and  Easy  Couch  for  a  Passage. 
50  yards  of  best  Floor  Matting. — 

2  pair  of  fashionable  mixd.  or  Marble  Cold.  Silk  Hose. 
6  pr  of  finest  cotton  Ditto. 

6  pr  of  finest  thread  Ditto 

6  pr  of  midling  Do.  to  cost  abt  5/ 

6  j)r  worsted  Do  of  yl  best  Sorted — 2  pr  of  wch.  to  be  white. 


1759]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  129 

N.  B.  All  the  above  Stockings  to  be  long,  and  tolerably 
large. 

I  piece  of  finest  and  most  fashionable  Stock  Tape. 

I  Suit  of  Cloaths  of  the  finest  Cloth  &  fashionable  colour  made 
by  the  Inclos'd  measure. — 

The  newest  and  most  approvd  Treatise  of  Agriculture — besides 
this,  send  me  a  Small  piece  in  Octavo — called  a  New  System  of 
Agriculture,  or  a  Speedy  Way  to  grow  Rich. 

Longley's  Book  of  Gardening. — 

Gibson,  upon  Horses,  the  lattest  Edition  in  Quarto — 

Half  a  dozn  pair  of  Men's  neatest  shoes,  and  Pumps,  to  be 
made  by  one  Didsbury,  on  Colo.  Baylor's  Last — but  a  little  larger 
than  his — &  to  have  high  heels. — ^ 

6  pr  Mens  riding  Gloves — rather  large  than  the  middle  size. 

One  neat  Pocket  Book,  capable  of  receiving  Memorandoms  & 
Small  Cash  accts.  to  be  made  of  Ivory,  or  any  thing  else  that  will 
admit  of  cleaning. — 

Fine  Soft  Calf  Skin  for  a  pair  of  Boots — 

Ben  leathr.  for  Soles. 

Six  Bottles  of  Greenhows  Tincture. 

Order  from  the  best  House  in  Madeira  a  Pipe  of  the  best  Old 
Wine,  and  let  it  be  securd  from  Pilferers. 


*  "  The  first  Shoes  which  I  desird  might  be  made  by  you  for  me  on  Colo. 
Baylors  Last  are  come  in,  and  fit  me  tolerably  well  except  that  some  of  them 
are  [if  any  thing]  rather  too  Short — as  I  imagine  you  will  now  be  able  to  suit 
my  foot  exactly — I  beg  you  will  for  the  future  observe  the  following  Directions 
in  Making  the  Shoes. 

"  Let  the  hind  Quarters  always  be  high  and  very  Short  so  that  they  may  Buc- 
kle high  up  on  the  Instep — the  Heels  midling  high  also. — 

"  Never  more  make  any  of  Dog  leather  except  one  pair  of  Pumps  in  a  Cargoe 
[which  let  be  very  neatj  unless  you  send  better  Leather  than  they  were  made  of 
before — for  the  two  pairs  of  Shoes  scarcely  lasted  me  twice  as  many  days  &  had 
very  fair  wearing.  If  I  shoud  find  occasion  to  alter  at  any  time  these  direc- 
tions you  shall  be  timely  advisd  of  it  at  present  please  to  send  me, 
2  pair  Strong  Shoes.  i  pr.  dble  Channel  Pumps. 

2  pr.  neat  &  fine  Do.         i  pr  very  neat  turnd  Ditto." 

—  Washington  to  Didsbury,  30th  Nov.  1759. 


I30  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1759 


TO    RICHARD    WASHINGTON. 

Mount  Vernon,  20  September,  1759. 

Dear  Sir, 

Inclosd  you  will  receive  a  Bill  [promisd  in  my 
last  of  the  7th  May]  which  please  to  receive  and  place 
to  my  credit — since  mine  of  the  above  date  your 
agreable  favor  of  the  26th  March  covering  Invoice 
of  Sundries  pr.  the  desire  is  come  to  hand  as  has  the 
Goods  also  in  good  order  which  is  more  than  most  of 
the  Importers  by  that  Ship  can  boast  great  part  of  her 
cargo  being  damagd — thro'  the  negligence  tis  said  of 
the  Captain. 

My  Brother  is  safe  arrivd  but  little  benefitted  in 
point  of  Health  by  his  Trip  to  England.  The  long- 
ing desire,  which  for  many  years  I  have  had  of  visit- 
ing the  great  Matrapolis  of  that  Kingdom  is  not  in 
the  least  abated  by  his  prejudices,  because  I  think  the 
small  share  of  Health  he  enjoyed  while  there  must 
have  given  a  sensible  check  to  any  pleasures  he  might 
figure  to  himself,  and  woud  render  any  place  Irksome 
— but  I  am  now  tied  by  the  Leg  and  must  set  In- 
clination aside. 

The  Scale  of  Fortune  in  America  is  turnd  greatly 
in  our  favor,  and  success  is  become  the  boon  Com- 
panion of  our  Fortunate  Generals.  Twoud  be  folly 
in  me  to  attempt  particularizing  their  Actions  since 
you  receive  accts.  in  a  channel  so  much  more  direct 
than  from  hence.  I  am  now  I  believe  fixd  at  this 
scat  with  an  agreable  Consort  for  Life.  And  hope  to 
find  more  happiness  in  retirement  than  I  ever  ex- 
perienced amidst  a  wide  and  bustling  World — I  thank 


1759]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  131 

you  heartily  for  your  affectionate  wishes — why  wont 
you  give  mean  occasion  of  Congratulating  you  in  the 
same  manner  ?  None  woud  do  it  with  more  cordial- 
ity and  true  sincerity  than,  Dear  Sir,  &c. 


TO    ROBERT    GARY    AND    COMPANY. 

Mount  Vernon,  20  September,  1759. 

Gentlemen, 

This  will  make  the  fourth  letter  I  have  written  to 
you  since  my  marriage  with  Mrs.  Martha  Custis. 
The  two  first  served  to  cover  invoices  of  such  goods 
as  I  wanted,  and  to  advise  you  at  the  same  time  of 
the  change  in  her  affairs,  and  how  necessary  it  would 
be  to  address,  for  the  future,  all  your  letters,  which  re- 
late to  the  estate  of  the  deceased  Colonel  Custis,  to 
me.  The  last  tended  only  to  order  insurance  on  fif- 
teen hogsheads  of  tobacco,  sent  by  the  Fair  American. 

I  shall  now  endeavor  to  take  notice  of  such  parts 
of  your  letters,  as  require  answering,  and  then  advise 
what  is  needful  to  be  done  as  matters  are  circum- 
stanced at  present.  In  regard  to  the  former,  there 
remains  no  great  deal  to  be  said,  unless  you  will  per- 
mit me  to  condemn  your  premature  sales  of  the 
estate's  tobacco  by  Whelden,  in  which  I  should  have 
thought  a  little  delay  would  have  appeared  absolute- 
ly advisable  for  another  reason,  besides  that  men- 
tioned by  you,  of  an  additional  duty  taking  place ; 
and  that  was  the  great  demand  for  tobacco,  and 
rising  price  in  the  country,  of  which  you  could  not  be 
unadvised    from    your   correspondents    in   Virginia. 


132  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1759 


However,  I  dare  say  you  did  for  the  best,  and  we 
must  therefore  be  satisfied.  And  in  this  place,  as  an 
individual,  give  me  leave  to  offer  you  my  thanks  for 
the  opposition  you  made  to  this  duty.  Had  all  your 
brethren  in  the  trade  merited  our  acknowledgments 
in  the  same  manner,  this  duty,  probably,  might  never 
have  been  laid. 

I  remark  the  pains  you  take  to  show  the  impro- 
priety of  paying  the  duty  of  the  estate's  tobacco. 
When  money  is  wanting,  it  cannot  be  expected  ;  but, 
when  a  sum  lies  in  your  hands,  it  should  certainly  be 
applied  that  way,  as  far  as  it  will  go.  I  likewise  ob- 
serve the  difficulties  you  have  met  with  in  settling 
for  the  interest  of  the  bank  stock  ;  but  I  hope  that  is 
now  over,  unless  any  part  or  the  whole  should  require 
transferring  (when  a  division  of  the  estate  is  made), 
and  then  timely  notice  will  be  given  ;  but,  till  this 
happens,  it  may  be  received  and  placed  to  the  estate's 
credit  in  the  usual  manner. 

From  this  time  it  will  be  requisite,  that  you  should 
raise  three  accounts  ;  one  for  me,  another  for  the 
estate,  and  a  third  for  Miss  Patty  Custis  ;  or,  if  you 
think  it  more  eligible  (and  I  believe  it  will  be),  make 
me  debtor  on  my  own  account  for  John  Parke  Custis, 
and  for  Miss  Martha  Parke  Custis,  as  each  will  have 
their  part  of  the  estate  assigned  them  this  fall,  and 
the  whole  will  remain  under  my  management,  whose 
particular  care  it  shall  be  to  distinguish  always,  either 
by  letter  or  invoice,  from  whom  tobaccos  are  shipped, 
and  for  whose  use  goods  are  imported,  in  order  to 
prevent  any   mistakes    arising.     The   estate's   credit 


[759]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  133 


now  in  your  hands  may  be  applied  towards  answering 
the  whole  drafts,  that  have  been  and  shall  be  made 
this  year  ;  and  it  must  appear  very  plain  from  my 
former  letters,  as  well  as  from  what  is  here  said,  how 
necessary  it  is  to  send  regular  accounts  current,  that, 
by  comparing  them  with  the  books  here,  satisfactory 
settlements  may,  from  time  to  time,  be  made  to  our 
General  Court. 

The  tobacco  per  the  Fair  American  will  make  its 
appearance,  I  apprehend,  in  a  very  irregular  manner. 
Captain  Talman  first  engaged  it  to  be  sent  by  the 
Cary,  then  by  the  Randolph;  and,  being  disap- 
pointed in  both,  I  had  to  seek  for  a  conveyance 
myself,  and  by  mere  good  luck  got  it  on  board  Cap- 
tain Thompson,  but  not  till  I  had  first  been  at  the 
trouble  and  expense  of  carting  it  across  from  York  to 
James  River  for  his  craft  to  take  it  in.  The  vessel 
being  upon  the  point  of  sailing  at  that  time,  a  gentle- 
man at  Norfolk,  where  she  lay,  promised  to  receive  the 
bills  of  lading,  and  send  them  by  different  opportuni- 
ties under  cover  to  you  ;  but,  losing  my  memoran- 
dum, he  wrote  to  me  a  month  afterwards  for  fresh 
directions,  which  I  suppose  did  not  reach  him  till  some 
time  after  the  vessel  had  sailed.  I  shall  endeavor  to 
put  what  tobacco  I  can  on  board  the  Cary,  as  I  under- 
stand she  is  to  wait  for  the  new  crop.  It  will  be 
needless,  I  am  persuaded,  to  bespeak  your  best  care 
in  the  sales  of  it ;  as  you  must  be  sensible  the  present 
high  price  of  tobacco  gives  us  room  to  expect  extra- 
ordinary returns  for  this  year's  produce  so  early 
shipped. 


134  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1759 


I  am  possessed  of  several  plantations  on  this  river 
(Potomac)  and  the  fine  lands  of  Shenandoah,  and 
should  be  glad  if  you  would  ingenuously  tell  me  what 
prices  I  might  expect  you  to  render  for  tobaccos  made 
thereon,  of  the  same  seed  of  that  of  the  estate's,  and 
managed  in  every  respect  in  the  same  manner  as  the 
best  tobaccos  on  James  and  York  Rivers  are.  I  ask 
this  question  purely  for  my  own  private  information, 
and  my  shipping  of  these  crops  will  be  governed  in  a 
great  measure  by  the  answer  you  may  give.  There- 
fore you  will  excuse  me,  I  hope,  if  I  again  desire  the 
favor  of  you  to  take  some  pains  to  inform  yourselves 
exactly  ;  because,  should  the  prices  differ  from  those 
of  the  estate,  I  might  possibly  think  myself  deceived, 
and  be  disgusted  of  course. 

Please  to  send  the  goods  contained  in  the  enclosed 
invoices,  and  charge  them  as  there  directed.  I  flatter 
myself,  that  particular  care  will  be  taken  in  choosing 
them,  the  want  of  which  gives  some  tradesmen  an 
opportunity  of  imposing  upon  us  most  vilely.  The 
coarse  eoods  for  the  estate's  use  are  ordered  from 
Liverpool  this  year ;  all  but  the  plaid  hose,  and  these 
I  beg  you  will  cause  to  be  sent  from  Glasgow  in  the 
usual  manner  and  number,  directed  to  the  care  of 
Mr.  Joseph  Valentine,  or  person  managing  the  estate's 
business  at  York  River.      I  am,  Gentlemen,  &c. 

INVOICE    OF    SUNDRU':S     I'O    V,V.    SKN'J'     I!Y     ROUKKT    GARY    AND    COM- 
PANY   FOR    THE    USE    OF    GEORGE    WASHINGTON. 

A  light  Summer  Suit  made  of      2  best  plain  Beaver  Hats,  at  21  .y. 

Duroy  by  the  measure.  i  piece  of  Irish  Linen  at  4^. 

4  pieces  best  India  Nankeen.  i  piece  black  Satin  Ribbon. 


1759] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


135 


1  Sword  Belt,  red  morocco  or 
buff  ;  no  buckles  or  rings. 

4  lbs.  Ivory  Black. 

2  best  two-bladed  Knives. 

2  pairs  good  Horse  Scissors. 

\  ream  good  Post  Paper,  cut. 

\  ream  good  do.  4to.  do. 

A  Salmon-colored  Tabby  of 
the  enclosed  pattern,  with 
satin  flowers,  to  be  made  in  a 
sack  and  coat. 

I  Cap,  Handkerchief,  Tucker, 
and  Ruffles,  to  be  made  of 
Brussels  lace,  or  point,  proper 
to  wear  with  the  above  neg- 
liglee,  to  cost  ;!^2o. 

1  piece  Bag  Holland  at  6.y. 

2  fine  flowered  Lawn  Aprons. 
2  double  Handkerchiefs. 

I  pair  woman's  white  Silk  Hose. 
6  pairs  do.  fine  Cotton  do. 
4  pairs  Thread  do. 
I   pair  black,  and  i   pair  white 
Satin  Shoes, of  the  smallest  5s. 
4  pair  Calamanco  do. 
I  fashionable  Hat,  or  Bonnet. 
6  pairs  women's  best  Kid  Gloves 
8  pairs  ditto  Mits. 
\  dozen  Knots,and  Breast  Knots. 
I  dozen  round  silk  laces. 
I  black  Mask. 

1  dozen  most  fashionable  Cam- 
bric Pocket  Handkerchiefs. 

2  pairs  neat  small  Scissors. 
I  lb.  Sewing  Silk  shaded. 

\  ditto.,  cloth  colored,  ditto. 
4  pieces  binding  Tape. 
6  m.  Miniken  Pins. 


6  m.  short  whites. 
6  m.  Corking  Pins. 

1  m.  Hair  ditto. 

6  lbs.  Perfumed  Powder. 
3  lbs.  best  Scotch  Snuff. 

3  lbs.  best  violette  Strasburg. 
8s  lb.  Starch. 

2  lbs.  powdered  Blue. 

2  oz.  Coventr)'  Thread,  one  of 

which  to  be  very  fine. 

I  piece  narrow  white  Satin  Rib- 
bon, pearl  edge. 

I  case  of  Pickles,  to  consist  of 
Anchovies,  Capers,  Olives, 
Salad  Oil,  and  i  bottle  India 
Mangoes. 

I  large  Cheshire  Cheese. 

4  lbs.  Green  Tea. 
10  groce  best  Corks. 

25  lbs.  best  Jar  Raisins. 

25  lbs.  Almonds  in  the  shell. 

1  hogshead  best  Porter. 

10  loaves  double  and  10  single 

refined  Sugar 
6  strong  Halters,  hempen  reins. 

3  best  Snaffle  Bridles. 
3  best  Girths. 

25  lbs.  Crown  Soap. 
12  lbs.  best  Mustard. 

2  dozen  packs  Playing  Cards. 
2  sacks  of  best  English  Oats. 
I  dozen  Painter's  Brushes. 

I  bushel  of  Tares. 

12  best  hard  Padlocks. 

1  \  dozen  Bell  Glasses  for  garden. 

2  more  Chair  Bottoms,  such  as 
were  written  for  in  a  former 
invoice. 


136 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1759 


I  more   Window   Curtain   and      100  yards  Dutch  Blankets. 


Cornice. 

100  lbs.  white  Biscuit. 

3  gallons  of  Rhenish  in  bottles. 

2  Lanterns. 

8  Busts,  according  to   the  en- 
closed direction  and  measure. 


2  pieces  Fearnought. 

8  dozen  pair  Plaid  Hose  sorted. 

4  dozen  Monmouth  Caps. 

20  lbs.  Brown  Thread. 

15  lbs.  best  Shoemaker's  ditto. 

20  sacks  of  Salt. 


25  yards  Broadcloth,  of  the  en- 
closed color,  to   cost   about 

15  yards  coarse  thick  double, 
same  color. 

6  yards  Scarlet  Broadcloth,  at 
8.y.  6d. 

30  yards  Red  Shalloon. 

20  dozen  white-washed  Coat 
Buttons. 

12  dozen  Waistcoat  ditto. 

Twist,  Thread,  Silk,  &c.  suffi- 
cient to  make  up  the  above 
cloth. 

40  yards  of  coarse  Jeans  or  Fus- 
tian, for  summer  frocks  for 
negro  servants. 

I  piece  Irish  Linen  at  \s.  ^d. 

1  piece  Dowlas  at  lod. 

i|  dozen  pairs  strong  coarse 
Thread  Hose  fit  for  negro 
servants. 

6  Castor  Hats,  at  about  55. 

2  Postilion  Caps. 

T  dozen  pairs  coarse  Shoe  and 
Knee  Buckles. 

450  ells  Osnabergs. 
4  pieces  Brown  Rolls. 
350  yards  Kendall  Cotton. 


2  casks    ^d.  nails  ;  2    do.   lod. 

do. 
10  m.  20^.  do.;  20  m.  8^.  do. 
20  m.  i^d.  do. 
6  spades. 

200  lbs.  German  Steel. 
2  dozen  best  Sickles. 
6  best  White's  Handsaws. 
6  best  Broad  Axes. 
6  House  Adzes. 
2  dozen  Box  Gimblets. 
6  pairs  Steel  Compasses. 
I    dozen  Augers   sorted,    from 

two  inches  to  half  an  inch. 
I  Cowper's  Taper  Bit. 
I  ditto  Crow. 
I  do.  Dowling  Bit. 
I  do.  Wimble  do. 
I  do.  Vice. 

I  do.  pair  large  Compasses. 
I  do.  Jointer  ;   i  do.  Adze. 
I  do.  Round  Shave. 
I  do.  Howell. 
I  Wheelwright's  Buzz. 
I  do.  large  Gouge. 

1  do.  Centre  Bit. 

2  dozen  pairs  H.  Hinges. 
25  lbs.  Glue. 

2  Crosscut  Saws. 
12  Inch  Chisels. 


1759] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


137 


1  Jointer. 

2  long  Planes  ;  2  Jack  do. 
4  Smoothing  do. 

10  pairs  Hollows  and  Rounds. 
6  Ogees. 

3  pairs  of  Grooving  Planes. 
I  Snipe's  Bill. 

4  Quarter  Rounds. 

4  Sash  Planes  ;  3  Bead  do. 
6  Ovelos  ;  i  Plow  and  irons. 
I  moving  Philester. 
I  Screw  Rabbit  Plane. 
I  Square  do. ;  3  raising  do. 
I  Spring  Brace  and  Bits  com- 
plete. 
I  Turkey  Oil-Stone. 
I  Panel  Saw  ;  i  Tenant  do. 
I  Compass  do.;  i  Sash  do. 
I  dozen  Firmers. 
I  dozen  Gouges. 
6  Mortising  Chisels. 

1  Adze  ;  i  Drawing-knife. 

2  pairs  Compasses  ;  2  Rules. 
2  Chalk  Lines. 

1  small  Hatchet. 

2  Punches  ;  2  Saw  Sets. 

2  dozen  Gimlets. 

3  dozen  Plane  Irons. 

6  Rasps,  two  of  a  sort. 
2  dozen  Handsaw  Files. 
2  do.  of  Tenant  do. 

6  bottles  Turlington's  Balsam. 
8  oz.  Spirit  of  Lavender. 
\  lb.  Ipecacuana  powdered. 
\  lb.  Jalap  powdered. 
12  oz.  Venice  Treacle. 

4  oz.  best  Rhubarb. 


12  oz.  Diacordium. 
4  lbs.  Pearl  Barley. 
4  Sago. 

4  oz.  Balsam  Capevi. 

5  oz.  Liquid  Laudanum. 

5  oz.  Spirits  Sal  Ammoniac. 

5  oz.  Spirits  Hartshorn. 

4  oz.  Spanish  Flies. 

3  lbs.  Bird-Lime. 

6  lbs.  Oil  Turpentine. 
2  lbs.  Spirits  of  do. 

5  lbs.  White  Sugar  Candy. 
10  lbs.  Brown  do. 

1  lb.  Barley  Sugar. 

2  lbs.  Linseed  Oil,  cold  drawn. 

4  lbs.  Alum. 

X  lb.  Spermaceti. 

4  oz.  Tincture  of  Myrrh. 

4  oz.  Balsam  Sulphur. 

4  oz.  Pulvus  Basilic. 

2  oz.  Mer.  Dulcis. 

4  oz.  Sal  Volatile. 

10  oz.  Hartshorn  Shavings. 

2     quarts      strong     Cinnamon 

Water. 
2  ditto  weak  ditto. 

N.  B.    All  liquids  in  double- 
flint  bottles. 

40J.  worth  of  Medicines  for  far- 
riery, among  which  let  there 
be 

4  lbs.  flower  of  Brimstone. 

4  lbs.  Anniseed. 

4  lbs.  Carthamus. 

5  lbs.  Syrup  of  Colt's-foot. 
2  lbs.  Diapente. 

5  lbs  Black  Soap. 


138 


THE  WRITINGS  OF 


[1759 


4  lbs.  Cummin  Seeds. 
4  lbs.  Fenugreek. 
2  lbs.  Juice  of  Liquorice. 
4  lbs.  long  Pepper. 

Directions  for  the  Busts. 

4.  One  of  Alexander  the  Great ; 
another  of  Julius  Csesar  ;  an- 
other of  Charles  XII.  of  Swe- 
den ;  and  a  fourth  of  the 
King  of  Prussia. 


N.  B.  These  are  not  to  exceed 
fifteen  inches  in  height,  nor 
ten  in  width. 

2  other  Busts,  of  Prince  Eu- 
gene and  the  Duke  of  Marl- 
borough, somewhat  smaller. 

2  Wild  Beasts,  not  to  exceed 
twelve  inches  in  height,  nor 
eighteen  in  length. 

Sundry  small  ornaments  for 
chimney-piece. 


INVOICE  OF  SUNDRIES  TO  BE  SHIPPED  BY  ROBERT  GARY  AND  COM- 
PANY, FOR  THE  USE  OF  MASTER  JOHN  AND  MISS  PATTY  CUSTIS, 
EACH  TO  BE  CHARGED  TO  THEIR  OWN  ACCOUNTS,  BUT  BOTH 
CONSIGNED  TO  GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  POTOMAC  RIVER. 


For  Master  Custis,  6  years  old. 

1  piece  Irish  Holland  at  4.?. 

2  yards  fine  Cambric  at  \os. 

6  Pocket  Handkerchiefs,  small 

and  fine. 
6  pairs  Gloves  ;  2  Laced  Hats. 

2  pieces  India  Nankeen. 

6  pairs  fine  thread  Stockings. 

4  pairs  coarser  do. 

6  pairs  worsted  do. 

4  pairs  strong  Shoes  ;  4  pairs 

Pumps. 
1  summer  suit  of  clothes,  to  be 

made  of  something  light  and 

thin. 

3  fine   Ivory  Combs  ;  2    Horn 
do.  and  2  Brushes. 

I  piece  black  Hair  Ribbon. 
1    pair   handsome   silver   Shoe 

and  Knee  Buckles. 
loj.  worth  of  Toys. 


6  little  books  for  children  be- 
ginning to  read. 

I  oz.  2>d.  Thread  ;  i  oz.  \2d.  do. 

I  oz.  2s.  do.;  I  oz.  T^s.  do. 

\  lb.  whited  brown  Thread. 

I  light  duffel  Cloak  with  silver 
frogs. 

For  Miss  Custis,  4  years  old. 

8  yards  fine  printed  Linen  at 
3J.  6d. 

1  piece  Irish  Holland  at  45. 

2  ells  fine  Holland  at  icy. 

8  pairs  kid  Mits  ;  4  pairs  Gloves. 

2  pairs  silk  Shoes. 

4  pairs  Calamanco  do.;  4  pairs 

leather  Pumps. 
6  pairs  fine  thread  Stockings. 
4  pairs  worsted  do. 
\  piece  flowered  Dimity. 
2  yards  fine  Cambric  at  los. 


1759]                    GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  139 

2  Caps,  2  pairs  Ruffles,  2  Tuck-  silk,    made    to    pack-thread 

ers,    Bibs,    and    Aprons,    if  stays. 

fashionable.  6  yards  Ribbon  ;  2  Necklaces. 

2  Fans  ;  2  Masks  ;  2  Bonnets.  i    pair   silver   Sleeve    Buttons, 

2    m.   large   Pins  ;  2  m.    short  with  Stones. 

whites.  I  fashionable-dressed  baby  \os.; 

2  m.  Minekins  ;  i  Cloth  Cloak.  and  other  Toys  10s. 

I  stiffened  Coat  of  Fashionable  6  Pocket  Handkerchiefs. 


TO    ROBERT    GARY    AND    COMPANY. 

30  November,  1759. 

Gentn., 

By  the  George  and  Captns.  Richardson  and  Miks 

who  saild  with  the  Fleet  in  September  last  I  sent  Invoices  of 
such  Goods  as  were  wanting  for  myself  Estate  &ctr,  but  knowing 
that  the  Latter  unfortunately  foundered  at  Sea  soon  after  her  De- 
parture from  Virginia  and  that  the  former  may  probably  have  suf- 
ferd  by  that  storm  or  some  other  accident,  by  which  means  my 
letters  &ctr.  woud  miscarry  I  take  this  opportunity  by  way  of 
Bristol  of  addressing  Copies  of  them  and  over  &  above  ye  things 
there  wrote  for  to  desire  the  favor  of  you  to  send  me  a  neat 
Grait  [for  coal  or  small  Faggots]  in  the  newest  taste  and  of  a 
size  to  fit  a  chimney  abt.  3  feet  wide  and  two  Deep  and  a  fender 
suited  to  Ditto — Steel  I  believe  are  most  usd  at  present — also 
send  me  a  New  Market  Great  Coat  with  a  loose  hood  to  it,  made 
of  Bleu  Drab  or  broad  cloth  with  straps  before  according  to  the 
present  taste — let  it  be  made  of  such  Cloth  as  will  turn  a  good 
shower  of  Rain  and  made  long  and  fit  in  other  respects  for  a  man 
full  6  feet  high  &  proportionably  made — possibly  ye  measure 
sent  for  my  other  cloths  may  be  a  good  direction  in  those — Please 
to  add  also  to  the  things  orderd  for  Mrs  Dandridge  12  yds  of 
Silver  cold.  Armozeen  or  Ducape  &  cause  it  to  be  packd  up  with 
ye  Rest  of  her  things  chargd  with  yrs.  &c. 

Five  Days  ago  I  dropt  a  Letter  at  Williamsburg,  to  take  the 
first  conveyance  to  you,  desiring  Insurance  on  50  Hhds  Tobo  pr. 
ye  Cary  since  then  I  have  got  4  more  Inspected  &  all  on  Float 


I40  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1760 


ready  to  deliver  at  the  ship's  side  You  will  therefore  Insure  that 
quantity  and  dispose  of  them  in  the  best  manner  for  our  Interest. 
If  Captn.  Talman  uses  that  Despatch  in  Loading  of  his  vessel 
which  I  am  sure  he  now  has  in  his  power  to  do,  this  Tobo.  wl 
come  to  a  very  good  Market  I  hope. 

It  is  almost  as  much  trouble  and  expence  getting  Goods  from 
any  of  the  Rivers  round  to  Potomack  as  the  Original  charges  of 
shipping  them  amounts  to,  unless  they  are  committed  to  the 
charge  of  very  careful  Captains  who  has  an  Interest  in  forward- 
ing. I  shoud  be  glad  therefore  if  you  would  take  the  oppertunity 
of  some  ship  to  that  River  of  sending  my  Goods  for  the  Future. 

Your  favor  of  the  6th.  Augt.  I  have  had  the  pleasure  of 
receiving,  and  acknowledge  myself  particularly  obligd  to  you  for 
yr  polite  congratulations  on  my  Marriage,  as  I  likewise  am  for 
yr  Dispatch  of  my  Goods.     I  am  Gentn. 


JOURNAL,'  1760. 

January  i.  Tuesday.  Visited  my  Plantations  and  receiv'd  an 
Instance  of  Mr.  French's  "  great  Love  of  money  in  disap- 
pointing me  of  some  Pork  because  the  price  had  risen  to 
22/6,  after  he  had  engaged  to  let  me  have  it  at  20/. 
Call'd  at  Mr.  Posey's  in  my  way  home  and  desir'd  him  to 
engage  me  100  barls.  of  corn  upon  the  best  terms  he  coud 
in  Maryland. — and  found  Mrs.  Washington  upon  my  ar- 
rival broke  out  with  the  Meazles. 

Jany.  2d.  Wednesy.  Mrs  Barnes  who  came  to  visit  Mrs.  Wash- 
ington yesterday  rcturnd  home  in  my  Chariot,  the  weather 
being  too  bad  to  travel  in  an  open  carriage — which,  together 
with  Mrs.  Washington's  Indisposition,  confind  me  to  the 
House  and  gave  me  an  op})ortunity  of  Posting  my  Books  and 
putting  them  in  good  order.  Fearing  a  disappointment  else- 
where in  Pork,  I  was  fain  to  take  Mr.  French's  upon  his  own 

'  This  Journal  is  the  earliest  daily  record  of  Washington's  life  at  Mount  Ver- 
non that  I  have  been  able  to  find.  It  is  jMinted  nearly  in  full,  the  omitted 
sentences  being  merely  records  of  the  weather  from  day  to  day. 

'■•  Daniel  French. 


1760]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  141 


terms  &  engagd  them  to  be  delivd  at  my  House  on  Mon- 
day next. 

Thursday  Jany.  3d.  The  weather  continuing  Bad  &  ye  same 
causes  subsisting  I  confind  myself  to  the  House.  Morris 
who  went  to  work  yesterday  caught  cold,  and  was  laid  up 
bad  again,  and  several  of  the  Family  were  taken  with  the 
Measles,  but  no  bad  symptoms  seemd  to  attend  any  of  them. 
Hauled  the  sein  and  got  some  fish,  but  was  near  being  disap- 
pointd.  of  my  Boat  by  means  of  an  oyster  man  who  had  lain 
at  my  Landing  and  plagud  me  a  good  deal  by  his  disorderly 
behaviour. 

Friday  Jany.  4th.  The  Weather  continued  Brisling  and  warm, 
and  I  kept  the  House  all  day.  Mrs.  Washington  seeming  to 
be  very  ill  I  wrote  to  Mr.  Green  this  afternoon  desinng  his 
Company  to  visit  her  in  the  momg. 

Saturday,  Jany  5.  Mrs.  Washington  appeared  to  be  something 
better.  Mr.  Green,  however,  came  to  see  her  abt.  1 1  oclock, 
and  in  an  hour  Mrs.  Fairfax  arrivd.  Mr.  Green  prescribed 
the  needful  and  just  as  we  were  going  to  Dinnr.  Capt.  Walter 
'  Stuart  appeard  with  Doctr.  Laurie.'  The  Evening  being 
very  cold  and  the  wind  high  Mr.  Fairfax  went  home  in  the 
Chariot.  Soon  afterwards  Mulatto  Jack  arrived  from  Fredk- 
with  4  Beeves. 

Sunday,  Jany  6th.  The  Chariot  not  returning  time  enough  from 
Colo.  Fairfax's  we  were  prevented  from  Church.  Mrs. 
Washington  was  a  good  deal  better  to-day  but  the  oyster 
man  still  continuing  his  Disorderly  behavior  at  my  Landing, 
I  was  obligd  in  the  most  preemptory  manner  to  order  him 
and  his  compy.  away  which  he  did  not  Incline  to  obey  till 
the  next  morning 

Monday  Jany  7th.  Accompanied  Mrs.  Bassett  to  Ale::andria 
and  engaged  a  Keg  of  Butter  of  Mrs.  Kirkpatrick  being  quite 
out  of  that  Article.  Wrote  from  thence  to  Doctr.  Craik  to 
endeavor  if  possible  to  engage  me  a  Gardener  from  the 
Regiment  and  retumd  in  the  dusk  of  the  Evening. 


'  Dr.  James  Laurie.     He  attended  all  of  Washington's  people  in  the  country 
for  ;^I5  per  annum. 


142  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1760 

Tuesday — J  any  8.  Directed  an  Indictment  to  be  formd  by  Mr. 
Johnston  against  Jno.  Ballendine  for  a  fraud  in  some  Iron 
he  sold  me.  Got  a  little  Butter  from  Mr.  Dalton  and  wrote 
to  Colo.  West  for  Pork.  In  the  Evening  8  of  Mr.  French's 
Hogs  from  his  Ravensworth  Quarter  came  down  one  being 
lost  on  the  way  as  the  others  might  as  well  have  been  for 
their  goodness.  Nothing  but  the  disappointments  in  this 
Article  of  Pork  which  he  himself  had  causd  and  my  necessi- 
ties coud  possibly  have  obligd  me  to  take  them. — Carpenter 
Sam  was  taken  with  the  Measles. 

Wednesday — J  any  9.  Killd  and  dressd  Mr.  French's  Hogs  which 
weighd  751  lbs.  neat.  Colo.  West  leaving  me  in  doubt  about 
his  Pork  yesterday  obligd  me  to  send  to  him  again  to-day, 
and  now  no  definitive  answr.  was  receivd,  he  purposing  to 
send  his  overseer  down  to-morrow  to  agree  abt.  it.  Colo. 
Bassett's  Abram  arrivd  with  Letters  from  his  Master  appoint- 
ing Port  Royal,  &  Monday  next  as  a  time  and  place  to  meet 
him — he  brought  some  things  from  me  that  day  in  Mr.  Nor- 
ton's ware  house  in  York  Town. 

Thursday — Jany  loth.  Accompanied  Mrs.  Bassett  in  a  visit  to 
Belvoir.  She  this  day  determined  on  Setting  of  for  Port 
Royal  on  Saturday.  Colo.  West  wrote  me  word  that  he  had 
engaged  his  Pork.  Killed  the  Beeves  that  Jack  brought 
down  two  of  which  were  tolerable  good. —     *     *     * 

Saturday — Jany  12th.  Sett  out  with  Mrs.  Bassett  on  her  journey 
to  Port  Royal-  the  morning  was  clear  and  fine  but  soon 
clouded  and  promisd  much  Rain  or  other  falling  weather 
wch.  is  generally  the  case  after  remarkable  white  Frosts,  as 
it  was  to-day.  We  past  Occognan  witht.  any  great  difficulty 
notwithstanding  the  wind  was  something  high  and  Lodgd  at 
Mr.  McCraes  in  Dumfries  sending  the  Horses  to  the  Tavern. 
Here  I  was  inform'd  that  Col.  Cocke  was  disgusted  at  ray 
House  and  left  it  because  he  see  an  old  negro  there  resem- 
bling his  own  Image. 

Sunday,  Jany  13th.  The  wind  last  night  chop'd  about  from 
Southerly  to  the  No. West  bleu  Extreame  hard  and  made  it 
excessive  cold — We  reachd  Mr.  Seldon's  abt.  3  o'clock  and 
met  with  a  certain  Capt.  Dives There  a  man,  who,  as  I 


1760]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  143 

have  been  informd  is  pretty  well  known  for  some  of  his 
exploits  and  suspected  to  be  in  Instrument  in  carrying 
Dickerson  whose  character  and  memory  are  too  well  estab- 
lish'd  to  need  any  Commentaries. 

Monday — Jany  14th.  The  Wind  at  No.  West  and  the  Morning 
being  clear  and  cold  but  otherwise  fine  we  set  out —  Mr. 
Seldon  obligingly  accompanying  us  a  few  miles  to  prevent 
any  misapprehensions  of  the  Road —  We  arrivd  about 
2  oclock  to  the  Plantation  late  Col.  Turner's  but  now  In- 
habited by  an  overseer  directly  opposite  to  Port  Royal.  At 
this  place  also  Mr.  Gibourne  lodges  and  here  we  were  dis- 
agreeably disappointed  of  meeting  him  for  a  few  hours,  but 
at  length  he  arrivd  almost  at  the  same  Instant,  that  Colo 
Bassett  did,  from  hence  we  moved  over  to  Port  Royal  and 
spent  ye  evening  at  Fox's  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bassett.  Mr. 
Bassett  brought  me  a  Letter  from  Captn.  Langbourn  Inclos- 
ing a  Bill  of  Lading  for  20  Hdds  for  the  Deliverance  Captn. 
Wm.  Whyte —  One  other  was  sent  by  the  ship,  neither  of 
which  signifying  to  whom  the  Tobo.  was  consignd,  which  is 
not  less  strange  than  that  only  two  Bills  shd  be  given  when 
4  and  never  less  than  three  are  customary  in  war  time.  The 
Wind  freshened  up  as  the  Evening  came  on  and  causd  a 
most  intense  frost  indeed  no  thaw  had  been  the  whole 
day. — 

Tuesday — Jany  15th.  Mr  Gibourne  and  I,  leaving  Mr  Bassett 
just  ready  to  set  out,  recrossd  the  River  and  proceeded  to 
Colo  Carter's  where  we  dined  and  in  the  evening  reachd 
Colo.  Champe's.  Several  Gentlemen  dined  with  us  at  Colo 
Carter  (neighbours  of  his)  but  we  spent  a  very  lonesome 
Evening  at  Colo  Champe's,  not  any  Body  favoring  us  with 
their  Company  but  himself.  The  morning  of  this  day  was 
exceeding  cold  the  wind  still  continuing  at  No  West  but  in 
the  Evening  it  died  away  grew  something  more  moderate  and 
promised  falling  weather  but  no  appearance  of  a  thaw. 

Wednesday — Jany  16.  I  parted  with  Mr  Gibourne,  leaving  Colo. 
Champe's  before  the  Family  was  stirring,  and  abt  10  reachd 
my  mothr.  where  I  breakfasted  and  then  went  to  Fredericks- 
burg with  my  Brothr  Sam  who  I  found  there.     Abt  Noon  it 


144  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1760 


began  snowing,  the  wind  at  So.  West  but  not  cold  ;  was  dis- 
appointed of  seeing  my  Sister  Lewis  &  getting  a  few  things 
which  I  wanted  out  of  the  Stores,  returned  in  ye  Evening  to 
Mother's  all  alone  with  her. 

Thursday  Jany.  17th.  The  snow  had  turnd  to  rain  &  occa- 
siond  a  sleet,  the  wind  at  NoEt.  and  the  Ground  coverd 
abt.  an  Inch  and  half  with  Snow,  the  Rain  continued  with 
but  little  Intermission  till  noon  and  then  came  on  a  Mist 
which  lasted  till  night.  Abt.  Noon  I  set  out  from  my  Mothers 
&  Just  at  Dusk  arrivd  at  Dumfries — 

Friday — Jany  i8th.  Continued  my  journey  home  the  Misting 
continuing  till  noon  when  the  Wind  got  Southerly  and  being 
very  warm  occasiond  a  great  thaw.  I  however  found 
Potomk.  River  quite  cover'd  with  Ice — &  Doctr  Craik  at  my 
House. 

Saturday — Jany  19.  The  wind  got  abt.  to  the  No.ward  last  night 
and  froze  the  Ground  hard.  The  morning  Lowerd  and 
threatend  Rain  but  about  noon  the  clouds  dispersd  and 
grew  warm,  the  Wind  coming  about  Southerly  again. 
Reed,  a  Letter  from  my  overseer  Hardwich  informing  me  that 
the  Small  Pox  was  Surrounding  the  Plantations  he  over- 
lookd  &  requiring  Sundry  working  Tools.     *     *     * 

Sunday  Jany  20th.  *  *  *  Visited  at  Belvoir  today  carrying 
Doctr  Craik  with  us  who  spent  the  Evening  there. — 
The  wind  continued  Southerly  the  whole  day  the  Ground 
very  soft  &  rotten  till  10  o  clock  A.  M.  it  Raind  witht  in- 
termission, but  then  the  clouds  dispersed  and  promised  fair 
weather  till  noon  when  it  again  set  in  to  Raining  and  con- 
tinued by  Intervals  the  whole  afternoon  being  warm.    *    *    * 

Tuesday  Jany  2  2d.  The  wind  continued  No.wardly  the  weather 
clear  &  cold — the  ground  hard  froze  &  the  River  blockd  up 
again. 

Killd  17  more  Hogs  which  were  bought  of  Mr  French  who 
was  here  ready  to  see  them  weighd  &  to  receive  his  money. 
Doctr.  Craick  Dind  here.    Hogs  weighed  1722  Ibsnett. 

Wednesday — Jany  23d.  Clear  and  more  moderate  than  yester- 
day but  the  gd.  &ctr  still  hard  frozen.  Abt  noon  the  wind 
(what  little  blew)  came  westerly  and  Inclining  south. 


1760]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  145 

My  waggon  set  of  for  Frederick  with  sundrys'  that  were 
wrote  for  by  ye  overseer  there. 

Doctr.  Craick  left  this  for  Alexandria  and  I  visited  my 
quarter's  &  ye  Mill,  according  to  custom  found  young 
Stephen's  absent. —  *  *  * 
Friday  Jan'y  25th  :  Went  to  Alexandria  and  saw  my  Tobo  wch. 
came  from  the  Mountn's.  lying  in  an  open  shed  with  the 
ends  of  the  Hhds  out  and  in  very  bad  order — engagd  the  In- 
spection of  it  on  Monday. 

Wrote  to  Doctr.  Ross  to  purchase  me  a  joiner,  Bricklayer 
and  Gardnar,  if  any  ship  of  servants  was  in. — 

Also  wrote  to  my  old  serv^ant  Bishop  to  return  to  me  again 
if  he  was  not  otherwise  engaged.  Directed  for  him  at  Phila , 
but  no  certainty  of  his  being  there. — 
Saturday — Jany  26th.  A  very  white  frost  the  ground  and  River 
hard  froze — the  wind  at  Sun  Rise  at  Xo.Et.  in  an  hour 
afterwards  it  got  to  South  and  continued  there  the  whole 
day.  Rode  to  Williamsons  Quarter,  the  overseer  not 
there.  A  very  remarkable  Circle  round  the  Moon — another 
Indication  of  falling  weather.  *  *  * 
Monday — Jany  28th.  The  River  close  again  and  the  ground 
very  knobby  &  hard —  The  Wind  got  So.  about — and  blew 
fresh-Which  all  most  cleard  the  River  of  Ice.  Visited  my 
Plantation.  Severely  reprimanded  young  Stephen's  for  his 
Indolence,  and  his  father  for  suffering  of  it. — found  the  new 
negroe,  Cupid,  ill  of  a  pleurisy  at  Dogue  Run  Quarter  and 
had  him  brot.  home  in  a  Cart  for  better  care  of  him. 
Tuesday  Jany  29th.  *  *  *  Darcus — daughter  to  Phillis  died. 
Which  Makes  4  Negroes  lost  this  winter  viz  :  3  Dower 
negroes   namely 

Beck — appraisd  to  ^50 — 

Doll's  child,  bom  since 

Darcus — appd.  at and  Belinda  a  wench  of  mine  in 

Frekerick. — 
Wednesday — Jany  30th.    Very  cloudy — Wind  at  So.  till  9  oclock 
at  Night  when  it  instantainously  Shifted  to  No.  West  &  blew 
a  mere  hurricane. 

Cupid  was  extreame  111  all  this  day  and  at  night  when  I 


146  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [176c 


went  to  Bed  I  thought  him  within  a  few  hours  of  breathing 
his  last. — 
Thursday — J  any  31st.  He  was  somewhat  better — the  wind  con- 
tinued at  No.  West  all  day.  Very  cold — &  clear. — 
Friday — Feb'y  ist.  1760.  Visited  my  Plantations — found  Foster 
had  been  absent  from  his  charge  since  the  28th  ulto.  Left 
orders  for  him  to  come  immediately  to  me  upon  his  return 
and  reprehended  him  severely. 

Mr  Johnston  and  Mr.  Walter  Stewart  came  here  this  after- 
noon. 
Saturday  Feb'y  2d.  17 —  The  gentlemen  went  off  after  Breakfast, 
and  I  rid  out  to  my  Plantns,  and  to  My  Carpenter's.  Found 
Richd.  Stephens  hard  at  work  with  an  ax —  Very  extra- 
ordinary this  ! — Desird  him  to  see  after  Wm  Nation's  Rent, 
who  died  t'other  day. — 

The  wind  for  the  most  part  was  northerly  yet  the  Day 
was  mild — the  Evening  fine  &  promisd  settled  Weathr. 

Mrs  Posey  and  2  of  her  children  came  and  stayd  the  night 
here. — 
Sunday  Feby.  3d.    Very  white  Frost — and  wind  shifting  from  So, 
to  East. — 

Breechy  was  laid  up  this  morning  with  pains  in  his  breast  & 
head  &  attended  with  a  fever. 

Mrs.  Posey  went  home,  and  we  to  Church  at  Alexandria. 
Din'd  at  Colo  Carlyle's  and  returnd  in  the  Evening. — 

One  Newell  offerd  himself  to  me  to  be  overseer  put  him  off 
to  another  day. 
Monday   .    .    .    Dispatch'd  Foster  to  Occognan,  to  proceed  from 

thence  in  Bailey's  vessel  to for  100  Barrls.  of  Corn  which 

Captn.  Posey  purchas'dof  Mr.  Hunter,  the  Priest,  for  my  use. 
Sent  money  to  pay  for  the  Corn,  viz  : — 37  pistoles  and  a  Shil- 
ling, each  pistole  weighing  ^  ^3 

Breechy's  pains  increasd  and  he  appeard  extreamely  ill  all 
day. — In  suspense  whether  to  send  for  Doctor  Laurie  or  not. 
— Visited  my  Plantations  and  found  two  Negroes  sick  at  Wil- 
liamson's Quarter,  viz  :  Greg,  and  Lucy.  Orderd  them  to 
be  blooded,     Stephens  at  Winchester. 

Colo  Fairfax  giving  me  notice  that  he  shoud  send  up  to 


1760]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  147 

Frederick  in  the  morning,  sat  down  and  wrote  to  my  overseer 
there. — 
Tuesday  Feb'y  5th.  Breechy's  pains  Increasing,  and  he  appearing 
worse  in  other  respects,  indued  me  to  send  for  Dr.  Laurie 
Wrote  to  Mr.  Ramsay  begging  the  favor  of  him  to  enquire 
into  the  price  of  Mr.  Barnes'  Sugar  Land  Tract,  and  he 
informd  me  that  ye  value  set  on  it  by  Mr.  Barnes  was  ^400. 

Visited  my  Plantation  and  found  to  my  great  surprise 
Stephens  constantly  at  work  —  Greg  and  Lucy  nothing 
better — 

Passing  by  my  Carpenters  that  were  hughing  (hewing)  I 
found  that  four  of  them  viz  :  —  George,  Tom,  Mike  & 
young  Billy,  had  only  hugh'd  120  foot  yesterday  from  10 
oclock.     Sat  down  therefore,  and  observ'd — 

Tom  and  Mike  in  a  less  space  than  30  minutes,  clear'd  the 
bushes  from  about  a  poplar  stock  ;  lin'd  it  10  Foot  long,  and 
hugh'd  each  their  side  12  Inches  deep. 

Then  letting  them  proceed  their  own  way  they  spent  25 
minutes  more  in  getting  the  cross  cut  saw  standing  to  con- 
sider what  to  do  ;  sawing  the  stalk  off  in  two  places  ;  putting 
it  on  the  Blocks,  for  hughing  it,  square  lining  it  &ctr.  And 
from  this  time  till  they  had  finishd  the  stalk  entirely  requir'd 
20  minutes  more  :  so  that  in  the  spaces  of  one  hour  and  a 
quarter  they  each  of  them  from  the  stump  finishd  20  Feet  of 
hughing.  From  hence  it  appears  very  clear  that,  allowing 
they  work  only  from  Sun  to  Sun  and  requird  two  hours'  at 
Breakfast,  they  ought  to  yield  each  his  125  feet,  while  the 
days  are  at  their  present  length  and  more  in  proportion  as 
they  increase. 

While  this  was  doing,  George  and  Billy  saw'd  30  ^oot  of 
plank,  so  that  it  appears  as  clear  making  the  same  allowance 
as  before,  but  not  for  the  time  requird  in  piling  the  stock, 
that  they  ought  to  saw  180  feet  of  plank. 

It  is  to  be  observd  here  that  this  hughing,  and  sawing  like- 
wise, was  of  poplar.  What  may  be  the  difference,  therefore, 
between  the  working  of  this  wood  and  others  some  future 
observations  must  make  known. 

The  weather  to-day  was  variable  often  Rainy,  but  the  wind 


148  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1760 

hung  Chiefly  between  the  South  and  West.     No  frost  last 
night  and  the  ground  vastly  rotten — 

Colo.  Fairfax,  his  Lady,  and  Doctr.  Laurie  din'd  here. 
The  Dr.  went  away  afterwards,  but  the  other  stayd  the 
Evening. 

Wednesday — Feb'y  6th  *  *  *  Colo.  Fairfax  and  Mrs.  Fair- 
fax din'd  here.  The  Dr.  sent  his  servant  down  with  things 
to  Breechy.  Greg  came  here  this  afternoon  worse,  and  I 
had  15  Hogs  arrivd  from  Bullskin. 

Thursday  Feby  7th.  The  Hogs  which  arrivd  yesterday  were 
killd — weighg  as  follows — viz  : — 


142 . . . 140. 

.  140. 

..139. 

130.. .130. 

.  no. 

. .  90 

90. . .  90. 

.  90. 

.  .  90. 

83...  80. 

.  70. 

445. ..440. 

.410. 

••319 

Total . . .  ,  . 

.  1614. 

Out  of  which  Jno.  Foster  received  the  remainder  of  his  years 
Provisions  viz  : 

177  lbs  ;  had  before  173 
ye  years  allowance  350 

Doctr.  Laurie's  Man  attended  the  sick  this  day  also. 

I  went  to  Mr  Craig's  funeral  sermon  at  Alexandria,  and 
there  met  my  waggon's  with  4  Hhds  Tobacco  more.  Un- 
loaded &  sent  them  down  to  Mt  Vernon. 

One  of  the  boys  that  came  down  with  them  and  ye  Hogs 
(Nat)  was  taken  with  the  measles  last  night. —     *     *     * 

Friday — Feb'y  8th.  1760.  *  *  *  Rode  to  my  Plantation  and 
orderd  Lucy  down  to  the  House  to  be  Physickd 

Saturday  Feby  9th  *  *  *  Visited  my  plantations  before  Sun- 
rise, and  forbid  Stephen's  keeping  any  horses  upon  my  ex- 
pence. 

Set  my  waggon's  to  draw  in  stocks  and  scantling,  and 
wrote  to  Mr.  Stuart  of  Norfolk  for  20  or  30  or  more  thousand 
shingles,  6  Harris.  Tar,  6  of  Turpentine  and  100  wt  of  Tallow, 
or  myrtle  wax,  or  half  as  much  Candles.     *     *     * 


1760]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  149 

Sunday,    Feb'y    loth.     *     *     *     Captn.  Posey   and  Mrs  Posey 

dind  here,     He  obliquely   hinted   a   design   of   selling  his 

145  acres  of  Wood  Land  on  Muddy  Hole. 
Orderd   all   the    fellows   from   the   different   quarters  to 

assembly  at  Williamson's  quarter  in  the  morning  to  move 

Petit's  House. — 
Monday  Feby  nth.     Went  out  Early  myself  and  continued  with 

my  people  till  i  o'clock,  in  which  time  we  got  the  house 

about  250  yards.      Was  informd  then  that  Mr  Digges  was  at 

my  house  upon  which  I  returned,  finding  him  and  Dr.  Laurie 

there. 

The  ground  being  soft  and  deep,  we  found  it  no  easy 

matter  with  20  hands,  8  Horses  and  6  oxen,  to  get  this  house 

along.     *     *     * 
Tuesday,  Feby  12th.     A  small  frost  happening  last  night  to  crust 

the  ground,  caused  the  house  to  move  much  lighter  and  by  9 

o'clock  it  was  got  to  the  spot  on  which  it  was  intended  to 

stand. 

Visited  at  the  Glebe,  the  day  being  very  fine,  clear  & 

still. — no  wind  blowing  from  any  Quarter  perceivably. 

Sett  Kate  and  Doll  to  heaping  the  dung  about  the  Stable. 
******* 

Thursday — Feby  14th.  Mr  Clifton  came  here,  and  we  conditiond 
for  his  Land,  viz  :  if  he  is  not  bound  by  some  prior  engage- 
ment, I  am  to  have  all  his  land,  in  the  Neck,  (500  acres  about 
his  house  excepted,)  and  the  land  commonly  called  Brents, 
for  1600  ;^  currency.  He  getting  Messrs.  Digges  &c.  to  join 
in  making  me  a  good  and  sufl[icient  Title.  But  now  1  am  not 
bound  to  ratify  this  bargain  unless  Colo.  Carlyle  will  let  me 
have  his  Land  adjoining  Brents  at  half  a  pistole  an  acre. 

Visited  my  Quarters  and  saw  a  plant  patch  burst  at  the 
Mill. 

Brought  home  4003  lbs  of  hay  from  Mr.  Digges's — 
******* 

Friday  Feby  15th.  A  small  fine  rain  from  North  East  wet  the  top 
of  my  hay  that  had  been  landed  last  night.    It  was  all  carted 
up  however  to  the  barn  and  the  wet  and  dry  separated. 
Went  to  a  ball  at  Alexandria,  where  Musick  and  dancing 


ISO  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1760 

was  the  chief  Entertainment  however  in  a  convenient  room 
detached  for  the  purpose  abounded  great  plenty  of  bread 
and  butter,  some  biscuits,  with  tea  and  coffee,  which  the 
drinkers  of  could  not  distinguish  from  hot  water  sweet'ned — 
Be  it  rememberd  that  pocket  handkerchiefs  servd  the 
purposes  of  Table  cloths  &  Napkins  and  that  no  apologies 
were  made  for  either.* 

The  Proprietors  of  this  ball  were  Messrs.  Carlyle,  Laurie 
and  Robt.  Wilson  ;  but  the  Doctr.  not  getting  it  conducted 
agreeable  to  his  own  taste  would  claim  no  share  of  the  merit 
of  it. 

We  lodged  at  Colo.  Carlyles. — 

Saturday  Feby  16.  Returnd  home,  receiving  an  invitation  to 
Mrs.  Chew's  Ball  on  Monday  night  next-first.     *     *     * 

Sunday,  Feby  17th  *  *  *  Went  to  church  and  din'd  at 
Belvoir.     Sent  4  yews  &  Lambs  to  the  Mill  to  be  fatted. 

Monday  Feby  i8th.  Dispatched  my  waggon  with  Tools  &c,  for 
Frederick.  Sent  over  for  two  more  tons  of  hay  to  Mr. 
Digges. —     *     *     * 

Tuesday-Feby  19th.  Went  to  court,  and  administered  upon 
Nation's  effects — got  Mr.  Smith's  Lease  to  me  recorded, 
and  Mr.  Johnston  not  having  Barrel's  deeds  ready,  I  was 
oblig'd  to  get  the  acknowledging  of  them  postpond. 

Reed,  a  letter  from  my  Brother  Austin  by  Mr  Lane  and 
answer'd  it. — 

Fine  moderate  day,  with  a  brisk  southerly  wind  which 
brought  the  vessell  with  my  corn. 

Mike  and  Tom  began  sawing  in  the  Pit,  some  consider- 
able time  after  Sun  rise  and  cut  122  feet  of  oak  scantling. 

Wednesday-Feby  20.  Landed  65  Barrels  of  Corn.  Fine  moder- 
ate day  very  little  wind.  George  &  Billy  sawed  155  feet 
of  oak  scantling. 

Thursday,  Feby  21,  Finishd  landing  the  corn  which  held  out 
only  \\  Bushells  above  measure.  Paid  the  Skipper  for  the 
Freight. — 


'  T  shall  therefore  distinguish  this  ball  by  the  stile  and  title  of  the  Bread 
&  Butter  Ball. — {Note  by  Washington.) 


1760]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  151 


Visited  at  Mr  Clifton's,  and  rode  over  his  lands  but  in  an 
especial  manner  view'd  that  tract  calld  Brents,  which  might 
have  pleas'd  me  exceedingly  at  the  price  he  offer'd  it  at,  viz  : 
— half  a  pistole  an  acre,  provided  Colo.  Carlyle's  300  acres 
just  below  it  cou'd  be  annex'd  at  the  same  price.  And  this 
but  a  few  months  ago  he  offered  it  at,  but  now  seeming  to 
set  a  higher  value  upon  it,  and  at  the  same  time  putting  on 
an  air  of  indifference,  indued  me  to  make  Clifton  another 
for  his  land — namely;^  1700  curr'y  for  all  his  Lands  in  the 
Neck,  including  his  own  plantation  &c.,  which  offer  he 
readily  accepted,  upon  condition  of  getting  his  wife  to 
acknowledge  her  right  of  dower  to  it  ;  and  of  his  success  in 
this  he  was  to  inform  me  in  a  few  days.  *  *  * 
Friday  Feby  22.     *     *     * 

Laid  in  part  the  worm  of  a  fence  round  my  peach  orchard, 
and  had  it  made.  Waited  on  Lord  Fairfax  at  Belvoir  and 
requested  him  to  dine  at  Mt.  Vernon  on  Monday  next. — 

Upon  my  return  found  one  of  my  best  waggon  horses 
(namely  Jolly)  with  his  right  foreleg  mash'd  to  pieces,  which 
I  suppose  happend  in  the  storm  last  night  by  means  of  a 
Limb  of  a  tree  or  something  of  that  sort  falling  upon  him. 
Did  it  up  as  well  as  I  could  this  night. 
Saturday — Feby  23d.  Had  the  horse  slung  upon  canvas  and  his 
leg  fresh  set,  following  Markham's  directions  as  near  as  I 
cou'd. 

Laid  the  worm  round  my  apple  orchard  and  made  the 
fence.     *     *     * 

Captn.  Bullet  came  here  from  Alexandria  and  engagd  to 
secure  me  some  Lands  on  the  Ohio,  being  lately  appointed 
surveyor  of  a  district  there. 
Sunday,  Feb'y  24th.  Captn.  Bullet  dind  here  to  day  also  ;  so  did 
Mr  Clifton.  But  the  latter  was  able  to  give  me  no  determi- 
nate answer  in  regard  to  his  land. 

Was  unprovided  for  a  demand  of  £,  90  made  by  Mr.  Alli- 

good  in  favor  of  Messrs.  Atchinson  &  Parker  of  Norfolk,  my 

note  of  hand  to  Sampson  Barrel  ;  but  promisd  the  payment 

and  Interest  at  the  April  Court  next. —     *     *     * 

Monday  Feby  25th.     Lord   Fairfax,  Colo   F — 'x  and  his  Lady, 


152  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1760 


Colo.  Martin,  Mr  B.  F— 'x,  Colo.  Carlyle,  and  Mr  Green  and 
Mrs  Green  dind  here. — 

So.ly  Wind  and  remarkable  fine  clear  day.  Set  ray  people 
to  carting  and  carrying  Rails  round  the  peach  orchard.  The 
broken  Leg'd  horse  fell  out  of  his  sling  and  by  that  means 
and  struggling  together,  hurt  himself  so  much  that  I  order'd 
him  to  be  kill'd. 
Tuesday — Feby  26th.  Began  plowing  the  field  by  the  stable  and 
quarter  for  oats  and  clover.  Set  two  plows  to  work  under 
the  care  of  Mulatto  and  Cook  Jacks. 

Lay'd  the  worm  round  my  peach  orchard  and  had  the 
Fence  put  up. 

Made  an  absolute  agreement  with  Mr  Clifton  for  his  land, 
(so  far  as  depended  upon  him,)  on  the  following  terms  ;  to 
wit  :  I  am  to  give  him  ^1150  Sterling  for  his  Neck  lands 
containing  1806  acres,  and  to  allow  him  the  use  of  the  plan- 
tation he  lives  on  till  fall,  twelve  months. 

He  on  his  part  is  to  procure  the  Gentlemen  of  Maryland 
to  whom  his  Lands  are  under  Mortgage  to  join  in  a  convey- 
ance, and  is  to  put  me  into  possession  of  the  land  so  soon  as 
this  can  be  done.  he  is  not  to  cut  down  any  timber,  nor 
clear  any  ground,  nor  to  use  more  wood  than  what  shall  be 
absolutely  necessary  for  fences  and  firing. 

Neither  is  he  to  assent  to  any  alterations  of  tenants,  trans- 
ferring of  leases,  &c.,  but  on  the  contrary  is  to  discourage 
every  practice  that  has  a  tendency  to  lessen  the  value  of  the 
land. 

N.  B.  He  is  also  to  bring  Mr  Mercer's  opinion  concern- 
ing the  Validity  of  a  private  sale  made  by  himself. 

Went  down  to  Occognan  by  appointment  to  look  at  Colo. 
Cocke's  cattle  ;  but  Mr  Peake's  being  from  home,  I  made 
no  agreement  for  them,  not  caring  to  give  the  price  he  asked 
for  them. 

Call'd  and  din'd  at  Caj^tn  McCarty's  in  my  way  home,  and 
left  the  order  of  Court  appointing  him  and  others  appraisers 
of  Nation's  Estate  (which  I  had  sent  my  Boy  down  for,)  and 
at  the  same  time  got  a  j)romise  of  him  to  prize  and  Inspect 
his  Tobacco  at  the  Warehouse. — 


1760]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  153 

Bottled  35  dozen  of  Cyder  ;  the  weather  very  warm  & 
cloudy  with  some  Rain  last  night. — 
Wednesday — Feby  27,  Very  little  wind  &  that  Southerly,  but 
rain'd  off  and  on  the  whole  day.  Continued  plowing  while 
the  weather  wou'd  permit  ;  and  the  people,  viz  :  George, 
Kate,  Doll  &  little  George,  were  employ'd  in  grubbing  the 
field  by  the  garden. 

Nation's  horse,  that  was  destrained  on  for  my  rent,  was 
sold  at  Publick  Auction  to  Mr  Tom  Triplet  for  ^5. — 

Peter  had  got  his  coal  drawn  and  brought  in  one  load. 
Thursday — Feb'y  28th.     Measur'd  the  fields  by  the  quarter  and 
garden,  as  the  Fence  was  intended  to  be  run,  and  found  Six 
acres  [in]  the  former  and  nine  in  the  latter. 

Also  run  round  the  fields  in  the  lower  pasture,  according  as 
the  dividing  fence  is  to  go  ;  but  the  compass  being  bad,  or 
some  mistake  happening  I  cou'd  not  close  the  plot  with  any 
exacting. — 

Finish'd  grubbing  the  field  by  the  garden — 

Between  sun  setting  and  dark  came  Mr  Ramsay,  Mr  Piper, 
Captn.  Stanly  and  Captn.  Littledale —     *     *     * 
Friday  Feb'y  29th.     The  Rain  continud  by  intervals  through  the 
night,  and  till  afternoon,  when  the  wind  came  to  No.  West,  and 
ceasd  growing  clear. — Stop'd  my  plows. 

The  gentlemen  din'd  here  to-day,  and  two,  viz.  Mr  Ram- 
say .and  Captain  Stanley,  returnd  to  Alexandria.*  The  others 
went  to  Belvoir. 

A  very  great  circle  round  the  Moon. 
Saturday,  Mar.  i.  1760.     Finishd  Bottling  91  dozn.  Cyder. — 

*  ****** 

The  Ground  being  hard  froze  stop'd  my  plows  this  day 
also.  And  employ'd  all  hands  in  running  the  dividing  fence 
of  my  pastures. 

Travers'd  the  fields  in  the  Lower  pasture  again  and  set  a 
course  from  the  head  of  the  drain  that  runs  into  my  Meadow, 
which  leaves  in  the  Tobo.  House  Field 
.  and  in  the  other 
—  also  found  the  contents  of  my  meadow 
to  be  —  and  that  the  Pocoson  at  Cotton  patch 

point  measurd. 


154  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1760 


Note,  the  Ground  cleard  this  year  measures 
.     And  the  fallow  ground  is  only 

the  Marsh  and  Pocoson  at  the  Creek  point  contains — 

Sunday — Mar.  2,  *  *  *  Mr  Clifton  came  here  today,  and 
under  pretence  of  his  wife  not  consenting  to  acknowledge 
her  right  of  dower  wanted  to  disengage  himself  of  the  bargain 
he  had  made  with  me,  or  his  land  on  the  26th.  past,  and  by 
his  shuffling  behavior  on  the  occasion  convinc'd  me  of  his 
being  the  trifling  body  represented. 

Monday — Mar  3d.  Bought  100  Bushels  of  Oats  at  \  of  Reuben 
Joyne. 

Finishd  plowing  the  clover  field  but  not  the  dividing  fence 
in  the  pastures.     *     *     * 

Tuesday — Mar  4th.  *  *  *  Plows  stop'd,  but  the  dividing 
fence  finish'd.  Gave  up  the  horse  cart  and  the  dun  horse 
and  Jack  to  R.  Stephens. 

Wednesday — Mar  5.  High  wind  from  the  west  the  day  clear  and 
somewhat  cold.  Began  plowing  the  field  by  the  garden  for 
lucerne.  Put  in  the  great  bay  mare  of  King.  The  latter 
cou'd  not  be  prevail'd  upon  to  plow  ;  the  other  did  very 
well. — But  the  plows  run  very  badly.  Finishd  plow  harness 
for  my  chariot  horses. 

Thursday — Mar.  6.  Fitted  a  two  eyed  plow  instead  of  a  Duck 
Bill  plow,  and  with  Much  difficulty  made  my  chariot  wheel 
horses  plow. 

Survey 'd  Captn.  Posey's  145  acres  of  woodland  ground 
which  he  bought  of  my  Brother  Charles  and  find  some  of  the 
courses  and  distances  to  vary  from  those  in  the  deeds  and 
that  136  acres  only  are  included. 

Also  run  the  upper  courses  of  Trent's  Land  and  find  some 
great  Errors,  as  may  be  seen  by  my  plot  of  it.     *     *     * 

Friday — March  7th.  *  *  *  p^t  the  Pole  end  Horses  into 
the  Plow  in  the  morning  ;  and  the  i)ostilion  and  hand  horse 
in  in  the  afternoon  :  but  the  ground  been  well  swarded  over 
and  very  heavy  plowing,  I  rej)cntcd  putting  them  in  at  all,  for 
fear  it  should  give  them  a  habit  of  stopping  in  the  chariot. 

Saturday — Mar.  8.  North  VA  wind  and  rain — Plow  stop'd.  Gave 
Captn.  Cawsey's  skipper,  namely  William  Vicars,  i  Tobacco 


1760]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  155 

Note  and  an  Order   on  Hunting  Creek  Warehouses  for  7 
Hhds  of  my  Mountain  Tobacco     *     *     * 

Monday — Mar.  loth.  North  West  Wind  and  clear  but  the  ground 
too  wet  for  plowing.  Rode  to  my  plantation,  and  the  mill 
and  there  partly  agreed  with  Jerry  Mitchell  to  rebuild  my 
Mill  when  she  runs  dry  in  the  summer.  Dispatch'd  Mulatto 
Jack  to  Frederick  for  some  mares  from  thence  to  plow.  The 
snow  which  was  not  more  than  an  Inch  &  half  deep  was  en- 
tirely dissolvd  today. 

Tuesday — Mar.  nth.  Visited  at  Colo.  Fairfax's  and  was  informd 
that  Clifton  had  sold  his  land  to  Mr  Thompson  Mason  for 
1200  jQ  sterling,  which  fully  unravelled  his  conduct  on  the 
2nd  and  convinc'd  me  that  he  was  nothing  less  than  a  thor- 
ough pac'd  rascall  disregardful  of  any  engagements  of  words 
or  oaths  not  bound  by  penalties. —     *     *     * 

Wednesday — Mar.  12.  Retum'd  home.  Mrs  Carlyle  accompany- 
ing us,  the  day  being  exceeding  fine.     Wind  at  South. 

Found  William  Ludwick  here  with  one  Beef  from  Fred- 
erick. He  set  of  with  two  but  lamed  the  other  and  left  him 
at  Ric'd  Coleman's  at  the  Sugar  Lands. 

Thursday — Mar.  13th.  Incessant  Rain  and  No.Et.  wind. — Mr 
Carlyle  (who  came  here  from  Port  Tobo.  Court  last  night,) 
and  Mrs  Carlyle  were  confin'd  here  all  day. 

Mulatto  Jack  retum'd  home  with  the  Mares  he  was  sent 
for  ;  but  so  poor  were  they,  and  so  much  abus'd  had  they 
been  by  my  rascally  overseer,  Hardwick,  that  they  were 
scarce  able  to  highlone,  much  less  to  assist  in  the  business  of 
the  plantations. — 

Friday— Mar.  14th.  *  *  *  Mr  Carlyle  and  his  wife  still  re- 
maind  here.  We  talk'd  a  good  deal  of  a  Scheme  of  setting 
up  an  Iron  Work  on  Colo.  Fairfax's  land  on  Shannandoah. 
Mr  Chapman  who  was  propos'd  as  a  partner,  being  a  perfect 
Judge  of  these  matters  was  to  go  up  and  view  the  con- 
veniences and  determine  the  scheme. — 

Saturday,  Mar.  15  :  Snow'd  in  the  morning,  but  afterwards 
clearing — Mr  Carlyle  and  his  wife  retumd  home. 

Wm  Ludwick  &  the  boy  (Nat)  who  came  down  with  him  went 
up  for  the  same  beef  they  left  upon  the  road  coming  down. 


156  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1760 


The  Vast  quantity  of  rain  which  had  fallen  in  the  last  two 
days  had  swelld  the  waters  so  high  that  Dogue  Run  carried 
of  the  tumbling  dam  of  my  mill  and  was  near  carrying  of  the 
house  also. — 

Wind  at  No.  Et.  and  from  a  settled  Sky.  Sent  word  to  Mr 
Clifton  by  my  Negro  Will — that  I  shou'd  be  glad  to  see  him 
here  in  the  morning,  having  something  to  propose  to  him. 

The  bad  weather  this  week  put  put  a  total  stop  to  plowing 
except  a  little  on  Wednesday  with  one  plow. 
Monday — Mar.  17th.  *  *  *  Went  to  my  Mill  and  took  a 
view  of  the  ruins  the  fresh  had  caused.  Determind  how- 
ever to  repair  it  with  all  expedition,  and  accordingly  set  my 
carpenters  to  making  Wheel  and  Hand-barrows. 

Beef  from  Coleman's  was  brought  down. 

Mr.  Posey  being  here  and  talking  of  the  Orphan  Fren's 
Land  adjoining  mine  on  Dogne  Run,  he  undertook  to  pur- 
chase it  for  me  of  the  said  Orphan  Diana,  who  lives  at  Nau- 

gany  in  Maryland  with  one Wright,  who,  I  think  he  said, 

married  her  Aunt.  Mr.  Posey  thinks  it  may  be  bought  for 
jQ^o  or  60  pound  &  there  shou'd  be  207  acres  of  it. — 
Tuesday  Mar.  i8th. —  *  *  *  Went  to  Court,  partly  on  my 
own  private  business,  and  partly  on  Clifton's  affair,  but  the 
Commissioners  not  meeting  nothing  was  done  in  regard  to 
the  Latter.  Much  discourse  happened  between  him  and  I 
concerning  his  ungenerous  treatment  of  me,  the  whole  turn- 
ing to  little  account,  t'is  not  worth  reciting  here.  The  result 
of  which  was  that  [for]  ;!^5o  more  than  Mr  Mason  offer'd 
him,  he  undertook  if  possible  to  disengage  himself  from  that 
gentleman,  and  to  let  me  have  his  land.  I  did  not  think  my- 
self restrain'd  by  any  rules  of  honor  conscience,  or  &c.  after 
making  him  this  offer,  as  his  Lands  were  first  engaged  from 
me  by  the  most  solemn  assurances  that  any  man  cou'd 
give.— 

Mr.  Johnston  not  being  in  town  1  coud  not  get  Mr.  Bar- 
rel's Deeds  to  acknowledge.     Killd  the   Beeves  that  came 
from  Frederick. 
Wednesday  Mar.  19.     *     *     *     Peter  (my  Smith)  and  I,    after 
several  efforts  to  make  a  plow  after  a  new  model,  partly  of 


1760]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  157 

my  own  contriving,  was  feign  to  give  it  out,  at  least  for  the 
present. 

Snow  but  little  dissolvd — Col.  Fairfax  &:  Mrs  F — x  came 
here  in  the  evening. 
Thursday — Mar.  20th.  Cold  Northerly  Wind.  Colo.  F — x  and  I 
set  out  to  Alexandria  by  appointment,  to  settle  &  adjust 
(with  the  other  Commissioners)  Clifton  and  Barrel's  ac- 
counts, conformable  to  a  decree  of  our  General  Court ;  but 
not  being  able  to  accomplish  it  then,  the  28th.  was  a  further 
day  appointed  to  meet,  and  ray  house  the  place  resolv'd 
upon. — 

Friday — Mar.  21st.     Colo.  Fairfax  and  Mrs  F — x  return'd  home. 
*     *     * 

Sunday,  Mar.   23d.     Southerly   wind  and  warm.     Miss   Fairfax 

and  Miss  Dent  came  here. — 
Monday — Mar  24th.     Began  repairing  my  Mill  Dam,  with  hands 
from  all  my  quarters,  carpenters  Included. 

In  digging  Earth  for  this  purpose  great  Quantities  of 
Marie  or  fuller's  Earth  appear'd. 

In  the  Evening,  in  a  Bed  that  had  been  prepard  with  a 
mixture  of  Dung  on  Saturday  last,  I  sowed  clover  Lucerne 
and  Rye  Grass  seeds  in  the  garden,  to  try  their  goodness, 
doing  it  in  the  following  order  : — at  the  end  next  the  comer 
were  two  rows  of  Clover  seed — in  the  3d.  4.  5.  &  6th.  Rye 
Grass,  the  last  row  thinest  Sow'd  7  th.  &  8th.  Barley  (to  see 
if  it  would  come  up)  the  last  also  thinest  sown — 9.  10.  11. 
12th.  Lucerne. — first  a  few  seeds  at  every  4  Inches  distance 
the  next  thicker  &  so  on  to  the  last  wch.  was  very  thick. 

Carried  the  Sows  I  bot  of  George  Taylor  to  my  Mill  by 
water. 
Tuesday — Mar.  25th.     Set  one  Plow  to  Work  on  the  Field  below 
the  Garden. — 

All  hands  being  employd  on  the  dam  again,  the  water 
was  stop'd.  and  the  work  in  a  fair  way  of  receiving  a  finish 
by  tomorrow  night. — 

The  wind  was  southerly — the  Day  Changeable. — 

Mrs.  Posey  &  some  young  woman,  whose  name  was  un- 
known to  any  body  in  this  family,  din'd  here. 


158  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1760 

Wednesday — Mar.  26.  One  Plow  at  Work  to  day  also.  Miss 
Dent  and  Miss  Fairfax  returnd  home.  My  Dam  was  en- 
tirely compleated  by  Evening. — 

Spent  the  greatest  part  of  the  day  in  making  a  new  plow  of 
my  own  invention. 

Wind  at  No.  West  &  very  boisterous. — 
Thursday — Mar.  27.    Southerly  wind — day  warm  and  very  fine. — 
Sat  my  plow  to  work  and  found  she  answerd  very  well  in 
the  field  in  the  lower  Pasture,  which  I  this  day  began  Plow- 
ing with  the  large  Bay  Mare  &  Rankin — Mulatto  Jack  con- 
tinuing to  plow  the  Field  below  the  Garden. 

Agreed  to  give  Mr  William  Triplet  ;^i8,  to  build  the  two 
houses  in  the  front  of  my  house  (plastering  them  also)  and 
running  walls  for  Pallisades  to  them  from  the  Great  House 
&  from  the  Great  House  to  the  Wash  House  and  Kitchen 
also. — 
Friday — Mar.  28.  According  to  appointment  Colo.  F — x  and 
Mr.  Green  met  here  upon  Clifton's  affair,  he  being  present ; 
as  was  Mr  Thompson  Mason  (as  Counsel  for  him).  Mr 
Digges  and  Mr  Addison  were  also  here  ;  and  after  examin- 
ing all  the  Papers  and  Accounts  on  both  sides  and  stating 
them  in  the  manner  which  seem'd  most  equitable  to  us.  The 
debt  due  from  Mr.  Clifton  according  to  that  settlement 
amounted  to  £^  that  is  to  say — 

to  Mr  Carroll  jQ 
to  Mr  Tasker  pr  Mr  Digges 

to  Do  pr.  Mr  Addison 

We  also  agreed  to  report  several  things  which  appear'd 
necessary,  as  well  in  behalf  of  Mr.  Clifton  as  the  other  party. 
The  Gentlemen  from  Maryland,  Mr.  Mason  and  Clifton 
left  this  ;  but  Colo.  Fairfax  and  Mr.  Green  stay'd  the  night. 
About  noon  Mulatto  Jack  finish'd  plowing  the  field  below 
the  garden,  and  went  into  the  lower  pasture  to  work.    *    *    * 
Saturday  Mar.  29th.     About  noon  set  one  plow  into  the  fallow 
ground  below  the  Hill,  and  about  an  hour  before  Sunset  the 
other.     *     *     * 
Monday  Mar.  31st.    *    *    *    Went  to  Belvoir  (according  to  ap- 
pointment on  the  28th.  past,)  and  drew  up  and  sign'd  a  report 


1760]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  159 

of  our  proceedings  in  Clifton's  affair  to  be  sent  with  the 
accts  to  the  General  Court. 

Finishd  plowing  the  fallow'd  ground  about  Sun  setting. 

Mr.  Walter  Stuart,  who  I  met  with  at  Belvoir  gave  me  a 
letter  from  Dr.  Macleane  and  another  from  Bishop. 

The  latter  very  desirous  of  returning  but  enlisted  in  the 
44th  Regiment.  The  former  wrote  to  Colo.  Byrd  to  ask  his 
discharge  of  the  General. 

Wrote  to  Lieutt  Smith  to  try  if  possible  to  get  me  a  careful 
Man  to  overlook  my  Carpenters.  Wrote  also  to  Hardwick 
ordering  down  two  mares  from  thence  and  desiring  him  to 
engage  me  a  ditcher.  Inclosed  a  letter  from  my  Brother 
John  to  his  Overseer,  Farrell  Littleton,  and  directed  him 
what  to  do  if  the  Small  pox  should  come  amongst  them. — 
Tuesday,  April  i — 1760.  Cross'd  plowd  the  fallow  field  today 
which  contains  3 — 2 — 38,  which  shews  that  2  acres  a  day, 
in  level  ground  already  broke  up,  may  easily  be  accom- 
plished. 

Doctor  Laurie  came  here.  The  Wind  at  No  West,  weather 
clear,  somewhat  cold  and  drying.  Moon  at  its  first  rising 
remarkably  red.  Received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Digges  inclos- 
ing a  packet  for  Messrs.  Nicholas  &  Wythe,  which  he  desir'd 
I  wou'd  send  under  Cover  to  some  friend  of  mine  in  Will- 
iamsburg, as  it  was  to  go  by  Clifton,  suspecting  that  Gentle- 
man wou'd  not  deal  fairly  by  it. 

Began  to  prepare  a  small  piece  of  Ground  of  about 

yards  square  at  the  lower  corner  of  my  garden  to  put  trefoil 
in — a  little  seed  given  me  by  Colo.  F — x.  Yesterday. 
Wednesday  Apl.  2d. — Got  the  above  ground  ready  for  Sowing 
tomorrow. 

Began  to  cross  plow  the  first  plow'd  ground  in  the  lower 
pasture,  endeavoring  to  get  it  in  Order  for  sowing  Lucerne 
seed  in.  *  *  * 
Thursday  April  3d.  Sow'd  17I  drills  of  trefoil  seed  in  the  ground 
adjoining  the  garden,  numbering  from  the  side  next  the  Stable 
(or  Work  shop),  the  residue  of  them  viz  :  4  was  sow'd  with 
Lucerne  seed.  Both  done  with  design  to  see  how  these  seeds 
answer  in  that  ground. — 


i6o  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [176c 


Sowd  my  fallow  field  in  Oats  today,  and  harrow'd  them  in, 
viz  :  10^  bushels  got  done  about  three  oclock. — 

Cook  Jack  after  laying  of  the  lands  in  this  field  went  to 
plowing  in  the  12  acre  field,  where  they  were  yesterday,  as 
did  the  other  plow  abt.  5  o'clock  after  pointing. — 

Got  several  composts  and  laid  them  to  dry  in  order  to  mix 
with  the  Earth  brought  from  the  field  below,  to  try  their 
several  virtues.     *     *     * 
Friday  Apl  4th.     Sow'd  about  one  Bushel  of  barley  in  a  piece  of 
ground  near  the  tobacco  house  in  the  12  acre  field. — 

Harrow'd  and  cross'd  harrowd  the  ground  in  the  said  field 
intended  for  Lucerne. 

Apprehending  the  herrings  were  come,  hauled  the  sein,  but 
catch'd  only  a  few  of  them  tho'  a  good  many  of  other  sorts. 

Maj  Stewart  and  Doctr  Johnston  came  here  in  the  After- 
noon ;  and  at  Night,  Mr.  Richie  attended  by  Mr.  Ross,  sol- 
liciting  freight.-*-Promis'd  none. 
Saturday,  April  5th.     Planted  out  20  young  pine  trees  at  the  head 
of  my  cherry  Walk. 

Reed  my  Goods  from  York. 

Haul'd  the  Sein  again  ;  catch'd  2  or  3  white  fish,  more 
herring  than  yesterday  and  a  great  number  of  Cats. 

Richie  and  Ross  went  away. 

Made  another  plow  the  same  as  my  former,  excepting  that 
it  has  two  eyes  and  the  other  one.  *  *  * 
Sunday,  April  6th.  *  *  *  j  just  perceiv'd  the  Rye  grass  seed, 
which  I  sow'd  in  the  garden  to  try  its  goodness,  was  begin- 
ning to  come  up  pretty  thick  ;  the  clover  lucerne,  and  bar- 
ley I  discovered  above  ground,  on  the  first  instant. 

Majr  Stewart  and  Doctr.  Johnston  set  out  for  Winchester. 
Monday  April  17th.  *  *  *  In  the  Evening  Colo.  Frog  came 
here  and  made  me  an  offer  of  2400  Acres  of  Land  wch  he 
has  in  Culpcper  for  ^400.  This  land  lyes  (according  to 
his  account)  46  Miles  above  The  Falls  of  Rappahannock,  is 
well  water'd  timber'd  and  of  a  fertile  soil  ;  no  implements 
on  it.  I  told  him  that  I  wou'd  get  Captn  Thomas  Fitzhugh 
to  give  me  his  opinion  of  the  land,  when  he  went  next  to  his 
quarter  not  far  from  it  ;  or  I  wou'd  take  it  in  my  way  from 


1760]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  161 

Frederick,  when  I  next  went  up  there  as  it  lies  he  says  only 
8  miles  from  the  place  where  Josh.  Nevil  livd  at  the  Pignut 
Ridge. 

One  Captn.  Kennelly  [Connolly?]  lives  within  a  mile  of 
the  land  and  is  well  acquainted  with  it. 

People  kept  Holliday. 
Tuesday,  April  8th.  What  time  it  began  raining  in  the  night  I 
cant  say,  but  at  day  break  it  was  pouring  very  hard,  and  con- 
tinued so,  till  7  o'clock  when  a  Messenger  came  to  inform 
me  that  my  Mill  was  in  great  danger  of  blowing.  I  immedi- 
ately hurried  off  all  hands  with  shovels  &c  to  her  assistance 
and  got  there  myself  just  time  enough  to  give  her  a  reprieve 
for  this  time  by  wheeling  dirt  into  the  place  which  the  water 
had  wash'd. 

While  I  was  here  a  very  heavy  Thunder  shower  came  on 
which  lasted  upwards  of  an  hour. — 

Here  also,  I  tried  what  time  the  Mill  requir'd  to  grind  a 
bushel  of  com,  and  to  my  Surprize  found  she  was  within  5 
minutes  of  an  hour  about  this.  Old  Anthony  attributed  to 
the  low  head  of  water,  but  whether  it  was  so  or  not  I  can't 
say — her  works  [being]  all  decayd  and  out  of  Order,  which 
I  rather  take  to  be  the  cause. 

This  bushel  of  corn  when  ground  measurd  near  a  peck 
more  Meal.  *  *  * 
Wednesday  Apl  9th.  *  *  *  The  heavy  rains  that  had  fallen  in 
this  few  days  past  had  made  the  ground  too  wet  for  plowing ; 
I  therefore  set  about  the  Fence  which  Incloses  my  Clover 
Field. 

Doctr  Laurie  came  here,  I  may  add  drunk. 

Observed  the  trefoil  which  I  sow'd  on  the  3d  instt.  to  be 
coming  up,  but  in  a  Scattering  manner.  The  lucerne  which 
was  sow'd  at  the  same  time  and  in  the  same  manner,  ap- 
pear'd  much  better,  &  forwarded. 
Thursday  Apl.  loth.  Mrs.  Washington  was  blooded  by  Doctr 
Laurie  who  stay'd  all  night. 

This  morning  my  plows  began  to  work  in  ye  clover  field, 
but  a  hard  shower  of  rain  from  No.  Et.  (where  the  wind  hung 
all  day)  abt  11  o'clock  stop'd  them  for  the  remainder  of  the 


i62  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1760 


day.     I  therefore  employd  the  hands  in  making  two  or  three 
hauls  of  the  Sein,  and  found  that  the  Herrings  were  come. 

Val.  Crawford  brought  me  4  Hhds  of  my  Mountain  To- 
bacco to  the  Warehouses  in  Alexandria,  two  in  my  own  Wag- 
gon, and  with  a  plow  such  as  they  use  mostly  in  Frederick, 
came  here  in  the  night. 

He  inform'd  me  of  my  worthy  Overseer  Hardvvick's  lying 
since  the  17th  Ulto.  in  Winchester  of  a  broken  leg. 
Friday  April  nth.     Set  one  Plow  to  work  again  in  the  Morning  ; 
the  other  about  10  o'clock  in  the  clover  field. 

Try'd  the  new  plow  brought  yesterday,  found  she  did  good 
work  and  run  very  true  but  heavy,  rather  too  much  so  for 
two  horses,  especially  while  the  ground  was  moist. 

Abt.  II  o'clock,  set  the  people  to  hauling  the  sein,  and  by 

night ;  and  in  the  night  catch'd  and  dress'd barrels  of 

herring  and  60  White  fish. 

Observ'd  that  the  flood  tide  was  infinitely  the  best  for 
these  fish.  *  *  * 
Saturday  April  12th.  *  *  *  Hauld  the  Sein  but  without  suc- 
cess, some  said  it  was  owing  to  the  wind  setting  of  the  shore, 
which  seems  in  some  measure  confirm'd  by  the  quantity  we 
catch'd  yesterday  when  the  Wind  blew  on  upon  it. 

About  II  o'clock  finish'd  plowing  the  clover  field  ;  about 
I,  Mulatto  Jack  began  harrowing  it  with  the  wide  toothd 
harrow,  and  got  half  over  the  Field  by  night.  Cook  Jack 
went  to  Plowing  in  the  12  Acre  Field. 

Perceiv'd  my  Barley  and  Oats  to  be  coming  up  very  thick 
and  well. 

Engag'd  150  Bushels  of  Oats  of  an  Eastern  shore  Man  and 
got  40  of  them  landed  before  I  found  they  were  damag'd. 
Sunday  April  13th.  *  *  *  My  Negroes  askd  the  lent  of  the 
Sein  to-day  but  caught  little  or  no  fish. — Note,  ye  wind  blew 
upon  the  shore  to-day. 
Monday  April  14th.  Fine  warm  day,  Wind  Soly  and  clear  till 
the  evening  when  it  clouded  ;  No  fish  were  to  be  catch'd  to- 
day neither. 

Mix'd  my  compost  in  a  box  with  ten  apartments,  in  the 
following  manner,  viz  : — in  No  i.  is  three  pecks  of  the  earth 


1760]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  163 

brought  from  below  the  hill  out  of  the  46  acre  field  without 
any  mixture  ; — in  No.  2 — is  two  pecks  of  the  said  earth  and 
one  of  marie  taken  out  of  the  said  field,  which  marie  seem'd 
a  little  inclinable  to  sand. 

3.  Has — 2  Pecks  of  said  earth,  and  i  of  river  side  sand 

4.  Has  a  peck  of  horse  dung. 

5.  Has  mud  taken  out  of  the  creek 

6.  Has  cow  dung. 

7.  Marie  from  the  gulleys  on  the  Hill  side  which  seem'd 
to  be  purer  than  the  other. 

8.  Sheep  Dung. — 

9.  Black  mould  taken  out  of  the  Pocoson  on  the  creek 
side. 

10.  Clay  got  just  below  the  garden. 

All  mix'd  with  the  same  quantity  and  sort  of  earth  in  the 
most  effectual  manner  by  reducing  the  whole  to  a  tolerable 
degree  of  fineness  and  jabling  them  well  together  in  a  Cloth. 

In  each  of  these  divisions  were  planted  three  grains  of 
wheat,  3  of  oats,  and  as  many  of  barley — all  at  equal  dis- 
tance in  rows,  and  of  equal  depth  (done  by  a  machine  made 
for  the  purpose). 

The  wheat  rows  are  next  the  number'd  side,  the  oats  in 
the  middle,  and  the  barley  on  that  side  next  the  upper  part 
of  the  garden. — 

Two  or  three  hours  after  sowing  in  this  manner,  and  about 
an  hour  before  Sunset  I  water'd  them  all  equally  alike  with 
water  that  had  been  standing  in  a  tub  about  two  hours  ex- 
posed to  the  Sun. 

Began  drawing  bricks,  burning  lime  and  preparing  for  Mr. 
Triplet,  who  is  to  be  here  on  Wednesday  to  work. 

Finish'd  harrowing  the  clover  field,  and  began  the  harrow- 
ing of  it. — Got  a  new  harrow  made  of  smaller  and  closer 
tinings  for  harrowing  in  grain  ;  the  other  being  more  proper 
for  preparing  the  ground  for  sowing. 

Cook  Jack's  plow  was  stopd,  he  being  employ'd  in  setting 
the  lime  kiln. 
Tuesday  April  15th.     Sent  Tom  and  Mike  to  Alexandria  in  my 
boat  for  20  or  25  bushels  of  oats. 


1 64  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1760 

Went  up  myself  there  to  Court,  after  calling  at  Mr.  Green's 
&  leaving  Mrs.  Washington  there. 

Mr.  Darrell  not  being  there,  the  execution  of  his  Deeds 
were  again  put  off. 

Being  informd  that  French,  Triplet  and  others  were  about 
buying  (in  conjunction)  a  piece  of  land  of  Simon  Pierson 
lying  not  far  from  my  Dogue  Run  Quarters,  I  engag'd  him 
to  give  me  first  offer  of  it  so  soon  as  he  should  determine 
upon  selling  it. —  *  *  * 
Wednesday  Apl.  16.  My  boat  which  the  wind  and  rain  prevented 
from  returning  yesterday  came  home  this  morning,  the  wind 
being  at  north  west  and  fresh. 

Mr.  Triplet  &  his  brother  came  this  day  to  work.  About 
10  o'clock  they  began,  and  got  the  wall  between  the  house 
and  dairy  finished. 

Thinking  the  ground  rather  too  wet  for  Sowing,  I  set  my 
horses  to  carting  rails,  and  both  my  plows  were  stop'd.  Cook 
Jack  being  employ'd  about  the  Lime. 

Finish'd  a  roller  this  day  for  rolling  my  grain. 
Thursday  April  17th.     By  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  Mr.  Triplet 
finish'd  the  wall  between  the  dairy  and  kitchen.     The  Rain 
from  that  time  prevented  his  working. 

Sow'd  my  clover  field  with  oats,  24  bushels.  The  upper 
part  next  the  peach  orchard  was  harrowed  in  during  the  rain, 
but  before  it  began  to  clog  much. 

Also  sowed  18  rows  of  lucerne  in  the  12  acre  field  below 
the  hills  ;  the  first  4  rows  were  sowd  in  drills,  the  others  by 
a  line  stretch'd  and  the  seed  raked  in. 

Richd  Stephens  brought  down  9  Hogsheads  of  tobacco  to 
go  to  the  Inspection  at  Hunting,  in  a  flat  which  I  borrow'd 
(or  I  rather  suppose  hir'd),  from  Messrs.  Carlyle  and  Dal- 
ton — which  flat  brought  down  4  barrels  of  Corn — being,  part 
of  eight  that  I  was  to  have  had  of  William  Garner  at  the  rate 
of  9 /pr  barrel,  to  be  pain  in  pistoles  or  dollars.  It  seems 
the  other  4  barrels  I  am  to  get  from  Garner's  house.  *  *  * 
Friday  April  i8th.  Righted  up  all  my  Fencing. 

Planted  other  pine  trees  in  thefenc'd  place  at  the  corner  of 
the  garden  the  first  being  broke,  and  much  hurt  by  creatures. 

Began  Sowing  my  Clover  and  got  4  Acres  Sow'd — 14  lb  to 


1760]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  165 

the  acre.     Harrowd  it  in  with  the  fine  tooth 'd  harrow,    as 
light  as  I  could. 

Try'd  my  roller  which  find  much  too  light. 
Sow'd  69  rows  more  of  lucerne,  which  makes  87  in  all. 
Got  my  cloaths  &:c  packed  up  for  my  journey  to  Williams- 
berg  tomorrow. — 

Mr.  Bame's  Davy  brought  home  my  Negroe  fellow,  Boson, 
who  ran  away  on  Monday  last. 

Saturday  Apl.  19th.  Crossd  at  Mr.  Posey's  Ferry  and  began  my 
journey  to  Williamsburg  about  9  o'clock.  About  1 1  I  broke 
my  chair  and  had  to  walk  to  Port  Tobacco,  where  I  was 
detain'd  the  whole  day  getting  my  chair  mended,  no  Smith 
being  with  6  miles.     Lodg'd  at  Doctr.  Halkerton's. 

Sunday  April  20th.  Set  out  early,  and  cross'd  at  Cedar  Point  by 
10,  the  day  being  very  calm  and  fine.  Din'd  and  lodg'd  at 
my  Brother's.  The  Evening  cloudy  with  rain.  Wind,  tho' 
little  at  SoWest. 

Monday  Apl  21st.  Crossd  at  Southern's  and  Tods  Bridge  and 
lodg'd  at  Major  Gaines's. 

Tuesday  April  22d.  Crossd  Pamunky  at  Williams's  Ferry,  and 
visited  all  the  Plantations  in  New  Kent.  Found  the  Over- 
seer's much  behind  hand  in  their  business.  Went  to  Mrs. 
Dandridge's  and  lodg'd. 

Wednesday  April  23d.  Went  to  Colo  Bassett's  and  remaind  there 
the  whole  day. 

Thursday  April  24th.  Visited  my  quarters  at  Claiborne's,  and  found 
their  business  in  tolerable  forwardness.  Also  went  to  my  other 
Quarter  at  where  there  was  an  insuflftcient  quantity 

of  ground  prepard,  but  all  that  cou'd  be  had,  it  was  said. 

Din'd  at  Mr.  Bassett's  and  went  in  the  evening  to  Williams- 
burg. 

Friday  Aprl  25th.  Waited  upon  the  Govr, 

Saturday  Apl  26th.  Visited  all  the  Estates  and  my  own  quarters 
about  Williamsburg,  found  these  also  in  pretty  good  for- 
wardness. 

Receiv'd  letters  from  Winchester,  informing  me  that  the 
small  pox  had  got  among  my  quarter's  in  Frederick  ;  deter- 
min'd  therefore  to  leave  town  as  soon  as  possible  and 
proceed  up  to  them. 


i66  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1760 


Sunday  Apl.  27th.  Went  to  church.  In  the  afternoon  some  rain 
and  a  great  deal  of  severe  lightning,  but  not  much  thunder. 

Monday  Apl  28th.  Let  my  House  in  town  to  Colo  Moore,  for 
Colo  Dandridge,  who  is  to  come  into  it  in  the  fall  and  pay  me 
45  £>  PS""  annum.     In  the  mean  while  I  am  to  paint  it. 

In  the  afternoon,  after  collecting  what  money  I  coud  I  left 
town  and  reach'd  Colo  Bassett's. 

This  day  agreed  with  Mr.  Jno.  Driver,  of  Nansemond,  for 
25,000  shingles  to  be  deliver'd  in  October.  They  are  to  be  18 
inch  shingles,  and  of  the  best  sort.  Desir'd  him,  if  he  cou'd 
not  cause  them  to  be  deliver'd  for  18  /  a  Thousand,  not  to 
send  them  but  let  me  know  of  it  as  soon  as  possible. 

Tuesday  Apl.  29th.  Reach'd  Port  Royal  by  Sunset. — 

Wednesday  30th.  Came  to  Hoes  Ferry  by  10  o'clock,  but  the 
wind  blew  too  fresh  to  cross  :  detain'd  there  all  night. 

Thursday  May  ist.  Got  over  early  in  the  morning  and  reachd 
home  before  dinnertime,  and  upon  enquiry  found  that  my 
clover  field  was  finish'd  sowing  and  rolling  the  Saturday 
I  left  home  ;  as  was  the  sowing  of  my  lucerne,  and  that  on 

the they  began  sowing  the  last  field  of  oats  and  finish'd 

it  the  25th. 

That  in  box  No.  6,  two  grains  of  wheat  appeard  on  the 
20th.;  one  an  Inch  high.  On  the  22  a  grain  of  Wheat  in  No 
7  and  9  appear'd.  On  the  23d,  after  a  good  deal  of  rain  the 
night  before,  some  stalks  appeard  in  Nos.  2,  3,  4,  5,  &  8,  but 
the  ground  was  so  hard  bak'd  by  the  drying  winds  when 
I  came  home,  that  it  was  difficult  to  say  which  Nos.  look'd 
more  thriving.  However  in 
No.  I  There  was  nothing  come  up. 


2. 

2 

Oats. 

T. 

Barley 

3- 

I 

Oat. 

2. 

barley 

4- 

I 

Oat 

4- 

,S 

1 

Wheat 

2. 

Oats 

6 

I 

Do. 

3 

Do. 

I 

Do. 

7 

I 

Do. 

2 

Do. 

2 

Do. 

8 

I 

Do 

I 

Do 

9- 

J 

Do 

3 

Do. 

2 

Do 

10. 

I 

Do 

1760]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  167 

The  two  grains  in  No.  8  were  I  think  rather  the  strongest, 
but  upon  the  whole  No.  9  was  the  best.  *    *    * 

Sunday  May  4th.  Warm  and  fine, — Set  out  for  Frederick,  to  see 
my  Negroes  that  lay  ill  of  the  Small  pox.  Took  Church  in 
my  way  to  Coleman's,  where  I  arriv'd  about  Sun  setting. — 

Monday  May  5th.  Reachd  Mr.  Stephenson's  in  Frederick  abt 
4  o'clock,  just  time  enough  to  see  Richd.  Mount's  interred. 
Here  I  was  inform'd  that  Harry  and  Kit,  the  two  first  of  my 
Negroes  that  took  the  Small  pox  were  dead,  and  Roger  and 
Phillis,  the  only  two  down  with  it,  were  recovering  from  it. 
Lodgd  at  Mr.  Stephenson's 

Tuesday  May  6.  Visited  my  Brother's  Quarter,  and  just  call'd  at 
my  own,  in  my  way  to  Winchester,  where  I  spent  the  day 
and  evening  with  Colo.  Byrd  &c. 

The  Court  was  held  to  day  at  Stephen's  Town,  but  ad- 
journ'd  to  Winchester  to-morrow. — 

Wednesday  May  7.  After  taking  the  Doctor's  directions  in  regard 
to  my  people,  I  set  out  for  my  quarters  and  got  there  about 
12  Oclock,  time  enough  to  go  over  them  and  find  every 
thing  in  the  utmost  confusion  disorder  and  backwardness — 
my  Overseer  lying  upon  his  back  of  a  broken  leg,  and  not 
half  a  crop,  especially  of  Corn  ground  prepar'd. — 

Engag'd  Vail  Crawford  to  go  in  pursuit  of  a  nurse,  to  be 
ready  in  case  more  of  my  people  should  be  seizd  with  the 
same  disorder. 

Thursday  May  8th.  Got  Blankets  and  every  other  requisite  from 
Winchester,  and  settl'd  things  upon  the  best  footing  I  cou'd 
to  prevent  the  Small  pox  from  spreading  ;  and  in  case  of  its 
spreading  for  the  care  of  the  negroes — Mr  Val  Crawford 
agreeing  in  case  any  more  of  the  People  at  the  lower  quarter 
getting  it,  to  take  them  home  to  his  house,  and  if  any  of 
those  at  the  upper  quarter  gets  it,  to  have  them  remov'd  into 
my  room  and  the  Nurse  sent  for. 

Friday  May  9th.  Set  out  on  my  return  home,  the  morning  driz- 
zling a  little,  call'd  at  the  bloomery  and  got  Mr.  Wm. 
Crawford  to  shew  me  the  place  that  has  been  so  often  talk'd 
of  for  erecting  an  iron  Work  upon. 

The  convenience  of  water  is  great.     First  it  may  be  taken 


i68  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1760 

out  of  the  river  into  a  canal  and  a  considerable  fall  obtain'd  ; 
&  then  a  run  comes  from  the  Mountain  on  which  the  largest 
fall  may  [be]  got  with  small  labor  and  expence,  but  of  the 
constancy  of  this  Stream  T  know  nothing  nor  cou'd  Crawford 
tell  me.  I  saw  none  of  the  Ore,  but  all  people  agree 
that  there  is  an  inexhaustible  fund  of  that,  that  is  rich.  But 
wood  seems  an  obstacle,  not  but  that  there  is  enough  of  it 
but  the  ground  is  so  hilly  and  rugged  as  not  to  admit  of 
making  coal  or  transporting  it — 

I  did  not  examine  the  place  so  accurately  myself  as  to  be 
a  competent  judge  of  this  matter,  and  Mr  Crawford  says 
there  will  be  no  difficulty  in  the  case. 

Reach'd  Coleman's — 
Saturday  May  10  Arrivd  at  home  about  10  o'clock  where  I  found 
my    brother  John,   and  was  told   that  my  great   Chestnut 
foalded  [foaled]  a  horse  colt  on  the  6  Instant,  and  that  my 
Young  peach  trees  were  wed  according  to  order. 

The  oats,  and  in  short  everything  else,  seem'd  quite  at  a 
stand,  from  the  dryness  of  the  earth  which  was  remarkably 
so,  partly  for  want  of  rain  and  partly  by  the  constant  drying 
winds  which  have  blown  for  some  time  past. — 
Sunday  May  nth.  Mrs  Washington  went  to  church.  •" 

My  black  pacing  Mare  was  twice  Cover'd — 

Proposd  a  purchase  of  some  Lands  which  Col  F x  has 

at  the  mouth  of  the  Warm  Spring  Run  joining  Barwick's 
bottom.  He  promisd  me  the  preference  if  he  should  sell,  but 
is  not  inclined  to  do  it  at  present.  *  *  * 
Friday  May  i6th.  Still  Cool  and  Windy,  my  People  yet  con- 
tinuing at  Muddy  Hole — my  Brother  John  left  this  and  I  got 
Nation's  Estate  appraisd  by  Messrs  McCarty,  Barry  &  Triplet, 
as  follows — viz  : 

s     d 
One  old  Gun  &  Lock  7 — 6 

I  small  Bell  2 — 6 

I  Suit  of  Cloaths,  viz  :  ^ 

a  Coat — Waist  &  Breeches  >  lo 

Shirt  Hat  Shoes  «&  Gaiters  J 
A  Small  parcel  of  Leather.  i. 


1760]    .  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  169 

Saturday — May  17th.    Mulatto  Jack  retum'd  from  King  William, 
with  3  yoke  of  oxen  and  lost  Punch,  the  horse  he  rid. 

Sent  up  16  Hydes  to  Mr.  Adams  at  Alexandria,  viz  : — 

12  large  &  4  small  ones  to  be  Tan'd — Brought  a  pipe  of 
Wine  from  there,  which  Captn  McKie  brought  from  Madeira, 
also  a  Chest  of  lemons  and  some  other  trifles. 

Began  weeding  my  trefoil  below  the  hill. 

The  Great  Bay  was  coverd ;  and  got  an  acct  that  the 
assembly  was  to  meet  on  Monday.  Resolvd  to  set  ofif  to- 
morrow. 
Sunday  May  i8th.  Set  out  in  company  with  Mr.  George  John- 
ston. At  Colchester  was  inform'd  by  Colos  Thornton  and 
Chissel  that  the  Assembly  would  be  broke  up  before  I  cou'd 
get  down.  Turn'd  back  therefore  and  found  Colo  Fairfax 
and  his  family,  and  that  lightning,  which  had  attended  a 
good  deal  of  rain,  had  struck  my  quarter  and  near  10  Negroes 
in  it,  some  very  bad  but  with  letting  blood  they  recoverd 
Monday  May  19th.  Went  to  Alexandria  to  see  Captn.  Littledale's 
ship  launchd,  which  went  off  extreamely  well,  this  day  was 

attended  with  slight   shower's.     Colo.  F x  had  a  Mare 

cover'd  ;  so  had  Captn.  Dalton. 
Tuesday  May  20  Being  Court  day  Mr.  Clifton's  land  in  the 
Neck  was  expos'd  to  sale,  and  I  bought  it  for  ^1210  Sterling, 
under  many  threats  and  disadvantages  paid  the  money  into 
the  Commissioner's  hands  and  return'd  home  at  night  with 
Colo  Fairfax  and  Taylor.  Captn  Dalton's  Dun  Mare  again 
covd. 
Wednesday  May  21.  Wrote  to  Messrs.  Nicholas,  &  Wythe  for 
advice  how  to  act  in  regard  to  Clifton's  land.  Sent  the  letter 
by  the  post.     A  good  deal  of  rain  in  the  night. 

Colo  Fairfax  went  home.     Began  shearing  my  sheep. 
Thursday  May  22d.    Continued  shearing  my  Sheep — A  good  deal 
of  rain  at  night — and  cool  as  it  has  been  ever  since  the  first 
rain  on  ye  12th. 

Captn.  Dalton  had  a  Sorrel  Mare  coverd. — 

My  Black  Mare  that  came  [from]  Frederick  was  coverd 
yesterday  and  the  day  before. 

Captn.  McCarty  had  a  Mare  coverd  the  20th. 


lyo  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1760 


TO    RICHARD    WASHINGTON. 

Mount  Vernon,  id  August,  1760. 

Dear  Sir  : 

Colo.  Fairfax's  departure  for  England  in  a  ship  for 
London,  affords  me  the  best  opportunity  imaginable 
to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  favors  of  the  2 2d 
Novr.,  1 2th  Deer,  and  26  March,  which  are  all  the 
letters  I  have  received  from  you  since  those  taken 
notice  of  in  mine  of  the  20th  of  Septr.  last. 

I  must  confess  that  my  disappointment  in  the  sales 
of  my  tobacco  per  Cozzens,  was  a  very  sensible  one, 
having  seen  no  accounts  of  tobacco  by  that  ship  (till 
then)  under  ^12  pr.  hhd.,  and  few,  very  few  indeed, 
that  did  not  average  14,  and  from  that  to  15  and  16 
pounds  pr.  hhd  :  mine  being  all  sweet  scented  and 
neatly  managed,  left  me  no  room  to  suspect  coming 
in  at  the  tail  of  the  market.  The  discouraging  sales 
I  have  generally  got  for  all  tobacco  shipped  of  my 
own  growth,  have  induced  me  to  dispose  of  my  last 
year's  crop  in  the  country,  the  price  being  good  and 
certain.  But  this  may  not  always  happen,  and  while 
I  can  ship  without  loss,  I  shall  always  be  glad  to 
have  it  in  my  power  of  consigning  you  a  part.  I 
dare  say  your  account  current  transmitted  in  Decem- 
ber last,  is  very  right ;  although  I  should  have  under- 
stood it  better  had  you  credited  me  for  ^50  insured 
on  my  tobacco  per  the  Integrity,  and  made  me  debtor 
for  the  premio,  &c.  There  is  another  article  of 
interest  short  £\2  which  I  should  be  glad  to  have 
explained  ;  if  it  is  for  interest  on  the  money  you  have 
lain  in  advance    for  me  I   am  extremely   willing    to 


1760]   .  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  171 

allow  it,  thinking  it  just  and  never  intending  to  put 
you  to  the  least  inconvenience  on  my  account.  I 
hope,  before  this  letter  can  have  reached  you,  that 
you  have  recovered  my  loss  of  goods  retaken  in 
Captain  Down's. 

The  French  are  so  well  drubbed,  and  seem  so  much 
humbled  in  America,  that  I  apprehend  our  generals 
will  find  it  no  difficult  matter  to  reduce  Canada  to  our 
obedience  this  summer.'  But  what  may  be  Mont- 
gomery's fate  in  the  Cherokee  country  I  cannot  so 
readily  determine.  It  seems  he  has  made  a  pros- 
perous beginning,  having  penetrated  into  the  heart 
of  the  country,  and  he  is  now  advancing  his  troops  in 
high  health  and  spirits  to  the  relief  of  Fort  Loudoun. 
But  let  him  be  war}^  He  has  a  crafty,  subtle  enemy 
to  deal  with,  that  may  give  him  most  trouble  when 
he  least  expects  it.^  We  are  in  pain  here  for  the  king 
of  Prussia,  and  wish  Hanover  safe,  these  being  events 
in  which  we  are  much  interested. 


^  During  this  year  Ticonderoga  had  been  taken  by  General  Amherst,  Niagara 
by  Sir  William  Johnson,  and  Quebec  had  fallen  in  consequence  of  the  splendid 
victory  of  Wolfe  on  the  Plains  of  Abraham. 

*  Such  proved  in  fact  to  be  the  fate  of  Colonel  Montgomery.  He  marched 
from  South  Carolina  with  a  party  of  regular  troops  and  militia,  and  was  at  first 
successful  in  destroying  several  Indian  towns,  but  fell  at  length  into  an  ambus- 
cade, where  the  Indians  defeated  him,  with  a  loss  of  twenty  of  his  men  killed, 
and  seventy-six  wounded.  He  was  obliged  to  retreat,  and  return  to  South 
Carolina,  without  making  any  farther  progress.  Fort  Loudoun,  situate  on  the 
borders  of  the  Cherokee  country,  was  reduced  to  the  greatest  extremity  by 
hunger,  and  the  garrison  forced  to  capitulate  (August  6,)  to  the  Indians,  who 
agreed  to  escort  the  officers  and  men  in  safety  to  another  fort.  They  were, 
however,  made  the  victims  of  treachery  ;  for  the  day  after  their  departure  a 
body  of  savages  waylaid  them,  killed  some,  and  captured  the  others,  whom  they 
took  back  to  Fort  Loudoun. — Ramsay's  History  of  South  Carolina,  Vol.  I., 
p.  177.      Gentleman' s  Magazine,  1760,  pp.  393,  442,  541. 


172  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1760 

My  indulging  myself  in  a  trip  to  England  depends 
upon  so  many  contingencies,  which,  in  all  probability, 
may  never  occur,  that  I  dare  not  even  think  of  such 
a  gratification.  Nothing,  however,  is  more  ardently 
desired.  But  Mrs.  Washington  and  myself  would 
both  think  ourselves  very  happy  in  the  opportunity 
of  showing  you  the  Virginia  hospitality,  which  is  the 
most  agreeable  entertainment  we  can  give,  or  a 
stranger  expect  to  find,  in  an  infant,  woody  country, 
like  ours.      I  am,  &c. 


TO     ROBERT     GARY    &    CO.,   LONDON. 

Mount  Vernon,  id  August,  1760. 

Gentln.     *     *     * 

Inclosed  you  are  presented  with  the  Memorandum 
for  receiving  the  interest  of  the  Bank-stock  signd  as 
directed. — The  Estate  not  yet  being  so  amply  settled 
as  it  ought,  an  entire  division  has  not  been  made, 
which  leaves  many  matters  upon  a  instable  footing, 
and  among  the  rest  the  money  in  your  hands,  which 
has  not  yet  been  assigned  to  individuals  ;  altho'  I 
believe  it  will  chiefly,  if  not  all,  fall  into  my  part,  since 
it  best  suits  my  purposes  to  have  money  that  can  be 
commanded,  than  money  at  interest.  However  till 
matters  come  to  a  more  conclusive  settlement,  you 
may  let  the  accounts  stand  as  you  have  stated  them, 
charging  each  party  with  their  own  drafts  and  orders, 
and  letting  the  credits  remain  in  favor  of  the  Estate 
as  a  common  stock,  till  further  direction. 

The  tobacco  shipped  per  the  Fair  American,  Gary, 
and  Russia  Merchant,  may  be  applied  the  same  way  ; 


1760]  .  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  173 

but  the  present  (growing)  crop  will  be  shipped  on  my 
own  and  Mr.  Parke  Custis's  particular  accounts  (each 
having  our  Plantations  allotted  us,)  and  must  be  ap- 
plied to  our  several  credits  as  you  will  be  directed. 
So  must  all  ye  remittances  hereafter  to  be  made. 

The  insurance  on  the  tobacco  per  Talman  was 
high,  I  think  higher  than  expected. — And  here,  Gen- 
tlemen, I  cannot  forbear  ushering  in  a  complaint  of 
the  exorbitant  prices  of  my  goods  this  year  all  of 
which  are  come  to  hand  (except  those  packages  put 
on  board  Hooper)  : — For  many  years  I  have  imported 
goods  from  London  as  well  as  other  ports  of  Britain, 
and  can  truly  say  I  never  had  such  a  penny  worth 
before.  It  would  be  a  needless  task  to  enumerate 
every  article  that  I  have  cause  to  except  against. 
Let  it  suffice  to  say  that  Woolens,  Linnens,  Nails 
&c.,  are  mean  in  quality,  but  not  in  price,  for  in  this 
they  excel  indeed,  far  above  any  I  have  ever  had. — 
It  has  always  been  a  custom  with  me  when  I  make 
out  my  invoices  to  estimate  the  charge  of  them.  This 
I  do  for  my  own  satisfaction,  to  know  whether  I  am 
too  fast  or  not,  and  I  seldom  vary  much  from  the  real 
prices,  doing  it  from  old  notes  and  credits  ;  but  the 
amount  of  your  invoice  exceeds  my  calculations  above 
25  per  cent,  and  many  articles  not  sent  that  were 
wrote  for.' 


1  "  Let  me  beseech  you  Gentlemen  to  give  the  necessary  directions  for  pur- 
chasing of  them  upon  the  best  terms.  It  is  needless  for  me  to  particularise  the 
sorts,  quality,  or  taste  I  would  choose  to  have  them  in,  unless  it  is  observed. 
And  you  may  believe  me  when  I  tell  you  that,  instead  of  getting  things  good 
and  fashionable  in  their  several  kinds,  we  often  have  articles  sent  us  that  could 
only  have  been  used  by  our  forefathers  in  the  days  of  yore.  'Tis  a  custom,  I 
have  some  reason  to  believe  with  many  shopkeepers,  and  tradesmen  in  London, 


174  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1760 

I  must  once  again  beg  the  favor  of  you  never  to 
send  me  any  goods  but  in  a  Potomack  Ship,  and  for 
this  purpose  let  me  recommend  Captn  John  Johnson 
in  an  annual  ship  of  Mr.  Russell's  to  this  River. 
Johnson  is  a  person  I  am  acquainted  with,  know  him 
to  be  very  careful,  and  he  comes  past  my  door  in  his 
ship.  I  am  certain  therefore  of  always  having  my 
goods  landed  in  good  time  and  order,  which  never 
yet  has  happened  when  they  come  into  another  river. 
This  year  the  Charming  Polly  went  into  Rappa- 
hannock and  my  goods  by  her,  received  at  different 
times  and  in  bad  order — the  porter  entirely  drank 
out.  There  came  no  invoice  of  Mrs.  Dandridge's 
goods  to  me.     I  suppose  it  was  forgot  to  be  inclosed. 

*  *  *  -X-  -fi-  ■?«■ 

As  I  shall  write  to  you  again  by  the  fleet,  I  shall 
decline  giving  any  directions  about  the  busts,  till 
then.'      Some    time    ago    there   was    a    prospect   of 

when  they  know  Goods  are  bespoke  for  exportation,  to  palm  sometimes  old, 
and  sometimes  very  slight  and  indifferent  goods  upon  us,  taking  care  at  the 
same  time  to  advance  10,  15  or  perhaps  20  per  cent,  upon  them — My  packages 
per  The  Polly,  Captain  Hooper,  are  not  yef  come  to  hand,  and  the  Lord  only 
knows  when  they  will  without  more  trouble  than  they  are  worth — as  to  the 
Busts  a  future  day  will  determine  my  choice  of  them  if  any  are  wrote  for. 

"  Mrs.  Washington  sends  home  a  green  sack  to  get  cleaned,  or  fresh  dyed  of 
the  same  color  ;  made  up  into  a  handsome  sack  again,  would  be  her  choice  ; 
but  if  the  cloth  won't  afford  tiiat,  then  to  be  thrown  into  a  genteel  Night  Gown. 
The  Pyramid  you  sent  me  last  year  got  hurt,  and  the  broken  pieces  I  return  by 
this  opportunity  to  get  new  ones  made  by  them.  Please  to  order  that  they  be 
securely  packed." — Washington  to  Robert  Cary  ^  Co.,  28  September,  1760. 

'  In  the  invoice  of  goods  sent  to  Messrs.  Cary  &  Company  in  September, 
I75g,  Washington  ordered  eight  busts,  giving  the  following  directions  and 
measurements:  "4.  One  of  Alexander  the  Great ;  another  of  Julius  Cassar  ; 
another  of  Charles  12,  Sweden,  and  a  fourth  of  the  King  of  Prussia.  N.  B. 
These  are  not  to  exceed  15  inches  in  height  nor  10  in  width,  for  broken  pedi- 
ments.    2  other  busts  of  Prince  Eugene  and  tiie  Duke  of  MarlJJorough,  some- 


1760]    .  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  175 

making  a  large  crop  of  tobacco  this  Summer,  but  a 
series  of  wet  weather  for  near  a  month,  with  Httle  or 
no  intermission,  has  caused  general  complaints  among 
the  planters,  and  now  it  is  feard  that  the  crops  will 
be  very  short,  the  tobacco  in  many  places  being  under 
water  and  drowned,  and  in  others  suffering  much  by 
the  spot,  which  is  always  a  consequence  of  such  rains.' 

what  smaller.     2  wild  beasts,  not   to  exceed   12  inches  in  height  nor  i8  in 
length.     Sundry  small  ornaments  for  chimney  piece."     [Page  138,  ante\     In 
the  following  March  a  vessel  brought  over  the  invoice,  and,  as  a  matter  of  no 
little  interest,  I  copy  the  entry  made  relating  to  these  busts  and  ornaments  : 
^'  A  Groupe  of  ^neas  carrying  his  Father  out  of  Troy,  with  four  statues, 

viz.    his   Father  Anchises,  his  wife  Creusa  and  his  son  Ascanius, 

neatly  finisht  and  bronzed  with  copper,  ....         ^^3.  3 

Two  Groupes,  with  two  statues  each  of  Bacchus  &  Flora,  finisht  neat,  & 

bronzed  with  copper,  £0..  2  each  .....  4.  4 

Two  ornamented  vases  with  Faces  and  Festoons  of  Grapes  and  vine 

Leaves,  finished  neat  &  bronzed  with  copper  ,         .         .  2.  2 

The  above  for  ye  Chimney  Piece. 
Two  Lyons  after  the  antique  Lyons  in  Italy,  finished  neat  and  bronzed 

with  copper,  £\.  5  each         .......  2.  10 

' '  These  is  the  best  ornaments  I  could  possibly  make  for  the  chimney  piece. 
And  of  all  the  wild  beasts  as  coud  be  made,  there  is  none  better  than  the 
Lyons.     The  manner  of  placing  them  on  ye  chimney  piece  should  be  thus  : 

A  groupe  of  -         Vase  -         ^Eneas  -         Vase  -         Groupe  of 
Flora  Bacchus 

"  There  is  no  Busts  of  Alexander  ye  Great,  (none  at  all  of  Charles  12th  of 
Sweden,)  Julius  Caesar,  King  of  Prussia,  Prince  Eugene,  nor  Duke  of  Marl- 
borough, of  the  size  desired  ;  and  to  make  models  woud  be  very  expensive  — 
at  least  4  guineas  each.  But  I  can  make  Busts  exactly  to  the  size  wrote  for 
(15  inches)  and  very  good  ones,  at  the  rate  of  16/  each  of :  Homer,  Virgil, 
Horace,  Cicero,  Plato,  Aristotle,  Seneca,  Galens,  Vestall,  Virgin  Faustina, 
Chaucer.  Spencer,  Johnson,  Shakespear,  Beaumont,  Fletcher,  Milton,  Prior, 
Pope,  Congreve,  Swift,  Addison,  Dryden,  Locke,  Newton."  William  Cheere 
was  the  London  art  dealer,  of  whom  the  busts  were  ordered. 

1  "lam  very  sorry  for  the  account  (given  in  the  latter  [letter]  of  the  Deliver- 
ance being  lost.  All  the  tobacco  I  had  on  board  her  was  J.  C,  and  I  dare  say 
would  have  disgraced  no  market  whatever.  But  accidents  of  this  nature  are 
common,  and  ought  not  to  be  repined  at. 

"  We  had  a  very  favorable  prospect  some  time  ago  of  making  large  crops  of 


176  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1760 


My  Steward  on  York  River  writes  me  that  he  has 
received  the  goods  ordered  from  Glasgow — Inclosed 
I  address  you  the  copy  of  a  letter  wrote  from  Will- 
iamsburg, in  April  last.  And  in  a  letter  of  the  20th 
June,  I  advertised  you  of  two  drafts  I  had  made  upon 
you  :  the  one  in  favor  of  Mr  J  no.  Addison  for  ^364 
195-.  od.;  and  the  other  of  Mr  William  Digges  for 
;^304  \^s.  3^.  These  payments  were  in  part  for  a 
valuable  purchase  I  had  just  made  of  abt.  2000  acres 
of  land  adjoining  this  seat.  There  are  more  pay- 
ments yet  to  make  and  possibly  I  may  have  occasion 
to  draw  upon  you  for  a  further  sum  ;  tho'  not  more, 
I  am  well  persuaded,  than  you  have  effects  to  answer. 
Yet  if  at  any  time  a  prospect  of  advantage  should 
lead  me  beyond  this  a  little,  I  hope  their  will  be  no 
danger  of  my  bills  returning.  I  mention  this  rather 
for  a  matter  of  information  (in  case  of  such  an  Event) 
than  as  a  thing  I  ever  expect  to  happen ;  for  my  own 
aversion  to  running  in  debt  will  always  secure  me 
against  a  step  of  this  nature,  unless  a  manifest  ad- 
vantage is  likely  to  be  the  result  of  it. 

Since  writing  the  foregoing  I  have  added  to  my 
landed  purchase,  and  shall  have  occasion  in  a  few 
days  to  draw  upon  you  to  the  amount  of  about  ;^2  5o, 
payable  to  Mr  Robt.  Trent,  save  a  Bill  of  about  ^40 
which  will  be  passd  in  favor  of  Mr  Clifton.    I  am  &c. 

tobacco,  but  a  continued  series  of  rain  for  near  four  weeks  has  given  a  sad  turn 
to  our  expectations,  and  now  I  verily  believe  that  unless  some  very  surprising 
change  happens  for  the  better  again,  the  crops  will  be  very  short — a  great  deal 
of  the  tobacco  being  drowned,  and  the  rest  spotting  very  fast,  which  is  always  a 
consequence  of  so  much  wet  weather." — To  Capel  &'  Osgood  Hanbury,  lO 
August,  1760. 


1760]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  177 

TO    CAPTAIN    ROBERT    MACKENZIE,    AT    VENANGO. 

Mount  Vernon,  20  November,  1760. 

Dear  Sir, 

Had  your  favor  of  the  17th  of  August  come  to 
my  hands  before  the  i8th  instant,  I  should  not  have 
given  you  the  trouble  of  perusing  my  answer  to  it  at 
this  late  season.  I  am  sorry,  that  you  should  think 
it  necessary  to  introduce  a  request  to  me,  which  is 
founded  on  reason  and  equity,  with  an  apology.  Had 
you  claimed  that  as  a  right,  which  you  seem  to  ask  as 
a  favor,  I  should  have  thought  myself  wanting  in  that 
justice,  which  is  the  distinguishing  characteristic  of  an 
honest  man,  to  have  withheld  it  from  you. 

But  how  to  answer  your  purposes,  and  at  the  same 
time  to  avoid  the  imputation  of  impertinence,  I  am,  I 
confess,  more  at  a  loss  to  determine.  That  General 
Amherst  may  have  heard  of  such  a  person  as  I  am,  is 
probable,  and  this  I  dare  venture  to  say  is  the  chief 
knowledge  he  has  of  me.  How  then  should  I  appear 
to  him  in  an  epistolary'  way  ?  And  to  sit  down  and 
write  a  certificate  of  your  behavior  carries  with  it  an 
air  of  formality,  that  seems  more  adapted  to  the  case 
of  a  soldier  than  that  of  an  officer.  I  must,  there- 
fore, beg  the  favor  of  you  to  make  what  use  you 
please  of  this  letter. 

For,  Sir,  with  not  more  pleasure  than  truth,  I  can 
declare  to  you  and  the  world,  that  while  I  had  the 
honor  of  commanding  the  regiment,  your  conduct, 
both  as  an  officer  and  a  gentleman,  was  unexception- 
able, and  in  every  instance,  as  far  as  I  was  capable 
of  discerning,  such  as  to  merit  applause  from  better 


178  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1761 

judges.  Since  my  time,  Colonel  Byrd  has  been  wit- 
ness to  your  behavior,  and  his  letter  recommenda- 
tory must,  I  am  persuaded,  do  you  more  service  than 
my  sanguine  endeavors.  Although  neither  he,  nor 
any  other  person,  is  more  sensible  of  your  worth,  or 
more  inclined  to  contribute  his  best  offices  to  the 
completion  of  your  wishes,  than.  Sir,  your  obedient 
servant' 


TO    RICHARD    WASHINGTON. 

Mount  Vernon,  14  July,  1761. 

Dear  Sir, 

Since  my  last,  by  Mr  Fairfax,  I  have  had  the 
pleasure  of  receiving  your  obliging  favors  of  the  i6th 
October  and  ist  of  January  following.  A  mixture  of 
bad  health  and  indolence  together  has  kept  me  from 
paying  that  due  respect  to  your  letters,  which  I  am 
sure  they  much  merited  at  my  hands  till  this  time  ; 
and  now,  having  nothing  to  relate  that  could  in  any 
wise  claim  your  attention,  I  think  I  was  inclined  to  a 
further  delay,  when  it  came  into  my  head  that  having 
put  six  hogsheads  tobacco  on  board  the  Phoenix,  Cap- 
tain McGachin,  to  your  address,  it  would  not  be  amiss 
to  secure  some  part  of  the  value  by  insurance,  that 
in  case  the  ship  should  meet  with  the  fate  attending 
many  others  in  the  same  trade,  I  might  not  lose  the 
whole;  and  therefore.  Sir,  I  beg  the  favor  of  you  to 
insure  five  pounds  a  hogshead  on  the  tobacco  accord- 
ingly-      

'At  an  election  of  Burgesses  for  Frederick  County  held  on  i8  May,  1761, 
Washington  received  505  votes.  Col.  George  Mercer,  400,  and  Col.  Adam  Ste- 
phens, 394. 


1761]  .  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  179 

The  entire  conquest  of  Canada,  and  dispossession 
of  the  French  in  most  parts  of  North  America,  be- 
coming a  story  too  stale  to  relate  in  these  days,  we 
are  often  at  a  loss  for  something  to  supply  our  letters 
with.  True  it  is,  the  Cherokee  nation,  by  a  perfidi- 
ous conduct,  has  caused  Colonel  Grant  to  be  sent 
once  more  into  their  country  with  an  armed  force  ; 
but  I  believe  their  supplies  from  the  French  on  Mo- 
bile River  come  in  so  slac,  that  they  are  more  sin- 
cerely disposed  to  peace  now  than  ever  they  were 
before.  This  pacifick  turn  may  be  caused  in  some 
measure,  too,  by  another  regiment  in  the  pay  of  this 
colony,  which  is  ordered  to  penetrate  into  their  coun- 
try by  a  different  passage.  But  it  is  generally  thought, 
that  their  submission  will  put  a  stop  to  any  further 
progress  of  our  arms.' 

We  have  received  the  account  of  Belle  Isle's 
reduction,  and  hear  of  another  expedition  fleet 
destined  for  some  service,  of  which  we  are  ignorant. 
But  that,  which  most  engrosses  our  attention  at  this 
time,  is  the  congress  at  Augsburg,  as  I  believe 
nothing  is  more  sincerely  desired  in  this  part  of  the 
world,  than  an  honorable  peace. 

Colo.  Fairfax  very  much  surprizes  his  friends  in 
Virginia  by  not  writing  to  any  of  them.  Just  upon 
his  arrival  at  London  he  favored  a  few  with  a  short 

'  Colonel  Grant  had  an  engagement  with  the  Cherokees,  near  the  place  of 
Colonel  Montgomery's  ambuscade,  which  lasted  for  several  hours,  but  the  In- 
dians were  repulsed.  He  then  destroyed  all  the  villages  and  provisions,  that 
came  in  his  way,  and  took  post  for  some  time  in  Fort  Prince  George.  Here  the 
Cherokees,  through  their  Chief,  AttakuUa-kuUa,  sued  for  peace,  which  was  con- 
ceded to  them,  and  which  continued  till  the  breaking  out  of  the  revolutionary 
war. 


i8o  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1761 

letter  advertising  them  of  that  agreeable  circumstance 
and  I  have  heard  of  no  other  letter  that  has  come 
from  him  since,  altho'  I  have  seen  some  from  the 
ladies,  the  superscription  of  which  has  been  in  his 
handwriting.     I  am  &c. 


TO    REVEREND    CHARLES    GREEN.' 

The  Warm  Springs,  26ih  Aug.,  1761. 

Rev'd  Sir, 

I  should  think  myself  very  inexcusable  were  I  to 
omit  so  good  an  opportunity  as  Mr.  Douglass's 
return  from  these  Springs,  of  giving  you  some 
account  of  the  place  and  of  our  approaches  to  it. 

To  begin  then  ; — We  arrived  here  yesterday,  and 
our  journey  as  you  may  imagine  was  not  of  the  most 
agreeable  sort,  through  such  weather  and  such  roads 
as  we  had  to  encounter ;  these  last  for  20  or  25  miles 
from  hence  are  almost  impassible  for  carriages,  not 
so  much  from  the  mountainous  country,  (but  this  in 
fact  is  very  rugged,)  as  from  trees  that  have  fallen 
across  the  road  and  rendered  the  way  intolerable. 

We  found  of  both  sexes  about  200  people  at  this 
place,  full  of  all  manner  of  diseases  and  complaints  ; 
some  of  which  are  much  benefited,  while  others  find 
no  relief  from  the  waters. — Two  or  three  doctors  are 
here,  but  whether  attending  as  physicians  or  to  drink 
of  the  waters  I  know  not. 

It  is  thought  the  Springs  will  soon  begin  to  lose 
their  virtues,  and  the  weather  get  too  cold  for  people 

'  Rev.  Charles  Green  was  minister  of  the  old  Pohick  Church  from   1738  to 
1765. 


1761]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  181 

not  well  provided  to  remain  here.  They  are  situated 
ver}^  badly  on  the  East  side  of  a  steep  Mountain,  and 
inclosed  by  hills  on  all  sides,  so  that  the  afternoon's 
Sun  is  hid  by  4  o'clock  and  the  fogs  hang  over  us  till 
9  or  10  which  occasion  great  damps,  and  the  morn- 
ings and  evenings  to  be  cool. 

The  place  I  am  told,  and  indeed  have  found  it  so 
already,  is  supplyed  with  provisions  of  all  kinds ; 
good  beef  and  venison,  fine  veal,  lambs,  fowls,  &c. 
&c.,  may  be  bought  at  almost  any  time,  but  lodgings 
can  be  had  on  no  terms  but  building  for  them  ;  and  I 
am  of  opinion  that  numbers  get  more  hurt  by  their 
manner  of  lying,  than  the  waters  can  do  them  good. 
Had  we  not  succeeded  in  getting  a  tent  and  marquee 
from  Winchester  we  should  have  been  in  a  most 
miserable  situation  here. 

In  regard  to  myself  I  must  beg  leave  to  say,  that  I 
was  much  overcome  with  the  fatigue  of  the  ride  and 
weather  together.  However,  I  think  my  fevers  are 
a  good  deal  abated,  although  my  pains  grow  rather 
worse,  and  my  sleep  equally  disturbed.  What  effect 
the  waters  may  have  upon  me  I  can't  say  at  present, 
but  I  expect  nothing  from  the  air — this  certainly 
must  be  unwholesome.  I  purpose  to  stay  here  a 
fortnight  and  longer  if  benefitted. 

I  shall  attempt  to  give  you  the  best  discription 
I  can  of  the  stages  to  this  place,  that  you  may  be  at 
no  loss,  if  after  this  account  you  choose  to  come  up. 

Toulson  I  should  recommend  as  the  first ;  Majr. 
Hamilton's  or  Israel  Thompson's  the  2d;  ye  one 
about  30,  the  other  35  miles  distant.     From  thence 


i82  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1761 

you  may  reach  Henry  Vanmeter's  on  Opeckon  Creek 
or  Captain  Pearis's  4  miles  on  this  side,  which  will  be 
about  35  miles  ;  and  then  your  journey  will  be  easy 
the  following  day  to  this  place. 

I  have  made  out  a  very  long,  and  a  very  dirty 
letter,  but  hurry  must  apologize  for  the  latter,  and  I 
hope  your  fondness  will  excuse  the  former.  Please  to 
make  my  compliments  acceptable  to  Mrs.  Green  and 
Miss  Bolan  and  be  assured  Revd.  Sir  that  with  a 
true  respect  I  remain  &c. 

P.  S.  If  I  could  be  upon  any  certainty  of  your 
coming,  or  could  only  get  4  days  previous  notice  of 
your  arrival,  I  would  get  a  house  built  such  as  are 
here  erected,  very  indifferent  indeed  they  are  tho', 
for  your  reception. 

30  Augt. 

Since  writing  the  above,  Mr.  Douglass  lost  his 
horse  and  was  detained,  but  I  met  with  a  Fairfax 
man  returning  home,  who  is  to  be  back  again  imme- 
diately for  his  wife.  This  person  I  have  hired  to 
carry  some  letters  to  Mrs.  Washington,  under  whose 
cover  this  goes  ;  by  him  you  are  furnished  with  an 
opportunity  of  honoring  me  with  your  commands,  if 
you  retain  any  thoughts  of  coming  to  this  place.  I 
think  myself  benefited  by  the  waters,  and  am  now 
with  hopes  of  their  making  a  cure  of  me.  Little  time 
will  show  now. 


1761]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  183 

TO    RICHARD    WASHINGTON. 

Mount  Vernon,  20  October,  1761. 

Dear  Sir, 

Since  my  last,  of  the  14th  July,  I  have  in  appear- 
ance been  very  near  my  last  gasp.  The  indisposition 
then  spoken  of  increased  upon  me,  and  I  fell  into  a 
very  low  and  dangerous  state.  I  once  thought  the 
grim  king  would  certainly  master  my  utmost  efforts, 
and  that  I  must  sink,  in  spite  of  a  noble  struggle  ;  but, 
thank  God,  I  have  now  got  the  better  of  the  disorder, 
and  shall  soon  be  restored,  I  hope,  to  perfect  health 
again. 

I  dont  know,  that  I  can  muster  up  one  tittle  of 
news  to  communicate.  In  short,  the  occurrences  of 
this  part  of  the  world  are  at  present  scarce  worth 
reciting ;  for,  as  we  live  in  a  state  of  peaceful  tran- 
quillity ourselves,  so  we  are  at  very  little  trouble  to 
inquire  after  the  operations  against  the  Cherokees, 
who  are  the  only  people  that  disturb  the  repose  of 
this  great  continent,  and  who,  I  believe,  would  gladly 
accommodate  differences  upon  almost  any  terms ; 
not,  I  conceive,  from  any  apprehensions  they  are 
under,  on  account  of  our  arms,  but  because  they  want 
the  supplies,  which  we  and  we  only  can  furnish  them 
with.  We  catch  the  reports  of  peace  with  gaping 
mouths,  and  every  person  seems  anxious  for  a  confir- 
mation of  that  desirable  event,  provided  it  comes,  as 
no  doubt  it  will,  upon  honorable  terms.' 

'  "  We  have  little  or  no  news  stirring.  Our  Assembly  is  at  present  convened 
to  grant  supplies  for  carrjing  on  the  war  against  the  Cherokee  Indians,  should 
they  choose  to  continue  it  ;  but  this  I  am  persuaded  they  are  by  no  means  in- 


1 84  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1761 

On  the  other  side  is  an  invoice  of  clothes,  which  I 
beg  the  favor  of  you  to  purchase  for  me,  and  to  send 
them  by  the  first  ship  bound  to  this  river.  As  they 
are  designed  for  wearing-apparel  for  myself,  I  have 
committed  the  choice  of  them  to  your  fancy,  having 
the  best  opinion  of  your  taste.  I  want  neither  lace 
nor  embroidery.  Plain  clothes,  with  a  gold  or  silver 
button,  (if  worn  in  genteel  dress,)  are  all  I  desire.  I 
have  hitherto  had  my  clothes  made  by  one  Charles 

clined  to  do,  nor  are  they  prepared  for  it,  as  they  have  been  soliciting  peace  for 
some  time  past.  I  wish  the  powers  of  Europe  were  as  well  disposed  to  an 
accommodation  as  these  poor  wretches  are.  A  stop  would  soon  be  put  to  the 
effusion  of  human  blood,  and  peace  and  plenty  would  resume  their  empire 
again,  to  the  joy  and  content,  (I  believe,)  of  most  ranks  and  degrees  of  people." 
—  Washington  to  Robei-t  Cary  ^^  Co.,  3  November,  1761. 

"  I  perceive  you  bring  the  shortness  of  some  of  the  bundles  of  tobacco 
shipped  in  the  Bland  to  account  for  the  lowness  of  the  price.  That  some  of 
the  tobacco  was  small,  I  shall  not  undertake  to  dispute  ;  but  at  the  same  time 
I  must  observe,  that  it  was  clean  and  neatly  handled,  which  I  apprehended 
would  have  rendered  the  other  objection  of  very  little  weight.  As  to  stemming 
my  tobacco,  in  the  manner  you  recommend,  I  would  readily  do  it,  if  the  returns 
would  be  e([uivalent  to  the  trouble,  and  loss  of  the  stem  ;  and  of  this  I  sliall  be 
a  tolerable  judge,  as  I  am  at  no  small  pains  this  year  to  try  the  quality  with 
the  advantages  and  disadvantages  of  different  kinds  of  tobaccos,  and  shall  at 
the  same  time  find  out  the  difference  between  a  hogshead  of  leaf  and  a  hogs- 
head of  stemmed  tobacco.  By  comparing  then  the  loss  of  the  one  with  the 
extra  price  of  the  other,  I  shall  be  able  to  determine  which  is  the  best  to  pursue, 
and  follow  that  method  which  promises  the  most  certain  advantages. 

"  Some  of  the  tobaccos,  which  I  put  on  board  the  Unity,  Captain  Cozzens, 
got  damaged  in  carrying  to  the  warehouses  for  inspection,  and  had  a  part  cut 
off,  wliich  will  no  doubt  deface  it  a  little  ;  but,  as  this  hapjiened  while  I  was  at 
Williamsburg,  I  am  a!)le  to  give  you  no  exact  information  concerning  it.  In 
this  jiarccl  of  tobacco  there  arc  three  kinds,  which  ]ilcase  to  give  me  your 
ojjinion  upon. 

"  As  1  have  ever  laid  it  down  as  an  cslal)lislied  maxim,  that  every  person  is 
(most  certainly  ought  to  be)  tlie  best  judge  of  what  relates  to  his  own  interest 
and  concerns,  1  veiy  rarely  undertake  to  pro])(>se  scliemes  to  others,  which  may 
be  attended  with  uncertainty  and  miscarriage.  Tills  will  at  once  account  for  my 
being  among  the  last,  who  should  advise  your  sending  a  vessel  into  the  Polo- 


1761]    .  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  185 

Lawrence,  in  Old  Fish  Street.  But  whether  it  be 
the  fault  of  the  tailor,  or  the  measure  sent,  I  cant 
say,  but,  certain  it  is,  my  clothes  have  never  fitted 
me  well.  I  therefore  leave  the  choice  of  the  work- 
man to  your  care  likewise.  I  enclose  a  measure,  and, 
for  a  further  insight,  I  dont  think  it  amiss  to  add, 
that  my  stature  is  six  feet  ;  otherwise  rather  slender 
than  corpulent. 

mac  for  the  accommodation  of  your  friends  there.  That  I  have  often  thought 
of  it  as  a  desirable  thing  for  the  shippers,  I  will  readily  confess,  and  have  as 
often  concluded,  that,  so  soon  as  you  found  an  established  consignment  formed 
here,  you  would  do  it  of  course  ;  and  sooner  we  ought  not  to  expect  it.  Since 
you  have  proposed  the  matter  yourself  to  me,  I  certainly  must  approve  of  it  ; 
and,  as  you  are  so  obliging  as  to  write,  that  you  shall  direct  the  master  to  be 
under  my  notice,  I  hope  you  will  be  persuaded  to  believe,  that  I  shall  readily 
contribute  my  best  ad\"ice  and  assistance  towards  his  despatch. 

"  The  tobaccos  of  most  of  your  friends  upon  the  Potomac  (or  that  shipt 
from  thence)  lie  within  fifteen  miles  above  and  below  this  place,  and  as  good, 
or  the  best  harbor  (Piscataway),  is  within  sight  of  my  door.  It  has  this  great 
advantage,  besides  good  anchorage  andlj-ing  safe  from  the  winds,  that  it  is  out 
of  the  way  of  the  worm,  which  is  very  hurtful  to  shipping  a  little  lower  down, 
and  lies  in  a  very  plentiful  part  of  the  country.  I  thought  it  incumbent  upon 
me  to  mention  these  things,  after  which  do  as  you  please.  If  I  had  received 
any  intimation  of  your  sending  a  vessel  into  this  river,  I  should  not  have 
engaged  any  part  of  my  tobacco  to  Cuzzens,  and  while  I  remain  in  expectation 
of  her  arrival,  I  wiU  not  seek  a  freight  elsewhere  for  the  residue  of  what  I 
intend  your  house  from  this  river,  which  probably  may  amount  to  about  thirty 
hogsheads  more." — Washington  to  Robert  Cary  cf  Co.,  28  May,  1762. 

We  have  had  one  of  the  most  severe  droughts  in  these  parts  that  ever  was 
known,  and  without  a  speedy  interposition  of  Providence  (in  sending  us  mod- 
erate and  refreshing  Rains  to  modify  and  soften  the  Earth,)  we  shall  not  make 
one  ounce  of  tobacco  this  year.  Our  plants  in  spite  of  all  our  efforts  to  the 
contrary,  are  just  destroyed,  and  our  grain  is  absolutely  perishing.  How  it 
may  be  in  other  parts  of  the  country  I  can  not  positively  say,  yet  I  have  heard 
much  complaining." — To  Robert  Cary  6^  Co.,  20  June,  1762. 

"  Upon  the  important  conquest  of  the  Havanna  I  heartily  congratulate 
you.  A  stroke  so  signally  given  at  the  commencement  of  a  war  must  ever 
prove  the  sure  means  of  humbling'  a  proud  people  and  settling  peace  upon 
an  honorable  and  permanent  footing." — To  Robert  Cary  er=  Co.,  30  Septem- 
ber, 1762. 


1 86  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1762 

[to    GEORGE    WILLIAM    FAIRFAX]  ? 

Mount  Vernon,  30  October,  1762. 

Dear  Sir, 

I  am  sorry  to  be  the  messenger  of  the  news,  but  it 
is  incumbent  upon  me  to  inform  you  of  the  death  of 
the  mare,  you  committed  to  my  care.  How  she  died, 
I  am  able  to  give  you  but  a  very  unsatisfactory  ac- 
count. For  on  the  3rd  inst,  I  set  out  for  Frederick 
and  left  her  to  all  appearance  as  well  as  a  creature 
could  be,  Mr.  Green  and  I  observing  a  day  or  two 
before,  how  fat  and  frolicksome  she  seemed.  And 
on  my  return  in  8  days  time,  I  got  the  news  of  her 
death.  She  discovered  no  visible  signs  of  ailment,  as 
I  am  told,  in  the  morning  of  the  7th,  when  let  out  of 
the  stable  ;  but  before  night  was  swelled  to  a  mon- 
strous size  and  died  in  a  few  hours.  Bishop  (my  old 
servant)  opened  her,  but  could  perceive  no  hurt 
bruise  or  other  apparent  cause  of  so  sudden  a  death 
which  inclines  me  to  think  it  was  occasioned  by  eat- 
ing blasted  corn,  a  piece  of  which  I  had  in  ground  I 
wanted  to  clean  and  never  could  fence  my  chariot 
Horses  of  it.  The  rest  consequently  followed,  and 
this  I  am  persuaded  puffed  her  up  in  the  manner 
related.  She  had  no  foal  in  her,  which  assures  me 
that  she  never  would  breed,  as  I  am  convinced,  she 
had  a  competent  share  of  Ariel's  performances  ;  not 
content  with  which,  she  was  often  catched  in  amorous 
mood  with  a  young  horse  of  mine,  notwithstanding 
my  utmost  endeavors  to  keep  them  under.  You  will 
feel  the  loss  of  this  accident  more  sensibly  but  can 
not  be  more  concerned  at  the  account  than  I  was,  for 


1762]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  187 

I  had  pleased  myself  with  the  thoughts  of  delivering 
her  to  you  in  fine  order,  when  you  returned  to  below. 
We  received  the  news  of  your  return  with  a  great 
deal  of  pleasure  and  if  there  is  any  thing  previous  to 
it  in  which  I  can  be  sen-iceable,  I  hope  you  will  com- 
mand me.  You  did  me  sino^ular  services  in  a  like 
case,  and  why  won't  you  give  me  an  opportunity  of 
makinof  a  grrateful  return.  Mrs.  Washinorton  writes 
to  Mrs.  Fairfax  under  this  cover,  to  whom  and  Miss 
Fairfax  please  to  ofTer  my  best  wishes.     I  am  &c.' 

'  "  I  shall  beg  leave  to  say  a  little  now  in  regard  to  Jno.  Askew.  That  he 
went  to  work  at  your  House,  was  not  only  with  my  knowledge  but  by  my 
express  desire,  and  had  he  stayd  there  'til  this  time  it  would  have  been  per- 
fectly agreeable  to  me  ;  but  as  you  know  when  he  left  your  work,  so  I  can 
assure  you  that  he  never  came  to  mine  until  Wednesday  or  Thursday  last.  I 
then  asked  him  if  he  did  not  think  himself  one  of  the  most  worthless  and  un- 
grateful fellows  that  ever  lived  for  his  treatment  of  me — for  you  must  know 
Sir  that  so  small  a  job  as  making  the  Front  Gate  in  my  yard  was  left  him  to 
do  when  I  went  to  Williamsburg  abt  the  loth  of  May  last,  and  was  found  un- 
done at  my  return,  altho  I  urged  him  in  the  strongest  manner  I  could  to  get 
it  finished  for  this  verj'  prevalent  Reason  namely,  that  I  might  inclose  my 
Chariot  Horses  in  a  Pasture  round  my  House  secured  by  a  Post  &  Rail  fence 
and  by  that  means  prevent  them  from  breaking  into  a  field  where  I  had  about 
10  acres  of  Peas,  that  is  now  by  his  Idleness  and  there  letting  in  my  sheep, 
entirely  rooted  out.  This  as  I  before  said  he  neglected,  and  I  was  from  that 
time  untill  a  day  or  two  before  Mr.  Carlyle  asked  for  him  to  go  to  Bel  voir,  ere 
I  coud  get  him  to  work  again  ;  so  that  you  may  partly  judge  from  this  of  the 
provocation  he  has  given  me,  but  you  will  be  more  convinced  of  it  when  I  tell 
you  that  the  Bailee,  he  owes  me  is  for  Tools  Imported  for  him,  and  money 
actually  lent  to  keep  him  from  star\'ing,  and  from  a  Goal,  from  whence  (at 
least  the  Sheriff's  custody)  I  have  once  or  twice  redeemed  him — and  lent  him 
money  to  cloath  &  by  necessaries  for  his  Family.  This  is  the  real  truth  of  the 
case,  and  it  is  so  far  from  any  wanting  to  keep  him  (longer  than  he  will  finish 
the  Gate,  and  repays  7  days  work  due  to  my  Carpenters,  and  how  about)  that 
I  never  desire  to  see  his  face  again,  if  he  can  fall  upon  any  method  of  pacing 
me  what  he  owes  me  in  money. 

"  I  have  made  an  exchange  of  Plantations  with  old  Saml.  Johnson,  giving  the 
place  where  Clifton  lived  for  the  Lots  he  held  in  the  Neck,  otherwise  I  shd 
have  been  glad  to  have  obliged  Doctr  Cockbume." — Washington  to  George 
William  Fairfax,  1763. 


1 88  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1763 

TO    CHS.    LAWRENCE,    TAILOR    IN    LONDON. 

Virginia,  26  April,  1763, 

Mr.  Lawrence. 

Be  pleased  to  send  me  a  genteel  suit  of  cloaths 
made  of  superfine  broad  cloth,  handsomely  chosen. 
I  should  have  inclosed  you  my  measure,  but  in  a 
general  way  they  are  so  badly  taken  here,  that  I  am 
convinced  it  would  be  of  very  little  service.  I  would 
have  you,  therefore,  take  measure  of  a  gentleman 
who  wares  well-made  cloaths  of  the  following  size  : 
to  wit,  6  feet  high,  and  proportionably  made  ; — if 
any  thing  rather  slender  than  thick,  for  a  person  of 
that  highth,  with  pretty  long  arms  and  thighs.  You 
will  take  care  to  make  the  breeches  longer  than  those 
you  sent  me  last,  and  I  would  have  you  keep  the 
measure  of  the  cloaths  you  now  make,  by  you,  and  if 
any  alteration  is  required,  in  my  next  it  shall  be 
pointed  out. 

Note,  for  your  further  government  and  knowledge  of  my  size, 
I  have  sent  the  inclosed,  and  you  must  observe  that  from  the 
coat  end — 

To  N°  I  &  N°  3  is  the  size  over  the  breast  and  hips  ; 
N°  2  over  the  Belly,  and 

N°  4  round  the  arm  and  from  the  breeches  end 
To  N°  a  is  for  waistband. 
b  thick  of  the  Thigh 
c  upper  button  hole. 
d  kneeband — and 

e  for  length  of  Breeches — therefore  if  you  take  measure 
of  a  person  about  6  feet  high  of  this  bigness,  I  think  you  can't  go 
amiss.  You  must  take  notice  the  inclosd  is  the  exact  size  with- 
out any  allowance  for  seams,  &c. ' 

'  "  We  arc  mucli  rejoiced  at  the  ]irosj)ect  of  Peace  which  'tis  hoped  will  be  of 
long  continuance,  and  introductory  of  mutual  advantages  to  the  merchant  and 


1763]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  189 

TO    ROBERT    STEWART. 

fApril,  1763.] 

My  Dear  Stewart, 

Your  letters  of  the  i8th  January  and  2d  of  March, 
came  to  my  hands  at  the  same  time,  about  the  loth 
inst.  I  knew  of  no  ship  then  on  the  point  of  sailing 
for  any  part  of  Great  Britain,  and  therefore  have 
been  unavoidably  silent  till  now  ;  indeed  I  could 
have  given  but  a  very  unsatisfactory^  answer  before 
this.  I  participated  in  the  pleasing  prospect  which 
seemed  to  flatter  your  wishes  about  the  time  of  writ- 
ing your  first  letter,  as  much  as  I  felt  for  its  reverse 
in  the  next ;  but  human  affairs  are  always  chequered 
and  vicissitudes  in  this  life  are  rather  to  be  expected 
than  wondered  at. 

I  wish,  my  dear  Stewart,  that  the  circumstances  of 
my  affairs  would  have  permitted  me  to  have  given 
you  an  order  upon  any  person,  in  the  world,  I  might 
add — for  ^400  with  as  much  ease  &  propriety  as 
you  seem  to  require  it,  or  even  for  twice  that  sum  if 
it  would  make  you  easy.  But,  alas  !  to  show  my  in- 
ability in  this  respect,  I  enclose  you  a  copy  of  Mr. 
Car>''s  last  account  current  against  me,  which,  upon 
my  honor  and  the  faith  of  a  Christian,  is  a  true  one 
and  transmitted  to  me  with  the  additional  aesfrava- 
tion  of  a  hint  at  the  largeness  of  it.  Messrs.  Han- 
bury's  have  also  a  ballance  against  me  ;  and  I  have 
no  other  correspondents  in  England  with  whom  I 
deal,  unless  it  be  with  a  namesake,  for  trifles  such  as 

planter,  as  the  trade  to  tliis  Colony  will  flow  in  a  more  easy  and  regiilar  chan- 
nel than  It  has  done  for  a  considerable  time  past." — Washington  to  Robert 
Cary  ^  Co.,  26  April,  1763. 


ipo  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1763 

cloaths ;  and  for  these  I  do  not  know  whether  the 
Ballance  is  for  or  against  me. 

This,  upon  my  soul,  is  a  genuine  account  of  my 
affairs  in  England.  Here  they  are  a  little  better, 
because  I  am  not  much  in  debt.  I  doubt  not  but 
you  will  be  surprized  at  the  badness  of  their  condi- 
tion unless  you  will  consider  under  what  terrible 
management  and  disadvantages  I  found  my  estate 
when  I  retired  from  the  publick  service  of  this  Col- 
ony ;  and  that  besides  some  purchases  of  Lands  and 
Negroes  I  was  necessitated  to  make  adjoining  me  (in 
order  to  support  the  expences  of  a  large  family),  I 
had  Provisions  of  all  kinds  to  buy  for  the  first  two  or 
three  years  ;  and  my  Plantation  to  stock  in  short 
with  every  thing ; — buildings  to  make  and  other  mat- 
ters which  swallowd  up  before  I  well  knew  where 
I  was,  all  the  money  I  got  by  marriage,  nay  more, 
brought  me  in  debt,  and  I  believe  I  may  appeal  to 
to  your  own  knowledge  of  my  circumstances  before. 

I  do  not  urge  these  things,  my  dear  Sir,  in  order 
to  lay  open  the  distresses  of  my  own  affairs.  On  the 
contrary  they  should  forever  have  remained  pro- 
foundly secret  to  your  knowledge,  did  it  not  appear 
necessary  at  this  time  to  acquit  myself  in  your 
esteem,  and  to  evince  my  inability  of  exceeding  ^300, 
a  sum  I  am  now  laboring  to  procure  by  getting 
money  to  purchase  bills  of  that  amount  to  remit  to 
yourself ;  that  Mr  Gary  may  have  no  knowledge  of 
the  transaction  since  he  expected  this  himself,  and 
for  which  my  regard  for  you  will  disappoint  him — a 
regard  of  that  high  nature  that  I  could  never  see  you 


1763]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  191 

uneasy  without  feeling  a  part  and  wishing  to  remove 
the  cause  ;  and  therefore  when  you  complained  of  the 
mortification  of  remaining  a  subaltern  in  a  corps  you 
had  frequently  commanded  the  subs  of  I  wanted  you 
out,  and  hoped  it  might  be  effected — but  I  shall  have 
done  on  the  subject,  giving  me  leave  to  add  only  that 
in  case  you  should  not  have  a  call  for  the  money  (and 
your  letter  speaks  of  this)  you  will  then  be  so  good 
as  to  pay  it  to  Mr.  Gary,  to  whom  I  believe  it  will  be 
no  disagreeable  tender  and  advise  me  thereof.  The 
inclosed  will  inform  you  of  what  I  have  wrote  to  him 
on  this  head,  which  letter  you  may  deliver  or  destroy 
at  pleasure. 

I  am  exceedingly  obliged  to  you  for  your  kind 
offers  of  services  in  London  but  I  have  nothinof  to 
give  you  the  trouble  of.  I  write  in  ver}^  great  haste 
and  know  I  may  depend  upon  your  Friendship  to 
excuse  any  thing  and  ever}'  thing  amiss  in  the  Letter.' 


TO    ROBERT    STEWART. 

Mount  Vernon,  13  August,  1763. 

My  Dear  Stewart, 

By  Captain  Walter  Stuart  I  am  favored  with  an 
opportunity  of   acknowledging  the   receipt  of   your 

'  "  Signing  of  the  definitive  treaty  seems  to  be  the  only  piece  of  news,  which 
prevails  here  at  present,  and  diffuses  general  joy.  Our  Assembly  is  suddenly 
called,  in  consequence  of  a  memorial  of  the  British  merchants  to  the  Board  of 
Trade,  representing  the  e\-il  consequences  of  our  paper  emissions  and  their 
Lordships'  report  and  orders  thereupon,  which,  I  suppose,  will  set  the  whole 
country  in  flames.  This  stir  of  the  merchants  seems  to  be  ill-timed,  and  can- 
not be  attended  with  any  good  effects,  bad,  I  fear  it  will.  However,  on  the 
19th  instant  the  Assembly  meets  ;  and  till  then  I  will  suspend  my  further 
opinion  of  the  matter." — Washington  to  Robert  Stewart,  2  May,  1763. 


192  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1763 

letter  of  the  6th  of  June,  and  at  the  same  time  of 
forwarding  the  copy  of  my  former  (which  was  in 
readiness  before  that  came  to  hand,  and)  which  I 
incHne  to  send,  notwithstanding  the  original  is  got  to 
hand,  because  it  contains  the  second  bills,  and  other 
matters  entire  as  they  ought  to  have  been  sent,  and 
as  I  dare  say  Mr.  Stuart  will  be  so  good  as  to  deliver. 
Another  tempest  has  arose  upon  our  frontiers,  and 
the  alarm  spread  wider  than  ever.  In  short,  the  in- 
habitants are  so  apprehensive  of  danger,  that  no 
families  stand  above  the  Conococheague  road,  and 
many  are  gone  off  below  it.  Their  harvests  are  in  a 
manner  lost,  and  the  distresses  of  the  settlement 
appear  too  evident  and  manifold  to  need  description. 
In  Augusta  many  people  have  been  killed,  and  num- 
bers fled,  and  confusion  and  despair  prevail  in  every 
quarter.  At  this  instant  a  calm  is  taking  place,  which 
forebodes  some  mischief  to  Colonel  Bouquet.  At 
least  those,  who  wish  well  to  the  convoy,  are  appre- 
hensive for  him  ;  since  it  is  not  unlikely,  that  the 
retreat  of  all  the  Indian  parties  at  one  and  the  same 
time  from  our  frontiers,  is  a  probable  proof  of  their 
assembling  a  force  somewhere,  and  for  some  particular 
purpose,  none  more  likely  than  to  oppose  his  march.' 

'  The  Shawane.se,  Dclawares,  Senecas  and  other  Ohio  tribes  of  Indians,  had 
made  a  general  and  almost  simultaneous  attack  upon  all  the  remote  frontier 
settlements  and  posts.  They  had  committed  many  murders,  and  taken  the 
forts  at  Le  Bceuf,  Venango,  I'rcsquTsle,  and  others  on  1-ake  Michigan,  the 
Miami  River,  the  Wabash,  at  Sandusky,  and  Michilimackinac.  Fort  Pitt 
(formerly  Duquesne)  was  in  imminent  danger  of  falling  into  their  hands.  In 
July,  Colonel  Bouquet  was  despatched  by  (general  Amherst  with  five  hundred 
men  and  a  su])ply  of  military  stores  for  the  relief  of  that  fort.  He  marched 
through  Pennsylvania,  following  the  same  route,  that  had  been  pursued  by 
(ieneral  Forbes's  army.  The  Indians,  who  were  then  besieging  Fort  Pitt, 
heard  of  his  march,  and  came  out  to  meet  him.   They  attacked  his  army  on  the 


1763].  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  193 

It  was  expected,  that  our  Assembly  would  have 
been  called,  in  such  exigences  as  these  ;  but  it 's  con- 
cluded, (as  I  have  been  informed,)  that  an  Assembly 
without  money  could  be  no  eligible  plan.  To  com- 
prehend the  meaning  of  this  expression  you  must 
know,  the-  Board  of  Trade,  at  the  instance  of  the 
British  merchants,  have  undertaken  to  rebuke  us  in 
the  most  ample  manner  for  our  paper  emissions  ;  and 
therefore  the  Governor  and  Council  have  directed 
one  thousand  militia  to  be  employed  for  the  protec- 
tion of  the  frontiers,  five  hundred  of  whom  are  to  be 
drafted  from  Hampshire  &c,  and  to  be  under  the 
command  of  Colonel  Stephen,  whose  militar)-  courage 
and  capacity,  (says  the  Governor,)  are  well  estab- 
lished. The  other  five  hundred,  from  the  southern 
frontier  counties,  are  to  be  conducted  by  Major 
Lewis  ;  so   that  you  may  readily  conceive  what  an 

5th  and  6th  of  August,  in  a  defile  near  the  head  waters  of  Turtle  Creek,  (Bushy 
Run)  and  the  contest  was  kept  up  during  the  two  days,  \\-ith  considerable  loss 
on  both  sides.  Colonel  Bouquet  maintained  his  ground,  and  routing  the 
Indians,  marched  without  further  molestation  to  Fort  Pitt.  The  news  of  this 
action  seems  not  to  have  reached  Washington,  when  he  wrote  the  above  letter. 
General  Amherst  wrote  to  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  :  "  Some  random  shots  were  fired 
on  the  army  bet\veen  Bushy  Run  and  Fort  Pitt  ;  but  this  seasonable  check  I 
believe  will  put  an  effectual  stop  to  any  further  mischief  being  done  on  that 
communication  ;  particularly  as  Colonel  Stephen  with  4  or  500  men  of  the 
Virginia  militia  is  advanced  as  far  as  Forts  Cumberland  and  Bedford,  with  a 
view  not  only  of  covering  the  frontiers,  but  of  acting  offensively  against  the 
savages.  This  public  spirited  colony  has  also  sent  a  body  of  the  like  number 
of  men  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Lewis  for  the  defence  and  protection  of 
their  southwest  frontiers.  What  a  contrast  this  makes  between  the  conduct  of 
the  Pennsylvanians  and  Virginians,  highly  to  the  honor  of  the  latter,  but  places 
the  former  in  the  most  despicable  light  imaginable."  27  August,  1763.  The 
king  signified  his  displeasure  at  the  "  supine  and  neglectful  conduct  "  of  the 
Pennsylvania  legislature,  and  urged  more  vigorous  measures  upon  all  the 
colonies  except  Virginia  and  Maryland.  Earl  cf  Halifax  to  Sir  yeffrey 
Amherst,  18  October,  1763. 


194  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1763 

enormous  expense  must  attend  these  measures. 
Stephen,  immediately  upon  the  Indians'  retiring,  ad- 
vanced to  Fort  Cumberland  with  two  hundred  or  two 
hundred  and  fifty  militia  in  great  parade,  and  will 
doubtless  achieve  some  signal  advantage,  of  which 
the  public  will  soon  be  informed. 

I  think  I  have  now  communicated  the  only  news, 
which  these  parts  afford.  It  is  of  a  melancholy  na- 
ture, indeed,  and  we  cannot  tell  how  or  when  it  is  to 
end.  I  hope  you  may  have  got  matters  settled  to  your 
liking  before  this  time.  I  should  rejoice  to  hear  it,  as  I 
should  at  every  thing  that  gives  you  pleasure  or  profit. 

Mrs.  Washington  makes  a  tender  of  her  compli- 
ments, and  you  may  be  assured  that  I  am,  with  great 
sincerity,  dear  Sir,  your  most  obedient  and  affection- 
ate servant. 


NOTES    ON    THE    DISMAL    SWAMP.' 

October  15,  1763. 
From  Suffolk  to  Pocoson  Swamp'  is  reckoned  about  6  miles,  and 
something  better  than  4,  perhaps  5  miles,  from  Colo.  Reddick's 

'  The  commercial  possil)ilitics  of  the  great  Dismal  Swamp  in  Norfolk  County, 
Virginia,  and  in  North  Carolina,  had  early  attracted  the  attention  of  Virginians. 
In  1728  William  IJyrd  noted  that  Norfolk  had  "  a  pretty  deal  of  lumber  from 
the  borderers  on  the  Dismal,  wlio  make  bold  with  the  king's  land  tliereabouts, 
without  the  lea^t  ceremony.  They  not  only  maintain  their  stocks  upon  it,  but 
get  boards,  sliingles,  and  other  iund)er  out  of  it  in  great  abundance.  .  .  .It 
would  re([uire  a  great  sum  of  money  to  drain  it,  t)ut  the  public  treasure  could 
not  lie  better  l)estowed,  tiian  to  preserve  tiie  lives  of  his  majesty's  liege  people, 
and  at  the  same  time  rentier  so  great  a  tract  of  swamp  very  profitable,  l)esides 
the  advantage  of  making  a  cliannel  to  transport  l)y  water  carriage  goods  from 
All)cmarle  Sound  into  Nansemond  and  I^iizal)eth  rivers,  in  \'irginia." — History 
of  the  Dividiiii:;  Line,  10,  26.  I  n  January,  1 764,  a  company  was  chartered  by  tiie 
Legislature  of  Virginia,  for  the  pur])()seof  draiiungaiid  rendering  lit  for  cultiva- 
tion tiie  ^wamp,  and  Wasliington  was  intircstcd.  Little  appears  to  have  Ijeen 
done  before  the  Revolution.  For  llie  subsccpient  history  see  IWuliitv^ton  f,> 
///<-/'   W'illin'iison,  3  March,  1784,  post. 

'  J'(>coson  1,1  a  wor<i  applied  to  any  reclaimed  marsh. —  ll'ehster.     Barllett  de- 


1763]  GEORGE  WASHIXGTOX.  195 

Mill  Run  (where  the  road  crosses  it).  The  land  within  this  dis- 
tance, especially  after  passing  Willis  Reddick's,  is  level  and  not 
bad.  The  banks  down  to  this  (Pocoson)  swamp  declines  gradual- 
ly, and  the  swamp  appears  to  be  near  75  yards  over,  but  no  water 
in  it  at  present.  Note. — Willis  Reddick's  plantation  seems  to  be 
a  good  one,  ye  land  being  level  and  stiff,  so  does  Henry  Red- 
dicks,  above. 

From  Pocoson  Swamp  to  Cj'prus  Swamp  (which  conducts  more 
water  into  the  Great  Dismal  Swamp  than  any  one  of  the  many 
that  leads  into  it)  is  about  2^  miles.  This  also  is  dry  at  present, 
but  appears  to  be  60  or  65  yards  across  in  the  wettest  part. 

The  next  Swamp  to  this  is  called  Mossey  Swamp,  and  distant 
about  3  miles.  Near  this  place  lives  John  Reddick  on  good  land; 
but  hitherto  from  Pocoson  Swamp,  the  land  lyes  flat,  wet  and 
poor.     This  swamp  is  60  yards  over  and  dr}-. 

Between  Cyprus  Swamp,  and  the  last  mentioned  one,  we  went 
on  horseback  not  less  than  \  mile  into  the  great  swamp  (Dismal) 
without  any  sort  of  difficult)-,  the  horse  not  sinking  over  the  fet- 
locks. The  first  quarter,  however,  abounding  in  pine  and  gall- 
berr}-  bushes,  the  soil  being  much  intermixed  with  sand,  but  after- 
wards it  grew  blacker  and  richer  with  many  young  reeds  and  few 
pines,  —  and  this,  it  may  be  observ'ed  here,  is  the  nature  of  the 
swamp  in  general. 

From  Mossey  Swamp  to  a  branch,  and  a  large  one  it  is,  of  Oro- 
peak  (not  less  than  So  yards  over)  is  reckoned  4  miles  ;  two  miles 
short  of  which  is  a  large  plantation  belonging  to  one  Brindle,' 
near  to  which  (on  the  south  side)  passes  the  Carolina  line. 

The  Main  Swamp  of  Oropeak  is  about  \  a  mile  onwards  from 
this,  where  stands  the  Widow  Xorflets,  Mi  6c  Luke  Sumner's  plan- 
tations. This  swamp  cannot  be  less  than  200  yards  across,  but 
does  not  nevertheless  discharge  as  much  water  as  Cyprus  Swamp. 

At  the  mouth  of  this  swamp  is  a  very  large  meadow  of  2  or 
3000  acres,  held  by  Sumner,  Widow  Xorrlet,  Marmaduke  Xorflet, 
Powel  and  others,  and  valuable  ground  it  is. 

fines  i:  as  "low  wooded  grounds  or  swamps  in  eastern  Maryland  and  Virginia, 
mostly  dry  in  summer  and  covered  with  water  in  winter."' — Dictionary  of 
Amet  icanisnis. 

'  Byrd  speaks  of  a  Mr.  Brinkley,  who  "  dwells  a  little  to  the  southward  of 
the  line."     25. 


196  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1763 


From  Oropeak  Swamp  to  loosing  swamp  is  about  2  miles,  and 
this  70  yards  across. 

From  hence  again  to  Bassey  Swamp  the  lower  road  may  be  al- 
lowed 2  miles  more,  but  this  swamp  seems  trifling. 

And  from  Bassey  Swamp  to  Horse  Pool  (which  is  the  last,  and 
including  swamp  running  into  the  Dismal)  is  about  2  miles  more 
and  35  yards  across  only. 

The  whole  land  from  Pocoson  Swamp  to  this  place  and  indeed 
all  the  way  to  Pequemin  Bridge,  is  in  a  manner  a  dead  level,  wet 
and  cold  in  some  place   sandy  in  others,  and  generally  poor. 

This  last-named  swamp,  viz.,  the  Horse  Pool,  is  called  9  miles 
from  the  upper  bridge  on  Pequemin  River  ;  within  a  mile  of  which 
lives  one  Elias  Stallens,  and  within  5  miles  is  the  lower  bridge,  from 
whence  to  the  bridge,  or  ferry  over  Little  River  is  15  measured 
miles,  ye  course  nearly  due  south,  as  it  likewise  is  from  Suffolk 
to  the  said  bridge,  ye  Dismal  running  that  course  from  that  place. 

From  little  River  bridge  (or  ferry)  to  Ralph's  ferry  on  Paspe- 
tank  is  (I  think  we  were  told)  about  16  miles,  the  course  east  or 
northeast,  and  from  thence,  if  the  ferry  is  not  crossed  along  up 
the  west  side  of  the  river  to  the  River  bridge  of  the  said  Paspe- 
tank  is  reckoned — miles,  and  about  a  north  west  course,  ye  Dismal 
bordering  close  upon  the  left  all  the  way. 

Note.  Ye  above  account  is  from  information  only,  for  instead 
of  taking  that  rout,  we  crossed  from  Elias  Stallens  (one  mile  above 
the  upper  bridge  on  Pequemin)  across  to  a  set  of  people  which 
inhabit  a  small  slip  of  sand  between  the  said  river  Pequemin  and 
ye  Dismal  Swamp,  and  from  thence  along  a  new  cut  path  through 
the  main  swamp,  northwardly  course  for  five  miles,  to  the  inha- 
bitants of  what  they  call  new  found  land,  which  is  thick  settled, 
very  rich  land,  and  about  6  miles  from  the  aforesaid  river  bridge 
of  Paspetank.  'I'he  arm  of  Dismal,  which  we  passed  through  to 
get  to  this  new  land  (as  it  is  called)  is  3]  miles  measured  ;  little 
or  no  timber  in  it,  but  very  full  of  reeds  and  excessive  rich. 
Through  this  we  carried  horses,  without  any  great  difficulty. 

This  land  was  formerly  esteemed  part  of  the  Dismal,  but  being 
higher,  though  full  of  reeds,  peo])le  ventured  to  settle  ui)on  it, 
and  as  it  became  more  open,  it  became  more  dry  and  is  now  pro- 
digious fine  land,  but  subject  to  wets  and  unhealthiness. 


1763]  GEORGE  WASHIXGTON.  197 

It  is  to  be  observed  here  that  the  tide,  or  still  water  that  comes 
out  of  the  sound  up  Pequemin  River  flows  up  as  high  as  Stallens, 
and  the  river  does  not  widen  much  until  it  passes  the  lower  bridge 
some  little  distance.  At  Ralph's  ferry  upon  Paspetank,  the  river 
is  said  to  be  2  miles  over,  and  decreases  in  width  gradually  to  the 
bridge,  called  River  bridge,  where  it  is  about  30  yards  across,  and 
affords  sufficient  water  for  New  England  vessels  to  come  up  and 
load. 

From  what  observations  we  were  capable  of  making  it  appeared 
as  if  the  swamp  had  very  little  fall  (I  mean  the  waters  out  of  the 
great  swamp)  into  the  heads  of  these  rivers,  which  seems  to  be  a 
demonstration  that  the  swamp  is  much  lower  on  the  south  and 
east  sides,  because  it  is  well  known  that  there  is  a  prettv  consider- 
able fall  on  the  west  side  through  all  the  drains  that  make  into 
Nansemond  river  and  the  western  branch  of  Elizabeth,  at  the 
north  end  of  the  Dismal.' 

From  the  River  bridge  of  Paspetank  to  an  arm  of  the  Dismal 
at  a  place  called  2  miles  bridge  is  reckoned  7  miles,  and  a  branch 
of  Paspetank  twice  crossed  in  the  distance. 

This  arm  of  the  Dismal  is  equally  good  and  rich  like  the  rest, 
and  runs  (as  we  are  informed)  15  or  20  miles  easterly,  and  has  an 
outlet  (as  some  say)  into  Curratuck  Inlet  by  North  West  River, 
or  Tull's  Creek  ;  but  these  accounts  were  given  so  indistinctly  as 
not  to  be  relied  upon.  However  it  is  certain,  I  believe,  that  the 
water  does  drain  off  at  the  east  end  somewhere,  in  which  case  a 
common  causeway  through  at  ye  crossing  place  would  most  cer- 
tainly lay  all  that  arm  dry. 

From  this  place,  which  is  2  miles  over,  to  the  Carolina  line  is 

'  Lyell  noted,  when  in  this  region,  that  "  strange  to  say,  instead  of  being 
lower  than  the  level  of  the  surrounding  countr\-,  it  [the  swamp]  is  actually 
higher  than  nearly  all  the  firm  and  drj-  land  which  encompasses  it,  and  to  make 
the  anomaly  complete,  in  spite  of  its  semi-fluid  character,  it  is  higher  in  the  in- 
terior than  towards  the  margin.  The  only  exceptions  to  both  these  statements 
are  found  on  the  western  side,  where,  for  the  distance  of  about  twelve  or  fifteen 
miles,  the  streams  flow  from  slightly  elevated  but  higher  land,  and  supply  all 
its  abundant  and  overflowing  water.  Towards  the  north,  the  east,  and  the 
south,  the  waters  flow  from  the  swamp  to  different  rivers,  which  give  abundant 
e\-idence,  by  the  rate  of  their  descent,  that  the  Great  Dismal  is  higher  than  the 
surrounding  finn  ground."— T^razv/j  in  Xorih  America,  I.,  II4,  I15. 


198  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1763 

about  4  miles,  and  from  thence  to  North  West  Landing  on  North 
West  River,  a  branch  of  Curratuck,  is  3  miles  more. 

Note.  The  Carolina  line  crosses  the  swamp  in  a  west  direction, 
and  is  15  miles  from  the  place  where  it  enters  to  its  coming  out 
of  the  same  near  Brindle's  plantation.'  Flats  and  small  craft  load 
at  North  West  Landing. 

To  the  great  bridge  from  North  West  landing  is  accounted  12 
miles  ;  the  lands  good,  as  they  are  on  all  this  (east)  side  and  highly- 
esteemed,  valued  in  general  according  to  the  proprietor's  own  ac- 
counts from  20/  to  ^3.  per  acre,  but  we  were  told  they  were  to  be 
had  for  less.  This  great  bridge  is  upon  the  south  Branch  of  Eliza- 
beth River  and  about  10  miles  from  Norfolk,  and  heads  in  the 
Dismal,  as  does  likewise  North  West  River,  Paspetank,  Little 
River  and  Pequemin.^ 

From  the  Great  Bridge  to  Colonel  Tucker's  Mills  is  about  8 
miles,  within  which  distance  several  small  creeks,  making  out  of 
South  River,  head  up  in  the  Dismal. 

Farley's  plantation,  at  the  forks  of  the  road,  is  reckoned  5  miles 
from  the  aforesaid  mills,  near  to  which  the  Dismal  runs. 

From  hence  to  Robert's  ordinary  is  6  miles,  and  from  thence  to 
Suffolk  10  more.  The  lands  from  the  Great  Bridge  to  within  a 
mile  or  two  of  Robert's  is  generally  sandy  and  indifferent.  From 
hence  to  Cowper's  Mill  they  are  good,  and  from  thence  to  Colonel 
Reddick's  mean  again. 

Note.  From  the  River  Bridge  on  Paspetank  to  the  Great  Bridge 
on  South  River  the  road  runs  nearly  north,  and  from  thence  to 
Farley's  plantation  it  seems  to  be  about  west  ;  from  this  again  to 
Colonel  Reddicks  (or  Suffolk)  south  west,  and  from  thence  to 

'  "By  the  most  exact  survey  they  [the  surveyors]  found  the  breadth  of  the 
Dismal  in  this  jilace  to  be  completely  fifteen  miles." — IJyrd,    30. 

^  "  The  swamp  is  the  source  of  no  less  than  five  several  rivers  which  discharge 
themselves  southward  into  Albemarle  Sound,  and  of  two  that  run  northerly 
into  Virginia.  .  .  .  'i'he  rivers  that  head  in  it  from  Virginia  are  the  south 
branch  of  Nansemond,  and  the  west  branch  of  Elizabeth  ;  and  those  from  Caro- 
lina are  Northwest  river,  Northriver,  Pasquotank,  Little  rivcrand  l'e(|uinu)ns." 
— T'.yrd,  History  of  (he  Dividivi:^  Line,  26.  1  have  retained  in  the  text  the  spell- 
ing that  Washington  gave  of  these  rivers  and  s\\ani]is,  wliich  differs  much  from 
i'.yrfi's.  Thus  liyrd  speaks  of  Corupeak,  wliicii  is  the  Oropeak  of  Washington  ; 
Cypress  and  not  Cy])rus;    Mossy  instead  (<f  Mossey. 


1763]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  199 

Pequemin  bridge  and  Little  River,  south,  as  before  mentioned  — 
The  swamp  bordering  near  to  the  road  all  the  way  round,  in  some 
places  close  adjoining  and  in  others  2  and  3  miles  distant.' 

"  '  In  the  event  of  your  ever  visiting  America  I  am  in  hopes  you  will  not 
think  a  little  time  ill  spent  in  a  small  tour  to  Virginia.  We  have  few  things 
here  striking  to  European  travellers  (except  our  abundant  woods) ;  but  little 
variety,  a  welcome  reception  among  a  few  friends,  and  the  open  and  prevalent 
hospitality  of  the  country  in  general,  might  perhaps  prove  agreeable  for  a 
while,  and  I  must  be  permitted  to  add,  that  I  shall  think  myself  verj'  happy  in 
seeing  you  at  Mt.  Vernon  where  you  might  depend  upon  finding  the  most 
cordial  entertainment.  The  Indians  at  a  time  when  we  thought  ourselves 
fixed  in  the  utmost  tranquillity  have,  in  open  violation  of  the  treaty,  recom- 
menced hostilities,  and  (by  a  sudden  irruption)  thrown  the  frontiers  of  almost 
all  the  colonies  into  terrible  consternation.  They  have  lately  met  Avith  some 
pretty  rugged  treatment,  and  it  is  hoped  they  will  sue  for  terms  again  in  a  very 
little  while." — To  Richard  Washington,  27  September,  1763. 

"We  have  been  curiously  entertained,  of  late,  with  the  description  of  an 
engine  lately  constructed,  (I  believe,  in  Switzerland,  and  which  has  undergone 
some  improvements  since  in  England,)  for  taking  up  trees  by  the  roots. 
Among  other  things  it  is  related,  that  trees  of  a  considerable  diameter  are 
forced  up  by  this  engine  ;  that  six  hands,  in  working  one  of  them,  will  raise 
two  or  three  hundred  trees  in  the  space  of  a  day  ;  and  that  an  acre  of  ground 
may  be  eased  of  the  trees,  and  laid  fit  for  ploughing,  in  the  same  time.  How 
far  these  assertions  may  have  been  amply  realized  by  repeated  experiments,  it 
is  impossible  for  me  at  this  distance  to  determine  ;  but,  if  the  accounts  are  not 
greatly  exaggerated,  such  powerful  assistance  must  be  of  vast  utility  in  many 
parts  of  this  wooden  countrj- ,  where  it  is  impossible  for  our  force  (and  laborers 
are  not  to  be  hired  here),  between  the  finishing  of  one  crop  and  preparations 
for  another,  to  clear  grounds  fast  enough  to  afford  the  proper  changes,  either 
in  the  planting  or  farming  business. 

"  The  chief  purport  of  this  letter,  therefore,  is  to  beg  the  favor  of  you  gen- 
tlemen to  make  minute  inquiries  into  the  trials,  that  have  been  made  by  order 
of  the  Society,  and,  if  they  have  proved  satisfactor}-,  to  send  me  one  of  these 
engines  by  the  first  ship  bound  to  this  (Potomack)  River.  If  they  are  made  of 
different  sizes,  I  should  prefer  one  of  a  middle  size,  capable  of  raising  a  tree 
of  fifteen  or  eighteen  inches  diameter.  The  costs  I  am  pretty  much  a  stranger 
to.  Fifteen,  twenty,  and  twenty-five  guineas  have  been  spoke  of  ;  but  the 
price,  (were  it  double  that),  I  should  totally  disregard,  provided  the  engine  is 
capable  of  performing  what  is  related  of  it,  and  not  of  that  complicated  nature, 
which  would  cause  it  to  be  easily  disordered,  and  rendered  unfit  for  use,  but 
constructed  on  so,  plain,  simple  and  durable  a  plan  that  the  common  artificers 
of  this  country  may  be  able  to  set  them  to  rights,  if  any  accidents  should  hap- 
pen to  them.     If  you  should  send  one,  be  so  good  as  to  let  me  have  with  it  the 


200  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1764 

TO    ROBERT    CARY    &    CO. 

10  August — 1764. 

Gentlemen, 

Since  my  last  of  the  first  of  May  I  have  received 
the  goods  by  Boyes  ;  Hkewise  the  nails  per  Watson, 
with  letters,  accounts  of  Sales,  accounts  current,  &c., 
which  accompanied  them.  As  also  another  letter  of 
the  28th  of  March  by  Capt.  Hooper. 

It  might  possibly  answer  very  little  purpose  were 
I  to  enter  into  a  minute  detail  of  the  reasons  that 
have  caused  me  to  fall  so  much  in  arrears  to  you. 
And  therefore  I  shall  not  trouble  you  fully  with  the 
particulars  at  this  time,  but  content  myself  with  ob- 
serving in  as  few  words  as  the  nature  of  the  subject 
will  admit  of,  that,  in  whatsoever  light  it  may  appear 
to  you,  it  is  not  less  evidently  certain  that  mischances, 
rather  than  misconduct,  hath  been  the  causes  of  it. 
For  it  was  a  misfortune  that  seasons  and  chance 
should  prevent  my  making  even  tolerable  crops  in 
this  part  of  the  Country  for  three  years  successively  ; 
and  it  was  a  misfortune  likewise,  when  they  were 
made,  that  I  should  get  little  or  nothing  for  them. 
It  may  also  be  looked  upon  as  unlucky  at  least,  that 
the  debts  which  I  thought  I  had  collected  and  actu- 
ally did  remit  to  you,  should  be  paid  in  bills  void  of 
credit ;  and  as  things  have  turned  out,  (and  you  have 

most  ample  directions  for  the  effectual  using  of  it,  together  with  a  model  of  its 
manner  (jf  operating." — To  Robert  Cary  er'  Co.,  13  l-'ehruary,  1764. 

About  one  month  after  this  letter  was  written  (!oi.  (ieorge  Mercer  arrived 
in  Williamsburg  as  "chief  distiii)utor  of  stamps"  for  Virginia,  but  almost 
immediately  resigned  the  office  which  he  found  so  obnoxious  to  his  country- 
men. The  manner  in  which  this  resignation  was  brought  to  pass  is  described 
in  the  Penn.  Journal,  No.  1197,  and  he  doubtless  thought  himself  justified  in 
.■ipi)ointing  James  Mercer  his  deputy,  when  he  sailed  for  England  ia  November. 


1764]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  201 

such  occasion  for  your  money,)  it  is  unlucky,  likewise, 
that  I  made  some  purchases  of  land  &  slaves  in  this 
Country,  since  it  obliged  me  to  apply  more  of  the 
current  money  (which  was  due  to  the  Estate  here,) 
towards  the  payment  thereof  than  I  expected,  and  of 
consequence  more  of  the  sterling  ballance  in  your 
hands  to  the  credit  of  Master  Custis,  in  order  to  as- 
sign him  his  full  dividend  of  the  personal  Estate  ; 
not  conceiving  in  the  least  degree  that  I  should  have 
occasion  for  more  of  it  than  would  remain  after  such 
application  was  made.  Because  had  these  bills  been 
answered,  had  my  crops  proved  good,  and  sold  well, 
the  Ballance,  I  think,  could  never  have  been  against 
me.  However,  to  be  as  short  as  possible,  to  remove 
the  seeming  apprehension  (expressed  in  yours  of  the 
13th  of  February,)  of  your  suffering  in  point  of  inter- 
est for  the  Money  you  then  discovered  you  stood  in 
advance  for  me,  I  wrote  you  on  the  first  of  May  fol- 
lowing, that  I  had  no  sort  of  objections  to  allowing 
interest  from  thence  forward,  and  desired  you  would 
charge  it  accordingly  untill  the  debt  was  paid  ;  not 
desiring  that  you,  or  any  body  else,  should  suffer  in 
the  most  trivial  instances  on  my  account.  And  I 
shall  now  in  consequence  of  your  other  letter  of  the 
28th  of  March,  beg  leave  to  inform  you  in  terms 
equally  sincere  and  direct,  that  it  is  not  in  my  power. 
I  should  add  in  a  manner  convenient  and  asfreable  to 
myself,  to  make  remittances  faster  than  my  crops  (and 
perhaps  some  few  occasional  sums  which  may  fall  in 
my  way,)  will  furnish  me  with  the  means  :  but  if,  not- 
withstanding, you  cannot  be  content  with  this  mode 


202  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1764 

of  payments,  you  have  only  to  advise  me  of  it  and  I 
shall  hit  upon  a  method  (tho'  I  would  choose  to  avoid 
it,)  that  will  at  once  discharge  the  debt,  and  effectu- 
ally remove  me  from  all  further  mention  of  it.  For 
I  must  confess,  I  did  not  expect  that  a  correspondent 
so  steady,  and  constant  as  I  have  proved  and  was 
willing  to  have  continued  to  your  house  while  the 
advantages  were  in  any  degree  reciprocal,  would  be 
reminded  in  the  instant  it  was  discovered  how  neces- 
sary it  was  for  him  to  be  expeditious  in  his  payments. 
Reason  and  prudence  naturally  dictate  to  every  man 
of  common  sense  the  thing  that  is  right  ;  and  you 
might  have  rested  assured,  that  so  fast  as  I  could  make 
remittances  without  distressing  myself  too  much,  my 
inclinations  would  have  prompted  me  to  it  :  because, 
in  the  first  place,  it  is  but  an  irksome  thing  to  a  free 
mind  to  be  any  ways  hampered  in  debt  ;  and  in  the 
next  place  I  think  I  have  discovered  no  intentions 
since  I  have  found  how  the  Ballance  was  likely  to 
turn,  of  increasing  that  debt  (unless  it  should  appear 
in  the  amount  of  my  invoices  last  year,  which  greatly 
indeed  exceeded  my  expectations,  but  will  be  bal- 
lenced  I  hope  by  the  contracted  one  of  this  year)  : 
but  on  the  Contrary  all  the  Willingness  I  could,  under 
the  accidents  that  have  happened,  of  decreasing  it  to 
the  utmost  of  my  power.  But  I  have  already  run  into 
much  greater  prolixity  on  this  head  than  I  promised, 
or  intended.  Your  answer  will  determine  my  meas- 
ures, and  upon  this  issue  it  must  rest.      '''     *     *  ' 


'    "I  sliould  l)c  o])lif^c(l  to  you  for  sending  me  one  of  tlic  Rotlieran  (or  jxitcnt 
jilows).      If  the  cunstniction  of  thcin  arc  not   tliorouj,'lily  iinderstood  in  Liver- 


1765]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  203 

MESSRS.    CARLYLE    &    ADAM. 

Mount  Vernon,  9  March,  1765. 

Gentlemen, 

So  soon  as  Mr.  Lund  Washington  returns  from 
Frederic,  I  shall  cause  my  wheat  to  be  delivered  at 
your  landing,  on  Four  Miles  Run  Creek,  if  flats  can 
get  to  it  conveniently  ;  but  previous  to  this,  I  should 
be  glad  to  know  determinately  upon  what  terms  you 
expect  to  receive  it,  that  is,  whether  by  weight  or 
measure.  I  once  thought  I  had  agreed  with  Colonel 
Carlyle  at  fifty-eight  pounds  to  the  bushel,  but  it 
seems  it  was  otherwise.  Be  that  as  it  will,  you  may 
believe  me  sincere  when  I  tell  you,  that  it  is  a  matter 
of  ver)^  great  indifference  to  me,  whether  it  is  fixed  at 
this,  or  suffered  to  stand  as  it  is.  Consequently  at  any 
greater  weight  you  may  be  assured  I  never  shall,  it 
being  a  thing  extremely  doubtful,  from  every  trial  I 
have  been  able  to  make  with  steelyards,  whether  I 
should  gain  or  lose  by  a  contract  of  this  kind.  The 
wheat  from  some  of  my  plantations,  by  one  pair  of 
steelyards,  will  weigh  upwards  of  sixty  pounds,  by 
another  pair  less  than  sixty  pounds  ;  and  from  some 
other  places  it  does  not  weigh  fifty-eight  pound ;  and 

pool,  you  would  do  me  a  singular  favor  in  getting  it  from  a  place  of  that  name 
in  Yorkshire  (where  I  suppose  they  were  first  invented  and  now  are  made)  for 
none  but  the  true  sort  will  answer  the  end  of  my  sending  for  it  and  I  had  rather 
be  at  the  expence  of  the  carriage  from  thence  than  not  to  have  the  right  kind 
or  be  disappointed.  You  will  please  to  order  it  to  be  made  exceeding  light, 
as  our  lands  are  not  so  stiff  as  yours,  nor  our  Horses  so  strong." — To  Crcsbies 
er-'  Trafford,  6  March,  1765. 

"  Likewise  want  a  Rotheran  or  Patent  Plough,  as  it  is  called.  There  is  a 
draft  of  one  in  'Mill's  Husbandry,'  and  in  the  'Select  Transactions  of  the 
Edinburgh  Society,'  but  I  can't  get  our  workmen  here  to  make  one  by  it." — 
William  Franklin  to  Benjamin  Franklin,  II   May,  1769. 


204  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1765 

better  wheat  than  I  now  have  I  do  not  expect  to 
make  during  the  term  of  our  contract,  at  least  whilst 
I  continue  to  sow  a  good  deal  of  ground. 

The  only  reason,  therefore,  which  inclines  me  to 
sell  by  weight  at  a  medium,  which  I  think  just  and 
equitable,  is,  that  it  may  be  a  means  of  avoiding  all 
kinds  of  controversy  hereafter ;  for  I  am  persuaded, 
that,  if  either  of  us  gains  by  it,  it  must  be  you.  I  may 
be  encouraged,  indeed,  to  bestow  better  land  to  the 
growth  of  wheat  than  old  corn  ground,  and  excited 
perhaps  to  a  more  husbandlike  preparation  of  it  ;  but 
to  do  either  of  these  is  much  more  expensive,  than 
the  method  now  practised,  and  in  fact  may  not  be  so 
profitable  as  the  slovenly  but  easy  method  of  raising 
it  in  corn  ground.  If  it  should,  and  my  wheat  be  the 
better  for  it  thereby,  it  is  a  truth  I  believe  universally 
acknowledged,  that,  for  every  pound  it  gains  after  it 
is  once  got  to  a  middling  weight,  it  increases  the  flour 
in  a  tenfold  proportion. 

You  were  saying  that  the  standard  for  wheat  in 
Philadelphia  was  fifty-eight  pounds,  and  at  Lancaster 
sixty  pounds.  I  have  taken  some  pains  to  inquire, 
likewise,  into  this  matter,  and  am  informed,  that  fifty- 
eight  is  a  much  more  general  weight  than  the  other 
all  over  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland  (where  their 
wheat  is  better  than  ours  can  be,  till  we  get  into  the 
same  good  management)  ;  and  Colonel  Tucker's  mil- 
ler, a  man  from  the  northward  upon  high  wages,  whom 
I  saw  whilst  I  was  last  below,  assured  me  that  very 
few  bushels,  out  of  the  many  thousands  of  wheat  which 
lie   receives   for   Colonel   Tucker,  reached    fifty-eight 


1765]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  205 

pounds.  However,  that  you  may  not  think  I  have 
other  motives  than  those  declared  for  mentioning- 
these  things,  I  shall  only  observe,  that,  as  you  are 
sensible  by  my  present  contract  I  am  not  restricted 
to  weight,  but  obliged  only  to  deliver  clean  wheat, 
and  as  good  as  the  year  and  seasons  will  generally 
admit  of,  I  will  nevertheless,  in  order  to  remove  ever}^ 
cause  of  dispute,  which  can  possibly  arise,  fix  the 
weight,  if  it  is  agreeable  to  you,  at  fifty-eight  pounds 
per  bushel,  and  to  be  paid  a  penny  for  every  pound 
over  that  weight,  and  deduct  a  penny  for  ever}'  pound 
it  is  under.  If  you  do  not  choose  this,  the  contract 
must  then  remain  as  it  now  stands.      I  am,  &c. 


TO    COL.    BURWELL    BASSETT. 

Mount  Vernon,  Aug.  2,  1765. 

Dear  Sir, 

By  a  craft  sent  around  by  Capt.  Boyes  we  had  the 
pleasure  to  hear  you  were  all  well,  but  suffering  with 
the  drought  as  we  are.  We  have  never  had  the 
ground  wet  in  this  neighborhood  since  the  heavy 
rains  which  fell  about  the  first  of  May.  In  June 
early  we  had  a  shower  that  refreshed  the  corn  and 
gave  a  little  start  to  hemp,  but  the  dry  weather  which 
followed,  and  hath  since  continued,  renders  our  pros- 
pects truely  melancholy.  However,  not  10  miles  from 
hence  in  the  forest,  they  are  perfectly  seasonable,  and 
have  promising  crops  of  corn  and  tobacco,  which  is  a 
favorable  circumstance  for  us,  as  our  wants  of  bread 
may  be  supplied  from  thence.     To  render  my  misfor- 


2o6  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1765 

tunes  more  compleat,  I  lost  most  of  my  wheat  by  the 
rust,  so  that  I  shall  undergo  the  loss  of  a  compleat 
crop  here,  and  am  informed  that  my  expectations  from 
below  are  not  much  better. 

I  have  not  yet  heard  how  you  succeeded  in  election- 
eering, but  there  was  little  room  to  doubt  of  yours  ; 
I  changed  the  scene  from  Frederick  to  this  county 
and  had  an  easy  and  creditable  pool,'  and  was  pre- 
paring to  attend,  when  the  proclamation  for  pro- 
roguing the  assembly  came  to  hand  (on  the  28th  ult), 
I  am  convinced  at  the  same  time  that  the  governor 
had  no  inclination  to  meet  an  assembly  at  this  junc- 
ture. The  bearer  waits  ;  I  have  only  time  therefore  to 
add  my  compliments  to  Mrs  Bassett  and  family." 


'  At  an  election  of  Burgesses  for  Fairfax  County,  held  on  16  July,  1765, 
Washington  received  201  votes,  John  West,  148,  and  John  Posey,  131  ;  besides 
some  single  votes  were  nearly  all  cast  for  Col.  West. 

'^  "  The  Parliament  by  their  bounty  given  for  American  hemp  and  flax,  seem 
desirous  of  encouraging  the  growth  of  them  in  the  Plantations  ;  but  as  they  are 
articles  altogether  new  to  us,  and  I  believe  not  much  of  our  lands  well  adapted 
for  them  ;  and  as  the  proper  kind  of  packages,  freight  and  accustomed  charges, 
are  little  known  here,  I  should  be  much  obliged  to  you  for  advising  me  of  the 
general  prices  one  might  expect  in  your  part  for  good  hemp  and  flax  (rough  & 
undressed),  watered  and  prepared  as  directed  by  the  Act ;  With  an  estimate  of 
the  freight  and  all  other  incident  charges  per  tonn,  that  I  may  form  some  idea 
of  the  profits  resulting  from  the  growth." — To  Capel  and  Osgood  Ilanbuty,  20\.\\ 
September,  1765. 

"The  third  Ijounty  of  tliis  kind  [to  encourage  the  importation  of  mate- 
rials of  manufacture]  was  tlial  gianted  (much  about  the  time  that  we 
were  beginning  sometimes  to  court,  and  sometimes  to  quarrel  with  our  Amer- 
ican colonies)  by  the  4  (jCo.  111.  c.  26.  u])on  the  imjiortation  of  hemp,  or 
undressed  flax,  from  the  British  jjlantalions.  This  bounty  was  granted  for 
twenty-one  years,  from  the  24th  June,  1764,  to  the  24th  June,  1785.  For 
the  first  seven  years  it  was  to  be  at  tlie  rate  of  eight  i)ounds  the  ton,  for  the 
second  at  six  pounds,  and  for  llie  tJiird  at  four  ])ounds." — Adam  Smith,  Wea/th 
of  Nations,  Book  4,  clia]).  viii. 

"  It  cannot  reasonably  be  imagined,  thai  I  felt  any  pleasing  sensations  upon 
the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  tlie  13th  of  February,  covering  accounts  of  sales  for 


1765]  GEORGE  WASHINGTOX.  207 

TO    FRANCIS    DANDRIDGE,    LONDON. 

Mount  Vernon,  20  September,  1765. 

Sir, 

If  you  will  permit  me,  after  six  years'  silence, — the 
time  I  have  been  married  to  your  niece, — to  pay  my 
respects  to  you  in  this  epistolary  way,  I  shall  think 
myself  happy  in  beginning  a  correspondence,  which 
cannot  but  be  attended  with  pleasure  on  my  side. 

one  hundred  and  fifty-three  hogsheads  of  Master  Custis's  tobacco,  and  one 
hundred  and  fifteen  of  mine. 

"  That  the  sales  are  pitifully  low  needs  no  words  to  demonstrate  ;  and  that 
they  are  worse  than  many  of  my  acquaintance  upon  the  river  Potomac  have  got 
in  the  outports,  and  from  Mr.  Russell  and  other  merchants  of  London,  for 
common  Aronoke  tobacco,  is  a  truth  equally  as  certain.  Nay,  not  so  good  as 
I  myself  have  got  from  Mr.  Gildart  of  Liverpool  for  light  rent  tobaccos  (ship- 
ped to  him  at  the  same  time  I  did  to  you)  of  the  meanest  sort ;  such  as  you 
once  complained  of,  as  the  worst  of  Maryland,  and  not  salable.  Can  it  be 
otherwise  than  a  little  mortifjing,  then,  to  find  that  we,  who  raise  none  but 
sweet-scented  tobacco,  and  endeavor,  I  may  venture  to  add,  to  be  careful  in 
the  management  of  it,  however  we  fail  in  the  execution,  and  who,  by  a  close 
and  fixed  correspondence  with  you,  contribute  so  largely  to  the  despatch  of  your 
ships  in  this  country,  should  meet  with  such  unprofitable  returns  ?  Surely  I 
may  answer,  No  I  Notwithstanding,  you  will  again  receive  my  own  crops  this 
year,  and  sixty-seven  hogs-heads  of  Master  Custis's  ;  but,  Gentlemen,  you 
must  excuse  me  for  adding,  (as  I  cannot  readily  conceive,  that  our  tobaccos 
are  so  much  depreciated  in  quality,  as  not  only  to  sell  much  below  other  marks 
of  good  repute,  but  actually  for  less,  as  I  before  observed,  than  the  commonest 
kinds  do,)  that  justice  to  myself  and  ward  will  render  it  absolutely  necessary 
for  me  to  change  my  correspondence,  unless  I  experience  an  alteration  for  the 
better. 

"  Tobacco,  I  well  perceive,  for  a  year  or  two  past,  has  fallen  in  its  value. 
From  what  causes  I  shall  not  take  upon  me  to  determine  :  and  I  am  not  so 
extravagant  as  to  believe,  that  my  own  and  Master  Custis's  crops  should  fetch 
their  usual  prices,  v.hen  other  good  tobacco  met  with  abatements.  But  I  am 
really  selfish  enough  to  expect,  that  we  ought  to  come  in  for  a  part  of  good 
prices  that  are  going,  from  a  belief  that  our  tobacco  is  of  a  quality  not  so 
much  inferior  to  some,  that  still  sells  well,  and  that  so  considerable  a  consign- 
ment, when  confined  in  a  manner  to  one  house,  as  ours  is,  would  lay  claim  to 
the  best  endeavors  of  the  merchant  in  the  sales,  and  in  the  return  of  goods  ; 
for  many  articles  of  which  I  pay  exceeding  heavily,   another  thing  I  cannot 


2o8  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1765 


I  should  hardly  have  taken  the  liberty,  Sir,  of  in- 
troducing myself  to  your  acquaintance  in  this  manner, 
and  at  this  time,  lest  you  should  think  my  motives  for 
doing  of  it  arose  from  sordid  views,  had  not  a  letter 
which  I  received  some  time  this  summer  from  Robert 
Cary,  Esqr.  &  Co.,  given  me  reasons  to  believe,  that 
such  an  advance  on  my  side  would  not  be  altogether 
disagreeable  on  yours.  Before  this  I  rather  appre- 
hended that  some  disgust  at  the  news  of  your  niece's 
marriage  with  me — why  I  could  not  tell — might  have 
been  the  cause  of  your  silence  upon  that  event,  and 
discontinuing  a  correspondence  which  before  then  you 
had  kept  up  with  her  ;  but  if  I  could  only  flatter  my- 
self, that  you  would  in  anywise  be  entertained  with 

easily  account  for,  unless  it  is  on  a  presumption,  that  they  are  bought  at  very 
long  credits,  which  by  no  means  ought  to  be  the  case.  For,  where  a  person  has 
money  in  a  merchant's  hand,  he  should  doubtless  have  all  the  benefits  that  can 
result  from  that  money  ;  and  in  a  like  manner,  where  he  pays  interest  for  the 
use  of  the  merchant's,  should  he  be  entitled  to  the  same  advantages  ;  other- 
wise it  might  well  be  asked.  For  what  purpose  is  it  that  interest  is  paid  ? 

"Once,  upon  my  urging  a  complaint  of  this  nature,  you  wrote  me,  that  the 
goods  ought  to  be  sent  back,  and  they  should  be  returned  upon  the  shop- 
keeper's hands  in  cases  of  imposition  ;  but  a  moment's  reflection  points  out 
the  inconveniences  of  such  a  measure,  unless  the  imposition  be  grossly  abusive, 
or  we  could  afford  to  have  a  year's  stock  beforehand.  How  otherwise  can  a 
person,  who  imports  bare  requisites  only,  submit  to  lie  a  year  out  of  any  par- 
ticular article  of  clothing,  or  necessary  for  family  use,  and  have  recourse  to 
such  a  tedious  and  uncertain  way  of  relief  as  this,  when  possibly  a  trades-man 
would  deny  the  goods  and  consequently  refuse  them  ?  It  is  not  to  be  done.  We 
are  obliged  to  acquiesce  in  the  present  loss,  and  hope  for  future  redress. 

"  These,  Gentlemen,  are  my  scntiinents,  fully  and  candidly  expressed,  with- 
out any  design,  believe  mc,  of  giving  you  offense  ;  but,  as  the  selling  of  our 
tobaccos  well,  and  the  purchasing  of  our  goods  upon  the  best  terms,  arc  mat- 
ters of  the  utmost  conscciuencc  to  our  well-doing,  it  behoves  me  to  be  plain 
and  sincere  in  my  declarations  on  these  points,  previous  to  any  change  of 
measures,  that  I  may  stand  accjuitted  of  the  imjiutation  of  fickleness,  if  I  am 
at  last  forced  to  a  discontinuance  of  my  correspondence  with  your  liouse. " —  To 
Robert  Cary  (Sr"  Co.,   20th  September,  1765. 


1765]  GEORGE  WASHIXGTOX.  209 

the  few  occurrences,  that  it  might  be  in  my  power  to 
relate  from  hence,  I  should  endeavor  to  atone  for 
my  past  remissness,  in  this  respect,  by  future  punc- 
tuality. 

At  present  few  things  are  under  notice  of  my 
observation  that  can  afford  you  any  amusement  in 
the  recital.  The  Stamp  Act,  imposed  on  the  colonies 
by  the  Parliament  of  Great  Britain,  engrosses  the 
conversation  of  the  speculative  part  of  the  colonists, 
who  look  upon  this  unconstitutional  method  of  tax- 
ation, as  a  direful  attack  upon  their  liberties,  and 
loudly  exclaim  against  the  violation.  What  may  be 
the  result  of  this,  and  of  some  other  (I  think  I  may 
add)  ill-judged  measures,  I  will  not  undertake  to  de- 
termine ;  but  this  I  may  venture  to  affirm,  that  the 
advantage  accruing  to  the  mother  country  w^ill  fall 
greatly  short  of  the  expectations  of  the  ministr)^ ;  for 
certain  it  is,  that  our  whole  substance  does  already  in 
a  manner  flow  to  Great  Britain,  and  that  whatsoever 
contributes  to  lessen  our  importations  must  be  hurtful 
to  their  manufacturers.  And  the  eyes  of  our  people, 
already  beginning  to  open,  will  perceive,  that  many 
luxuries,  which  we  lavish  our  substance  in  Great 
Britain  for,  can  well  be  dispensed  with,  whilst  the 
necessaries  of  life  are  (mostly)  to  be  had  within  our- 
selves. This,  consequently,  will  introduce  frugality, 
and  be  a  necessary  stimulation  to  industr}'.  If  Great 
Britain,  therefore,  loads  her  manufacturies  with  heavy 
taxes,  will  it  not  facilitate  these  measures  ?  They 
will  not  compel  us,  I  think,  to  give  our  money  for 
their  exports,  whether  we  will  or  not ;  and  certain,  I 


THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1765 


am  none  of  their  traders  will  part  from  them  without 
a  valuable  consideration.  Where,  then,  is  the  utility 
of  these  restrictions  ? 

As  to  the  Stamp  Act,  taken  in  a  single  view,  one 
and  the  first  bad  consequence  attending  it,  I  take  to 
be  this,  our  courts  of  judicature  must  inevitably  be 
shut  up  ;  for  it  is  impossible,  (or  next  of  kin  to  it), 
under  our  present  circumstances,  that  the  act  of  Par- 
liament can  be  complied  with,  were  we  ever  so  willing 
to  enforce  the  execution  ;  for,  not  to  say,  which  alone 
would  be  sufficient,  that  we  have  not  money  to  pay 
the  stamps,  there  are  many  other  cogent  reasons,  to 
prevent  it  ;  and  if  a  stop  be  put  to  our  judicial  pro- 
ceedings, I  fancy  the  merchants  of  Great  Britain, 
trading  to  the  colonies,  will  not  be  among  the  last  to 
wish  for  a  repeal  of  it.' 

'  "  Government  is  set  at  defiance,  not  having  strength  enough  in  her  hands 
to  enforce  obedience  to  the  laws  of  the  community.  The  private  distress 
vi^hich  every  man  feels,  increases  the  general  dissatisfaction  at  the  duties  laid 
by  the  stamp  act,  which  breaks  out,  and  shews  itself  upon  every  trilling  occa- 
sion."— Gov.  Fauquier  to  Earl  of  Halifax,  June  14,  1765. 

"  Unseasonable  as  it  may  be,  to  take  any  notice  of  the  repeal  of  tlie  Stamp 
Act  at  this  time,  yet  I  cannot  liclp  observing,  that  a  contrary  measure  would 
have  introduced  very  unhappy  consequences.  Those,  therefore,  who  wisely 
foresaw  sucli  an  event,  and  were  instrumental  in  procuring  the  repeal  of  the 
act,  are,  in  my  opinion,  deservedly  entitled  to  the  thanks  of  the  well-wishers 
to  Britain  and  her  colonies,  and  must  reflect  with  pleasure,  that,  through  their 
means,  many  scenes  of  confusion  and  distress  have  been  prevented.  Mine 
they  accordingly  have,  and  always  shall  iiave,  for  their  op|)osilion  to  any  act 
of  oppression  ;  and  that  act  could  l)e  looked  upon  in  no  other  light  by  every 
person,  who  would  view  it  in  its  proper  colors. 

"  I  could  wish  it  was  in  my  power  to  congratulate  you  on  the  success  in  having 
the  commercial  system  of  these  colonics  ])ut  upon  a  more  enlarged  and  exten- 
sive footing,  than  it  is  ;  because  I  am  well  satislied,  that  it  would  ultimately 
redound  to  the  advantage  of  the  mother  country,  so  long  as  the  colonies  pursue 
trade  and  agriculture,  an<l  would  he  an  elTcctual  let  to  manufacturing  among 
them.     The  money,  therefore  which  they  raise,  would  center  in  Great  Britain, 


1766]  GEORGE  WASHIXGTON.  211 

I  live  upon  Potomack  River  in  Fairfax  county, 
about  ten  miles  below  Alexandria,  and  many  miles 
distant  from  any  of  my  wife's  relations,  who  all  reside 
upon  York  River,  and  whom  we  seldom  see  more 
than  once  a  year,  and  not  always  that.  My  wife,  who 
is  ver}'  well,  and  Master  and  Miss  Custis,  (children 
of  her  former  marriage,)  all  join  in  making  a  tender 
of  their  duty  and  best  respects  to  yourself  and  their 
aunt.  i\Iy  compliments  to  your  lady,  I  beg  may  also 
be  made  acceptable,  and  that  you  will  do  me  the 
justice  to  believe  that  I  am,  dear  Sir,  your  most 
obedient  humble  serv^ant.' 


TO    CAPTAIN    JOH.    THOMPSON. 

Mount  Vernon,  2  July,  1766. 

Sir  : 

With  this  letter  comes  a  negro  (Tom),  which  I 
beg  the  favor  of  you  to  sell  in  any  of  the  Islands 
you  may  go  to,  for  whatever  he  will  fetch,  and  bring 
me  in  return  from  him 

as  certainly  as  the  needle  will  settle  to  the  poles." — Washington  to  Capel  cr" 
Osgood  Hanbury,  1^  July.  1767. 

"  The  repeal  of  the  Stamp  Act,  to  whatsoever  cause  owing,  ought  much  to 
be  rejoiced  at  ;  for  had  the  Parliament  of  Great  Britain  resolved  upon  enfor- 
cing it,  the  consequences,  I  conceive,  would  have  been  more  direful  than  is 
generally  apprehended,  both  to  the  mother  country-  and  her  colonies.  All, 
therefore,  who  were  instrumental  in  procuring  the  repeal,  are  entitled  to  the 
thanks  of  ever)-  British  subject,  and  have  mine  cordially." — Washington  to 
Robert  Cary\  21  July,  1767. 

1  "  December  16,  1766.  At  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees  [of  Alexandria], 
'  Present,  Geo.  William  Fairfax,  Esq.  The  Trustees  proceeded  to  appoint  a 
Trustee  in  the  room  of  Geo.  Johnston,  deceased,  and  have  unanimously  chosen 
George  Washington,  Esq.'  He  declined  sening." — Historical  Magazine, 
July,  1S63. 


212  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1766 

One  hhd  of  best  molasses 

One  ditto  of  best  rum 

One  barrel  of  lymes,  if  good  and  cheap 

One  pot  of  tamarinds,  containing  about  10  lbs. 

Two  small  ditto  of  mixed  sweetmeats,  about  5  lbs. 
each. 

And  the  residue,  much  or  little,  in  good  old  spirits. 
That  this  fellow  is  both  a  rogue  and  a  runaway  (tho' 
he  was  by  no  means  remarkable  for  the  former,  and 
never  practised  the  latter  till  of  late)  I  shall  not  pre- 
tend to  deny.  But  that  he  is  exceeding  healthy, 
strong,  and  good  at  the  hoe,  the  whole  neighborhood 
can  testify,  and  particularly  Mr.  Johnson  and  his  son, 
who  have  both  had  him  under  them  as  foreman  of  the 
gang  ;  which  gives  me  reason  to  hope  he  may  with 
your  good  management  sell  well,  if  kept  clean  and 
trim'd  up  a  little  when  offered  for  sale. 

I  shall  very  chearfully  allow  you  the  customary 
commissions  on  this  affair,  and  must  beg  the  favor  of 
you  (lest  he  should  attempt  his  escape)  to  keep  him 
handcuffed  till  you  get  to  sea,  or  in  the  bay,  after 
which  I  doubt  not  but  you  may  make  him  very  useful 
to  you. 

I  wish  you  a  pleasant  and  prosperous  passage,  and 
a  safe  and  speedy  return.' 

'  It  was  a  common  jiracticc  to  transjiort  trouljicsome  blacks.  In  the  Boston 
Evening  Post  of  August  3,  1761,  occurs  the  following  advertisement:  "To 
13e  Sold,  a  Parcel  of  Likely  Negroes,  imported  from  Africa,  cheap  for  Cash, 
or  short  credit.  .  .  .  Also  if  any  Persons  have  any  Negro  Men,  strong 
and  hearty,  tho'  not  of  the  best  moral  character,  which  are  proper  subjects  for 
Transportation,  may  have  an  Exchange  for  small  Negroes." 


1767]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  213 

TO    CAPTAIN     JOHN    POSEY. 

Mount  Vernon,  24  June,  1767. 

Sir, 

It  is  difficult  for  me  to  tell  which  was  greatest ;  my 
surprise  or  concern  at  finding  by  your  letter  of  the 
20th  that  instead  of  being  able  with  the  money  I 
agreed  to  lie  somewhat  longer  out  of  to  discharge 
your  debts,  that  you  wanted  to  borrow  a  further  sum 
of  ^500  to  answer  this  purpose.  I  was  in  hopes,  and 
you  gave  me  the  strongest  assurance  to  believe,  that 
when  I  lent  you  (and  very  inconvenient  it  was  for  me 
to  do  it)  the  first  sum  of  £700,  you  could  therewith 
not  only  discharge  all  your  creditors,  but  in  two  years 
time  sink  the  principal,  which  was  lent  to  effect  that 
end.  How  it  comes  to  pass  then,  that  instead  of  be- 
ing prepared  in  twice  two  years  to  discharge  my  claim, 
you  should  require  ^500  more  to  satisfy  others,  is,  as 
I  at  first  said,  entirely  beyond  my  comprehension,  and 
leaves  but  too  much  cause  to  apprehend  that  if  you 
could  be  supplied  with  the  further  sum  required,  it 
would  afford  but  temporary  relief,  and  that,  at  the  end 
of  any  other  prefixed  period,  you  would  be  as  unpre- 
pared, and  as  reluctantly  then  as  now  part  with  your 
effects  to  discharge  this  debt,  thinking  it  equally  hard 
to  be  forced  into  compliance.  For  permit  me  to  say 
again,  if  you  have  not  been  able  in  the  course  of  four 
years  to  lay  up  any  thing  towards  sinking  even  the 
interest  of  a  sum  which  you  said  would  entirely  clear 
you  of  all  demands,  what  prospect  can  you  possibly 
have  to  expect  when  ^500  more  (and  probably  this 
would  be  insufficient)  is  added  to  the  other  score  of 


214  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1767 


between  eight  and  nine  hundred,  that  you  will  have 
it  in  your  power  to  effect  this  end,  when  even  the  in- 
terest thereof  is  a  pretty  little  income,  and  would  be 
such  a  moth  in  your  estate  as  would  inevitably  destroy 
it,  be  your  notions  of  saving  and  industry  extended 
to  never  so  high  a  degree.  Indeed,  Sir,  the  only  pur- 
pose it  could  possibly  answer  would  be  to  put  the  evil 
day  off  for  a  moment  in  comparison,  and  then  like 
most  things  swelled  beyond  their  natural  bounds, 
burst  upon  you  like  a  torrent  and  redouble  your  dis- 
tresses. Besides  you  really  deceive  yourself  greatly 
in  estimating  your  effects,  as  you  will  unhappily  expe- 
rience. You  have  viewed  them  but  on  one  side,  con- 
sidering only  what  they  cost  you,  not  what  they  will 
sell  at,  which  is  a  delusive  way  of  calculating.  For 
you  will  find  that  many  things  which  you  perhaps 
have  lavished  large  sums  in  the  purchase  of,  in  order 
to  gratify  your  own  taste,  will  neither  suit,  nor  prob- 
ably please  others.  So  in  respect  to  buildings  which 
are  rarely  considered  in  the  purchase  of  lands,  and 
principally  I  presume  from  the  same  causes,  especially 
upon  small  bits  of  land  divested  of  wood  and  timber. 
I  wish  with  all  my  heart  you  may  be  strengthened 
by  some  able  and  friendly  hand  in  such  a  manner  as 
to  keep  your  effects  together,  provided  it  may  turn  to 
your  future  good  in  enabling  you  to  work  thro'  the 
load  of  debt  you  seem  to  be  entangled  in  ;  but  that 
it  is  entirely  out  of  my  power,  without  selling  part  of 
my  own  estate,  to  contribute  further  thereto,  you 
may  easily  be  convinced  of  when  I  tell  you,  and 
affirm  it,  that  I  fmd   it  nc'xt  to  impossible  to  extract 


1767]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  215 

any  part  of  the  money  which  is  due  to  me ;  that  I 
have  struggled  to  the  utmost  of  my  power  for  two 
years  past  unsuccessfully,  to  raise  four  or  five  hun- 
dred pounds  to  lend  a  very  particular  friend  of  mine, 
who  I  know  must  sell  part  of  his  estate  without  it ; 
and  that  I  have  not  yet  discharged  the  sums  you  in- 
volved me  in  the  payment  of  before,  having  my  bond 
out  to  Mr.  Green's  estate  for  the  ;^26o  you  borrowed 
of  him.  I  cannot  raise  money  to  discharge  it,  altho' 
I  have  used  my  true  endeavors  for  that  purpose. 
Add  to  these  some  engagements  of  my  own  which 
there  is  a  necessity  of  complying  with,  or  doing  acts 
of  injustice. 

How  absurd  and  idle  would  it  be  then,  under  these 
circumstances,  to  enter  myself  security  for  the  pay- 
ment of  your  debts,  unless  I  foresaw  some  prospect 
of  raising  the  money.  True  it  is,  some  of  your  cred- 
itors might  agree  to  wait ;  others,  'tis  presumeable, 
would  not,  and  certain  it  is  pay  day  must  come  to  all. 
What  then  is  to  be  done  ?  To  tell  a  man  who  had 
been  disappointed  from  time  to  time,  and  at  last  had 
waited  in  confidence  of  receiving  his  money  from  me, 
that  I  was  unprovided  with  the  means  of  satisfying 
his  demand,  would  be  galling  to  me,  unjust  to  him, 
and  what  I  can  by  no  means  think  of  practising.  The 
only  favor,  therefore,  that  is  in  my  power  to  shew 
you,  is  to  be  easy  and  forbearing  in  my  own  demands, 
which  I  shall  endeavor  to  do  as  long  as  I  can  with 
any  sort  of  convenience  to  myself,  notwithstanding  I 
am  in  want  of  the  money.  And  to  point  out  any 
person  who  could  lend  so  much  money  even  if  they 


2i6  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1767 

liked  the  security,  I  am  equally  at  a  loss  to  do.  But 
few  there  are,  I  believe,  who  would  choose  to  risk 
their  money  (unless  influenced  by  motives  of  com- 
passion) upon  such  hazardous  and  perishable  articles 
as  negroes,  stock  and  chattels,  which  are  to  be  swept 
off  by  innumerable  distempers  and  subject  to  many 
accidents  and  misfortunes.  So  upon  the  whole  you 
will  excuse  me  I  hope  if  I  am  inclined  to  offer  you 
the  same  advice  I  would  give  to  my  brother  were  he 
under  the  same  circumstances,  and  that  is,  if  you 
find  it  impracticable  to  keep  your  estate  together  for 
at  least  three  or  four  years,  till  the  country,  I 
mean  the  indebted  part  of  it,  can  emerge  a  little 
from  the  distress  it  must  unavoidably  fall  into 
from  the  pressing  of  creditors  and  want  of  cash, 
then  to  sell  off  immediately  (I  mean  this  fall  at 
furthest)  before  cash  grows  into  greater  demand, 
which  it  inevitably  will  do  as  our  currency  is  called 
in,  and  every  thing  of  consequence  sell  worse  ;  there- 
with discharging  all  your  debts,  beginning  with  the 
sales  of  such  things  as  can  be  best  spared,  and  so 
raising  to  negroes,  and  even  land  if  requisite.  For 
if  the  whole  should  go,  there  is  a  large  field  before 
you,  an  opening  prospect  in  the  back  country  for 
adventurers,  where  numbers  resort  to,  and  where  an 
enterprising  man  with  very  little  money  may  lay  the 
foundation  of  a  noble  estate  in  the  new  settlements 
upon  Monongahela  for  himself  and  posterity.  The 
surplus  money  which  you  might  save  after  discharging 
your  debts  would  possibly  secure  you  as  much  land 
as  in  the  course  of  twenty  years  would  sell  for  five 


1767]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  217 

times  your  present  estate.  For  proof  of  which,  only 
look  to  Frederick,  and  see  what  fortunes  were  made 
by  the  Hite's  and  first  taking  up  of  those  lands. 
Nay,  how  the  greatest  estates  we  have  in  this  colony 
were  made.  Was  it  not  by  taking  up  and  purchasing 
at  very  low  rates  the  rich  back  lands,  which  were 
thought  nothing  of  in  those  days,  but  are  now  the 
most  valuable  lands  we  possess  ?  Undoubtedly  it 
was,  and  to  pursue  this  plan  is  the  advice  I  would 
offer  my  brother  were  he  in  your  situation  ;  but  to 
you  I  only  drop  it  as  a  hint  for  your  serious  reflec- 
tion, because  I  do  not  expect,  nor  would  by  any 
means  wish,  to  see  you  adopt  any  scheme  of  mine 
without  duly  attending  to  it,  weighing,  and  well  con- 
sidering of  it  in  all  points,  and  advising  with  your 
friends.  I  would  only  ask  whether  it  would  be  better 
to  labor  under  a  load  of  debt  where  you  are,  which 
must  inevitably  keep  you  in  continual  anxiety  and 
dread  of  your  creditors,  be  selling  the  produce  of 
your  labour  at  under  value  (the  never  failing  conse- 
quence of  necessitous  circumstances),  with  other  evils 
too  obvious  to  need  enumeration,  and  which  must 
forever  lend  a  helping  hand  to  keep  you  low  and 
distressed  ;  or  to  pluck  up  resolution  at  once  and 
disengage  yourself  of  those  incumbrances  and  vexa- 
tions, abiding  where  you  are  if  you  can  save  your 
land  and  have  a  prospect  of  reaping  future  advan- 
tages from  it,  or  to  remove  back,  where  there  is  a 
moral  certainty  of  laying  the  foundation  of  good 
estates  to  your  children — I  say  I  would  but  ask  which 
of  these  two  is  the  best,   and  leave  you  to  think  of 


2i8  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1767 

them  at  leisure,  with  the  assurance  on  my  part,  that 
what  I  have  propounded  to  you  on  this  subject  pro- 
ceeds from  the  utmost  sincerity  and  candor,  and  if 
you  will  have  recourse  to  the  publick  Gazettes,  you 
may  perceive  by  the  number  of  estates  which  are 
continually  advertising  for  sale,  that  you  are  not  the 
only  one  under  misfortune,  and  that  many  good  fam- 
ilies are  retiring  into  the  interior  parts  of  the  country 
for  the  benefit  of  their  children.  Some  of  the  best 
gentlemen  in  this  country  talk  of  doing  so,  who  are 
not  drove  by  necessity,  but  adopt  the  scheme  from 
principles  of  gain.  Whatever  resolution  you  may 
come  to,  I  wish  you  success  in  it. 


TO     WILLIAM    CRAWFORD.' 

Mount  Vernon,  21  September,  1767. 

Dear  Sir, 

From  a  sudden  hint  of  your  brother  Val.,  I  wrote 
to  you  a  few  days  ago  in  a  hurry,  since  which  having 
had  more  time  for  reflection,  I  am  now  set  down  in 
order  to  write  more  deliberately,  and  with  greater 
precision,  to  you  on   the  subject  of   my  last   letter  ; 

'  Mr.  Crawford  had  l)ecn  a  captain  in  Ceneral  Forbes's  campaign,  and  was 
now  settled  on  Youghiogany  River,  lie  was  afterwards  a  colonel  in  the 
Revolutionary  war,  and  served  on  the  frontiers.  In  the  summer  of  1782,  he 
commanded  an  expedition  into  the  Ohio  country  against  the  Indians,  where, 
after  a  hard-fouglit  1)attlc,  he  was  taken  prisoner,  and  tortured  to  death  in  a 
most  cruel  and  shocking  manner.  He  had  a]")]iroved  himself  an  officer  o* 
merit,  judicious,  intrepid,  and  possessing  mucli  skill  in  Indian  warfare.  In 
May,  1778,  he  took  command  of  the  regiment  at  i'ittsburg.  General  Wash- 
ington, in  writing  at  that  time  to  the  lioard  of  War,  said, — "  1  know  him  to 
he  a  brave  and  active  officer,  and  of  considerable  influence  upon  the  western 
frontier  of   Virginia." 


1767]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  219 

desiring  that  if  any  thing  in  this  should  be  found 
contradictory  to  that  letter,  you  will  wholly  be  gov- 
erned by  what  I  am  now  going  to  add. 

I  then  desired  the  favor  of  you  (as  I  understood 
rights  might  now  be  had  for  the  lands,  which  have 
fallen  within  the  Pennsylvania  line,)  to  look  me  out 
a  tract  of  about  fifteen  hundred,  two  thousand,  or 
more  acres  somewhere  in  your  neighborhood,  mean- 
ing only  by  this  that  it  may  be  as  contiguous  to  your 
own  settlement,  as  such  a  body  of  good  land  could 
be  found  and  about  Jacobs  Cabins,  or  somewhere  on 
those  waters.  I  am  told  this  might  be  done.  It  will 
be  easy  for  you  to  conceive,  that  ordinary  or  even 
middling  land  would  never  answer  my  purpose  or 
expectation,  so  far  from  navigation,  and  under  such 
a  load  of  expenses,  as  these  lands  are  encumbered 
with.  No  ;  a  tract  to  please  me  must  be  rich,  (of 
which  no  person  can  be  a  better  judge  than  yourself,) 
and,  if  possible,  to  be  good  and  level.  Could  such  a 
piece  of  land  as  this  be  found,  you  would  do  me  a 
singular  favor  in  falling  upon  some  method  to  secure 
it  immediately  from  the  attempts  of  any  other,  as 
nothing  is  more  certain,  than  that  the  lands  cannot 
remain  long  ungranted,  when  once  it  is  known,  that 
rights  are  to  be  had  for  them. 

What  mode  of  proceeding  is  necessary  in  order  to 
accomplish  this  design  I  am  utterly  at  a  loss  to  point 
out  to  you  ;  but,  as  your  own  lands  are  under  the 
same  circumstances,  self-interest  will  naturally  lead 
you  to  an  inquiry.  I  am  told,  that  the  land  or  sur- 
veyor's   office    is   kept   at    Carlisle.      If   so,  I    am   of 


2  20  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1767 

opinion  that  Colonel  Armstrong,  (an  acquaintance  of 
mine,)  has  something  to  do  in  the  management  of 
it,  and  I  am  persuaded  would  readily  serve  me. 
To  him  therefore  at  all  events  I  will  write  by 
the  first  opportunity  on  that  subject,  that  the  way 
may  be  prepared  for  your  application,  if  you  should 
find  it  necessary  to  make  one  to  him.  Whatever 
trouble  and  expense  you  may  be  engaged  in  on  my 
behalf,  you  may  depend  upon  being  thankfully  re- 
paid. It  is  possible,  (but  I  do  not  know  that  it  really 
is  the  case,)  that  Pennsylvania  customs  will  not  ad- 
mit so  large  a  quantity  of  land,  as  I  require,  to  be 
entered  together  ;  if  so,  this  may  possibly  be  evaded 
by  making  several  entries  to  the  same  amount,  if  the 
expense  of  doing  which  is  not  too  heavy.  But  this 
I  only  drop  as  a  hint,  leaving  the  whole  to  your  dis- 
cretion and  good  management.  If  the  land  can  only 
be  secured  from  others,  it  is  all  I  want  at  present. 
The  surveying  I  would  choose  to  postpone,  at  least 
till  the  spring,  when,  if  you  can  give  me  any  satisfac- 
tory account  of  this  matter,  and  of  what  I  am  next 
going  to  propose,  I  expect  to  pay  you  a  visit  about 
the  last  of  April. 

The  other  matter,  just  now  hinted  at  and  which  I 
proposed  in  my  last  to  join  you,  in  attempting  to  secure 
some  of  the  most  valuable  lands  in  the  King's  part, 
which  I  think  maybe  accomplished  after  awhile,  not- 
withstanding the  proclamation,  that  restrains  it  at 
present,  and  prohibits  the  settling  of  them  at  all ;  for 
I  can  never  look  upon  that  proclamation  in  any  other 
light   (but  this  I   say  between  ourselves),   than  as  a 


1767]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  221 

temporary  expedient  to  quiet  the  minds  of  the 
Indians,  and  must  fall,  of  course,  in  a  few  years,  es- 
pecially when  those  Indians  are  consenting  to  our 
occupying  the  lands.'     Any  person,  therefore,  who 

'  The  proclamation  of  October  7,  1763,  was  issued  to  quiet  the  two  principal 
causes  of  discontent  among  the  Indians  :  the  encroachments  of  settlers  upon 
lands  claimed  by  the  tribes,  and  the  abuses  committed  by  Indian  traders  and 
their  servants.  This  proclamation  restrained  all  persons  from  trading  with 
the  Indians  without  a  license,  and  prohibited  all  settlements  beyond  the 
limits  described  as  the  boundary  of  the  Indian  hunting  ground,  thus  putting 
both  the  property  and  the  commerce  of  the  natives  under  the  protection  of 
officers  acting  under  the  immediate  authority  of  the  king.  Washington  was 
undoubtedly  correct  in  his  estimation  of  this  edict,  for  the  Commissioners  of 
Trade,  in  their  report  on  Indian  Affairs  in  1769  characterized  it  as  "  mere 
provisional  arrangements,  adapted  to  the  exigence  of  the  time."  Pennsylvania 
Archives,  iv.,  315.  Similar  views  were  generally  entertained.  Chancellor 
Livingston  in  a  letter  to  Dr.  Franklin,  respecting  the  conditions  of  peace, 
previous  to  the  treaty  of  1783,  said  : — "  Virginia,  even  after  the  proclamation 
of  1763,  patented  considerable  tracts  on  the  Ohio,  far  beyond  the  Appalachian 
mountains.  It  is  true,  the  several  governments  were  prohibited  at  different 
times  from  granting  lands  beyond  certain  limits  ;  but  these  were  clearly 
temporary  restrictions,  which  the  policy  of  maintaining  a  good  understanding 
with  the  natives  dictated,  and  were  always  broken  through  after  a  short  period 
as  is  evinced  by  the  grants  above  mentioned,  made  subsequent  to  the  procla- 
mation of  1763."  Livingston  to  Franklin,  7  January,  17S2.  Diplomatic  Corre- 
spondence of  the  Revolution,  ii.,  195. 

In  1764  the  Indian  Commissioners  prepared  a  plan  for  determining  more 
definitely  the  limits  of  settlement,  and  submitted  certain  bounds  to  the  Indian 
tribes  for  their  approval.  The  line  of  separation  in  the  northern  district  was 
completed  and  accepted  by  the  Indians  in  1765,  but  Sir  Wm.  Johnson,  while 
acquiescing,  declined  to  give  a  final  ratification  without  further  directions 
from  the  king.  These  limits  gave  the  middle  colonies  "  room  to  spread  much 
beyond  what  they  have  hitherto  been  allowed,"  a  concession  made  to  the  fact 
that  the  "  state  of  their  population  requires  a  greater  extent."  The  Crown 
had  not  given  its  assent  to  the  acts  of  the  Commissioners,  certainly  as  late  as 
1769,  although  the  plan  had  received  a  partial  endorsement  by  the  Lords  of 
Trade  in  1767,  and  in  the  meantime  the  Virginians  and  Pennsylvanians  were 
rapidly  pushing  their  settlements  on  the  Indian  territory  west  of  the  Alleghany 
mountains,  in  spite  of  royal  (10  April,  1766)  and  colonial  (31  July,  1766) 
proclamations  calling  upon  these  settlers  to  leave  the  territory  "  which  if  they 
shall  fail  to  do,  they  must  expect  no  protection  or  mercy  from  government, 
and  be  exposed  to  the  revenge  of  the  exasperated  Indians."  (Governor  Fau- 
quier's proclamation.) 


222  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1767 

neglects  the  present  opportunity  of  hunting  out  good 
lands,  and  in  some  measure  marking  and  distinguish- 
ing them  for  his  own,  (in  order  to  keep  others  from 
settling  them),  will  never  regain  it.  Therefore  if  you 
will  be  at  the  trouble  of  seeking  out  the  lands,  I  will 
take  upon  me  the  part  of  securing  them,  so  soon  as 
there  is  a  possibility  of  doing  it,  and  will  moreover 
be  at  all  the  cost  and  charges  of  surveying,  and  pat- 
enting &c,  after  which  you  shall  have  such  a  reason- 
able proportion  of  the  whole,  as  we  may  fi?^  upon  at 
our  first  meeting  ;  as  I  shall  find  it  absolutely  neces- 
sary, and  convenient  for  the  better  furthering  of  the 
design,  to  let  some  few  of  my  friends  be  concerned 
in  the  scheme,  and  who  must  also  partake  of  the 
advantages. 

By  this  time  it  may  be  easy  for  you  to  discover, 
that  my  plan  is  to  secure  a  good  deal  of  land.  You 
will  consequently  come  in  for  a  very  handsome  quan- 
tity ;  and  as  you  will  obtain  it  without  any  costs,  or 
expenses,  I  am  in  hopes  you  will  be  encouraged  to 
begin  the  search  in  time.  I  would  choose,  if  it  were 
practicable,  to  get  large  tracts  together  ;  and  it  might 
be  desirable  to  have  them  as  near  your  settlement, 
or  Fort  Pitt,  as  we  could  get  them  good,  but  not  to 
neglect  others  at  a  greater  distance,  if  fine  bodies  of 
it  lie  in  a  place.  It  may  be  a  matter  worthy  your 
inquiry,  to  find  out  how  the  Maryland  back  line  will 
run,  and  what  is  said  about  laying  off  Neale's  (I  think 
it  is  &  Go's)  grant.'      I  will  inquire  particularly  con- 

'  "As  to  Neale  and  Coni])aiiy's  grant,  it  was  laid  on  the  fork  of  Monanga- 
hela  and   Youghiogheny,    which,    if   I'cnnsylvania  takes  in    tliis  region   in   its 


1767]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  223 

cerning  the  Ohio  Company's  that  one  may  know 
what  to  apprehend  from  them.  For  my  own  part,  I 
should  have  no  objection  to  a  grant  of  land  upon  the 
Ohio,  a  good  way  below  Pittsburg,  but  would  will- 
ingly secure  some  good  tracts  nearer  hand  first. 

I  would  recommend,  it  to  you  to  keep  this  whole 
matter  a  secret,  or  trust  it  only  with  those,  in  whom 
you  can  confide,  and  who  can  assist  you  in  bringing 
it  to  bear  by  their  discoveries  of  land.  And  this  ad- 
vice proceeds  from  several  ver}'  good  reasons,  and,  in 
the  first  place,  because  I  might  be  censured  for  the 
opinion  I  have  given  in  respect  to  the  King's  procla- 
mation, and  then,  if  the  scheme  I  am  now  proposing 
to  you  was  known,  it  might  give  the  alarm  to  others, 
and,  by  putting  them  upon  a  plan  of  the  same  nature, 
(before  we  could  lay  a  proper  foundation  for  success 
ourselves,)  set  the  different  interests  a  clashing,  and, 
probably,  in  the  end,  overturn  the  whole.  All  which 
may  be  avoided  by  a  silent  management,  and  the 
[operation]  snugly  carried  on  by  you  under  the  guise 
of  hunting  other  game,  which  you  may,  I  presume, 
effectually  do,  at  the  same  time  you  are  in  pursuit  of 
land,  which  when  fully  discovered,  advise  me  of  it, 
and  if  there  appears  but  a  bare  possibility  of  succeed- 
ing any  time  hence,  I  will  have  the  lands  immediately 
sur\'eyed,  to  keep  others  off,  and  leave  the  rest  to 
time  and  my  own  assiduity  to  accomplish. 

charter,  will  include  it  at  any  rate."  Crawford  to  IVashington,  September 
29,  1767.  Mason  and  Dixon  were  at  this  time  engaged  in  running  the  boun- 
dar)-  line  between  Pennsylvania  and  Mar>-land.  The  controversy  between 
Virginia  and  Maryland,  as  to  the  western  boundan,-  of  the  latter,  has  never 
been  determined,  the  "first  fountain  of  the  Potomac"  having  proved  too  in- 
definite a  description. 


2  24  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1767 

If  this  letter  should  reach  your  hands  before  you 
set  out,  I  should  be  glad  to  have  your  thoughts  fully 
expressed  on  the  plan  I  have  proposed,  or  as  soon 
afterwards  as  conveniently  may  be  ;  as  I  am  desirous 
of  knowing  in  time  how  you  approve  of  the  scheme. 
I  am,  &c. 


TO    COLONEL    ARMSTRONG. 

Mt.  Vernon,  21  September,  1767. 

Dear  Sir, 

Since  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  at  the  Warm 
Springs,  I  have  been  informed  that  much  of  the  land 
upon  Yaughyaughany  and  Monongahela,  which  was 
formerly  conceived  to  lie  within  the  limits  of  Virginia, 
and  on  which  many  of  our  people  have  settled,  are 
taken  into  Pennslyvania  by  the  established  line  now 
running  between  that  Province  and  Maryland,  and 
that  grants  may  at  any  time  be  obtained  from  the 
Proprietary  for  tracts  on  these  waters ;  and  being 
[informed],  moreover,  that  the  office  from  whence 
these  rights  are  to  issue  is  kept  at  Carlyle,  it  im- 
mediately occurred  from  what  you  were  telling  me  of 
the  nature  of  your  office,  that  I  could  apply  to  none 
so  properly  as  yourself  for  the  truth  of  these  reports, 
it  appearing  but  probable  that  you  were  the  very  per- 
son with  whom  entries  were  made. 

I  have  therefore  taken  the  liberty.  Sir,  of  address- 
ing this  letter  to  you  on  the  subject  of  these  enquiries, 
and  to  request  the  further  favor  of  you  to  advise  me 
of  the  mode  of  proceeding  in  order  to  take  up  un- 
granted    land    in    your    Province ;  what  quantity    of 


1767]  GEORGE  WASHIXGTON. 


acres  will  be  admitted  into  a  survey  ;  whether  a  per- 
son is  restricted  in  respect  to  the  quantity  of  land 
and  number  of  sur^'^eys  ;  if  the  surveys  are  required 
to  be  laid  in  any  particular  form  ;  or  optional  in  the 
taker  up  to  lay  them  as  the  nature  and  goodness  of 
the  land  and  water  courses  may  point  out  to  him  ? 
What  the  expence  of  patenting  these  lands  amount 
to  per  thousand  acres  ?  and  what  the  annual  rents 
are  fixed  at  aftenvards  ?  Together  with  any  other 
useful  hints  which  may  occur  to  you  for  my  informa- 
tion and  government,  as  I  would  most  willingly 
possess  some  of  those  lands  which  we  have  labored 
and  toiled  so  hard  to  conquer. 

I  have  desired  one,  Mr.  William  Crawford,  who 
lives  upon  Yaughyaughany,  a  friend  of  mine  and,  I 
believe,  an  acquaintance  of  yours,  as  he  was  an  officer 
in  my  regiment  and  in  General  Forbes'  campaign,  to 
look  me  [out]  a  tract  of  about  2000  acres  and  en- 
deavor to  secure  it  till  he  can  give  me  advice  of  it.  I 
have  likewise  taken  the  liberty  of  saying  to  him  that 
I  was  fully  pursuaded  if  the  Land  office  were  kept  in 
Carlyle,  and  you  had  any  share  in  the  management 
of  it,  that  you  would  do  me  the  favor  of  o-ivino-  him 
any  assistance  in  your  power  consistent  with  the  rules 
of  office  ;  and  for  such  assistance.  Sir,  after  thankfully 
acknowledging  myself  your  debtor  would  punctually 
[reimburse  you]  with  any  expence  that  might  arise  on 
my  account  so  soon  as  I  could  be  advised  thereof. 

I  heartily  wish  that  Mrs.  Armstrong  and  yourself 
may  find  all  the  good  effects  from  the  waters  of  the 
Frederick  Springs  that  you  could  desire. 


2  26  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1767 

TO    CAPTAIN    JOHN    POSEY. 

Mt.  Vernon,  24  September,  1767. 

Sir, 

Having  received  your  letter  of  Wednesday  last  and 
to  day,  it  appears  very  clear  to  me  from  them,  as  well 
as  from  some  other  convincing  circumstances  that 
you  are  not  only  reduced  to  the  last  shifts  yourself,  but 
are  determined  to  involve  me  in  a  great  deal  of  per- 
plexity and  distress  on  your  account  also.  Why  else 
will  you  press  so  hard  upon  me  to  do  more  than  I 
have  already  done,  and  consented  to  do,  in  waiting 
two  years  longer  for  my  money,  when  it  is  not  only 
inconvenient,  but  very  disadvantageous  also  for  me 
to  do  so,  and  when  I  have  informed  you  as  every 
body  else  I  suppose  may  also  do,  that  the  security  I 
have  upon  your  lands  and  slaves  is  only  answerable 
for  the  ^750  lent  and  interest.  Besides,  when  the 
nature  of  that  security  is  considered,  and  how  much 
people  may  differ  in  their  valuations  of  it,  it  is  not  to 
be  wondered  at  that  I  should  be  so  unwilling  as  to 
risk  any  thing  more  thereon.  For  in  the  first  place  I 
do  not  value  your  six  acres  bought  of  Marshall  with 
the  improvements  to  any  thing  at  all,  for  reasons 
already  known  to  you.  True  it  is,  if  Mr.  West  should 
recover  from  you,  you  may  have  a  remedy  against 
Mr.  Marshall,  but  in  how  ample  a  manner  is  in  the 
breast  of  other  men  to  determine.  In  the  next  place, 
you  rate  the  land  bought  of  my  brother  and  the  im- 
provements to  near  ;^700.  This  at  best  is  only  worth 
what  it  will  fetch,  and  if  it  sells  for  half  that  sum,  I 
will  acknowledge  myself  extremely  mistaken.      In  the 


1767]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  227 

last  place,  by  the  estimate  you  sent  me  some  time 
ago  of  your  estate,  you  value  the  negroes  you  were 
then  possessed  of  to  ;^900  and  upwards.  Suppose, 
for  argument  sake  they  were  worth  this,  does  not 
every  body  know  that  the  small  pox,  gaol  fever  and 
many  other  malignant  disorders  may  sweep  the  great- 
est part  of  them  off  ?  Where  then  is  the  security  ?  And 
while  I  am  mentioning  this  matter,  it  is  highly  necessar\' 
to  inquire  what  is  become  of  Henley,  Jacob,  Winney, 
Sylvia,  Lett,  Sarah,  Nan  and  Henrietta  Farthing, 
Negroes  contained  in  your  bill  of  sale  to  me,  but  which 
I  see  nothing  of  in  the  estimate  above  mentioned. 
Thus  much  I  have  said  on  a  supposition  that  I  was 
acting  as  a  money  lender  only,  and  was  looking  for 
clear  and  indisputable  surety  ;  but  in  truth  the  pros- 
pect of  gain  and  advantage  to  myself  was  not  the 
motive  that  led  me  to  advance  you  this  money. 
'Twas  done  to  sen-e  your  family,  and  if  possible  to 
save  your  estate  from  dispersion,  while  there  remained 
a  probability  of  doing  it.  The  same  motive,  there- 
fore, (and  depend  upon  it,  it  is  a  friendly  one,)  inclines 
me  to  ask  what  possible  reason  you  can  have  for 
thinking  that  by  delaying  the  sale  of  some  part  of 
your  effects,  and  taking  up  more  money  upon  interest, 
will  better  your  fortune,  when  you  are  adding  to  the 
load  of  debt  by  accumulating  interest  ?  I  should  be 
glad  in  the  next  place  to  know  if  you  have  ever  con- 
sidered the  consequences  of  borrowing  the  money 
upon  the  terms  you  say  Colo.  Mason  will  lend  it  ? 
and  surely  you  have  not.  To  stave  off  the  dreadful 
hour  of  resigning  part  of  your  possessions  into  the 


2  28  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1767 


hands  of  your  creditors,  engrosses  too  much  of  your 
thoughts.  Do  not  understand  by  this  that  I  mean  to 
cast  any  reflection  upon  Colo.  Mason.  No,  he  tells 
you  in  express  terms  and  with  candor  that  he  is 
waiting  for  an  opportunity  of  making  a  purchase 
which  when  accomplished,  he  must  have  his  money 
again,  giving  you  three  or  four  months'  notice.  It  is 
likely  therefore  that  he  may  call  for  it  in  six  months 
as  in  a  longer  time,  because  the  distress  of  the  coun- 
try and  number  of  estates  which  are  daily  advertising 
afford  great  prospect  of  purchasing  to  advantage. 
What  then  is  to  be  done  in  this  case  ?  One  of  these 
three  things  certainly  :  either  that  Colo.  Mason  must 
wait  till  he  can  recover  his  debt  in  a  course  of  law, 
by  which  means  your  own,  as  well  as  the  honor  of 
your  bondsman  must  suffer  ;  or  that  the  security  must 
pay  the  money  out  of  his  own  pocket,  which  perhaps 
might  reduce  him  to  the  utmost  distress  ;  or  lastly, 
that  your  negroes  must  be  immediately  exposed  to 
sale  for  ready  money  after  short  notice  (whereas  they 
might  now  be  sold  on  credit  for  perhaps  at  least  25 
per  cent  more,)  in  order  to  raise  this  sum,  and  this 
probably  in  the  midst  of  a  crop.  These  being  things 
worthy  of  consideration,  I  would  recommend  them  to 
your  serious  reflection,  before  you  finally  determine. 
Was  the  money  to  be  had  of  those  who  prefer 
lending  it  on  interest  to  other  methods  of  disposing 
of  it,  and  you  had  in  the  first  place  a  prospect  of 
keeping  of  it  for  some  time,  and  in  the  next  a  moral 
certainty  of  raising  the  sum  with  the  interest  by  the 
expiration  of  it,  there  would  then  be  a  propriety  in 


1767]  GEORGE  WASHIXGTON.  229 

your  borrowing,  and  I  should  feel  pleasure  in  pro- 
curing it  to  you  ;  but  really  I  cannot  see  that  you 
have  any  one  good  end  to  answer  by  it.  On  the 
contrary,  I  am  much  misinformed  if  you  were  to  get 
;^300  to  morrow  to  stop  suits  and  demands  that  are 
already  commenced,  if  there  would  not  be  ^300  more 
wanting  in  less  than  six  months  for  the  same  purpose. 
So  that  there  appears  no  probability  of  its  happily 
ending,  for  as  to  your  promising,  or  expecting  to  do 
this  and  that,  you  must  give  me  leave  to  say  that  it  is 
works  and  not  words  that  people  will  judge  from, 
and  where  one  man  deceives  another  from  time  to 
time,  his  word  being  disregarded,  all  confidence  is  lost. 
However,  after  having  endeavored  to  let  you  see 
in  what  light  this  matter  appears  to  me,  and  to  set 
forth  the  evil  consequences  of  taking  money  upon 
these  terms,  I  shall  conclude  with  telling  you  that  if 
you  are  absolutely  determined  to  prefer  this  method 
to  any  other  of  procuring  present  relief,  I  will  become 
your  security  to  Colo.  Mason  for  three  hundred 
pounds,  on  condition  that  you  do  at  the  same  time 
add  other  things  to  my  present  security  that  are 
under  no  incumbrance  to  any  person  what  so  ever, 
and  allow  me  the  absolute  right  and  privilege  (as 
you  yourself  proposed)  of  disposing  of  them  for 
ready  money,  to  answer  Colo.  Mason's  demand  when- 
soever made,  and  that  some  lawyer  (Mr.  Ellzey  I 
would  choose)  should  draw  a  bill  of  sale  or  instru- 
ment of  writing  to  this  purpose,  without  running  me 
to  any  cost,  that  may  be  authentick  and  binding. 
But  I  once  more  caution  you  against  a  measure  of 


230  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1768 


this  kind,  as  it  may  be  destructive  of  your  estate, 
inasmuch  as  the  money  can  be  paid  no  otherwise 
than  by  an  immediate  sale  of  your  effects  (when 
called  for),  and  I  can  see  no  benefit  that  will  result 
from  the  protection.  It  is  from  these  reasons,  and  a 
conviction  that  you  will  as  unwilling  then  as  now 
part  from  your  estate,  that  I  dread  the  consequences 
of  joining  you  in  such  a  bond,  knowing  that  after 
all  I  have  [done]  or  can  do,  more  will  still  be  re- 
quired, and  as  little  content  given.  This  makes  me 
ardently  wish  that  some  person  or  other  would  take 
up  my  security  and  pay  me  the  money,  that  I  might 
be  entirely  clear  of  it,  for  I  do  not  want  to  avail 
myself  of  any  sort  of  advantages. 

P.  S.  I  have  this  instant  been  informed  that  you 
have  declared  you  paid  me  all  you  owed  me  except 
about  ^20.  Does  such  disingenuity  as  this  deserve 
any  favour  at  my  hands  ?  I  think  any  body  might 
readily  answer  for  you,  no. 


DIARY  FOR  1768.' 

JANUARY. 

I  St.  (a)  Fox  hunting  in  my  own  Neck  with  Mr  Robt.  Alex- 
ander and  Mr  Colville.  Catchd  nothing.  Captn.  Posey  with 
us.  (b)  Ground  exceedg  hard  froze,  but  this  day  calm 
&  moderate,  (c)  Neck  People  clearing  a  piece  of  ground 
which  was  begun  the  23d  of  Deer. 

'  The  private  diaries  of  Washington,  during  the  earlier  years  of  the  series, 
were  written  in  interleaved  Viri^iuin  A/iiUDiacs  ;  but  the  later  years  are  con- 
tained in  note-books,  of  uniform  size  and  binding.  The  entries  in  the  Almanacs 
are  of  three  descrijitions  :  where,  and  how  he  spent  his  time  ;  occurrences  and 
a  record  of  the  weather.  I  have  printed  one  month  in  full ;  but  for  the  rest  of 
the  year  have  omitted  the  weather  record. 


1768]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  231 

2.  (a)  Surveying  some  Lines  of  my  Mt.  Vernon  Tract  of  Land, 
(b)  Moderate,  wind  southwardly,  thawing  a  little. 

3.  (a)  At  home  with  Doctr.  Rumney.  (b)  Rain,  with  the  wind 
at  So.  West.    gd.  still  hard  froze  except  the  Top  of  it. 

4.  (a)  Rid  to  Muddy  hole,  D  :  Run  &  Mill  Plantn.  (b.)  Foggy 
&  warm.     Midday  clear.     Frost  still  in  the  Earth.     Calm. 

5.  (a)  Went  into  the  Neck,  (b)  Very  Thick  cSc  Foggy  in  the 
morning.  Wind  afterwards  at  No.  Et.  and  Rain  all  day,  the 
wind  shifting  southwardly. 

(c)  Doeg  Run  People  working  in  the  Swamp  which  they  began 
to  clear  this  Fall — Muddy  Hole  People  (except  two  threshing) 
clearing  ye  skirt  of  woods  within  ye  fence.  4  men  &  a  woman 
from  Doeg  Run  assisting — Mill  People  also  clearing.' 

6.  (a)  Rid  to  Doeg  Run  and  the  Mill  before  Dinner.  Mr.  B. 
Fairfax  and  Mr.  Robt.  Alexander  here,  (b)  Warm  clear,  &; 
pleasant,  in  the  Morng.  Wind  high  from  No.  Wt.  &  cool 
afterwards,  (c)  Doeg  Run  People  finishd  grubbing  ye  Swamp 
they  were  in  and  proceeded  to  another  adjacent. 

7.  (a)  Fox  hunting  with  the  above  two  Gentn.  and  Captn.  Posey. 
Started  but  catchd  nothing,  (b.)  Clear  and  frosty.  Wind  brisk 
from  No.  W. 

8.  (a)  Hunting  again  in  the  same  Compy.  Started  a  Fox  and 
run  him  4  hours,  took  the  Hounds  off,  at  night,  (b)  Clear, 
frosty  &  still. 

9.  (a)  At  home  with  Mr.  B:  Fairfax,  (b)  Cloudy,  with  misty 
forenoon  &  .     Rain  afterwards.     Wind  southwardly. 

10.  (a)  At  home  alone,  (b)  Weather  clear,  wind  southwardly, 
yet  raw  and  cold.     Hard  frost. 

11.  (a)  Running  some  Lines  between  me  and  Mr.  Willm.  Triplet, 
(b)  Clear  with  the  wind  at  west.  Evening  very  cold  and  wind 
northwardly  ;  sever  Frost.     River  froze  across. 

12.  (a)  Attempted  to  go  into  the  Neck  on  the  Ice  but  it  wd.  not 
bear.  In  the  Evening  iMr  Chs.  Dick,  Mr  Muse  &  my  Brother 
Charles  came  here.  b.  Wind  at  No.  west  and  exceeding  cold 
and  frosty,  c.  Threshing  wheat  at  all  Plantations.  Ground 
being  too  hard  froze  to  Grub  to  any  advantage. 

'  Three  entries  without  date. 


232  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1768 


13.  (a)  At  home  with  them.  Col  Fairfax,  Lady  &c.  (b)  More 
moderate  and  yet  very  cold,  with  a  little  snow  in  the  Morng. 
and  eveng.  clear. 

14.  (a)  Ditto.  Colo.  Fx  &  famy.  went  home  in  the  Evening, 
(b)  Clear  and  pleast.     Wind  at  south.     River  still  froze. 

15.  (a)  At  home  with  the  above  Gentlemen  and  shooting  together. 

(b)  Clear  and  pleasant.  Wind  Southwardly.  Thawed  a  good  deal. 

16.  (a)  At  home  all  day  at  cards' — it  snowing,  (b)  Constant 
snow  the  whole  day  from  the  Northward,  (c)  Finished  my 
smiths  shop — that  is  the  carpenters  work  of  it. 

17.  (a)  At  home  with  Mr.  Dick  &c.  (b)  Clear  and  pleasant. 
Wind  So.  West  and  West,    hard  frost. 

18.  (a)  Went  to  Court  &  sold  Colo.  Colvil's  Ld.  Returnd  again 
at  night,  (b)  Still  &  cloudy — very  like  to  snow  but  broke 
away  abt.  sunset.  Cold,  (c)  Carpenters  went  to  saw  Plank  at 
Doeg  Run  for  finishing  the  Barn  there.  Will  put  new  girders 
into  my  Mill  where  they  had  sunk. 

19.  (a)  Went  to  Belvoir  with  Mr.  Dick,  my  Bror.  &c.  (b)  Clear 
and  pleast.  morning.  Afternoon,  raw  tSz;  cold,  (c)  Mike,  Tom, 
and  Sam  went  abt.  the  overseers  House  at  Muddy  hole. 

20.  (a)  Returned  from  Do.  by  the  Mill  Doeg  Run  and  Muddy 
hole,  (b.)  Clear,  still,  &  warm — thawed  a  great  deal,  (c)  Plan- 
tations chiefly  employd  in  getting  out  wheat. 

21.  (a)  Surveyd  the  water  courses  of  my  Mt.  Vernon  Tract  of 
Land,  taking  advan.  of  the  Ice.  (b)  Very  warm  and  still — snow 
dissolving  fast. 

22.  (a)  Fox  hunting  with  Captn.  Posey — started  but  catched 
nothing,     (b)  Warm,  still,  &  clear  again.      Snow  almost  gone. 

(c)  Davy,  George,  Jupiter  and  Ned,   finishd   sawing  at  Doeg 
Run  &  joind  Mike  ivc  abt.  overseers  House  at  Muddy  hole. 

23.  (a)  Rid  to  Muddy  hole,  &  directed  ])aths  to  be  cut  for 
Fox  hunting,  (b)  No  frost  last  night.  Warm  c\:  clear  in  the 
forenoon  ;  cloudy,  witli  some  Rain  in  the  Afternoon,  afterwards 
clear  again.     Ice  broke  in  the  River. 

24.  (a)  Rid  up  to  'i'oulston  in  order  to  Fox  hunt  it.  (b)  Lower- 
ing morning,  but  very  fine  iV  warm  till  7  in  the  afternoon,  when 
the  wind  .shifted  to  No  East  from  So. 

'  I-OSL3/6.     l.cd;rcr. 


1768]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  233 

25.  (a)  Confind  by  Rain  with  Mr.  Fairfax  <S:  Mr.  Alexander, 
(b)  Drizzling  &  Raing.  all  day.     Wind,  No.  Et. 

26.  (b)  Went  out  with  the  Hounds,  but  started  no  Fox.  Some 
of  the  Hounds  run  of  [f]  upon  a  Deer,  (b)  Wind  at  Xo.  West, 
cloudy  and  cold,  with  spits  of  snow. 

27.  (a)  Went  out  again — started  a  Fox  ab.  10,  run  him  till  3  and 
lost  him.  (b)  Cold,  cloudy  &  still  morng.;  clear  &  pleast.  after- 
wards— Wind  southwardly. 

28.  (a)  Returned  Home,  found  Mr.  Tomi  Elsey '  there,  (b)  Wind 
at  No.  West  &  very  cold. 

29.  (a)  Went  to  Belvoir  with  Mrs.  W^ — n  &:ca.  after  Dinner,  left 
Mr.  Ellzey  at  home,  (b)  Do  at  Do.  &  Do.  River  froze  up  again 
last  night. 

30.  Dined  at  Belvoir  and  returned  in  the  afternoon — borrowd  a 
hound  from  Mr.  Whiting,  as  I  did  2  from  Mr.  Alexr.  the  28th. 
(b)  Very  hard  frost  last  night.  Morng.  cold  but  more  moderate 
afterwards.     Wind  gettg.  southwardly. 

31.  (a)  At  home  alone  all  day.  (b)  Lowering,  wind  southward 
&  moderate.     Ice  breaking  and  dispersing. 

FEBRUARY, 

1.  Rid  round  into  the  Neck  and  directed  the  running  of  the 
Fence  there.  Carpenters  all  (except  Will)  went  to  sawing 
Failing  for  a  goose   yard. 

2.  Rid  to  Muddy  hole,  Doeg  Run,  &  Mill. 

3.  Fox  hunting  with  Captn.  Posey  &  Ld.  Washington — started 
but  catchd  nothing. 

4.  Snowing  all  day,  but  not  very  fast — At  home. 

5.  At  home  alone  till  Mr.  Robt.  Alexander  came  in  the  Evening. 

6.  Fox  hunting  with  Mr  Alexander  &  Captn  Posey.  Started 
but  catchd  nothing. 

7     At  home  alone. 

8.     Rid  to  Muddy  hole,  Doeg  Run  &  Mill,  and  in  returng  I  met 

Mr.  Alexander,  Mr.  Stoddard  and  Captn.  Posey  who  had  just 

catchd  2  foxes,  returnd  wt.  ym.  to  Dinner. 


'  Tomison  Ellzey,  a  lawyer. 


234  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1768 

9.  Went  out  Hunting  again  ;  started  a  fox,  run  him  four 
hours,  &  then  lost  him.  Mr  Stoddard  went  home.  Alexr, 
stayd. 

10.  Rid  to  Muddy  hole,  Doeg  Run  and  Mill.  Mr.  Alexander 
going  in  the  Morng.  as  Mr.  Magowan  *  did  to  Williamsburg. 

11.  Went  into  the  Neck  and  returnd  to  Dinner. 

12.  Fox  hunting  with  Colo.  Fairfax,  Captn.  McCarty,''  Mr. 
Chichester,  Posey,  Ellzey  &  Manley,^  who  dind  here  with  Mrs. 
Fairfax  &  Miss  Nicholas.     Catchd  two  foxes. 

13.  Hunting  in  the  same  company,  Catchd  2  more  foxes, — none 
dind  at  Mt.  Vernon.  Finishd  the  Goose  Pen  at  Home  ;  also 
finishd  clearing  the  Point  of  woods  between  where  Carney  & 
Rollins  &  Crump  livd  in  the  Neck — abt.  30  acres. 

14.  At  home  alone. 

15.  Ditto    Ditto. 

16.  Went  up  to  Alexa.  and  returnd  in  ye  eveng. 

17.  Rid  to  Muddy  hole,  Doeg  Run  &  the  Mill,  returnd  to 
Dinner  and  alone. 

18.  Went  a  ducking  between  breakfast  &  dinner — In  the 
afternoon  Mr.  Thruston,  Mr  Alexander,  &  Mr  Carter  from 
Gloster  came  in.  Rais'd  overseer's  House  at  Muddy  hole. 
Finishd  threshing  t^  cleaning  my  wheat  at  Doeg  Run  Plantn. 
bushl. 

19.  After  dinner  the  above  Gentlemen  went  to  Belvoir. 

20.  Fox  hunting  with  Captn.  Posey — catchd  a  Fox. 

21.  At  home  all  day.  Mr.  Wm.  Gardner  dind  here.  A  Gen- 
tleman from  York  River  came  to  buy  wheat. 

22.  Rid  to  Muddy  hole,  Doeg  Run,  and  the  Mill  before  Dinner, 
and  went  out  with  my  Gun  after  it. 

23.  Fox  hunting  with  Captn.  Posey — catchd  a  Fox  we  suppose, 
but  being  dark  coud  not  find  it.  Stopd  clearing  the  Field  on 
the  Ck.  in  the  Neck  and  began  upon  those  pieces  of  woods  in 
the  other  field  by  Mr.  Sheridines." 

'  Mr.  Walter  Magowan  was  tutor  to  Master  and  Miss  Custis.  In  March  of 
this  year  he  went  to  England  to  enter  Holy  Orders. 

^  Daniel  McCarty. 

■'  Harrison  Manley. 

*  John  Sheridine  was  leasing  one  of  Washington's  properties  in  Clifton's 
Neck,  paying  730  ])oun(ls  of  tobacco  a  year  rent. 


1768]  GEORGE  WASHIXGTON.  235 

24.  Went  a  ducking  between  breakfast  &  dinner  &:  killd  2 
Mattards  &  5  bald  faces,  found  Doctr.  Rumney  here  at  din- 
ner, who  staid  all  night.     Mr.  Magowan  retumd. 

25.  Doctr,  Rumney  went  a  way.  I  went  to  the  Creek  but  not 
across  it.     Killd  2  ducks,  viz.  a  sprig  tail  and  Teal. 

26.  Laid  of  a  Road  from  Mt.  Vernon  to  the  Lain  by  Mr.  Man- 
leys.  Began  to  deliver  my  wheat  to  Mr  Kirk.  Carpenters 
not  having  quite  finishd  the  overseers  Ho.  at  Muddy  hole  for 
want  of  some  Plank,  went  abt.  a  Corn  Ho.  there.  Much 
abt.  this  time  a  Hound  Bitch  Mopsey  of  Mr.  R.  Alexander 
(now  with  me)  was  proud,  &  shut  up  chiefly  with  a  black  dog, 
Tarter,  who  lind  her  several  times,  as  did  Tipler  once,  that  is 
known  of.  The  little  Bitch  Cloe  in  the  House  was  also  proud 
at  the  same  time,  but  whether  lind  or  not  cannot  be  known — 
see  how  long  they  go  with  Pup,  and  whether  both  at  same  time, 
being  very  difft.  in  size. 

27.  Went  on  the  Road  clearing  between  Mt.  Vernon  and  the 
Mill.  In  the  evening  Mr.  Stedlar  '  came.  Transplanted  trees 
of  differt  kinds  into  the  Lucerne  Patch. 

28.  In  the  after  noon  went  up  to  Mr.  Robt.  Alexander's  in  order 
to  meet  Mr.  B.  Fairfax  &  others  a  fox  Huntg.  None  came  this 
day  but  Captn.  Posey. 

29.  At  Mr  Alexanders  all  day  with  his  Phil  &  Captn.  Posey. — 
it  raining. 

MARCH. 

1.  Went  a  fox  hunting  with  the  two  Alexr.  and  Posey — was,  during 
the  chase  (in  which  nothing  was  catchd)  joind  by  Mr.  Fairfa.x, 
Jno.  Alexander  &  Muir.' 

2.  Hunting  again,  &  catchd  a  fox  with  a  bobd  Tail  &  cut  ears, 
after  7  hours  chase  in  wch.  most  of  the  Dog's  were  worsted. 

3.  Retumd  home,  much  disorderd  by  a  Lax,  Griping  &  violent 
straining.  Deliver'd  a  Lodd  of  508  Bushels  of  Muddy  hole 
wheat  to  Mr  Kirks  ship  and  my  schooner  returnd. 

4.  At  home,  worse  with  the  above  complaints.  Sent  for  Doctr. 
Rumney,  who  came  in  ye  afternn. 

'  In  1766  Mr.  Stedlar  was  teaching  Mrs.  Washington  and  two  children  music. 
'  John  Miiir. 


236  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1768 


5.  Very  bad — the  Doctr.  staying  with  me.  Deliverd  another 
Load  of  517/^  Bushls.  of  the  Neck  Wheat  to  the  above  ship  and 
returnd  the  same  day.  Finished  cutting  down  corn  stocks  at 
all  my  Plantations. 

6.  Something  better.  Doctr.  still  here — &  Mr.  Ramsay  came 
down  to  see  me. 

7.  Rather  better.  Doctr.  went  home  after  breakfast.  Mr.  Ram- 
say staid  to  Dinner. 

8.  Mending  fast.  Colo.  Thos.  Moore  calld  here  in  his  way  from 
Alexa.  Home,  but  made  no  stay.  Colo,  Fairfax  &  Mr.  Gilbt. 
Campbell  (Comptroller)  Dined  here. 

9.  Still  mending.     At  home  alone. 

10.  Mending  still.  Rid  out.  Mr.  Peake  &  Augs.  Darrel  dind 
here. 

11.  At  home  alone  all  day. 

12.  Rid  to  the  new  Road-Mill  Doeg  Run  &  Muddy  hole  Plantns, 
&  found  Doctr.  Rumney  upon  my  return,  who  dind  &  stayd  all 
night.  Large  parts  of  my  Wheat  Field  at  Doeg  Run,  ye  same 
I  believe  at  the  Mill,  were  found  to  be  exceedingly  Injurd  by 
the  jFrost  (and  I  apprehend  by  the  last  frost  abt.  ye  7  &  8th 
Inst.)'  Upon  examining  the  wheat  which  appeard  to  be  so 
much  hurt,  I  found  the  Roots  for  ye  most  part  were  entirely 
out  of  the  ground  ;  some  indeed  had  a  small  fibre  or  so  left  in 
&  here  perhaps  a  green  blade  might  be  found  in  a  bunch,  but 
when  the  Root  was  quite  out  the  whole  bunch  seemd  perishd 
&  perishing.  Note.  Watch  ye  Progress  of  this  wheat,  &  see  if 
there  be  any  possibility  of  its  taking  Root  again  (as  it  lyes  thick 
on  the  gd.)  near  a  stake  in  ye  18  Inch  cut,  and  abt.  100  yds. 
from  the  Barracks  is  a  spot  of  an  acre  or  so  of  this  kind.  Ob- 
serve this  place,  being  poor  gd.  also.  Carpenters  returnd  from 
the  Road  abt.  Muddy  hole  Corn  House. 

13.  At  home  alone  all  day. 

14.  With  the  ])eoj)le  working  upon  the  new  Road  between 
breakfast  and  Dinner. 

'  His  weatlier  record  for  the  two  days  was  : — 
7.     Clear  &  cool,    wind  still   northwardly.      8.      Frosty  morning,   but  clear  & 
pleast.  day.      Wind  southwardly. 


1768]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  237 

15.  At  home  alone  all  day.  Deliverd  the  last  load  of  my  wheat 
to  Mr  Kirk's  ship,  which  makes  192 1  Bushl.  delivd.  him  in  all 
— reckg.  15  Bushl.  to  be  delivd.  him  by  Mr.  Digges. 

16.  Hunting  with  Captn.  Posey  and  Lt.  W.  started  and  catchd  a 
fox  in  abt.  three  hours.  Began  to  list  com  ground  at  Muddy 
hole.  Reed,  my  goods  from  Mr.  Gary  by  Captn.  Johnston. 
Sent  my  vessel  about  4  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  to  Mr.  Kirk 
agreeable  to  his  Letter. 

17.  Rid  into  the  neck,  to  Muddy  hole,  and  upon  the  New  Road. 
When  I  came  home  found  Colo.  Carlyle  &  his  wife  &  children 

there. 

18.  Went  with  Colo.  Carlyle  &  our  Families  to  Belvoir.     Myself 

and   Mrs.  W n  retumd,  leaving  the  others  there.     Found 

Mr.  Stedlar  at  Mt.  Vernon.     Began  to  lay  of  my  com  ground 
in  the  Neck. 

19.  At  home  all  day.^  Mr.  Stedlar  here.  Sent  Chaunter  (a 
Hound  Bitch)  up  to  Toulston,  to  go  to  Mr.  Fairfax's  Dog  For- 
ester, or  Rockwood — she  appearg.  to  be  going  Proud.  Forester 
not  beg.  at  Home  she  went  to  Rockwood. 

20.  At  home  all  day.  Mr.  Stedlar  still  here.  In  the  afternoon 
Mr.  Carlyle  &:  Family  returnd  from  Belvoir. 

21.  Went  to  Court.^  Colo.  Carlyle  &  Family  also  went  up.  Mr. 
Stedlar  stay'd  &:  Sally  Carlyle. 

22.  Rid  to  the  Mill,  Doeg  Run  and  Muddy  hole  Plantation. 

23.  Rid  out  to  see  and  examine  whether  a  Road  coud  not  be 
discovd  &  opend  from  Posey's  ferry  back  of  Muddy  hole 
Plann.  thereby  avoiding  the  Gum  spring,  which  I  think  may  be 
done  to  advantage.  Note.  This  moon  w'ch  changd  9.  18.  ap- 
peard  with  the  points  directly  upwards  exactly  of  a  height. 

24.  Rid  out  again  with  Mr  Peake  on  the  above  accn.  and  ob- 
servd  that  a  good  Road  might  be  had  along  Hg.  Ck.  upon 
Colo.  Masons  Land. 

25.  Went  into  the  Neck,  grafted  some  cherries,  &  began  to  meas- 
ure the  ground  for  my  Grape  vines.  Observd  a  Lamb  in  my 
Pasture,  being  the  first  fallen  from  Ewes  put  to  my  Ram  the — 


'  "  One  of  the  most  disagreeable  days  of  the  whole  winter." 
'  At  Alexandria.     He  generally  stopped  at  Arrols. 


238  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1768 

26.  Went  Fox  huntg.  but  started  nothing.  Mr.  Lawr.  Washing- 
ton came  here  &  Miss  Ramsay  in  ye  afternoon.  My  Vessel  re- 
turndfrom  Mr  Kirk's  employ  abt.  sundown,  being  10  days  gone. 

27.  At  home.     Lawr.  Washington  went  away. 

28.  At  home. 

29.  Fox  hunting,  with  Jacky  Custis  &  Ld.  Washington. 
Catchd  a  fox  after  3  hrs.  chase.  Began  to  cork  &  pay  the 
bottom  of  my  schooner. 

30.  Rid  to  Muddy  hole,  Doeg  Run  &  Mill  Plantations.  Fin- 
ishd  my  Fencing  &  began  to  enlist  my  Corn  Ground  at  the 
Mill.  Looked  again  at  the  wheat  at  Doeg  Run  (particularly 
abt.  ye  stake  near  the  Barracks)  and  found  no  alteration  for 
the  better,  it  appearing  to  have  no  root  in  the  Ground. 

31.  Went  into  the  Neck.  At  my  Return  found  Doctr.  Rumney 
&  Mr.  Wm.  Crawford  ^  at  the  house.  Dr,  Rumney  went  away 
in  the  afternoon.  Finished  corking  my  vessel  &  weeding 
out  my  Lucern. 

Memor.  of  Ewes  &  Lambs  are  restraind  from  wheat  Fields, 
&  no  green  food  servd  to  support  them  in  the  spring,  contrive 
that  no  more  fall  after  this  year  till  ye  last  of  March. 

APRIL. 

I  St.     At  home  with  Mr.  Crawford. 

2.  Rid  to  Muddy  hole,  Doeg  Run  &  ye  Mill.  Mr.  Crawford 
went  to  Alexandria.  Sewed  a  patch  of  Flax  in  the  Neck. 
Also  sewed  a  patch  at  Doeg  Run  by  the  last  yrs.  Turneps. 

3.  Went  to  Pohick  Church  '  &  returnd  to  Dinner.  Mr.  Craw- 
ford returnd  in  the  afternoon. 

4.  Fox  hunting  with  Messrs.  Chichester,  ye  Triplets,  Manley, 
Posey,  Peake  &  Adams.     Never  started  a  Fox,  but  did  a  Deer. 

5.  At  home  with  Mr.  Crawford.  Mr.  Campbell  came  here  & 
dined.  Mrs.  Washington,  Miss  B.  Ramsay  &  Patey  Custis 
went  to  Belvoir  &:  returnd. 

'  Captain  William  Crawford  who  located  in  1769  some  land  for  Washington 
at  the  Forks  of  the  Monongahcia  and  the  Yaughyaughany.  It  was  on  this 
visit  that  he  interested  Washington  in  the  matter. 

^  About  live  miles  from  Mount  Vernon,  near  the  road  from  Alexandria  to 
Occoquan. 


1768]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  239' 

6.  Mr.  Crawford  set  of  home,  and  we  (together  wt.  Miss  Betey 
Ramsay)  went  up  to  Alexa.  to  a  Ball.  Sewed  part  of  the 
Ground  at  home  (the  Cowpens)  in  Flax. 

7.  We  returnd  from  Alexandria  through  Snow.  Carpenters  finishd 
the  Corn  Ho.  at  Muddy  hole,  and  went  to  trimmg.  fish  Barrls. 

8.  At  home  alone,  except  with  Price,  ye  Bricklayer  who  has 
been  here  since  Tuesday. 

9.  Fox  hunting  with  the  two  Triplets,'  Mr.  Peake  *  &  Mr.  Man- 
ley — started  but  catchd  nothing. 

10.  At  home  alone. 

11.  Planting  out  Grape  Vines  according  to  Mm.'  Mrs.  Posey 
dined  here,  and  Mr.  Alexander  &:  Mr.  Edwd.  Payne  *  supd  & 
lodgd. 

12.  Payne  and  Alexander  went  away  after  Breakfast — and  Miss 
Tracy  Digges  &:  her  sister  Betty  came  in  the  aftern.  Rid  to 
Muddy  hole,  Doeg  R.  &  Mill.  Sewed  remainder  of  Flax 
Ground  at  Home.  Also  sewed  Flax  Seed  at  Muddy  hole. 
White  fish  began  to  Run  catching  60  or  70  at  a  Haul  with  some 
Herg. 

13.  At  home.  The  Miss  Digges  here  in  the  afternoon  Mr. 
Chichester  came. 

14.  Fox  hunting  with  Mr.  Chichester,  Captn.  Posey,  Messr. 
Triplet,  Peake  «Sc  Adams,  started  but  catchd  nothing — Posey  &: 
Adams  dind  here  as  did  Mr.  Digges.  Sewed  Flax  at  Doeg 
Run  at  the  head  of  the  Meadow.  Began  plowing  at  Doeg  for 
Corn,  that  is  to  list.  Carpenters  went  to  getting  staves  for 
Cyder  Casks. 

15.  At  home.  Mr.  Digges  &  his  daughters  went  away  after 
breakfast. 

t6.     At  home  alone.     In  the  evening  went  to  the  Xeck. 

17.  Went  to  Church  &:  returnd  to  Dinner. 

18.  Went  to  Court  and  returnd  in  the  evening.  Began  fishing 
for  herrings  with  carpenters  &c. 

19.  Measurd  the  field  designd  for  corn  at  the  Mill  and  Doeg 
Run  this  year. 


'  William.  »  Humphrey  Peake.  *  Memorandum. 

*  Elsewhere  spoken  of  as  Capt.  Edward  Payne. 


240  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1768 


20.  At  home  alone  all  day. 

21.  Rode  to  Muddy  hole,  Doeg  Run  and  Mill  Plantns.  at  the 
first  &  last  of  which  just  began  to  check  corn  ground.  Mr. 
Stedlar  came  here.  Began  to  cross  ground  at  Muddy  hole  & 
the  Mill,  having  run  only  a  single  furrow  for  a  list. 

22.  At  home  all  day.     Mr.  Stedlar  here. 

23.  At  home  all  day  again.  Mr.  Stedlar  still  here.  The  great 
abundance  of  rain  which  fell  within  this  48  hours  carried  away 
my  dam  by  the  Miss  Wade's  &  broke  the  back  dam  by  the 
mill^ 

24.  Mr.  &  Mrs.  Peake  &  yr.  daughter  dined  here,  as  also  did 
Mr.  Stedlar. 

25.  Went  to  Muddy  hole,  Doeg  Run  &  Mill  before  Dinner,  & 
into  the  Neck  afterwards. 

26.  Set  of  for  Williamsburg  with  Mrs.  Washington  Jacky  & 
Patey  Custis  &  Billy  Bassett.     Lodgd  at  Mr  Lawsons. 

27.  Reachd  Fredericksburg. 

28.  Stayed  there  all  day  at  Colo.  Lewis. 

29.  Proceeded  on  our  journey  and  reached  Hubbards  Ordy.  in 
compy.  with  Colo.  Lewis  &  Mr.  Dick. 

30.  Breakfasted  at  Todds  Bridge.  Dind  at  Claibornes,  &  came 
to  Colo.  Bassett's. 

MAY. 

1.  Rid  to  a  place  called  Roots's  to  see  a  meadow  of  Colo. 
Bassetts.^     returnd  to  Dinr. 

2.  Went  to  Williamsburg  with  Colo.  Bassett,  Colo.  Lewis  &  Mr 
Dick.  Dind  with  Mrs.  Dawson,  &  went  to  the  Play.  My 
carpenters  &  House  People  went  to  planting  corn  at  Doeg  Run 
after  they  had  finishd  fishing. 

3.  Dined  with  the  Speaker.^  The  hound  bitch  Mopsey  brought 
8  puppys,  distinguished  by  the  following  names  :  viz.  Tarter, 
Jupiter,  Trueman,  &  Tipler  (being  Dogs),  and  Truelove,  Juno 
Dutchess,  &  Lady,  being  the  bitches — in  all  eight. 

'His  weather  record  showed  that  it  rained  more  or  less  on  the  2ist,  constant 
rain  on  the  22d  and  23d,  until  sunrise  on  the  24th. 

''  i3urwell  Bassett.  •'  Peyton  Randolph. 


1768]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  241 

4.  Dined  with  Mrs.  Dawson,'  &  suppd  at  Charlton's. 

5.  Dined  at  Mrs.  Campbells. 

6.  Rid  to  the  Plantations  near  Williamsburg  &  dined  at  Mr. 
Valentine's* 

7.  Came  up  to  Colo.  Bassett's  to  Dinner. 

8.  Went  to  Church  &  returnd  to  Dinner. 

9.  Went  a  Fox  hunting  and  catched  a  Fox  after  35  minutes 
chase  ;  returnd  to  Dinner  &  found  the  Attorney,  his  Lady  & 
daughter  there. 

10.  Rid  to  the  Buck  House  &  returnd  to  Dinner  ;  after  which 
went  a  dragging  for  sturgeon. 

11.  Dined  at  the  Globe  with  Mr.  Davis 

12.  Went  to  New  Kent  Court  with  Colo.  Bassett ' 

13.  Went  after  sturgeon  &  a  gunning. 

14.  Went  to  my  Plantation  in  King  William  by  water  and  dragd 
for  Sturgeon  &  catchd  one. 

15.  Rid  to  see  Colo.  Bassetts  meadows  at  Roots's. 

16.  Fishing  for  Sturgeon  from  Breakfast  to  Dinner  but  catchd 
none. 

17.  Rid  to  the  Buck  House  &  returnd  to  Dinner. 

18.  Did  the  same  &  got  my  Chariot  &:  Horses  over  to  Claibornes. 

19.  Went  a  shooting  &  hair  huntg.  with  the  Hounds  who  started 
a  Fox  which  we  catchd. 

20.  Set  of  from  Colo.  Bassetts  for  Nomony,  crossd  over  to  Clai- 
bornes ;  from  thence  by  Frazer's  Ferry  to  Hobs  hole  dining  at 
Webbs  Ordinary. 

21.  Reachd  my  Brothr.  John's  who  &  his  wife  were  up  the 
Country.     Crossd  over  to  Mr.  Booths. 

22.  Went  to  Church  (Nomony)  &:  returnd  to  Mr  Booths  to  Din- 
ner, who  was  also  from  home  in  Gloucester.  Mr.  Smith,  the 
Parson,  dind  with  us. 

23.  At  Mr  Booth's  all  day  with  Revd.  Mr.  Smith.  My  Carpen- 
ters &  House  People  went  to  work  at  my  Mill  repairing  the 
Dams,  hightening  of  them  &:  opening  the  Race. 

24.  Came  up  to  Pope's  Creek  &  staid  there  all  day. 

'  On  the  7th  he  bought  two  tickets  in  a  raffle  on  her  coach.       '  Jos.  Valentine. 
^  Stopped  at  Mrs.  Campbell's. 


242  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1768 

25.  Got  up  to  my  Brother  Sams  to  Dinner,  found  Mrs.  Washing- 
ton &c.  there. 

26.  Remaind  at  my  Brother  Sams  where  my  Brother  Jno.  came, 
as  also  Mr.  Lawr.  Washington  &c.  to  Dinner. 

27.  Dined  at  Mr.  L.  Washingtons  with  the  Compy.  at  my  Bro. 

28.  Went  to  Boyd's  hole  &  returnd  to  my  Brothers  to  Dinr. 
where  we  found  Colo.  Lewis  &  my  Br.  Charles. 

29.  Went  to  St.  Pauls  church  &:  Dined  at  my  Brothers.  The 
bitch  Chanter  brought  five  Dog  puppies  &  3  Bitch  ditto  which 
were  named  as  follows  :  viz — Forrester,  Sancho,  Ringwood, 
Drunkard,  and  Sautwell — and  Chanter,  Singer  &  Busy. 

30.  Went  fishing  &  dined  under  Mr.  L.  Washington's  store. 

31.  Returnd  home  crossing  at  Hooes  Ferry — through  Port 
Tobacco. 

JUNE. 

1.  Rid  to  Muddy  hole,  Doeg  Run  &  the  Mill.  Upon  looking 
over  my  wheat  I  found  all  those  places  which  had  been  injured 
by  the  March  frosts  extreamely  thin,  low  &  backward,  having 
branched  but  little,  &  looking  puny.  Indeed  in  many  places 
the  Ground  was  entirely  naked  ;  and  where  it  was  not,  there 
was  but  too  much  cause  to  apprehend  that  the  wheat  woud  be 
choaked  with  weeds. 

It  was  also  observable  that  all  my  early  wheat  (generally 
speaking)  was  headed  and  heading  ;  the  common  wheat  was 
but  just  putting  out  head,  &  the  Red  straw  wheat  had  but  very 
little  or  no  appearance  of  head  &  was  lower  than  any  of  the  other 
allthough  first  sewn.  The  heads  of  the  whole  appeard  short  & 
did  not  promise  any  great  increase.  It  was  also  remarkable 
that  the  red  straw  wheat  had  a  great  deal  of  smutty  or 
blasted  heads  in  the  same  manner  it  had  last  year  when  they 
did  put  out. 

2.  Went  into  the  Neck. 

3.  Rid  to  Muddy  hole,  Doeg  Run  &  Mill. 

4.  At  home  all  day  writing. 

5.  Went  to  Church  at  Alexandria  (S:  Dined  at  Colo  Carlyles.  The 
Maryland  hound  bitch  Lady  took  Forrester,  and  was  also 
served  by  Captn.  &  refused  the  Dogs  on  ye  nth.  Finishd 
breaking  up  corn  ground  at  Doeg  Run. 


1768]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  243 

6.  Rid  to  Muddy  hole  and  the  Mill  «Sc  met  with  Doctr.  Rumney 
upon  my  Return  who  dined  here. 

7.  Went  up  to  Alexandria  to  meet  the  Attorney-General  &  re- 
tumd  with  him,  his  Lady  «S:  Daughter,  Miss  Corbin  &  Majr. 
Jenifer. 

8.  At  home  with  the  above  Company.  Colo.  Fairfax,  his  Lady 
&  Miss  Nicholas,  Colo.  West  &  his  wife,  &  Colo.  Carlyle, 
Captn.  Dalton  &  Mr.  Piper — the  three  last  of  whom  stayd  at 
night.  Carpenters  went  to  getting  the  frame  for  my  Bam  at 
the  House. 

g.     The  Attorney  &ca.  went  away,  leavg.  Miss  Nicholas  only  here. 

10.  Rid  to  Muddy  hole,  Doeg  Run  and  the  Mill. 

11.  Rid  to  Ditto,  Ditto  &  Ditto. 

12.  Went  to  Pohick  Church  and  returnd  to  Dinner. 

13.  Went  to  Belvoir  where  Mr.  Selden,  his  Lady  &:c.  were. 

14.  Returnd  home  again  &  found  Mr.  B.  Fairfax  here.  Sent  for 
Doctr.  Rumney  to  Patey  Custis,  who  was  seizd  with  fitts.  Mr. 
M.  Campbell  lodg'd  here. 

15.  Colo.  Fairfax  &  Family,  together  with  Mr.  Selden  &  his 
dind  here  as  also  Dr.  Rumney.     Mr.  B.  Fairfax  went  in  ye  mg. 

16.  Rid  to  the  Mill,  Doeg  Run,  and  M.  hole.  Mr.  Campbell 
came  here  in  ye  Eveng. 

17.  Rid  into  the  Neck  and  to  Muddy  hole.  Finishd  breaking 
up  corn  ground  at  Muddy  hole. 

18.  At  home  all  day  preparg.  Invoices  and  Letters  for  England. 

19.  At  home,  Do.  Do. 

20.  Went  to  Court  and  returnd  at  night. 

21.  Went  up  again  and  stayd  all  night. 

22.  Returnd  home  in  the  afternoon.  About  this  time  Captn. 
Poseys  Bitch  Countess  was  discoverd  lined  to  Dabster,  &  was 
immediately  shut  up  &  none  but  Sterling  suffered  to  go  to  her. 
Musick  was  also  in  heat  &  servd  promiscuously  by  ail  the  Dogs, 
intending  to  drown  her  Puppys. 

23.  At  home  all  day. 

24.  Rid  to  Muddy  hole,  Doeg  Run,  and  the  Mill  before  Dinner, 
&  was  sent  for  by  express  to  come  to  Alexa.  to  settle  and 
arbitrate  an  Acct  between  Mr.  George  West  &  Mr.  Chas.  Alex- 
ander with  Mr.  Thomson  Mason  &  Mr  Ellzey. 


244  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1768 

25.  Returnd  home,  &  remaind  there  all  day.  Doctr.  Rumney 
came  in  the  afternoon  &  stayd  all  night.  The  Carpenters 
finishd  getting  the  Frame  for  the  Barn  at  my  House. 

26.  At  home.     Doctr.  Rumney  went  away  in  the  afternoon. 

27.  At  home.  Colo.  Fairfax  &  his  Lady  dind  here,  &  returnd 
in  ye  aftern. 

28.  Set  of  for  and  reachd  Fredericksburg.  Began  to  cut  the 
upper  part  of  my  Timothy  Meadow. 

29.  Rid  round  and  examind  the  wheat  fields  there,  which  were 
fine. 

30.  Went  to  Mr.  Bouchers,  dind  there  and  left  Jackey  Custis — 
returnd  to  Fredericksburg  in  the  aftern. 

JULY. 

I  St.  Went  over  to  Stafford  Court  House  to  a  meeting  of  the 
Missisipi.'  dined  and  lodged  there. 

2.  Dined  at  Dumfries  and  reached  home.     Finishd  going  over 

my  Corn  ground  in  the  neck,  both  with  the  Plows  &  Hoes. 

3.  At  home  all  day. 

4.  Rid  to  see  my  wheat  at  differt.  Places.  Doctr.  Rumney 
came  here  in  the  aftern.  Began  to  cut  my  wheat  at  the  Mill, 
but  upon  Examination,  finding  it  too  green,  desisted.  Note. 
Upon  looking  into  my  wheat  the  Rust  was  observed  to  be  more 
or  less  in  it  all,  but  except  some  at  Doeg  Run  it  was  thought 
no  great  damage  woud  follow  as  the  wheat  was  rather  too 
forward. 

5.  Went  to  Muddy  hole  with  Doctr.  Rumney  to  see  the  Cradlers 
at  work.  Jonathan  Farmer  coming  down  last  night  &:  exam- 
ining my  wheat  to  day,  was  of  opinion  that  some  Muddy  hole 
field  was  fit,  at  least  might  be  cut  with  safety,  accordingly 
began  it  with  himself,  3  other  white  men  c^  negroe  cradlers, 
letting  the  grain  lye  upon  the  stubble  abt.  2  days  to  dry. 

6.  Rid  to  Muddy  hole  and  Doeg  Run  after  Dr.  Rumney  went 
away.     When  I  returnd  found  Mr.  William  Lee  &  Dr.  Lee  here. 

'  In  September  1763.  I  iincl  .in  entry  of  a  niectinti;  of  tlie  "  Missisipi  Adven- 
ture," at  which  Washington  advanced  £%.  15.  o  as  liis  quota  of  money.  Meet 
ings  were  also  held  in  November  1765  and  December  1767.  William  Lee  was 
interested  in  it. 


1768]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  245 

7.  ^[r.  Lee  went  away — Mr.  Darnel  &:  Daughter — Mr.  Geo. 
Digges  &:  his  two  eldest  sisters  came  here  &:  stayed  all  night. 

8.  Dr.  Lee  &  all  the  rest  went  away  &  I  rid  to  the  Cradlers 
(cutting  my  wheat  at  the  mill.)  Began  to  cut  the  wheat  at 
the  Mill  in  the  Field  round  the  Overseers  House  which  was 
cut  and  abt.  4  acres  in  the  other  this  day  by  10  and  sometimes 
II  cradlers  which  were  all  that  worked — amounting  in  ye  whole 
to  abt.  40  acres. 

9.  Rid  to  Muddy  hole  the  Mill  and  Doeg  Run  before  Dinner, 
&  to  the  Mill  afterwards — where  my  People  was  harvesting. 
Six  and  sometimes  7  Cradlers,  cut  the  remainder  of  the  field 
(abt.  28  acres)  on  this  side  today.  The  wheat  at  Muddy  hole 
was  (that  is,  all  that  was  cut  down)  got  into  shocks  by  11 
oclock  to  day,  and  abt.  ^  of  the  field  round  the  Overseers 
House  at  the  Mill.    Pulld  the  Flax  at  Muddy  hole. 

10.  Went  to  Church  and  retumd  to  Dinner. 

11.  Rid  to  Muddy  hole  where  three  white  men  were  cradling, 
&  then  to  the  Mill  where  we  were  getting  in  wheat.  Mr. 
Chichester  with  his  wife,  Miss  S.  McCart\-  &  Dr.  Rumney 
came.  Pulld  the  flax  at  Home.  Got  in  the  most  of  the  mill 
wheat  but  was  prevented  finishing  by  rain.  Three  white  men 
(cradlers)  cut  down  abt.  10  or  12  acres  of  Muddy  hole  wheat. 

12.  Rid  to  Muddy  hole  before  breakfast  where  all  hands  were 
harvesting  the  wheat.  The  company  went  away.  Hands  went 
to  Muddy  hole  and  finishd  harvesting  the  wheat  there,  that 
is,  cutting  and  securing  it  in  shocks. 

13.  Went  into  the  Xeck  where  I  this  day  began  my  Harvest. 
Colo.  Fairfax  &  Doctr.  Lee  dind  here  and  returnd.  Some 
hands  went  &:  got  the  Residue  of  the  Mill  wheat  into  the 
House.  &  all  the  rest  with  the  Cradlers  went  into  the  Xeck  & 
cut  down  (Sc  securd  little  more  than  20  acres  of  wheat. 

14.  Attended  at  the  Xeck  again.  The  hands  from  the  Mill 
joind  the  others  &:  altogether  finishd  the  Cut  of  wheat  (con- 
taining 50  acres)  at  the  Orchard  point,  great  part  of  which  was 
very  thick,  Rank  &  heavy  cuttg. 

15.  Went  over  again  &  drove  back  by  Rain  about  one  oclock, 
which  continued  all  the  afternoon.  Began  cuttg.  the  wheat  next 
to  it  on  the  River  side — abt.  one  o'clock  was  stop'd  by  Rain. 


246  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1768 

16.  Went  by  Muddy  hole  &  Doeg  Run  to  the  Vestry  at  Pohick 
Church — stayd  there  till  half  after  3  o'clock  &  only  4  members 
coming  returnd  by  Captn  McCarty  &  dined  there.  Finishd 
this  cut  &  began  the  one  next  to  the  House.  This  day  it  also 
raind  &  stopd  the  Harvest  abt.  an  hour  or  two. 

17.  At  home  all  day.  Dischargd  three  Cradlers  keepg.  only 
Jonathan  Palmer  &  Eliab  Roberts. 

18.  In  the  Neck  with  my  People  harvesting.  Nine  Cradlers  at 
work  including  ye  two  white  men. 

19.  In  Ditto  with  Ditto.  Mr.  Richard  Graham  came  here  in 
the  afternoon. 

20.  In  Ditto  with  Ditto,  in  the  Forenoon  ;  in  the  afternoon  went 
with  them  to  cut  the  wheat  at  Doeg  Run.  Abt.  1 1  o'clock  fin- 
ishd harvesting  the  wheat  in  the  Neck  ;  that  is,  cutting  it  down 
&  securing  it  in  shocks.  In  the  whole,  allowing  for  the  time  lost 
by  Rain  we  were  six  days  doing  it.  About  2  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon  began  to  cut  the  Field  at  Doeg  Run  containing  150 
acres  with  10  Cradlers — 3  of  them  sorry  hands. 

21.  Went  to  the  harvest  field  at  Ditto.  Finishd  one  quarter  of 
the  above  field  abt.  2  o'clock.  Note.  This  cut  was,  in  places, 
greatly  injured  by  the  Rust. 

22.  Rid  to  ditto  in  the  forenoon  with  my  wife  &  Patey  Custis, 
About  2  o'clock  finish'd  another  cut  in  this  field  being  of  the 
same  size  as  the  last.  This  was  also  injured  by  Rust,  as  well 
as  by  the  frosts. 

23.  Rid  to  ditto  in  the  forenoon  where  I  met  with  one  Russel,  a 
Tenant  of  mine  upon  the  land  I  bought  of  Carter's  Estate, 
coming  down  to  see  upon  what  terms  he  coud  get  the  Land. 
At  12  o'clock  finishd  the  third  cut  of  37^  acres  at  Doeg  Run 
&  clapd  into  the  last  one. 

24.  Went  to  Pohick  Church. 

25.  Went  to  Alexandria  (Sr  bought  a  Brick  layer '  from  Mr. 
Piper  &  returnd  to  Dinner.  In  the  afternoon  Mr.  R.  Alex- 
ander come.  Finished  the  last  cut  abt.  one  oclock  this  day 
(Monday),  part  of  wch.  was  much  hurt  by  the  Rust,  &  cut 
down  the  small  ])ieces  at  home  cS:  securd  it.     Note.     From  the 


•  Micliael  'I'reacy,  for  w  liom  he  paid  ;^i8.  4. 


1768]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  247 

most  accurate  experiments  I  coud  make  this  year  upon  wheat 
siezd  with  the  Rust  before  it  is  fully  formd  &  beginning  to 
Harden,  it  appears  to  be  a  matter  of  very  little  consequence 
whether  it  is  cut  down  so  soon  as  it  is  seizd  with  this  distemper 
(I  mean  the  parts  of  the  field  that  are  so),  or  suffered  to  stand  ; 
for  in  either  case  the  grain  perishes  &  has  little  or  no  flower  in 
it,  that  indeed  wch.  is  sufferd  to  stand  may  gain  a  little  &  but 
a  little  in  respect  to  the  grain  &  the  other  in  respect  to  the 
straw  so  that  I  think  it  is  nearly  equal  wch.  of  the  two  methods 
is  followed.  Note  also,  from  this  year's  experiments,  it  appears 
certain  that  wheat  may  be  cut  down  (suffering  it  to  take  a  day 
or  two  sun)  much  sooner  than  it  generally  is.  I  took  wheat  of 
three  differt.  degrees  of  Ripeness,  i.  e.  some  whose  straw  and 
head  was  green  (but  the  grain  of  full  size  and  milky)  ;  some 
whose  straw  from  the  upper  joint  was  coloring  ;  and  some 
that  the  straw  from  the  said  joint  was  cold,  but  the  knots  (at  ye 
joints)  Green,  &  observed  after  they  had  lain  2  or  3  days  in  ye 
sun  that  the  grain  of  the  first  was  but  little  shrunk,  the  2d  scarce 
perceptable,  &  the  last  plump  &  full  by  wch.  it  evidently 
appears  that  to  cut  wheat  knot  green  is  not  only  safe  but  the 
most  desirable  state  it  can  be  cut  in,  &  that  where  there  is  a 
large  qty.  the  question  is  whether  it  may  not  be  better  to  begin 
while  the  wheat  is  coloring  from  the  upper  joint  as  the  grain 
will  lose  but  little  (if  any)  than  to  cut  it  in  an  over  ripe  state 
when  it  may  loose  a  good  deal  more  by  shattering.  For  my 
part  I  am  clear  it  is  better  to  cut  it  green  &  shall  have  no 
reluctance  to  practise  where  the  whole  cannot  be  cut  at  the 
exact  period  one  woud  choose  it. 

26.  Rid  with  Mr.  Alexander  to  my  Meadow  &:  returnd  with  him 
to  Dinner.  Mr.  Yal.  Crawford  here.  They  went  away.  Be- 
gan to  cut  my  Timothy  Meadow. 

27.  Rid  to  the  Meadow  again.  Val.  Crawford  &  his  Br.  Wm. 
came  this  afternoon. 

28.  Went  to  the  Meadow  with  ye  above  two  about  the  27  and 
28  sowed  some  Turnep  seed  in  Corn  Ground  at  Morris's,  that 
is  at  Doeg  Run  Plann. 

29.  But  little  wind,  that  southwardly  ;  very  warm.  Rid  to  the 
Meadow  in  ye  afternn.     Writg.  in  ye.  Evng. 


248  THE  WRITINGS  OF   -  [1768 

30.  Rid  into  the  Neck  and  from  thence  to  Doeg  Run  where  we 
were  Hay  makg.  Colo.  Carlyle  &  Lady  came  last  N  :  &  went 
to  day.  Went  to  Alexa.  Church.  Dind  at  Colo.  Carlyle's  Sc 
returnd  in  the  afternoon.  Memm.  on  the  30th  of  this  month 
I  agreed  with  Jonathan  Palmer  to  come  and  work  with  my 
carpenters  ;  either  at  their  trade — cowpering — or  in  short  at 
any  thing  that  he  may  be  set  about.  In  consideration  of  which 
I  am  to  pay  him  ;^40.  pr.  ann  :  allow  him  400  lbs.  of  meat  & 
20  Bushels  of  Indian  Corn.  I  am  also  to  allow  him  to  keep 
two  milch  cows  (one  half  of  whose  Increase  I  am  to  have) 
and  to  have  wheat  for  which  he  is  to  pay  ;  he  is  to  be  al- 
lowed a  garden  &  I  am  to  get  the  old  dwelling  House  at 
Muddy  hole  repaird  for  him.  I  am  also  to  take  his  waggon  at 
;^i7,  if  he  brings  it  free  from  damage  and  it  is  no  older  than 
he  says — that  is  about  a  12  month.  Note.  He  is  to  be  here  as 
early  as  possible  in  April,  if  not  in  March. 

AUGUST. 

1.  Went  to  Belvoir  &  dined,  returnd  in  the  afternoon.  Began 
to  tread  out  wheat  at  the  mill.  Also  began  to  draw  it  in  the 
neck. 

2.  Rid  to  the  Mill,  Doeg  Run  and  Muddy  hole.  Miss  Manly 
dind  here,  &  Mr.  Alexander  came  in  the  evening. 

3.  Mr.  Alexander  &  Miss  Manly  went  away.  Rid  to  the  Mill  & 
Muddy  hole. 

4.  Went  a  fox  hunting  in  the  Neck  with  Lund  Washington  & 
Mr.  Thos.  Triplet.  Started  nothing.  Began  to  draw  it  in 
(that  is  to  carry  it  from  the  field  on  this  side  the  Run  over 
to  the  Barn)  with  only  my  ox  cart  at  Doeg  R. 

5.  Went  to  Muddy  hole,  the  mill  &:  Doeg  Run.  Plantations  to 
a  Race  at  Cameron.  Returnd  in  the  evening.  Began  to  cut 
my  Timothy  seed,  there.     Getting  wheat  in  at  Muddy  hole. 

6.  At  home  all  day.  The  Hound  Bitch  Lady  brought  four 
puppys,  that  is  3  dogs  and  a  bitch,  distinguished  by  the  fol- 
lowing names  :  viz  :  that  with  the  most  black  spots,  Vulcan  ; 
the  other  black  spotted  Dog,  Searcher ;  the  Red  spotted 
Dog,  Rover — and  the  red  si)otted  bitch,  Sweetlips. 

7.  Ditto.     Ditto. 


1768]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  249 

8.  Went  a  fox  hunting  but  started  nothing.  Visited  Plantations 
in  the  Neck  &  Mill.  Sowed  Turnep  seed  at  home,  in  the 
Neck  and  at  Muddy  hole  Plann.  Began  to  sow  wheat  at  the 
Mill  &  at  Doeg's  Run. 

9.  At  home  all  day. 

10.  Rid  to  the  mill,  Doeg  Run  and  Muddy  hole  and  returned  to 
Dinner.     Sowed  Turnep  at  the  Mill. 

11.  Rid  to  the  same  places  as  yesterday  &:  returnd  to  Dinner, 
Began  to  beat  cyder  at  Doeg  Run,  Muddy  hole  &  in  the 
Neck. 

12.  Rid  to  Muddy  hole,  Doeg  Run  and  Mill,  &  returnd  to 
Dinner  when  I  found  Doctr.  Rumney. 

13.  The  hounds  havg.  started  a  Fox  in  self  huntg.,  we  followed 
&  run  it  after  sevl.  hours  chase  into  a  hold  when  digging  it 
out  it  escapd.     Ye  Doctr.  went  home. 

14.  At  home.  Mrs.  Fairfax  &  Miss  Nicholas  came  in  the  after- 
noon. 

15.  Went  to  Court.  Mr.  Igns.  Digges,  Mr.  Lee  and  Mr.  Hill 
came  here.     Set  in  to  sowing  wheat  at  Muddy  hole. 

16.  At  home  wdth  the  above  Gentlemen.  Mrs.  Fairfax  &  Miss 
Nicholas  went  home  after  Dinner. 

17.  Dined  at  Belvoir  with  the  above  Gentlemen,  &  returnd  in 
the  afternoon. 

18.  Rid  round  all  my  Plantations  after  the  above  Gentlemen 
went  away. 

19.  At  home.     Settled  &  paid  the  Sheriff. 

20.  Set  of  for  my  Brother  Sam's  &  Nomony  crossd  at  ye  Mouth 
of  Naugemy  &  went  to  my  Brothers. 

21.  At  my  Brothers.  Colo.  Lewis  &  my  Brothr.  Charles  came 
there. 

22.  Still  at  my  Brothers  with  other  Company,  his  child  being 
christned. 

23.  Hawling  the  sein  under  Mr.  Laurence  Washington's  shore. 

24.  Imbarkd  on  board  my  schooner  for  Nomony,  lay  of  Captn, 
Laidler's. 

25.  Hawling  the  sein  upon  the  Bar  of  Cedar  Point  for  sheeps- 
heads,  but  catchd  none,  run  down  below  ye  Mouth  of  Macho- 
dack  &  came  to. 


250  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1768 

26.  Reachd  my  Brother  John's  at  night.  Finishd  drawing  in 
&  securing  my  wheat  in  the  Neck. 

27.  Hawling  the  sein  upon  Hollis's  marsh  Bar  &  elsewhere  for 
sheeps  heads,  but  catchd  none. 

28.  Went  to  Nomony  church  &  returnd  to  my  Brothers  to 
dinner. 

29.  Went  into  Machodack  Ck.  fishing  and  dind  with  the  Revd, 
Mr.  Smith.     Began  to  sow  wheat  at  the  Neck. 

30.  Hawling  the  sein  on  the  Bars  near  Holl's  marsh  &  other 
places. 

31.  Dind  with  Mr.  Jno.  Smith  who  was  maryed  yesterday  to 
the  Widow  Lee. 

SEPTEMBER. 

1.  Set  out  from  Nomony  in  my  return  to  Chotauck — lodgd  on 
board  the  Vessel  between  Swan  Point  &  Cedr.  P. 

2.  Came  up  as  high  as  Hoes  ferry  &  walkd  to  my  Brother  Sams. 

3.  Went  to  Mr.  John  Stiths  &  din'd  there,  returnd  in  the 
afternoon. 

4.  Went  to  Church,  dind  at  Colo.  Harrison  &  returnd  to  my 
Brs.  in  ye  afternoon. 

5.  Crossd  over  to  the  lower  point  of  Naugemy  where  I  met  my 
chariot  &  returnd  home. 

6.  Went  in  the  Forenoon  to  the  Mill,  Doeg  Run  &  Muddy  hole, 
in  the  afternoon  paid  a  visit  to  Majr.  Fairfax  (Brother  to  Lord 
Fx)  at  Belvoir.  My  ox  cart  finished  drawing  in  the  wheat  at 
Doeg  Run,  but  during  this  time  it  was  employed  in  getting 
home  the  Cyder  from  all  the  Plantations. 

7.  Dined  at  Belvoir  with  Mrs.  W —  &c. 

8.  Went  to  a  Ball  in  Alexandria. 

9.  Proceeded  to  the  Meeting  of  our  Vestry  at  the  New  Church 
and  lodgd  at  Captn.  Edwd.  Paynes. 

10.  Returnd  home  &  dind  at  Belvoir  with  Lord  Fairfax,  &c. 

11.  At  home  all  day. 

12.  Lord  Fairfax  &  his  Brother  &  Colo.  Fairfax  &  Mr.  B.  Fair- 
fax dind  here — the  latter  stayd  all  night 

13.  Went  fox  huntg.  with  Lord  Fairfax,  Colo.  Fairfax  &  B. 
Fairfax.     Catchd  nothg. 


1768]  GEORGE  WASHINGTOX.  251 

14.  Mr.  B:  Fairfax  &  myself  went  a  huntg.  started  a  Fox  &: 
run  it  into  a  hole  but  did  not  catch  it.  Finishd  sowing  the 
second  cut  of  wheat  in  the  Neck  which  compleated  the  half 
of  the  corn  ground  there. 

15.  Dined  at  Belvoir  with  Colo.  Robt  Burwell. 

16.  Went  into  the  Neck — returnd  to  dinner.  Anointed  all  my 
Hounds  (as  well  old  Dogs  as  Puppies)  which  appeard  to  have 
the  Mange  with  Hogs  Lard  &  Brimstone. 

17.  At  home.  Colo.  Robt  Burwell,  Mr  Grymes  &  Colo.  Fairfax 
dind  here.  Ye  latter  went  home  in  the  Evening.  Got  done 
sowing  wheat  at  Doeg  Run.  Sowed  92  J^  Bushels.  The  Hound 
Bitch  Mopsey  going  proud,  was  lind  by  my  water  dog  Pilot 
before  it  was  discoverd — after  which  she  was  shut  up  with  a 
hound  dog.  Old  Harry. 

18.  Colo.  &  Mrs.  Fairfax  dined  &  and  lodgd  here.  My  Schooner 
Sailed  for  Suffolk  for  a  load  of  Shingles. 

19.  Went  to  Court  with  Colo.  Bunvell  &c. 

20.  Colo.  Burwell  &c.  went  away  to  Belvoir,  &  Mrs.  Washington 
&  ye  two  childn.  were  up  to  Alexandria  to  see  the  Inconstant 
or  way  to  win  him  acted. 

21.  Stayd  in  Town  all  day  &  saw  the  Tragedy  of  Douglas  playd. 

22.  Came  home  in  the  forenoon.  Spread  my  Flax  for  Rotting 
at  the  Home  House. 

23.  Went  a  fox  hunting  &  catchd  a  Bitch  Fox  after  abt.  2  Hours 
chase.     Finishd  sowing  the  third  cut  of  wheat  in  the  Neck. 

24.  At  home  all  day.  Colo.  Henry  Lee  &  Lady  &  Miss  Ballen- 
dine  came  to  dinner  &  stayd  all  night. 

25.  At  home.     The  above  Company  went  away  after  Breakfast. 

26.  Went  Fox  huntg  in  the  Neck.  Started  &  run  up  a  Fox  or 
Foxes  3  Hours  &  then  lost. 

27.  Rid  to  Muddy  hole,  Doeg  Run  &  Mill— Spread  Flax  for 
Rotting  at  Doeg  Run.     Began  to  cut  Tops  at  Doeg  Run. 

28.  Dined  at  Colo.  Fairfaxs  and  returnd  in  the  afternoon.  Finishd 
sowing  wheat  at  Muddy  hole  :  the  field  took  106  Bushls.  to  Sow. 

29.  Went  to  a  Purse  Race  at  Accatinck  &:  returnd  with  Messrs. 
Robt.  and  George  Alexander. 

30.  At  Home  all  day.  After  Dinner  Mr.  Geo  Alexander  went 
away,  the  other  (Robt.)  stayd. 


252  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1768 


OCTOBER. 

1.  Fox  hunting  back  of  Mr.  Barry's  with  Mr.  Robt.  Alexander, 
Mr.  Manley  &  Captn.  Posey.  Started  &  catchd  a  bitch  Fox. 
The  hound  Bitch  Tipsey  was  lind  by  ye  little  spaniel  dog, 
Pompey,  before  she  was  shut  up  in  the  House  with  old  Harry. 

2.  At  home.  Mr.  Alexander  went  away  before  breakfast.  Mr. 
Stedlar  remd  all  day. 

3.  Clear  &  pleasant  with  Very  little  wind.  Rid  to  Muddy  hole 
&  Doeg  Run.     Miss  Sally  Carlyle  came  here. 

4.  Went  into  the  Neck,  &  up  the  Creek  after  Blew  wings.  Fin- 
ishd  sowing  wheat  at  the  Mill,  which  field  took  75  Bushels. 

5.  Went  to  Alexandria  after  an  early  dinner  to  see  a  ship  (the 
Jenny)  launched,  but  was  disappointed  &  came  home.  Finishd 
sowing  in  the  Neck,  this  field  took  216  Bushels,  which  makes 
the  quantities  sowed  as  follows  :  viz 


at  Doeg  Run 

92I  bushels 

Muddy  hole 

io6| 

Mill 

75 

Neck 

216 

/I  no 

Began  getting  Fodder  at  the  Mill 

6.  Went  up  again,  saw  the  ship  Launchd,  stayd  all  night  to  a 
Ball  &  set  up  all  night.     Began  getting  Fodder  at  the  Neck. 

7.  Came  in  the  morning  &  remaind.  Mr.  Townd.  Dade  (of 
Chopk.)  came  here. 

8.  Went  Fox  huntg.  (in  ye  Neck)  in  the  forenoon.  Started  but 
catchd  nothing,  &  in  the  afternoon  went  up  the  Ck.  after  Blew 
wings,  killd  7  or  8. 

9.  At  home  all  day.     Mr.  Dade  went  away. 

10.  Rid  to  Muddy  hole,  Doeg  Run  &  the  Mill.  Captn.  McCabe 
dindhere. 

11.  At  home  all  day  alone.  Sowed  apple  ])ummice  in  the  new 
Garden,  from  Crab  apples. 

12.  Rid  to  Muddy  hole,  Doeg  Run  &  Mill  in  the  forenoon,  in  the 
afternoon  went  into  the  Neck. 

13.  Went  fox  hunting  and  catchd  a  Bitch  fox  after  two  hours 
chase. 

14.  Went  into  the  Neck  in  the  forenoon. 


i76a]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  253 

15.  Went  a  hunting  with  Captn.  Posey  &  Ld.  Washington. 
Catchd  a  Bitch  Fox  after  a  chase  of  i  Hour  and  10  Minutes. 
Finishd  cutting  (but  not  securing)  Fodder  at  Doeg  Run  Quar- 
ters.    Did  the  same  also  at  Muddy  hole. 

16.  Went  to  Pohick  Church.  Dined  at  Captn.  McCarty's  &  came 
home  at  night,  Doctr.  Rumney  who  came  here  last  night  went 
away  this  morning  &  Mr.  Ramsay  &  Mr.  Adams  came  here  at 
night. 

17.  At  Home  all  day.  Messrs.  Ramsay  &  Adams  went  home 
this  Evening. 

18.  Rid  to  Muddy  hole,  Doeg  Run  &  the  Mill. 

19.  Set  of  on  my  Journey  to  Williamsburg  &  reachd  Colo. 
Henry  Lees  to  Dinner. 

20.  Detaind  there  all  day  by  Rain. 

21.  Reachd  Fredericksburg,  found  Warren  Washington  &  Ca. 
there. 

22.  Dined  at  Parkers  Ordy.  &  lodgd  at  Mr.  Benja.  Hubbards, 
Colo.  Lewis  also. 

23.  Dined  at  the  Causey  &  got  to  Colo.  Bassetts. 

24.  Dined  at  Josh.  Valentine's  sent  Chairs  &  Horses  over  James 
River,  &  lodgd  in  Wms.burg  ourselves. 

25.  Crossd  James  River,  &  by  Rain  was  forcd  to  lodge  at  one 
Captn.  Stowey  (or  Stowe's). 

26.  Breakfasted  in  Suffolk,  dined  &  lodgd  in  ye  Dismal  Swamp 
at  Jno.  Washingtons. 

27.  Went  up  to  our  Plantation  at  Northfleets  in  Carolina  &: 
retumd  in  ye  afternoon. 

28.  Went  into  the  Pond  with  Colo.  Lewis,  Majr.  Reddick  &  Jno. 
Washington,  &  at  Night  went  to  ye  Majrs. 

29.  Got  to  Smithfield  in  return  to  Wms.burg. 

30.  Set  out  early  ;  breakfasted  at  Hog  Island  and  dined  inWms. 

31.  Dined  at  the  Mayor's  Entt.  of  the  Govr.  in  Ditto. 

NOVEMBER. 

1.  In  Williamsburg.  Dined  at  the  Speakers,  with  many  Gentlemen. 

2.  In  Ditto,  dined  at  the  Attorney  Genls.  with  Lord  Botetourt 
(ye  Govr.)  &  many  other  Gentlemen. 

3.  In  Ditto.     Dined  at  Mrs.  Dawson's. 


254  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1768 


In  Ditto.  Dined  with  several  Gentlemen  at  Ayscoughs. 
Colo.  Byrds  Lottery  began  drawing.' 

Dined  at  Mrs.  Campbells,  where  I  had  spent  all  my  Evenings, 
since  I  came  to  Town. 

Left  Williamsburg  &  Dined  &  lodgd  at  Colo.  Bassetts. 

Set  out  for  home  with  Betsey  Dandridge.  Dined  at  King  Wm, 
Court  Ho.  &  lodgd  at  Mr.  Wm.  Ayletts. 

Dined  at  Parkers  and  lodgd  at  Fredericksburg. 

Reached  home  in  about  7  Hours  &  an  half,  found  Doctr. 
Rumy.  &  Miss  Ramy.  here. 

10.  At  Home  all  day.  The  Doctr.  and  Miss  Ramsey  went  home. 

11.  Rid  to  Muddy  hole,  Doeg  run  and  the  Neck.  Mr.  Mago- 
wan  &  Mr.  Stedlar  came  to  Dinner  as  Mr.  R.  Alexr.  did  in  ye 
aftern. 

12.  Went  Fox  huntg.  in  the  Neck.  Started  &  was  run  out  of 
hearg.  of  the  Dogs,  owing  to  the  wind.  Whether  they  catchd 
or  not  is  not  known. 

13.  Went  to  Pohick  Church  &  dined  at  Home  with  Mr.  Ths. 
Triplet,  H.  Manley  &  Mr.  Peake. 

14.  Rid  to  Muddy  hole  &  all  my  Plantns.  Began  to  gather  corn 
at  Muddy  hole  and  in  the  Neck. 

15.  Went  to  Fox  hunting  in  the  Neck,  catchd  a  bitch  fox,  after 
an  hour  and  40  minutes  chase. 

16.  Went  to  Colo.  Fairfaxs  &  dined  with  Mrs.  Wm  &  Miss  Dan- 
dridge. returnd  in  ye  aftn. 

17.  Went  up  to  a  Race  by  Mr.  Beckwiths  &  lodgd  at  Mr.  Edwd. 
Paynes. 

18.  Returned  home,  breakfasted  at  Capt.  McCartys  &  came  by 
the  Mill  cv  Muddy  hole. 

19.  At  home  all  day,  alone. 

20.  At  home  all  day  alone. 

21.  Went  up  to  Court  and  returnd  in  the  evening  with  my 
Brothr.  John.  Measurd  the  cut  of  corn  in  the  Neck,  adjoing 
to  the  Gate,  the  contents  of  which  was  


'  A  lottery  ticket  of  this  year  read  as  follows  : 

"This  ticket  (No.  274)  shall  entitle   the   I'osessor  to  whatever   Prize  may 
happen  to  be  drawn  against  its  number  in  the  Mountain  Road  Lottery. 

"G.  Washington." 


1768]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  255 

22.  Went  a  fox  huntg.  with  Lord  Fairfax  &  Colo.  Fairfax,  &  my 
Br.     Catchd  2  Foxes.     Began  to  gather  corn  at  the  Mill. 

23.  Went  a  huntg.  again  with  Lord  Fairfax  &  his  Brother,  &  Col. 
Fairfax.     Catchd  nothing  that  we  knew  of.    A  fox  was  started. 

24.  Mr.  Robt.  Alexander  here  ;  Went  into  the  Neck. 

25.  Mr.  Bryan  Fairfax,  as  also  Messrs.  Grayson  &  Phil.  Alexan- 
der, came  here  by  sunrise.  Hunted  &  catchd  a  fox  with  these 
&  my  Lord  his  Bro.  &  Colo.  Fairfax,  all  of  whom  with  Mrs.  Fx. 
&  Mr.  Wetson  (?)  of  Engd  dined  here. 

26.  Hunted  again  in  the  above  Compa.  but  catchd  nothing. 

27.  Went  to  Church. 

28.  Went  to  the  Vestry  at  Pohick  Church. 

29.  Went  a  Huntg.  with  Lord  Fairfax  &c.     Catchd  a  Fox. 

30.  At  home  all  day.  Colo.  Mason  &  Mr.  Cockbume  came  in  the 
evening. 

DECEMBER. 

1.  Went  to  the  Election  of  Burgesses  for  this  County  &  was 
there,  with  Colo.  West  chosen.'  Stayd  all  Night  to  a  Ball  wch. 
I  had  given. 

2.  Returnd  home  after  dinner,  accompanied  by  Colo.  Mason,  Mr. 
Cockburn  &  Messrs.  Henderson  Ross  &  Lawson, 

3.  Went  a  fox  huntg.  in  Company  with  Lord  &  Colo.  Fairfax, 
Captn.  McCarty  &  Messrs.  Henderson  &  Ross.  Started  nothing. 
My  Br.  came  in  ye  afternoon. 

4.  At  Home  all  day. 

5.  Fox  hunting  with  Lord  Fairfax  &  his  Brothr.  &  Colo.  Fairfax. 
Started  a  Fox  &  lost  it.  dined  at  Belvoir  &  came  in  ye  Evg. 

6      Rid  to  Muddy  hole,  Doeg  Run  &  Mill. 

7.  At  home  all  day,  alone. 

8.  Fox  huntg.  with  Lord  Fairfax  «S:  Brothr.  &  Colo.  Fairfax,  all  of 
whom  dind  here.     Started  nothing. 

9.  Rid  to  Muddy  hole,  Doeg  Run  &  ye  Mill. 

10.  Went  a  fox  hunting  in  the  Neck  &  catchd  a  fox  ;  afterwards 
went  to  the  Plantatins  there.  Dr.  Rumney  come  to  Dr.  &  Mr. 
Alexr.  in  ye  Evg. 

'  1768.    Atanelectionof  Burgesses  for  Fairfax  County  held  December  i,  1768, 
Washington  received  iSsvotes,  Col.  John  West,  142,  and  Captain  John  Posey,  87. 


256  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1768 

11.  They  went  away  after  breakfast.     Alone  aftd. 

12.  Rid  to  the  Mill,  Doeg  Run  &  Muddy  hole.  Miss  Carlyle  & 
Miss  Dalton  came  here. 

13.  Set  of  about  12  o'clock  for  Towlston  to  hunt  with  Mr.  Bryan 
Fairfax.     Got  there  in  the  afternn.     Killd  Hogs. 

14.  Stayd  there  all  day,  in  the  Evg.  went  to  see  his  new  mill. 

15.  Returnd  home,  by  the  way  (that  is  near  Muddy  hole)  started 
&  catchd  a  Fox. 

16.  At  home  all  day.  Jacky  Custis  came  home  from  Mr. 
Bouchers. 

17.  Rid  out  with  my  Gun,  but  killd  nothg.  Mary  Wilson  came 
to  live  here  as  a  Ho.  keeper  at  15/  pr  month. 

18.  At  home  all  day.  Miss  Sally  Carlyle  &  Miss  Betey  Dalton 
went  away  &  Mr.  Stedlar  came. 

19.  Went  up  to  Court  &  returnd  at  night. 

20.  At  home  all  day.    \ 

21.  Ditto       Ditto     \      Snowing 

22.  Ditto      Ditto     ) 

23.  Went  a  Pheasant  Huntg.,  carried  hounds  &  they  started  &: 
followd  a  Deer. 

24.  Rid  to  the  Mill  &  Doeg  Run. 

25.  At  home  all  day. 

26.  Ditto.       do.  L.  W — n  set  of  for  Staffd. 

27.  Ditto       do.  except  shooting  between  breakfast  &  dinner. 

28.  At  home  all  day  alone. 

29.  Went  a  fox  hunting — started  one  but  did  not  catch  it.  In 
the  afternoon  Messrs.  Dalton,  Piper,  &  Riddell  came  here, 
also  Mr.  Magowan. 

30.  At  home  with  them  all  day. 

31.  Went  a  hunting  &  catchd  a  bitch  fox,  the  above  Gentlemn. 
with  me.* 


'  "  Having  discontinued  the  j^rowth  of  tob.icco  myself,  except  at  a  plantation 
or  two  ii])on  York  River,  I  make  no  more  of  that  article  than  barely  serves  to 
furnish  me  with  goods." — To  Capfl  ^  Osi:;ood  Hunbury,  5  May,  1768. 

"  I  can  aflTirm  with  equal  truth  that  T  have  lost  (at  least)  four  years  out  of  five 
l)y  my  consignments,  having  better  ])riccs  offered  in  the  country  than  my  tobacco 
has  sold  for  in  England,  which  is  not  only  discouraging,  but  almost  sufficient  to 


1768]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  257 


TO    REV.    JONATHAN    BOUCHER/ 

30  May,  1768. 

Rev.  Sir, 

Mr.  Magowan  who  lived  several  years  in  my  family, 
a  tutor  to   Master  Custis  (my  son-in-law  and  ward,) 

bring  about  a  change  in  the  system  of  my  management." — To  Robert  Cary,  20 
June  1768. 

' '  The  more  aggravating  circumstances  attending  the  disappointment  are  that 
scarce  any  of  the  sacks  [of  salt]  contained  four  bushels  (which  I  conceive  they 
ought  to  have  done)  and  not  one  of  the  bags  worth  a  shilling,  nor  ever  covdd  be 
so,  no  two  being  alike,  some  extremely  wide,  others  very  narrow,  and  all,  or 
mostly  all,  made  of  old  slaizy,  and  patched  cloth."  He  had  ordered  the  salt  to 
get  some  good  bags. — To  James  Gildart,  25  June,  1768. 

1  Jonathan  Boucher  was  bom  in  England,  migrated  to  Port  Royal  in  1759, 
and  in  1762  became  rector  of  the  parish  in  King  George  County,  removing 
shortly  after  to  St.  Mary's.  He  established  a  school  in  his  house  and  among 
his  pupils  was  John  Parke  Custis.  At  this  time  he  was  a  constant  and  volum- 
inous correspondent  of  Washington,  but  on  the  advent  of  the  Revolution  he 
became  a  loyalist,  and,  as  such,  a  severe  critic  of  Washington's  conduct.  It 
is  in  the  light  of  that  position  that  the  following  extract  from  his  autobiogra- 
phy must  be  read.  "  Mr.  Washington  was  the  second  of  five  sons  of  parents 
distinguished  neither  for  their  rank  nor  fortune.  Laurence,  their  eldest  son, 
became  a  soldier,  and  went  on  the  expedition  to  Carthagena,  where,  getting 
into  some  scrape  with  a  brother  officer,  it  was  said  he  did  not  acquit  himself  quite 
so  well  as  he  ought,  and  so  sold  out  ;  soon  after  which  he  died  at  Barbadoes. 
George,  who,  like  most  people  thereabouts  at  that  time,  had  no  other  educa- 
tion than  reading,  writing  and  accounts,  which  he  was  taught  by  a  convict 
servant  whom  his  father  bought  for  a  schoolmaster,  first  set  out  in  the  world 
as  surveyor  of  Orange  County,  an  appointment  of  about  half  the  value  of  a 
Virginia  rectory,  i.  e.  perhaps  lOO  /  a  year.  When  the  French  made  encroach- 
ments on  our  western  frontier  in  1754,  this  Washington  was  sent  out  to 
examine  on  the  spot  how  far  what  was  alleged  was  true,  and  to  remonstrate  on 
the  occasion.  He  published  his  journal  on  this  occasion,  which,  in  Virginia 
at  least,  drew  on  him  some  ridicule.  Yet  when,  soon  after,  a  regiment  was 
raised  in  Virginia,  he  had  interest  enough  to  be  appointed  the  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  of  it,  or  rather,  I  believe,  at  first  the  Major  only.  A  Colonel  Jefferson 
[it  was  Fry]  who  had  formerly  been  grammar  master  in  the  College,  com- 
manded the  regiment,  and  a  Colonel  Muse  [Innes  ?]  who  had  been  a  sergeant, 
and  therefore  knew  something  of  military  discipline  and  exercise,  was  the 
second  in  command.  Jefferson  soon  died,  and  Muse  was  disgraced,  from  some 
imputations  of  cowardice,  so  that  the  command  devolved  on  Mr.  Washington. 
At  Braddock's  defeat,  and  every  subsequent  occasion  throughout  the  war,  he 


258  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1768 

having  taken  his  departure  for  England,  leaves  the 
young  gentleman  without  any  master  at  this  time.  I 
should  be  glad  therefore  to  know  if  it  would  be  con- 
venient for  you  to  add  him  to  the  number  of  your 
pupils.  He  is  a  boy  of  good  genius,  about  14  years 
of  age,  untainted  in  his  morals  and  of  innocent 
manners.  Two  years  and  upwards  he  has  been  read- 
ing of  Virgil  and  was  (at  the  time  Mr.  Magowan  left 
him)  entered  upon  the  Greek  testament. 

I  presume,  he  has  grown  not  a  little  rusty  in  both 
having  had  no  benefit  of  his  tutor  since  Christ- 
mas, notwithstanding  he  left  the  country  in  March 
only.  If  he  comes,  he  will  have  a  boy  (well 
acquainted  with  house  business,  which  may  be  made 
as  useful  as  possible  in  your  family  to  keep  him  out 
of  idleness)  and  two  horses  to  furnish  him  with  the 
means  of  getting  to  Church  and  elsewhere,  as  you 
may  permit  ;    for  he  will  be  put   entirely  and  abso- 

acquitted  himself  much  in  the  same  manner  as  in  my  judgment  he  has  since 
done — i,  e.  decently,  but  never  greatly.  I  did  know  Mr.  Washington  well  ; 
and  though  occasion  may  call  forth  traits  of  character  that  never  could  have 
been  discovered  in  the  more  sequestered  scenes  of  life,  I  cannot  conceive  how 
he  could,  otherwise  than  through  the  interested  representations  of  party,  have 
ever  been  spoken  of  as  a  great  man.  He  is  shy,  silent,  stern,  slow  and  cau- 
tious ;  but  has  no  quickness  of  parts,  extraordinary  penetration,  nor  an  elevated 
style  of  thinking.  In  his  moral  character  he  is  regular,  temperate,  strictly  just 
and  honest  (excepting  that  as  a  Virginian,  he  has  lately  found  out  that  there  is  no 
moral  turpitude  in  not  j^aying  what  he  confesses  he  owes  to  a  British  creditor), 
and,  as  I  always  thought,  religious  ;  having  heretofore  been  pretty  constant, 
and  even  exemplary,  in  his  attendance  on  public  worship  in  the  Church  of 
England.  JUit  he  seems  to  have  nothing  generous  or  affectionate  in  his 
nature.  Just  l)efore  the  close  o{  the  last  war  he  married  the  widow  Custis, 
and  thus  came  into  possession  of  her  large  jointure.  He  never  had  any  chil- 
dren, and  lived  very  much  like  a  gentleman  at  Mount  Vernon,  in  Fairfax 
<  Munty,  where  the  most  distinguished  ])arl  of  his  character  was  that  he  was  an 
admirable  farmer." 


1768]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  259 

lutely  under  your  tuition  and  direction  to  manage  as 
you  think  proper  in  all  respects. 

Now  Sir,  if  you  incline  to  take  Master  Custis,  I 
should  be  glad  to  know  what  conveniences,  it  may  be 
necessary  for  him  to  bring,  and  how  soon  he  may 
come.  For  as  to  his  board  and  schooling  (provender 
for  his  horses,  he  may  lay  in  himself.)  I  do  not  think 
it  necessary  to  enquire  into  and  will  cheerfully  pay 
ten  or  twelve  pounds  a  year,  extraordinary^  to  engage 
your  peculiar  care  of,  and  a  watchful  eye  to  him,  as 
he  is  a  promising  boy,  the  last  of  his  family  and  will 
possess  a  ver^^  large  fortune.  Add  to  this  my  anxi- 
ety to  make  him  fit  for  more  useful  purposes  than 
horse  racer. 

This  letter  will  be  sent  to  you  by  my  brother  at 
Fredericksburg  and  I  should  be  obliged  to  you  for  an 
answer  by  the  first  post  to  Alexandria  near  to  which 
place  I  live.     I  am,  &c 

P.  S.  If  it  is  necessary  for  him  to  provide  a  bed, 
could  one  be  purchased  in  your  neighborhood  ?  It 
would  save  a  long  carriage. 


TO  ROBERT  GARY  &  CO. 

Mt.  Vernon,  6  June,  1768. 

Gentlemen, 

My  old  chariot  having  run  its  race,  and  gone 
through  as  many  stages  as  I  could  conveniently 
make  it  travel,  is  now  rendered  incapable  of  any 
further  servnce.  The  intent  of  this  letter,  there- 
fore, is   to  desire  you  will  bespeak  me  a  new   one. 


26o  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1768 

time  enough  to  come  out  with  the  goods  (I  shall 
hereafter  write  for)  by  Captn.  Johnston,  or  some 
other  ship. 

As  these  are  kind  of  articles  that  last  with  care 
against  number  of  years,  I  would  willingly  have  the 
chariot  you  may  now  send  me  made  in  the  newest 
taste,  handsome,  genteel  and  light  ;  yet  not  slight, 
and  consequently  unserviceable  ;  to  be  made  of  the 
best  seasoned  wood,  and  by  a  celebrated  workman. 
The  last  importation  which  I  have  seen,  besides  the 
customary  steel  springs,  have  others  that  play  in  a 
brass  barrel  and  contribute  at  one  and  the  same 
time  to  the  ease  and  ornament  of  the  carriage.  One 
of  this  kind,  therefore,  would  be  my  choice ;  and 
green  being  a  color  little  apt,  as  I  apprehend,  to  fade, 
and  grateful  to  the  eye,  I  would  give  it  the  prefer- 
ence, unless  any  other  color  more  in  vogue  and 
equally  lasting  is  entitled  to  precedency.  In  that 
case  I  would  be  governed  by  fashion.  A  light  gild- 
ing on  the  mouldings  (that  is,  round  the  panels)  and 
any  other  ornaments,  that  may  not  have  a  heavy  and 
tawdry  look  (together  with  my  arms  agreeable  to  the 
impression  here  sent)  might  be  added,  by  way  of 
decoration.  A  lining  of  a  handsome,  lively  colored 
leather  of  good  quality  I  should  also  prefer,  such  as 
green,  blue,  or  &c.,  as  may  best  suit  the  color  of  the 
outside.  Let  the  box  that  slips  under  the  seat  be  as 
large  as  it  conveniently  can  be  made  (for  the  benefit 
of  storage  upon  a  journey),  and  to  have  a  pole  (not 
shafts)  for  the  wheel  horses  to  draw  by  ;  together 
with  a  handsome  set  of  harness  for  four  middle  sized 


1768]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  261 

horses  ordered  in  such  a  manner  as  to  suit  either  two 
postilions  (without  a  box),  or  a  box  and  a  postiHon. 
The  box  being  made  to  fix  on,  and  take  off  occasion- 
ally, with  a  hammel  cloth  &c.,  suitable  to  the  lining. 
On  the  harness  let  my  crest  be  engraved. 

If  such  a  chariot  as  I  have  here  described  could  be 
got  at  second  hand,  little  or  nothing  the  worse  for 
wear,  but  at  the  same  time  a  good  deal  under  the 
first  cost  of  a  new  one  (and  sometimes  though  per- 
haps rarely  it  happens  so),  it  would  be  ver}^  desira- 
ble ;  but  if  I  am  obliged  to  go  near  to  the  original 
cost,  I  would  even  have  one  made,  and  have  been 
thus  particular  in  hopes  of  getting  a  handsome  char- 
iot through  your  direction,  good  taste  and  manage- 
ment— not  of  copper,  however,  for  these  do  not  stand 
the  powerful  heat  of  our  sun.     *     *     *  ' 

'  In  September  1768  a  chariot  was  shipped  from  Christr.  Reeves,  described 
in  the  invoice  as  follows  : — 

"To  a  new  handsome  Chariot,  made  of  best  materials,  handsomely  carved 
anticks  to  middle  of  pillars,  and  car\-ed  scrowl  corners  to  top  of  pillars  and 
roof,  batten  sides,  sweeps  of  sides  and  mouldings  round  the  roof  carved  with 
double  ribings,  hind  battens  and  fore  battens  arched  and  car\-ed  ;  panneled 
back  and  sides  japaned  and  polished,  and  roof  japaned  ;  lined  with  green 
morocco  leather  trimmed  ■i\-ith  cufloy  lace,  an  oval  behind,  a  large  trank  (?) 
under  the  seat,  the  bottom  covered  wHth  red  leather  and  a  handsome  carpet  to 
bottom.  Plate  glass,  diamond  cut  ;  handsomely  painted,  the  body  and  car- 
ridge  and  wheels  painted  a  glazed  green  ;  all  the  framed  work  of  body  gilt, 
handsome  scrowl,  shields,  ornamented  with  flowers  all  over  the  panels  ;  body 
and  carridge  oil  varnished  ;  the  carridge  with  iron  axle  tree  screwed  at  ends, 
handsomely  car\ed  scrowl  standards,  twisted  behind  and  before,  and  stays  of 
foot  board  barrs  and  beads  carved  with  scrowls  and  paneled  ;  patent  woorm 
springs  in  brass  sockets  ;  a  boot  covered  with  leather,  japanned  and  garnished, 
brass  nails,  a  handsome  seat  cloth,  embroidered  with  broad  la  :  (?)  and  two 
rows  of  handsome  fringe  with  gimp  head,  all  complete."  The  cost  of  the 
chariot  was  £,\o-},,  but  the  harness,  covers,  blinds,  and  other  extras  brought  the 
cost  to  ;^I33.      See  letter  to  Robert  Gary,  20  August,  1770,  post. 


262  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1769 

TO    WILLIAM    RAMSAY.' 

Mount  Vernon,  29  January,  1769. 

Dear  Sir, 

*  *  *  Having  once  or  twice  of  late  heard  yon 
speak  highly  in  praise  of  the  Jersey  College,  as  if  you 
had  a  desire  of  sending  your  son  William  there  (who, 
I  am  told,  is  a  youth  fond  of  study  and  instruction, 
and  disposed  to  a  sedentary  studious  life,  in  following 
of  which  he  may  not  only  promote  his  own  happiness, 
but  the  future  welfare  of  others),  I  should  be  glad,  if 
you  have  no  other  objection  to  it  than  what  may 
arise  from  the  expense,  if  you  would  send  him  there 
as  soon  as  it  is  convenient,  and  depend  on  me  for 
twenty-five  pounds  this  currency  a  year  for  his 
support,  so  long  as  it  may  be  necessary  for  the 
completion  of  his  education.  If  I  live  to  see  the 
accomplishment  of  this  term,  the  sum  here  stipulated 
shall  be  annually  paid  ;  and  if  I  die  in  the  mean  while, 
this  letter  shall  be  obligatory  upon  my  heirs,  or  ex- 
ecutors, to  do  it  according  to  the  true  intent  and 
meaning  hereof.  No  other  return  is  expected,  or 
wished,  for  this  offer,  than  that  you  will  accept  it  with 
the  same  freedom  and  good  will,  with  which  it  is 
made,  and  that  you  may  not  even  consider  it  in  the 
light  of  an  obligation,  or  mention  it  as  such  ;  for, 
be  assured,  that  from  me  it  will  never  be  known. 
I  am,  &c. 


'  Washington  had  in  175O  recommended  William  Ramsay  lo  Governor  Din- 
widdie  (vide  I.,  386  ante),  and  a  year  later  he  had  been  appointed  a  contractor 
lo  sii])])ly  the  troops.      Dinwiddie  Papeis,  ii.,    709. 


1769]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  263 

TO    GEORGE    MASON.' 

Mount  Vernon,  5  April,  1769. 

Dear  Sir, 

Herewith  you  will  receive  a  letter  and  sundr)^  pa- 
pers,'' which  were  forwarded  to  me  a  day  or  two  ago 
by  Dr.  Ross  of  Bladensburg.  I  transmit  them  with 
the  greater  pleasure,  as  my  own  desire  of  knowing 
your  sentiments  upon  a  matter  of  this  importance 
exactly  coincides  with  the  Doctor's  inclinations. 

At  a  time,  when  our  lordly  masters  in  Great  Britain 
will  be  satisfied  with  nothing  less  than  the  deprivation 
of  American  freedom,  it  seems  highly  necessar}'  that 
something  should  be  done  to  avert  the  stroke,  and 
maintain  the  liberty,  which  we  have  derived  from  our 
ancestors.  But  the  manner  of  doing  it,  to  answer  the 
purpose  effectually,  is  the  point  in  question. 

That  no  man  should  scruple,  or  hesitate  a  moment, 
to  use  a — ms  in  defence  of  so  valuable  a  blessing,  on 
which  all  the  good  and  evil  of  life  depends,  is  clearly 
my  opinion.  Yet  a — ms,  I  would  beg  leave  to  add, 
should  be  the  last  resource,  the  dernier  resort.  Ad- 
dresses to  the  throne,  and  remonstrances  to  Parlia- 
ment, we  have  already,  it  is  said,  proved  the  inefficacy 

'  A  neighbor  and  intimate  friend  of  Washington,  who  afterwards  dis- 
tinguished himself  by  drafting  the  first  constitution  of  Virginia,  and  by  the 
ability  he  displayed  in  the  Convention  for  forming  the  Constitution  of  the 
United  States,  and  also  in  the  Virginia  Convention  for  adopting  that  instru- 
ment. He  was  opposed  to  the  Constitution,  as  encroaching  too  much  on 
State  rights,  and  containing  the  principles  of  a  consolidated  government.  An 
exhaustive  biography  of  this  Virginian  is  now  being  written  by  his  descendant, 
Miss  Kate  Mason  Rowland,  of  Baltimore. 

''  Containing  resolves  of  the  merchants  of  Philadelphia,  respecting  the 
non-importation  of  articles  of  British  manufacture. 


264  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1769 

of.  How  far,  then,  their  attention  to  our  rights  and 
privileges  is  to  be  awakened  or  alarmed,  by  starving 
their  trade  and  manufactures,  remains  to  be  tried. 

The  northern  colonies,  it  appears,  are  endeavoring 
to  adopt  this  scheme.  In  my  opinion  it  is  a  good  one, 
and  must  be  attended  with  salutary  effects,  provided 
it  can  be  carried  pretty  generally  into  execution.  But 
to  what  extent  it  is  practicable  to  do  so,  I  will  not  take 
upon  me  to  determine.  That  there  will  be  difficulties 
attending  the  execution  of  it  every  where,  from  clash- 
ing interests,  and  selfish,  designing  men,  (ever  atten- 
tive to  their  own  gain,  and  watchful  of  every  turn, 
that  can  assist  their  lucrative  views,  in  preference  to 
every  other  consideration)  cannot  be  denied  ;  but  in  the 
tobacco  colonies,  where  the  trade  is  so  diffused,  and 
in  a  manner  wholly  conducted  by  factors  for  their 
principals  at  home,  these  difficulties  are  certainly  en- 
hanced, but  I  think  not  insurmountably  increased,  if 
the  gentlemen  in  their  several  counties  will  be  at 
some  pains  to  explain  matters  to  the  people,  and 
stimulate  them  to  a  cordial  agreement  to  purchase 
none  but  certain  enumerated  articles  out  of  any  of  the 
stores  after  such  a  period,  nor  import  nor  purchase 
any  themselves.  This,  if  it  did  not  effectually  with- 
draw the  factors  from  their  importations,  would  at 
least  make  them  extremely  cautious  in  doing  it,  as  the 
prohibited  goods  could  be  vended  to  none  but  the 
non-associators,  or  those  who  would  pay  no  regard  to 
their  association  ;  both  of  whom  ought  to  be  stigma- 
tized, and  made  the  objects  of  public  reproach. 

The  more   I   consider  a  scheme    of   this  sort,  the 


1769]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  265 

more  ardently  I  wish  success  to  It,  because  I  think 
there  are  private  as  well  as  public  advantages  to  re- 
sult from  it, — the  former  certain,  however  precarious 
the  other  may  prove.  For  in  respect  to  the  latter,  I 
have  always  thought,  that  by  virtue  of  the  same 
power,  (for  here  alone  the  authority  derives)  which 
assumes  the  right  of  taxation,  they  may  attempt  at 
least  to  restrain  our  manufactories,  especially  those 
of  a  public  nature,  the  same  equity  and  justice  pre- 
vailing in  the  one  case  as  the  other,  it  being  no  greater 
hardship  to  forbid  my  manufacturing,  than  it  is  to  or- 
der me  to  buy  goods  of  them  loaded  with  duties,  for 
the  express  purpose  of  raising  a  revenue.  But  as  a 
measure  of  this  sort  would  be  an  additional  exertion 
of  arbitrary  power,  we  cannot  be  worsted,  I  think,  by 
putting  it  to  the  test. 

On  the  other  hand,  that  the  colonies  are  considera- 
bly indebted  to  Great  Britain,  is  a  truth  universally 
acknowledged.  That  many  families  are  reduced 
almost,  if  not  quite,  to  penur}'  and  want  from  the 
low  ebb  of  their  fortunes,  and  estates  daily  selling  for 
the  discharge  of  debts,  the  public  papers  furnish  but 
too  many  melancholy  proofs  of,  and  that  a  scheme  of 
this  sort  will  contribute  more  effectually  than  any 
other  I  can  devise  to  emerge  the  countr}-  from  the  dis- 
tress it  at  present  labors  under,  I  do  most  firmly 
believe,  if  it  can  be  generally  adopted.  And  I  can 
see  but  one  set  of  people  (the  merchants  excepted,) 
who  will  not,  or  ought  not,  to  wish  well  to  the 
scheme,  and  that  is  those  who  live  genteelly  and 
hospitably  on  clear  estates.    Such  as  these,  were  they 


266  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1769 

not  to  consider  the  valuable  object  in  view,  and  the 
good  of  others,  might  think  it  hard  to  be  curtailed  in 
their  living  and  enjoyments.  For  as  to  the  penurious 
man,  he  saves  his  money  and  he  saves  his  credit,  hav- 
ing the  best  plea  for  doing  that,  which  before,  per- 
haps, he  had  the  most  violent  struggles  to  refrain 
from  doing.  The  extravagant  and  expensive  man 
has  the  same  good  plea  to  retrench  his  expenses. 
He  is  thereby  furnished  with  a  pretext  to  live  within 
bounds,  and  embraces  it.  Prudence  dictated  economy 
to  him  before,  but  his  resolution  was  too  weak  to  put 
it  in  practice  ;  For  how  can  I,  says  he,  who  have  lived 
in  such  and  such  a  manner,  change  my  method  ?  I 
am  ashamed  to  do  it,  and,  besides,  such  an  alteration 
in  the  system  of  my  living  will  create  suspicions  of 
the  decay  in  my  fortune,  and  such  a  thought  the 
world  must  not  harbour.  I  will  e'en  continue  my 
course,  till  at  last  the  course  discontinues  the  estate 
a  sale  of  it  being  the  consequence  of  his  perseverance 
in  error.  This  I  am  satisfied  is  the  way,  that  many, 
who  have  set  out  in  the  wrong  track,  have  reasoned, 
till  ruin  stares  them  in  the  face.  And  in  respect  to 
the  poor  and  needy  man,  he  is  only  left  in  the  same 
situation  that  he  was  found, — better,  I  might  say,  be- 
cause, as  he  judges  from  comparison,  his  condition  is 
amended  in  proportion  as  it  approaches  nearer  to 
those  above  him. 

Upon  the  whole,  therefore,  I  think  the  scheme  a 
good  one,  and  that  it  ought  to  be  tried  here,  with 
such  alterations  as  the  exigency  of  our  circumstances 
renders  absolutely  necessary.      But  how,  and  in  what 


1769]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  267 

manner  to  begin  the  work,  is  a  matter  worthy  of  con- 
sideration, and  whether  it  can  be  attempted  with  pro- 
priety or  efficacy  (further  than  a  communication  of 
sentiments  to  one  another,)  before  May,  when  the 
Court  and  Assembly  will  meet  in  Williamsburg,  and 
a  uniform  plan  can  be  concerted,  and  sent  into  the 
different  counties  to  operate  at  the  same  time  and 
in  the  same  manner  ever^^where,  is  a  thing  I  am 
somewhat  in  doubt  upon,  and  should  be  glad  to 
know  your  opinion  of.' 

'  The  following  is  an  extract  from  Mr.  Mason's  reply  to  this  letter,  dated 
the  same  day  : — 

"  I  entirely  agree  with  you,  that  no  regular  plan  of  the  sort  proposed  can 
be  entered  into  here,  before  the  meeting  of  the  General  Court  at  least,  if  not 
of  the  Assembly.  In  the  mean  time  it  may  be  necessarj*  to  publish  something 
preparatory  to  it  in  our  gazettes,  to  warn  the  people  of  the  impending  danger, 
and  induce  them  the  more  readily  and  cheerfully  to  concur  in  the  proper 
measures  to  avert  it  ;  and  something  of  this  sort  I  had  begun,  but  am  un- 
luckily stopped  by  a  disorder,  which  affects  my  head  and  eyes.  As  soon  as  I 
am  able,  I  shall  resume  it,  and  then  write  you  more  fully,  or  endeavor  to  see 
you.     In  the  mean  time  pray  commit  to  writing  such  hints  as  may  occur. 

"  Our  all  is  at  stake,  and  the  little  conveniences  and  comforts  of  life,  when 
set  in  competition  with  our  liberty,  ought  to  be  rejected,  not  with  reluctance, 
but  with  pleasure.  Yet  it  is  plain,  that  in  the  tobacco  colonies  we  cannot  at 
present  confine  our  importations  within  such  narrow  bounds,  as  the  northern 
colonies.  A  plan  of  this  kind,  to  be  practicable,  must  be  adapted  to  our  cir- 
cumstances ;  for  if  not  steadily  executed,  it  had  better  have  remained  un- 
attempted.  We  may  retrench  all  manner  of  superfluities,  finery  of  all 
descriptions,  and  confine  ourselves  to  linens,  woollens,  &c.  not  exceeding  a 
certain  price.  It  is  amazing  how  much  this  practice,  if  adopted  in  all  the 
colonies,  would  lessen  the  American  imports,  and  distress  the  various  traders 
and  manufacturers  in  Great  Britain. 

"  This  would  awaken  their  attention.  They  would  see,  they  would  feel, 
the  oppressions  we  groan  under,  and  exert  themselves  to  procure  us  redress. 
This  once  obtained,  we  should  no  longer  discontinue  our  importations,  con- 
fining ourselves  still  not  to  import  any  article,  that  should  hereafter  be  taxed 
by  act  of  Parliament  for  raising  a  revenue  in  America  ;  for,  however  singular 
I  may  be  in  my  opinion,  I  am  thoroughly  con^^nced,  that,  justice  and  harmony 
happily  restored,  it  is  not  the  interest  of  these  colonies  to  refuse  British  manu- 
factures.    Our  supplying  our  mother  country-  with  gross  materials,  and  taking 


268  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1769 

TO    COLONEL    BASSETT. 

Mount  Vernon,  18  June,  1769. 

Dear  Sir, 

As  we  have  come  to  a  resolution  to  set  off  (if 
nothing  unforeseen  happens  to  prevent  it)  for  the 
Warm  Springs  about  the    i8th  of  next  month,  I  do 

her  manufactures  in  return,  is  the  true  chain  of  connexion  between  us.  These 
are  the  bands,  which,  if  not  broken  by  oppression,  must  long  hold  us  together, 
by  maintaining  a  constant  reciprocation  of  interest.  Proper  caution  should, 
therefore,  be  used  in  drawing  up  the  proposed  plan  of  association.  It  may  not 
be  amiss  to  let  the  ministry  understand,  that,  until  we  obtain  a  redress  of 
grievances,  we  will  withhold  from  them  our  commodities,  and  particularly  re- 
frain from  making  tobacco,  by  which  the  revenue  would  lose  fifty  times  more 
than  all  their  oppressions  could  raise  here. 

"  Had  the  hint,  which  I  have  given  with  regard  to  taxation  of  goods  im- 
ported into  America,  been  thought  of  by  our  merchants  before  the  repeal  of 
the  Stamp  Act,  the  late  American  revenue  acts  would  probably  never  have 
been  attempted." 

The  Assembly  in  May  was  the  first  that  met  after  the  arrival  of  Lord 
Botetourt  as  Governor.  The  Burgesses  had  been  together  but  a  few  days, 
when  they  passed  a  series  of  very  strong  resolves  respecting  the  rights  of 
the  colonies.  The  Governor  took  the  alarm,  and  immediately  dissolved  the 
Assembly.  As  soon  as  the  Burgesses  left  the  public  hall,  they  all  met  again 
at  a  private  house  in  Williamsburg  (May  i8th,  1769),  appointed  a  moderator, 
and  assented  unanimously  to  non-importation  agreement,  otherwise  called  an 
Association,  consisting  of  a  preamble  and  eight  resolves.  It  was  signed  by 
every  member  present,  and  sent  throughout  the  country  for  the  signatures  of 
the  people.  Washington  was  a  member  of  the  Assembly  at  that  time,  but  it  is 
very  doubtful  if  he  was  present  at  the  meeting.  His  diary  for  that  day  says  : 
"  Dind  at  Mr.  Dawson's  &  went  to  Bed  by  8  o'clock."  He  contributed,  how- 
ever, one  pcnind  to  the  expenses  of  the  meeting,  which  was  held  at  the  house  of 
Anthony  Hay.  On  the  19th  Washington  went  to  the  "  (Queen's  Birth  Night  at 
ye  I'alace,"  and  on  the  next  day  left  Williamsburg. 

'I'he  Association  is  printed  at  large  in  Burk's  History  of  Virginia,  vol.  iii. 
p.  345.  On  comparing  it  with  Mr.  Mason's  manuscript  draft,  retained  by 
Washington,  I  find  it  precisely  the  same,  excejit  the  addition  of  two  short 
articles,  and  the  omission  of  another.  Tiie  following  article,  contained  in  Mr. 
Mason's  draft,  was  left  out  by  the  B>uri;esscs. 

"  If  the  measures  already  entercil  into  sliould  prove  ineffectual,  and  our 
grievances  and  o))])rcssi()ns  sliould  nolw itlistaiuling  be  continued,  then,  and 
in  lliat  case,  tlic  sul)scril)ers  will  ])Ut  a  stop  to  their   exports  to   Kuro]ie  of  tar. 


1769]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  269 

according  to  promise  give  you  notice  thereof,  and 
should  be  glad  of  your  company  with  us,  if  you  still 
entertain  thoughts  of  trying  the  effects  of  those 
waters.  You  will  have  occasion  to  provide  nothing, 
if  I  can  be  advised  of  your  intentions  before  the 
wagon  comes  down  for  my  necessaries,  so  that  I  may 
provide  accordingly. 

We  are  all  in  the  usual  way,  no  alteration  for  the 
better  or  worse  in  Patey.'  The  association  in  this 
and  in  the  two  neio^hborinor  counties  of  Prince 
William  and  Loudoun  is  compleat,  or  near  it.      How 

pitch,  turpentine,  timber,  lumber,  and  skins  and  furs  of  all  sorts,  and  will 
endeavor  to  find  some  other  emplojTnent  for  their  slaves  and  other  hands 
than  cultivating  tobacco,  which  they  will  entirely  leave  off  making,  and  will 
enter  into  such  regulations,  as  may  be  necessary'  with  regard  to  the  rents  and 
other  tobacco  debts." — Sparks. 

"  Your  favor  of  the  17th  came  to  my  hands  this  day  ;  the  contents  of  which, 
or  the  Letter  itself,  shall  soon  reach  Mr.  Addisons  hands  In  respect  to  the 
Dancing  Gentrj-,  I  am  glad  to  find  you  have  such  a  choice  of  them,  and  that 
Newman  has  got  the  start  of  his  rival  Spooner,  because  I  have  heard  him  well 
spoken  of  as  a  teacher  in  that  Science.  The  other's  misfortunes  might  recom- 
mend him  to  the  notice  &  charity  of  the  well  disposed,  but  if  his  accomplish- 
ments in  that  way  are  inferior  to  the  others  it  ought  by  no  means  to  entitle  him 
to  the  preference — you  will  be  so  good  therefore  sir  to  enter  Mastr  Custis  with 
Mr  Newman  for  a  year  or  otherwise  as  he  may  form  his  school.  Mrs  Wash- 
ington I  can  venture  to  assure  you,  will  be  very  glad  to  see  you  at  Mount 
Vernon  in  the  recess  of  Whitsun  HoUidays,  but  it  is  a  pleasure  I  must  be 
deprived  of,  as  I  expect  to  be  in  Williamsburg  before,  and  long  after  that  time. 
Our  best  wishes  attend  yourself.  Miss  Boucher  &  Jacky." — Washington  to 
Boucher,  Mount  Vernon,  24th  April,  1769. 

'  In  his  diary  for  1769,  I  find  the  following  entrj- under  date  of  Feby.  i6th  : — 
"  Joshua  Evans,  who  came  here  last  night,  put  an  Iron  ring  upon  Patey  (for 
Fits)."  In  the  Middle  x\ges  rings  hallowed  on  Easter  day  and  Good  Friday 
were  supposed  to  protect  the  wearer  from  the  falling  sickness  and  cramp.  The 
Gentleman's  Magazine  of  1794  mentions  a  curious  belief  ;  five  sixpences  were 
to  be  collected  from  five  bachelors  &  be  welded  into  a  ring  by  a  bachelor 
blacksmith,  which  would  preser\-e  its  wearer  from  fits.  In  Devonshire  the 
ring  must  be  made  of  3  nails  or  screws  which  have  been  used  to  fasten  a  coffin 
and  must  be  dug  out  of  the  churchyard. 


270  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1769 

it  goes  in  other  places,  I  know  not,  but  hope  to  hear 
of  the  universaHty  of  it. ' 

We  all  join  in  tendering  our  love  to  Mrs.  Bassett, 
yourself,  family,  and  Mrs.  Dandridge  and  Betsy. 


TO    COLONEL    JOHN    ARMSTRONG. 

Fredk.  Warm  Springs,  18  August,  [i7]69. 

Dear  Sir, 

About  a  fortnight  ago  ^  I  came  to  this  place  with 
Mrs.  Washington  and  her  daughter,  the  latter  of 
whom  being  troubled  with  a  complaint,  which  the 
efficacy  of  these  waters  it  is  thought  might  remove, 
we  resolved  to  try  them,  but  have  found  little  benefit 
as  yet  from  the  experiment.  What  a  week  or  two 
more  may  do,  we  know  not,  and  therefore  are  inclined 
to  put  them  to  the  test.  It  was  with  much  pleasure 
however  I  heard  by  Mr.  Clingan  that  you  stand  in 

'  "  If  there  are  any  articles  contained  in  either  of  the  respective  invoices  (paper 
only  excepted)  which  are  taxed  by  act  of  Parliament  for  the  purpose  of  raising 
a  revenue  in  America,  it  is  my  express  desire  and  request,  that  they  may  not  be 
sent,  as  I  have  very  heartily  entered  into  an  association  (copies  of  which  I  make 
no  doubt  you  have  seen,  otherwise  I  should  have  enclosed  one)  not  to  import 
any  article  wliich  now  is,  or  hereafter  shall  be  taxed  for  this  purpose  until  the 
said  act  or  acts  are  repealed.  I  am  therefore  particular  in  mentioning  this 
matter  as  I  am  fully  determined  to  adhere  religiously  to  it,  and  may  perhaps 
have  wrote  for  some  things  unwittingly  which  may  be  under  these  circum- 
stances."— To  Robert  Cary,  25  July,  1769. 

"^  "  As  we  have  fixed  u]>on  tlic  27111  inst.  for  our  departure  to  the  Frederick 
Warm  Springs  and  Mrs.  Washington  is  desirous  of  seeing  her  son  before  she 
leaves  home,  I  am  now  to  rcfiuest  llie  favor  of  you  to  permit  him  to  come  up 
for  that  purpose  so  soon  as  this  letter  gets  to  hand  (by  Mr.  Stedlar,  which  I  am 
told  will  be  eight  days  after  date)." — Washini^ton  to  Dr.  Boucher,  13  July, 
I  7O9.  The  original  is  in  the  l''ostcr  collection  in  South  Kensington,  and  I  am 
indebted  to  the  courteous  custodian,  Mr.   R.  1''.  Sketchley,  for  a  copy. 


1769]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  271 

no  need  of  assistance  from  these  Springs,  which  I 
find  are  appHed  to  in  all  cases,  altho'  there  be  a  moral 
certainty  of  their  hurting  in  some.  Many  poor  mis- 
erable objects  are  now  attending  here,  which  I  hope 
will  receive  the  desired  benefit,  as  I  dare  say  they  are 
deprived  of  the  means  of  obtaining  any  other  relief, 
from  their  indigent  circumstances. 

Give  me  leave  now,  Sir,  to  thank  you  for  the  polite 
and  friendly  assistance  you  gave  to  the  affair  I  took 
the  liberty  (in  March  last)  of  recommending  to  your 
notice.  Captn.  Crawford,  from  whom  I  have  since 
heard,  informs  me,  that  your  letter  procured  him  a 
free,  and  easy  admission  to  the  Land  office,  &  to 
such  Indulgences  as  could  be  consistently  granted  ; 
consequently  his  work  became  much  less  difficult, 
than  otherwise  it  would  have  been.' 

Some  confident  reports  of  Indian  disturbances  at 
Fort  Pitt,  drove  many  families  in  from  Redstone,  and 
gave  some  alarm  to  the  female  visitors  of  these 
waters  ;  but  upon  a  stricter  scrutiny  into  the  causes 
of  the  reports,  we  find  that  mis-representations  and 
ill  grounded  fears,  gave  rise  to  the  whole  ;  &  that 
our  own  people  more  than  the  Indians  are  to  blame 
for  the  little  misunderstandings  which  have  happened 
among  them. 

My  best  respects  attend  Mrs.  Armstrong,  in  which 
Mrs.  Washington  joins,  and  I  am  &c.^ 


>  The  Pennsylvania  land  office  was  opened  in  April,  1769,  for  locating  lands 
west  of  the  Alleghany. 

'-'  "  Jacky  will  inform  you  of  the  Reasons  why  he  brings  not  the  Books  you 
wrote  to  me  for,  and  to  him  I  refer — perhaps  all,  or  most  of  them,  were  In- 


272  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1770 

TO    LORD    BOTETOURT,    GOVERNOR    OF    VIRGINIA/ 

Mount  Vernon,  15  April,  1770. 

My  Lord, 

Being  fully  persuaded  of  your  Excellency's  inclina- 
tion to  render  every  just  and  reasonable  service  to 
the  people  you  govern,  or  to  any  body  or  society  of 
them,  that  shall  ask  it,  and  being  encouraged  in  a 
more  particular  manner  by  a  letter,  which  I  have  just 
received  from  Mr,  Blair  (clerk  of  the  Council),  to 
believe,  that  your  Lordship  is  desirous  of  being  fully 
informed  how  far  the  grant  of  land  solicited  by  Mr. 
Walpole  and  others  will  affect  the  interest  of  this 
country  in  general,  or  individuals  in  particular,  I 
shall  take  the  liberty  (being  pretty  intimately  ac- 
quainted with  the  situation  of  the  frontiers  of  this 
dominion)  to  inform  your  Lordship,  that  the  bounds 
of  that  grant,  if  obtained  upon  the  extensive  plan 
prayed  for,    will  comprehend  at  least  four  fifths  of 

eluded  in  the  Catalogue  I  sent  to  England  for  him,  and  if  so,  I  expect  they 
will  be  in,  in  less  than  three  months. 

"  The  Printer  has  promised  to  have  a  Musick  Book  Rul'd  for  Miss  Boucher 
if  I  come  up,  if  so  it  shall  l^e  lirought. — Jack's  stay  has  been  longer  here  than 
we  intended  but  we  hope  he  will  endeavour  to  make  atonemt.  by  extray.  dilli- 
gence." — Washington  to  Boucher,  Eltham,  4  December,  1769. 

'  Norborne  Berkeley,  Baron  de  Botetourt,  arrived  in  Virginia  in  October, 
1769,  being  the  first  governor  in  chief  who  had  come  to  reside  in  Virginia  since 
Lord  Cul]ieper.  He  died  in  October,  1770,  respected  by  the  colonists  for  his 
moderation  and  good  judgment.  Because  he  succeeded  General  Amherst,  he 
drew  down  upon  himself  the  shafts  of  Junius'  sarcasm.  "  When  he  calls  Lord 
Boutetort  (sic)  the  best  of  men,  I  suppose  he  means  the  best  of  courtiers.  If 
bowing  low  and  carrying  the  sword  of  state  constitute  merit  and  services,  I 
confess  there  are  few  men  to  whom  government  is  more  indebted  than  to  his 
lordship.  .  .  .  Let  it  be  remembered  that  this  courtier  might  have  lived 
and  died  in  ojjscurity  if  he  had  not  forced  himself  into  the  public  notice,  l)y 
robbing  another  man  of  an  appointment,  expressly  given  him  in  reward  for  the 
most  honoraljje  national  services." 


i77q]  GEORGE  WASHIXGTOX.  273 

the  land,  for  which  this  government  hath  lately  voted 
two  thousand  five  hundred  pounds  sterling,  the  pur- 
chase and  survey  of ;  and  must  destroy  the  well 
grounded  hopes  of  those,  (if  no  reservation  is  made 
in  their  favor,)  who  have  had  the  strongest  assur- 
ances, which  government  could  give,  of  enjoying 
a  certain  portion  of  the  lands,  which  have  cost  this 
countr}'  so  much  blood  and  treasure  to  secure. 

By  the  extracts,  which  your  Excellency  did  me  the 
honor  to  enclose,  I  perceive,  that  the  petitioners  re- 
quire to  begin  opposite  to  the  mouth  of  Scioto,  which 
is  as  least  seventy  or  seventy-five  miles  below  the 
mouth  of  the  Big  Kanhawa,  (and  more  than  three 
hundred  from  Pittsburg,)  and  to  extend  from 
thence  in  a  southwardly  direction  through  the  pass 
of  the  Ouasioto  Mountain,  which,  (by  Evans's  map, 
and  the  best  accounts  I  have  been  able  to  oret  from 
persons,  who  have  explored  that  country,)  will  bring 
them  near  the  latitude  of  North  Carolina.  From 
thence  they  go  northeastwardly  to  the  Kanhawa,  at 
the  junction  of  New  River  and  Green  Briar,  upon 
both  of  which  waters  we  have  many  settlers  upon 
lands  actually  patented.  From  thence  they  proceed 
up  the  Green  Briar  to  the  head  of  the  northeasterly 
branch  thereof,  thence  easterly  to  the  Allegany  Moun- 
tains, thence  along  these  mountains  to  the  line  of 
Lord  Fairfax,  and  thence  with  his  line,  and  the  lines 
of  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania,  till  the  west  boundary 
of  the  latter  intersects  the  Ohio,  and  finally  down  the 
same  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

These,  my  Lord,  are  the  bounds  of  a  grant  prayed 


274  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1770 

for,  and,  if  obtained,  will  give  a  fatal  blow,  in  my 
humble  opinion,  to  the  interests  of  this  country.  But 
these  are  my  sentiments  as  a  member  of  the  com- 
munity at  large ;  but  I  now  beg  leave  to  offer  myself 
to  your  Excellency's  notice,  in  a  more  interested 
point  of  view,  as  an  individual,  and  as  a  person,  who 
considers  himself  in  some  degree  the  representative 
of  the  officers  and  soldiers,  who  claim  a  right  to  two 
hundred  thousand  acres  of  this  very  land,  under  a 
solemn  act  of  government,  adopted  at  a  very  im- 
portant and  critical  period  to  his  Majesty's  affairs  in 
this  part  of  the  world ;  and  shall,  therefore,  rely  on 
your  Lordship's  accustomed  goodness  and  candor, 
whilst  I  add  a  few  words  in  support  of  the  equity  of 
our  pretensions,  although,  in  truth,  I  have  very  little 
to  say  on  this  subject  now,  which  I  have  not  taken 
the  liberty  of  observing  to  your  Excellency  before. 

The  first  letter  I  ever  did  myself  the  honor  of 
writing  to  your  Excellency  on  the  subject  of  this 
land,  and  to  which  I  beg  leave  to  refer,  contained  a 
kind  of  historical  account  of  our  claim  ;  but  as  there 
requires  nothing  more  to  elucidate  a  right,  than  to 
offer  a  candid  exhibition  of  the  case,  supported  by 
facts,  I  shall  beg  leave  to  refer  your  Lordship  to  an 
order  of  Council,  of  the  i8th  of  February,  1754,  and 
to  Governor  Dinwiddie's  proclamation,  which  issued 
consequent  thereupon,  both  of  which  are  enclosed  ; 
and  then  add,  that  these  troops  not  only  enlisted 
agreeably  to  the  proclamation,  but  behaved  so  much 
to  the  satisfaction  of  the  country,  as  to  be  honored 
with  the  most  public  acknowledgments  of  it  in  their 
I'gislative  capacity.     Would  it  not  be  hard,  then,  my 


1776]  GEORGE  WASHIXGTON.  275 

Lord,  to  deprive  men  under  these  circumstances,  (or 
their  representatives,)  of  the  just  reward  of  their 
toils  ?  Was  not  this  act  of  the  Governor  and  Coun- 
cil offered  to,  and  accepted  by  the  soldier}-,  as  an 
absolute  compact  between  them?  And  though  the 
exigency  of  affairs,  or  the  policy  of  government, 
made  it  necessary  to  continue  these  lands  in  a  dor- 
mant state  for  some  time,  ous^ht  not  their  claim  to  be 
considered,  when  the  causes  cease,  in  preference  to  all 
others?  We  fain  would  hoj)e  so.  We  flatter  our- 
selves, that  in  this  point  of  view  it  will  also  appear  to 
your  Lordship,  and  that,  by  your  kind  interposition, 
and  favorable  representation  of  the  case,  his  Majesty 
will  be  graciously  pleased  to  confirm  this  land  to  vis^ 
agreeably  to  a  petition  presented  to  your  Excellency 
in  Council  the  15th  of  last  December;  with  this 
difference  only,  that,  instead  of  Sandy  Creek  (one  of 
the  places  allotted  for  the  location  of  our  grant,  and 
which  we  now  certainly  know  will  not  be  compre- 
hended within  the  ministerial  line,  as  it  is  called),  we 
may  be  allowed  to  lay  a  part  of  our  grant  between 
the  west  boundarj-  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  river 
Ohio,  which  will  be  expressly  agreeable  to  the  words 
of  Governor  Dinwiddie's  proclamation,  inasmuch  as 
it  is  contiguous  to  the  Fork  of  Monongahela  This 
favor,  my  Lord,  would  be  conferring  a  singular  ob- 
ligation on  men,  most  of  whom,  either  in  their  per- 
sons or  fortunes,  have  suffered  in  the  cause  of  their 
countn,- ;  few  of  them  benefited  by  the  senice ;  and 
it  cannot  fail  to  receive  the  thanks  of  a  grateful  body 
of  men.  but  of  none  more  warmly  than  of  your  Lord- 
ship's most  obedient  and  humble  serv^anL 


276  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1770 

TO    DR.    BOUCHER. 

20  April,  1770. 

Revd.  Sir, 

Your  favor  of  the  loth  conve3/ed  an  unexpected 
piece  of  intelligence,  tho'  a  very  agreeable  one — Jack 
left  this  place  with  so  many  doubts  &  difficulties  abt. 
going  to  Baltimore  to  be  Innoculated  with  the  Small 
Pox,  that  we  all  Concluded  nothing  was  more  foreign 
from  his  Intention — Mrs.  Washington  having  fully 
adopted  this  opinion,  I  have  withheld  from  her  the 
information  you  gave  me  in  respect  to  his  undertak- 
ing, &  purpose,  if  possible,  to  keep  her  in  total 
ignorance  of  his  having  been  there,  till  I  hear  of  his 
return,  or  perfect  recovery  ;  as  one  step  towds  this,  I 
shoud  be  obliged  to  you  to  address  any  Letter  you 
may  write  me,  under  cover  to  Lund  Washington, 
&  in  a  hand  not  your  own  ;  for  notwithstanding  it  is 
believed  Jack  was  resolved  to  postpone  this  business, 
yet,  her  anxiety  &  uneasiness  is  so  great,  that  I  am 
sure  she  coud  not  rest  satisfied  without  knowing  the 
contents  of  any  Letter  of  your  writing  to  his  Family 
— Indeed  I  believe  was  she  to  come  to  the  knowledge 
of  being  at  Baltimore  (under  Innoculation)  it  woud 
put  an  infallible  stop  to  her  journey  to  Williamsburg, 
&  possibly  delay  mine,  which  woud  prove  very  inju- 
rious, as  my  business  requires  that  I  shoud  set  of 
[sic]  on  Friday  the  26th  Inst,  if  he  is  in  so  favoura- 
ble way  as  to  permit  it  (instead  of  visiting  him  which 
I  should  immediately  do  if  I  am  informed  of  any  dan- 
gerous or  unfavorable  Symptoms  attending  his  dis- 
order).   For  this  Reason,  I  shoud  be  glad  to  hear  from 


i77o]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  277 

him  as  late  as  can  be  (to  reach  me  before  Fry-day) 
that  if  all  is  well  we  may  proceed  without  any  intima- 
tion to  Mrs.  Washington  of  this  matter  ;  she  having 
often  wishd  that  Jack  woud  take  &  go  through  the 
disorder  without  her  knowing  of  it,  that  she  might 
escape  those  Tortures  which  suspense  wd  throw  her 
into,  little  as  the  cause  might  be  for  them. — When 
he  is  returned  to  Annapolis,  you  will  be  so  good  as 
to  write  me  a  Line  by  Post  to  Williamsburg  which 
shall  be  the  first  intimation  of  this  affair  I  purpose  to 
give  if  I  can  keep  it  concealed  so  long. 

I  am  with  \^ry  great  esteem,  &  thanks  for  your 
Attention  to  Jack  on  this  occasion.' 


TO    DR.    BOUCHER. 

Mount  Vernon,  13  May,  1770. 

Sir, 

Your  favor  of  the  9th  came  to  hand  last  night,  but 
I  do  not  think  myself  prepared  at  this  time  to  give 
any  conclusive  answer  to  the  question  you  pro- 
pounded, respecting  Mr.  Custis's  travelling  to  per- 
fect his  Education. 

It  is  a  matter  of  very  great  consequence  and  well 
deserving  of  the  most  serious  consideration,  espe- 
cially [by]  one  who  stands  in  the  degree  of  affinity  to 
him  that  I  do.  A  natural  parent  has  only  two  things 
principally  to  consider,  the  improvement  of  his  son, 
and  the  finances  to  do  it  with  :  if  he  fails  in  the  first 


'  Miss  Gutch,  of  Norton  House,  near  Bath,  very  courteously  favored  me  with 
a  copy  of  this  letter 


278  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1770 

(not  through  his  own  neglect)  he  laments  it  as  a  mis- 
fortune ;  if  exceeded  in  the  Second,  he  endeavors  to 
correct  it  as  an  abuse  unaccountable  to  any,  and 
regardless  of  what  the  world  may  say,  who  do  not, 
cannot  suspect  him  of  acting  upon  any  other  motive 
than  the  good  of  the  party  ;  he  is  to  satisfy  himself 
only.  But  this  is  not  the  case  with  respect  to  guar- 
dians :  they  are  not  only  to  be  actuated  by  the  same 
motives  which  govern  in  the  other  case,  but  are  to 
consider  in  what  light  their  conduct  may  be  viewed 
by  those  whom  the  constitution  hath  placed  as  a  con- 
troulling  power  over  them  ;  because  a  faupas  commit- 
ted by  them  often  incurs  the  severest  censure,  and 
sometimes  punishment  ;  when  the  intention  may  be 
strictly  laudable. 

Thus  much.  Sir,  I  have  taken  the  liberty  of  saying 
to  shew  you  in  what  light  I  consider  myself,  (gen- 
erally) as  the  guardian  of  this  youth.  But  before  I 
could  adopt  the  measure  finally  upon  the  extensive 
plan  you  seem  to  propose,  and  give  a  definitive  an- 
swer, it  would  be  incumbent  on  me  (as  the  person 
who  is  to  account  for  his  worldly  concerns,  as  well  as 
personal  accomplishments,)  to  have  some  regular  Sys- 
tem proposed  ;  that  it  may  be  seen  at  one  view  how 
the  expence  and  his  income  are  proportioned  to  each 
other ;  for  tho'  I  am  far,  very  far,  from  harboring  any 
distrust  of  your  being  influenced  by  any  similar  views, 
or  that  you  would  be  unreasonable  in  your  expecta- 
tions as  his  governor,  yet  some  plan  should  be  pointed 
out,  some  estimate  formed,  by  which  I  am  to  be 
guided  ;  otherwise  were  I  hastily  to  determine  that  a 


i77o]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  279 

year  or  two  hence  (or  as  his  education  and  judgment 
ripened)  he  was  to  travel,  and  when  that  period 
arrived  it  was  found  to  be  upon  a  plan  too  enlarged 
for  his  fortune  and  a  stop  thereby  put  to  it,  it  might 
be  a  disappointment  to  you  which  I  should  be  sorry 
for,  as  I  make  it  a  point,  at  least  endeavor  to  do 
so,  not  to  deceive  any  one. 

From  what  I  have  said,  you  may  possibly  conceive 
that  I  am  averse  to  his  travelling,  for  the  completion 
of  his  education  ;  but  be  assured,  Sir,  I  am  not  ; 
there  is  nothing,  in  my  opinion  more  desirable  to 
form  the  manners  and  encrease  the  knowledge  of  ob- 
servant youth  than  such  a  plan  as  you  have  sketched 
out  ;  and  I  beg  of  you  to  believe,  that  there  is  no 
gentleman  under  whose  care  Mrs.  Washington  and 
myself  would  so  soon  entrust  Mr.  Custis  as  yourself 
(after  he  is  sufficiently  instructed  in  classical  knowl- 
edge here).  It  may  be  depended  on  therefore,  that 
the  gratification  of  this  passion  in  him,  will  never 
meet  with  any  interruption  from  me,  and  I  think  I 
may  venture  to  add,  from  his  mother,  provided  he  is 
disposed  to  set  out  upon  such  a  plan  of  improvement 
as  your  good  sense  is  capable  of  dictating  to  him  ; 
and  provided  also  that  you  will  undertake  to  accom- 
pany and  guide  him  in  the  pursuit  of  it.  Add  to  this, 
that  he  will  be  content  with  such  an  allowance  as  his 
income  can  afford  ;  for  here  it  is  also  necessary  to 
observe,  that  tho'  he  is  possessed  of  what  is  called  a 
good  estate,  it  is  not  a  profitable  one.  His  Lands  are 
poor,  consequently  the  crops  short  ;  and  tho'  he  has 
a  number  of  slaves,  slaves  in  such  cases  only  add  to 


28o  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1770 

the  Expence.  About  60,  and  from  that  to  80  Hogs- 
heads of  Tobacco,  is  as  much  as  he  generally  makes 
of  a  year  ;  and  if  this  is  cleared,  it  is  as  much  as  can 
be  expected  considering  the  number  of  people  he  has 
to  cloath  and  the  many  incident  charges  attending 
such  an  estate. 

This,  Sir,  is  all  the  answer  I  am  capable  of  giving 
you  at  present,  if  you  will  do  me  the  favor  to  be  more 
explicit  on  this  subject  in  another  letter.  I  will  not 
only  think  of  the  matter  with  the  best  attention  to  it 
I  am  Master  of,  but  advise  with  some  of  his,  and  my 
friends,  whilst  I  am  in  Williamsburg,  as  a  justifica- 
tion of  my  conduct  therein.  And  as  to  his  being 
innoculated  for  the  Small  Pox  previous  to  such  an 
Event,  the  propriety  of  it  is  so  striking,  that  it  can- 
not admit  of  a  doubt.  In  truth  my  opinion  of  this  is 
that  it  ought  to  happen  whether  he  travels  or  not,  as 
this  disorder  will  in  the  course  of  a  few  years  be 
scarce  ever  out  of  his  own  country. 


THE    SESSION    OF    THE    BURGESSES    IN     1770.' 

May  19.    Set  off  for  Williamsburg  ;  dined  at  Dumfries.    Called 
at  my  Mother's  and  lodged  at  Col.  Lewis's  in  Fredericksburg. 

20.  Breakfasted  at  Mr.   Boucher's.     Dined  at  Coleman's  and 
lodged  at  Todds  bridge. 

21.  J5reakfasted  at  King  William  Court  House,  and  dined  and 
lodged  at  Kltham.' 

22.  Reached  Williamsburg  to  breakfast,  and  dined  at  the  Club 
at  Mrs.  Cami)bell  and  su])|)ed  at  tlie  Raleigh. 

'  From  an  interleaved  alnianae  of  1770. 
'■^  'l"hc  ])lace  of  Ccjl.  Biuwell  JJassett. 


1770}  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  281 

23.  Dined  at  Mr.  Dawson's,  and  spent  the  evening  in  my  owti 
room. 

24.  Dined  at  the  Treasurer's,  and  spent  the  evening  in  my 
own  room. 

25.  Dined  at  the  Palace,  and  attended  a  Committee  of  the 
Association  at  Hayes.     Spent  the  evening  there. 

26.  Took  a  snack  at  Mrs.  Dawson's,  and  went  up  to  Eltham 
in  the  afternoon. 

27.  At  Eltham  all  day. 

28.  Returned  to  Williamsburg  by  9  o'clock  ;  dined  at  the 
Speaker's,  and  attended  a  Committee  of  the  Association  at  Hayes 
till  II  o'clock. 

29.  Dined  at  Mrs.  Dawsons  and  spent  the  evening  in  my  own 
room. 

30.  Dined  at  the  Club,  and  spent  the  evening  in  my  own  room. 

31.  Dined  at  the  Attorneys,  and  attended  a  Committee  of  the 
Association  at  Hayes  till  one  o'clock. 

June  I.  Dined  at  the  Club,  at  Mrs.  Campbell's,  (Williamsburg), 
and  attended  a  Meeting  of  the  Association  at  the  Capitol  at  6 
o'clock,  and  continued  there  till  eleven  o'clock. 

2.  Dined  at  the  Club,  and  spent  the  evening  in  my  own  room. 

3.  Dined  at  the  Club,  and  spent  the  evening  in  my  own  room. 

4.  Dined  at  the  Club,  and  spent  the  evening  at  the  Councils 
Ball  at  the  Capitol. 

5.  Dined  at  the  Club,  and  spent  the  evening  in  my  own  room. 

6.  Dined  at  the  Club,  and  spent  the  evening  in  my  own  room. 

7.  Dined  with  the  Council,  and  spent  the  evening  in  my  own 
room. 

8.  Dined  at  the  Club,  and  spent  the  evening  in  my  own  room. 

9.  Had  a  cold  cut  at  Mrs.  Campbell's  and  went  up  to  Eltham 
in  the  afternoon. 

10.  Dined  at  Eltham,  and  in  the  afternoon  went  to  see  Mr. 
Dandridge  and  returned  to  Eltham  again. 

11.  Went  over  to  Colo.  Thos.  Moore's  sale,'  and  purchased 
two  negroes,  to  wit,  Frank  and  James,  and  returned  to  Eltham 
asain  at  night. 

^  At  Kins:  William. 


282  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1770 

12.  Came  to  Williamsburg  to  breakfast,  dined  at  the  Club,  and 
spent  the  evening  in  my  own  room. 

13.  Dined  at  the  Club  and  spent  the  evening  in  my  own  room. 

14.  Dined  at  the  Speaker's  and  went  to  bed  by  8  o'clock 

15.  Dined  at  the  Treasurer's   and  went  to  a  meeting  of  the 
Association,  at  which  till  1 1  o'clock  ;  then  went  to  bed. 

16.  Dined  at  the  Club  at  Mrs.  Campbell's,  and  went  to  the 
play  in  the  evening. 

17.  Went  to  Church  in  the  forenoon,  and  from  thence  to  Col. 
Burwell's  where  I  dined  and  lodged. 

18     Came  into  Williamsburg  in  the  morning.     Dined  at  the 
Club,  and  went  to  the  play  in  the  afternoon. 

19.  Dined  at  the  Club,  and  went  to  the  play. 

20.  Dined  at  the  President's,  and  went  to  the  play  afterwards. 

21.  Dined  at  the  Club  at  Mrs.  Campbell's  at  8  o'clock,  and 
went  to  bed  directly  after. 

22.  Dined  at  the  Club  and  went  to  the  play,  after  meeting  the 
associates  at  the  Capitol. 

23.  Dined  at  Mrs.  Campbell's  and  set  off  homewards  after  it. 


TO    GEO.    WM.     FAIRFAX. 

Mount  Vernon,  27  June,  1770. 

Dear  Sir, 

Herewith  you  will  receive  some  Letters  which  I 
brought  from  Williamsburg  ;  which  place  I  left  on 
Saturday  in  the  afternoon.  The  Assembly  was  not 
then  up  ;  a  few  bills  remained  unfinished  which  would 
oblige  the  House  to  sit  again  this  week  ;  little  busi- 
ness of  a  public  nature  has  been  transacted  ;  private 
bills  have  engrossed  the  time  of  the  House  almost 
wholely  since  the  first  meeting  of  it. 

A  new  Association  is  formed,  much  upon  the  old 
plan,  but  more  relaxed,  to  which  the  merchants  then 
in  town  acceded.      Committees  in  each  County  are  to 


1770}  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  283 

be  chosen  to  attend  to  the  importations  and  see  if 
our  agreements  cannot  be  more  strictly  adhered  to. 
There  was  nothing  new  when  I  left  Williamsburg. 
Yours  and  Mrs.  Fairfax's  friends  were  well,  as  I  sup- 
pose your  letters  advise.  I  had  many  compliments 
to  you  all  (Colonel  Fairfax  included)  which  as  I  am 
but  a  poor  hand  at  delivering  specially,  I  must  beg 
the  favor  of  having  them  received  in  a  lump. 

I  am  very  much  obliged  to  you  for  the  favor  of 
getting  stone  from  your  quarries.  I  understand  it 
has  assisted  me  much,  as  it  is  got  at  much  easier  than 
with  me.  My  compliments,  in  which  Mrs.  Washing- 
ton, &c.  joins,  are  tendered,  and  I  should  be  glad  to 
know  how  you  all  do.  After  a  little  rest  and  enquiry 
into  the  state  of  my  business,  I  will  do  myself  the 
pleasure  of  seeing  you  at  Belvoir,  and  paying  my 
respects  to  Sir  Thomas.      I  am  &c.' 


TO    DR.    BOUCHER. 

Mount  Vernon,  July  30th,  1770. 

Dr.  Sir, 

The  Books  you  wrote  for  I  hope  you  will  receive 
in  good  order  by  Joe,  as  I  desired  Lund  Washington 
to  pack  them  up  carefully  &  see  them  put  into  the 
portmanteau.  No  thread  came  from  Mr.  Addison's 
nor  any  from  Mr.  Digges,  to  which  place  I  sent, 
thinking  it  might  be  arrived  there  along  with  Jack's 

'  I  am  indebted  to  Mrs.  Burton  N.  Harrison,  a  member  of  the  Fairfax 
family,  for  a  copy  of  this  letter. 

"  July  28.  Went  up  to  Alexandria  with  the  Association  papers,"  [returned 
the  same  day.] — From  an  interleaved  almanac. 


284  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1770 

keys.  We  could  easily  have  carried  down,  &  most 
certainly  should  have  done  so,  if  it  had  ever  got  this 
length. 

That  there  shoud  be  a  dissatisfaction  &  murmuring 
at  the  Virginia  Association  (by  those  who  are  more 
strictly  bound)  I  do  not  much  wonder  at,  but  it  was 
the  best  that  the  friends  to  the  cause  coud  obtain 
here,  &  tho'  too  much  relaxed  from  the  spirit  with 
which  a  measure  of  this  sort  ought  to  be  conducted, 
yet  will  be  attended  with  better  effects  (I  expect) 
than  the  last,  inasmuch  as  it  will  become  general,  & 
adopted  by  the  trade.  Upon  the  whole  I  think  the 
people  of  Virgina  have  too  large  latitude  &  wish  that 
the  Inhabitants  of  the  North  may  not  have  too  little. 
What  I  woud  be  understood  by  it  is,  that  their  Public 
Virtue  may  not  be  put  to  too  severe  a  Tryal  to  stand 
the  Test  much  longer  if  their  Importations  are  not 
equal  to  the  Real  Necessities  of  the  People,  whether 
it  is  or  is  not  I  cannot  undertake  to  judge,  but  sup- 
pose they  are  not,  by  the  defection  of  New  York  & 
attempts  (tho'  unsuccessful  as  yet)  in  other  places  to 
admit  a  general  Importation  of  goods.  Tea  only  ex- 
cepted.'— As  soon  as  you  are  able  to  get  the  Samples 
from  Mr.  Johnson,  Mrs.  Washington  will  be  much 
obliged  in  having  Joe  sent  with   them.      We  set  out 

'He  wrote  to  a  correspondent  in  I-ondon  in  Aui^ust,  1770: — "You  will 
jierceive,  in  looking;  over  the  several  invoices,  that  some  of  tlie  jjoods  there 
retjiiired,  are  u])on  condition,  that  tlie  act  of  rariianient  ini])osing  a  duty  on 
tea,  i)a])er,  &c.  for  the  jHirpose  of  raising;  a  revenue  in  America,  is  totally 
repealed  ;  and  1  het;  the  favor  of  you  to  be  Ljoverncd  strictly  thereby,  as  it 
will  not  ])e  in  my  ])ovver  to  receive  any  articles  contrary  to  our  non-importation 
aL;reement,  which  1  have  subscribed,  and  shall  religiously  adhere  to,  and  sliould, 
if  it  were,  as  I  c(juld  wish  it  to  be,  ten  times  as  strict." 


i77o]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  285 

this  day  for  Fredericksburg.  I  expect  to  be  back 
about  the  9th  or  loth  of  next  month.  My  love 
attends  Jack.     I  am  &c.' 


JOURNAL  OF  A  TOUR  TO  THE  OHIO  RIVER.^ 

October  ^th. — Began  a  journey  to  the  Ohio,  in  company  with 
Dr.  Craik,  his  servant,  and  two  of  mine,  with  a  led  horse  and 

'  I  am  indebted  to  Miss  Margaretta  Hartley,  of  Carlisle,  for  the  above  letter. 

"  That  my  goods  are  for  the  most  exceedingly  dear  bought,  and  the  direc- 
tions which  are  given  for  the  choice  of  particular  articles  not  always  attended 
to,  I  have  no  scruples  in  declaring.  The  first  is  no  otherwise  to  be  proved 
than  by  a  comparison  of  the  prices  and  quantity  :  the  second  is  to  be  evinced 
by  numberless  instances,  two  of  which  I  shall  give  as  the  most  recent  and  im- 
portant. Having  occasion  for  window  glass  for  a  house  I  was  building  I  sent 
for  my  quantity  9  x  II,  and  got  it  in  8  x  10.  This  was  a  considerable  disappoint- 
ment, and  no  small  disadvantage  to  me,  but  not  equal  to  the  one  that  followed 
upon  the  heels  of  it — I  mean  the  chariot  which  I  begged  might  be  made  of 
w^ell  seasoned  materials,  and  by  a  masterly  workman  ;  instead  of  which  it  was 
made  of  wood  so  exceedingly  grien  that  the  panels  slipped  out  of  the  mould- 
ings before  it  was  two  months  in  use,  split  from  one  end  to  the  other,  and 
became  so  open  at  the  joints,  though  everj'  possible  care  was  taken  of  it,  that  I 
expect  very  little  further  service  from  it  with  all  the  repairs  I  can  bestow. 
Besides  this,  we  frequently  have  slight  goods  and  sometimes  old  and  unsalable 
articles  put  off  upon  us,  and  at  such  advanced  prices  that  one  would  be 
inclined  to  think  the  tradesmen  did  not  expect  to  be  paid  in  haste  for 
them  ;  for  it  is  a  fact,  incontestably  true,  that  linens  and  other  articles  that 
have  their  prices  proportioned  to  their  respective  qualities  are  to  be  bought  in 
the  factor's  stores  here  almost  as  cheap  as  we  import  them,  after  the  mer- 
chant has  laid  on  a  suflScient  advance  for  his  profit." — To  Robert  Cary,  20 
August,  1770. 

In  1770  Washington  had  gone  to  the  Philadelphia  races,  run  under  the 
auspices  of  the  Jockey  Club,  an  organization  dating  from  1766.  The  races 
were  run  in  Center  Square.  In  1773  Washington  and  John  Parke  Custis  were 
again  in  Philadelphia.  In  1770  James  Allen  records  in  his  Diary  "  Governor 
Eden  and  Colonel  Washington  are  in  Town  come  to  the  races.  Water's 
horse  Herod  won  the  ;i^ioo  yesterday,  and  Mr.  Delancey's  Sultana  ;,^50  to  day. 
The  Town  is  verj-  gay  and  invitations  frequent.  I  asked  Gov.  Eden  and  Col. 
Washington  to  dinner,  but  they  are  engaged  during  their  stay." — Penn.  Mag. 
of  Hist,  and  Biog.  ix.  180,  181. 

*  Washington  was  much  interested  in  locating  the  land  on  the  Ohio  that  had 
been  granted  by  the  colony  to  the  officers  and  soldiers  serving  in  the  war 


286  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1770 

baggage.  Dined  at  Towlston,  and  lodged  at  Leesburg,  distant 
from  Mount  Vernon  about  forty-five  miles.  Here  my  port- 
manteau horse  failed  in  his  stomach.' 

6th. — Fed  our  horses  on  the  top  of  the  Ridge,  at  one  Codley's, 
and  arrived  at  my  brother  Samuel's,  on  Worthington's  Marsh,  a 
little  after  they  had  dined,  the  distance  being  about  thirty  miles  ; 
from  hence  I  despatched  a  messenger  to  Colonel  Stephen  ap- 
prising him  of  my  arrival  and  intended  journey. 

7///. — My  portmanteau  horse  being  unable  to  proceed,  I  left 
him  at  my  brother's,  and  got  one  of  his,  and  proceeded  by  Joliffs 
&  Jasper  Rinkers  "^  to  Samuel  Pritchard's  on  Cacapehon,  distant, 
according  to  account  39  miles,  but  by  my  computation  42,  thus 
reckoned  :  15  to  Joliffs,  14  to  Rinkers,  &  13  to  Pritchard's.  At 
Rinkers,  which  appears  to  be  a  cleanly  house,  my  boy  ^  was  taken 
sick,  but  continued  on  to  Pritchard's.  Pritchard's  is  also  a  pretty 
good  house,  there  being  fine  pasturage,  good  fences,  and  beds 
tolerably  clean. 


against  the  French  and  Indians.  He  had  become  the  agent  of  the  persons 
interested  and  was  constantly  urging  on  the  executive  the  expediency  of 
completing  the  grant  and  thus  fulfilling  the  promise  of  the  colony.  In  August 
1770  he  notes  in  his  almanac,  "  Met  the  officers  of  the  First  Virginia  troops 
at  Captain  Weeden's,  where  we  dined  and  did  not  finish  till  about  sunset." 
It  was  probably  arranged  at  this  meeting  that  Washington  should  preceed  to 
the  Ohio  and  examine  the  territory  that  would  be  covered  by  the  grant,  and 
this  journal  contains  the  notes  of  his  observations.  Mr.  Sjiarks  printed  only 
a  portion  of  the  record,  and  omitted  entirely  a  few  memoranda  contained  in  the 
same  almanac,  which  for  the  most  part  convey  tlie  same  information  as  the 
notes,  but  contain  also  a  few  additional  facts  that  I  have  embodied  in  notes 
wherever  jiertinent. 

In  his  note-book  for  1771,  I  find  the  following  entries  :  "  March  4.  Reached 
Winchester  to  dinner,  according  to  appointment,  with  the  officers  &c.  claiming 
))art  of  tlic  200,000  acres  of  land. 

7.  At  my  l)rolher's  all  clay,  writing  instructions  and  despatches  for  Captn. 
Crawford,  the  surveyor  of  our  2tM:),ooo  acres  of  land. 

Octo.  10.      At  home  all  day  ;  Captn.  Ciawford  came  here  in  the  afternoon. 

II.  Still  at  home  all  day,  ])l<jlting  and  measuring  the  surveys  which  Captn. 
Crawford  made  for  the  officers  and  soldiers."  ['['his  occujiied  him  till 
the   i6tli.] 

'  "  Set  out  for  the  settlement  on  Redstone  ivc,  and  dined  at  Mr.  IJryan  Fair- 
fax's." -  Dined  at  Rinkers.  ''  liilly. 


i77o]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  287 

%th. — My  servant  being  unable  to  travel,  I  left  him  at  Pritch- 
ard's  with  Dr.  Craik,  and  proceeded  myself  with  Valentine  Craw- 
ford '  to  Colonel  Cresap's,  in  order  to  learn  from  him  (being  just 
arrived  from  England)  the  particulars  of  the  grant  said  to  be 
lately  sold  to  Walpole  and  others,  for  a  certain  tract  of  country 
on  the  Ohio.  The  distance  from  Pritchard's  to  Cresap's  accord- 
ing to  computation  is  twenty-six  miles,  thus  reckoned  :  to  the 
Fort  at  Henry  Enoch's  8  miles  (road  exceeding  bad)  ;  12  to  Cox's 
at  the  mouth  of  little  Cacapehon,  and  6  afterwards. 

^th. — Went  up  to  Rumney  in  order  to  buy  work-horses,  and 
met  Dr.  Craik  and  my  baggage  ;  arrived  there  about  twelve 
o'clock,  distance  16  miles.  In  the  afternoon,  Doctor  Craik,  my 
servant  (much  amended)  and  the  baggage,  arrived  from  Pritch- 
ard's, said  to  be  28  miles. 

\oth. — Having  purchased  two  horses,  and  recovered  another 
which  had  been  gone  from  me  near  three  years,  I  despatched  my 
boy  Giles  with  my  two  riding-horses  home,  and  proceeded  on  my 
journey  ;  arriving  at  one  Wise's  (now  Turner's)  mill  about  twenty- 
two  miles,  it  being  reckoned  seven  to  the  place  where  Cox's  Fort 
formerly  stood  ;  ten  to  one  Parker's  ;  and  five  afterwards.  The 
road  from  the  South  Branch  of  Patterson's  Creek  is  hilly,  down 
the  creek,  on  which  is  good  land,  sloping  to  Parker's,  and  from 
Parker's  to  Turner's  hilly  again. 

wth. — The  morning  being  wet  and  heavy  we  did  not  set  off 
till  eleven  o'clock,  and  arrived  that  night  at  one  Killam's,  on  a 
branch  of  George's  Creek,  distant  ten  and  a  half  measured  miles 
from  the  north  branch  of  the  Potomac,  where  we  crossed  at  the 
lower  end  of  my  deceased  brother  Augustine's  bottom,  known  by 
the  name  of  Pendergrass's.  This  crossing  is  two  miles  from  the 
aforesaid  mill  and  the  road  bad,  as  it  likewise  is  to  Killam's,  the 
country  being  very  hilly  and  stony.  From  Killam's  to  Fort  Cum- 
berland is  the  same  distance,  that  it  is  to  the  crossing  above  men- 
tioned, and  the  road  from  thence  to  JoUiff's  by  the  Old  Town 
much  better. 

\2th — We  left  Killam's  early  in  the  morning;  breakfasted  at 
the  Little  Meadows,  ten  miles  off,  and  lodged  at  the  Great  Cross- 

'  Valenrine  Crawford  joined  us. 


288  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1770 

ings  twenty  miles  further  ;  which  we  found  a  tolerable  good 
day's  work.  The  country  we  travelled  over  to-day  was  very 
mountainous  and  stony,  with  but  very  little  good  land,  and  that 
lying  in  spots. 

13///. — Set  out  about  sunrise  ;  breakfasted  at  the  Great  Mead- 
ows '  thirteen  miles,  and  reached  Captain  Crawford's  ^  about  five 
o'clock.  The  lands  we  travelled  over  to-day  till  we  had  crossed 
the  Lawrel  Hill  (except  in  small  spots)  was  very  mountainous  and 
indifferent ;  but  when  we  came  down  the  hill  to  the  plantation  of 
Mr.  Thos.  Gist,  the  land  appeared  charming,  that  which  lay  level 
being  as  rich  and  black  as  any  thing  could  possibly  be.  The 
more  hilly  kind,  tho'  of  a  different  complexion  must  be  good,  as 
well  from  the  crops  it  produces,  as  from  the  beautiful  white  oaks 
that  grow  thereon.  Tho'  white  oak  in  general  indicates  poor 
land,  yet  this  does  not  appear  to  be  of  that  cold  kind.  The  land 
from  Gist's  to  Crawford's  is  very  broken  tho'  not  mountainous  ; 
in  spots  exceeding  rich,  and  in  general  free  from  stone.  Craw- 
ford's is  very  fine  land  ;  lying  on  the  Youghiogany  at  a  place  com- 
monly called  Stewart's  Crossing. 

14//^.— At  Captain  Crawford's  all  day.  Went  to  see  a  coal-mine 
not  far  from  his  house  on  the  banks  of  the  river.  The  coal 
seemed  to  be  of  the  very  best  kind,  burning  freely,  and  abundance 
of  it. 

15/"/?. — Went  to  view  some  land,  which  Captain  Crawford  had 
taken  up  for  me  near  the  Youghiogany,  distant  about  twelve  miles. 
This  tract,  which  contains  about  one  thousand  six  hundred  acres, 
includes  some  as  fine  land  as  ever  1  saw,  and  a  great  deal  of  rich 
meadow,  and  in  general  is  leveller  than  the  country  about  it. 
This  tract  is  well  watered,  and  has  a  valuable  mill-seat,  (except 
that  the  stream  is  rather  too  slight,  and,  it  is  said,  not  constant 
more  than  seven  or  eight  months  in  the  year  ;  but  on  account  of 
the  fall,  and  other  conveniences,  no  place  can  exceed  it.)  In  go- 
ing to  this  land,  I  ])assed  through  two  other  tracts,  which  Captain 
Crawford  had  taken  uj)  for  my  brolliers  Samuel  and  John.     That 

'On  Decern.  6,  1770,  Crawford  wrote  to  Wasliint^ton  :  "Agreeable  to 
your  desire,  I  liavc  bought  tlu-  (ireat  Meadows  from  Mr.  Harrison  for  thirty 
jiistolcs." 

''  Crawford's  liousc  stood  where  tlie  village  of  \ew  Haven  now  is. 


i77o]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  289 

belonging  to  the  former  was  not  so  rich  as  some  I  had  seen,  but 
very  valuable  on  account  of  its  levelness,  and  little  stone — the 
soil  and  timber  being  good  ;  that  of  the  latter  had  some  bottom 
land  upon  [?]  that  was  very  good  (tho'  narrow) — the  hills  very 
rich,  but  the  land  in  general  broken.  I  intended  to  have  visited 
the  land,  which  Crawford  had  procured  for  Lund  Washington, 
this  day  also,  but,  time  falling  short,  I  was  obliged  to  postpone  it. 
Night  came  on  before  I  got  back  to  Crawford's,  where  I  found 
Colonel  Stephen.  The  lands,  which  I  passed  over  to-day,  were 
generally  hilly,  and  the  growth  chiefly  white-oak,  but  very  good 
notwithstanding  ;  and  what  is  extraordinary',  and  contrary  to  the 
property  of  all  other  lands  I  ever  saw  before,  the  hills  are  the 
richest  land  ;  the  soil  upon  the  sides  and  summits  of  them  being 
as  black  as  a  coal,  and  the  growth  walnut,  cherr\',  pine  [?]  bushes, 
&c.  The  flats  are  not  so  rich,  and  a  good  deal  more  mixed  with 
stone. 

\(ith. — At  Captain  Crawford's  till  the  evening,  when  I  went  to 
Mr.  John  Stephenson's '  (on  my  way  to  Pittsburg)  and  lodged. 
This  day  was  visited  by  one  Mr.  Ennis,  who  had  travelled  down 
the  Little  Kenhawa,  (almost)  from  the  head  to  the  mouth,  on 
which  he  says  the  lands  are  broken,  the  bottoms  neither  very 
wide  nor  rich,  but  covered  with  beach.  At  the  mouth  the  lands 
are  good,  and  continue  so  up  the  river,  and  about  Wheeling,  and 
Fishing  Creek,  is,  according  to  his  account,  a  body  of  fine  land. 
I  also  saw  a  son  of  Captain  John  Harden's,  who  said  he  had  been 
from  the  mouth  of  the  Little  Kenhawa  to  the  Big  ;  but  his 
description  of  the  lands  seemed  to  be  so  vague  and  indeterminate, 
that  it  was  much  doubted  whether  he  ever  was  there  or  not.  He 
says,  however,  that  at  the  mouth  of  the  Big  Kenhawa,  there  may 
be  about  20  or  25,000  acres  of  land  had  in  a  body,  that  is  good  ; 
that  you  are  not  above  5  or  6  miles  to  the  Hills,  and  that  the 
falls  of  the  Kenhawa  are  not  above  10  miles  up  it. 

17//^. — Dr.  Craik  and  myself,  with  Captain  Crawford  and  others, 
arrived  at  Fort  Pitt,  distant  from  the  Crossing  forty-three  and 
a    half    measured    miles.'     In    riding     this   distance  we  passed 

'  Stephenson  was  a  half-brother  of  Crawford. 
-  Dining  at  one  Widow  Meirs,  at  Turtle  Creek. 


2  90  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1770 

over  a  great  deal  of  exceedingly  fine  land,  (chiefly  white-oak,) 
especially  from  Seveigley's  Creek  to  Turtle  Creek,  but  the  whole 
broken  ;  resembling,  (as  I  think  all  the  lands  in  this  country  do,) 
the  Loudoun  lands  for  hills.  We  lodged  in  what  is  called  the 
town,  distant  about  three  hundred  yards  from  the  fort,  at  one 
Mr.  Semple's  who  keeps  a  very  good  house  of  public  entertain- 
ment. These  houses,  which  are  built  of  logs,  and  ranged  into 
streets,  are  on  the  Monongahela,  and  I  suppose  may  be  about 
twenty  in  number,  and  inhabited  by  Indian  traders,  &c.  The  fort 
is  built  on  the  point  between  the  rivers  Allegany  and  Mononga- 
hela, but  not  so  near  the  pitch  of  it  as  Fort  Duquesne  stood.  It 
is  five-sided  and  regular,  two  of  which  next  the  land  are  of  brick  ; 
the  others  stockade.  A  moat  encompasses  it.  The  garrison  con- 
sists of  two  companies  of  Royal  Irish,  commanded  by  Captain 
Edmonson. 

\Zth. — Dined  in  the  Fort  with  Colonel  Croghan  and  the  officers 
of  the  garrison  ;  supped  there  also,  meeting  with  great  civility 
from  the  gentlemen,  and  engaged  to  dine  with  Colonel  Croghan 
the  next  day  at  his  seat,  about  four  miles  up  the  Allegany. 

\()th. — Received  a  message  from  Colonel  Croghan,  that  the 
White  Mingo  and  other  chiefs  of  the  Six  Nations  had  something 
to  say  to  me,  and  desiring  that  I  should  be  at  his  house  about 
eleven  (where  they  were  to  meet),  I  went  up  and  received  a 
speech,  with  a  string  of  wampum  from  the  White  Mingo,  to  the 
following  effect. 

"That  I  was  a  person  whom  some  of  them  remember  to  have 
seen,  when  I  was  sent  on  an  embassy  to  the  French,  and  most  of 
them  had  heard  of,  they  were  come  to  bid  me  welcome  to  this 
country,  and  to  desire  that  the  people  of  Virginia  would  consider 
them  as  friends  and  brothers,  linked  together  in  one  chain  ;  that 
1  would  inform  the  governor,  that  it  was  their  wish  to  live  in 
])cace  and  harmony  with  the  white  people,  and  that  though  there 
liad  been  some  unhaj^py  differences  between  them  and  the  people 
u])on  our  frontiers,  they  were  all  made  up,  and  they  hoped  for- 
gotten ;  and  concluded  with  saying,  that  their  brothers  of  Virginia 
did  not  come  among  them  and  trade  as  the  inhabitants  of  the 
other  i>rovinces  did,  from  whence  they  were  afraid  that  we  did 
not  look  ujjon  them  with  so  friendly  an  eye  as  they  could  wish." 


i77o]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  291 


To  this  I  answered,  (after  thanking  them  for  their  friendly- 
welcome,)  that  all  the  injuries  and  affronts,  that  had  passed  on 
either  side,  were  now  totally  forgotten,  and  that  I  was  sure  noth- 
ing was  more  wished  and  desired  by  the  people  of  Virginia,  than 
to  live  in  the  strictest  friendship  with  them  ;  that  the  Virginians 
were  a  people  not  so  much  engaged  in  trade  as  the  Pennsylvan- 
ians,  &ca.,  which  was  the  reason  of  their  not  being  so  frequently 
among  them  ;  but  that  it  was  possible  they  might  for  the  time  to 
come  have  stricter  connexions  with  them,  and  that  I  would 
acquaint  the  governor  with  their  desires. 

After  dinner  at  Colonel  Croghan's  we  returned  to  Pittsburg, 
Colonel  Croghan  with  us,  who  intended  to  accompany  us  part  of 
the  way  down  the  river,  having  engaged  an  Indian  called  the 
Pheasant,  and  one  Joseph  Nicholson  an  interpreter,  to  attend  us 
the  whole  voyage  ;  also  a  young  Indian  warrior. 

loth. — We  embarked  in  a  large  canoe,'  with  sufficient  store  of 
provisions  and  necessaries,  and  the  following  persons,  (besides 
Dr.  Craik  and  myself,)  to  wit : — Captain  Crawford,  Joseph  Nich- 
olson, Robert  Bell,  William  Harrison,  Charles  Morgan,  and 
Daniel  Rendon,  a  boy  of  Captain  Crawford's,  and  the  Indians, 
who  were  in  a  canoe  by  themselves.  From  Fort  Pitt  we  sent  our 
horses  and  boys  back  to  Captain  Crawford's,  with  orders  to  meet 
us  there  again  the  14th  day  of  November.  Colonel  Croghan, 
Lieutenant  Hamilton,  and  Mr.  Magee,  set  out  with  us.  At  two 
we  dined  at  Mr.  Magee's,  and  encamped  ten  miles  below,  and 
four  above  the  Logstown.  We  passed  several  large  islands, 
which  appeared  to  [be]  very  good,  as  the  bottoms  also  did  on 
each  side  of  the  river  alternately  ;  the  hills  on  one  side  being 
opposite  to  the  bottoms  on  the  other,  which  seem  generally  to  be 
about  three  or  four  hundred  yards  wide,  and  so  vice  versa. 

21st. — Left  our  encampment  about  six  o'clock,  and  breakfasted 
at  the  Logstown,  where  we  parted  with  Colonel  Croghan  and 
company  about  nine  o'clock.  At  eleven  we  came  to  the  mouth 
of  the  Big  Beaver  Creek,  opposite  to  which  is  a  good  situation 
for  a  house,  and  above  it,  on  the  same  side,  (that  is  the  west,) 
there  appears  to  be  a  body  of  fine  land.     About  five  miles  lower 

^  "  Set  out  for  the  Big  Kanhawa." 


292  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1770 

down,  on  the  east  side,  comes  in  Raccoon  Creek,  at  the  mouth  of 
which  and  up  it  appears  to  be  a  body  of  good  land  also.  All  the 
land  between  this  creek  and  the  Monongahela,  and  for  fifteen  miles 
back,  is  claimed  by  Colonel  Croghan  under  a  purchase  from  the 
Indians,  (and  which  sale  he  says  is  confirmed  by  his  Majesty.) 
On  this  creek,  where  the  branches  thereof  interlock  with  the 
waters  of  Shirtees  Creek,  there  is,  according  to  Colonel  Croghan's 
account,  a  body  of  fine,  rich,  level  land.  This  tract  he  wants  to 
sell,  and  offers  it  at  five  pounds  sterling  per  hundred  acres,  with 
an  exemption  of  quit-rents  for  twenty  years  ;  after  which,  to  be 
subject  to  the  payment  of  four  shillings  and  two  pence  sterling 
per  hundred  ;  provided  he  can  sell  it  in  ten-thousand-acre  lots. 
Note  :  the  unsettled  state  of  this  country  renders  any  purchase 
dangerous.  From  Raccoon  Creek  to  Little  Beaver  Creek  appears 
to  me  to  be  little  short  of  ten  miles,  and  about  three  miles  below 
this  we  encamped  ;  after  hiding  a  barrel  of  biscuit  in  an  island 
(in  sight)  to  lighten  our  canoe. 

22d. — As  it  began  to  snow  about  midnight,  and  continued 
pretty  steadily  at  it,  it  was  about  half  after  seven  before  we  left  our 
encampment.  At  the  distance  of  about  eight  miles  we  came  to 
the  mouth  of  Yellow  Creek,  (to  the  west)  opposite  to,  or  rather 
below  which,  appears  to  be  a  long  bottom  of  very  good  land,  and 
the  ascent  to  the  hills  apparently  gradual.  There  is  another 
pretty  large  bottom  of  very  good  land  about  two  or  three  miles 
above  this.  About  eleven  or  twelve  miles  from  this,  and  just 
above  what  is  called  the  Long  Island  (which  though  so  distin- 
guished is  not  very  remarkable  for  length,  breadth,  or  goodness), 
comes  in  on  the  east  side  the  river  a  small  creek,  or  run,  the 
name  of  which  I  could  not  learn  ;  and  a  mile  or  two  below  the 
island,  on  the  west  side,  comes  in  Big  Stony  Creek  (not  larger 
in  appearance  than  the  other),  on  neither  of  which  does  there 
seem  to  be  any  large  bottoms  or  bodies  of  good  land.  About 
seven  miles  from  the  last  mentioned  creek,  twenty-eight  from  our 
last  encampment,  and  about  seventy-five  from  Pittsburg,  we  came 
to  the  Mingo  Town,  situate  on  the  west  side  the  river,  a  little 
above  the  Cross  Creeks.  This  place  contains  about  twenty 
cabins,  and  seventy  inhabitants  of  the  Six  Nations.  Had  we  set 
off  early,  and  kept  constantly  at  it,  we  might  have  reached  lower 


i77o]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  293 

than  this  place  to-day  ;  as  the  water  in  many  places  run  pretty 
swift,  in  general  more  so  than  yesterday.  The  river  from  Fort 
Pitt  to  the  LogstowTi  has  some  ugly  rifts  and  shoals,  which  we 
found  somewhat  difficult  to  pass,  whether  from  our  inexperience 
of  the  channel,  or  not,  I  cannot  undertake  to  say.  From  the 
Logstown  to  the  mouth  of  Little  Beaver  Creek  is  much  the  same 
kind  of  water  ;  that  is,  rapid  in  some  places,  gliding  gently  along 
in  others,  and  quite  still  in  many.  The  water  from  Little  Beaver 
Creek  to  the  Mingo  Town,  in  general,  is  swifter  than  we  found  it  the 
preceding  day,  and  without  any  shallows  ;  there  being  some  one 
part  or  another  always  deep,  which  is  a  natural  consequence,  as  the 
river  in  all  the  distance  from  Fort  Pitt  to  this  town  has  not  widened 
at  all,  nor  doth  the  bottoms  appear  to  be  any  larger.  The  hills 
which  come  close  to  the  river  opposite  to  each  bottom  are  steep  ; 
and  on  the  side  in  view,  in  many  places,  rocky  and  cragged  ;  but 
said  to  abound  in  good  land  on  the  tops.  These  are  not  a  range 
of  hills,  but  broken  and  cut  in  two,  as  if  there  were  frequent 
watercourses  running  through,  (which  however  we  did  not  per- 
ceive to  be  the  case,  consequently  they  must  be  small  if  any.) 
The  river  along  down  abounds  in  wild  geese,  and  several  kinds 
of  ducks,  but  in  no  great  quantity.  We  killed  five  wild  turkeys 
to-day.  Upon  our  arrival  at  the  Mingo  Town,  we  received  the 
disagreeable  news  of  two  traders  being  killed  at  a  town  called  the 
Grape-Vine  Town,  thirty-eight  miles  below  this  ;  which  caused 
us  to  hesitate  whether  we  should  proceed,  or  wait  for  further 
intelligence. 

2-^d. — Several  imperfect  accounts  coming  in,  agreeing  that  only 
one  person  was  killed,  and  the  Indians  not  supposing  it  to  be 
done  by  their  people,  we  resolved  to  pursue  our  passage,  till  we 
could  get  some  more  distinct  account  of  this  transaction.  Accord- 
ingly about  two  o'clock  we  set  out  with  the  two  Indians,  who  were 
to  accompany  us,  in  our  canoe,  and  in  about  four  miles  came  to 
the  mouth  of  a  creek  called  Sculp  Creek  on  the  east  side,  at  the 
mouth  of  which  is  a  bottom  of  very  good  land,  as  I  am  told  there 
likewise  is  up  it.  The  Cross  Creeks,  (as  they  are  called,)  are  not 
large  ;  that  on  the  west  side  is  biggest.  At  the  Mingo  Town  we 
found  and  left  sixty  &  odd  warriors  of  the  Six  Nations,  going  to  the 
Cherokee  country  to  proceed  to  war  against  the  Catawbas.  About 


294  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1770 

ten  miles  below  the  town,  we  came  to  two  other  cross  creeks  ; 
that  on  the  west  side  largest,  but  not  big,  and  called  by  Nichol- 
son, French  Creek.  About  three  miles,  or  a  little  better  below 
this,  at  the  lower  point  of  some  islands,  which  stand  contiguous 
to  each  other,  we  were  told  by  the  Indians  with  us  that  three  men 
from  Virginia  (by  Virginians  they  mean  all  the  people  settled 
upon  Redstone,  &c.)  had  marked  the  land  from  hence  all  the  way 
to  Red-stone  ;  that  there  was  a  body  of  exceeding  fine  land  lying 
about  this  place,  and  up  opposite  to  the  Mingo  Town,  as  also 
down  to  the  mouth  of  Fishing  Creek.  At  this  place  we  en- 
camped. 

2i\th. — We  left  our  encampment  before  sunrise,  and  about  six 
miles  below  it  we  came  to  the  mouth  of  a  pretty  smart  creek, 
coming  in  to  the  eastward,  called  by  the  Indians  Split-Island 
Creek,  from  its  running  in  against  an  island.  On  this  creek  there 
is  the  appearance  of  good  land  a  distance  up  it.  Six  miles  below 
this  again  we  came  to  another  creek  on  the  west  side,  called  by 
Nicholson,  Wheeling  ;  and  about  a  mile  lower  down  appears  to 
be  another  small  water  coming  in  on  the  east  side,  which  I 
remark,  because  of  the  scarcity  of  them,  and  to  show  how  badly 
furnished  this  country  is  with  mill-seats.  Two  or  three  miles 
below  this  again  is  another  run  on  the  west  side,  up  which  is  a 
near  way  by  land  to  the  Mingo  Town  ;  and  about  four  miles 
lower,  comes  in  another  on  the  east,  at  which  place  is  a  path 
leading  to  the  settlement  at  Red-stone.  About  a  mile  and  a  half 
below  this  again,  comes  in  the  Pipe  Creek,  so  called  by  the 
Indians  from  a  stone,  which  is  found  here,  out  of  which  they 
make  pipes.  Opposite  to  this,  that  is,  on  the  east  side,  is  a  bot- 
tom of  exceeding  rich  land  ;  but  as  it  seems  to  lie  low,  I  am 
apprehensive  that  it  is  subject  to  be  overflowed.  This  bottom 
ends  where  the  effects  of  a  hurricane  appear,  by  the  destruction 
and  havoc  among  the  trees.  Two  or  three  miles  below  the  Pipe 
Creek  is  a  })retty  large  creek  on  the  west  side,  called  by  Nichol- 
son, Fox-Grape-Vine  by  others  Captema  Creek,  on  which,  eight 
miles  uj),  is  the  town  called  the  (lra|)e-Vine  Town  ;  and  at  the 
mouth  of  it  is  the  place  where  it  was  said  the  traders  lived,  and 
tlie  one  was  killed.  To  this  place  we  came  about  three  o'clock  in 
the  afternoon,  and   finding  nobody  there,  wc  agreed   to  camp  ; 


i77o]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  295 


that  Nicholson  and  one  of  the  Indians  might  go  up  to  the  town, 
and  inquire  into  the  truth  of  the  report  concerning  the  murder.' 

25/^, — About  seven  o'clock,  Nicholson  and  the  Indian  re- 
turned ;  they  found  nobody  at  the  town  but  two  old  Indian 
women  (the  men  being  a  hunting)  ;  from  these  they  learnt  that 
the  trader  was  not  killed,  but  drowned  in  attempting  to  ford  the 
Ohio  ;  and  that  only  one  boy,  belonging  to  the  traders,  was  in 
these  parts  ;  the  trader,  (father  to  him)  being  gone  for  horses  to 
take  home  their  skins.  About  half  an  hour  after  seven  we  set  out 
from  our  encampment ;  around  which  and  up  the  creek  is  a  body 
of  fine  land.  In  our  passage  down  to  this  we  see  innumerable 
quantities  of  turkeys,  and  many  deer  watering  and  browsing  on 
the  shore-side,  some  of  which  we  killed.  Neither  yesterday  nor 
the  day  before  did  we  pass  any  rifts,  or  very  rapid  water,  the  river 
gliding  gently  along  ;  nor  did  we  perceive  any  alteration  in  the 
general  face  of  the  country,  except  that  the  bottoms  seemed  to  be 
getting  a  little  longer  and  wider,  as  the  bends  of  the  river  grew 
larger. 

About  five  miles  from  the  Vine  Creek  comes  in  a  very  large 
creek  to  the  eastward,  called  by  the  Indians  Cut  Creek,  from  a 
town  or  tribe  of  Indians,  which  they  say  was  cut  off  entirely  in  a 
very  bloody  battle  between  them  and  the  Six  Nations.  This  creek 
empties  just  at  the  lower  end  of  an  island,  and  is  seventy  or  eighty 
yards  wide  ;  and  I  fancy  it  is  the  creek  commonly  called  by  the 
people  of  Red-stone  &:c  Wheeling.  It  extends,  according  to  the 
Indians'  account,  a  great  way,  and  interlocks  with  the  branches  of 
Split-Island  Creek  ;  abounding  in  very  fine  bottoms,  and  exceed- 
ing good  land.  Just  below  this,  on  the  west  side,  comes  in  a  small 
run  ;  and  about  five  miles  below  it,  on  the  west  side  also,  another 
middling  large  creek  empties,  called  by  the  Indians  Broken-Tim- 
ber Creek  ;  so  named  from  the  timber  that  is  destroyed  on  it  by 
a  hurricane  ;  on  the  head  of  this  was  a  town  of  the  Delawares, 
which  is  now  left.  Two  miles  lower  down,  on  the  same  side,  is 
another  creek  smaller  than  the  last,  and  bearing,  (according  to 
the  Indians,)  the  same  name.     Opposite  to  these  two  creeks,  (on 

'  "  We  reached  the  mouth  of  a  creek  called  Fox  Grape  Vine  Creek  (lo  miles 
up  which  is  a  town  of  Delawares,  called  Franks  Town),  about  3  in  the  after- 
noon, distant  from  our  last  camp  about  26  miles." 


296  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1770 


the  east  side,)  appears  to  be  a  large  bottom  of  good  land.  About 
two  miles  below  the  last  mentioned  creek,  on  the  east  side,  and  at 
the  end  of  the  bottom  aforementioned,  comes  in  a  small  creek  or 
large  run.  Seven  miles  from  this  comes  in  Muddy  Creek,  on  the 
east  side  of  the  river,  a  pretty  large  creek  and  heads  up  against 
and  with  some  of  the  waters  of  Monongahela,  (according  to  the 
Indians'  account,)  and  contains  some  bottoms  of  very  good 
land  ;  but  in  general  the  hills  are  steep,  and  country  broken  about 
it.  At  the  mouth  of  this  creek  is  the  largest  flat  I  have  seen  upon 
the  river  ;  the  bottom  extending  two  or  three  miles  up  the  river 
above  it,  and  a  mile  below  ;  tho  it  does  not  seem  to  be  of  the  rich- 
est kind  and  yet  is  exceeding  good  upon  the  whole,  if  it  be  not 
too  low  and  subject  to  freshets.  About  half  way  in  the  long  reach 
we  encamped,  opposite  to  the  beginning  of  a  bottom  on  the  east 
side  of  the  river.  At  this  place  we  threw  out  some  lines  at  night 
and  found  a  catfish,  of  the  size  of  our  largest  river  cats,  hooked 
to  it  in  the  morning,  though  it  was  of  the  smallest  kind  here.  We 
found  no  rifts  in  this  day's  passage,  but  pretty  swift  water  in  some 
places,  and  still  in  others.  We  found  the  bottoms  increased  in 
size,  both  as  to  length  and  breadth,  and  the  river  more  choked  up 
with  fallen  trees,  and  the  bottom  of  the  river  next  the  shores 
rather  more  muddy,  but  in  general  stony,  as  it  has  been  all  the 
way  down. 

26///. —  Left  our  encampment  at  half  an  hour  after  six  o'clock, 
and  passed  a  small  run  on  the  west  side  about  four  miles  lower. 
At  the  lower  end  of  the  long  reach,  and  for  some  distance  up  it, 
on  the  east  side,  is  a  large  bottom,  but  low,  and  covered  with 
beech  near  the  river-shore,  which  is  no  indication  of  good  land. 
The  long  reach  is  a  straight  course  of  the  river  for  about  eigh- 
teen or  twenty  miles,  which  appears  the  more  extraordinary  as 
the  Ohio  in  general  is  remarkably  crooked.  There  are  several 
islands  in  this  reach,  some  containing  an  hundred  or  more  acres 
of  land  ;  but  all  I  apprehend  liable  to  be  overflowed. 

At  the  end  of  this  reach  we  found  one  Martin  and  Lindsay, 
two  traders,  and  from  them  learnt,  that  the  ])erson  drowned  was 
(me  Philips,  attemi)ting,  in  company  with  Rogers,  another  Indian 
trader,  to  swim  the  river  with  their  horses  at  an  imi)ro])er  place  ; 
l<.ogers  himself  narrowly  escaping.    Five  miles  lower  down  comes 


i77o]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  297 

in  a  large  creek  from  the  east,  right  against  an  island  of  good 
land,  at  least  a  mile  or  two  in  length.  At  the  mouth  of  this  creek 
(the  name  of  which  I  could  not  learn,  except  that  it  was  called 
by  some  Bull's  Creek,  from  one  Bull  that  hunted  on  it)  is  a  bot- 
tom of  good  land,  though  rather  too  much  mixed  with  beech. 
Opposite  to  this  island  the  Indians  showed  us  a  buffalo's  path, 
the  tracks  of  which  we  see.  Five  or  six  miles  below  the  last 
mentioned  creek  we  came  to  the  Three  Islands  before  which  we 
observed  a  small  run  on  each  side  coming  in.  Below  these  isl- 
ands is  a  large  body  of  flat  land,  with  a  watercourse  running 
through  it  on  the  east  side,  and  the  hills  back  neither  so  high  nor 
steep  in  appearance,  as  they  are  up  the  river.  On  the  other  hand, 
the  bottoms  do  not  appear  so  rich,  though  much  longer  and  wider. 
The  bottom  last  mentioned  is  upon  a  straight  reach  of  the  river, 
I  suppose  six  or  eight  miles  in  length,  at  the  lower  end  of  which 
on  the  east  side  comes  in  a  pretty  large  run  from  the  size  of  the 
mouth.  About  this,  above,  below  and  back,  there  seems  to  be  a 
very  large  body  of  flat  land  with  some  little  risings  in  it. 

About  twelve  miles  below  the  Three  Islands  we  encamped, 
just  above  the  mouth  of  a  creek,  which  appears  pretty  large  at 
the  mouth,  and  just  above  an  island.  All  the  lands  from  a  little 
below  the  creek,  which  I  have  distinguished  by  the  name  of  Bull 
Creek,  appear  to  be  level,  with  some  small  hillocks  intermixed, 
as  far  as  we  could  see  into  the  country.  We  met  with  no  rifts 
to-day,  but  some  pretty  strong  water  ;  upon  the  whole  tolerable 
gentle.  The  sides  of  the  river  were  a  good  deal  incommoded 
with  old  trees,  which  impeded  our  passage  a  little.  This  day 
proved  clear  and  pleasant  ;  the  only  day  since  the  i8th  that  it 
did  not  rain  or  snow,  or  threaten  the  one  or  other. 

2']th. — Left  our  encampment  a  quarter  before  seven  ;  and  after 
passing  the  creek  near  which  we  lay,  and  another  much  the  same 
size  and  on  the  same  side,  (west)  also  an  island  about  two  miles 
in  length,  (but  not  wide,)  we  came  to  the  mouth  of  Muskingum, 
distant  from  our  encampment  about  four  miles.  This  river  is 
about  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards  wide  at  the  mouth  ;  it  runs 
out  in  a  gentle  current  and  clear  stream,  and  is  navigable  a  great 
way  into  the  country  for  canoes.  From  Muskingum  to  the  Lit- 
tle Kanhawa  is  about  thirteen  miles.     This  is  about  as  wide  at 


298  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1770 

the  mouth  as  the  Muskingum,  but  the  water  much  deeper.  It 
runs  up  towards  the  inhabitants  of  Monongahela,  and,  according 
to  the  Indians'  account,  forks  about  forty  or  fifty  miles  up  it,  and 
the  ridge  between  the  two  prongs  leads  directly  to  the  settlement. 
To  this  fork,  and  above,  the  water  is  navigable  for  canoes.  On 
the  upper  side  of  this  river  there  appears  to  be  a  bottom  of  ex- 
ceeding rich  land,  and  the  country  from  hence  quite  up  to  the 
Three  Islands  level  and  in  appearance  fine.  The  Ohio  running 
round  it  in  the  nature  of  a  horse-shoe  forms  a  neck  of  flat  land, 
which,  added  to  that  running  up  the  second  long  reach  (afore- 
mentioned,) cannot  contain  less  than  fifty  thousand  acres  in  view. 

About  six  or  seven  miles  below  the  mouth  of  the  Little  Ken- 
hawa,  we  came  to  a  small  creek  on  the  west  side,  which  the 
Indians  called  Little  Hockhocking  ;  but  before  we  did  this,  we 
passed  another  small  creek  on  the  same  side  near  the  mouth  of 
that  river,  and  a  cluster  of  islands  afterwards.  The  lands  for  two 
or  three  miles  below  the  mouth  of  the  Kenhawa  on  both  sides  of 
the  Ohio  appear  broken  and  indifferent  ;  but  opposite  to  the 
Little  Hockhocking  there  is  a  bottom  of  exceeding  good  land, 
through  which  there  runs  a  small  watercourse.  I  suppose  there 
may  be,  of  this  bottom  and  flat  land  together,  two  or  three  thou- 
sand acres.  The  lower  end  of  this  bottom  is  opposite  to  a  small 
island,  which  I  dare  say  little  of  it  is  to  be  seen  when  the  river  is 
high.  About  eight  miles  below  Little  Hockhocking  we  encamped 
opposite  to  the  mouth  of  the  Great  Hockhocking,  which,  tho  so 
called,  is  not  a  large  water  ;  though  the  Indians  say  canoes  can 
go  up  it  forty  or  fifty  miles.  Since  we  left  the  Little  Kenhawa 
the  lands  ap])ear  neither  so  level  nor  so  good.  The  bends  of  the 
river  and  bottoms  are  longer,  indeed,  but  not  so  rich  as  in  the 
upper  part  of  the  river. 

z'&th. — Left  our  encampment  about  seven  o'clock.  Two  miles 
below,  a  small  run  comes  in,  on  the  east  side,  through  a  piece  of 
land  that  has  a  very  good  appearance,  the  bottom  beginning 
above  our  encampment,  and  continuing  in  appearance  wide  for 
four  miles  down,  to  a  place  where  there  comes  in  a  small  run,  and 
to  the  hills,  where  we  found  Kiashuta  and  his  hunting  party  en- 
camped. Here  we  were  under  a  necessity  of  paying  our  conij)li- 
ments,  as  this  person  was  one  of  the  Six  Nation  chiefs,  and  the 


i77o]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  299 

head  of  them  upon  this  river.  In  the  person  of  Kiashuta  I  found 
an  old  acquaintance,  he  being  one  of  the  Indians  that  went  to  the 
French  in  1753.  He  expressed  a  satisfaction  at  seeing  me,  and 
treated  us  with  great  kindness,  giving  us  a  quarter  of  very  fine 
buffalo.  He  insisted  upon  our  spending  that  night  with  him, 
and,  in  order  to  retard  us  as  little  as  possible,  moves  his  camp 
down  the  river  about  6  miles  just  below  the  mouth  of  the  creek, 
the  name  of  which  J  could  not  learn  it  not  being  large.  At  this 
place  we  all  encamped.  After  much  counselling  the  over  night, 
they  all  came  to  my  fire  the  next  morning  with  great  formality  ; 
when  Kiashuta,  rehearsing  what  had  passed  between  me  and  the 
Sachems  at  Colonel  Croghan's,  thanked  me  for  saying,  that  peace 
and  friendship  were  the  wish  of  the  people  of  Virginia,  (with 
them)  and  for  recommending  it  to  the  traders  to  deal  with  them 
upon  a  fair  and  equitable  footing  ;  and  then  again  expressed 
their  desire  of  having  a  trade  opened  with  Virginia,  and  that  the 
governor  thereof  might  not  only  be  made  acquainted  therewith, 
but  of  their  friendly  disposition  towards  the  white  people.  This 
I  promised  to  do. 

29///. — The  tedious  ceremony,  which  the  Indians  observe  in 
their  counsellings  and  speeches,  detained  us  till  nine  o'clock. 
Opposite  to  the  creek,  just  below  which  we  encamped,  is  a  pretty 
long  bottom,  and  I  believe  tolerably  wide  ;  but  about  eight  or 
nine  miles  below  the  aforementioned  creek,  and  just  below  a 
pavement  of  rocks  on  the  west  side,  comes  in  a  creek,  with  fallen 
timber  at  the  mouth,  on  which  the  Indians  say  there  are  wide 
bottoms  and  good  land.  The  river  bottoms  above,  for  some 
distance,  are  very  good,  and  continue  for  near  half  a  mile  below 
the  creek.  The  pavement  of  rocks  is  only  to  be  seen  at  low 
water.  About  a  mile  or  a  Httle  better  below  the  mouth  of  the 
creek  there  is  another  pavement  of  rocks  on  the  east  side,  in  a 
kind  of  sedgy  ground.  On  this  creek  many  buffaloes  are  accord- 
ing to  the  Indians'  account.  Six  miles  below  this  comes  in  a 
small  creek  on  the  west  side,  at  the  end  of  a  small,  naked  island,  and 
just  above  another  pavement  of  rocks.  This  creek  comes  thro  a 
bottom  of  fine  land,  and  opposite  to  it,  (on  the  east  side  of  the 
river,)  appears  to  be  a  large  bottom  of  very  fine  land  also.  At 
this  place  begins  what  they  call  the  Great  Bend.     Five^^miles  be- 


300  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1770 

low,  this,  again  on  the  east  side,  comes  in  (about  200  yards  above 
a  little  stream  or  gut)  another  creek,  which  is  just  below  an  island, 
on  the  upper  point  of  which  are  some  dead  standing  trees,  and  a 
parcel  of  white-bodied  sycamores  ;  in  the  mouth  of  this  creek  lies 
a  sycamore  blown  down  by  the  wind.  From  hence  an  east  line 
may  be  run  three  or  four  miles  ;  thence  a  north  line  till  it  strikes 
the  river,  which  I  apprehend  would  include  about  three  or  four 
thousand  acres  of  exceeding  valuable  land.  At  the  mouth  of  this 
creek  which  is  three  or  four  miles  above  two  islands  (at  the  lower 
end  of  the  last  is  a  rapid,  and  the  point  of  the  bend)  is  the  war- 
riors' path  to  the  Cherokee  country.  For  two  miles  and  a  half 
below  this  the  Ohio  runs  a  north-east  course,  and  finishes  what 
they  call  the  Great  Bend.  Two  miles  and  a  half  below  this  we 
encamped. 

30//^. — We  set  out  at  fifty  minutes  past  seven,  the  weather  being 
windy  and  cloudy,  (after  a  night  of  rain.)  In  about  two  miles  we 
came  to  the  head  of  a  bottom,  (in  the  shape  of  a  horse-shoe,) 
which  I  judge  to  be  about  six  miles  round  ;  the  beginning  of  the 
bottom  appeared  to  be  very  good  land,  but  the  lower  part  (from 
the  growth)  did  not  seem  so  friendly.  An  east  course  from  the 
lower  end  would  strike  the  river  again  about  the  beginning  of  the 
bottom.  The  upper  part  of  the  bottom  we  encamped  on  was  an 
exceeding  good  one,  but  the  lower  part  rather  thin  land,  and 
covered  with  beech.  In  it  are  some  clear  meadow-land,  and  a 
pond  or  lake.  This  bottom  begins  just  below  the  rapid  at  the 
point  of  the  Great  Bend.  From  whence  a  N.  N.  W.  course  would 
answer  to  run  a  parallel  to  the  next  turn  of  the  river.  The  river 
from  this  place  narrows  very  considerably,  and  for  five  or  six 
miles  or  more  is  scarcely  more  than  one  hundred  and  fifty  or  two 
hundred  yards  over.  The  water  yesterday,  except  the  rapid  at 
the  Great  Bend,  and  some  swift  places  about  the  islands,  was 
([uite  dead,  and  as  easily  passed  one  way  as  the  other  ;  the  land 
in  general  appeared  level  and  good. 

About  ten  miles  below  our  encampment,  and  a  little  lower 
down  than  the  bottom  described  to  lie  in  the  shape  of  a  horse- 
slioe,  comes  in  a  small  creek  on  the  west  side,  and  opposite  to 
this  on  the  east  begins  a  body  of  flat  land,  which  the  Indians  tell 
us  runs  (piite  across  the  fork  to  the  falls  in  the  Kenhawa,  and 


i77o]     .  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  301 

must  at  least  be  three  days'  walk  across  ;  if  so,  the  flat  land  con- 
tained therein  must  be  very  considerable.  A  mile  or  two  below 
this  we  landed,  and  after  getting  a  little  distance  from  the  river, 
we  came,  (without  any  rising,)  to  a  pretty  lively  kind  of  land 
grown  up  with  hickory  and  oaks  of  different  kinds,  intermixed 
with  walnut,  &c.  We  also  found  many  shallow  ponds,  the  sides 
of  which,  abounding  with  grass,  invited  innumerable  quantities  of 
wild  fowl,  among  which  I  saw  a  couple  of  birds  in  size  between  a 
swan  and  a  goose,  and  in  color  somewhat  between  the  two,  being 
darker  than  the  young  swan  and  of  a  more  sooty  color.  The  cry 
of  these  was  as  unusual  as  the  bird  itself  ;  I  never  heard  any 
noise  resembling  it  before.  About  five  miles  below  this  we  en- 
camped in  a  bottom  of  good  land,  which  holds  tolerably  flat  and 
rich  for  some  distance  out.* 

2,'i-st. — I  sent  the  canoe  along  down  to  the  junction  of  the  two 
rivers,  about  five  miles  that  is,  the  Kenhawa  with  the  Ohio,  and 
set  out  upon  a  hunting  party  to  view  the  land.  We  steered  nearly 
east  for  about  eight  or  nine  miles,  then  bore  southwardly  and 
westwardly,  till  we  came  to  our  camp  at  the  confluence  of  the 
rivers.  The  land  from  the  rivers  appeared  but  indifferent,  and 
very  broken  ;  whether  these  ridges  may  not  be  those  that  divide 
the  waters  of  the  Ohio  from  the  Kenhawa  is  not  certain,  but  I  be- 
lieve they  are  ;  if  so,  the  lands  may  yet  be  good  ;  if  not,  that 
which  lies  off  the  river  bottoms  is  good  for  little. 

November  \st. — A  little  before  eight  o'clock  we  set  off  with  our 
canoe  up  the  river,  to  discover  what  kinds  of  lands  lay  upon  the 
Kenhawa.  The  land  on  both  sides  this  river  just  at  the  mouth  is 
very  fine  ;  but  on  the  east  side,  when  you  get  towards  the  hills, 
(which  I  judge  to  be  about  six  or  seven  hundred  yards  from  the 
river,)  it  appears  to  be  wet,  and  better  adapted  for  meadow  than 
tillage.  This  bottom  continues  up  the  east  side  for  about  two 
miles  ;  and  by  going  up  the  Ohio  a  good  tract  might  be  got  of 
bottom  land,  including  the  old  Shawnee  Town,  which  is  about 
three  miles  up  the  Ohio,  just  above  the  mouth  of  a  creek, 
where  the  aforementioned  bottom  ends  on  the  east  side  the  Ken- 
hawa,  which  extends  up  it  at  least  fifty  miles  by  the  Indians' 

'  "  Encamped  early  just  by  the  old  Shawnee  town." 


302  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1770 

account  and  of  great  width  (to  be  ascertained  as  we  come  down)  ; 
in  many  places  very  rich,  in  others  somewhat  wet  and  pondy  ;  fit 
for  meadow,  but  upon  the  whole  exceeding  valuable,  as  the  land 
after  you  get  out  of  the  rich  bottom  is  very  good  for  grain,  tho' 
not  rich.  We  judged  we  went  up  this  river  about  ten  miles  to-day. 
On  the  east  side  appear  to  be  the  same  good  bottoms,  but  small, 
neither  long  nor  wide,  and  the  hills  back  of  them  rather  steep  and 
poor. 

2d. — We  proceeded  up  the  river  with  the  canoe  about  four  miles 
farther,  and  then  encamped,  and  went  a  hunting  ;  killed  five  buf- 
faloes and  wounded  some  others,  three  deer,  &c.  This  country 
abounds  in  buffaloes  and  wild  game  of  all  kinds  ;  as  also  in  all 
kinds  of  wild  fowl,  there  being  in  the  bottoms  a  great  many  small, 
grassy  ponds,  or  lakes,  which  are  full  of  swans,  geese,  and  ducks 
of  different  kinds.  Some  of  our  people  went  up  the  river  four  or 
five  miles  higher,  and  found  the  same  kind  of  bottom  on  the  west 
side  ;  and  we  were  told  by  the  Indians,  that  it  continued  to  the 
falls,  which  they  judged  to  be  fifty  or  sixty  miles  higher  up.  This 
bottom  next  the  water  (in  most  places)  is  very  rich  ;  as  you  ap- 
proach the  hills  you  come  (in  many)  to  a  thin  white-oak  land 
and  poor.  The  hills  so  far  as  we  could  judge  were  from  half  a 
mile  to  a  mile  from  the  river,  poor  and  steep  in  the  parts  we  saw, 
with  pine  growing  on  them.  Whether  they  are  generally  so  or 
not  we  cannot  tell,  but  I  fear  they  are. 

3^. — We  set  off  down  the  river,  on  our  return  homewards,  and 
encamped  at  the  mouth.  At  the  beginning  of  the  bottom  above 
the  junction  of  the  rivers,  and  at  the  mouth  of  a  branch  on  the 
east  side,  I  marked  two  maples,  an  elm,  and  hoop-wood  tree,  as  a 
corner  of  the  soldiers'  land  (if  we  can  get  it),  intending  to  take  all 
the  bottom  from  hence  to  the  rapids  in  the  Great  Bend  into  one 
survey.  I  also  marked  at  the  mouth  of  another  gut  lower  down  on 
the  west  side,  (at  the  lower  end  of  the  long  bottom,)  an  ash  and 
hoop-wood  for  the  beginning  of  anotlier  of  the  soldiers'  surveys, 
to  extend  up  so  as  to  include  all  the  bottom  (in  a  body)  on  the 
west  side.  In  coming  from  our  last  encampment  up  the  Kenha- 
\va,  I  endeavored  to  take  the  courses  and  distances  of  the  river 
by  a  pocket  compass,  and  guessing,  which  1  make  thus  :  N.  by  W, 
2  miles  ;     N.  N.  W.,  \\  miles  ;  N.  W.,  i  mile  to  the  mouth  of  a 


i77o]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  303 

pretty  smart  creek  to  the  eastward  ;  No.  W.,  2  miles  to  another 
creek  of  the  same  size  on  the  same  side.  West,  \  mile  ;  W.  N. 
W.,  \  a  mile  ;  N.  W.,  i  mile  ;  W.  N.  W.,  2  miles  ;  W.  by  N.,  2 
miles  ;  N.  W.,  \\  miles  ;  W.  N.  W.,  \  mile,  to  the  mouth. 

/^h. — The  Ohio  from  the  mouth  of  the  Kenhawa  runs  thus  : 
North,  2  miles  ;  N.  N.  W.,  \\,  to  the  mouth  of  a  creek  and  Old 
Shawnee  Town  ;  N.  b.  W,  i^  miles  ;  N.  E.  i  mile  ;  N.  E.  by  E., 
i^  miles  ;  N.  N.  E.,  4  miles  ;  E.  N.  E.,  |  of  a  mile  to  the  mouth 
of  a  creek  on  the  west  side,  and  to  the  hills,  which  the  Indians 
say  is  always  afire,  to  w^hich  the  bottom  from  the  mouth  of  the 
Kenhawa  continues  and  then  ends.  After  passing  these  hills, 
which  may  run  on  the  river  near  a  mile,  there  appears  to  be 
another  pretty  good  bottom  on  the  east  side.  At  this  place  we 
met  a  canoe  going  to  the  Illinois  with  sheep  ;  and  at  this  place 
also,  that  is,  at  the  end  of  the  bottom  from  the  Kenhawa,  just  as 
we  came  to  the  hills,  we  met  with  a  sycamore  about  sixty  yards 
from  the  river  of  a  most  extraordinary  size,  it  measuring,  (three 
feet  from  the  ground,)  forty-five  feet  round,  lacking  two  inches  ; 
and  not  fifty  yards  from  it  was  another,  thirty-one  feet  4  inches 
round  (three  feet  from  the  ground  also).  The  second  bottom 
hinted  at  the  other  side  (that  is  the  one  lying  above  the  bottom 
that  reaches  from  the  Kanhawa)  is  that  taken  notice  of  the  30th. 
ulto.,  to  lie  in  the  shape  of  a  horse  shoe,  and  must  from  its  situa- 
tion and  quantity  of  level  land  be  very  valuable,  if  the  land  is 
but  tolerably  good.  After  passing  this  bottom,  and  about  a  mile 
of  hills,  we  entered  into  a  third  bottom  and  encamped.  This  bot- 
tom reaches  within  about  half  a  mile  of  the  rapid  at  the  point  of 
the  Great  Bend. 

%th. — I  sent  off  the  canoe  with  our  baggage,  and  walked  across 
the  neck  on  foot,  with  Captain  Crawford,  the  distance,  according 
to  our  walking,  about  eight  miles,  as  we  kept  a  straight  course 
under  the  foot  of  the  hills,  which  run  about  south-east  and  were 
two  hours  and  a  half  walking  of  it.  This  is  a  good  neck  of  land, 
the  soil  being  generally  good,  and  in  places  very  rich.  There  is 
a  large  proportion  of  meadow  ground,  and  the  land  as  high,  dry, 
and  level  as  one  could  wish  ;  the  growth  in  most  places  is  beech 
intermixed  with  walnut,  &c.,  but  more  especially  with  poplar,  (of 
which  there  are  numbers  very  large.)     The  land   towards   the 


304  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1770 

upper  end  is  black-oak,  and  very  good.  Upon  the  whole,  a 
valuable  tract  might  be  had  here,  and  I  judge  the  quantity  to  be 
about  four  thousand  acres.  After  passing  this  bottom  and  the 
rapid,  as  also  some  hills,  which  jut  pretty  close  to  the  river,  we 
came  to  that  bottom  before  remarked  the  29th  ultimo,  which  being 
well  described  there  needs  no  further  remark  except  that  the 
bottom  within  view  appears  to  be  exceeding  rich.  But  as  I  was 
not  out  upon  it,  I  cannot  tell  how  it  is  back  from  the  river.  A 
little  above  this  bottom  we  encamped,  the  afternoon  being  rainy, 
and  night  wet. 

dth. — We  left  our  encampment  a  little  after  daylight,  and  in 
about  five  miles  we  came  to  Kiashuta's  hunting  camp,  which  was 
now  removed  to  the  mouth  of  that  creek,  noted  October  29th  for 
having  fallen  timber  at  the  mouth  of  it,  in  a  bottom  of  good  land. 
Between  the  bottom  last  described  and  this  bottom,  there  is 
nothing  but  hills  on  the  east  side,  except  a  little  flat  of  100  acres 
or  so,  between.  This  bottom  thro'  which  the  creek  comes  may  be 
about  four  or  five  miles  in  length  and  tolerably  wide,  grown  up 
pretty  much  with  beech,  tho'  the  soil  is  good. 

By  the  kindness  and  idle  ceremony  of  the  Indians,  I  was  detained 
at  Kiashuta's  camp  all  the  remaining  part  of  this  day  ;  and  having 
a  good  deal  of  conversation  with  him  on  the  subject  of  land,  he 
informed  me,  that  it  was  further  from  the  mouth  of  the  Great 
Kenhawa  to  the  fall  of  that  river,  than  it  was  between  the  two 
Kenhawas  ;  that  the  bottom  on  the  west  side,  (which  begins  near 
the  mouth  of  the  Kenhawa,)  continues  all  the  way  to  the  falls 
without  the  interposition  of  hills,  and  widens  as  it  goes,  especially 
from  a  ]jretty  large  creek  that  comes  in  about  ten  or  fifteen  miles 
higher  up  than  where  we  were  ;  that  in  the  fork  there  is  a  body  of 
good  land,  and  at  some  pretty  considerable  distance  above  this, 
the  river  forks  again  at  an  island,  and  there  begins  the  reed, 
or  cane,  to  grow  ;  that  the  bottoms  on  the  cast  side  of  the  river  are 
also  very  good,  but  broken  with  hills,  and  that  the  river  is  easily 
passed  with  canoes  to  the  falls,  which  cannot  be  less  than  one 
hundred  miles,  but  further  it  is  not  possible  to  go  with  them  ;  and 
that  there  is  but  one  ridge  from  thence  to  the  settlements  upon 
the  river  al)ove,  that  it  is  ])ossible  for  a  man  to  travel,  the  country 
between  being  so  much  broken  with  steep  hills  and  precipices. 


i77o]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  305 

He  further  informed  (which  seemed  to  be  corroborated  by  all 
with  whom  I  conversed,)  that  the  back  of  the  short  broken 

hills  but  down  upon  the  rivers  are  ven,- uneven,  and  not  rich 

except  the  lands  upon  creeks,  till  you  come  towards  the  heads  of 
the  creeks  ;  then  the  land  grows  leveller,  and  the  soil  richer. 

Wednesday,  "jth. — We  set  out  at  half  an  hour  after  seven  and 
ing  the  bottom  through  which  the  creek  with  the  fallen 

timber  at  the  mouth  runs,  and  which  I  believe  is  called  Bufialo 
Creek,  we  came  to  a  range  of  hills  for  a  mile  or  more  in  length 
upon  the  river  (east  side)  ;  then  comes  in  the  bottom  opposite  to 
which  the  creek,  below  which  we  lodged  at  with  the  Indians  the 
28th  ulto.  empties.  This  also  appears  to  be  a  bottom  of  four  or 
five  miles  in  length,  and  tolerable  good  from  the  river.  When  we 
pass  this  bottom  the  hills  (rather  smaller  and  flatter  than  usual) 
come  close  to  the  river  (east  side,  for  four  or  five  miles)  ; 
then  begins  another  bottom  above,  or  opposite  to  a  small 

island.    But  before  we  came  to  this         mile  or  two,  we  passed 
a  good  smart  bottom  on  the  east  side.     This  bottom  lies  opposite 
to  Great  Hockocking  [  ]  above  which  and  opposite  to  Dela 
Hunting  party,  we  encamped. 

Thursday,  ?>th. — We  left  our  encampment  as  soon  as  we  could 
clearly  distinguish  the  rocks  ;  and  after  passing  the  bottom  which 
neither  appeared  to  be  long,  wide  nor  ver^'  we  came  to  a 

second  noticed  the  bottom,  27th  ulto.  opposite  to  a  creek  on  the 
west  side,  called  by  the  Indians  Little  Hockhocking,  but  mav 
easily  be  distinguished  by  having  a  large  stone  just  at  its  mouth 
(the  upper  side),  and  appears  to  be  very  wide  and  good,  and 
must  be  very  valuable  if  it  is  not  liable  to  be  overflowed,  some 
parts  of  it  appearing  low.  The  lower  part  of  this  bottom  (as  was 
obser^'ed  the  27th  ulto.)  is  opposite  to  a  small  and  barren  island 
with  only  a  few  bushes  upon  it.  The  upper  part  of  it  begins  at 
much  such  another  place  as  side  (and  part  of  a  pretty  long 

and  at  a  drain  or  small  run  that  comes  out  of  the  hills.  This 
is  within  a  mile  or  two  of  the  mouth  of  the  Kenhawa,  and  the  next 
bottom,  except  a  little  narrow  slip  at  the  foot  of  the  hills,  below 
the 

At  the  mouth  of  the  Kenhawa,  Captain  Crawford,  one  of 
the    Indians   and   myself,   left    the   canoe,    intending    to    meet 


3o6  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1770 

it  again  at  the  [mouth]  of  Muskingum,  about  thirteen  miles 
above,  but  the  Indian  by  [mistake]  brought  us  to  the  River 
miles  below  it.  In  this  excursion  we  passed  over  various 
kinds  of  land,  some  tolerable  good,  white-oak  ground,  level  and 
meadowy  ;  some  very  hilly  and  broken  with  stone  ;  and  some 
black  oak,  thinly  timbered  but  good  for  farming  ;  and  others 
about  miles  before  we  came  to  the  river  (which  was  at  a  place 
where  there  was  no  bottom)  exceeding  good,  full  level  enough  and 
well  timbered  with  and  black  oak  ;  but  in  all  the  ground  we 

passed  over  this  day,  and  I  suppose  we  could  not  have  walked  less 
than  miles,  there  was  no  water.  This  was  part  of  the  land 
where  I  thought  (on  Octo.  27)  50,000  acres  might  be  got ;  but  it 
does  not  answer  my  expectations  :  however  by  falling  the 

river  too  low,  I  apprehend  the  worst  of  it  ;  as  we  were 

the  Ridges  that  divide  the  waters  of  Ohio  from  the  Kenhawa 
and  up  towards  the  3  Islands,  has  appearance. 

Just  below  the  mouth  of  the  Muskingum  we  encamped. 

Friday,  9//^. — The  night  proving  very  rainy  and  morning  wet, 
we  did  not  set  out  till  half  after  ten  o'clock,  and  encamped  by  the 
3  Islands.  Seeing  a  bear  upon  the  shore  we  landed  and  followed 
it  about  half  a  mile  from  the  river,  which  gave  us  an  opportunity 
of  seeing  a  little  of  the  land,  which  was  [very]  hilly  but  rich. 

Saturday,  loth.  After  a  night  of  incessant  thunder  and 
lightning,  attended  with  heavy  and  constant  rain  till  11  o'clock  in 
the  day,  we  set  off  about  twelve  o'clock  (the  rain  then  ceasing, 
and         to  the  lower  end  of  the  long  reach  distant  about  12  miles. 

A  little  stream,  imperceptible  to  the  view  in  our  passage  down, 
now  pouring  in  her  mite,  the  river  rising  very  fast  and  grown  so 
muddy  as  to  render  the  water  irksome  to  drink. 

Sunday,  ii//;.— The  last  night  proved  a  night  of  incessant  rain, 
attended  with  thunder  and  lightning.  The  river  by  this  morning 
had  raised  about  feet  and  was  swelling  fast.  The  rain  seeming 
to  abate  a  little  and  the  wind  springing  up  in  our  favor  we  were 
tempted  to  set  off  ;  but  we  were  deceived  in  both  ;  for  the  wind 
soon  ceased  and  the  rain  continued  without  intermission,  till 
about  four  o'clock,  when  it  moderated.  However,  tho'  we  did  not 
set  off  till  eleven,  we  got  to  the  head  of  the  long  reach  abt  18 
miles,  the  river  continuing  to  rise  fast,  and  much  choaked  with 
wood. 


T77o]  .  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  307 

Monday,  \2th. — There  fell  a  little  rain  in  the  night,  tho'  noth- 
ing to  [speak]  of.  About  sunrise  we  left  our  encampment  to 
encounter  a  very  stream  which  by  this  time  had  [risen] 

feet  perpendicular,  and  running  with  great  velocity.  After 
contending  with  it  the  whole  day  we  were  not  able  to  get  more 
than  about  five  miles.  The  water  still  rising,  and  the  current,  if 
possible  running  with  more  violence,  we  came  to  a  resolution  of 
ordering  our  horses  (which  by  appointment  were  to  be  at 
burg  the  14th  inst.)  to  meet  us  at  Mingo  Town,  accordingly 

Tuesday,  13//^. — We  despached  a  young  Indian  express  to 
Valentine  Crawford,  who  had  the  charge  of  them,  to  proceed  on 
to  that  place,  where  we  purposed,  if  possible,  to  get  the  canoe, 
being  about  50  miles  below.  In  pursuance  of  this  resolution  we 
imbarked  again,  and  with  difficulty  got  about  5  miles  further  to 
the  mouth  of  the  uppermost  broken  timber  creek.  In  [course]  of 
last  night  the  River  rose  perpendicular,  and  in  the 

with  what  it  rose  in  the  day  time  must  be  now  four  or  five  and 
twenty  feet  [above]  its  usual  height,  and  not  a  great  [deal]  below 
its  banks — in  low  [places  above  them].  This  day,  about  3  in  the 
afternoon,  we  met  two  battoes  and  a  large  canoe  going  (at  a  very 
fast  rate)  to  the  Illinois,  with  provisions  for  the  garrison  at  Fort 
Chartres. 

Wednesday,  14M. — The  river  began  [to  come]  at  a  stand 
between  sunset   and  dark  night,  and   continued  for  some 

[hou]rs  so,  falling  only  two  feet  by  sun  [rise].  About  an  hour  by 
sun  we  [left]  our  encampment  and  reached  a  [little]  above  the 
Captening  (or  Fox  Grape  Wine  Creek)  about  eleven  miles  not 
finding  the  water  quite  so  strong  as  yesterday,  with  a  little 

assistance,  from  the  wind.  About  two  or  three  miles  below 
[Capten]ing  I  got  out  (on  the  west  side)  [passe]d  through  a  neck 
of  as  good  [lands]  as  ever  I  saw,  between  that  and  [the  cre]ek  ; 
the  land  on  the  hillsides  was  as  rich  as  the  bottoms,  than  which 
nothing  can  exceed.  The  bottom  at  the  mouth  of  Captening 
appears  of  equal  goodness  with  the  one  below  it. 

Thursday,  15///. — The  canoe  set  off  at  sunrise,  as  I  did  to  view 
that  [bottom]  opposite  to  the  mouth  of  Pipe  Creek.  In  passing 
[over]  the  neck  I  found  the  lower  part  was  very  rich  ;  upon  the 
river  towards  the  hills  with  well  timbered  ;  and  not  only 

in  places.     The  middle  back  of  the  rich  bottom  is  black 


3o8  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1770 


and  white  oak  land  [fit  for]  farming  or  any  purpose  whatever,  and 
intermixed  with  meadows.  The  upper  end  is  as  rich  quite  to  the 
hills  (which  are  as  ever  I  saw  but  subject  to  freshes.' 

****** 
the  course  of  the  creek  which  meanders  through  a  bottom  of 
fine  land,  especially  at  the  forks  where  there  appears  a  large  body 
of  it.  The  vail  (through  which  this  creek  runs)  as  far  as  we  could 
see  up  it,  appears  to  be  wide,  and  the  soil  of  the  hills  which 
confines  it  good,  tho'  very  steep  in  some  places.  On  this  creek 
which  heads  up  a  little  to  the  southward  of  Redstone  settlement, 
there  is  according  to  the  Indians'  account  and  all  the  accounts  I 
could  get,  a  great  deal  of  fine  land.  The  body  of  flat  land  at  the 
Forks  is  but  a  very  little  way  from  the  river  in  a  direct  line  and 
may  contain  I  guess  a  thousand  acres  or  more.  Below  the  mouth 
of  this  creek  there  is  a  bottom  of  pretty  good  land  but  not  large  ; 
and  about  five  miles  above,  at  the  mouth  of  a  small  run  which 
comes  in  at  the  lower  point  of  an  island  (and  which  by  mistake  I 
called  Octo.  23,  Fishing  Creek)  there  is  a  bottom  of  as  fine  land 
as  can  possibly  be,  but  not  large,  containing  not  more  than  two  or 
three  hundred  acres.  At  the  head  of  this  bottom  and  a  little 
below  the  second  Cross  Creek  we  encamped,  distant  from  our  last 
thirteen  or  fourteen  miles. 

Here  it  was  for  the  second  time  the  old  Indian  with  me  spoke 
of  a  fine  piece  of  land  and  beautiful  place  for  a  house,  and  in 
order  to  give  me  a  more  lively  idea  of  it,  chalked  out  the  situation 
on  his  deer  skin.  It  lies  upon  Bull  Creek,  at  least  thirty  miles 
from  the  mouth,  but  not  more  than  five  from  the  mouth  of 
Muddy  Creek,  in  an  E.  S.  E.  direction.  The  spot  he  recommends 
for  a  house  lies  very  high,  commanding  a  prospect  of  a  great  deal 
of  level  land  below  on  the  creek — the  ground  about  it  very  rich 
and  a  fine  spring  in  the  middle  of  it,  about  which  many  buffaloes 
use  and  have  made   great  roads.     Bull    Creek  according  to  his 

'  Two  pages  so  mutilated  as  to  be  undecipherable,  but  another  part  of  the 
almanac  has  the  following  entries  : 

"15th.  I^eached  Wheeling  (on  the  west)  where  there  had  been  an  Indian 
town  and  where  some  of  the  Shawnees  are  going  to  settle  in  the  Spring,  distance 
from  our  last  incampment  12  miles. 

"  16.     Got  within  13  miles  of  the  lower  Cross  Creek — thirteen  miles." 


i77o]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  309 


account  runs  parellel  with  the  Long  Reach  in  the  Ohio,  and  not 
above  six  or  seven  miles  from  it  ;  having  fine  bottoms  which 
widen  as  they  extend  into  the  country,  and  towards  the  head  of  it 
is  large  bodies  of  level,  rich  land. 

17M. — By  this  morning  the  river  had  fallen  in  the  whole  two 
or  three  and  twenty  feet,  and  was  still  lowering.     About  eight 
o'clock  we  set  out,  and  passing  the  lower  Cross  Creeks  we  came 
to  a  pretty  long  and  tolerably  wide  and  good  bottom  on  the  east 
side  of  the  river  ;    then  comes  in  the  hills,  just  above  which  is 
Buffalo   Creek,    (a  creek  I  neither  saw  nor  remarked  in  going 
down)  upon   which   and  above  it  between  that  and   the   Cross 
Creeks  near  the  Mingo  Town,  (distant  three  or  four  miles)  is  a 
bottom  of  exceeding  fine  land,  but  not  very  large  unless  it  extends 
up  the  creek.     About  three  o'clock  we  came  to  the  Towti  without 
seeing  our  horses,  the  Indian,  (who  was  sent  express  for  them,) 
having  passed  through  only  the  morning  before  ;  (being  detained 
by  the  creeks,  which  were  too  high  to  ford,  without  going  high  up 
them).     Here  we  resolved  to  wait  their  arrival,  which  was  ex- 
pected to-morrow  ;  and  here  then  will  end  our  water  voyage  along 
a  river,  the  general  course  of  which  from  Beaver  Creek  to  the 
Kenhawa  is  about  south-west,  (as  near  as  I  could  determine)  ; 
but,  in  its  windings  through  a  narrow  vale,  extremely  serpentine  ; 
forming  on  both  sides  of  the  river  alternately  necks  of  very  good 
bottoms,  (some  exceedingly  fine,)  lying  for  the  most  part  in  the 
shape  of  a  half-moon,  and  of  various  sizes.     There  is  verj'  little 
difference  in  the  general  width  of  the  river  from  Fort  Pitt  to  the 
Kenhawa  ;  but  in  the  depth  I  believe  the  odds  are  considerably  in 
favor  of  the  lower  parts,  as  we  found  no  shallows  below  the  Mingo 
Town,  except  in  one  or  two  places  where  the  river  was  broad,  and 
there,  I  do  not  know  but  there  might  have  been  a  deep  channel  in 
some  part  of  it.     Every  here  and  there  are  islands,  some  larger 
and  some  smaller,  which,  operating  in  the  nature  of  locks,  or  steps, 
occasion  pretty  still  water  above,  but  for  the  most  part  strong  and 
rapid  water  alongside  of  them.     However  there  is  none  of  these 
so  swift  but  that  a  vessel  may  be  rowed  or  set  up  with  poles. 
When  the  river  is  in  its  natural  state,  large  canoes,  that  will  carry 
five  or  six  thousand  weight  or  more,  may  be  worked  against  stream 
by  four  hands,  twenty  or  twenty-five  miles  a  day  ;  and  dovvTi,  a 


3IO  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [177a 


good  deal  more.  The  Indians,  who  are  very  dexterous  (even 
their  women)  in  the  management  of  canoes,  have  their  hunting- 
camps  and  cabins  all  along  the  river,  for  the  convenience  of 
transporting  their  skins  by  water  to  market.  In  the  fall,  so  soon 
as  the  hunting-season  comes  on,  they  set  out  with  their  families 
for  this  purpose  ;  and  in  hunting  will  move  their  camps  from  place 
to  place,  till  by  the  spring  they  get  two  or  three  hundred  or  more 
miles  from  their  towns  ;  then  beaver  catch  it  in  their  way  up, 
which  frequently  brings  them  into  the  month  of  May,  when  the 
women  are  employed  in  planting,  the  men  at  m3,rket,  and  in  idle- 
ness, till  the  Fall  again,  when  they  pursue  the  same  course. 
During  the  summer  months  they  live  a  poor  and  perishing  life. 

The  Indians  who  reside  upon  the  Ohio,  (the  upper  parts  of  it 
at  least,)  are  composed  of  Shawanees,  Delawares,  and  some  of  the 
Mingoes,  who,  getting  but  little  part  of  the  consideration  that  was 
given  for  the  lands  eastward  of  the  Ohio,  view  the  settlement  of 
the  people  upon  this  river  with  an  uneasy  and  jealous  eye,  and  do 
not  scruple  to  say,  that  they  must  be  compensated  for  their  right 
if  the  people  settle  thereon,  notwithstanding  the  cession  of  the 
Six  Nations  thereto.  On  the  other  hand,  the  people  from  Vir- 
ginia and  elsewhere  are  exploring  and  marking  all  the  lands  that 
are  valuable,  not  only  on  Redstone  and  other  waters  of  the  Mon- 
ongahela,  but  along  down  the  Ohio  as  low  as  the  Little  Kenhawa  ; 
and  by  next  summer  I  suppose  will  get  to  the  Great  Kenhawa  at 
least.  How  difficult  it  may  be  to  contend  with  these  people  after- 
wards is  easy  to  be  judged,  from  every  day's  experience  of  lands 
actually  settled,  supposing  these  to  be  made  ;  than  which  nothing 
is  more  probable,  if  the  Indians  permit  them,  from  the  disposition 
of  the  people  at  present.  A  few  settlements  in  the  midst  of  some 
of  the  large  bottoms  would  render  it  impracticable  to  get  any  large 
quantity  of  land  together  ;  as  the  hills  all  the  way  down  the  river 
(as  low  as  I  went,)  come  pretty  close,  and  are  steep  and  broken, 
incapable  of  settlements  tliough  some  of  them  are  rich  and  only 
fit  to  sui)iJort  the  bottoms  with  timber  and  wood.  The  land  back 
of  the  bottoms,  as  far  as  1  liave  been  able  to  judge,  either  from 
my  own  observations  or  from  information,  is  nearly  the  same, 
that  is,  exceeding  uneven  antl  liilly  ;  and  1  do  presume  that  there 
are  no  bodies    of  flat,  rich  land   to  be  found,  till    one   gets  far 


i77o]   .  GEORGE  WASHIXGTOX.  311 

enough  from  the  river  to  head  the  little  runs  and  drains,  that 
come  through  the  hills,  and  to  the  sources  (or  near  them)  of  the 
creeks  and  their  branches.  This,  it  seems,  is  the  case  of  the  lands 
upon  Monongahela  and  Youghiogany,  and  I  fancy  holds  good 
upon  this  river,  till  you  get  into  the  flat  lands  (or  near  them) 
below  the  falls.  The  bottom  land  differs  a  good  deal  in  quality. 
That  highest  up  the  river  in  general  is  richest ;  tho  the  bottoms 
are  neither  so  wide  nor  long,  as  those  below.  Walnut,  [?]  cherrj', 
and  some  other  woods  that  grow  snarly  and  neither  tall  nor  large, 
but  covered  with  grape  vines,  (with  the  fruit  of  which  this  country 
at  this  instant  abounds,)  are  the  growth  of  the  richest  bottoms  ; 
but  on  the  other  hand,  these  bottoms  appear  to  me  to  be  the 
lowest  and  most  subject  to  floods.  The  sugar-tree  and  ash,  mixed 
with  walnut,  &c.,  compose  the  growth  of  the  next  richest  low 
grounds  ;  beech,  poplar,  oaks  &c.  the  last.  The  soil  of  this  is 
also  good,  but  inferior  to  either  of  the  other  kinds  ;  and  beech 
bottoms  are  excepted  against  on  account  of  the  difiiculty  of  clear- 
ing them,  their  roots  spreading  over  a  large  surface  of  ground  and 
being  hard  to  kill. 

Sunday  \^th. — Agreed  with  two  Delaware  Indians  to  carry  up 
our  canoe  to  Fort  Pitt,  for  the  doing  of  which  I  was  to  pay  six 
dollars  and  give  them  a  quart  tin  can, 

Monday  19///. — The  Delawares  set  off  with  the  canoe,  and,  our 
horses  not  arriving,  the  day  appeared  exceeding  long  and  tedious. 
Upon  conversing  with  Nicholson,  I  found  he  had  been  two  or 
three  times  to  Fort  Chartres,  at  the  Illinois,  and  got  from  him  the 
following  account  of  the  lands  between  this  and  that,  and  upon 
the  Shawna  River,  on  which  he  had  been  huntins. 

The  lands  down  the  Ohio  grow  more  and  more  level  as  you 
approach  the  falls,  and  about  150  miles  below  them,  the  country 
appears  quite  flat  and  exceeding  rich.  On  the  Shawna  river 
(which  comes  into  the  Ohio  400  miles  below  the  falls  and  about 
1 100  from  Pittsburg)  up  which  he  had  hunted  300  and  more 
miles  the  lands  are  exceeding  level,  rich  and  fine,  but  a  good  deal 
intermixed  with  cane  or  reed,  which  might  render  them  difficult 
to  clear  ;  that  game  of  all  kinds  was  to  be  found  here  in  the 
greatest  abundance,  especially  buffalo.  That  from  Fort  Chartres 
to  Pittsburg  by  land  is  computed  800  miles,   and  in  travelling 


312  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1770 

thro'  the  country  from  that  place  he  found  the  soil  very  rich,  the 
ground  exceeding  level  to  Opost  (a  French  settlement)  and  from 
Opost  to  the  Lower  Shawna  Town  on  Scioto  equally  flat.  That 
he  passed  through  large  plains  thirty  miles  in  length  without  a 
tree,  except  little  islands  of  wood.  That  in  these  plains  thousands 
and  tens  of  thousands  of  buffalo  may  be  seen  feeding  ;  that  the 
distance  from  Fort  Chartres  to  Opost  is  about  240  miles  and  the 
country  not  very  well  watered  ;  from  Opost  to  the  Lower  Shawna 
Town  is  about  300  more,  abounding  in  good  springs  and  rivulets  ; 
that  the  remainder  of  the  way  to  Fort  Pitt  is  hilly,  and  the  hills 
larger  as  you  approach  the  fort,  tho'  the  land  in  general  is  also 
good. 

At  Fort  Pitt  I  got  the  distances  from  place  to  place  down  the 
Ohio,  as  taken  by  one  Mr.  Hutchings,  and  which  are  as  follows, 
with  some  corrections  of  mine  : — 

From  Fort  Pitt  to 

Logstown 

Big  Beaver  Creek 

Racoon  Creek 

Little  Beaver  Creek 

Yellow  Creek 

Big  Stony  Creek 

Mingo  Town 

Cross  Creeks 

Buffalo  Creek  or  Scalp  Ck. 

Second  Cross  Creek 

Wheeling,  or  Split  Island  Ck. 

Sculp  Creek 

Path  to  Redstone 

Pipe  Creek 

('aptening 

Cut  Creek 

Broken  Timber  Creek 

2d.  Broken  Timber  Creek 

Muddy  Creek 

Beginning  of  the  Long  Reach 

I'.nd  of  ditto 


miles 

W 

i8i 

W 

29I 

G.W. 

E 

34- 

W 

44 

w. 

52 

G.W. 

W. 

66 

w. 

73 
74 

G.W. 

E 

78 

G.W. 

84 

G.W. 

E. 

94 

G.W. 

W. 

100 

G.W. 

E. 

108 

G.W. 

W. 

no 

G.W. 

W. 

113 

G.W. 

E. 

118 

G.W. 

W. 

123 

G.W. 

W. 

125 

G.W. 

E. 

134 
137 
155 

i77o]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  313 


From  Fort  Pitt  to 

Bull  Creek  G.W. 

A  pretty  large  Creek  on  the  west 
Muskinghum 
Little  Kenhawa 
Little  Hockhocking 
Hockhocking 

Creek  with  fallen  timber  at  the  mouth 
[  ?  ]     Creek  on  the  west  and  beginning  of  the 
Great  Bent 
Another  small  Creek  on  the  east,  just  above  a  gut 
Rapid  at  the  point  of  the  Great  Bent 
Big  Kenhawa 

The  Distance  by  Hutchings  is 

Big  Guyandot 

Big  Sandy  Creek 

Scioto  River 

Big  Buffalo  Lick,  a  mile  eastward  of  the  river 

Large  Island  divided  by  a  gravelly  creek 

Little  Mincamie  river 

Licking  Creek 

Great  Mincamie  river 

Where  the  Elephant's  bones  were  found 

Kentucke  river 

The  Falls 

To  where  the  low  country  begins 

Beginning  of  the  5  islands 

Large  river  on  the  east  side 

Very  large  island  in  the  middle  of  the  river 

Ouabache  river 

Big  Rock  and  Cave  on  the  west  side 

Shawano  river 

Cherokee  river 

Fort  Massiac 

Mouth  of  the  Ohio 


In  all  1 164 


miles 

E. 

160 

178 

W. 

182 

E 

195 

W. 

202 

W. 

210 

E 

230 

W. 

236 

E 

241 

245 

£ 

272 

266i 

E. 

308 

E. 

321 

W. 

366 

W. 

390 

4ioi 

W. 

492^ 

E. 

500I- 

W. 

527i 

E. 

56oi 

604^^ 

682 

837J 

875i 

902^ 

960^ 

999i 

1042^ 

1094 

1 107 

1118J 

1 164 

314  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1770 

The  distances  from  Fort  Pitt  to  the  mouth  of  the  Great  Ken- 
hawa  are  set  down  agreeable  to  my  own  computation,  but  from 
thence  to  the  mouth  of  River  Ohio  are  strictly  according  to 
Hutchings'  account,  which  account  I  take  to  be  erroneous  inas- 
much as  it  appears  that  the  miles  in  the  upper  parts  of  the  river 
are  very  long,  and  those  towards  the  Kanhawa  short,  which  1 
attribute  to  his  setting  oif  in  a  falling  fresh  and  running  slower 
as  he  proceeded  on. 

The  letters  E  and  W.  signify  which  side  of  the  river  the  re- 
spective waters  come  in  on,  that  is,  whether  on  the  east  or  west 
side. 

20th. — About  one  o'clock  our  horses  arrived,  having  been  pre- 
vented from  getting  to  Fort  Pitt  by  the  freshes.  At  two  we  set 
out  and  got  about  ten  miles,  the  Indians  travelling  along  with  us. 

Tuesday,  "  2\st. — Reached  Fort  Pitt  in  the  afternoon,  distant 
from  our  last  encampment  about  twenty-five  miles,  and,  as  near 
as  I  can  guess,  thirty-five  from  the  Mingo  Town.  The  land  be- 
tween the  Mingo  Town  and  Pittsburg  is  of  different  kinds.  For 
four  or  five  miles  after  leaving  the  first  mentioned  place  we 
passed  over  steep,  hilly  ground  hurt  with  stone  covered  with 
white-oak,  and  a  thin  shallow  soil.  This  was  succeeded  by  a 
lively  white-oak  land,  less  broken  ;  and  this  again  by  rich  land, 
the  growth  of  which  was  chiefly  white  and  red-oak  mixed  ;  which 
lasted,  with  some  intervals  of  indiff^erent  ridges,  all  the  way  to 
Pittsburg.  It  was  very  observable,  that,  as  we  left  the  river,  the 
land  grew  better,  which  is  a  confirmation  of  the  accounts  I  had 
before  received,  that  the  good  bodies  of  land  lie  upon  the  heads 
of  the  runs  and  creeks  ;  but  in  all  ray  travels  through  this  coun- 
try, I  have  seen  no  large  body  of  level  land.  On  the  branches  of 
Raccoon  Creek  there  appears  to  be  good  meadow  ground,  and  on 
Shurtees  Creek,  (over  both  which  we  passed,)  the  land  looks  well. 
The  country  between  the  Mingo  Town  and  Fort  Pitt  appears  to 
be  well  supplied  with  springs. 

Thursday,  22d. — Stayed  at  Pittsburg  all  day.  Invited  the  of- 
ficers and  some  other  gentlemen  to  dinner  with  me  at  Scrapie's, 
among  whom  was  one  Dr.  Connolly,  (nephew  to  Colonel  Croghan,) 
a  very  sensible,  intelligent  man,  who  had   travelled  over  a  good 

'  Shoulil  Ijc  Wediicsd.iy. 


i77o]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  315 

deal  of  this  western  country  both  by  land  and  water,  and  confirms 
Nicholson's  account  of  the  good  land  on  the  Shawna  River,  up 
which  he  had  been  near  four  hundred  miles.  This  country  (I 
mean  on  the  Shawna  River),  according  to  Dr.  Connolly's  descrip- 
tion, must  be  exceedingly  desirable  on  many  accounts.  The 
climate  is  exceeding  fair,  the  soil  remarkably  good  ;  the  lands 
well  watered  with  good  streams,  and  level  enough  for  any  kind  of 
cultivation.  Besides  these  advantages  from  nature,  it  has  others 
not  less  important  to  a  new  settlement,  particularly  game,  which 
is  so  plenty  as  not  only  to  render  the  transportation  of  provisions 
there,  (bread  only  excepted,)  altogether  unnecessary,  but  to  en- 
rich the  adventurers  with  the  peltry  for  which  there  is  a  constant 
and  good  market.  Dr.  Connolly  is  so  much  delighted  with  the 
lands  and  climate  on  that  river,  that  he  seems  to  wish  for  nothing 
more,  than  to  induce  one  hundred  families  to  go  there  and  live, 
that  he  might  be  among  them.  A  new  and  most  desirable  gov- 
ernment might  be  established  there,  to  be  bounded,  (according  to 
his  account),  by  the  Ohio  northward  and  westward,  the  ridge  that 
divides  the  waters  of  the  Tennessee  or  Cherokee  River  southward 
and  westward,  and  a  line  to  be  run  from  the  Falls  of  Ohio,  or 
above,  so  as  to  cross  the  Shawna  River  above  the  fork  of  it.  Dr. 
Connolly  gives  much  the  same  account  of  the  land  between  Fort 
Chartres  in  the  Illinois  country,  and  Post  St.  Vincent,  (Opost) 
that  Nicholson  does,  except  in  the  article  of  water,  which  the 
Doctor  says  is  bad,  and  in  the  summer  scarce,  there  being  little 
else  than  stagnate  water  to  be  met  with. 

Friday  23^. — After  settling  with  the  Indians  and  people  that 
attended  me  down  the  river,  and  defraying  the  sundry  expenses 
accruing  at  Pittsburg,  I  set  off  on  my  return  home  ;  and,  after 
dining  at  the  widow  Miers's,  on  Turtle  Creek,  reached  Mr.  John 
Stephenson's  (two  or  three  hours  in  the  night.) 

24///. — When  we  came  to  Stewart's  Crossing  at  Crawford's,  the 
river  was  too  high  to  ford,  and  his  canoe  gone  adrift.  However, 
after  waiting  there  two  or  three  hours,  a  canoe  was  got,  in  which 
we  passed,  and  swam  our  horses.  The  remainder  of  this  day  I 
spent  at  Captain  Crawford's,  it  either  raining  or  snowing  hard  all 
day. 

Sunday  25///. — I  set  out  early  in  order  to  see  Lund  Washing- 


3i6  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1770 


ton's  land  ;  but  the  ground  and  trees  being  covered  with  snow,  I 
was  able  to  form  but  an  indistinct  opinion  of  it ;  though,  upon 
the  whole,  it  appeared  to  be  a  good  tract  of  land,  and  as  level  as 
common — indeed  more  so.  From  this  I  went  to  Mr.  Thomas 
Gist's  and  dined,  and  then  proceeded  on  to  the  Great  Crossing  at 
Hogland's,  where  I  arrived  about  eight  o'clock. 

Monday  26//z. — Reached  Killam's,  on  George's  Creek,  where  we 
met  several  families  going  over  the  mountains  to  live  ;  some  with- 
out having  any  places  provided.  The  snow  upon  the  Allegany 
Mountains  was  near  knee  deep. 

Tuesday  27//^. — We  got  to  Colonel  Cresap's  at  the  Old  Town, 
after  calling  at  Fort  Cumberland  and  breakfasting  with  one  Mr. 
Innis  at  the  new  store  opposite — 25  miles. 

2?)th. — The  Old  Town  Gut  was  so  high  as  to  wet  us  in  crossing 
it,  and  when  we  came  to  Cox's  the  river  was  impassable  ;  we  were 
obliged  therefore  to  cross  in  a  canoe,  and  swim  our  horses.  At 
Henry  Enoch's,  at  the  Forks  of  Cacapehon,  we  dined,  and 
lodged  at  Rinker's,  the  distances  they  computed  :  from  the  old 
Town  to  Cox's,  8  miles  ;  from  thence  to  the  Cacapehon,  12  ;  and 
18  afterwards — in  all  38  miles.  The  last  18  I  do  not  think  long 
ones. 

Thursday  29///. — Set  out  early,  and  reached  my  brother's  by 
one  o'clock  (about  22  or  3  miles).  Dr.  Craik,  having  business  at 
Winchester,  went  that  way,  and  was  to  meet  at  Snicker's  to-mor- 
row by  ten  o'clock. 

Friday  30///. — According  to  appointment  the  Doctor  and  I  met, 
and  after  breakfasting  at  Snicker's  we  proceeded  to  West's,  where 
we  arrived  at  or  about  sunset. 

Saturday  December  \st. — Reached  home,  being  absent  from  it 
nine  weeks  and  one  day. 


TO    DR.     BOUCHER. 

Mount  Vkrnon,    Deer  i6th,   1770. 

According  to  appointment  J acky  Custis  now  returns 
to  Annapolis.      His  mind   |  is  [  a  good   deal  released 


i77o]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  317 

from  Study,  &  more  than  ever  turnd  to  Dogs  Korses 
and  Guns  ;  indeed  upon  Dress  and  equipage,  which 
till  of  late,  he  has  discovered  little  Inclination  of 
giving  into.  I  must  beg  the  favor  of  you,  therefore, 
to  keep  him  close  to  those  useful  branches  of  Learn- 
ing which  he  ought  now  to  be  acquainted  with,  and  as 
much  as  possible  under  your  own  Eye.  Without 
these,  I  fear  he  will  too  soon  think  himself  above  con- 
troul,  and  be  not  much  the  better  for  the  extraordin- 
ary expence  attending  his  Living  in  Annapolis  ;  which 
I  should  be  exceeding  soxry  for,  as  nothing  but  a 
hasty  progress  towards  the  completion  of  his  Educa- 
tion, can  Justifie  my  keeping  him  there  at  such  an 
expence  as  his  Estate  will  now  become  chargeable 
with. 

The  time  of  Life  he  is  now  advancing  into  requires 
the  most  friendly  aid  and  Council  (especially  in  such 
a  place  as  Annapolis)  ;  otherwise,  the  warmth  of  his 
own  Passions,  assisted  by  the  bad  example  of  other 
Youth,  may  prompt  him  to  actions  derogatory  of  Vir- 
tue, &  that  Innocence  of  Manners  which  one  coud 
wish  to  preserve  him  in  :  For  wch  reason  I  would 
beg  leave  to  request,  that  he  may  not  be  suffered  to 
sleep  from  under  your  own  Roof,  unless  it  be  at  such 
places  as  you  are  sure  he  can  have  no  bad  examples 
set  him ;  nor  allow  him  to  be  rambling  about  of 
Nights  in  Company  with  those,  who  do  not  care  how 
debauched  and  viceous  his  Conduct  may  be. 

You  will  be  so  good  I  hope,  as  to  excuse  the  lib- 
erty I  have  taken  in  offering  my  sentiments  thus 
freely — I  have  his  welbeing  much  at  Heart,  &  should 


3i8  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1770 

be  sorry  to  see  him  fall  into  any  Vice,  or  evil  course, 
which  there  is  a  possibility  of  restraining  him  from.' 


TO    DR.    BOUCHER. 

Mount  Vernon,  Jan  2nd,  1771. 

Jack's  return  has  been  delayed,  as  well  from  a  be- 
lief that  you  might  not  be  well  settled,  as  from  a  de- 
sire of  gratifying  him  in  his  favourite  amusement  of 
Hunting,  these  Hollidays.  He  returns  now  he  says, 
with  a  determination  of  applying  close  to  his  Studies  ; 
and  I  confide  entirely  in  your  promise  of  making  him 
do  so,  as  time  slips  of[f]  a  pace,  and  other  Idea's  & 
pursuits,  will  soon  render  it  more  difficult  to  keep  him 

'  For  this,  and  the  following  letters,  I  am  indebted  to  the  courtesy  of  the  editor 
of  Lippincott's  Magazine. 

"...  Unluckily  too,  there  lodged  a  Youth  with  us,  of  a  character  exactly 
calculated  to  spoil  such  a  Lad  as  Custis.  He  is  sensible,  wild,  volatile,  idle  & 
good-natured.  You  will  know  that  I  allude  to  a  son  of  Mr.  Sam.  Galloway's. 
I  by  no  means  aim  to  reproach  the  young  gentleman,  whom  really  I  like  exceed- 
ingly myself,  yet  can  I  not  help  giving  it  as  my  opinion  that  He  has  done  your 
ward  more  harm  than  He  or  His  Family  can  easily  make  amends  for.  You  can- 
not conceive  wth  wt  delight  Custis  wd  listen  to  his  droll  Tales  &  Accts.  of  his 
Pranks  at  School  in  England.  .  .  .  Sam.  Galloway  has  also  a  Daughter,  young 
&  pretty  :  Out  of  respect  to  you,  as  I  supposed,  he  frequently  invited  Custis  to 
his  House  :  it  was  disagreeable  to  me  to  be  oblig'd  to  refuse  Him  because  it  gave 
offense,  but  I  believe  He  never  was  there  but  twice,  once  when  I  was,  &  once 
when  I  was  not.  It  was  about  the  time  of  the  Players  being  here.  Miss  Galloway 
came  to  town.  Jack  has  a  propensity  to  the  Sex,  which  I  am  at  a  loss  how  to 
judge  of,  much  more  how  to  describe.  I  observ'd  somewhat  of  a  particular  at- 
tention, exceeding  bare  civility  to  this  Young  Lady.  I  took  such  steps  as  I 
judged  most  likely  to  wean  liim  in  time.  .  .  ." — Boucher  to  Washington,  l8 
December,  1770. 

"  When  Joe,  with  your  favour  found  his  way  to  this  place,  I  was  from  home, 
&  did  not  return  for  some  days.  The  High  Winds  and  Ice,  have  been  the  cause 
of  this  very  natural  disappointment  of  getting  to  Marlborough  as  it  was  quite 
impossible  for  him  to  cross  the  River  in  these  storms  of  wind,  and  now  it  is  at- 
tended with  some  risk. — Mrs.  Washington  lias  packed  up  what  Books  the  Port- 
manteau would  contain,  [be]fore  tlie  date  of  this,  &  of  such  kinds  as  I  hope  you 
wanted.     She  has  given  out  the  thoughts  of  accompanying  me  to  Frederick,  so 


1771]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  319 

confined  to  them,  than  at  present.  In  respect  to  the 
kinds,  &  manner  of  his  Studying,  I  leave  it  wholely  to 
your  better  Judgment — had  he  begun,  or  rather  pur- 
sued his  study  of  the  Greek  Language,  I  should  have 
thought  it  no  bad  acquisition  ;  but  whether  [if]  he 
acquire  this  now,  he  may  not  forego  some  more  useful 
branches  of  learning,  is  a  matter  worthy  of  considera- 
tion. To  be  acquainted  with  the  French  Tongue  is 
become  a  part  of  polite  Education  ;  and  to  a  man  who 
has  [the  prospect]  of  mixing  in  a  large  Circle  abso- 
lutely [necessary.  Without]  Arithmetick,  the  com- 
mon  [affairs  of]   Life  are  not  to  be  managed  [with 

that  you  will  find  her  at  home  if  I  should  not  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you 
here  (should  you  be  detained  by  the  bad  weather  longer  than  was  expected).  The 
Inclosed  I  should  be  obliged  to  you  to  forward  by  a  Safe,  rather  than  the  first, 
conveyance  that  may  offer." — Washington  to  Boucher,  20  February,  1771. 

"Agreeable  to  the  above  date,  Joe  attempted  to  cross  the  River  ;  but  being 
unable  to  affect  it,  has  been  unavoidably  detained  till  this  time  and  now  the 
River  is  so  much  choked  with  Ice  as  to  render  his  passage  precarious. — Mrs 
Washington  begs  the  favour  of  you  to  get  her,  for  Pats)-,  another  Phial  of  yEther 
and  bring  with  you  when  you  come  to  Mount  Vernon." —  Washington  to  Boucher, 
25  Februar)-,  1771. 

"  Meeting  with  your  letter  of  the  9th  Inst,  upon  the  Road  &  being  uncertain 
whether  I  can  get  this  into  the  hands  of  the  Post  in  time,  I  only  mean  to  inform 
you,  that  it  woud  be  convenient  enough  to  me  to  pay  the  sum  you  ask,  either  to 
CoU.  Thornton  or  Mr.  Mawrey  was  I  to  go  up  that  way,  but  as  I  set  out  to  mor- 
row for  Xomony,  in  order  to  spend  a  few  days  with  my  brother,  &  purpose  to 
proceed  from  thence  into  Stafford,  &  so  through  Maryland,  I  shall  have  little 
chance  of  seeing  either  the  one  or  the  other  of  those  Gentlemen,  unless  I  shoud 
change  my  Rout  ic  pass  by  Fredg.  instead  of  going  through  Maryland,  which  at 
present  I  do  not  expect. 

"  I  shall  however  be  at  home  by  the  first  of  June  if  no  accident  prevents  it,  and 
then  can  pay  the  money  to  whomsoever  you  may  appoint  to  receive  it,  or  if  con- 
trary to  my  present  intention  I  shoud  take  Fredericksburg  in  my  way  up  I  will 
lodge  the  ^^50  Marj'ld  Cy  with  Mr.  Mawrey  I  will  inform  you  of  my  return  by 
the  first  Post  after  I  get  home,  &  will  write  more  fully  than  at  present,  I  have 
only  to  add  therefore  that  with  very  great  esteem. " —  Washington  to  Boucher,  19 
May,  1771.  He  was  writing  from  New  Kent.  Miss  Gutch,  of  Norton  House, 
was  good  enough  to  send  me  this  letter. 


320  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1771 

success.  The  study  of  Geo]metry,  and  the  Mathe- 
[matics  (with  due  regard  to  the  HJmites  of  it)  is 
equally  [advantageous.  The  principles]  of  Philosophy 
Moral,  Natural,  &c.  I  should  think  a  very  desirable 
knowledge  for  a  Gentleman  ;  but  as  I  said  before,  I 
leave  the  whole  to  your  direction  ;  with  this  earnest 
request,  that,  in  whatever  kind  of  Study  you  think 
proper  to  engage  him,  he  may  be  kept  diligently  to 
it,  for  he  really  has  no  time  to  loose. 

The  shortness  of  the  distance  between  this  and  your 
present  habitation  will,  I  hope,  give  us  the  pleasure 
of  seeing  you  and  Miss  Boucher  often  at  Mount  Ver- 
non, in  this  hope  Mrs  Washington  also  rests  and  with 
her  Compliments  and  wishes,  joind  with  mine  for  the 
return  of  many  happy,  &  prosperous  years  to  you,  I 
remain  with  great  sincerity  etc. 


TO    DR.    BOUCHER.' 

Mount  Vernon,  June  5th,  1771. 

I  should  have  set  Mr.  Custis  off  for  Annapolis  as 
soon  as  I  heard  of  your  passing  by  (being  very  un- 
willing that  he  should  loose  any  time  from  School 
that  [is]  possible  to  be  avoided)  but  it  was  thought 
necessary  to  [keep]  him  till  his  cloaths  could  be 
Washd  &  got  in  readiness  [to]  take  with  him,  which 
has  detained  him  till  now. — By  him  I  send  you  ^50 
Maryld  Curry  the  Sum  wrote  for  [in]  your  last.  In- 
closing at  the  same  time  Doctr  Stevenson's  letter 
and  acct  which   I   beg  the   favour  of  you  to  pay  as 

'  I  am  indebted  to  the  editor  of  Lippimott's  Magazine   for  this  letter. 


i77i]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  321 

soon  as  convenient,  agreeable  to  his  request. — The 
money  thus  receivd  &  paid,  you  will  please  to  credit 
and  charge  according  to  the  Rates  which  the  different 
kinds  of  Specie  pass  in  the  respective  Governments ; 
otherwise  I  shoud  be  a  considerable  looser  between 
66  1  &  20  pr  Ct.  the  proportion  which  the  two  Cur- 
rencies bear  to  Sterling,  leaving  a  difference  of  46^ 
between  Virga  &  Mar^dand,  when  in  Fact  (with  us 
upon  this  River,  who  receive  Dollrs  at  6/.)  the  real 
difference  is  only  25  pr  Ct. — at  ye  utmost,  30. 

In  respect  to  the  other  matters  contained  in  your 
Letter  of  the  9th  Ulto  I  shall  endeavour  to  be  as  ex- 
plicit as  I  can.  And  first  in  regard  to  Mr  Custis  going 
to  England. — My  own  Inclinations  have  always  been 
strong  in  favour  of  his  prosecuting  the  plan  you 
formerly  laid  down  for  him — his  Friends  a  good  deal 
divided  in  theirs — some  on  acct  of  the  expence ; 
others,  as  being  almost  the  last  of  a  Family,  think  he 
shoud  run  no  risks  that  are  to  be  avoided — These 
opinions  tho  they  are  Insufficient  to  biass  my  own 
Judgment  in  this  matter  (as  I  think  the  more  con- 
spicuous the  point  of  view  a  man  is  to  appear 
in,  the  more  pains  should  be  taken  to  enlarge 
his  mind  and  qualify  him  for  a  useful  Member  of 
Society)  yet  they  determined  me  in  some  measure 
not  to  appear  sollicitous  or  forward  in  promoting  it  ; 
but  leave  things  a  little  more  to  their  own  workings, 
and  to  the  turn  and  disposition  of  the  Youth  himself, 
after  his  Genius  is  a  little  more  unfolded  and  he  bet- 
ter able  to  have  an  opinion  of  his  own. — In  this  state 
of  mind   I  was,  when  your  prospects  of  a  change,  & 


32  2  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1771 

doubts  [about]  accompanying  him,  were  communi- 
cated to  me  ;  which  will  have  no  small  weight  in  turn- 
ing the  Scale  ;  for,  however  desirable  it  may  be  to  see 
him  travel  (if  his  Income  shoud  be  thought  by  GenI 
Court  sufficient  to  admit  of  the  expence)  under  the 
care  of  a  Gentleman  who  would  endeavour  to  guard, 
&  steer  him  clear  of  those  follies  &  vices  which  youth 
almost  imperceptably  falls  into,  at  the  same  time  that 
he  was  Instilling  into  him  taste  for  useful  knowledge 
and  Improvement,  Yet  I  must  own  I  should  never 
wish  to  see  him  set  out  for  England,  at  his  time  of 
Life  recommended  to  the  care  of  a  merchant  only — 
or  to  Embark  on  a  Tour  of  the  kind  you  proposed 
v/ithout  a  Conductor ;  as  pleasure  and  dissipation 
without  a  kirb,  would  leave  little  room  for  study,  & 
more  than  probably  end  in  his  Ruin  :  I  am  therefore 
more  perplex'd  than  ever  I  was,  &  find  the  difficulty 
of  giving  a  defenitive  answer  encreased  by  your 
doubts  ;  and  [can  only]  add,  that  when  the  period 
arrives  at  which  you  [think]  it  eligible  for  him  to  set 
out  on  a  Tour  of  this  [kind,  it  will]  if  it  appears  to  be 
his  own  desire,  upon  a  pro[bability  of  your  intention] 
&  your  inclination  to  accompany  him,  meet  [with 
my]  hearty  concurrence,  notwithstanding  the  ex- 
[pense.  Far]ther  than  this  I  do  not  think  myself  at 
liberty  [to  decide.  I]  conceive  there  is  much  greater 
circumspection  to  [be  observed]  by  a  Guardian  than 
a  natural  Parent,  who  is  only  accountable  to  his  own 
Conscience  for  his  Conduct ;  whereas  any  faupas  in  a 
Guardian  however  well  meant  the  Action,  seldom 
fails  to  meet  with  malicious  construction,  and  often 


i77i]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  323 

subjects  the  Party  to  Inconvenience  which  is  trouble- 
some to  get  reHeved  from — This  opinion  of  mine  is 
not  known  to  my  Ward — He  beheves,  for  anything  I 
know  to  the  contrary,  that  his  Trip  to  England  is  re- 
solvd  on  —  &  I  should  be  glad  if  his  time  was 
devoted  to  the  Study  of  those  useful  Branches  of 
Learning  as  will  render  him  fit  for  it. 

I  very  sincerely  congratulate  you  on  the  prospect 
of  your  change,  to  a  parish  not  far  distant  from  this, 
&  should  be  glad  to  see  you  soon  confirmd  in  a 
Benefice  equal  to  the  full  extent  of  your  wishes. — 
Colo  Colvil  by  his  Will  left  the  Legatees  in  England 
five  years  to  put  in  their  Claim  &  proove  their  Right ; 
this  time  will  not  expire  till  the  8th  day  of  Octr  next 
— as  to  Mr  Johnson's  Physick  as  he  has  been  so 
obliging  to  provide  it,  you  will  be  so  [good  as],  when 
an  opportunity  ofifers,  to  send  it  over ;  tho'  if  [it  be] 
some  of  the  last,  nothing  is  to  be  expected  from  it  ; 
th[at  was]  used  without  having  in  the  smallest  de- 
gree, the  de[sired  effect.] 

I  canrK)t  conclude,  without  requesting  [in  the] 
most  Importunate  manner  that  all  due  attention  [and 
considera]tion  may  be  given  to  Jack's  Education — I 
fear  [the  progress]  he  has  made  in  Classical  knowl- 
edge has  of  la[te  been]  trifiing ;  as  I  cannot  discover 
that  he  is  much  [farther]  in  Latten  than  when  he  left 
Mr  Magowan,  know[s  little]  Arithmetick,  and  is 
quite  ignorant  of  the  Greek  Language,  which  he 
has  begun  under  the  Tuition  of  that  Gentleman  ;  & 
therefore,  as  well  as  from  some  enquiries  which  I 
[have]  lately  made,  apprehend,  that  he  lacks  that  At- 


324  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1771 

tention  which  is  necessary  to  advance  him  in  his 
Studies — the  Information  which  I  have  but  Just  come 
to  the  knowledge  of  has  filled  me  with  a  sincere  con- 
cern, not  because  of  the  expence  attendg  his  Living 
in  Annapolis  were  it  4  times  as  great  ;  but  on  acct  of 
the  lost  time  which  is  never  to  be  regained. — Duty  & 
Inclination  both  prompt  me  to  mention  this  matterto 
you,  as  I  have  his  Improvement  much  at  heart,  and 
wd  wittingly  leave  nothing  unattempted  on  my  part 
to  see  this  accomplished. 

I   am  with  Mrs  Washington's  Compliments  [and] 
thanks  for  your  attention  to  Jack  in  the  Small  Pox  '. 

If  (?)  Fees  a  £z 
[F]ar[e]s  (?)  . 
third  of  a  Doctor 
\  of  Ditto      . 
Pennsylvania  Money 


7/6 

£a2. 

6. 

0. 

7- 
10. 

2. 

0 
6 
0 
6 

y    • 

I. 

0. 

0 

;^50- 

0. 

0, 

COLSTON. 

TO 

Fairfax  Coty.  Virginia,  24  June,  1771. 

Sir; 

Your  letters  of  the  1 5th  December  frorrJ  Georgia, 
and  20th  of  April,  from  Charlestown,  came  duely  to 
hand.    In  answer  to  them,  I  have  only  to  inform  you, 

'  "A  letter  from  Boucher,  ig  April,  1771,  explains  his  reasons  for  taking 
'  Jack '  to  Baltimore  to  be  given  the  small-pox.  He  expresses  '  heart-felt  sat- 
isfaction '  at  Jack's  favorable  condition, — the  fever-marks  having  broken  out  i 
on  neck,  l  one  ear,  breast  2,  arm  i,  legs  3, — not  one  on  face.  Dr.  Stephenson's 
price  was  2  pistoles,  and  25J.  for  board.  The  'third  of  a  Doctor'  in  Wash- 
ington's accompanying  account  may  imply  that  two  others  were  given  the  small- 
pox at  the  same  time.  In  another  letter  (May  3)  Boucher  is  vexed  because  Jack, 
after  being  well  enough  to  come  back  without  danger  to  other  pupils,  and  put 
his  mother  and  step-father  out  of  apprehension,  was  persuaded  to  remain  in 
Baltimore  for  Mr  Gough's  wedding." — Moncurc  D.  Conway  in  Lippincott's 
Magazine,  April,   1889. 


177 1]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  325 

that  my  advertisements  which  you  refer  to,  were  issued 
in  consequence  of  instructions  from  our  late  Governor 
and  Council  ;  and  that  I  have  nothing  more  to  do  in 
the  affair,  than  to  receive,  &  deliver  in  to  them  the 
several  claims  of  the  respective  Officers  &  Soldiers 
who  embarked  in  the  ser^'ice  of  this  Colony  in  the 
year  1754  (under  a  Proclamation  of  the  then  Gover- 
nor, offering  a  reward  of  200,000  acres  of  Land  to  all 
those  who  shou'd  voluntarily  engage  in  an  Expedition 
against  the  French,  who  were  at  that  time  encroaching 
on  his  majesty's  lands,  on  the  Ohio  ;)  among  those 
who  embarked  under  this  encouragement  was  your 
son,  and  well  entitled,  not  only  by  proclamation,  but 
by  his  merit  and  bravery,  to  a  Lieutenant's  share  of 
the  Lands,  which  no  doubt  he  (if  any  of  us  do)  will 
obtain,  as  I  have  exhibited  your  claim  for  that  pur- 
pose.— Nothing  final,  however,  is  determined  on  with 
respect  to  this  matter — you  will  stand  upon  the  same 
footing  with  the  rest  of  the  claimants,  provided  you 
contribute  in  the  same  proportion  towards  the  inci- 
dental charges  attending  the  Surveys  &c  which  are 
now  set  about  &  for  which  each  subaltern  Officer 
has  already  been  call'd  upon  for  the  respective  sums 
of  £(y-  and  £^.  — 10 — o — current  money  of  this  gov- 
ernment in  order  to  prosecute  the  work  ;  it  will 
behoove  you  therefore  to  give  some  person  a  power 
of  attorney  to  act  on  your  behalf,  who  must  be  fur- 
nished with  the  means  of  contributing  your  quota 
past,  and  to  come,  for  furthering  of  this  business, 
which  must,  from  the  nature  of  it,  be  attended  with 
trouble  and  expense.     I  know   of  no  person  better 


326  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [177 1 

qualified  to  serve  you  in  this  matter,  than  the  one 
who  first  exhibited  your  claim  ;  I  mean  Mr.  Alexr. 
Craig,  who  is  a  resident  of  Williamsburg,  a  man  of 
very  fair  character,  and  lays  more  in  the  way  of 
receiving  your  instructions  and  communicating  such 
information  as  may  be  proper  for  you  to  receive, 
than  I  should  be,  or  any  one  else  I  am  acquainted 
with. 

It  may  not  be  amiss  to  add  for  your  further  satis- 
faction, that  all  the  claims  are  not  yet  given  in,  conse- 
quently the  proportion  and  value  of  the  land  which 
may  fall  to  each  ofificer's  share  is  not  fully  ascer- 
tained ;  and  that  we  have  many  difficulties,  &  some 
uncertainties  to  struggle  through,  before  our  right  to 
these  lands  will  be  fully  recognized.  Such  powerful 
sollicitation  is  there  at  the  Court  of  Great  Britain  for 
the  lands  to  the  westward  of  us,  where  our  grant  was 
located  ;  and  such  the  opposition  we  meet  with  ;  tho' 
it  is  hoped  that  the  Equity  of  our  claim  will  at  length 
prevail.' 

'  When  Pontiac,  the  king  of  the  Ottawa  confederacy,  rose  against  the  English 
in  1762,  Sir  William  Johnson,  to  secure  the  friendship  of  the  Six  Nations,  invited 
them  to  send  delegates  to  a  general  council  at  the  German  Flats  in  the  middle  of 
July,  1763.  The  Indians  then  offered  to  cede  all  their  lands  east  of  the  Ohio 
to  the  English  for  a  fair  consideration,  and  Croghan,  Johnson's  agent,  believed 
at  the  time  that  nothing  but  an  acceptance  of  the  ofTer  could  prevent  a  war.  The 
matter  was  not  determined  and  the  establishment  of  English  settlements  on  the 
Alleghanies  and  in  the  Illinois  country  (tJien  largely  held  by  French  colonists) 
tended  to  make  the  trade  with  the  Indians  less  profitable.  To  prevent  a  further 
diminution  of  the  profits  a  scheme  was  formed  by  Govr.  Franklin  of  New  Jersey 
for  purchasing  a  large  tract  of  territory  on  the  Ohio  and  forming  permanent  set- 
tlements upon  it.  General  Gage,  Governor  Moore,  and  Sir  Wm.  Johnson  were 
also  interested  in  the  scheme,  wliich  was  urged  upon  the  British  ministry  by  Benj. 
Franklin  in  1766— '68.  The  original  idea  comprehended  a  colony  in  the  Illinois  ; 
but  on  submitting  the  jjlan  to  Lord  Shelburne  it  was  found  that  "  it  did  not  qua- 


177 1 ]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  327 

In  which  case,  the  Land  will  be  well  worth  the 
trouble  and  expence  we  may  bestow  to  obtain  it,  not- 
withstanding the  remote  distance  it  is  from  navigation. 

drate  with  the  sentiments  of  people  here  ;  that  their  objections  to  it  were,  the 
distance,  which  would  make  it  of  little  use  to  this  country,  as  the  expense  on  the 
carriage  of  goods  would  oblige  the  people  to  manufacture  for  themselves  ;  that  it 
would  for  the  same  reason  be  difficult  both  to  defend  it  and  to  govern  it  ; 
that  it  might  lay  the  foundation  of  a  power  in  the  heart  of  America,  which 
in  time  might  be  troublesome  to  the  other  colonies,  and  prejudicial  to  our 
government  over  them  ;  and  that  people  were  wanted  both  here  and  in  the  al- 
ready settled  colonies,  so  that  none  could  be  spared  for  a  new  colony."  Frank- 
lin to  Wm.  Franklin,  1-j  September,  1766.  General  Phineas  Lyman  of  Conn., 
who  had  served  with  bravery  and  distinction  in  the  late  war,  was  in  England 
urging  the  claims  of  the  "  military  adventurers,"  which  were  designed  to  cover 
the  same  territory  as  those  of  the  Franklin  company,  and  an  effort  was  made  to 
make  the  two  schemes  one.  In  October,  1767,  Franklin  could  report  that  the 
plan  had  been  approved  in  Cabinet  Council,  and  had  been  referred  to  the  Board 
of  Trade,  where  it  appears  to  have  slept  for  some  years  without  being  acted 
upon.  "  There  is  little  doubt,"  wrote  Johnson  to  Gov.  Franklin,  in  May, 
1768,  "but  that  the  intended  settlement  may  be  productive  of  a  regular  civil 
government  in  that  valuable  country,  and  this,  too,  without  doing  violence  or 
overreaching  the  Indians,  which  from  sentiments  of  policy  as  well  as  justice 
should  be  always  cautiously  avoided." 

The  treaty  of  Fort  Stanwix  (September,  1768)  established  the  bounds  of  Eng- 
lish territory  essentially  as  they  had  been  proposed  at  the  German  Flats.  "  Be- 
ginning at  the  mouth  of  the  Tennessee  river,  it  followed  the  Ohio  and  Alleghany 
rivers  to  Kittaning  ;  thence  in  a  direct  line  to  the  nearest  fork  of  the  west  branch 
of  the  Susquehannah  ;  and  thence  following  that  stream  through  the  AUeghanies, 
it  passed  by  way  of  Burnett's  Hills  and  the  eastern  branch  of  the  Susquehannah 
and  the  Delaware,  into  New  York,  having  its  northern  terminus  at  the  conflu- 
ence of  Canada  and  Wood  creeks.  The  line,  thus  proposed,  was  not  in  accord- 
ance with  the  instructions  of  the  Board  of  Trade.  Hillsborough,  who  had  suc- 
ceeded the  liberal  Shelbume  as  colonial  secretary,  and  was  bitterly  opposed 
to  any  settlements  in  the  interior,  wished  to  have  the  line  extended  no  farther 
than  the  mouth  of  the  great  Kenawha,  where  it  would  then  meet  the  line  which 
Stuart,  at  a  council  in  South  Carolina,  had  recently  established  with  the  Chero- 
kees  as  the  western  boundary  of  Virginia.  The  temper,  however,  of  the  Confed- 
erate deputies  at  this  time  rendered  it  impossible  for  the  Baronet  to  follow 
strictly  his  instructions,  without  defeating  the  very  object  of  the  congress." 
Stone,  Life  of  Sir  Wm.  Johnson,  ii.,  307.  Johnson  claimed  that  the  effect 
of  this  treaty,  which  was  ratified  in  1770,  was  to  vest  the  claim  of  the  northern 
Indians  to  the  country  south  of  the  Ohio  in  the  crown,  leaving  the  southern  In- 


328  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1771 

I  am  much  obliged  to  you  for  the  favorable  opinion 
you  are  pleas'd  to  entertain  of  me,  and  wish  I  may 
continue  to  deserve  it,  and  approve  myself  Sir,  &c. 

dians  only  to  be  dealt  with  concerning  it  ;  "  and  should  they  refuse  to  give  it  up, 
it  is  in  his  majesty's  power  to  prevent  the  colonies  from  availing  themselves  of 
the  late  cession  in  that  quarter,  till  it  can  be  done  with  safety  and  the  common 
consent  of  all  who  have  just  pretensions  to  it."  Johnson  to  Gage,  16  December, 
1768. 

This  plan  reappears  in  London  in  1770  :  "A  society  of  us,  in  which  some  of 
the  first  people  in  England  are  engaged,  and  in  which  you  and  Colonel  Croghan 
are  made  original  partakers,  have  concluded  a  bargain  with  the  Treasury  for  a 
large  tract  of  land  lying  and  fronting  on  the  Ohio  (part  of  the  lands  lately  ceded 
by  the  Indians  to  Great  Britain),  large  enough  for  a  government.  Having  it 
suggested  to  us  by  Lord  Hillsborough  that  it  would  be  right  that  we  should  have 
a  charter  of  government,  in  consequence  of  this  bargain  so  concluded,  we  are 
next  to  apply  to  the  Council  Board,  that  the  grant  may  issue.  We  expect  to 
meet  with  opposition,  and  some  objections  arising  from  the  impressions  made  by 
such  opposition,  yet  have  no  doubt  of  carrying  this  point,  as  we  have  settled  the 
main  point.  As  soon  as  the  grant  has  issued  we  are  to  apply  to  the  Lords  of 
Trade  on  the  subject  of  the  charter."  Thomas  Pownall  to  Sir  William  John- 
son, April,  1770.  The  application  for  the  grant  was  made  in  behalf  of  the  com- 
pany by  Thomas  Walpole,  a  London  banker,  Benjamin  Franklin,  John  Sargent, 
and  Samuel  Wharton,  but  was  opposed  by  Lord  Hillsborough  in  a  report  that 
gave  Franklin  an  opportunity  to  make  such  a  crushing  reply  as  to  lead  to  Hills- 
borough's resignation  from  the  cabinet.  (Franklin,  IVorks,  Bigelow's  Edition, 
IV.,  137,  495  ;  v.,  i).  This  company  known  as  the  Grand  Company  or  Wal- 
pole's  grant  received  its  grant  in  1772. 

In  September  1768  Lieutenant-Colonel  Wilkins  took  command  of  Fort  Pitt 
armed  with  wide  powers  of  administration,  and  bringing  "  orders  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  court  of  justice  in  Illinois  for  the  administration  of  the  laws  and 
the  adjustment  and  trial  of  all  controversies  existing  between  the  people  relating 
to  debts  or  property,  either  real  or  personal."  In  defiance  of  the  king's  procla- 
mation of  1763,  Colonel  Wilkins  began  to  make  large  grants  of  domain,  and 
among  others  was  one  said  to  contain  13,986  acres,  but  in  reality  covered  some 
30,000  acres,  made  to  John  Baynton,  Samuel  Wharton,  and  George  Morgan, 
merchants  of  Philadelphia,  who  "  trading  in  this  country,  have  greatly  con- 
tributed to  his  majesty's  service."  This  grant  lay  between  the  villages  of  Kas- 
kaskia  and  Prairie  du  Rocher,  in  the  present  county  of  Randolph.  In  i8og  the 
Commissioners  rejected  a  claim  based  upon  this  grant  on  the  ground  that 
Wilkin  had  no  authority  to  make  it. 


i77i]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  329 


TO    DR.    BOUCHER. 

Mount  Vernon,  9  July,  1771- 

Dear  Sir, 

From  several  concurring  causes,  which  have  assem- 
bled upon  the  eve  of  my  departure  for  Williamsburg, 
I  have  both  my  head  and  my  hands  too  full  of  busi- 
ness to  allow  me  time  to  write  more  than  a  hasty  un- 
digested answer  to  your  letter  of  the  4th.  This, 
however,  I  shall  attempt  to  do. 

In  my  last  I  Informed  you,  (as  well  as  I  can  recol- 
lect the  contents  of  the  letter)  that  the  friends  (I  do 
not  confine  myself  to  the  relations)  of  Mr.  Custis,  were 
divided  in  their  opinions,  of  the  propriety  of  his  trav- 
elling, not  on  account  of  the  advantages  which  might 
result  from  it,  but  on  account  of  the  expense,  as  he 
would  set  out  with  so  heavy  a  charge,  as  you  thought 
sufficient  to  induce  you  to  accompany  him,  which 
would  at  once  anticipate  half  his  income.  For  his 
estate  is  of  a  kind,  that  rather  comes  under  the 
denomination  of  a  large  than  a  profitable  one.  He 
has  a  good  deal  of  land  and  a  great  many  slaves,  it  is 
true,  but  the  former  is  more  to  be  esteemed  for  the 
situation  than  the  produce,  being  of  an  indifferent 
quality  and  much  worn,  so  that  large  crops  cannot  be 
made  from  them.  These  doubtful  opinions  was  a 
sufficient  cause,  I  added,  for  me  to  be  circumspect  in 
my  conduct,  as  I  had  another  tribunal  to  account  to 
besides  that  in  my  own  breast,  for  the  part  I  was  to 
act  on  this  occasion.  For  you  cannot  but  know,  that 
every  farthing,  which  is  expended  on  this  young  gen- 
tleman, must  undergo  the  inspection  of  the  General 


330  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [177 1 

Court,  In  their  examination  of  my  guardianship  ac- 
counts, and  that  it  would  never  answer  for  me  to  per- 
mit him  to  launch  into  any  uncommon  or  extravagant 
tract,  (especially  at  a  time  when  a  heavy  and  expen- 
sive chancery  suit  is  just  commenced  against  his  es- 
tate,) without  first  knowing  whether  such  an  expence 
would  be  submitted  to  by  those,  who  had  a  constitu- 
tional right  to  put  a  negative  thereon. 

These  are  the  reasons  why  I  said  in  my  last,  that 
my  own  inclinations  were  still  as  strong  as  ever  for 
Mr.  Custis's  pursuing  his  travelling  scheme,  but  that 
it  was  necessary  the  Court  should  approve  of  the  ex- 
pense, (I  did  not  want  their  opinion  of  the  utility  of 
travelling)  and  provided,  that  it  should  appear,  when 
his  judgment  is  a  little  more  matured,  that  he  is  de- 
sirous of  undertaking  this  tour  upon  a  plan  of  im- 
provement, rather  than  a  vague  desire  of  gratifying 
an  idle  curiosity,  or  spending  his  money  wantonly. 
For  by  the  bye,  if  his  mother  does  not  speak  her 
sentiments,  rather  than  his,  he  is  abundantly  lukewarm 
in  the  scheme  ;  and  I  cannot  help  giving  it  as  my  opin- 
ion, that  his  education,  from  what  I  have  understood 
of  his  improvements,  (however  advanced  it  may  be 
for  a  youth  of  his  age,)  is  by  no  means  ripe  enough 
for  a  tour  of  travelling  ;  not  that  I  think  his  becom- 
ing a  mere  scholar  is  a  desirable  education  for  a  gen- 
tleman, but  I  conceive  a  knowledge  of  books  is  the 
basis  upon  which  other  knowledge  is  to  be  built,  and 
that  it  is  men  and  things  more  than  books  he  is  to  be 
acquainted  with  by  travelling.  At  present,  however 
well  versed  he  may  be  in  the  principles  of  the  Latin 


177 1]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  331 

lanauaee  (which  is  not  to  be  at  all  wondered  at,  as  he 
began  the  study  of  it  as  soon  as  he  could  speak),  he  is 
unacquainted  with  several  of  their  classical  authors, 
which  might  be  useful  to  him  to  read.  He  is  ig- 
norant of  the  Greek,  (which  the  advantages  of  un- 
derstanding I  do  not  pretend  to  judge),  knows 
nothing  of  French,  which  is  absolutely  necessar)'  to 
him  as  a  traveller ;  little  or  nothing  acquainted  with 
arithmetic,  and  totally  ignorant  of  the  mathematics, 
than  which,  so  much  of  it  at  least  as  relates  to  sur\-ey- 
ing,  nothing  can  be  more  essentially  necessary  to  any 
person  possessed  of  a  large  landed  estate,  the  bounds 
of  some  part  or  other  of  which  is  always  in  controversy. 

Now,  whether  he  has  time  between  this  and  next 
spring  to  acquire  a  sufficient  knowledge  of  these,  or 
so  much  of  them  as  are  requisite,  I  leave  you  to  judge 
of ;  and  whether  a  boy  of  seventeen  years  old,  which 
will  be  his  age  the  last  of  November  next,  can  have 
any  just  notions  of  the  end  and  design  of  travelling  ? 
I  have  already  given  it  as  my  opinion,  that  it  would 
be  precipitating  this  event,  unless  he  was  to  go  im- 
mediately to  the  university  for  a  couple  of  years,  and 
in  this  case  he  could  see  nothing  of  America  ;  which 
might  be  a  disadvantage  to  him,  as  it  is  to  be  expected 
that  every  man,  who  travels  with  a  view  of  observing 
the  laws  and  customs  of  other  countries,  should  be 
able  to  give  some  description  of  the  situation  and 
government  of  his  own. 

Upon  the  whole,  it  is  impossible  for  me  at  this  time 
to  give  a  more  decisive  answer,  however  strongly 
inclined  I  may  be  to  put  you  upon  an  absolute  cer- 


332  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1771 

tainty  in  this  affair,  than  I  have  done  ;  and  should 
think  myself  wanting  in  candor,  if  I  concealed  any 
circumstance  from  you,  which  leads  me  to  fear,  that 
there  is  a  possibility,  if  not  a  probability,  that  the 
whole  design  may  be  totally  defeated  ;  and  therefore 
I  add,  that  before  I  ever  thought  myself  at  liberty  to 
encourage  this  plan,  I  judged  it  highly  reasonable  and 
necessary,  that  the  mother  should  be  consulted.  I 
laid  your  first  letter  and  proposals  before  her,  and 
desired  that  she  would  ponder  well,  before  she  re- 
solved, as  an  unsteady  behavior  might  be  a  disadvan- 
tage to  you.  Her  determination  was,  that,  if  it 
appeared  to  be  his  inclination  to  undertake  this  tour, 
and  if  it  should  be  adjudged  for  his  benefit,  she  would 
not  oppose  it,  whatever  pangs  it  might  give  her  to 
part  with  him.  This  declaration  she  still  adheres  to, 
but  in  so  faint  a  manner,  that  I  think,  what  with  her 
fears  and  his  indifference,  (if  he  really  is  so)  it  will 
soon  be  declared  that  he  has  no  inclination  to  go,  the 
consequence  of  which  is  too  obvious  to  be  mentioned. 
I  do  not  say  that  this  will  be  the  case  ;  I  cannot  speak 
positively.  But  as  this  [is]  the  result  of  my  own 
reflection  upon  the  matter,  I  thought  it  but  fair  to 
communicate  it  to  you. 

Several  causes,  I  believe,  have  concurred  to  make 
her  view  his  departure,  as  the  time  approaches,  with 
more  reluctance  than  she  expected.  The  unhappy 
situation  of  her  daughter  has  in  some  degree  fixed 
her  eyes  upon  him  as  her  only  hope.  Add  to  this  the 
doubts  of  her  friends,  &c.,  to  what  I  have  already 
said,  I  can  only  add,  that  my  warmest  wishes  are  to 


177 1]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  333 

see  him  prosecute  a  plan,  at  a  proper  period,  which  I 
am  sure  will  redound  to  his  advantage,  and  that  noth- 
ing shall  be  wanted  on  my  part  to  aid  and  assist  him 
in  it.  In  the  event  of  his  going,  I  should  think  my- 
self highly  favored,  and  him  much  honored,  by  Gov- 
ernor Eden's  letters  of  introduction.  Such,  with  others 
that  might  be  procured,  can  not  fail  of  having  their 
advantages. 

You  will  please  to  make  my  compliments  to  Mr. 
Dulany,  and  assure  him,  that  I  have  not  the  vestige 
of  a  house  at  the  Frederic  Springs,  othervvise  it  should 
have  been,  if  unengaged,  much  at  his  service.  The 
two  seasons  I  spent  at  those  waters  I  stood  indebted 
to  Mr.  Mercer  for  the  use  of  his  house. 

I  scarce  know  what  answer  to  give  to  the  papers 
you  transmitted  to  me  as  an  executor  of  the  will 
of  Col.  Thos.  Colvill,  deceased.  The  affairs  of  that 
estate  are  unhappily  involved  with  Mr.  Semple,  to 
whom  Colo.  Colvill  in  his  life  time  sold  a  tract  of 
land  in  Mar}'land,  called  Merr}4and,  for  (I  think) 
;^26oo  sterling,  and  from  whom  we  can  neither  get  the 
money  nor  land.  Till  this  matter  is  settled  the  ex- 
ecutors are  unable  to  pay  off  the  legacies  in  this 
countr}',  consequently  can  answer  no  demands  of  the 
residuar)-  legatees  in  England,  who  only  come  in  for 
the  surplusage  if  any  there  be.  I  believe  there  will 
be  more  than  sufficient  to  discharge  the  debts  and 
legacies  here,  but  the  overplus  will  be  trifling.  I 
remain,  &c.' 

'  The  original  of  this  letter  was  sold  in  the  Stevens  sale  of  1872,  and  is  printed 
in  full  in  the  catalogue,  p.  336. 


334  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1771 

TO  ROBERT  GARY  &  CO. 

Mt.  Vernon,  20  July  1771 

Gentlemen, 

Our  goods  by  the  Liberty,  Captn.  Walker,  came  to 
hand  in  good  order,  and  soon  after  his  arrival ;  as 
they  generally  will  do  when  shipped  in  a  vessel  to 
this  river,  and  scarcely  ever  when  they  go  to  any 
others  (unless  they  should  be  despatched  in  one  of 
your  own  ships,  and  the  Captain  particularly  instructed 
concerning  the  delivery  of  them.)  For  it  don't  often 
happen  that  a  vessel  bound  to  one  river  has  goods  of 
any  consequence  for  another,  and  the  masters,  in 
these  cases  keep  the  packages  till  an  accidental  con- 
veyance offers,  and  for  want  of  better  opportunities, 
frequently  commit  them  to  boatmen  who  care  very 
little  for  the  goods  so  they  get  their  freight,  and  often 
land  them  where  it  suits  their  convenience,  not  where 
they  have  engaged  to  do,  which  was  the  case  of  those 
parcels  sent  by  Saunderson.  It  is  to  little  purpose, 
therefore,  to  recommend  it  to  us  to  seek  redress  of 
the  masters  for  these  delays  or  abuses  (though  it  may 
be  the  only  remedy  left)  unless  the  injury  is  of  so 
extensive  a  nature  as  to  make  it  worth  while  to  be  at 
some  expense  and  trouble  to  watch  for  and  find  out 
the  Captains.  Our  situation  in  this  country  differs 
very  widely  from  yours.  A  ship  going  from  Virginia 
to  London  is  always,  and  with  ease,  to  be  met  with 
at  that  part ;  but  a  ship  from  London  to  Virginia 
may  be  in  Rappahannock,  or  any  of  the  other  rivers, 
three  months  before  I  know  anything  of  her  arrival, 
and  may  make  twenty  voyages  without  my  seeing,  or 


177 1]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  335 

even  hearing  of  the  captain,  in  the  same  manner  that 
vessels  may  trade  to  Liverpool,  Whitehaven,  or  Bris- 
tol, unknown  to  you.  It  is  more  expedient,  there- 
fore, to  prevent  the  evil,  than  to  redress  it  afterwards, 
and  this  is  very  easily  done  by  sending  the  goods  out 
in  ships  belonging  to  the  river  they  are  destined  for. 
So  much  in  answer  for  that  part  of  your  letter  of  the 
13th  of  November  advising  me  to  make  Saunderson 
(a  man  I  never  saw  in  my  life,  and  perhaps  never 
shall)  pay  the  extra  expence  I  was  put  to  in  getting 
my  goods  from  Mr.  Bland's  warehouse  at  Boyds  Hole. 
There  are  several  other  passages  in  the  letter  above 
mentioned  that  I  think  it  incumbent  upon  me  to  take 
some  notice  of  ;  not  that  I  am  fond  of  dwelling  upon 
a  subject  that  is  full  as  disagreeable  to  me  as  it  can 
be  to  you,  but  because  there  is  one  paragraph  in  par- 
ticular in  it,  respecting  the  Windsor  glass,  which 
appears  to  me  to  contain  an  implication  of  my  having 
deviated  from  the  truth.  Why  else  should  you  re- 
quire in  the  name  of  the  person  you  bought  of,  a 
square  to  be  sent  you  ?  And  what  end  was  it  to 
answer,  but  to  charge  me  indirectly  with  a  misrepre- 
sentation of  the  fact  ?  For  if  it  was  supposed  by 
Mrs.  Dennis  that  I  had  related  a  falsehood,  it  migrht 
as  well  have  been  imagined,  that  I  would  have  prac- 
tised a  deceit,  as  there  could  have  been  no  difficulty 
in  making  Mrs.  Ann  Dennis  a  square  of  8  by  10  out 
of  9  and  II,  and  any  one  who  would  condescend  to 
practise  the  one  would  not  hesitate  to  execute  the 
other.  But,  however  credulous  I  may  have  been  in 
relation  to  the   prices  of  tobacco,   I   could   not  well 


336  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [177 1 

have  been  so  in  respect  to  the  measurement  of  the 
glass  when  I  built  a  house  with  sashes  9  by  11,  and 
got  squares  that  would  not  fit  them.  I  do  not  repeat 
this  matter  with  a  view  of  having  any  allowance  made 
me — I  neither  want  nor  would  accept  of  any  ;  but  to 
show  that  it  is  much  more  likely  Mrs.  Dennis  should 
put  up  a  box  of  8  by  10  through  carelessness  or  by 
mistake,  than  that  I  should  mistake  the  size  when  I 
came  to  use  it.  I  had  nothing  more  in  view  when  I 
made  the  complaint  first,  than  to  shew  how  inatten- 
tive the  tradesmen  and  shopkeepers  sometimes  are, 
that  I  might  be  relieved  from  the  like  inconveniences 
for  the  time  to  come.  This  was  my  reason  also  for 
taking  notice  of  the  Duffield  from  Mauduit  &  Co,' 
not  that  I  expected  any  deduction  from  the  price,  as 
they  could  not  see  the  condition  of  the  cloth  for  want 
of  my  having  an  opportunity  of  reshipping  it,  an  in- 
convenience we  are  obliged  to  submit  to  and  is  among 
the  disadvantages  attending  my  shipping  to  a  house 
that  has  no  connection  with  the  river  I  live  on,  and 
it  is  seldom  we  have  it  in  our  power  of  sending  any 
little  trifling  matters  which  want  repairs,  alterations, 
&c.  to  London,  not  choosing  to  put  Captains  of  ves- 
sels, with  whom  we  have  no  concern,  nor  any  way  of 
obliging  in  return,  to  any  trouble  in  sending  for  or 
taking  charge  of  them.  So  likewise  is  it  a  disadvan- 
tage on  account  of  your  letters  which  come  chiefly  by 
York  and  James  River  ships,  by  which  means  I  have 
the  postage  from  Williamsburg  to  Alexandria  always 

'"When  I  opened  the  package  a  piece  of  Duffield,  charged  ;^4.I3.6   was 
found  eaten  to  a  honeycomb  by  moth." 


177 1]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  337 

to  pay,  which  upon  a  letter  that  contains  an  account 
of  sales,  or  that  has  anything  else  enclosed,  amounts 
often  to  four,  five,  and  sometimes  eight  or  ten  shil- 
lings, which  in  the  end  increases  to  no  trifling  sum. 

I  observe  what  you  have  said  in  respect  to  the  pur- 
chase of  our  goods  with  ready  cash.  It  is  what  those 
who  have  money  in  your  hands,  or  who  pay  interest 
for  the  loan  of  yours,  have  an  undoubted  right,  to 
expect.  And  if  we  are  allowed  the  benefits  of  deben- 
ture, and  the  prompt  payment  of  goods  (for  I  am 
told,  the  tradesmen  and  shopkeepers  generally,  if  not 
always,  make  out  their  notes  on  twelve  or  more 
months'  credit,  according  to  the  general  run  of  their 
dealings,  and  then  discount  according  to  the  pay- 
ments)— I  say,  if  these  are  allowed,  it  is  all  we  have 
a  right  to  expect  ;  and  yet,  I  do  aver  that  I  can  buy 
linen  and  many  other  articles  in  the  stores  here  in 
their  sterling  way  of  dealing,  cheaper  than  I  can  import 
them,  which  is  a  mystery  not  easy  to  be  accounted 
for,  as  I  do  not  conceive  that  you  are  charged  the 
retail  prices  for  the  goods  you  purchase.  For  though 
the  quantity  that  I,  or  any  other  individual,  may  want 
is  small,  yet,  when  it  is  considered  that  one  person 
has  a  demand  for  twenty  pounds  worth,  another  for 
fifty,  a  third  for  an  hundred,  and  so  on  to  the  amount 
of  thousands  for  any  article  (linen  for  example),  to 
be  shipped  off  at  one  and  the  same  time,  surely  the 
whole  is  of  dignity  enough  to  bring  you  under  the 
denomination  of  a  wholesale  purchaser,  and  sufficient 
to  entitle  you  to  all  the  benefits  of  a  drawback  upon 
the  exported  ggods.   This  is  the  light  in  which  things 


338  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [177 1 

have  always  appeared  to  me.  I  may  be  mistaken, 
however,  in  my  conjectures  for  want  of  better  knowl- 
edge of  trade  ;  and  if  I  expect  any  thing  that  is 
unreasonable,  or  inconsistent  with  the  principles  of  a 
just,  fair  and  practicable  commerce,  I  am  sure  I  do 
not  desire  to  be  indulged  in  it.  But  I  cannot  help 
adding  that  it  has  ever  been  my  opinion  that  in  return, 
for  the  heavy  charges  upon  our  tobacco  and  the 
ample  and  uncommon  commissions  which  are  drawn 
upon  the  sales  of  it,  we  ought  to  reap  every  advantage 
which  can  be  procured  in  the  purchase  of  our  goods. 
Otherwise  I  should  be  glad  to  know  to  what  end  we 
import  them.     *     *     * 

Our  Association  in  Virginia  for  the  non-importation 
of  goods  is  now  at  an  end  except  against  tea,  paper, 
glass,  and  painters'  colors  of  foreign  manufacture. 
You  will  please,  therefore,  to  be  careful  that  none  of 
the  glass,  paper,  &c.,  contained  in  my  invoices,  are  of 
those  kinds  which  are  subject  to  the  duty  imposed 
by  Parliament  for  the  purpose  of  raising  a  revenue  in 
America.  The  late  great  calamity  which  has  befallen 
this  country  by  the  overflowing  of  the  waters  will  be 
communicated  to  you  I  expect  through  so  many  dif- 
ferent channels  that  it  is  scarce  worth  my  while  to 
touch  upon  the  subject.  Neither  my  ward  nor  self 
has  sustained  any  damage  by  this  disaster,  but  it  is 
expected,  that  it  cannot  fail  to  have  some  effect  upon 
the  prices  of  tobacco.  In  which  case  we  suppose  ours 
will  reap  the  advantage  of  it  as  well  as  others. 


i77i]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  339 


THE    ANNAPOLIS    RACES    OF     I  771. 

Sept.  21.     Set  out  with  Mr.  Wonneley  for  the  Annapolis  races. 
Dined  at  Mr.  WilHam  Digges,  and  lodged  at  Mr.  Ignatius  Digges. 

22.  Dined   at    Mr.    Sam.    Galloway's,  and   lodged  with    Mr. 
Boucher  in  Annapolis. 

23.  Dined  with  Mr.  Loyd  Dulany,  and  spent  the  evening  at 
the  Coffee  House. 

24.  Dined  with  the  Govr.,  and  went  to  the  play  and  ball  after- 
wards. 

25.  Dined  at  Doctor  Stewards,  and  went  to  the  play  and  ball 
afterwards. 

26.  Dined  with  Mr.  Ridouts,  and  went  to  the  play  after  it. 

27.  Dined  at  Mr.  Carroll's,  and  went  to  the  ball. 

28.  Dined  at  Mr.  Boucher's,  and  went  from  thence  to  the  play, 
and  afterwards  to  the  Coffee  House. 

29.  Dined  with  Major  Jenifer,  and  supped  at  Dan'l  Dulany, 
Esqs. 

30.  Left  Annapolis,  and  dined  and  supped  with  Mr.    Sam'l 
Galloway. 

October  i.     Dined  at  Upper  Marlborough,  and  reached  home 
in  the  afternoon. 


TO    GEORGE    MERCER,    LONDON.' 

Williamsburg,  7  November,  1771. 

Dear  Sir, 

Since  you  first  left  this  countr}^  I  have  been  favored 
with  two  letters  from  you  ;  one  of  them  ser\'ing  to 
enter  your  own,   and  the  claims  of  Captains  Stobo 

'  From  an  interleaved  Almanac. 

'  Mercer  had  been  in  England  for  upwards  of  six  years  as  the  agent  of  the  old 
"Ohio  Company."  Failing  to  establish  the  claims  of  the  company,  he  ap- 
proached the  organizers  of  the  new  company  known  as  Walpole  s  Grant,  and 
sought  to  merge  the  interests  of  the  two  claimants.  This  he  accomplished,  as  on 
May  7,  1770,  the  following  agreement  was  made:  "We  the  Committee  of 
the  Purchasers  of  a  Tract  of  Country  for  a  new  Province  on  the  Ohio  in 
America,  do  hereby  admit  the  Ohio  Company  as  a  co-purchaser  with  us  for  two 


340  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [177 1 

and  Vanbraam,  to  part  of  the  two  hundred  thousand 
acres  of  land,  granted  under  Governor  Dinwiddle's 
proclamation  ;  and  the  other,  of  the  i8th  of  Decem- 
ber, which  did  not  come  to  my  hands  till  about  the 
first  of  last  month,  urging  the  expediency  of  prose- 
cuting our  right  to  those  lands  with  spirit. 

In  respect  to  the  first,  I  have  only  to  inform  you, 
that  your  own  claim,  as  well  that  for  your  brother  as 
yourself,  was  entered  before  the  receipt  of  your  letter, 
and  that  Stobo's  and  Vanbraam's  are  also  entered. 
In  answer  to  the  second,  I  can  only  add,  that  the 
same  backwardness,  which  has  ever  appeared  in  our 
Honorable  Board  to  recognise  our  right  to  these 
lands,  seems  still  to  prevail,  and  that  our  business  in 
this  affair  is  by  no  means  in  that  forwardness,  which 
I  could  wish,  owing,  I  believe  I  may  say,  to  other 
causes,  as  well  as  to  a  lukewarmness  in  those  from 
whom  we  seek  redress.  The  unequal  interest  and 
dispersed  situation  of  the  claimants  make  a  regular 
cooperation  difficult.  An  undertaking  of  this  kind 
cannot  be  conducted  without  a  good  deal  of  expense 
and  trouble  ;  and  the  doubt  of  obtaining  the  lands, 
after  the  utmost  efforts,  is  such,  as  to  discourage  the 
larger  part  of  the  claimants  from  lending  assistance, 

shares  of  the  said  Purchase  [equal  to  two  seventy-second  parts  of  the  entire 
purchase],  in  consideration  of  the  engagement  of  their  agent,  Col.  Mercer,  to 
withdraw  the  application  of  the  said  Company  for  a  separate  grant  within  the 
limits  of  the  said  Purchase."  This  agreement  was  repudiated  by  the  old  com- 
pany. On  the  i8th  of  December,  1770,  Mercer  wrote  to  Washington  from 
Dublin:  "Before  I  left  England,  I  mentioned  my  having  agreed  with,  or  I 
may  rather  say  prevailed  with,  the  great  Land  Company  [i.  e.  Walpole's  Grant] 
there,  that  the  two  hundred  thousand  acres,  claimed  by  the  officers  of  the 
Virginia  troops,  should  be  allowed  out  of  tlieir  grant." 


I77IJ  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  341 

whilst  a  few  are  obliged  to  wade  through  every'  diffi- 
culty, or  relinquish  ever}^  hope. 

In  this  state  of  things,  and  in  behalf  of  those,  who 
had  contributed  to  the  expense  of  exploring  and  sur- 
veying the  lands,  I  petitioned  the  Governor  and 
Council,  that  the  amount  of  each  man's  share,  ac- 
cording to  his  rank,  should  be  ascertained,  and  each 
claimant  suffered  to  designate  and  survey  his  portion 
separately,  by  which  means  every  man  would  stand 
upon  his  own  footing.  This  petition  I  thought  so 
reasonable,  and  so  consistent  with  ever}'  principle  of 
common  justice,  to  say  nothing  of  the  disadvantage 
of  being  forced  into  large  tracts,  and  the  manifest  in- 
convenience of  dividing  them  afterwards,  that  I  con- 
ceived it  could  not  possibly  be  rejected  ;  but  to  my 
great  astonishment  it  was  so,  and  we  are  now  com- 
pelled to  be  at  the  expense  of  surveying  our  whole 
quantity  in  twenty  surveys,  and  then  each  individual 
subjected  to  the  charge  of  surveying  his  own  sep- 
arately. In  this  way  we  are  doubly  taxed,  while  the 
whole  is  held  as  a  kind  of  joint  interest,  and  no  man 
knows  his  property,  or  can  tell  how  or  in  what  man- 
ner to  dispose  of  it.  In  short,  so  many  glaring 
obstacles  opposed  their  mode  of  proceeding,  that 
they  did  not  even  attempt  to  remove  them,  but  con- 
tented themselves  with  putting  the  soldiers  upon  a 
worse  footing,  than  the  meanest  individual  in  the 
community,  rather  than  be  thought  to  give  a  license 
for  the  pillaging  of  his  Majesty's  or  the  Proprietary 
lands,  when  it  is  a  fact  well  known,  and  every  age 
evinces  it,  that  no  country  ever  was  or  ever  will  be 


342  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1771 

settled  without  some  indulgence.  What  inducements 
have  men  to  explore  uninhabited  wilds,  but  the  pros- 
pect of  getting  good  lands  ?  Would  any  man  waste 
his  time,  expose  his  fortune,  nay,  life,  in  such  a 
search,  if  he  was  to  share  the  good  and  the  bad  with 
those  that  come  after  him  ?  Surely  not.  We  have 
surveyed  ten  of  the  largest  tracts  we  can  find  in  the 
district  allowed  us,  and  have  been  able  to  get  sixty 
thousand  acres,  and  for  this  tract  we  have  been 
obliged  to  go  between  two  and  three  hundred  miles 
below  Fort  Pitt,  as  the  lands  thereabouts  are  thought 
to  be  within  the  Pennsylvania  government ;  at  least, 
they  are  surveyed  under  those  rights,  and  held  by 
such  a  number  of  individuals,  that  it  was  thought  to 
be  impolitic  to  engage  in  private  disputes,  whilst 
there  appeared  but  a  gloomy  prospect  of  getting  any 
land  at  all. 

The  claims,  which  have  been  presented  to  me,  are 
now  all  given  in,  and  the  Governor  and  Council  have 
determined,  that  each  officer  shall  share  according  to 
the  rank  in  which  he  entered  the  service,  and  that  the 
land  shall  be  distributed  in  the  following  manner, 
namely,  to  each  field-officer  fifteen  thousand  acres,  to 
each  captain  nine  thousand,  to  each  subaltern  six 
thousand,  to  the  cadets  two  thousand  five  hundred 
each,  six  hundred  to  a  sergeant,  five  hundred  to  a 
corporal,  and  four  hundred  to  each  private  soldier. 
They  have  made  a  reserve  of  thirty  thousand  acres, 
as  well  to  provide  for  any  claims,  which  may  hereafter 
come  in,  as  to  compensate  those,  who  have  been  and 
must  necessarily  continue  to  be  saddled  with  the  ex- 


i77i]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  343 

pense,  which  we  find  will  not  be  vei*}^  inconsiderable, 
as  we  have  already  expended  near  two  hundred 
pounds,  and  the  surveyor  not  yet  paid/ 

This  expense  must  now  be  greatly  augmented,  as 
we  shall  be  exposed  to  a  considerable  charge  in  ex- 
ploring the  lands,  before  we  can  proceed  to  survey 
any  more.  From  every  thing  we  know  at  present,  it 
appears  impossible  to  get  two  hundred  thousand 
acres  in  twenty  surveys,  without  including  mountains 
and  inhospitable  hills  to  the  amount  of  near  one  half, 
which  will  render  the  grant  of  little  value,  and  be  the 

'  Major  George  Muse  had  been  accused  of  cowardice  at  the  affair  of  the 
Great  Meadows,  and  his  name  was  omitted  in  the  vote  of  thanks  to  the  offi- 
cers by  the  legislature.  It  was  decided,  however,  that  this  person  should  have 
his  share  of  the  land,  and  the  following  extract  from  a  letter  to  him  on  this  sub- 
ject will  show  with  what  spirit  and  tone  Washington  could  retort  upon  rudeness, 
when  there  was  occasion. 
"  Sir, 

"  Your  impertinent  letter  was  delivered  to  me  yesterday.  As  I  am  not  accus- 
tomed to  receive  such  from  any  man,  nor  would  have  taken  the  same  language 
from  you  personally,  without  letting  you  feel  some  marks  of  my  resentment,  I 
would  advise  you  to  be  cautious  in  writing  me  a  second  of  the  same  tenor.  But 
for  your  stupidity  and  sottishness  you  might  have  known,  by  attending  to  the 
public  gazette,  that  you  had  your  full  quantity  of  ten  thousand  acres  of  land  al- 
lowed you,  that  is,  nine  thousand  and  seventy-three  acres  in  the  great  tract,  and 
the  remainder  in  the  small  tract. 

"  But  suppose  you  had  really  fallen  short,  do  you  think  your  superlative  merit 
entitles  you  to  greater  indulgence  than  others  ?  Or,  if  it  did,  that  I  was  to  make 
it  good  to  you,  when  it  was  at  the  option  of  the  Governor  and  Council  to  allow 
but  five  hundred  acres  in  the  whole,  if  they  had  been  so  inclined  ?  If  either  of 
these  should  happen  to  be  your  opinion,  I  am  very  well  convinced,  that  you  will 
be  singular  in  it ;  and  all  my  concern  is,  that  I  ever  engaged  in  behalf  of  so  un- 
grateful a  fellow  as  you  are.  But  you  may  still  be  in  need  of  my  assistance,  as 
I  can  inform  you,  that  your  affairs,  in  respect  to  these  lands,  do  not  stand  upon 
so  solid  a  basis  as  you  may  imagine,  and  this  you  may  take  by  way  of  hint. 

"  I  wrote  to  you  a  few  days  ago  concerning  the  other  distribution,  proposing 
an  easy  method  of  dividing  our  lands  ;  but  since  I  find  in  what  temper  you  are, 
I  am  sorry  I  took  the  trouble  of  mentioning  the  land  or  your  name  in  a  letter,  as 
I  do  not  think  you  merit  the  least  assistance  from  me. " 


344  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [177 1 

source  of  much  discontent  at  a  division.  It  behooves 
us,  therefore,  to  examine  the  lands  well  before  we 
survey.  And  allow  me  to  add,  that  it  will  be  very 
proper  for  you  to  give  Messrs.  Stobo  and  Vanbraam 
a  hint,  that  something  more  than  entering  their  claims 
is  necessary.  I  dare  say  they  will  hardly  think  it 
reasonable  to  profit  by  the  labor  and  purse  of  others. 
It  is  highly  incumbent  on  them,  therefore,  to  appoint 
an  agent  in  this  country  to  transact  their  business 
and  advance  their  proportion  of  the  expense,  if  they 
expect  to  share  in  the  lands. 

To  give  you  a  minute  detail  of  the  proceedings, 
respecting  this  grant,  would  be  a  work  of  time,  and 
afford  you  little  entertainment.  What  I  have  here 
said  will  serve  as  a  general  outline,  and  that  is  all 
I  have  aimed  at  in  this  letter.  I  should  not  have  de- 
layed answering  your  first  letter  till  this  time,  had 
you  not  mentioned  your  intention  of  embarking  soon 
on  your  return.  This  account  having  been  frequent- 
ly corroborated  by  your  brother,  of  whom  I  often 
inquired  after  you,  I  thought  a  letter  could  have  little 
chance  of  finding  you  in  England.  I  have  just  been 
told  by  Mr.  Mercer,  that  you  are  to  remain  in  London 
for  some  advices  from  him,  respecting  the  affairs  of 
the  Ohio  Company.  Mrs.  Washington  makes  a  ten- 
der of  her  compliments  to  you,  and  I  am,  with  very 
sincere  regard,  dear  Sir,  your  most  obedient  humble 
servant. 


i77i]  GEORGE   WASHINGTON.  345 

TO    ROBERT    STOBO. 

Mt.  Vernon,  22  November,  1771. 

Dear  Sir, 

Your  claim  to  a  share  of  the  200,000  acres  of  land 
under  Governor  Dinwiddle's  proclamation  has  been 
entered,  and  the  Governor  and  Council  have  settled 
the  proportions  which  fall  to  each  man's  lot  (accord- 
ing to  the  rank  he  entered  the  service  with),  by  which 
each  field  officer  is  allowed  15,000  acres,  each  captain, 
9000,  each  subaltern,  6000,  each  cadet,  2500,  a  ser- 
geant, 600,  a  corporal,  500,  and  each  private  soldier, 
400  acres  apiece. 

The  solicitinof  this  matter  with  some  other  ex- 
pences  that  have  attended  the  prosecution  of  our 
claim  have  cost  a  few  individuals  upwards  of  ^200 
already,  and  instead  of  getting  one  half  the  land  con- 
tiguous to  the  forks  of  Monongahela(now  Fort  Pitt), 
where  they  are  of  some  value,  we  are  obliged  to  go 
down  the  Ohio  near  300  miles  lower,  and  take  the 
land  in  twenty  surveys,  by  which  means,  and  the 
nature  of  that  country  which  you  know  is  very  hilly 
and  broken,  we  shall  be  obliged  to  include  a  large 
portion  of  bad  land,  so  as  not  only  to  render  the  grant 
of  little  value,  but  will  create  a  orood  deal  of  discon- 
tent  at  a  division,  as  it  is  absolutely  impossible  to 
make  an  equal  distribution  of  the  good  and  bad, 
nor  divide  it  by  lot,  as  different  ranks  are  entitled  to 
different  quantities  ;  and  when  all  is  done,  what 
plague  and  trouble  we  are  yet  to  meet  with  from  the 
proprietors  of  the  new  government  to  the  westward 
of  us,  whose  grant  includes  every  inch  of  the  land  we 


346  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [177 1 

are  expecting  under  our  Order  of  Council,  I  know  not. 
Time  only  can  reveal  it. 

The  expence  attending  the  grant  of  ours,  is  in  a 
manner  but  just  beginning,  as  we  have  not  surveyed  a 
third  part  of  the  land  yet,  and  are  laid  under  the  in- 
convenience and  hardship  of  first  exploring  the  coun- 
try, then  surveying  our  whole  quantity  in  twenty 
surveys,  and  after  that  each  man  his  particular  quan- 
tity separately — a  grievance  we  have  labored  much 
to  get  removed,  but  could  not.  It  is  therefore 
incumbent  upon  you  to  appoint  an  agent  here  to 
attend  to  your  interest  in  these  lands  ;  who  should 
be  enabled  to  contribute  your  proportion  of  the  ex- 
pense, for  without  money  the  business  cannot  go  for- 
ward, even  if  the  way  was  smooth,  much  less  where 
there  are  difficulties  in  every  stage  of  it. 

What  I  have  here  said  will  just  serve  to  give  you 
some  idea  of  this  affair ;  to  relate  the  whole  proceed- 
ings, with  the  troubles  and  vexations  that  have  ac- 
companied them  in  stating  our  claims,  drawing 
petitions,  presenting  memorials,  &c.  &c.,  would 
require  a  volume,  and  afford  little  entertainment.' 

'  Washington  addressed  a  similar  letter  to  Vanbraam,  and  on  the  same  day 
wrote  to  George  Mercer  to  purchase  the  right  of  Stobo  and  Vanbraam,  "  pro- 
vided they  will  take  a  trifle  for  them."  "  My  only  motive  for  doing  this  is  that 
the  progress  of  our  affairs  may  be  less  obstructed,  by  being  more  contracted. 
The  whole  trouble  of  late  (in  this  country  I  mean)  has  fallen  upon  me,  and  a 
good  deal  of  expence  which  never  has,  nor  indeed  never  can  be,  brought  in  to 
account  I  have  been  subjected  to  by  my  activity  in  this  matter  ;  and,  as  it  is 
very  obvious  that  the  whole  work  must  go  on  at  the  expence  of  a  few,  or  not  at 
all,  I  am  inclined  to  adventure  a  little  further  in  order  to  take  the  chance  of 
gaining  in  proportion  to  my  loss  ;  for  no  problem  in  Euclid  is  more  clear  than  that 
those  who  do  not  choose  to  advance  beforehand  whilst  there  is  at  least  a  hope  of 
success,  will  hardly  draw  their  purse  strings  to  reimburse  the  expences  of  others 


1772]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  347 

TO    DR.    BOUCHER. 

Mount  Vernon,  4th  May,  1772. 

After  a  tiresome,  and  in  my  opinion,  a  very  unim- 
portant Session,  I  returned  home  about  the  middle 
of  last  Month  accompanied  by  Colo  Bassett  &c. 

The  expediency  of  an  American  Episcopate  was 
long  &  warmly  debated,  and  at  length  rejected.  As 
a  substitute,  the  House  attempted  to  frame  an 
Ecclesiastical  Jurisdiction,  to  be  composed  of  a  Presi- 
dent and  four  other  clergymen,  who  were  to  have  full 
power  and  authority  to  hear  and  determine  all  mat- 
ters and  causes  relative  to  the  clergy,  and  to  be  vested 
with  the  [power]  of  Suspension,  deprivation,  &  visi- 
tation.    From  this  Jurisdiction  an  Appeal  was  to  be 

when  even  hope  is  departed  from  them.  .  .  .  Col.  Cresap,  whom  I  have 
seen  since  his  return  from  England,  gave  it  to  me  as  his  opinion,  that  some  of 
the  shares  in  the  new  (charter)  government  on  the  Ohio  might  be  bought  very 
cheap  from  some  of  the  present  members.  Are  you  of  this  opinion  ?  who  are 
they  that  would  sell  ?  and  at  what  price  do  you  think  a  share  could  be  bought  ?  " 

"  I  believe  from  what  I  have  lately  heard,  that  there  is  no  doubt  now,  of  the 
Charter  Government  taking  place  on  the  Ohio  ;  but  upon  what  terms,  or  how 
the  Lands  will  be  granted  to  the  people,  I  have  not  been  able  to  learn  ;  I  should 
be  glad  however  if  you  would  endeavor  to  keep  the  tract  you  sur\'eyed  for  me 
till  such  time  as  we  can  tell  where,  and  how,  to  apply  for  Rights  ;  or  if  you  did 
anything  with  McMahan,  on  my  account,  I  will  abide  by  that. 

"  As  soon  as  the  tract  at  the  Great  Meadows'  is  enlarged,  I  should  be  glad  to 
have  the  surveys  retum'd  to  the  office,  and  to  get  a  plat  of  it  myself,  as  I  am 
determined  to  take  a  patent  for  it  immediately. 

"  I  cannot  hear  of  any  reserve  in  favor  of  Colo.  Croghan  ;  for  which  reason  I 
do  not  caie  to  say  anything  more  to  him  on  the  subject  of  a  purchase  untill  mat- 
ters are  upon  a  more  permanent  footing  ;  since  no  disadvantage  can  follow  to 
him,  after  leaving  him  at  liberty  in  my  last  letter  to  sell  the  Tract  he  made  me 
an  offer  of  to  anybody  he  pleased. 

"  I  should  be  glad  however  to  hear  from  you  how  he  goes  on  in  his  sales,  and 
what  is  said,  and  thought  of  his  claim  ;  in  short,  what  chance  there  appears  to 
be  of  his  getting  it ;  for  I  suppose  his  right  to  the  Lands  he  claims  must  either 
be  confirmed  or  rejected  by  this  time  ;  and  known  at  Pittsburg  before  now. " 
—  Washington  to  Crawford.  6  December,  1771. 


348  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1772 

had  to  a  Court  of  Delegates,  to  consist  of  an  equal 
number  of  Clergymen  and  Laymen  ;  but  this  Bill, 
after  much  canvassing,  was  put  to  Sleep,  from  an 
opinion  that  the  subject  was  of  too  much  Importance 
to  be  hastily  entered  into  at  the  end  of  a  Session. — 
An  Act  has  passed  this  session  empowering  Trustees 
(to  be  chosen  by  ye  Subscribers  to  the  Scheme)  to 
raise  money  by  way  of  Subscription,  &  Lottery,  for 
the  purpose  of  opening,  &  extending  the  Navigation 
of  Potomack  from  the  Tide  Water,  to  Fort  Cum- 
berland ;  &  for  perpetuating  the  Toll  arising  from 
vessells  to  the  Adventurers  in  the  scheme  ' — but  ye 
Execution  of  it  must  necessarily  be  suspended  till 
some  thing  similar  passes  into  a  Law  in  your  pro- 
vince.— An  Act  has  also  passed  for  Erecting  a  Light 
House  on  Cape  Henry,  from  which  I  think  the 
Shipping  will  derive  great  advantages  ^ — and  a  Bill 
went  through  the  House,  but  rejected  in  the  Coun- 
cil, for  having  Septennial  Vestrys,  and  a  general 
dissolution  of  all  those  now  in  existence. 

Herewith  I  send  the  Pamphlets  you  desird  me  to 
get,  together  with  your  Accts  from  both  Printing 
Offices  discharged  ;  both  Printers  being  desired  to 
forward  your  Gazettes  for  the  future  to  the  care  of 
Mr.  Lowndes  of  Bladensburg. 

I  expected  to  have  made  you  a  visit  soon  after  my 
return  from  Williamsburg,  and  to  have  gone  from 
thence  to  Annapolis,  but  am  a  little  uncertain  now 
when  it  will  be  in  my  power  to  enjoy  this  pleasure ; 
as  I   have  business  that  will  call  me  into   Loudoun, 

'  Hcning,  Statutes,  viii.,  570.  '  Ilening,  Statutes,  viii.,  539. 


1772]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  349 

Fauquier,  and  Berkeley  (one  of  the  New  Counties 
taken  from  Frederick,  the  other  Dunmore)  sometime 
between  the  middle,  &  last  of  this  month  ;  &  am  now 
engaged  in  Fishing  and  other  matters  which  seems 
I  think  to  require  my  attendance. 


TO    DR.    BOUCHER. 

Mount  Vernon,  21st  May,  1772. 

Inclination  having  yielded  to  Importunity,  I  am 
now  contrary  to  all  expectation  under  the  hands  of 
Mr.  Peale  ;  but  in  so  grave — so  sullen  a  mood — and 
now  and  then  under  the  influence  of  Morpheus,  when 
some  critical  strokes  are  making,  that  I  fancy  the 
skill  of  this  Gentleman's  Pencil,  will  be  put  to  it,  in 
describing  to  the  World  what  manner  of  man  I  am. 
I  have  no  doubt  of  Mr  Peale's'  meeting  with  very 
good  Incouragement  in  a  Tour  to  Williamsburg  ;  for 
having  mentioned  him  to  some  Gentlemen  at  our 
Court,  they  seem  desirous  of  employing  him  in  his 
way  down.^ 

'  Charles  Willson  Peale. 

*  "  May  19.     Found  Mr.  Peale  &  J.  P.  Custis. 

20.  I  sat  to  have  my  picture  drawn. 

21.  I  set  again  to  take  the  drapery. 

22.  Set  for  Mr.  Peale  to  finish  my  face." 

— From  an  interleaved  Almanac,  1772. 
His  Ledger  contains  the  following  items  entered  under  30  May  1772  : — 
By  Mr.  Peale,  Painter,  Drawing  my  picture  ;if  18.4.0 

Miniature  ditto  for  Mrs.  Washington       13. 
Ditto  ditto  for  Miss  Custis  13. 

Ditto,         ditto,  for  Mr.  Custis  13. 


57-40 
"  This  picture,   painted  in   May,   1772,  a  three  quarter  length,  represents 
Washington  in  the  costume  of  a  Colonel  of  the  22d.  (?)  Regiment  of  Virginia 


35 o  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1772 

Your  excuse  for  denying  us  the  pleasure  of  your 
Company,  with  Governor  Eden  &  Lady,  tho  not 
strictly  warranted  by  Scripture,  is  nevertheless  highly 
admissable,  and  I  sincerely  congratulate  you  upon 
the  prospect  of  happiness  ;  as  I  think  there  is  a  fair 
Field  of  it  opening  to  your  view,  from  the  judicious- 
ness of  your  choice — Whether  Mrs  Washington 
ever  stretches  as  far  as  Annapolis  or  not,  we  shall 
certainly  take  some  very  early  opportunity  of  making 
your  acquaintance  on  this  occasion. 

May  23d. 

The  foregoing  Letter  was  designed  to  go  by  Jack 
Custis,  who  intended,  as  he  said,  but  afterwards 
altered  his  mind  ;  to  take  the  benefit  of  a  Ball  at 
Alexandria  on  Thursday  Evening,  in  his  way  home 
the  next  day. — In  the  interim  Joe  brought  me  your 
favor  of  the  21st,  forbidding  us  any  longer  to  hope 
for  the  pleasure  of  Govr  Eden  and  Lady's  Company ; 
which  we  had  been  flattering  ourselves  with  the 
honor  of,  for  several  days ;  &  which  I  now  beg  the 
favor  of  you  to  assure  them  we  regret ;  at  the  same 
time  I  am  further  to  ask  you  to  apologize  to  Mr 
Eden  for  my  not  paying  my  respects  to  him  at  Mr 
Digges  ;  which  I  fully  intended  to  do,  but  falling 
under  Mr  Peale's  hands  that  morning  in  a  regular 
Rot[ation,  he  kept]  me  so  long,  knowing  that  it  w[as 
his  custom]  of  asking,  that  I  had  not  time  [to  visit  him 

Militia  ;  a  blue  coat  faced  with  red,  bright  metal  buttons  having  the  number  of 
the  regiment  cast  upon  them,  and  a  dark  red  waistcoat  and  breeches.  He 
wears  the  hat  usually  called  the  Wolfe  hat,  with  sash  and  gorget.  This  has 
been  engraved  by  Steel,  Paradise,  Parker,  Forrest,  Rogers  and  Buttre." — 
Baker,  Engraved  Portraits  of  Washington,  I2.  In  January,  1774,  Mr.  Peale 
painted  a  picture  of  Mr.  Custis,  at  an  expense  of  ten  guineas. 


1772]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  351 

befjore  Dinner,  and  the  Govr  You  wrote  me  he  was 
to  set  out  for  Mr  Rogers  after  it. — Be  pleased  to 
assure  Mr  and  Mrs  Eden,  which  you  may  do  with 
great  truth,  that  Mrs  Washington  and  myself  shall 
think  ourselves  very  happy  in  seeing  them  at  Mount 
Vernon  whenever  they  can  make  it  convenient  to  give 
us  the  honor  of  their  Company. 

I  find  upon  enquiry  that,  it  will  not  be  in  my  power 
to  supply  you  and  Mr  Calvert  with  the  Weathers  you 
want ;  the  Rot,  or  some  other  distemper  among  my 
sheep  swept  off  near  an  hundred,  in  the  Space  of  a 
Month,  this  Spring  for  me. — I  am  much  obliged  to 
Mr  Galloway  for  the  Claret,  and  as  I  have  no  imme- 
diate use  for  it  (having  a  Box  or  two  by  me)  I  must 
trouble  Mr  Digges  for  House  Room  for  it  till  I  return 
from  my  trip  upward. 


TO  LORD  DUNMORE,  LIEUTENANT  GOVERNOR  OF  VIRGINIA.' 

Mount  Vernon,  15  June,  1772.* 

My  Lord, 

The  very  obliging  offer  your  Lordship  was  pleased 
to  make,  the  day  I  left  Williamsburg,  in  behalf  of 
the  officers  and  soldiers,  who,  under  the  faith  of  gov- 

'  Mr.  Sparks  prints  this  letter  as  dated  1771  ;  but  Lord  Dunmore  did  not  reach 

Virginia  until  early  in  1772,  and  the  Assembly  was  prorogued  June  10,  1772, 
thus  allowing  for  the  meeting  to  which  Washington  alludes  in  his  opening 
sentence. 

-  The  position  of  John  Murray,  Earl  of  Dunmore,  in  Virginia  was  not  a  little 
curious,  and  in  the  absence  of  full  information  has  not  been  interpreted  by  his- 
torians of  the  colony  to  his  credit.  He  was  transferred  from  New  York  to 
Virginia,  and  became  unpopular  almost  from  the  beginning  of  his  rule  (1772). 
Burk  charges  that  he  went  on  a  "  party  of  pleasure  to  the  back  settlements  "  and 
meeting  Dr.  John  ConnoUy,  a  man  of  "  some  taste,  an  intimate  knowledge  of 


352  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1772 

ernment,  lay  claim  to  two  hundred  thousand  acres  of 
land,  on  the  waters  of  the  Ohio,  promised  them  by 
proclamation  in  i  754,  I  did  not  embrace,  because  it 
is  evident  to  me,  who  am  in  some  degree  acquainted 
with  the  situation  of  that  country,  and  the  rapid  prog- 
ress now  making  in  the  settlement  of  it,  that  delay 
at  this  time  in  the  prosecution  of  our  plan  would 
amount  to  the  loss  of  the  land,  inasmuch  as  immi- 
grants are  daily  and  hourly  settling  on  the  choice 
spots,  and  waiting  a  favorable  opportunity  to  solicit 

Indian  affairs,  a  considerable  knowledge  of  the  world,  and  a  lax  morality," 
plotted  with  him  to  engage  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia  in  a  civil  war  about  their 
territorial  boundaries,  and  to  incite  the  Indians  against  the  settlers.  (^History  of 
Virginia,  iii.,  375,  et  seq?)  Doddridge  asserts  that  "  it  was  the  general  belief 
among  the  officers  of  our  army,  at  the  time,  that  the  Earl  of  Dunmore,  while  at 
Wheeling,  received  advice  from  his  government  of  the  probability  of  the  ap- 
proaching war  between  England  and  the  colonies,  and  that  afterwards,  all  his 
measures,  with  regard  to  the  Indians,  had  for  their  ultimate  object  an  alliance 
with  these  ferocious  warriors  for  the  aid  of  the  mother  country  in  their  contest 
with  us."  (Notes  on  the  Wars  West  of  the  Allegany.)  Jacob,  in  his  Life  of 
Cresap,  repeats  what  Burk  wrote,  and  these  charges  are  accepted,  with  some 
reserve,  by  Howison,  in  his  History  of  Virginia,  ii.,  72,  73.  Campbell 
believes  the  governor's  proceedings  were  actuated  "rather  by  motives  of  per- 
sonal interest,  than  of  political  manceuvre."  History  of  Virginia,  593,  594. 
Brantz  Mayer  regards  the  charge  as  "not  altogether  proved  against  the  British 
earl  "  {Logan  ^  Cresap,  81).  The  differences  that  arose  between  Virginia  and 
Pennsylvania  respecting  the  disputed  territory,  and  the  curious  performances  of 
Connolly,  are  described  in  Force's  American  Archives. 

"  By  the  Quebec  Act  of  1774  Great  Britain,  with  a  view  of  holding  the  colonies 
in  check,  established  the  Roman  Catholic  religion  in  Canada,  and  enlarged  its 
bounds  so  as  to  comprise  all  the  territory  northwest  of  the  Ohio  to  the  head  of 
Lake  Superior  and  the  Mississippi.  This  attempt  to  extend  the  jurisdiction  of 
Canada  to  the  Ohio  was  especially  offensive  to  Virginia.  Richard  Henry  Lee, 
in  Congress,  denounced  it  as  tlie  worst  o(  all  the  acts  complained  of.  In  Vir- 
ginia, Dunmore's  avarice  getting  the  better  of  his  loyalty,  he  espoused  her  claims 
to  western  lands,  and  became  a  partner  in  enormous  purchases  in  southern 
Illinois.  In  1773  Thomas  and  Cuthbert  lUillet,  his  agents,  made  surveys  of 
lands  at  the  falls  of  the  Ohio  ;  and  a  part  of  Louisville  and  of  towns  opposite  to 
Cincinnati  are  yet  held  under  his  warrant." 


1772]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  353 

legal  titles,  on  the  ground  of  preoccupancy,  when  the 
office  shall  be  opened.  I  therefore  hoped,  and  the 
the  officers  and  soldiers,  who  have  suffered  in  the 
cause  of  their  country,  still  hope,  that,  although  your 
Lordship  was  of  opinion  you  could  not  at  that  time 
vest  them  with  an  absolute  and  bond  fide  grant  of  the 
land,  yet  that  you  will  permit  them  to  take  such  steps, 
at  their  own  expense  and  risk,  as  others  do,  to  secure 
their  lands  agreeably  to  proclamation,  especially  as 
their  claim  is  prior  to  any  other,  and  better  founded, 
they  having  a  solemn  act  of  government  and  the 
general  voice  of  the  countr}'-  in  their  favor. 

This  is  the  light,  my  Lord,  in  which  the  matter  ap- 
peared to  me,  and  in  this  light  it  is  also  considered 
by  the  officers  with  whom  I  have  lately  had  a  meet- 
ing. The  report  gains  ground,  that  a  large  tract  of 
country  on  the  Ohio,  including  ever}'  foot  of  land  to 
the  westward  of  the  Allegany  Mountains,  is  granted 
to  a  company  of  gentlemen  in  England,  to  be  formed 
into  a  separate  government.  If  this  report  is  really 
well  founded,  there  can  be  no  doubt  of  your  Lord- 
ship's having  the  earliest  and  most  authentic  accounts 
of  it,  since  it  so  essentially  interferes  with  the  interests 
and  expectations  of  this  country. 

To  request  the  favor  of  your  Lordship  to  inform 
me  whether  this  report  be  true,  and,  if  true,  whether 
any  attention  has  been  or  probably  will  be  paid  to  the 
order  of  Council  and  proclamation  of  1754,  may  be 
presumptuous  ;  but,  as  the  officers  and  soldiers  con- 
fide in  me  to  transact  this  business  for  them,  and  as 
it  would  be  a  real  advantage  to  them  to  know  the 


354  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1772 

truth  of  this  report,  and  how  it  is  Hkely  to  affect 
them,  there  needs  no  other  apology  for  my  taking 
the  liberty  of  addressing  to  you  this  request,  in  the 
hope  that  your  Lordship  will  condescend  to  do  me  the 
honor  of  writing  a  line  on  the  subject  by  the  next 
post  to  Alexandria,  which  will  be  acknowledged  as  a 
peculiar  obligation  conferred  on,  my  Lord,  your  Lord- 
ship's most  obedient  servant. 


TO    MATTHEW    CAMPBELL. 

Mt.  Vernon,  2  August,  1772. 

Sir, 

In  reply  to  your  letter  of  the  4th  I  think  it  a 
piece  of  justice  due  to  you  to  acknowledge  that  I  was 
not  lead  to  inquire  into  the  price  of  the  goods  I  had 
purchased  of  you  already,  and  might  hereafter  take 
from  anything  that  passed  between  us  at  the  time  I 
offered  to  discontinue  my  own  importations  (upon 
condition  I  could  get  my  goods  at  nearly  what  they 
would  cost  to  import  them  myself).  I  very  well  re- 
member that  nothing  conclusive  passed  between  you 
and  me  on  that  occasion,  as  a  proof  of  which  I  made 
out  my  own  invoice  and  sent  it  home  by  Captain 
Jordan  as  usual.  Consequently  you  were  not  re- 
strained on  that  account  from  charging  me  what  you 
pleased.  My  inquiry  arose  from  an  opinion  that  I 
was  dealing  with  you  upon  better  terms  than  common, 
and  this  opinion  was  founded  upon  what  Mr.  Adam 
told  me  of  his  scheme.     When  I  came,  therefore,  to 

'  A  merchant  in  Alexandria. 


1772]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  355 

see  an  article  advanced  a  good  deal  higher  than  I 
expected  I  own  to  you  that  I  was  alarmed  and  thought 
it  high  time  to  know  upon  what  footing  I  was  pur- 
chasing. If  after  this  acknowledorment,  which  I 
thought  it  incumbent  on  me  to  make,  in  order  that 
you  might  be  released  even  from  the  apprehension  of 
an  engagement,  you  still  think  proper  to  let  me  have 
the  goods  I  may  find  occasion  to  buy  in  the  country 
at  25  per  cent  sterling  advance  upon  the  genuine 
cost,  dischargeable  at  the  current  exchange,  I  will 
confine  my  whole  countr}'  dealings  to  your  store,  and 
will  endeavor  to  throw  the  wages  which  I  pay  to  hire- 
lings into  your  hands  also  ;  provided,  you  will  let 
me  know  upon  what  certain  reasonable  advance  they 
can  have  their  goods  (upon  the  strength  of  my  credit). 
For  unless  they  can  deal  with  you  upon  better  terms 
than  with  others,  I  should  not  think  myself  justifiable 
in  attempting  to  influence  their  choice,  and  this 
knowledge  I  must  come  at  in  order  that  I  may  con- 
vince them  (if  satisfied  myself)  of  the  propriety  of 
the  measure. 

You  may  believe  me  sincere  when  I  assure  you 
that  no  man  wishes  to  see  your  company  prosper  in 
trade  more  than  I  do,  and  self  interest  apart,  I  have 
always  thought  the  way  to  do  this  was  to  import 
largely  and  sell  low  provided  you  could  get  a  ready 
vend  and  quick  payments  for  your  goods.  But  do 
not  deceive  yourself  by  the  ready  despatch  you  have 
hitherto  met  with  ;  for  though  I  do  not  pretend  to 
dispute  your  selling  at  a  low  advance  in  general, 
(having  had  no  opportunity  at  all  of  judging)  yet  give 


356  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1772 

me  leave  to  add  that  the  progress  you  have  hitherto 
met  with,  is  by  no  means  an  evident  proof  of  it.  The 
mind  of  man  is  fond  of  novelty  ;  curiosity  led  many 
to  your  store,  and  inclination  when  there  tempted 
them  to  be  doing.  To  this  they  were  excited  by  an 
opinion  which  most  people  had  imbibed  of  your  large 
importation,  and  intended  scheme  of  trade.  But,  my 
good  sir,  this  is  but  the  work  of  a  day,  and  like  the 
evening  of  it,  will  sink  into  obscurity,  unless  by  a 
steady  adherence  to  your  plan  you  convince  the  judg- 
ment as  well  as  satisfy  the  curiosity  of  your  customers. 
You  see  that  I  have  used  a  freedom  which  friendship 
only  can  excuse  me  for.  If  I  did  not  wish  well  to 
your  undertaking,  I  should  not  take  the  liberty  of 
troubling  you  with  my  sentiments,  which  however 
different  from  your  own,  or  wrong  in  your  principles, 
are  truely  genuine. 


TO    LORD    DUNMORE    AND    COUNCIL. 

5  November,  1772. 

My  Lord,  and  Gentlemen  ; 

The  whole  quantity  of  200,000  acres  of  land  granted 
by  the  Hon.  Robert  Dinwiddie's  proclamation  of  the 
19th  of  Feb.,  1754,  being  now  fully  obtained  (within 
the  number  of  surveys  limited)  and  the  last  certifi- 
cates thereof  lodged  in  the  Secretary's  office,  I  take 
the  liberty  humbly  to  inform  your  Excellency  and 
Honors  that  the  surveys  formerly  made  are  already 
patented,  agreeably  to  an  order  of  Council  of  the  6th 
of  Nov.,  I  771,  and  that  the  certificates  lately  returned 
and  unappropriated,   are  for   28,400,    21,941,   7,276, 


1772] 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


357 


7,894,  and  6,788  acres,  in  all,  72,299  acres.  It  is  also 
necessary  to  inform  the  Board  that  the  following 
claims,  including  not  only  those  which  were  given  on 
the day  of  Oct.  1771,  but  such  as  have  been  en- 
tered here,  are  yet  to  be  acknowledged  and  satisfied 
accordingly : 


Col.  Joshua  Fry's  heir,  being  short  of  his  full  ninth 
at  the  last  distribution 

George  Washington,  also  short  of  his  ninth  at  that 
distribution 

Col.  Muse  &  others  " 

And'w  Waggener 

John  Savage 

Dr.  James  Craik 

Robt.  Stobo's  heir  for  his  full  proportion  of  the 
200,000  acres. 

Jacob  Vanbraam  " 

William  Bronaugh  " 

James  Forest's  heir  " 

Thomas  Bullet 

John  Wright's  heir  *' 

Jno.  David  Wilper  " 

And'w  Touler  " 

Francis  Self 

Arthur  Watts,  dec'd  " 

Robert  Stewart  " 

Alex'r  Bonny  " 

Wm.  McAnulty  " 

Thos.  Napp  '' 

Jesse  May  " 

Robt.  Murphy  " 

Jno.  Smith  " 

Wm.  Horn,  dec'd  " 


7  232 

acres 

453 

u 

199 

« 

2,672 

a 

2,672 

« 

394 

u 

9,000 

iC 

9,000 

(I 

6,000 

ii 

6,000 

a 

2,500 

a 

2,500 

ii 

600 

<( 

400 

a 

400 

a 

400 

a 

400 

a 

400 

li 

200 

400 

<< 

400 

a 

400 

ic 

400 

it 

400 

(( 

53,432 

acres 

458  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1772 

This  ninth  of  53,432  acres  of  land,  taken  from  the 
amount  of  the  survey  on  the  other  side,  leaves,  of  the 
30,000  acres;  (set  apart  in  Oct.,  1771,  for  satisfying 
any  claims  which  might  thereafter  come  in,  and  for 
the  further  purpose  of  reimbursing  the  few  who  had 
been  at  the  trouble  and  whole  risque)  18,867  acres, 
which  if  appropriated  to  those  who  were  full  in  ad- 
vance at  that  time,  and  distributed  according  to  the 
former  proportions,  will  go  thus  : 

To  George  Washington,  3,5°°  ; 

"  Geo.  Muse,  3,500  ; 

"  Geo.  Mercer  2,800  ; 

"  Adam  Stephen  2,100 

"  Andrew  Lewis  2,100 

"  Peter  Hog  2,100 

'*  John  West  1,400  and 

"  James  Craik  1,400  acres. 

And  if  this  method  of  proportioning  the  18,867  acres 
of  land  is  approved  of  by  Y'r  Exc'll'y  and  Hon'rs,  and 
you  are  pleased  to  order,  as  before,  an  association  of 
names  into  each  Patent,  so  as  to  bring  the  amount  of 
their  several  claims  as  near  to  the  quantity  of  land  in 
the  survey  as  may  be,  the  following  method  of  doing 
it  probably  will  be  found  to  answer  as  well  as  any 
other,  as  it  cost  some  hours  in  shifting  and  changing 
the  claims  from  one  survey  to  another,  to  bring  them 
so  near ;  but  if  any  other  method,  better  approved 
of,  it  cannot  but  be  equally  agreeable  to  the  parties 
concerned,  as  chance,  at  all  events,  must  have  the 
government  of  this  matter. 


1772] 


GEOR  GE  WA  SHING  TON. 


359 


Tract  of  7,276  Acres. 

To  Geo.  Washington  for  his  div.  of  the  last  distri- 
bution 
And  for  his  div.  of  the  18,867  acres 


To  Geo.  Muse  the  residue, 


The  Tract  of  28,400  acres. 


453 

3,500 

3»953 

3,323 


7,276 


To  Capt.  Stobo's  heir  in  full. 

9,000 

To  Capt  Vanbraam 

9,000 

To  representative  of  James  Towners,  dec'd. 

6,000 

To  Andrew  Fowler, 

400 

To  Thomas  Napp. 

400 

To  Arthur  Watts,  dec'd 

400 

To  Jesse  May  (assigned  to  M.  Fox) 

400 

To  Frank  Self 

400 

To  Jno.  Smith 

400 

To  Alex.  Bonny 

400 

To  Wm  Horn  dec'd — 

400 

To  Wm.  McAnulty, 

400 

28,400 


The  Tract  of  7,894  acres. 

To  Wm  Bronaugh,  in  full 

Dr.  Craik,  for  his  div.  at  the  last  distribution 

18,867  acres 
Col.  Muse,  for  residue 


The   Tract  of  6,788  acres. 

To  And'w  Waggener,  for  his  div.  at  the  last  distri- 
bution 
Jno.  West,  his  div.  to  the  18,867  acres 


6,000 

394 

1,400 

100 


7,894 


2,572 
1,400 


36o  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1772 

Col.  Mercer,  for  the  remainder  of  the  tract — with 
what  he  received  over  his  proportion  at  the  last 
distribution,  it  more  than  pays  him 2,816 


6,788 
The  Tract  of  21,944  Acres. 


To  the  heirs  of  Col.  Fry,  for  his  div.  at  the  last  dis- 

tribution 

7,242 

John  Savage, 

2,572 

Thos  Bullet,  in  full  of  the  grant 

2,500 

Wm.  Wright,  dec'd  "       "       " 

2,500 

John  David  Wilfer 

600 

Adam  Shepherd,  for  his  div.  of  18,867  acres 

2,100 

Andrew  Lewis 

2,100 

Peter  Hog 

2,100 

21,714 

As  the  opening  of  the  patents  for  these  lands  will 
put  an  end  to  the  business  of  this  tract  of  1754,  so  far 
as  depends  upon  Y'r  Excellency  and  Hon'rs,  I  would 
beg  leave  to  offer  two  points  of  material  interest  to 
some  of  the  trustees  to  the  serious  consideration  and 
determination  of  the  Board.  The  first  is,  as  none  of 
the  patentees,  under  the  mode  adopted  of  granting 
land  to  numbers  in  the  same  patent,  can  be  ascer- 
tained of  their  particular  property  therein  till  a  legal 
division  is  established,  which  (as  in  the  case  of  a  late 
grant  of  28,667  acres  to  sixty  odd  patentees,  is 
scarcely  practicable  to  accomplish,  and,  of  conse- 
quence the  saving  of  the  land  by  cultivation  and  im- 
provement, next  to  impossible  ;  by  this  means  the 
intended  bounty  offered  for  a  valuable  consideration 


1772]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  361 


is  not  only  rendered  void  but  to  those  who  have  con- 
tributed to  the  expense,  evidently  injurious,  inasmuch 
as  they  have  paid  for  that  which  it  is  not  in  their 
power  to  come  at,)  I  say,  under  these  circumstances, 
whether  some  expedient  cannot  be  hit  upon  to  serve 
those  who  are  willing  and  desirous  of  complying  with 
the  theory  of  the  grant,  either  by  prolonging  the 
time  of  cultivation,  if  this  can  be  done,  or  by  directing 
each  man's  share  in  any  patent  to  be  laid  off,  (if  the 
division  is  not  effected  by  consent  of  parties)  within 
a  certain  limited  period,  of  which  public  notice  to  be 
given,  as  each  patentee  thereafter  shall  respectively 
apply  to  the  Surveyor,  who  may  be  instruced,  to 
lay  off  the  same  in  one  body  and  in  a  good  figure  to 
prevent  injustice. 

The  second  matter  to  be  offered  is  :  whether  some- 
thing cannot,  and  if  it  can,  ought  not  to  be  done, 
compeling  those  who  have  never  paid  one  farthing, 
or  taken  one  single  step  towards  obtaining  their  lands, 
(not  even  the  fees  of  office  on  their  own  particular 
tracts,)  to  contribute  in  proportion  to  the  quantity  of 
land  they  have,  and  are  to  receive  ?  Without  some- 
thing of  this  sort  can  be  done  previous  to  the  patent- 
ing, or  in  the  patenting  of  these  lands,  nothing  is  to 
be  expected  from  them  afterwards  ;  for  where  men 
(I  am  speaking  of  those  who  hold  principal  shares  in 
this  grant,  for  as  to  common  soldiery,  little  ever  was 
expected  from  them,)  are  found  so  remiss,  after  re- 
peated exhortation,  as  neither  to  afford  time  nor 
money  for  the  purpose  of  conducting  a  work  which 
could  not  possibly  have  gone  without  both,  little  of 


362  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1773 

the  latter  is  to  be  expected  after  the  business  is  at  an 
end  and  their  patents  delivered  to  them,  unless  liti- 
gious law-suits  are  commenced,  some  of  which  against 
infants,  and  some  against  persons  beyond  sea,  and 
without  this,  I  must,  after  having  been  already  saddled 
with  almost  the  whole  trouble  and  many  expenses 
peculiar  to  myself,  submit  to  considerable  loss,  as 
I  have  been  obliged  to  advance  all  the  fees  of  office, 
and  many  drafts  of  the  Surveyor,  and  considered, 
I  dare  say,  by  him,  as  liable  for  his  whole  fees,  assured 
by  having  one,  in  that  case,  for  the  before  mentioned 
tract  of  28,600  acres  patented  to  the  common  soldiery 
to  pay  for  without.  (I  fear,)  their  being  a  penny  the 
better  of  it,  as  no  step  hath  yet  been  taken  to  obtain 
a  division.  One  year  of  the  three  gone,  and  one-half 
of  them  may  never  more  be  heard  of. 

I  have  thus,  may  it  please  Y'r  Excellency  and 
Hon'r,  endeavored  to  draw  the  whole  of  this  matter 
into  one  short  view,  to  save  you  the  trouble  of  refer- 
ring from  one  order  of  Council  to  another.  I  have 
now  to  beg  pardon  for  the  trouble  I  have  had  occasion 
from  time  to  time  to  give  in  prosecuting  this  matter, 
and  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c. 


TO    COLONEL    BASSETT. 

Mount  Vernon,   15  February,  1773. 


Dear  Sir  : 

Your  favor  of  the  5th  came  to  my  hands  in  course 
of  post  last  Thursday,  and  filled  us  with  no  small  con- 
cern   at    the    indisposition    of    yourself   and    family. 


1773]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  ^^i 

Equally  concerned  am  I  to  hear  of  the  unhappy  state 
of  our  paper  currency,  and  that  the  interposition  of 
the  Assembly  is  thought  necessary.  Should  this 
measure  be  resolved  on,  be  so  good  as  to  advise  me, 
whether  it  be  intended  that  the  country  business 
generally  shall  be  proceeded  on,  or  this  alarming 
affair  of  the  money  only  taken  into  consideration. 
In  the  former  case,  I  shall  come  down  ;  in  the  lat- 
ter, as  the  session  will  be  short  and  my  business 
obliges  me  to  the  Gen'l  Court,  I  believe  I  shall  de- 
cline it. 

Could  there  have  been  anything  favorable  said  on 
the  subject  of  corn,  I  should  not  have  neglected  advis- 
ing you  of  it  till  this  time.  I  have  scarcely  heard 
the  name  of  corn  mentioned  since  I  left  Williamsburg, 
and  nothing  can  contribute  more  towards  keeping 
down  the  price  than  the  mildness  of  the  winter 
hitherto,  having  had  no  snow  to  cover  the  ground 
here  yet,  and  but  little  hard  weather.  I  have  a  few 
hundred  barrels  of  my  own  to  sell,  but  have  met  with 
no  offers  for  it  as  yet. 

Our  celebrated  fortune.  Miss  French,  whom  half 
the  world  was  in  pursuit  of,  bestowed  her  hand  on 
Wednesday  last,  being  her  birthday  (you  perceive  I 
think  myself  under  a  necessity  of  accounting  for  the 
choice)  upon  Mr.  Ben  Dulany,  who  is  to  take  her  to 
Maryland  in  a  month  from  this  time.  Mentioning  of 
one  wedding  puts  me  in  mind  of  another,  tho'  of  less 
dignity  ;  this  is  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Henderson  (of 
Colchester)  to  a  Miss  More  (of  the  same  place) 
remarkable  for  a  very  frizzled  head,  and  good  sing- 


364  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1773 

ing,  the  latter  of  which  I  shall  presume  it  was  that 
captivated  our  merchant. 

Mrs.  Washington,  Patsy  Custis  and  Jack,  who  is 
now  here,  are  much  as  usual,  and  the  family  not 
sicklier  than  common.  Hoping  this  will  find  you 
perfectly  restored,  and  the  rest  of  the  good  folks 
of  Eltham  in  better  health  than  when  you  wrote  last, 
I  am  with  best  wishes  to  Mrs  Bassett,  yourself  and 
the  children,  in  which  all  here  join. 


TO    CAPTAIN    JOHN    DALTON. 

Mt.  Vernon,  15  February,  1773. 

Sir, 

I  am  obliged  to  you  for  the  notice  you  have  given 
me  of  an  intended  meeting  of  your  vestry  on  Tues- 
day next.  I  do  not  know,  however,  that  it  will  be  in 
my  power  to  attend,  nor  do  I  conceive  it  at  all  neces- 
sary that  I  should,  as  I  am  an  avowed  enemy  to  the 
scheme  I  have  heard  (but  never  till  of  late  believed) 
that  some  members  of  your  vestry  are  inclined  to 
adopt. 

If  the  subscription  to  which  among  others  I  put  my 
name  was  set  on  foot  under  sanction  of  an  order  of 
vestry,  as  I  always  understood  it  to  be  I  own  myself 
at  a  loss  to  conceive  upon  what  principle  it  is,  that 
there  should  be  an  attempt  to  destroy  it,  repugnant 
it  is  to  every  idea  I  entertain  of  justice  to  do  so  ;  and 
the  right   of  reclaiming  the   pews  by  the  vestry  in 


1773]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  365 

behalf  of  the  parish  (which  have  been  buih  by  private 
contribution  granting  the  subscription  money  to  be 
refunded  with  interest,)  I  most  clearly  deny. 
Therefore,  as  a  parishioner  who  is  to  be  saddled  with 
the  extra  charge  of  the  subscription  money,  I  protest 
against  the  measure.  As  a  subscriber  who  meant  to 
lay  the  foundation  of  a  family  pew  in  the  new  church, 
I  shall  think  myself  injured.  For  give  me  leave  to 
ask,  can  the  raising  of  that  ^150  under  the  present 
scheme  be  considered  in  anv  other  liorht  than  that  of 
a  deception  ?  Is  it  presumable  that  this  money  would 
have  been  advanced  if  the  subscribers  could  possibly 
have  conceived  that  after  a  solemn  act  of  vestr}'^ 
under  faith  of  w^hich  the  money  was  subscribed,  the 
pews  would  be  reclaimed  ?  Surely  not  !  The  thought 
is  absurd  !  and  can  be  stated  in  no  better  point  of 
view  than  this :  Here  is  a  parish  wanting  a  large 
church,  but  considering  the  circumstances  of  its  con- 
stituents is  content  with  a  small  one,  till  an  offer  is 
made  to  enlarge  it  by  subscription  (under  certain 
privileges),  which  is  acceded  by  the  vestry ;  and 
when  effected  and  the  parish  better  able  to  bear  a 
fresh  tax,  what  does  it  want  ?  Why  to  destroy  a 
solemn  compact  and  reclaim  the  privileges  they  had 
granted.  For  I  look  upon  the  refunding  of  money 
as  totally  beside  the  question.  And  for  what  pur- 
pose I  beg  leave  to  ask,  is  this  to  be  done  ?  I  own 
to  you  I  am  at  a  loss  to  discover  ;  for  as  ever\-  sub- 
scriber  has  an  undoubted  right  to  a  seat  in  the 
church,    what  matters    it  whether  he  assembles  his 


366  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1773 

whole  family  into  one  pew,  or,  as  the  custom  is,  have 
them  dispersed  into  two  or  three ;  and  probably  it  is 
these  families  will  increase  in  a  proportionate  degree 
with  the  rest  of  the  parish,  so  that  if  the  vestry  had  a 
right  to  annul  the  agreement,  no  disadvantage  would 
probably  happen  on  that  account. 

Upon  the  whole.  Sir,  as  I  observed  to  you  before, 
considering  myself  as  a  subscriber,  I  enter  my  protest 
against  the  measure  in  agitation.  As  a  parishioner, 
I  am  equally  averse  to  a  tax  which  is  intended  to 
replace  the  subscription  money.  These  will  be  my 
declared  sentiments  if  present  at  the  vestry.  If  I  am 
not,  I  shall  be  obliged  to  you  for  communicating 
them. 


TO    REV.   DR.   THRUSTON. 

Williamsburg,  12th  March,  1773. 

Revd.  Sir, 

Your  favor  of  the  25th  ulto.  by  Mr.  Watson  came 
duly  to  hand  ;  in  answer  to  it  I  must  beg  leave  to 
inform  you,  that  the  short  allotment  of  Land  to  Mr. 
Andw  Waggener  was  not  the  result  of  any  determina- 
tion of  the  Officers  who  met  at  Fredericksburg  on  the 
23d  of  Novemr.  (for  they  had  nothing  to  do,  either 
in  settling  the  proportions,  or  distributing  the  Land,) 
but  was  a  solemn  act  of  the  Governor  and  Council,  on 
the  sixth  preceeding,  (adopted  after  having  a  full 
state  of  the  several  advances  laid  before  them, 
and  in  my  opinion,  upon  the  most  just  and  equitable 
principles.)       If    Mr.     Waggener    therefore,    is    in- 


1773]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  367 

jur'd,  or  thinks  himself  injured,  he  must  appeal  to 
that  Board  as  the  only  Tribunal  which  can  afford 
him  redress. 

From  your  statement  of  the  case,  however,  it  would 
appear  that  you  have  been  deceived  by  Mr.  Wagge- 
ner's  representation  of  this  matter — he  has  been  a 
culprit  in  respect  to  his  contributions,  from  the  very 
beginning  as  thus. — In  August  1770  a  meeting  of  all 
the  principal  claimants,  was  required  in  Fredericks- 
burg : — accordingly  Mr.  Waggener,  among  others, 
attended,  and  exhibiting  the  nature  of  his  claim,  was 
considered  as  the  representative  of  his  uncle  Thos. 
Waggener. — An  advance  was  then  voted — his  pro- 
portion call'd  for — but  not  paid  'till  many  months 
after. — 

In  March,  1771,  another  meeting  of  the  Claim- 
ants was  summoned  in  Winchester ;  (for  by,  or 
before  this  time,  it  is  necessary  to  be  remarked,  that 
our  affairs,  never  in  a  very  promising  way,  began  to 
grow  very  alarming,  from  the  sollicitation  of  a  large 
Grant  on  the  Ohio,  by  some  of  the  most  powerful 
men  in  England,  and  by  Lord  Bottetourt  ;  notwith- 
standing the  order  of  the  council  of  the  15th  Decem- 
ber 1769 — expressly  forbidding  the  Surveys  to  go  on) 
at  this  meeting,  the  few  that  attended,  maugre  all  the 
discouragements,  resolved,  as  the  only  chance  left,  to 
proceed  at  all  hazards  to  surveying  ;  altho'  they  were 
sensible  that  the  expence  would  be  great  ;  and  would 
inevitably  light  on  their  own  heads,  if  it  failed ; 
accordingly,  another  sum  was  voted,  and  Mr.  Wag- 
gener call'd  upon  in  an  earnest  and  pressing  manner 


368  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1773 


to  advance  his  proportion  : — and  what  has  he  done  ? 
why,  not  paid  one  shilling  of  it  to  this  hour  ;  so  that 
it  was  not  for  his  non-attendance  at  Fredericksburg 
in  November  last  (where,  give  me  leave  to  add,  if  other 
business  was  an  excuse  for  this  negligence,  no  man 
could  plead  it  with  more  propriety  than  myself,  having 
left  all  my  business  in  Williamsburg  undone,  by 
reason  of  the  late  coming  in  of  the  merchants,  in 
order  to  be  up  there)  that  he  was  curtailed  of  his 
land  in  the  first  distribution,  but,  for  want  of  his 
money  to  make  the  surveys,  the  effecting  of  which 
could  not  be  done  without.  Whether  this  neglect 
proceeded  from  a  disinclination  to  advance  more 
under  the  circumstances,  as  they  then  appeared — 
from  disability,  or  any  other  cause,  his  own  Breast 
can  best  determine  ;  sufficient  it  is,  that  he  was  call'd 
upon  on  the  4th  of  March,  1771,  to  make  this  deposit, 
and  that  it  is  not  done  yet : — The  Council  seeing,  and 
having  no  reason  to  disbelieve  these  things,  not  only 
as  they  respected  Mr.  Waggener,  but  all  others  under 
the  like  predicament,  thought  it  very  just  and  reason- 
able, that  those  who,  rather  than  give  up  their  hopes, 
had  waded  thro'  every  difficulty  and  expence,  should 
be  first  considered,  and  therefore  determin'd,  (without 
a  dissenting  voice,  that  I  have  heard  of)  that,  of  the 
first  surveys,  every  one  should  receive  in  the  propor- 
tion he  had  advanced  ;  being  well  satisfied  that  this 
work  could  not  have  gone  on  without  money  ;  and  that 
it  never  was  expected,  nor  could  with  propriety  be 
expected  that  I,  who  had  had  so  much  trouble  in 
other  respects,  was  to  ride  about  as  a  Collector,  to 


1773]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  369 

receive  five  pounds  of  this  man,  ten  pounds  of  that 
and  so  on  ;  it  being  sufficient  for  the  Parties  to  be 
apprized  of  their  quotas,  and  to  whom  to  pay  it.  To 
what  I  have  here  said,  I  must  take  the  liberty  of 
observing  further  by  way  of  explanation  of  my  own 
meaning  and  the  Council's  intention,  that  my  offer 
which  you  hint  at  had  no  allusion  to  an  alteration  of 
the  kind  you  apply  for — for  the  matter  under  con- 
templation at  the  time  of  inserting  that  saving  clause 
was  the  quality  of  the  soil,  it  being  supposed  that  the 
difference  therein  might  cause  an  unequal  division, 
tho'  each  man  should  obtain  his  quantum  of  Land. 

These,  Sir,  are  facts,  and  but  part  of  the  reasons 
which  govern'd  in  the  determination  of  this  matter, 
under  which  you  may  judge  how  far  Mr.  Waggener 
has  just  cause  of  complaint.  Colo.  Fry,  Lt.  Savage 
&c.  have  shared  the  same  fate ;  &  Captn.  Stobo, 
Vanbraam  &  others  who  have  contributed  nothing, 
have  had  no  part  of  the  Lands  already  sur\'ey'd, 
allowed  them,  but  left  to  come  in  at  the  second  dis- 
tribution, when  I  dare  say  the  Govr.  &  Council  will 
measure  their  justice  by  the  same  Rule  they  observ^'d 
upon  the  last  occasion,  if  the  same  causes  prevail,  as 
they  are  left  at  large,  by  the  Proclamation  of  1754 
under  which  we  derive  our  claim,  to  divide  the  Land 
in  any  manner  they  think  proper. — That  Mr.  Wag- 
ener,  or  the  greatest  delinquent  of  the  whole  shou'd 
be  now  ready  <2f  willing  to  pay  up  their  deficiencies 
&  take  a  share  of  the  patents,  I  neither  wonder  at 
or  doubt ;  many  men  have  objections  to  the  purchase 
of  Lottery'  tickets  (in  which  light  this  Grant  of  ours, 


370  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1773 

to  the  most  sanguine  of  us  all,  has  appear'd)  that 
would  be  fond  enough  of  partaking  in  the  prizes  ; 
but  let  it  be  asked,  would  the  delinquents  have  been 
ready  &  willing  to  have  paid  up  their  quotas,  if  the 
scheme  had  fallen  through  ?  (as  it  most  assuredly 
would  have  done  if  a  few  had  not  stood  forth  in  sup- 
port of  the  claim)  &  where  will  be  the  answer  ?  It 
does  not  need  the  gift  of  prophecy  to  make  it ;  for  if 
the  money  could  not  be  got  whilst  there  was  the 
chance  of  a  prize,  there  wou'd  be  little  hopes  of 
receiving  it  in  a  case  of  a  Blank. 

What  kind  of  Land  may  be  included  in  the  next 
surveys,  I  cannot  undertake  to  determine  ;  but  should 
think  it  hard  if  the  District  allow'd  us,  never  yet  half 
explored,  shou'd  not  be  able  to  afford  more  than 
1 27,000  acres  of  good  land,  the  quantity  now  patented. 
I  have  rather  exceeded  the  bounds  of  a  letter,  by 
endeavoring  to  give  you  some  idea  of  this  matter ; 
after  which  I  have  only  to  repeat,  that  I  have  no 
power  to  redress  the  complaint,  even  if  I  had  adjudged 
it  reasonable,  which  in  truth  I  do  not,  as  I  have  declared 
upon  this,  &  shall  do  upon  every  other  occasion,  when 
call'd  upon. — Notwithstanding  I  am  informed, — that 
you  have  been  pleased  to  complain  of  the  advantage 
which  Doctr.  Craik  &  I  (why  not  Colo.  Fry  &  Colo. 
Mercer  also)  have  reaped  in  a  distinct  allotment,  the 
reasons  of  which  I  endeavor'd,  in  as  clear  &  distinct 
a  manner  as  I  could  to  account  for  ;  and  as  far  as  I 
was  concern'd  in  the  distinction,  if  it  is  considered  in 
this  light,  with  openness  &  candour  ;  with  what  pro- 
priety am  I  accused  then  ?     Did  it  matter  anything, 


1773]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  371 

whether  Doctr.  Craik,  Mr.  West  or  Mr.  Poison  was 
left  out  of  the  large  Surv^ey,  so  far  as  the  general  end 
respecting  quantity  was  answered  by  it  ?  And  if  it 
did  not,  was  there  any  person  better  entitled  to  the 
indulgence  than  the  Doctor,  considered  in  every 
point  of  view  ?  I  think  not,  and  admitting  that  by 
fixing  my  Lott  in  this  Survey,  &  turning  others  out, 
the  amount  of  the  Claims  had  corrisponded  as  nearly 
as  now  with  the  quantity  of  the  Survey  ;  was  there 
any  reason  for  doing  of  it?  if  not,  why  shou'd  it  have 
happened  ? — 

I  did  not  on  the  one  hand,  pick  the  Surveys  that 
were  assigned  me,  either  from  the  excellency  of  the 
Land,  or  convenience  of  situation  ;  If  I  had,  I  should 
have  avoided  the  largest  Tract  I  now  have  (compos- 
ing a  full  moiety  of  my  quantum)  as  ever^^  inch  of  it, 
from  the  Surveyors'  account,  is  subject  to  be  over- 
flowed— nor  did  I,  on  the  other,  object  to  the  fifty 
thousand  on  account  of  the  Land,  for  if  I  had  my 
choice  of  the  whole  country,  I  should  have  fixed  in 
this  Survey,  but  because  I  thought  (after  the  Land 
became  patented)  if  any  additional  trouble  was  to  be 
encounter'd  (from  the  strange  manner  of  granting  it) 
it  might  as  well  fall  upon  others,  as  me ;  as  my 
shoulders  had  supported  the  whole  weight  heretofore  ; 
and  in  as  much  as  I  might  add  without  much  arro- 
gance, that  if  it  had  not  been  for  my  unremitted 
attention  to  ever)^  favorable  circumstance,  not  a 
singe  acre  of  Land  would  ever  have  been  obtained. 


372  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1773 

TO    JAMES    WOOD/ 

13  March,  1773. 

Dear  Sir, 

Herewith  you  will  receive  Lord  Dunmore's  certifi- 
cates of  my  claims  (as  well  in  my  own  right  as  by 
purchase  from  Captain  Posey  and  Mr.  Thruston)  in 
the  location  of  which  in  the  government  of  West 
Florida  I  shall  rely  on  your  friendship  and  care. 

Unnecessary  it  is  to  add  that  I  should  choose 
good  land  or  none  at  all.  But  as  many  things  con- 
cur to  make  land  valuable,  it  is  impossible  for  me  at 
this  distance,  and  under  my  present  knowledge  of 
that  country,  to  be  explicit  in  any  direction.  Sufifice 
it  then  to  observe,  generally,  that  I  would  greatly 
prefer  the  land  upon  the  river,  to  lands  back  from  it ; 
that  I  should  not  like  to  be  in  a  low  morassy  country, 
nor  yet  in  that  which  is  hilly  and  broken  ;  and  that, 
from  the  idea  I  entertain  of  that  country  at  this  time, 
I  should  like  to  be  as  high  up  the  Mississippi  as  the 
navigation  is  good,  having  been  informed  that  the 
lands  are  better,  and  the  climate  more  temperate 
in  the  northern  parts  of  the  government  than  below. 

If  I  could  get  the  lands  equally  good  in  one  sur- 
vey, I  should  prefer  it.  If  not,  then  in  one  or  more 
as  circumstances  require.  Perhaps  some  locations 
already  made  upon  the  river  might  for  a  small  con- 
sideration be  bought ;  if  so,  I  would  rather  advance  a 
little  money  than  put  with  less  valuable  land.  You 
will  please  to  have  the  grant  surveyed  and  effectually 
secured,    with    such    indulgences    as    those   claiming 

'  A  tenant  of  Washington,  occupying  "  Lot  6,"  in  his  Fauquier  property. 


1773]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  373 

under  the  proclamation  of  1 763  are  entitled  to  ;  and 
do  all  and  every  thing  in  my  behalf  which  shall  to 
you  seem  right  and  proper ;  the  cost  of  doing  which 
I  will  pay,  and  moreover  for  your  faithful  discharge 
of  this  trust  allow  you  the  sum  of  one  hundred 
pounds  Virginia  currency  on  the  due  execution  of  it. 
Wishing  you  a  pleasant  tour  and  safe  return  to  your 
friends.' 


TO    JAMES    WOOD. 

Mt.  Vernon,  30  March,  1773. 

Dear  Sir, 

I  intended  to  have  had  a  little  further  conversation 
with  you  on  the  subject  of  the  Florida  Lands,  but  my 
haste  to  leave  Williamsburg  and  your  dining  out  the 
day  I  did  do  so,  prevented  it.  I  addressed  a  short 
letter  to  you  by  way  of  memorandum,  and  left  it  with 
Mr.  Southall.     I  hope  you   received   it ;  that  I  may 

'  This  move  to  colonize  in  Florida  was  made  by  an  association  styling  itself 
the  "  Military  Company  of  Adventurers,"  composed  of  those  who  had  served 
in  the  provincial  army  in  the  late  war.  This  company  expected  to  obtain  the 
grant  from  the  British  government  of  a  large  tract  of  territor}'  in  ' '  West 
Florida  "  (now  Mississippi),  on  the  Mississippi  and  Yazoo  rivers — territory  that 
had  been  thrown  open  to  settlement  by  the  creation  of  a  new  State,  Florida, 
after  the  peace  of  1763.  This  company  appointed  General  Phineas  L}Tnan,  of 
Connecticut,  to  press  its  claims  on  the  ministry,  but  he  found  so  much  opposition 
to  it  that  he  was  unable  to  effect  his  purpose.  Without  waiting  for  a  formal 
grant,  the  company  in  Jany. ,  1 773,  sent  a  party  from  New  York  to  take  possession. 
' '  After  a  long  voyage  they  arrived  at  Pensacola,  and  there,  to  their  great  dis- 
appointment and  chagrin,  found  that  the  Governor  had  no  authority  to  grant 
them  lands  as  had  been  represented.  Considerable  time  was  spent  in  negotia- 
tions on  the  subject,  and  exploring  the  rivers  and  adjacent  countr)' ;  but  no 
settlement  was  made."  Walker,  History  of  Athens  County,  Ohio,  i.,  26,  27. 
Gentleman  s  Magazine,  1772,  63,  355  509.  Franklin's  Writings.  A  letter 
from  Washington  to  William  Edwards,  the  Governor  of  West  Florida,  intro- 
ducing Mr.  Wood,  is  printed  in  Sparks,   Writings   of  Washington,  ii.,  369. 


374  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1773 

be  satisfied  you  did  so,  please  to  advise  me,  as  the  gov- 
ernor's certificates  of  my  claim  were  inclosed  therein. 

These  certificates  will  be  sufficient  authority  for 
the  governor  of  West  Florida  to  warrant  the  surveys, 
and  if  any  scruple  is  entertained  of  my  purchases 
from  Mr.  Thruston  and  Captain  Posey,  I  shall  re- 
move it  by  transmitting  their  bonds  which  should 
have  accompanied  this  letter  could  I  have  been 
assured  of  its  reaching  your  hands  before  your  de- 
parture. 

You  will  readily  perceive  by  the  tenor  of  my  last 
that  it  is  good  land,  or  none,  I  am  now  in  pursuit  of ; 
and  that  I  could  wish  to  have  it  procured  in  such  a 
part  of  the  country  as  from  your  own  observation 
aided  by  information,  you  shall  judge  most  valuable  ; 
although  in  accomplishing  of  it,  I  pay  a  little  more. 
For  these  reasons  it  is  I  avoid  particular  directions. 
I  shall  place  a  generous  confidence  in  your  integrity, 
having  no  doubt  either  of  your  ability  or  inclination 
to  serve  me.  By  meeting  with  Mr.  Gist,  and  others 
of  your  old  acquaintances  you  will  have  it  in  your 
power  of  forming  from  their  accounts  a  pretty  gen- 
eral, and  perhaps  just  idea  of  the  nature  of  the  coun- 
try ;  and  of  determining  by  your  own  observations 
on  them  whether  the  lands  on  the  Mississippi,  the 
Mobile,  or  elsewhere,  promise  in  fuhcro  to  become 
most  valuable.  Not  till  after  which  I  would  recom- 
mend it  to  you  to  fix  on  your  locations.  Doctor 
Connolly  is  curious  in  his  observations  and  sensible 
in  his  remarks.  To  him,  therefore,  I  have  wrote  (as 
he  has  been  pleased  to  solicit  my  correspondence)  re- 


1773]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  375 

questing  his  assistance  to  you.  I  have  also  taken  the 
liberty  of  writing  to  the  Governor  of  West  Florida 
expressing  my  hopes  of  obtaining  this  land  (and 
more)  in  case  you  should  think  proper  to  locate  it  in 
that  government,  agreeable  to  the  tenor  of  his 
Majesty's  proclamation ;  mentioning  at  the  same 
time  your  intended  tour,  and  the  discretionary  power 
I  had  vested  you  with  ;  and  as  Lord  Dunmore  prom- 
ised me  that  he  would  give  you  an  introduction  to 
him,  I  hope  you  received  it. 

It  would  appear  to  me  from  the  words  of  his 
Majesty's  proclamation  of  October  1 763,  that  those 
who  obtain  land  under  it  are  not  only  entitled  to  an 
exemption  of  quit  rents  for  ten  years,  but  exempt 
also  from  cultivation  and  improvement  for  the  same 
term.  Of  this  latter,  however,  please  to  be  informed 
from  the  best  authority,  as  in  the  event  of  it,  I  should 
be  strongly  [inclined]  to  extend  my  views  beyond 
the  quantity  I  here  claim,  especially  as  the  time 
allowed  for  doing  it  is  not  short  and  difficult  to  be 
complied  with.  This,  therefore,  is  a  matter  I  would 
beg  leave  to  refer  to  your  consideration  ;  requesting 
in  case  you  find  the  country  from  a  comparative  view 
of  it  desirable,  good  lands  easy  to  be  obtained,  and 
not  difficult  to  keep  under  the  established  rules  of 
government,  that  you  would  increase  my  quantity  to 
fifteen,  twenty,  or  twenty-five  thousand  acres.  In 
short  I  could  wish  to  have  as  much  good  land  located 
in  a  body  or  contiguous  together  (for  the  convenience 
of  the  superintendence)  as  I  could  save  without  much 
difficulty  or  expence,  even  if  the  first  ten  thousand 


376  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1773 

should  be  subject  to  the  same  laws  of  cultivation  with 
the  last. 

Various  are  the  reports  concerning  the  quit  rents 
and  purchase  money  of  these  lands ;  but  it  appears 
evident  to  me  from  the  strict  sense  and  letter  of  the 
Proclamation,  that  the  governor  has  no  right  to  ex- 
act more  than  is  demanded  in  Virginia  or  any  other 
of  his  Majesty's  colonies,  in  none  of  which,  I  believe, 
nore  than  two  shillings  sterling  rent,  and  ten  shillings 
right  money,  are  required.     *     *     * 


TO    BENEDICT    CALVERT. 

Mount  Vernon,  3  April,  1773. 

Dear  Sir, 

I  am  now  set  down  to  write  to  you  on  a  subject  of 
importance,  and  of  no  small  embarrassment  to  me. 
My  son-in-law  and  ward,  Mr.  Custis,  has,  as  I  have 
been  informed,  paid  his  addresses  to  your  second 
daughter,  and,  having  made  some  progress  in  her 
affections,  has  solicited  her  in  marriage.  How  far  a 
union  of  this  sort  may  be  agreeable  to  you,  you  best 
can  tell  ;  but  I  should  think  myself  wanting  in  can- 
dor, were  I  not  to  confess,  that  Miss  Nellie's  amiable 
qualities  are  acknowledged  on  all  hands,  and  that  an 
alliance  with  your  family  will  be  pleasing  to  his. 

This  acknowledgment  being  made,  you  must  per- 
mit me  to  add,  Sir,  that  at  this,  or  in  any  short  time, 
his  youth,  inexperience,  and  unripened  education, 
are,  and  will  be,  insuperable  obstacles,  in  my  opinion, 
to  the  completion  of  the  marriage.     As  his  guardian, 


1773]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  377 

I  conceive  it  my  indispensable  duty  to  endeavor  to 
carry  him  through  a  regular  course  of  education 
(many  branches  of  which,  I  am  sorry  to  add,  he  is 
totally  deficient  in),  and  to  guard  his  youth  to  a  more 
advanced  age  before  an  event,  on  which  his  own 
peace  and  the  happiness  of  another  are  to  depend, 
takes  place.  Not  that  I  have  any  doubt  of  the 
warmth  of  his  affections,  nor,  I  hope  I  may  add,  any 
fears  of  a  change  in  them  ;  but  at  present  I  do  not 
conceive  that  he  is  capable  of  bestowing  that  atten- 
tion to  the  important  consequences  of  the  married 
state,  which  is  necessary  to  be  given  by  those,  who 
are  about  to  enter  into  it,  and  of  course  I  am  unwill- 
ing he  should  do  it  till  he  is.  If  the  affection,  which 
they  have  avowed  for  each  other,  is  fixed  upon  a 
solid  basis,  it  will  receive  no  diminution  in  the  course 
of  two  or  three  years,  in  which  time  he  may  prose- 
cute his  studies,  and  thereby  render  himself  more 
deserving  of  the  lady  and  useful  to  society.  If, 
unfortunately,  as  they  are  both  young,  there  should 
be  an  abatement  of  affection  on  either  side,  or  both, 
it  had  better  precede  than  follow  marriage. 

Delivering  my  sentiments  thus  freely  will  not, 
I  hope,  lead  you  into  a  belief,  that  I  am  desirous  of 
breaking  off  the  match.  To  postpone  it  is  all  I  have, 
in  view  ;  for  I  shall  recommend  to  the  young  gentle- 
man, with  the  warmth  that  becomes  a  man  of  honor, 
(notwithstanding  he  did  not  vouchsafe  to  consult 
either  his  mother  or  me  on  the  occasion,)  to  consider 
himself  as  much  engaged  to  your  daughter,  as  if  the 
indissoluble  knot  were  tied  ;  and,  as  the  surest  means 


378  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1773 

of  effecting  this,  to  apply  himself  closely  to  his  stud- 
ies, (and  in  this  advice  I  flatter  myself  you  will  join 
me,)  by  which  he  will,  in  a  great  measure,  avoid  those 
little  flirtations  with  other  young  ladies,  that  may,  by 
dividing  the  attention,  contribute  not  a  little  to  divide 
the  affection. 

It  may  be  expected  of  me,  perhaps,  to  say  some- 
thing of  property ;  but,  to  descend  to  particulars,  at 
this  time,  must  seem  rather  premature.  In  general, 
therefore,  I  shall  inform  you,  that  Mr.  Custis's  estate 
consists  of  about  fifteen  thousand  acres  of  land,  a 
good  part  of  it  adjoining  the  city  of  Williamsburg, 
and  none  of  it  forty  miles  from  that  place  ;  several  lots 
in  the  said  city  ;  between  two  and  three  hundred 
negroes  ;  and  about  eight  or  ten  thousand  pounds 
upon  bond,  and  in  the  hands  of  his  merchants.  This 
estate  he  now  holds  independent  of  his  mother's 
dower,  which  will  be  an  addition  to  it  at  her  death  ; 
and,  upon  the  whole,  it  is  such  an  estate  as  you  will 
readily  acknowledge  ought  to  entitle  him  to  a  hand- 
some portion  with  a  wife.  But  as  I  should  never 
require  a  child  of  my  own  to  make  a  sacrifice  of  him- 
self to  interest,  so  neither  do  I  think  it  incumbent  on 
me  to  recommend  it  as  a  g;uardian. 

At  all  times  when  you,  Mrs.  Calvert,  or  the  young 
ladies,  can  make  it  convenient  to  favor  us  with  a 
visit,  we  should  be  happy  in  seeing  you  at  this  place. 
Mrs.  Washington  and  Miss  Custis  join  me  in  respect- 
ful compliments,  and 

I  am,  dear  Sir,  your  most  obedient  servant. 


1773]  GEORGE  WASHIXGTON.  379 

TO    LORD    DUNMORE,  GOVERNOR    OF    VIRGINIA. 

Mount  Vernon,  13  April,  1773. 

My  Lord, 

In  obedience  to  your  Lordship's  request,  I  do 
myself  the  honor  to  inform  you,  that,  by  letters  this 
day  received  from  Dr.  Cooper  of  King's  College  in 
New  York,  I  find  it  will  be  about  the  first  of  next 
month  before  I  shall  set  ofif  for  that  place,  and  that 
it  will  perhaps  be  the  middle  of  June  before  I  return. 
Harvest  then  coming  on,  and  seldom  ending  till  after 
the  middle  of  July,  I  could  almost  wish  to  see  it 
accomplished  ;  but  if  the  delay  in  doing  it  is  attended 
with  any  kind  of  inconvenience  to  your  Lordship,  I 
will,  at  all  events,  be  ready  by  the  first  of  July  to 
accompany  you  through  any  and  every-  part  of  the 
western  country^  which  you  may  think  proper  to 
visit. 

I  beg  the  favor  of  your  Lordship  to  inform  me, 
therefore,  as  nearly  as  you  can,  of  the  precise  time 
you  will  do  me  the  honor  of  calling  here,  that  I  may 
get  ready  accordingly,  and  give  notice  of  it  to  Mr. 
Crawford  (if  your  Lordship  purposes  to  take  the 
route  of  Pittsburg),  whom  I  took  the  liberty  of 
recommending  as  a  good  woods-man,  and  well  ac- 
quainted with  the  lands  in  that  quarter,  that  he  may 
be  disengaged  when  we  get  to  his  house,  which  is 
directly  on  that  communication.  I  am  persuaded, 
that  such  a  person  will  be  found  very  necessary-  in  an 
excursion  of  this  sort,  from  his  superior  knowledge  of 
the  countr}^  and  of  the  inhabitants,  who  are  thinly 
scattered  over  it. 


38o  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1773 

No  person  can  be  better  acquainted  with  the  equi- 
page and  simple  conveniences  necessary  in  an  under- 
taking of  this  sort,  than  your  Lordship,  and,  therefore, 
it  would  be  impertinent  in  me  to  mention  them  ;  but 
if  your  Lordship  should  find  it  convenient  to  have 
any  thing  provided  in  this  part  of  the  country,  and 
will  please  to  honor  me  with  your  commands,  they 
shall  be  punctually  obeyed.  As,  also,  if  your  Lord- 
ship chooses  to  have  an  Indian  engaged,  I  will  write 
to  Colonel  Croghan,  Deputy  Indian  Agent,  who  lives 
near  Pittsburg,  to  have  one  provided. 

The  design  of  my  journey  to  New  York  is  to  take 
my  son-in-law,  Mr.  Custis,  to  King's  College.  If 
your  Lordship,  therefore,  has  any  letters  or  com- 
mands, either  to  that  place  or  Philadelphia,  I  shall 
think  myself  honored  in  being  the  bearer  of  them,  as 
well  as  benefited  by  means  of  the  introduction.  I 
am,  &c. 


TO    COLONEL    BASSETT. 

Mount  Vernon,  25  April,  1773. 

Dear  Sir  : 

The  interruption  of  the  post  for  several  weeks, 
prevented  our  receiving  the  melancholy  account  of 
your  loss  until  within  these  few  days.  That  we  sym- 
pathize in  the  misfortune,  and  lament  the  decree 
which  has  deprived  you  of  so  dutiful  a  child,  and  the 
world  of  so  promising  a  young  lady,  stands  in  no 
need,  I  hope,  of  argument  to  prove  ;  but  the  ways  of 
Providence  being  inscrutable,  and  the  justice  of  it 
not  to  be  scanned   by  the   shallow  eye  of  humanity, 


1773]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  381 

nor  to  be  counteracted  by  the  utmost  efforts  of 
human  power  or  wisdom,  resignation,  and  as  far  as 
the  strength  of  our  reason  and  reHgion  can  carr}^  us, 
a  cheerful  acquiescence  to  the  Divine  Will,  is  what 
we  are  to  aim  ;  and  I  am  persuaded  that  your  own 
good  sense  will  arm  you  with  fortitude  to  withstand 
the  stroke,  great  as  it  is,  and  enable  you  to  console 
Mrs.  Bassett,  whose  loss  and  feelings  are  much  to  be 
pitied. 

By  letters  from  Doct'r  Cooper,  President  of  the 
College  in  New  York,  my  departure  for  that  place  is 
now  fixed  to  about  the  8th  of  May,  which  puts  it  out 
of  my  power  to  attend  the  meeting  in  Williamsburg 
this  Court.  I  have  therefore  by  Mr.  Henderson  in- 
closed several  letters  to  and  drafts  upon  different 
people  for  money,  to  Col.  Fielding  Lewis,  who  wrote 
me  that  he  should  be  in  Williamsburg  ;  but  if  sick- 
ness, or  any  other  unforeseen  accident  should  prevent 
his  attendance,  I  should  take  it  ver)'  kind  of  you  to 
ask  for  and  open  my  letter  to  him  and  comply  with 
the  contents  in  respect  to  the  receiving  and  paying 
of  money. 

Mrs.  Washington,  in  her  letter  to  Mrs.  Bassett, 
informs  her  of  Jack  Custis's  engagement  with  Nelly 
Calvert,  second  daughter  of  Benedict  Calvert,  Esq., 
of  Maryland.  I  shall  say  nothing  further  therefore 
on  the  subject  than  that  I  could  have  wished  he  had 
postponed  entering  into  that  engagement  till  his 
studies  were  finished.  Not  that  I  have  any  objection 
to  the  match,  as  she  is  a  girl  of  exceeding  good  char- 
acter ;  but  because  I  fear,  as  he  has  discovered  much 


382  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1773 

fickleness  already,  that  he  may  either  change,  and 
therefore  injure  the  young  lady ;  or  that  it  may  pre- 
cipitate him  into  a  marriage  before,  I  am  certain,  he 
has  ever  bestowed  a  serious  thought  of  the  conse- 
quences ;  by  which  means  his  education  is  inter- 
rupted and  he  perhaps  wishing  to  be  at  liberty  again 
before  he  is  fairly  embarked  on  those  important 
duties. 

My  sincere  good  wishes  attend  Mrs.  Bassett  and 
ye  family. 

JOURNEY    TO    NEW    YORK,     1 773.' 

May  10.  I  set  out  on  my  journey  to  New  York,  lodged  at  Mr 
Calvert's. 

II  Breakfasted  at  Mr.  Igns.  Digges.  Dined  at  the  Coffee 
House  in  Annapolis,  and  lodged  at  the  Governor's. 

12.  Dined,  supped,  and  lodged  at  the  Governor's. 

13.  After  breakfast,  and  about  8  o'clock,  set  out  for  Rock- 
hall,  where  we  arrived  in  two  hours  and  25  minutes.  Dined  on 
board  the  Annapolis,  at  Chestertown,  and  supped  and  lodged  at 
Mr.  Ringgold's. 

14.  Stop'd  at  Georgetown  on  Sassafras,  and  dined  and 
lodged  at  Mr.  Dl.  Heath's. 

15.  Dined  at  Newcastle  and  lodged  at  Wilmington. 

16.  Breakfasted  at  Chester  and  dined  at  Govr.  Penn's  in 
Philadelphia. 

17.  Dined  again  at  Govr.  Penn's  and  spent  the  evening  at 
the  Jockey  Club. 

18.  Dined  with  several  gentlement  at  our  own  lodgings, 
and  went  to  the  Assembly  in  the  evening. 

19.  Dined  at  the  Governor's,  and  spent  the  evening  at  Mr. 
Allan's. 

20.  Dined  with  Mr.  Cadwalladcr,  and  went  to  the  Ball. 

'  From  an  interleaved  Almanac. 


1773]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  383 

21.  Dined  with  Mr.  Meredeth,  and  spent  the  evening  at  Mr. 
Mease's. 

22.  Dined  at  Mr.  Morris's,  and  spent  the  evening  at  the 
Club. 

23.  Set  out  for  New  York  with  Lord  Sterling,  Majr.  Bay- 
ard, and  Mr.  Custis,  after  breakfasting  with  Govr.  Penn.  Dined 
with  Govr.  Franklin  at  Burlington,  and  lodged  at  Trenton. 

24.  Breakfasted  at  Princeton  ;  dined  at  Bound  Brook,  and 
reached  Lord  Sterling's  at  Baskin's  Ridge  in  the  afternoon. 

25.  Dined  and  lodged  at  Lord  Sterling's,  drank  tea  at  Mr. 
Kimble's. 

26.  Dined  at  Elizabeth  Town,  and  reached  New  York  in 
the  evening,  which  I  spent  at  Hull's  Tavern.  Lodged  at  a  Mr 
Farmer's. 

27.  Dined  at  the  entertainment  given  by  the  citizens  of 
New  York  to  Gen'l  Gage. 

28.  Dined  with  Mr.  James  Delancey,  and  went  to  the  play 
and  Hull's  Tavern  in  the  evening. 

29.  Dined  with  Majr.  Bayard  and  spent  the  evening  wnth 
the  Old  Club  at  Hull's. 

30.  Dined  with  Gen'l  Gage,  and  spent  the  evening  in  my 
own  room,  writing.' 

31.  Set  out  on  my  return  home.  Dined  with  Captn.  Ken- 
nedy near  New  Ark,  and  lodged  at  Amboy. 

'  "  Enclosed  you  have  a  set  of  bills  for  one  hundred  pounds  sterling,  which 
please  to  set  at  the  prevailing  exchange,  and  retain  the  money  in  youx  own 
hands  to  answer  Mr.  Custis's  expenses  at  college,  and  such  calls  as  he  may  have 
for  cash  to  defray  the  incident  expenses  of  his  abode  in  this  city. 

"  In  respect  to  the  first  article  of  charge,  I  submit  the  matter  wholly  to  your 
better  judgment,  under  a  firm  belief  of  your  adopting  such  measures,  as  will 
most  contribute  to  promote  the  principal  end  of  Mr.  Custis's  coming  here,  not 
regarding  the  extra  charge  incurred  in  the  accomplishing  of  it.  In  regard  to 
the  second,  as  I  do  not  know  what  sum  he  ought,  with  propriet)-,  to  expend  in 
such  a  place  as  New  York,  I  shall  not  undertake  to  determine  it ;  but  hope,  if, 
contrar)-  to  my  expectation,  you  should  find  him  inclined  to  run  into  any  kind 
of  extravagance,  you  ^vill  be  so  good,  by  your  friendly  admonition,  as  to  check 
its  progress. 

"  As  Mr.  Custis  may  probably  want  clothing  and  other  necessaries,  you  will 
please  to  establish  a  credit  in  his  behalf  with  such  merchants  as  you  can  recom- 


384  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1773 

June  I.     Breakfasted  at  Brunswick  on  the  banks  of  the  Princeton; 
dined  at  Princeton  and  lodged  at  Bristol. 

2.  Got  to  Philadelphia  by  nine  o'clock  to  my  old  lodging. 
Dined  at  my  lodgings  and  spent  ye  evening  there. 

3.  Rid  to  the  Meadows  along  the  River  before  breakfast. 
About  II  o'clock  left  Phila. ;  dined  at  the  Sorrel  House,  13  miles 
from  it,  and  lodged  at  the  Ship  Tavern,  34  off. 

4.  Breakfasted  at  the  Sign  of  the  Bull,  13  miles  from  ye 
Ship  ;  dined  at  Lancaster,  19  miles  further,  and  lodged  at 
Wright's  Ferry,  10  miles  from  Lancaster. 

5.  Breakfasted  in  York  Town.  Dined  at  the  Sign  of  the 
Buck,  14  miles  from  York,  which  is  12  miles  from  Wright's  Ferry, 
and  lodged  at  Suttons,  15  miles  from  the  Buck. 

6.  Breakfasted  at  Slades,  10  miles  from  Suttons,  and  dined 
and  lodged  at  Baltimore  Town. 

7.  Breakfasted  at  the  Widow  Ramsay's,  15  miles  from 
Baltimore,  and  lodged  at  Mr.  Calvert's. 

8.  Reach'd  home  to  dinner,  about  2  o'clock. 


TO    COLONEL    BASSETT. 

Mount  Vernon,  20th  June,  1773. 

Dear  Sir, 

It  is  an  easier  matter  to  conceive,  than  to  describe 
the  distress  of  this  Family  ;  especially  that  of  the 
unhappy  Parent  of  our  Dear  Patsy  Custis,  when  I 
inform  you  that  yesterday  removed  the  Sweet  Inno- 
cent Girl  Entered  into    a   more   happy  &   peaceful 

mend  ;  and  when  the  deposit  now  lodged  with  you  is  expended  in  this  and  other 
payments,  be  so  good  as  to  transmit  me  a  copy  of  tlie  disbursements,  and  I  shall 
furnish  you  with  other  bills  whereby  to  lay  in  a  new  fund. 

"  I  have  nothing  further  to  add  at  present,  except  that  at  the  next  vacation, 
or  at  any  other  time,  I  shall  think  myself  very  happy  in  seeing  you  in  Virginia, 
and  that  I  am,  with  very  great  respect  and  esteem,  your  most  obedient  humble 
servant." — Washington  to  Dr.  Cooper,  31  May,  1773. 


1773]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  385 


abode  than  any  she  has  met  with  in  the  afflicted  Path 
she  hitherto  has  trod.' 

She  rose  from  Dinner  about  four  o'clock  in  better 
health  and  spirits  than  she  appeared  to  have  been  in 
for  some  time  ;  soon  after  which  she  was  seized  with 
one  of  her  usual  Fits,  &  expired  in  it,  in  less  than 
two  minutes  without  uttering  a  word,  a  groan,  or 
scarce  a  sigh. — This  sudden,  and  unexpected  blow,  I 
scarce  need  add  has  almost  reduced  my  poor  Wife  to 
the  lowest  ebb  of  Misery ;  which  is  encreas'd  by  the 
absence  of  her  son,  (whom  I  have  just  fixed  at  the 
College  in  New  York  from  whence  I  returned  the 
8th  Inst)  and  want  of  the  balmy  consolation  of  her 
Relations  ;  which  leads  me  more  than  ever  to  wish 
she  could  see  them,  and  that  I  was  iMaster  of  Argu- 
ments powerful  enough  to  prevail  upon  Mrs.  Dan- 
dridge  to  make  this  place  her  entire  &  absolute 
home.  I  should  think  as  she  lives  a  lonesome  life 
(Betsey  being  married)  it  might  suit  her  well,  .&  be 
agreeable,  both  to  herself  &  my  Wife,  to  me  most 
assuredly  it  would. 

I  do  not  purpose  to  add  more  at  present,  the  end 
of  my  writing  being  only  to  inform  you  of  this 
unhappy  change. — 

Our  Sincere  Affections  are  offered  to  Mrs.  Bassett, 
Mrs.  Dandridge,  &  all  other  Friends,  &  I  am  very 
sincerely 

'  "19.  About  five  o'clock  poor  Patey  Custis  died  suddenly." — From  an  inter- 
leaved A  Imanac. 


386  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1773 

ADVERTISEMENT   OF  THE  OHIO  LANDS.' 

Mount  Vernon  in  Virginia,  July  1^,  1773. 

THE  Subscriber  having  obtained  Patents  for  upwards  of 
TWENTY  THOUSAND  Acres  of  LAND  on  the  Ohio 
and  Great  Kanhawa  (Ten  Thousand  of  which  are  situated  on  the 
banks  of  the  first-mentioned  river,  between  the  mouths  of  the  two 
Kanhawas,  and  the  remainder  on  the  Great  Kanhawa,  or  Hew 
River,  from  the  mouth,  or  near  it,  upwards,  in  one  continued 
survey)  proposes  to  divide  the  same  into  any  sized  tenements 
that  may  be  desired,  and  lease  them  upon  moderate  terms,  allow- 
ing a  reasonable  number  of  years  rent  free,  provided,  within  the 
space  of  two  years  from  next  October,  three  acres  for  every  fifty 
contained  in  each  lot,  and  proportionably  for  a  lesser  quantity, 
shall  be  cleared,  fenced,  and  tilled  ;  and  that,  by  or  before  the 
time  limited  for  the  commencement  of  the  first  rent,  five  acres  for 
every  hundred,  and  proportionably,  as  above,  shall  be  enclosed 
and  laid  down  in  good  grass  for  meadow  ;  and  moreover,  that  at 
least  fifty  good  fruit  trees  for  every  like  quantity  of  land  shall  be 
planted  on  the  Premises.  Any  persons  inclinable  to  settle  on 
these  lands  may  be  more  fully  informed  of  the  terms  by  applying 
to  the  subscriber,  near  Alexandria,  or  in  his  absence,  to  Mr. 
LUND  WASHINGTON  ;  and  would  do  well  in  communicating 
their  intentions  before  the  ist  of  October  next,  in  order  that  a 
sufficient  number  of  lots  may  be  laid  off  to  answer  the  demand. 

As  these  lands  are  among  the  first  which  have  been  surveyed 
in  the  part  of  the  country  they  lie  in,  it  is  almost  needless  to  pre- 
mise that  none  can  exceed  them  in  luxuriance  of  soil,  or  conven- 
ience of  situation,  all  of  them  lying  upon  the  banks  either  of  the 
Ohio  or  Kanhawa,  and  abounding  with  fine  fish  and  wild  fowl  of 
various  kinds,  as  also  in  most  excellent  meadows,  many  of  which 
(by  the  bountiful  hand  of  nature)  are,  in  their  present  state,  almost 
fit  for  the  scythe.  From  every  part  of  these  lands  water  carriage 
is  now  had  to  Fort  Pitt,  by  an  easy  communication  ;  and  from 
Fort  Pitt  up  the  Monongahela,  to  Redstone,  vessels  of  convenient 

'  Printed  in  The  Maryland  Journal  and  Baltimore  Advertiser,  20  August, 
1773  ;  and  Pennsylvania  Gazette,  September,  1773. 


1773]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  387 

burthen,  may  and  do  pass  continually  ;  from  whence,  by  means 
of  Ch€at  River,  and  other  naWgable  branches  of  the  Monongahela 
it  is  thought  the  portage  to  Potowmack  may,  and  will,  be  reduced 
within  the  compass  of  a  few  miles,  to  the  great  ease  and  conven- 
ience of  the  settlers  in  transporting  the  produce  of  their  lands 
to  market.  To  which  may  be  added,  that  as  patents  have  now 
actually  passed  the  seals  for  the  several  tracts  here  offered  to  be 
leased,  settlers  on  them  may  cultivate  and  enjoy  the  lands  in  peace 
and  safety,  notwithstanding  the  unsettled  counsels  respecting  a 
new  colony  on  the  Ohio  ;  and  as  no  right  money  is  to  be  paid  for 
these  lands,  and  quitrent  of  two  shillings  sterling  a  hundred,  de- 
mandable  some  years  hence  only,  it  is  highly  presumable  that 
they  will  always  be  held  upon  a  more  desirable  footing  than  where 
both  these  are  laid  on  with  a  ver^'  heavy  hand.  And  it  may  not 
be  amiss  further  to  obserse,  that  if  the  scheme  for  establishing  a 
new  government  on  the  Ohio,  in  the  manner  talked  of,  should 
ever  be  effected,  these  must  be  among  the  most  valuable  lands  in 
it,  not  only  on  account  of  the  goodness  of  soil,  and  the  other 
advantages  above  enumerated,  but  from  their  contiguity  to  the 
seat  of  government,  which  more  than  probable  will  be  fixed  at 
the  mouth  of  the  Great  Kanhawa. 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON.' 

'  1773.  Augt.  23.  "  In  the  afternoon  came  David  Allan  and  James  White- 
law,  two  Scotchmen,  empowered  by  a  number  of  families  about  Glasgow,  to 
look  out  land  for  two  hundred  families,  who  had  a  mind  to  settle  in  America. 

' '  24.  The  above  persons  prosecuted  their  journey  towards  Carolina  in  pursuit  of 
this  scheme,  purposing  also  to  \-iew  the  lands  on  Ohio,  and  to  see  mine  there 
before  they  returned  with  their  report  to  Scotland." — From  an  interleaved 
almanac. 

"  In  your  letter  you  mention  the  American  Company  of  Farmers  in  the  west 
of  Scotland,  and  I  cannot  but  approve  of  their  sending  over  skilled  men  to  take 
up  land  for  them  before  they  bring  their  families  here  ;  and  they  have  just  taken 
the  method  which  you  and  others  ad\"ised  me  to  take,  and  I  would  surely  follow 
your  advice,  but  I  could  not  prevail  on  my  wife  to  stay  a  year  behind  me.  David 
Allan  and  James  Whiteland,  the  two  commissioners  from  that  company,  are  now 
at  my  house,  and  I  hope  they  will  rest  with  me  for  a  week  or  two,  for  I  can 
easily  accommodate  them  and  their  horses.  They  are  going  now  for  North 
Carolina  to  look  for  a  large  tract  of  land  agreeably  to  their  commission.  A 
lai^e  tract  of  land  to  the  extent  of  16,000  or  20,000  acres,  all  contiguous  and 
conveniently  situated  and  not  yet  occupied,  is  not  to  be  got  in  the  middle  prov- 


388  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1773 

TO    WILLLIAM     CRAWFORD. 

Mount  Vernon,  25  September,  1773. 

Dear  Sir, 

I  have  heard,  (the  truth  of  which,  if  you  saw  Lord 
Dunmore  in  his  way  to  or  from  Pittsburg  you  possi- 
bly are  better  acquainted  with  than  I  am,)  that  his 
Lordship  will  grant  patents  for  lands  lying  below  the 
Scioto,  to  the  officers  and  soldiers,  who  claim  under 
the  proclamation  of  October,  1763.  If  so,  I  think 
no  time  should  be  lost  in  having  them  surveyed,  lest 
some  new  revolution  should  happen  in  our  political 
system.  I  have,  therefore,  by  this  conveyance,  writ- 
ten to  Captain  Bullet,  to  desire  he  will  have  ten 
thousand  acres  surveyed  for  me  ;    five  thousand  of 

inces  :  though  they  might  hereabout  get  plenty  of  single  plantations  here  and 
there  ;  for  the  farmers  are,  many  of  them,  selling  their  plantations  and  going 
back  to  take  up  larger  tracts.  I,  therefore,  advised  them  all  I  could  to  go  to  the 
Ohio,  but  they  are  afraid  the  settlers  there  will  be  too  far  from  market  or  a  land- 
ing place.  Since  I  come  to  America  I  have  learned  to  think  that  those  who 
have  got  a  rich  soil  in  a  favorable  climate,  and  who  have  got  all  the  conveniences 
of  life  in  great  plenty,  may  be  happy  enough  though  they  have  but  little  money, 
and  they  may  carry  on  a  sort  of  inland  trade  among  themselves  by  way  of  barter  ; 
but  those  on  the  Ohio  will  not  long  be  under  that  necessity,  for  I  hear  that  money 
is  already  subscribed  to  improve  the  navigation  by  cuts  into  the  Ohio,  and  be- 
sides the  farmers  in  that  rich  country  may  easily  get  money  by  rearing  large 
flocks  of  cows,  hogs,  and  sheep,  which  they  may  drive  to  Philadelphia,  and  the 
market  towns  of  New  York  and  Maryland.  By  my  being  here  I  see  that  much 
of  that  fine  land  on  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  will  be  quickly  taken  up,  though 
no  person  should  come  to  it  from  Scotland.  I  see  emigrants  in  crowds  passing 
this  way  almost  every  week.  One  of  my  family,  whom  I  lately  sent  to  Phila- 
delphia, lodged  in  a  house  with  fifty  of  them,  and  within  these  few  days  I  saw 
more  than  three  score,  all  of  them  hastening  to  the  banks  of  the  Ohio.  Some 
of  them  came  from  Ireland,  some  from  England,  and  some  from  Germany,  and 
we  hear  that  several  ship  fulls  are  coming  from  Corsica  or  Italy.  About  Fort 
Pitt,  where  three  considerable  rivers  fall  into  tiie  Ohio,  the  country  is  pretty  well 
peopled  already."  Alexander  Thomson,  16  August  1773. — Penn.  Magazine  of 
History  and  Biography,  viii.,  322,  323. 


1773]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  389 

which  I  am  entitled  to  in  my  own  right,  the  other 
five  thousand  by  purchase  from  a  captain  and  lieu- 
tenant. 

I  have  desired  him  to  get  this  quantity  of  land  in 
one  tract,  if  to  be  had  of  the  first  quality  ;  if  not, 
then  in  two,  or  even  in  three,  agreeably  to  the  sev- 
eral rights  under  which  I  hold,  rather  than  sur\'ey 
bad  land  for  me,  or  even  that  which  is  middling.  I 
have  also  desired  him  to  get  it  as  near  the  mouth  of 
the  Scioto,  that  is,  to  the  western  bounds  of  the  new 
colony  as  may  be  ;  but  for  the  sake  of  better  lands, 
I  would  go  quite  down  to  the  Falls,  or  even  below, 
meaning  thereby  to  get  richer  and  wider  bottoms,  as 
it  is  my  desire  to  have  my  lands  run  out  upon  the 
banks  of  the  Ohio.  If  you  should  go  down  the 
river  this  fall,  in  order  to  look  out  your  own  quantity 
under  the  proclamation,  I  shall  be  much  obliged  to 
you  for  your  assistance  to  Captain  Bullet,  in  getting 
these  ten  thousand  acres  for  me,  of  the  most  valuable 
land  you  can,  and  I  will  endeavor  to  make  you  ample 
amends  for  your  trouble  ;  but  I  by  no  means  wish  or 
desire  you  to  go  down  on  my  account,  unless  you 
find  it  expedient  on  your  own.  Of  this  I  have  writ- 
ten to  Captain  Bullet,  under  cover  to  you,  desiring, 
if  you  should  be  with  him,  that  he  will  ask  your 
assistance. 

As  I  have  understood  that  Captain  Thompson  (by 
what  authority  I  know  not)  has  been  surveying  a 
good  deal  of  land  for  the  Pennsylvania  officers,  and 
that  Dr.  Connolly  has  a  promise  from  our  Governor 
of  two  thousand  acres  at  the  Falls,  I  have  desired 


39©  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1775 

Captain  Bullet  by  no  means  to  involve  me  in  dis- 
putes with  any  person,  who  has  an  equal  claim  to 
land  with  myself,  under  the  proclamation  of  1763. 
As  to  the  pretensions  of  other  people,  it  is  not  very 
essential ;  as  I  am  told  that  the  Governor  has  de- 
clared he  will  grant  patents  to  none  but  the  officers 
and  soldiers,  who  are  comprehended  within  the 
proclamation  aforementioned ;  but  even  of  these 
claims,  if  I  could  get  lands  equally  as  good,  as  con- 
venient, and  as  valuable  in  every  respect,  elsewhere, 
I  should  choose  to  steer  clear.' 

Old  David  Wilper,  who  was  an  officer  in  our  regi- 
ment, and  has  been  with  Bullet  running  out  land  for 
himself  and  others,  tells  me,  that  they  have  already 
discovered    salt    springs    in    that    country,    three    of 

'  Some  Pennsylvania  officers,  claimants  to  land  on  the  Ohio,  among  them 
being  Col.  John  Armstrong,  sent  Capt.  William  Thompson  to  meet  Capt.  Bullet 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Scioto,  and  make  surveys  in  that  region. 

"  Application  was  made  to  the  Governor  and  Council  of  Virginia,  in  1774,  by 
the  agent  of  these  associated  officers,  for  leave  and  permission  to  survey  and 
lay  off  the  portions  of  land  M'hich  they  were  respectively  entitled  to  under  the 
proclamation  of  1763.  That  the  Governor  and  Council  were  of  opinion  that 
the  claim  of  the  said  officers  was  well  founded,  and  a  commission  was  there- 
upon granted  by  the  masters  of  William  and  Mary  College,  to  Captain  William 
Thompson,  appointing  him  either  a  principal  or  deputy-surveyor  for  the  pur- 
pose of  making  the  said  surveys  within  Virginia.  The  said  Thompson,  being 
duly  authorized,  proceeded  to  make  the  surveys,  and  did  actually  make  and 
complete  them  on  Salt  Lick  River,  then  in  Virginia,  now  in  Kentucky.  .  .  . 
Thompson,  when  he  had  completed  a  draft  of  the  surveys,  and  made  the  neces- 
sary arrangements  with  the  associated  ofiicers  for  the  completion  of  the  titles, 
proceeded,  in  the  year  1775,  to  the  office  in  Virginia,  for  the  purpose  of  return- 
ing the  said  surveys,  and  having  them  duly  accepted  ;  but,  as  a  previous  condi- 
tion to  their  acceptance,  it  was  required  of  him  that  he  should  take  an  oath  of 
allegiance  to  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  wliicii  as  a  patriot,  from  principles  of 
attachment  to  his  country,  he  refused  to  take,  and  consequently,  the  surveys 
were  not  accepted,  and  the  patents  not  issued." — Report  of  Mr.  Boyle  to  the 
House  of  Representatives,  3  February,  1807. 


1773]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  391 

which  Captain  Thompson  has  included  within  some 
surveys  he  has  made  ;  and  the  other,  an  exceedingly- 
valuable  one,  upon  the  River  Kentucky,  is  in  some 
kind  of  dispute.  I  wish  I  could  establish  one  of  my 
surveys  there ;  I  would  immediately  turn  it  to  an 
extensive  public  benefit,  as  well  as  private  advantage. 
However,  as  four  are  already  discovered,  it  is  more 
than  probable  there  are  many  others,  and  if  you 
could  come  at  the  knowledge  of  them  by  means  of 
the  Indians  or  otherwise,  I  would  join  you  in  taking 
them  up  in  the  name  or  names  of  some  persons,  who 
have  a  right  under  the  proclamation,  and  whose  right 
we  can  be  sure  of  buying,  as  it  seems  there  is  no 
other  method  of  having  lands  granted ;  but  this 
should  be  done  with  a  good  deal  of  circumspection 
and  caution,  till  patents  are  obtained. 

I  did  not  choose  to  forego  the  opportunity  of  writ- 
ing to  you  by  the  gentlemen,  who  are  going  to  divide 
their  land  at  the  mouth  of  the  great  Kenhawa,  though 
I  could  wish  to  have  delayed  it  till  I  could  hear  from 
the  Governor,  to  whom  I  have  written,  to  know  cer- 
tainly whether  he  will  grant  patents  for  the  land 
which  Captain  Bullet  is  surveying,  that  one  may 
proceed  with  safety  ;  as  also  whether  a  discretionar)' 
power,  which  I  had  given  Mr.  Wood  to  select  my 
land  in  West  Florida,  under  an  information,  even 
from  his  Lordship  himself,  that  lands  could  not  be 
had  here,  would  be  any  bar  to  my  surveying  on  the 
Ohio  ;  especially  as  I  have  heard  since  Mr.  W^ood's 
departure,  that  all  the  lands  on  that  part  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi, to  which  he  was  restricted  by  me,  are  already 


392  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1773 

engaged  by  the  emigrants,  who  have  resorted  to  that 
country.  Should  I,  however,  receive  any  discour- 
aging account  from  his  Lordship  on  these  heads,  I 
shall  embrace  the  first  opportunity  that  offers  after- 
wards to  acquaint  you  with  it. 

By  Mr.  Leet  I  informed  you  of  the  unhappy  cause, 
which  prevented  my  going  out  this  fall.  But  I  hope 
nothing  will  prevent  my  seeing  you  in  that  country 
in  the  spring.  The  precise  time,  as  yet,  it  is  not  in 
my  power  to  fix  ;  but  I  should  be  glad  if  you  would 
let  me  know  how  soon  it  may  be  attended  with  safety, 
ease,  and  comfort,  after  which  I  will  fix  upon  a  time 
to  be  at  your  house. 

I  am  in  the  mean  while,  with  sincere  good  wishes 
for  you,  Mrs.  Crawford,  and  family,  your  friend,  &c. 


TO    MICHAEL    CRESAP. 

Mount  Vernon,  26th  Septemr  1773. 

Sir, 

In  my  passage  down  the  Ohio  in  the  F"all  of  the 
year  1770,  I  made  choice  of  a  piece  of  Land,  being 
the  first  bottom  on  the  So  East  side  the  river  above 
Capteening,  as  also  a  little  above  a  place  where  the 
effects  of  a  hurricane  appear  among  the  Trees,  and 
opposite  to  a  Creek  on  the  other  side  near  the  upper 
end  of  the  bottom,  call'd  Pipe  Creek.'  The  next 
Spring,  when  Capt:  Crawford  went  down  the  Ohio 
to  survey,  I  desired  him  to  run  out  this  Land  for  me, 
which  he  accordingly  did,  &  returned  me  the  Plat  of 

'  Page  295,  ante. 


1 773 J  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  393 

it,  as  you  may  see  by  the  inclosed  copy  ;  intending 
as  soon  as  a  Patent  could  be  obtained,  to  apply  for 
me.  The  summer  following,  hearing  that  Doctor 
Brisco  had  taken  possession  of  this  bottom,  (altho* 
inform'd  of  my  claim  to  it)  I  wrote  him  a  letter,  of 
w^hich  the  inclos'd  is  a  copy. — And  within  these  few 
days  I  have  heard  (the  truth  of  which  I  know  not) 
that  you,  upon  the  Doctor's  quitting  of  it,  have  also 
taken  possession  of  it.  If  this  information  be  true,  I 
own  I  can  conceive  no  reason  why  you  or  any  other 
person  should  attempt  to  disturb  me  in  my  claim  to 
this  Land,  as  I  have  not,  to  my  knowledge,  injur'd  or 
attempted  to  injure,  any  other  man  in  his  pretensions 
to  Land  in  that  country  ;  it  is  a  little  hard,  therefore 
upon  me  that  I  cannot  be  allowed  to  hold  this  bottom 
(which  is  but  a  small  one)  in  peace  and  quietness, 
'till  a  legal  right  can  be  obtained,  which  I  always  have 
been  and  still  am  ready  to  pay  for,  as  soon  as  I  know 
to  what  office  to  apply. — I  would  feign  hope  that  my 
information  respecting  your  taking  possession  of  this 
Land,  is  without  foundation  ;  as  I  should  be  sorry  to 
enter  into  a  litigation  of  this  matter  with  you  or  any 
other  Gentleman  ;  but  as  I  conceiv'd  that  I  had  as 
good  a  right  to  make  choice  of  this  bottom,  as  any 
other  person  has  ;  as  I  am  sure  that  I  am  the  first 
that  did  so,  and  have  had  it  survey'd  so  as  to  ascer- 
tain the  bounds,  upwards  of  two  years  ago,  I  am 
resolved  not  to  relinquish  my  claim  to  it. — But  if  you 
have  made  any  Improvements  thereon  not  knowing 
of  my  claim,  I  will  very  readily  pay  you  the  full  value 
thereof  being,  etc. 


394  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1773 

TO    COLONEL    ARMSTRONG. 

Mount  Vernon,  10  October,  1773. 

Dear  Sir, 

Upon  my  return  home  from  the  AnnapoHs  races 
(from  whence  I  wrote  you,  committing  the  letter  to 
the  care  of  Capt.  McGachen  of  Baltimore  Town,  who 
assured  me  it  should  be  forwarded  the  week  after,)  I 
received  a  letter  from  Lord  Dunmore,  our  Governor^ 
containing  the  following  paragraph,  which  I  enclose 
for  your  information,  agreeable  to  my  promise. 

"  I  last  post  received  yours  of  the  12th  inst.*  (that  is  Septem- 
ber) wherein  you  beg  to  be  informed  whether  I  propose  granting 
patents  to  such  officers  and  soldiers  as  claim  under  his  Majesty's 
proclamation  in  8ber  1763.  I  do  not  mean  to  grant  any  patents 
on  the  Western  waters,  as  I  do  not  think  I  am  at  present  impow- 
ered  so  to  do.  I  did  indeed  tell  a  poor  old  German  lieuten- 
ant who  was  with  me,"  and  informed  me  he  was  very  poor  and  had 
ten  children,  that  I  possibly  might  grant  him  a  patent  contiguous 
to  that  which  he  had  under  Mr.  Dinwiddie's  proclamation,  which, 
I  suppose,  is  what  may  have  given  rise  to  the  report  you  have 
heard." 

I  was  suspicious,  as  I  think  I  wrote  you  in  my  last, 
that  the  report  of  Lord  Dunmore's  granting  patents 
was  rather  premature ;  for  after  declaring  to  the  offi- 
cers of  his  own  government  that  he  did  not  conceive 
himself  at  liberty  to  issue  patents  for  lands  on  the 
Western  Waters,  I  could  scarce  think  he  would  change 
his  opinion  without  giving  them  some  intimation  of 
it,  either  in  a  publick  or  private  manner  ;  and  yet 
there  are   some  words   in   his   letter   (which   I   have 

'  I  have  not  l)cen  able  to  discover  lliis  letter  of  Washington's. 
*  David  Wilj)er. 


1773]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  395 

marked)  which  seem  to  imply  an  expectation  at  least 
of  doing  it.  It  remains  therefore  to  be  considered, 
whether  the  officers  claiming  under  his  Majesty's 
proclamation  of  1763  have  a  better  chance  of  secur- 
ing their  lands  elsewhere  ;  and  if  they  have  not, 
whether  the  known  equity  of  their  claims,  the  pre- 
vailing opinion  that  Bullet  is  proceeding  by  authority 
in  the  surv^eys  he  is  now  making,  and  the  united  en- 
deavors of  the  officers  to  obtain  patents  for  the 
lands  actually  surveyed,  may  not  discourage  other 
emigrants  from  settling  thereon  ;  and,  in  the  end, 
induce  government  to  comply  with  their  just  requisi- 
tions by  fulfilling  its  own  voluntary  promises.  I  own 
it  is  a  kind  of  lottery,  and  whether  the  chance  of 
a  prize  is  not  worth  the  expense  of  a  survey,  is  the 
point  in  question.  As  subjects  and  individuals  of  the 
community  at  large,  we  are  at  least  upon  a  par  with 
those  who  are  occupying  the  country  ;  but  whether 
any  of  these  pleas,  under  the  present  discourage- 
ments of  government,  will  avail  anything,  is  a  mere 
matter  of  speculation,  on  which  every  person  must 
exercise  his  own  powers  of  reflection. 


TO    LORD    DUXMORE. 

Williamsburg,  2  November,  1773. 

My  Lord, 

Urged  by  repeated  applications  from  a  number  of 
officers,  whom  I  have  had  the  honor  to  command  in 
the  service  of  this  colony,  I  take  the  liberty  of  ad- 
dressing your  Excellency  on  the  subject  of  the  lands. 


396  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1773 

which  the  gentlemen  conceive  themselves  entitled  to 
under  his  Majesty's  bounty  of  October,  1763. 

The  exception  in  favor  of  the  officers  and  soldiers, 
contained  in  his  Majesty's  order  in  Council,'  of  the 
6th  of  April  last,  they  humbly  conceive  is  so  strong 
an  implication  of  your  Lordship's  right  to  grant  them 
these  lands,  as  to  remove  every  restraint  you  were 
under  before  ;  and  as  there  are  no  waste  lands  to  be 
had  in  this  colony,  but  such  as  lie  upon  the  western 
waters,  they  humbly  pray  for  leave  to  survey  on  the 
river  Ohio,  and  its  waters,  below  the  mouth  of  Scioto 
(the  western  boundary  of  the  new  colony,  should  it 
ever  take  place),  apprehending  that  your  Excellency 
has  an  undoubted  right  to  grant  patents  for  these 
lands,  since  they  have  ever  been  considered  as  ap- 
pertaining to  Virginia,  warranted,  as  they  have  been 
informed,  by  the  Colony  Charter,  and  sold  by  the  Six 
Nations  at  the  treaty  of  Fort  Stanwix,  in  1 768.  Nor 
is  the  right  thereto,  it  is  humbly  presumed,  by  any 
means  diminished  by  the  nominal  line,  commonly 
called  the  Ministerial  Line ;  since  that  transaction 
seems  to  have  been  considered  by  government  as  a 
temporary  expedient,  at  the  instigation  of  the  Indian 
Agent,  to  satisfy  the  southern  Indians,  who,  as  it  is 
said,  have  disclaimed  any  right  to  the  very  lands  in 
contest  ;  and  no  further  regard  has  been  paid  to  it  by 
the  ministers  themselves. 

The  officers  of  the  Virginia  troops,  impressed  with 
these  sentiments,   and  having  undoubted  reason   to 

'  This  order  in  Council  may  he  found  in  Docniiwiits  relating  to  the  Colonial 
History  of  Nezu  York,  viii.,  357,  358. 


1773]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  397 


believe,  that  there  is  no  other  chance  left  them  to  ob- 
tain their  lands,  but  on  the  Ohio,  and  knowing  at  the 
same  time,  that  the  officers  of  Pennsylvania,  under  a 
belief  that  these  lands  appertain  to  Virginia,  and  that 
patents  will  be  granted  for  them,  have  surveyed  two 
hundred  thousand  acres, — would  fain  hope,  that  they 
may  be  allowed  to  proceed  by  authority  to  make  their 
surveys  also,  anywhere  upon  the  Ohio,  or  its  waters, 
below  the  Scioto  ;  humbly  representing  to  your  Lord- 
ship, that  a  delay  in  this  case  is,  in  effect,  equal  to  a 
refusal,  as  the  countr}'  is  becoming  spread  over  with 
emigrants,  and  experience  has  convinced  all  those, 
who  have  had  occasion  to  attend  to  the  matter,  that 
these  people  when  once  fixed  are  not  to  be  dispos- 
sessed, were  it  politic  to  attempt  it. 

The  officers  have  an  entire  confidence  in  your 
Lordship's  disposition  to  promote  their  just  rights. 
They  have  no  other  dependence,  and  they  hope  to 
be  put  on  an  equal  footing  with  those  other  officers, 
whose  pretensions  are  not  better  founded  than  their 
own. 

The  part  I  take  in  bringing  this  matter  to  a  hear- 
ing will,  I  hope,  meet  with  your  Lordship's  excuse, 
as  I  am,  with  the  greatest  respect,  my  Lord,  your 
Lordship's  most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant.' 

'  "  The  favorable  account,  which  you  were  pleased  to  transmit  to  me,  of  Mr. 
Custis's  conduct  at  college,  gave  me  ver\-  great  satisfaction.  I  hoped  to  have 
felt  an  increase  of  it  by  his  continuance  at  that  place,  under  a  gentleman  so 
capable  of  instructing  him  in  every  branch  of  useful  knowledge.  But  this  hope 
is  at  an  end  ;  and  it  has  been  against  my  wishes,  that  he  should  quit  college, 
in  order  that  he  may  enter  soon  into  a  new  scene  of  life,  which  I  think  he 
would  be  much  fitter  for  some  years  hence,  than  now.  But  having  his  own  in- 
clination, the  desires  of  his  mother,  and  the  acquiescence  of  almost  all  his  rela- 


398  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1774 

TO    WILLIAM    BLACK. 

Mount  Vernon — 17th  Jan'y — 1774. 

Sir, 

I  was  not  a  little  surprized  when  informed  by  your 
own  letter,  as  well  as  from  Mr.  Hill's,  of  Mrs.  Black's 
having  refused  to  acknowledge  her  right  of  Dower  in 
the  Lands  I  bought  of  you.  Did  you  not  repeatedly 
assure  me,  that  she  was  ready  at  all  times,  to  re- 
linquish her  right  ?  and  did  she  not  signify  as  much 
to  me  herself,  as  I  brought  her  from  Williamsburg  to 
Colo.  Bassett's  ?  From  whence  then  does  this  sudden 
change  proceed  ?  Is  it  because  I  placed  more  con- 
fidence than  I  ought,  &  to  make  things  agreeable  to 
you,  &  convenient  to  your  creditors,  paid  the  money 
in  Williamsburg,  when  I  was  not  obliged  to  do  it  'till 
the  Title  was  effectually  secured,  &  had  'till  the  2  5th 
of  Deer  to  do  this  in  ?  A  generous  mind  would 
recoil  at  such  a  thought :  &  yet  what  other  con- 
struction can  I  put  upon  this  change.  You  say  "  I 
tell  her  she  only  wants  the  customary  compliment" 
for  my  own  part,  I  know  of  no  compliment  estab- 
lished by  Custom  :    I   have  bought    many  pieces  of 

lives  to  encounter,  I  did  not  care,  as  he  is  the  last  of  the  family,  to  push  my 
opposition  too  far,  and  I  have  therefore  submitted  to  a  kind  of  necessity. 

"  Not  knowing  how  his  expenses  at  college  may  stand,  I  shall  be  much 
obliged  to  you  if  you  will  render  me  an  account  of  them.  You  will  please  to 
charge  liberally  for  your  own  particular  attention  to  Mr.  Custis,  and  sufficiently 
reward  the  other  gentlemen,  who  were  engaged  in  the  same  good  offices.  If 
the  money  I  left  with  you  is  insufficient  to  answer  these  purposes,  please  to  advise 
me  thereof,  and  I  will  remit  the  deficiency. 

"  I  am  very  sorry  it  was  not  in  my  power  to  see  you  whilst  in  these  parts.  I 
thank  you  very  sincerely.  Sir,  for  your  polite  regard  to  Mr.  Custis,  during  his 
abode  at  college,  and  through  you  beg  leave  to  offer  my  acknowledgments  in 
like  manner  to  the  professors." — Washittj^tonto  Dr.  Cooper,  15  December,  1773- 


1774]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  399 

Land  before  these,  and  never  had  a  demand  of  the 
kind  ;  nor  can  I  harbor  so  unfavorable  an  opinion 
of  Mrs.  Black,  as  to  think  she  is  influenced  by 
so  low  and  pitiful  a  consideration  ;  however,  if  I  mis- 
judge the  matter,  and  the  custom  is,  as  you  say,  you 
must  have  comply'd  with  it  yourself  ;  whatever,  there- 
fore, you  have  given  to  others,  for  these  very  Lands, 
I  will  (tho'  I  think  myself  under  no  obligation  to  do 
it)  give  to  Mrs.  Black,  which  will  remove  that  ob- 
jection.— But  if  I  was  surprized  at  this  refusal  of 
Mrs.  Black's,  how  much  more  so  ought  I  to  be,  at 
your  attempting,  according  to  Mr.  Hill's  account,  to 
withhold  the  Mills,  which  is  solely  an  act  of  your 
own?  Under  what  pretext  is  this  done?  Do  you 
not  remember,  that  by  our  agreement  you  were  to 
deliver  possession  of  the  plantations,  INIills,  and  every 
thing  thereunto  belonging,  immediately  after  the  25th 
of  Decemr ;  &  that  you  are  bound  to  do  this  in  a 
Bond  of  /^  1 1,000  —  ?  But  this  bond  you  tell  me 
must  be  given  up  to  you,  before  you  can  surrender 
possession  of  the  premises,  when  one  of  the  express 
conditions  of  it,  is  to  enforce  a  compliance  :  Is  not 
your  request,  therefore,  a  very  reasonable  &  proper 
one  ?  To  convince  you  that  it  is  so,  I  enclose  you  a 
copy  of  the  Bond  (as  you  certainly  have  forgot  it) 
accompanied  with  this  assurance,  that  I  shall  hold 
fast  the  Original,  till  you  have  complyed  with  the 
conditions  of  it ;  after  which,  as  it  is  not  intended, 
nor  can  have  any  further  operation,  it  is  a  matter  of 
moonshine  in  whose  hands  it  is  lodged,  or  what  be- 
comes of  it. 


400  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1774 


Thus  much  respecting  the  Dower  &  Detainer  in 
general,  I  shall  observe  further  to  you,  that  though 
it  never  was  my  intention  or  desire,  to  hasten  Mrs. 
Black  out  of  the  House,  whilst  the  weather  continued 
unfavorable,  yet,  when  you  applyed  for  this  &  some 
other  indulgences,  did  I  not  always  tell  you,  that  I 
thought  myself  under  no  obligation  to  enter  into 
a  second  contract  on  this  head  ?  And  did  I  not 
moreover  refuse  to  sign  an  instrument  of  writing 
which  you  had  drawn,  declaratory  of  your  wants  be- 
cause I  chose  to  be  govern'd  by  circumstances,  &  the 
future  conduct  of  your  people  ;  not  that  I  had  any 
objection,  (as  I  dare  say  I  might  tell  you)  to  your 
Negroes  staying  on  the  plantations  to  finish  your 
crops,  &  take  care  of  your  stock,  provided  there  was 
room  for  my  people,  &  yours  behaved  themselves 
well,  neither  disturbing  of  us  in  our  operations,  nor 
committing  of  waste ;  so  in  like  manner  respecting 
the  vessell, — but  these  being  apply'd  for  as  mat- 
ters of  indulgence,  after  you  had  enter'd  into  a 
Solemn  contract  to  deliver  up  the  whole,  on  or 
before  the  25th  of  December,  whence  comes  it,  that, 
after  having  fulfilled  every  tittle  of  the  contract  on 
my  part,  you  should  conceive  yourself  at  liberty 
to  withhold  the  Mills,  &  talk  of  not  delivering  up 
possession,  'till  I  should  first  surrender  a  Bond,  wh'ch 
is  the  only  security  I  have  for  your  doing  of  it,  and 
for  indemnifying  me  against  Mrs.  Black's  claim  ;  after 
I  have  paid  every  farthing  of  the  purchase  money. — 

Is  there  honor,  justice  or  equity  in  such  kind  of 
proceedings?     No,   Sir,   there  is  not,  &  to    cut   the 


1774]  GEORGE   WASHINGTON.  401 

matter  short,  I  have  directed  Mr.  Hill  to  wait  upon 
you,  &  before  evidences  to  demand  immediate 
possession  of  the  two  Mills, — to  view  &  note  down, 
before  the  same  evidences,  the  order  &  condition  of 
the  houses,  &c.,  occupied  by  you  and  your  people, — 
to  require  you  to  hasten  the  finishing  of  your  crops, 
that  all  your  people,  except  such  as  are  necessary-  for 
the  care  of  your  stock  may  be  transported — and 
lastly,  that  you  may  remove  yourself  &  Family,  as 
soon  as  the  weather  will  permit  Mrs.  Black  to  go 
with  convenience,  that  my  people  may  have  the  free 
&  uninterrupted  management  of  the  whole  purchased 
premises. — And  to  this,  I  have  to  add  by  way  of  hint 
to  you,  that,  whatever  accident  or  damage  comes  to 
the  Mills,  Mill-Dams,  or  any  house,  houses,  or  other 
things  in  your  occupation  ;  I  shall  look  to  you  for 
full  &  ample  reparation  for  the  same;  as  I  also  do, 
for  the  profits  of  the  Mill,  till  surrender'd,  which  can 
easily  be  ascertained  by  your  own  advertisements. — 
It  was  far  from  my  expectation,  &  much  further  from 
my  desire,  to  enter  into  a  litigation  of  those  points, 
but  I  shall  conceive  it  a  duty  incumbent  on  me  to 
assert  a  just  right ;  and  to  see  that  the  bargain  which 
we  have  made,  is  reciprocally  complied  with. — 

I  do  not  incline  to  take  any  part  of  your  household 
furniture  ; — the  fixtures  appurtaining  to  the  houses,  I 
expect  will  remain  entire, — but  if  Mr.  Hill  should 
choose  (I  do  not  know  that  he  does)  to  take  any 
part,  or  all  of  your  Stocks,  &  you  &  he  can  agree 
upon  the  terms,  he  has  my  consent : — but  as  to  the 
negro    Miller   &  wife,   I    shall    not    interfere  in  the 


402  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1774 

purchase  of  them,  for  if  Mr.  Hill  should  like  the 
Negroes  &  price,  I  suppose  he  will  buy  them  ;  but  if 
he  does  not,  he  would  be  to  blame  to  do  it. 

P.  S.  The  Bond  from  Col:  Byrd's  Trustees  to  me, 
I  have  by  this  opportunity  sent  to  Mr.  Wythe,  from 
whom  you  can  get  it,  so  soon  as  he  thinks  it  ought  to 
be  given  up  : — the  other  may  also  be  surrender'd,  so 
soon  as  you  have  comply'd  with  the  conditions  of  it. 


TO    COLONEL    BASSETT. 

Mount  Vernon,  12  Feby.  1774. 

Dear  Sir, 

I  find  there  will  go  some  matters  from  this  coun- 
try, which  will  make  my  attendance  at  the  Assembly 
necessary ;  this  I  cannot  possibly  do  and  go  over  the 
Mountains  this  Spring.  I  have  therefore  determined, 
much  against  my  Inclination  &  Interest,  to  postpone 
my  Trip  to  the  Ohio  till  after  Harvest  (as  I  cannot 
well  be  absent  from  home  at  that  Season.)  As 
March  therefore  (at  least  the  first  of  it)  is  a  disagree- 
able Season  to  travel  our  Roads  In,  and  as  I  am 
obliged  [illegible]  to  run  land  about  the  20th  of  the 
month  of  March,  and  from  thence  proceed  into 
Frederick  and  Berkeley  I  hope  it  will  be  agreeable 
and  convenient  to  Mrs.  Bassett  and  you  to  give  us 
the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  here  after  that  time  ;  the 
Roads  and  Weather  will  be  then  orood  :  our  Fisher- 
ies  will  be  then  come  on,  and  I  think  you  will  have 
more  satisfaction  than  in  an  earlier  visit. 

The  Letter  herewith  Inclosed  for  Mr.  Dandridge 


1774]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  403 

contains  Black's  Bond  which  Mr.  Wythe  has  advised 
me  to  lodge  in  some  safe  hands  to  be  tendered  to 
that  pritty  Gentleman  upon  his  complying  with  the 
Conditions  of  it.  As  the  care  of  it  is  a  thing  of 
the  utmost  Importance,  I  should  be  obliged  to  you 
(if  Captn.  Crawford  should  not  go  to  Mr.  Dan- 
dridge's  himself)  to  send  the  letter  by  Abram,  or 
some  careful  Person,  least  the  Bond  should  get  lost. 
As  I  am  very  much  hurried  just  now,  by  business 
of  different  kinds,  and  as  I  presume  my  Wife  has  in- 
formed Mrs.  Bassett  of  Jack's  Marriage,  and  all  the 
other  little  occurrences  she  can  think  of,  I  shall  only 
request  you  to  make  my  affecte.  Complements  to 
her,  and  the  rest  of  the  Family,  and  believe  me  to  be 
with  great  truth.' 

TO    HENRY     RIDDELL. 

Mount  Vernon,  22  February,  1774. 

Sir, 

Mr.  Young,  hearing  me  express  a  desire  of  import- 
ing Palatines  to  settle  on  my  lands  on  the  Ohio,  tells 

'  "  You  will  now  receive  a  Draft  on  Messrs.  Osgood,  Hanbury  &  Co. — for  ;^65, 
Sterling, — which  please  to  dispose  of,  &  with  the  money  arising,  discharge  the 
several  claims  which  you  have  taken  the  trouble  to  collect,  against  Mr.  Custis ; 
whose  residence  at  Kings  College,  I  little  expected  would  have  been  of  such 
short  duration  ;  otherwise,  I  shou'd  not  (as  his  guardian)  have  thought  myself 
justified  in  incurring  so  great  an  expense  ;  not  that  I  think  he  could  have  got 
conveniently  &  agreeably  fixed  in  the  College  for  less  than  what  is  charged  on 
that  account,  but  then,  for  the  benefit  of  only  three  months  residence  there, 
this  might  have  been  avoided. — however,  as  his  discontinuance  at  it,  is  an  act  of 
his  own,  &  much  against  my  judgment,  he  can  only  blame  me  (if  he  blames  at 
all)  for  yielding  too  easily  to  his  importunities,  supported  by  the  concurrence 
of  his  relations. — I  could  have  wished.  Sir,  you  had  been  pleased  to  make  a 
charge  in  the  accot  for  your  own  trouble,  or  that  I  knew  what  was  customary 
&  proper  to  be  allowed  on  these  occasions." — Washington  to  Dr.  Cooper, 
15  April,  1774. 


404  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1774 


me,  that,  in  discoursing  of  this  matter  in  your  com- 
pany, you  suggested  an  expedient,  which  might  prob- 
ably be  attended  with  success ;  and  that  if  I  inclined 
to  adopt  it,  you  wished  to  be  informed  before  the 
sailing  of  your  ship. 

The  desire  of  seating  and  improving  my  lands  on 
the  Ohio,  is  founded  on  interested  as  well  as  political 
views.  But  the  intention  of  importing  Palatines  for 
the  purpose  was  more  the  effect  of  sudden  thought, 
than  mature  consideration,  because  I  am  totally  un- 
acquainted with  the  manner,  as  well  as  the  expense 
of  doing  it ;  and  I  was  led  into  the  notion  principally 
from  a  report  of  either  this  or  some  other  ship  of 
yours  being  blamed,  for  not  taking  an  offered  freight 
of  these  Germans  at  forty  shillings  sterling.  I  was 
thus  induced  to  think  if  this  charge  was  not  much  ac- 
cumulated by  other  expenses,  that  I  could  fall  on  no 
better  expedient  to  settle  my  lands  with  industrious 
people,  than  by  such  an  importation. 

The  terms  upon  which  I  have  thought  of  importing 
Palatines,  or  people  from  Ireland,  or  Scotland,  are 
these  ;  to  import  them  at  my  expense,  where  they  are 
unable  to  transport  themselves,  into  the  Potomac 
River,  and  from  hence  to  the  Ohio  ;  to  have  them, 
in  the  first  case,  engaged  to  me  under  indenture ;  in 
the  second,  by  some  other  contract  equally  valid,  to 
become  tenants  upon  the  terms  hereafter  mentioned  ; 
as  without  these  securities,  I  would  not  encounter  the 
expense,  trouble,  and  hazard  of  such  an  importation. 

But  to  make  matters  as  easy  and  agreeable  as  pos- 
sible to  these  emigrants,  I  will    engage,  on  my  part, 


1774]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  405 

that  the  indentures  shall  be  considered  in  no  other 
light,  than  as  a  security  for  reimbursing  to  me  every 
expense  I  am  under,  with  interest,  in  importing 
them,  removing  them  to  the  land,  and  supporting  them 
there,  till  they  can  raise  a  crop  for  their  own  subsist- 
ence ;  giving  up  the  said  indentures,  and  considering 
them  altogether  as  freemen  and  tenants,  so  soon  as 
this  shall  happen  ;  not  to  each  person  or  family 
respectively,  but  when  the  whole  accumulated  expense 
shall  be  discharged  ;  as  I  must,  for  my  own  safety, 
consider  them  as  jointly  bound  for  this  payment,  till 
the  expiration  of  the  indented  terms,  otherwise  I  must 
be  an  inevitable  loser  by  every  death  or  other  acci- 
dent ;  whilst  they  cannot,  in  the  worst  light,  be  con- 
sidered as  more  than  servants  at  large  during  the  in- 
dented term.  I  can  also  engage  to  set  them  down 
upon  as  good  land  as  any  in  that  country  ;  and,  where 
there  is  neither  house  built,  nor  land  cleared,  I  will  al- 
low them  an  exemption  of  rent  four  years  ;  and,  where 
there  is  a  house  erected,  and  five  acres  of  land  cleared 
and  fit  for  cultivation,  two  years. 

They  shall  have  the  land  upon  lease  for  twenty-one 
years,  under  the  usual  covenants  ;  and  also  at  an  an- 
nual rent,  after  the  first  becomes  due,  of  four  pounds 
sterling  for  each  hundred  acres,  allowing  each  family 
to  take  more  or  less,  as  inclination  and  convenience 
may  prompt.  And  I  will,  moreover,  engage  to  re- 
new the  leases  at  the  expiration  of  the  above  twenty- 
one  years  ;  and,  in  like  manner,  at  the  end  of  every 
seven  years  afterwards,  upon  an  increased  rent,  to  be 
agreed  on   between  the  landlord  and  tenant ;  or,  in 


4o6  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1774 

order  to  fix  the  matter  absolutely,  if  this  should  be 
more  agreeable,  the  rent  may  be  increased  at  these 
periods  in  proportion  to  the  increased  value  of  that, 
or  the  adjoining  lands  possessed  of  equal  advantages 
of  soil  and  situation. 

These  are  the  terms  on  which  I  thought  to  import 
and  plant  people  on  my  Ohio  lands,  which  are,  for 
the  quantity,  equal  if  not  superior  to  any  in  that 
country  ;  situate  altogether  upon  the  Ohio,  or  Great 
Kenhawa,  two  fine  inland  navigable  rivers,  abounding 
in  fish  and  wild  fowl  of  all  sorts,  as  the  lands  do  in 
wild  meats  of  the  best  kind. 

From  Alexandria  to  the  navigable  waters  of  the 
Ohio,  along  a  much  frequented  road  used  by  wagons, 
is,  according  to  the  computed  distance,  two  hundred 
miles.  This  land-carriage,  if  the  inland  navigation 
of  the  Potomac  should  be  effected,  than  which  I  think 
nothing  easier,  will  be  reduced  to  sixty  miles  as  mat- 
ters now  stand  ;  some  say  to  forty,  and  others  to 
twenty.  But  call  it  the  greatest  distance,  any  com- 
modity made  upon  any  part  of  these  lands  of  mine 
may  be  transported  along  a  very  easy  water-commu- 
nication to  the  settlement  of  Red-stone,  where  the 
land-carriage  at  this  time  begins.  To  say  nothing, 
therefore,  of  the  advantages  of  raising  stock  of  all 
kinds,  and  horses,  which  will  carry  themselves  to 
market,  and  are  now  and  will,  from  the  nature  of 
things,  continue  to  be  in  great  demand  in  the  interior 
parts  of  this  great  continent,  hemp,  flax,  pot-ashes, 
indigo,  and  the  like,  will  well  afford  the  expense  of 
this  land-carriage,  admitting  it  never  may  be  reduced. 


1774]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  407 

and  can  be  cultivated  to  advantage  on  the  river 
bottoms  in  that  country'. 

Having  thus  exhibited  a  general  view  of  my  design, 
I  shall  now  be  obliged  to  you,  Sir,  to  inform  me  with 
as  much  precision  as  you  can,  what  certainty  there  is 
that  your  ship  will  go  to  Holland  ;  what  probability 
there  is  of  her  getting  Palatines,  if  she  does  go  ;  when 
they  may  be  expected  in  this  countr}'  ;  what  would 
be  the  freight ;  and,  as  near  as  you  can  judge,  the 
whole  incidental  expense  attending  each  person  deliv- 
ered at  Alexandria  ;  and,  moreover,  whether  it  would 
be  expected,  that  the  whole  of  these  charges,  includ- 
ing freight,  should  be  paid  down  immediately  on  the 
arrival  of  the  ship  here,  as  it  must  appear  rather  hard 
to  make  a  certain  provision  for  an  uncertain  event. 

It  may  not  be  amiss  further  to  obsen,'e,  that  I  see 
no  prospect  of  these  people  being  restrained  in  the 
smallest  degree,  either  in  their  civil  or  religious  prin- 
ciples ;  which  I  take  notice  of,  because  these  are 
privileges,  which  mankind  are  solicitous  to  enjoy,  and 
upon  which  emigrants  must  be  anxious  to  be  informed. 

I  wrote  to  Philadelphia  by  the  last  post  for  full 
information  of  the  manner  and  charge  of  importing 
these  people  from  Holland  '  ;  and,  if  your  account  in 
answer  to  this  letter  should  prove  agreeable  to  my 

'  "  Interested  as  well  as  political  motives  render  it  necessary  for  me  to  seat 
the  lands,  which  I  have  patented  on  the  Ohio,  in  the  cheapest,  most  expeditions, 
and  effectual  manner.  Many  expedients  have  been  proposed  to  accomplish 
this,  but  none,  in  my  judgment,  so  likely  to  succeed  as  the  importing  of  Pala- 
tines. But  how  to  do  this  upon  the  best  terms,  is  a  question  I  wish  to  have 
answered.  Few  of  this  kind  of  people  ever  come  to  Virginia,  whether  because 
it  is  out  of  the  common  course  of  its  trade,  or  because  they  object  to  it,  I  am 
unable  to  determine.     I  shall  take  it  very  kind  in  you,  therefore,  to  resolve  the 


4o8  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1774 

wishes,  I  will  send  a  more  particular  description  of 
the  lands,  which  I  wish  to  settle,  as  well  as  copies  of 
the  plots,  and  do  any  other  matter  which  may  be 
judged  necessary  to  further  the  design.      I  am,  &c. 


TO  THOMAS  LEWIS,   ESQ. 

Mount  Vernon,  5th  May,  1774. 

Sir, 

Your  letter  of  the  31st  of  March  did  not  come  to 
my  hands  'till  the  latter  end  of  last  month  ;  and  no 
direct  opportunity  that  I  have  heard  of,  has  offered 
since,  this  letter  taking  the  chance  of  conveyance 
from  place  to  place  only. — 

following  questions,  which  I  am  persuaded  you  can  do  with  precision,  by  in- 
quiring of  such  gentlemen,  as  have  been  engaged  in  this  business. 

"  Whether  there  is  any  difficulty  in  procuring  these  people  in  Holland  ?  If 
so,  from  whence  does  it  proceed  ?  Whether  they  are  to  be  had  at  all  times,  or 
at  particular  seasons  only,  and  when  ?  Whether  tliey  are  engaged  previously  to 
sending  for  them,  and  in  what  manner  ?  Or  do  ships  take  their  chance  after 
getting  there  ?  Upon  what  terms  are  they  generally  engaged  ?  And  how  much 
for  each  person  do  they  commonly  stand  the  importer  landed  at  Philadelphia  ? 
Is  it  customary  to  send  an  intelligent  German  in  the  ship,  that  is  to  bring  them  ? 
Do  vessels  ever  go  immediately  to  Holland  for  them,  and,  if  they  do,  what  car- 
goes do  they  carry  ?  Or  are  they  to  go  round,  and  where  ?  In  short,  what 
plan  would  be  recommended  to  me,  by  the  knowing  ones,  as  best  for  importing 
a  full  freight,  say  two  or  three  hundred  or  more,  to  Alexandria  ?  In  case  of 
full  freight,  how  are  the  numbers  generally  proportioned  to  the  tonnage  of  a 
vessel?" — Wasliington  to  James  Tilghman,  [22]  February,  1774. 

William  McGachen  wrote  to  Washington  on  13  March,  1774  :  "  I  have  pur- 
chased for  you  four  men  convicts,  four  indented  servants,  for  three  years  and  a 
man  and  his  wife  for  four  years.  The  price  is  I  think  rather  high,  but  as  they 
are  country,  likely  people  and  you  at  present  wanted  them,  Mr  Crawford  said 
he  imagined  you  would  be  well  satisfied  with  our  bargain.  I  have  agreed  to 
pay  £1x0  sterling  for  them.  .  .  .  Should  you  want  any  more  there  is  a 
shij)  expected  this  month  with  country  convicts.  I  suppose  six  months'  credit 
may  be  got  for  a  parcel  of  them  on  the  same  terms  I  liave  bought  the  parcel 
now  sent  you,  as  ihey  are  at  present  scarce  and  in  demand."  For  an  interesting 
note  on  indented  servants,  see  Jefferson,  Works,  ix.,  254. 


1774]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  409 

Immediately  upon  the  receipt  of  your  favor  by  Mr. 
Young,  I  despatched  a  letter  to  Capt.  Crawford  (cov- 
ering yours  to  him)  pointing  out  the  necessity  of  his 
attempting  to  qualify  as  your  Deputy,  at  your  Court 
for  April.  Before  this  I  did  not  urge  him  (as  he 
appeared  anxious  to  return  home)  to  take  that  rout, 
for  two  reasons  : — in  the  first  place  I  did  not  advert 
to  the  necessity  of  this  qualification  ;  in  the  next  place 
*till  your  letter  arrived  (which  was  after  he  was  gone) 
I  did  not  know  whether  you  would  accept  of  him  as 
an  assistant  or  not. — At  the  same  time  I  wrote  to 
him,  I  forwarded  Letters  under  his  cover,  (in  order 
to  be  deliver'd  by  him,  to  Mr.  Madison,  Mr.  Jones 
and  Capt.  Hog,  requesting  the  favor  of  each  to 
facilitate  his  business  if  he  came  in  on  this  errand  ; 
but  what  has  been  the  result  of  all  this  I  know  not, 
never  having  heard  a  syllable  from  him  since. — 

I  come  now  to  take  notice  of  what  you  have  said  in 
respect  to  Mr.  Michael  Cresap,  whose  claim  to  the 
round  bottom  and  other  Lands  along  the  banks  of 
the  Ohio  (for  as  I  am  credibly  informed)  thirty  miles, 
is  equally  well  founded  ;  and  founded  upon  no  other 
right,  or  pretence  than  that  of  claiming,  every  good 
bottom  upon  the  river  ;  building  a  cabbin  thereon  to 
keep  off  others,  and  then  selling  them,  and  going  on 
to  possess  other  Lands  in  the  same  manner. — This  if 
common  report  tells  truth,  is  the  foundation  of  Mr. 
Cresap's  claim  to  the  round  bottom  ;  set  up  long 
after  I  had  made  choice  of  it,  and  had  had  it  sur- 
vey'd  as  a  stage,  or  Lodgment  between  Fort  Pitt,  & 
my  Lands  on  the  Great  Kenhawa  : — it  is  true,  as  this 


4IO  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1774 

is  esteem'd  a  valuable  bottom,  he  may  have  taken 
more  pains  in  the  improvement  of  it,  than  of  the 
others  ;  but  his  choice,  or  even  knowledge  of  it,  was 
long  after  I  had  had  it  survey'd. 

This  being  the  amount  of  his  claim,  I  will  now  give 
you  the  substance  of  mine,  which  cannot  be  better 
done,  than  by  informing  you,  that  in  the  fall  of  the 
year  1770,  when  I  went  to  view  the  Lands,  which 
have  been  since  surveyed  under  the  Proclamation  of 
1754,  I  made  choice  of  this  spot  of  Land  (called  the 
round  bottom)  marked  Trees,  &  directed  Captn. 
Crawford,  when  he  went  down  the  spring  following 
to  survey  it,  which  he  accordingly  did,  as  may  appear 
by  his  certificate  inclosed  you  by  Mr.  Young.  Some- 
time after  this,  hearing  that  Doctor  Brisco  had  taken 
possession  of  it,  &  actually  had  or  was  going  to  fix 
Negroes  on  it,  I  wrote  him  a  letter  of  which  No  i  is 
a  copy,  upon  which  I  was  informed  he  had  quit  it. 
Sometime  after  this  again,  I  learned  that  Mr.  Michael 
Cresap  had  taken  possession  of  it,  built  houses,  and 
was  working  hands  thereon,  upon  which  I  also  wrote 
him  a  letter  of  which  No.  2.  is  the  copy  ;  and  was 
given  to  understand  that  Mr.  Theobald  (or  Tibbies, 
as  he  is  commonly  called)  who  was  Partner  with  Mr. 
Cresap  in  this  Land,  was  determined  to  give  it  up  ; 
receiving  at  the  same  time  a  message  by  Capt.  Craw- 
ford from  Mr.  Michael  Cresap,  that  if  I  would  let  him 
have  the  Land  he  would  pay  me  what  I  thought  the 
worth  of  it ;  to  which  I  returned  for  answer,  that  as  it 
was  the  only  piece  of  Land  I  had  upon  the  Ohio, 
between    Fort  Pitt  and  the  Kenhawas,  and  found  it 


1774]  GEORGE  WASHINGTOX.  411 

ver}'  necessar}'^  as  a  stage  or  Lodgment,  in  coming 
up  the  river,  I  could  not  agree  to  part  with  it,  but 
again  offered  to  pay  for  any  labor  or  improvement, 
which  he  had  made. 

In  this  situation  things  were,  when  I  wrote  to  you 
by  Mr.  Young  ; — otherwise,  if  I  had  thought  that 
Mr.  Cresap  could,  with  any  color  of  Justice,  or 
even  at  any  rate  (as  he  must  be  conscious,  that  the 
mode  he  has  praticed,  of  engrossing  &  selling  Lands, 
I  should  have  mention'd  it  to  you  before,  but  in  truth, 
from  every  thing  that  has  passed,  I  concluded  that  he 
had  yielded  to  my  prior  claim. — In  like  manner  may 
my  title  to  the  three  thousand  acres  on  the  waters  of 
Sharter  &  Racoon)  be  disputed  :  For  after  that 
also  was  surveyed  for  me ;  after  I  had  bought  the 
rights  (or  claims  rather)  of  several  people  to  it,  & 
after  I  had  actually  built  several  houses  thereon,  by 
way  of  strengthening  my  right,  numbers  of  People 
went,  in  a  forcible  manner,  and  in  defiance  of  repeat- 
ed notices,  &  took  possession  of  the  Land,  &  built 
cabbins  in  such  a  manner  as  to  prevent  even  entrance 
into  my  houses,  &  may,  as  Mr.  Cresap  has,  dispute 
my  title  under  pretence  of  having  improved  it  ; — but 
I  do  not  expect  that  such  claims  as  these  can  ever 
have  an  operation  to  my  prejudice,  or  ought  to  retard 
my  Patent ;  however,  I  do  not  wish  to  hasten  any 
measure  faster  than  it  can  be  done  with  propriety. — ' 


'  "  The  late  Col.  Angus  McDonald,  near  Winchester,  and  several  other  individ- 
uals, went  out  in  the  spring  of  1774,  to  survey  the  militan,-  bounty  lands,  lying 
on  the  Ohio  and  Kanawha  rivers,  allowed  by  the  king's  proclamation  to  the  offi- 
cers and  soldiers  of  the  army,  for  their  ser^^ces  in  the  preceding  war  with  the 


412  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1774 

SESSION    OF    THE    HOUSE    OF    BURGESSES,    I  774-' 
May  5.     Set  off  for  Mr.  Calvert's  ;  dined  and  lodged  there. 

6.     After  dinner  returned  home.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Custis  and 
Miss  Calvert  came  home  with  us.     Found  Mr.  Tilghman  here. 

Indians,  but  were  driven  off."     This  act  led  to  Dunmores  War.     Kercheval, 
History  of  the  Valley  of  Virginia,  145. 

The  following  advertisement  was  printed  in  the  Maryland  Gazette,  26  May, 
1774  :— 

Fairfax  County,  Va.,  May  10,  1774. 

In  the  month  of  March  last  the  subscriber  sent  out  a  number  of  carpenters 
and  laborers,  to  build  houses  and  clear  and  enclose  lands  on  the  Ohio,  intending 
to  divide  the  several  tracts  which  he  there  holds,  into  convenient  sized  tenements 
and  to  give  leases  therefor  for  lives,  or  a  term  of  years,  renewable  forever,  under 
certain  conditions  which  may  be  known  either  of  him,  or  Mr.  Valentine  Crawford, 
who  is  now  on  the  land. 

The  situation  and  quality  of  these  lands  having  been  thoroughly  described  in 
a  former  advertisement,  it  is  unnecessary  to  enlarge  on  them  here  ;  suffice  it  gen- 
erally to  observe,  that  there  are  no  better  in  that  country,  and  that  the  whole  of 
them  lay  upon  the  banks  of  the  Ohio  or  Great  Kanawha,  and  are  capable  of 
receiving  the  highest  improvement.  George  Washington. 

*****  * 

"  Before  I  conclude  (as  the  whole  of  my  force  is  in  a  manner  confined  to 
the  growth  of  wheat  and  manufacturing  of  it  into  flour)  permit  me  to  ask  how 
flour  of  a  good  quality  would  sell  in  London  ?  What  would  be  the  freight 
of  it  there,  and  commission  ?  and  whether  if  our  commerce  with  Great  Britain 
is  kept  open  (which  seems  to  be  a  matter  of  very  great  doubt  at  present)  you 
would  choose  to  accept  a  commission  to  sell  one  or  two  hundred  barrels  at  a 
time  as  I  could  meet  with  a  convenient  freight  (for  it  will  not  do  to  be  put  into 
tobacco  ships,  the  heat  thereof  being  too  great  and  apt  to 

the  flour  musty." — Washington  to  Robert   Cary   &  Co., 
Williamsburg,  i  June,  1774. 

'  From  an  interleaved  Almanac. 
.  ^  The  Virginia  Assembly  convened  at  Williamsburg  on  Thursday,  May  5th. 
The  earlier  days  of  the  session  were  occupied  with  matters  connected  with  the 
Indian  outbreaks  and  the  boundary  disputes  with  Pennsylvania  ;  but  the  news 
of  the  Boston  Port  Bill,  closing  that  town  to  all  foreign  trade  after  June 
1st,  was  soon  known  in  Virginia,  and  in  the  then  disturbed  condition  of  public 
opinion  could  have  but  one  elTcct.  "  Infinite  astonishment  and  equal  resent- 
ment," wrote  a  member  of  the  Assembly  on  the  20th,  "  have  seized  every  one 
here,  and  a  resort  to  tlie  expedient  of  1769-70,  a  general  agreement  to  stop  all 
trade  with  Britain,  ap])eared  jirobable.  The  House  is  now  pushing  on  the 
public  business  for  wliicli  we  are  called  here  at  this  time  ;  but  before  we  depart 
our  measures  will  be  settled  and  agreed  on.     The  plan  is  extensive ;  it  is  wise, 


1774]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  413 

7,  Went  with  the  above  company  to  a  boat  race  and  barbe- 
cue at  Johnson's  ferry.     Returned  at  night  with  Mr.  Milner. 

8.  Mr.  Tilghman  and  Mr.  Milner  went  away  after  break- 
fast.    We  (that  is  the  rest)  went  to  Pohick  Church. 

and  I  hope  under  God,  it  will  not  fail  of  success."  At  the  instance  of  the 
younger  and  more  aggressive  members  of  the  Assembly,  Robert  Carter  Nicholas 
moved  on  May  24th  to  appoint  June  ist  as  a  day  of  fasting,  humiliation  and 
prayer,  and  that  the  Burgesses  attend  church  in  a  body  on  that  day.  The 
motion  was  carried,  and  the  governor  on  the  26th,  hearing  that  the  fast  was  in- 
tended to  prepare  the  minds  of  the  people  to  receive  other  resolutions  of  the 
House,  presumably  intended  to  stUl  more  inflame  the  whole  country  and  insti- 
gate the  people  to  acts  that  might  rouse  the  indignation  of  the  mother  country 
against  them,  with  the  unanimous  consent  of  the  council,  dissolved  the  Assem- 
bly, on  the  ground  that  the  terms  of  the  resolution  reflected  highly  upon  the 
King  and  Parliament  of  Great  Britain. 

What  these  other  resolutions  might  have  been  is  shown  by  the  paper 
prepared  the  day  before  dissolution  by  Richard  Henry  Lee,  denouncing  the 
closing  of  Boston  as  "  a  most  violent  and  dangerous  attempt  to  destroy  the  con- 
stitutional liberty  and  rights  of  all  British  America,"  and  proposing  a  general 
congress  of  the  Colonies,  "  to  consider  and  determine  on  ways  the  most  effectual 
to  stop  the  exports  from  North  America,  and  for  the  adoption  of  such  other 
measures  as  may  be  most  decisive  for  securing  the  rights  of  America  against  the 
systematic  plan  formed  for  their  destruction."  He  was  prevented  from  propos- 
ing these  resolutions  by  many  worthy  members,  "  who  wished  to  have  the 
public  business  first  finished,  and  who  were  induced  to  believe,  from  many 
conversations  they  had  heard,  that  there  was  no  danger  of  a  dissolution." 
R.  H.  Lee  to  Samuel  Adams,  23  June,  1774.  That  the  general  temper  of  the 
Assembly  was  moderate  is  further  shown  by  a  letter  from  Lord  Dunmore  to  the 
Earl  of  Dartmouth,  dated  the  29th  :  "  I  have  heard  from  many  of  the  dissolved 
members,  and  I  hope  it  is  true,  that  the  House  in  general  in  the  hasty  manner 
the  measure  was  proposed  and  agreed  to,  did  not  advert  to  the  whole  force  of 
the  terms  in  which  the  order  I  transmit  [the  appointment  of  a  fast]  is  conceived, 
and  that  if  it  had,  it  is  believed  a  strong  opposition  would  have  been  made  to  it. 
and  probably  that  it  might  have  met  a  different  fate." 

On  the  morning  after  the  dissolution  the  members  of  the  late  House  of 
Burgesses  to  the  number  of  eighty-nine,  met  in  the  long  room  of  the  Raleigh 
Tavern,  known  as  the  Apollo,  drew  up  an  association,  reciting  their  grievances 
against  Great  Britain,  recommending  the  disuse  of  tea  and  East  Indian  products 
— a  measure  directed  against  the  East  India  Company, — making  the  cause  of 
Boston  common  to  all  the  Colonies,  and  instructed  the  Committee  of  Correspond- 
ence to  propose  to  the  similar  committees  in  the  other  Colonies  to  appoint 
deputies  to  meet  in  Congress  at  such  place  annually  as  should  be  most  con- 
venient ;    there   to   deliberate   on   those   general    measures   which   the   united 


414  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1774 

9.  At  home  all  day  alone. 

10.  Miss  Calvert,  Miss  (?)  Custis  and  Mr.  Custis  went  over 
to  Maryland.  I  continued  at  home  all  day.  Major  Waggener 
and  Mr.  Thos.  Triplet  dined  here. 

11.  At  home  all  day  alone. 

12.  Set  off  with  Mrs  Washington  for  Williamsburg. 
Dined  at  Dumfries  and  lodged  at  Col.  Lewis's  in  Fredericksburg. 

13.  At  Fredericksburg  all  day.  Dined  at  Col.  Lewis's  and 
spent  the  evening  at  Weedon's. 

14.  Dined  at  Roys  Ordinary  and  lodged  at  Tods  Bridge. 

15.  Breakfasted  at  Rufifins  Ferry  and  dined  and  lodged  at 
Col.  Bassett's. 

16.  Came  to  Williamsburg,  dined  at  the  Governor's,  and 
spent  the  evening  at  Mrs.  Campbell's. 

interests  of  America  may  require.  Jefferson  records  that  "  nobody  thought  at 
that  time  of  extending  our  association  further,  to  the  total  interruption  of  our 
commerce  with  Great  Britain  ;  or  if  it  was  proposed  by  any  (which  I  don't 
recollect),  it  was  condemned  by  the  general  sense  of  the  members  who  formed 
that  association."  Jefferson  to  A.  Cary,  9  December,  1774.  Indeed  the 
moderate  tone  of  what  was  done  was  not  satisfactory  to  R.  H.  Lee,  who  was 
urging  more  decided  steps.  "  The  consequent  conduct  of  the  members  was 
surely  much  too  feeble  in  opposition  to  the  very  dangerous  and  alarming  degree, 
to  which  despotism  had  advanced.  So  thinking,  I  did  propose  to  the  dissolved 
members  a  plan  of  a  general  congress,  but  tliey  made  a  distinction  between  their  - 
then  state,  and  that  when  they  were  members  of  the  House  of  Burgesses."  Lee 
to  Samuel  Adams,  23  June,  1774.  Nevertheless  a  circular  letter  under  date 
May  28th  was  prepared  and  sent  to  the  committees  in  the  other  Colonies,  asking 
their  views  on  the  expediency  of  a  general  congress.  This  irregular,  because 
self-constituted  convention,  appears  to  have  dissolved  on  the  same  day. 

On  the  following  day  (Sunday,  May  29th)  letters  were  received  from  some  of 
the  committees  in  the  northern  Colonies  recommending  a  union  of  the  southern 
Colonies  against  the  rigorous  and  unconstitutional  measures  of  the  British  ministry 
respecting  America.  Peyton  Randolph,  as  moderator  of  the  former  meeting, 
deemed  it  expedient  to  summon  the  members,  and  in  reply  to  his  call  twenty- 
five  of  them  met  on  Monday  the  30th,  Washington  among  the  number.  (The 
names  of  the  twenty-five  are  given  in  Purviancc,  Baltimore  during  the  Revolu- 
tion, 135.)  The  meeting  unanim<jusly  agreed  to  a  circular  letter,  from  which  the 
following  extract  is  taken  :  "  Most  of  tlie  gentlemen  present  seemed  to  think  it 
absolutely  necessary  for  us  to  enlarge  our  late  association,  and  that  we  ought  to 
adopt  the  sclieme  of  non-importation  to  a  very  large  extent ;  but  we  were 
divided  in  our  opinions  as  to  stopping  our  exports.  We  could  not,  however, 
being  so  small  a  proportion  of  our  late  associates,  presume  to  make  any  altera- 


1774]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  415 


17.  Dined  at  the  Speaker's  and  spent  the  evening  at  South- 
all's. 

18.  Dined  at  the  club  at  Mrs.  Campbell's  and  spent  the 
evening  at  Southall's. 

19.  Dined  and  spent  the  evening  at  Mrs.  Campbell's. 

20.  Dined  at  Mrs.  Campbell's,  and  spent  the  afternoon  at 
my  own  lodgings. 

21.  Dined  at  the  Speaker's  and  went  up  to  Colo.  Bassett's 
in  the  afternoon. 

22.  At  Colo.  Bassett's  all  day. 

23.  Came  to  Williamsburg  with  Mrs.  Washington.     Dined 
at  the  Attorneys,  and  spent  the  evening  there. 

24.  Dined  at  the  Speaker's,  and  spent  the  evening  at  Mrs. 
Campbell's. 

tion  in  the  terms  of  our  general  association,  and  we  resolved  to  invite  all  the 
members  of  the  late  House  of  Burgesses  to  a  general  meeting  in  this  city  on  the 
first  day  of  August  next.  We  fixed  this  distant  day  in  the  hopes  of  accommo- 
dating the  meeting  to  every  gentleman's  private  affairs,  and  that  they  might  in 
the  meantime,  have  an  opportunity  of  collecting  the  sense  of  their  respective 
counties.  The  inhabitants  of  this  city  were  convened  yesterday  afternoon,  and 
most  cheerfully  acceded  to  the  measure  we  had  adopted."  The  action  of  this 
assemblage  led  Dunmore  to  remark  that  it  gave  "  too  much  cause  to  apprehend 
that  the  prudent  views,  and  the  regard  to  justice  and  equity,  as  well  as  loyalty 
and  affection,  which  is  publicly  declared  by  many  of  the  families  of  distinction 
here,  will  avail  little  against  the  turbulence  and  prejudice  which  prevail  through- 
out the  country  ;  it  is,  however,  at  present  quiet."  Lord  Dunmore  to  the  Earl 
of  Dartmouth,  6  June,  1774. 

The  day  of  fasting  was  observed  throughout  the  Colony.  "  The  people  met 
generally  with  anxiety  and  alarm  in  their  countenances,  and  the  effect  of  the  day, 
through  the  whole  Colony,  was  like  a  shock  of  electricity,  arousing  every  man, 
and  placing  him  erect  and  solidly  on  his  center."  Jefferson,  Works,  i.,  7.  "  The 
fast  was  obeyed  throughout  Virginia  with  such  rigor  and  scruples,  as  to  inter- 
dict the  tasting  of  food  between  the  rising  and  setting  sun.  With  the  remem- 
brance of  the  King  [Ministry?],  horror  was  associated  ;  in  churches,  as  well  as 
in  the  circles  of  social  conversation,  he  seemed  to  stalk  like  the  arch-enemy  of 
mankind.''  Edmund  Randolph  {(\M0X.&d  by  Moncure  D.  Conway  in  his  biog- 
raphy of  Randolph). 

The  Governor  issued  writs  for  a  new  Assembly  to  meet  on  August  nth,  but  the 
troubled  condition  of  public  opinion  led  him  later  to  prorogue  it  to  the  first 
Thursday  in  November.  A  series  of  papers  by  Thomson  Mason,  printed  in  the 
Gazette  as  the  British-American,  will  repay  study.  They  are  reprinted  in 
Eorce. 


41 6  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1774 

25.  Dined  and  spent  the  evening  at  the  Governor's. 

26.  Rid  out  with  the  Governor  to  his  farm  and  breakfasted 
with  him  there.  Dined  at  Mrs.  Dawson's  and  spent  the  evening 
at  my  lodgings. 

27.  Dined  at  the  Treasurer's  and  went  to  the  Ball  given  by 
the  House  of  Burgesses  to  Lady  Dunmore. 

28.  Dined  at  Mrs.  Campbell's  and  spent  the  evening  at  my 
lodgings. 

29.  Went  to  church  in  the  fore  and  afternoon.  Dined  at 
Mrs.  Dawson's,  and  spent  the  evening  at  my  lodgings. 

30.  Dined  at  Mr.  Southall's.  Spent  the  evening  in  my  own 
room. 

31.  Dined  at  Mr.  Charlton's,  and  spent  the  evening  in  my 
room. 

June  I  St.     Went  to  church  and  fasted  all  day. 

2.  Dined  at  Mr.  Charlton's  and  came  up  to  Col.  Bassett's  in 
the  afternoon. 

3.  At  Colo.  Bassett's  all  day  in  company  with  Mr.  Dan- 
dridge,  &c. 

4.  Went  up  by  water  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bassett,  Mrs.  Dan- 
dridge  and  Mrs.  Washington  to  the  land  bought  of  Black  in 
Kings  and  Queens.     Returned  to  Col.  Bassett's  to  dinner. 

5.  At  Col.  Bassett's  all  day. 

6.  Set  [off]  with  him  for  Williamsburg.  Dined  at  Richard 
Charlton's  and  supped  at  Anderson's. 

7.  Dined  at  Mrs.  Dawson's  and  spent  the  evening  at  the 
Raleigh. 

8.  Dined  at  the  Raleigh  and  spent  the  evening  at  the 
Anderson's. 

9.  Dined  at  the  Raleigh  and  spent  the  evening  there  also. 

10.  Dined  at  the  Raleigh  and  went  to  the  fire  works. 

11.  Dined  at  Mrs.  Dawson's,  and  went  up  to  Colo.  Bassett's 
in  the  afternoon. 

12.  At  Col.  Bassett's  all  day. 

13.  Returned  with  him  to  Williamsburg.  Dined  at  the 
Raleigh,  and  spent  the  evening  at  Anderson's. 

14.  Dined  with  the  Council  at  Southall's  ;  and  spent  the 
evening  at  Anderson's. 


1774]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  417 

15.  Dined  at  Mrs.  Dawson's  and  spent  the  evening  at  the 
Capitol  at  a  meeting  of  the  society  for  promoting  useful  knowl- 
edge. 

16.  Dined  at  the  Governor's  and  spent  the  evening  at 
Anderson's. 

17.  Dined  at  Anderson's  and  spent  the  evening  there. 

18.  Dined  at  Mrs.  Dawson's  and  came  up  to  Col.  Bassetts 
in  the  afternoon. 

19.  At  Colo.  Bassett's  all  day. 

20.  Set  off  from  thence  on  my  return  home.  Dined  at 
Todd's  Bridge  and  lodged  at  Hubbard's. 

21.  Breakfasted  at  the  Boiling  Green,  dined  and  lodged  at 
Col.  Lewis's  in  Fredericksburg. 

22.  Reached  home  to  a  late  dinner,  after  breakfasting  at 
Acquia. 


TO    BRYAN    FAIRFAX. 

Mount  Vernon,  4  July,  1774. 

Dear  Sir, 

John  has  just  delivered  to  me  your  favor  of  yester- 
day, which  I  shall  be  obliged  to  answer  in  a  more 
concise  manner,  than  I  could  wish,  as  I  am  very  much 
engaged  in  raising  one  of  the  additions  to  my  house, 
which  I  think  (perhaps  it  is  fancy)  goes  on  better 
whilst  I  am  present,  than  in  my  absence  from  the 
workmen. 

I  own  to  you,  Sir,  I  wished  much  to  hear  of  your 
making  an  open  declaration  of  taking  a  poll  for  this 
county,  upon  Colonel  West's  publicly  declining  last 
Sunday ;  and  I  should  have  written  to  you  on  the 
subject,  but  for  information  then  received  from  sev- 
eral gentlemen  in  the  churchyard,  of  your  having 
refused  to  do  so,  for  the  reasons  assigned  in  your  let- 


4i8  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1774 

ter ' ;  upon  which,  as  I  think  the  country  never  stood 
more  in  need  of  men  of  abiHties  and  liberal  senti- 
ments than  now,  I  entreated  several  gentlemen  at  our 
church  yesterday  to  press  Colonel  Mason  to  take  a 
poll,  as  I  really  think  Major  Broadwater,^  though 
a  good  man,  might  do  as  well  in  the  discharge  of  his 
domestic  concerns,  as  in  the  capacity  of  a  legislator. 
And  therefore  I  again  express  my  wish,  that  either 
you  or  Colonel  Mason  would  offer.  I  can  be  of  little 
assistance  to  either,  because  I  early  laid  it  down  as  a 
maxim  not  to  propose  myself,  and  solicit  for  a  second. 
As  to  your  political  sentiments,  I  would  heartily 
join  you  in  them,  so  far  as  relates  to  a  humble  and 
dutiful  petition  to  the  throne,  provided  there  was  the 
most  distant  hope  of  success.  But  have  we  not  tried 
this  already  ?  Have  we  not  addressed  the  Lords,  and 
remonstrated  to  the  Commons  ?  And  to  what  end  ? 
Did  they  deign  to  look  at  our  petitions  ?  Does  it  not 
appear,  as  clear  as  the  sun  in  its  meridian  brightness, 
that  there  is  a  regular,  systematic  plan  formed  to  fix 
the  right  and  practice  of  taxation  upon  us  ?  Does 
not  the  uniform  conduct  of  Parliament  for  some  years 
past  confirm  this  ?     Do  not  all  the  debates,  especially 

'  The  poll  here  mentioned  was  for  the  election  of  delegates  to  the  House  of 
Burgesses.  Mr.  P'airfax  declined,  as  he  said,  chiefly  because  he  thought  he  could 
not  give  satisfaction  at  that  time  ;  for  he  should  think  himself  bound  to  oppose 
strong  measures,  and  was  in  favor  of  petitioning,  and  giving  Parliament  a  fair 
opportunity  of  repealing  their  obnoxious  acts.  "  There  are  scarce  any  at  Alex- 
andria," he  adds,  "of  my  opinion  ;  and  though  the  few  I  have  elsewhere  con- 
versed with  on  the  subject  are  so,  yet  from  them  I  could  learn,  that  many  thought 
otherwise  ;  so  that  I  believe  I  should  at  this  time  give  general  dissatisfaction, 
and  therefore  it  would  be  more  projjcr  to  decline,  even  upon  this  account,  as 
well  as  because  it  would  necessarily  lead  me  into  great  expenses,  which  my  cir- 
cumstances will  not  allow."  "  Charles  Broadwater. 


1774]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  419 

those  just  brought  to  us,  in  the  House  of  Commons 
on  the  side  of  government,  expressly  declare  that 
America  must  be  taxed  in  aid  of  the  British  funds, 
and  that  she  has  no  longer  resources  within  herself  ? 
Is  there  any  thing  to  be  expected  from  petitioning 
after  this  ?  Is  not  the  attack  upon  the  liberty  and 
property  of  the  people  of  Boston,  before  restitution 
of  the  loss  to  the  India  Company  was  demanded,  a 
plain  and  self-evident  proof  of  what  they  are  aiming 
at  ?  Do  not  the  subsequent  bills  (now  I  dare  say 
acts),  for  depriving  the  Massachusetts  Bay  of  its  char- 
ter, and  for  transporting  offenders  into  other  colonies 
or  to  Great  Britian  for  trial,  where  it  is  impossible 
from  the  nature  of  the  thing  that  justice  can  be 
obtained,  convince  us  that  the  administration  is  deter- 
mined to  stick  at  nothing  to  carr}^  its  point  ?  Ought 
we  not,  then,  to  put  our  virtue  and  fortitude  to  the 
severest  test  ? 

With  you  I  think  it  a  folly  to  attempt  more  than 
we  can  execute,  as  that  will  not  only  bring  disgrace 
upon  us,  but  weaken  our  cause  ;  yet  I  think  we  may 
do  more  than  is  generally  believed,  in  respect  to  the 
non-importation  scheme.  As  to  the  withholding  of 
our  remittances,  that  is  another  point,  in  which  I  own 
I  have  my  doubts  on  several  accounts,  but  principally 
on  that  of  justice  ;  for  I  think,  whilst  we  are  accusing 
others  of  injustice,  we  should  be  just  ourselves  ;  and 
how  this  can  be,  whilst  we  owe  a  considerable  debt,  and 
refuse  payment  of  it  to  Great  Britain,  is  to  me  incon- 
ceivable. Nothing  but  the  last  extremity,  I  think,  can 
justify  it.   Whether  this  is  now  come,  is  the  question. 


420  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1774 

I  began  with  telling  you,  that  I  was  to  write  a  short 
letter.  My  paper  informs  me  I  have  done  otherwise. 
I  shall  hope  to  see  you  to-morrow,  at  the  meeting  of 
the  county  in  Alexandria,  when  these  points  are  to  be 
considered.  I  am,  dear  Sir,  your  most  obedient  and 
humble  servant' 


TO    BRYAN    FAIRFAX. 

Mount  Vernon,  20  July,  1774. 

Dear  Sir, 

Your  letter  of  the  1 7th  was  not  presented  to  me  till 
after  the  resolutions,  (which  were  adjudged  advisable 
for  this  county  to  come  to),  had  been  revised,  altered, 
and  corrected  in  the  committee  ;  nor  till  we  had  gone 
into  a  general  meeting  in  the  court-house,  and  my 
attention  necessarily  called  every  moment  to  the 
business  that  was  before  it.^     I  did,   however,   upon 

'  I774>  July  5-  Went  up  to  Alexandria  to  a  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of 
this  county.  Dined  at  Arrell's,  and  lodged  at  my  own  house.  6.  Dined  at 
Doctr.  Brown's,  and  returned  home  in  the  evening.  14.  Went  up  to  Alexan- 
dria to  the  Election,  where  I  was  chosen,  together  with  Major  Broadwater,  Bur- 
gess. Staid  all  night  to  a  ball.  17.  Col.  Mason  came  in  the  afternoon,  and 
staid  all  night.  18.  Went  up  to  Alexandria  to  a  meeting  of  the  County. 
Returned  in  the  evening. 

*  The  inhabitants  of  Fairfax  County  had  assembled,  and  appointed  a  commit- 
tee for  drawing  up  resolutions  expressive  of  their  sentiments  on  the  great  topics, 
which  agitated  the  country.  Washington  was  chairman  of  this  committee,  and 
moderator  of  the  meetings  held  by  the  people.  An  able  report  was  prepared  by 
the  committee,  containing  a  series  of  resolutions,  which  were  presented  at  a 
general  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  at  the  court-house  in  Fairfax  County  on  the 
i8th  of  July.    It  is  printed  in  Force's  American  Archives,  Fourth  Series,  i.,  597. 

Mr.  Bryan  Fairfax,  who  had  been  present  on  former  occasions,  not  approving 
all  the  resolutions,  absented  himself  from  this  meeting,  and  wrote  a  long  letter 
to  the  chairman,  stating  his  views  and  objections,  with  the  request  that  it  should 
be  publicly  read. 


1774]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  421 

receipt  of  it,  (in  that  hurry  and  bustle,)  hastily  run  it 
over,  and  handed  it  round  to  the  gentlemen  on  the 
bench  of  which  there  were  many  ;  but,  as  no  person 
present  seemed  in  the  least  disposed  to  adopt  your 
sentiments,  as  there  appeared  a  perfect  satisfaction 
and  acquiescence  in  the  measures  proposed  (except 
from  a  Mr.  Williamson,  who  was  for  adopting  your 
advice  literally,  without  obtaining  a  second  voice  on 
his  side),  and  as  the  gentlemen,  to  whom  the  letter 
was  shown,  advised  me  not  to  have  it  read,  as  it  was  not 
like  to  make  a  convert,  and  repugnant,  (some  of  them 
thought,)  to  the  very  principle  we  were  contending 
for,  I  forbore  to  offer  it  otherwise  than  in  the  manner 
above  mentioned  ;  which  I  shall  be  sorry  for,  if  it  gives 
you  any  dissatisfaction  in  not  having  your  sentiments 
read  to  the  county  at  large,  instead  of  communicating 
them  to  the  first  people  in  it,  by  offering  them  the 
letter  in  the  manner  I  did. 

That  I  differ  very  widely  from  you,  in  respect  to  the 
mode  of  obtaining  a  defeat  [repeal]  of  the  acts  so 
much  and  so  justly  complained  of,  I  shall  not  hesitate 
to  acknowledge  ;  and  that  this  difference  in  opinion 
may  probably  proceed  from  the  different  construc- 
tions we  put  upon  the  conduct  and  intention  of  the 
ministry  may  also  be  true  ;  but,  as  I  see  nothing,  on 
the  one  hand,  to  induce  a  belief  that  the  Parliament 
would  embrace  a  favorable  opportunity  of  repealing 
acts,  which  they  go  on  with  great  rapidity  to  pass, 
and  in  order  to  enforce  their  tyrannical  system  ;  and, 
on  the  other,  I  observe,  or  think  I  observe,  that  gov- 
ernment is  pursuing  a  regular  plan  at  the  expense  of 


422  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1774 

law  and  justice  to  overthrow  our  constitutional  rights 
and  liberties,  how  can  I  expect  any  redress  from 
a  measure,  which  has  been  ineffectually  tried  already  ? 
For,  Sir,  what  is  it  we  are  contending  against  ?  Is  it 
against  paying  the  duty  of  three  pence  per  pound  on 
tea  because  burthensome  ?  No,  it  is  the  right  only, 
we  have  all  along  disputed,  and  to  this  end  we  have 
already  petitioned  his  Majesty  in  as  humble  and 
dutiful  manner  as  subjects  could  do.  Nay,  more,  we 
applied  to  the  House  of  Lords  and  House  of  Com- 
mons in  their  different  legislative  capacities,  setting 
forth,  that,  as  Englishmen,  we  could  not  be  deprived 
of  this  essential  and  valuable  part  of  a  constitution. 
If,  then,  as  the  fact  really  is,  it  is  against  the  right  of 
taxation  that  we  now  do,  and,  (as  I  before  said,)  all 
along  have  contended,  why  should  they  suppose  an 
exertion  of  this  power  would  be  less  obnoxious  now 
than  formerly  ?  And  what  reasons  have  we  to  be- 
lieve, that  they  would  make  a  second  attempt,  while 
the  same  sentiments  filled  the  breast  of  every  Ameri- 
can, if  they  did  not  intend  to  enforce  it  if   possible  ?' 

^  Mr.  Fairfax  had  written  : — "  I  come  now  to  consider  a  resolve,  which  ought 
to  be  the  most  objected  to,  as  tending  more  to  widen  the  breach,  and  prevent  a 
reconciliation  than  any  other.  I  mean  that,  wherein  the  authority  of  Parliament  is 
almost  in  every  instance  denied.  Something  similar  to  this,  though  more 
imprudent,  is  the  most  exceptionable  part  of  the  conduct  of  some  in  New 
England.  It  has  been  asserted  in  the  House  of  Commons,  that  America  has 
been  gradually  encroaching  ;  that,  as  they  have  given  up  points,  we  have  insisted 
on  more.  The  fact  is  true,  as  to  encroachment,  but  the  reason  assigned  is 
wrong.  It  is  not  because  they  have  given  up  points,  but  because  they  have  not 
given  them  up,  that  we  out  of  resentment  demand  more  tlian  we  at  first  thought 
of.  But  however  natural  it  is  for  j)eo])le  incensed  to  increase  their  claims,  and 
whatever  our  anger  may  induce  us  to  say,  in  calm  deliberations  we  should  not 
insist  on  any  thing  unreasonable.  We  have  all  along  submitted  to  the  authority 
of    Parliament.      From  the  first  settlement  of  the  colonies  I  believe  there  never 


1774]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  423 

The  conduct  of  the  Boston  people  could  not  jus- 
tify the  rigor  of  their  measures,  unless  there  had  been 
a  requisition  of  payment  and  refusal  of  it  ;  nor  did 
that  measure  require  an  act  to  deprive  the  govern- 
ment of  Massachusetts  Bay  of  their  charter,  or  to 
exempt  offenders  from  trial  in  the  place  where  of- 
fences were  committed,  as  there  was  not,  nor  could 
not  be,  a  single  instance  produced  to  manifest  the 
necessity  of  it.  Are  not  all  these  things  self  evident 
proofs  of  a  fixed  and  uniform  plan  to  tax  us  ?  If  we 
want  further  proofs,  do  not  all  the  debates  in  the 
House  of  Commons  ser\^e  to  confirm  this?  And  has 
not  General  Gage's  conduct  since  his  arrival,  (in 
stopping  the  address  of  his  Council,  and  publishing 

was  an  act  of  Parliament  disputed,  till  the  famous  Stamp  Act.  It  is  a  maxim  in 
law,  that  all  the  acts  made  since  the  settlement  of  the  colonies  do  not  extend 
here,  unless  the  colonies  are  particularly  named  ;  therefore  all  acts  wherein  they 
are  included  do  extend  here. 

"  When  the  Stamp  Act  was  repealed,  it  was  said,  and  I  did  not  hear  it  con- 
tradicted, that  the  Americans  objected  to  internal  taxes,  but  not  to  external 
duties.  When  the  duty  on  tea  was  laid,  as  an  external  duty,  we  objected  to  it, 
and  with  some  reason,  because  it  was  not  for  the  regulation  of  trade,  but  for  the 
express  purpose  of  raising  a  revenue.  This  was  deemed  a  small  encroachment 
on  our  first  demands.  Some  now  object  to  the  authority,  which  has  established 
and  regulated  the  post-office,  a  very  useful  regulation.  Others  deny  their 
authority  in  regard  to  our  internal  affairs.  If  we  go  on  at  this  rate,  it  is  impos- 
sible, that  the  troubles  of  America  should  ever  have  an  end.  Whatever  we  may 
wish  to  be  the  case,  it  becomes  good  subjects  to  submit  to  the  constitution  of 
their  country.  \Mienever  a  political  establishment  has  been  settled,  it  ought  to 
be  considered  what  that  is,  and  not  what  it  ought  to  be.  To  fix  a  contrary  prin- 
ciple is  to  lay  the  foundation  of  continual  broils  and  revolutions. 

"  The  Parliament  from  prescription  have  a  right  to  make  laws  binding  on  the 
colonies,  except  those  imposing  taxes.  From  prescription  the  Americans  are 
exempt  from  taxation.  Let  us  stand  upon  good  ground  in  our  opposition, 
otherwise  many  upon  reflection  may  desert  the  cause.  Therefore  I  hope  some 
alteration  will  be  made  in  the  second  resolve,  or  that  nothing  under  this  head  \vill 
be  mentioned." 


424  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1774 

a  proclamation  more  becoming  a  Turkish  bashaw, 
than  an  English  governor,  declaring  it  treason  to  as- 
sociate in  any  manner  by  which  the  commerce  of 
Great  Britain  is  to  be  affected,)  exhibited  an  unex- 
ampled testimony  of  the  most  despotic  system  of 
tyranny,  that  ever  was  practised  in  a  free  govern- 
ment? In  short,  what  further  proofs  are  wanted  to 
satisfy  one  of  the  designs  of  the  ministry,  than  their 
own  acts,  which  are  uniform  and  plainly  tending  to 
the  same  point,  nay,  if  I  mistake  not,  avowedly  to  fix 
the  right  of  taxation  ?  What  hope  then  from  peti- 
tioning, when  they  tell  us,  that  now  or  never  is  the 
time  to  fix  the  matter  ?  Shall  we,  after  this,  whine 
and  cry  for  relief,  when  we  have  already  tried  it  in 
vain  ?  Or  shall  we  supinely  sit  and  see  one  province 
after  another  fall  a  prey  to  despotism  ?  If  I  was  in 
any  doubt,  as  to  the  right  which  the  Parliament  of 
Great  Britain  had  to  tax  us  without  our  consent,  I 
should  most  heartily  coincide  with  you  in  opinion, 
that  to  petition,  and  petition  only,  is  the  proper 
method  to  apply  for  relief  ;  because  we  should  then 
be  asking  a  favor,  and  not  claiming  a  right,  which, 
by  the  law  of  nature  and  our  constitution,  we  are,  in 
my  opinion,  indubitably  entitled  to.  I  should  even 
think  it  criminal  to  go  further  than  this,  under  such 
an  idea  ;  but  none  such  I  have.  I  think  the  Parlia- 
ment of  Great  Britain  hath  no  more  right  to  put 
their  hands  into  my  pocket,  without  my  consent,  than 
I  have  to  put  my  hands  into  yours  for  money ;  and 
this  being  already  urged  to  them  in  a  firm,  but  decent 
manner,  by  all  the  colonies,  what  reason  is  there  to 
expect  any  thing  from  their  justice  ? 


1774]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  425 

As  to  the  resolution  for  addressing  the  throne,  I 
own  to  you,  Sir,  I  think  the  whole  might  as  well  have 
been  expunged.  I  expect  nothing  from  the  measure, 
nor  should  my  voice  have  accompanied  it,  if  the  non- 
importation scheme  was  intended  to  be  retarded  by 
it  ; '  for  I  am  convinced,  as  much  as  I  am  of  my  ex- 
istence, that  there  is  no  relief  but  in  their  distress  ; 
and  I  think,  at  least  I  hope,  that  there  is  public  vir- 
tue enough  left  among  us  to  deny  ourselves  every 
thing  but  the  bare  necessaries  of  life  to  accomplish 
this  end.  This  we  have  a  right  to  do,  and  no  power 
upon  earth  can  compel  us  to  do  otherwise,  till  they 
have  first  reduced  us  to  the  most  abject  state  of 
slavery  that  ever  was  designed  for  mankind.  The 
stopping  our  exports  would,  no  doubt,  be  a  shorter 
cut  than  the  other  to  effect  this  purpose  ;  but  if  we 
owe  money  to  Great  Britain,  nothing  but  the  last 
necessity  can  justify  the  non-payment  of  it  ;  and, 
therefore,  I   have  great  doubts  upon  this  head,  and 

'  Among  the  Alexandria  resolves,  which  were  the  subject  of  Mr.  Fairfax's 
letter,  there  was  one  for  petitioning  the  King.  In  relation  to  this,  he  wrote  ; — 
"  I  hope  it  will  be  recommended,  that,  if  a  petition  should  be  agreed  upon,  and 
sent  home  by  the  general  Congress,  no  conditional  resolution,  which  may  be 
formed  at  the  time,  should  be  published  until  it  is  known,  that  the  petition  has 
had  no  effect.  For  we  should  otherwise  destroy  the  very  intention  of  it.  To 
petition  and  to  threaten  at  the  same  time  seem  to  be  inconsistent.  It  might  be 
of  service  with  the  ministry,  if  they  have  evil  designs,  to  know  the  dispositions 
of  the  people  here.  I  am  sure  that  sufficiently  appears  from  what  has  already 
been  published.  And  if  that  appears,  no  threatenings  ought  to  accompany  the 
petition.  It  ought  to  be  as  modest  as  possible,  without  descending  to  meanness. 
There  is  one  expression,  then,  in  one  of  our  resolves,  which  I  much  object  to  ; 
that  is,  a  hint  to  the  King,  that,  if  his  Majesty  will  not  comply,  there  lies  but 
one  appeal.  This  ought  surely  to  be  erased.  There  are  two  methods  proposed 
to  effect  a  repeal ;  the  one  by  petition,  the  other  by  compulsion.  They  ought 
then  to  be  kept  separate  and  distinct,  and  we  shall  find  few  for  joining  them 
together,  who  are  not  rather  against  the  fonner." 


426  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1774 

wish  to  see  the  other  method  first  tried,  which  is 
legal  and  will  facilitate  these  payments. 

I  cannot  conclude  without  expressing  some  concern, 
that  I  should  differ  so  widely  in  sentiment  from  you, 
in  a  matter  of  such  great  moment  and  general  import ; 
and  should  much  distrust  my  own  judgment  upon  the 
occasion,  if  my  nature  did  not  recoil  at  the  thought 
of  submitting  to  measures,  which  I  think  subversive 
of  every  thing  that  I  ought  to  hold  dear  and  valuable, 
and  did  I  not  find,  at  the  same  tim.e,  that  the  voice 
of  mankind  is  with  me. 

I  must  apologize  for  sending  you  so  rough  a  sketch 
of  my  thoughts  upon  your  letter.  When  I  looked 
back,  and  saw  the  length  of  my  own,  I  could  not,  as 
I  am  also  a  good  deal  hurried  at  this  time,  bear  the 
thoughts  of  making  off  a  fair  copy.      I  am,  &c. 


VIRGINIA    CONVENTION.' 

1774.  Aug.  I.  Went  from  Colo.  Bassett's  to  Williamsburg  to 
the  meeting  of  the  Convention.  Dined  at  Mrs.  Campbell's,  spent 
ye  evening  in  my  lodgings. 

'  In  compliance  with  the  recommendation  of  the  deputies,  embodied  in  a 
circular  issued  from  Williamsburg  on  the  31st  of  May,  delegates  were  chosen  in 
the  county  meetings  to  assemble  at  Williamsburg  on  August  1st.  Washington 
was  present,  as  the  extracts  from  his  diary  show,  but  he  gives  no  record  of  what 
business  was  before  the  convention  or  what  was  decided  upon  by  the  delegates. 
It  was  to  this  assembly,  which  by  an  act  of  its  own  was  transferred  into  a  con- 
vention, a  revolutionary  body  as  it  afterwards  appeared,  that  Jefferson,  unable 
to  attend  because  of  illness,  sent  tiie  paper  that  was  later  printed  as  A  Summary 
View  of  the  Rii^hts  of  British  Ameriea.  'Phis  definition  of  rights  and  griev- 
ances intended  to  serve  as  instructions  for  the  delegates  to  a  general  Congress 
was  set  aside  by  the  Convention  as  "  too  l)old  for  the  present  state  of  things, 
.  .  .  Tamer  sentiments  were  preferred,  and,  I  believe,  wisely  preferred  ; 
the  lea])  I  proposed  lacing  too  long,  as  yet,  for  the  mass  of  our  citizens."    Jeffer- 


1774]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  427 

2.  At  the  convention  ;  dined  at  the  Treasurer's.  At  my  lod- 
gings in  the  evening. 

3.  Dined  at  the  Speaker's,  and  spent  the  evening  at  my  own 
lodgings. 

4.  Dined  at  the  Attorney's,  and  spent  the  evening  at  my  own 
lodgings. 

5.  Dined  at  Mrs.  Dawson's,  and  spent  the  evening  at  my  own 
lodgings. 

6.  Dined  at  Mrs.  Campbell's,  and  spent  the  evening  at  my  own 
lodgings. 

7.  Left  Williamsburg  about  9  o'clock. 

son,  Works,  i.,  123,  124.  The  instructions  as  adopted  will  be  found  in  Force, 
American  Archives,  Fourth  Series,  i.,  68g,  and  in  Jefiferson,  Works,  i.,  142. 
The  Convention  on  the  5th,  elected  as  delegates  to  the  general  or  Continental 
Congress,  Peyton  Randolph,  Richard  Henry  Lee,  George  Washington,  Patrick 
Henry,  Richard  Bland,  Benjamin  Harrison  and  Edmund  Pendleton. 

The  Convention  also  passed  and  unanimously  adopted  a  new  Association, 
pledging  themselves  not  to  import  from  Great  Britain  or  elsewhere  after  the 
1st  of  November,  any  goods,  wares  or  merchandises  whatever,  medicines  ex- 
cepted ;  not  to  import  slaves  ;  not  to  use  or  import  tea  ;  not  to  buy  of  the  East 
India  Company,  if  payment  for  the  tea  destroyed  at  Boston  be  insisted  upon,  to 
whose  acts  the  misfortunes  of  Boston  were  attributed  ;  not  to  export  tobacco  or 
any  other  article  to  Great  Britain,  and  to  improve  the  domestic  breed  of  sheep, 
with  a  view  to  establishing  manufactures  in  the  Colonies.  The  full  Associa- 
tion is  printed  in  Force,  American  Archives,  Fourth  Series,  i.,  686-688.  The 
Convention  adjourned  on  Saturday,  August  6. 

"  He  [Mr.  Lynch]  told  us  that  Colonel  Washington  made  the  most  eloquent 
speech  at  the  Virginia  Convention  that  ever  was  made.  Says  he,  '  I  will  raise 
one  thousand  men,  enlist  them  at  my  own  expense,  and  march  myself  at  their 
head  for  the  relief  of  Boston.'  "     John  Adams,   Works,  ii.,  360. 

It  was  probably  in  allusion  to  this  saying  that  the  following  was  written  : 

"  The  province  of  Virginia  is  raising  one  company  in  every  county,  which  will 
make  a  body  of  six  thousand  men.  They  are  all  independent  ;  and  so  great  is 
the  ambition  to  get  among  them,  that  men  who  served  as  commanding  officers 
last  war  and  have  large  fortunes,  have  offered  themselves  as  private  men." 
American  Archives,  Fourth  Series,  i. ,  953. 


428  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1774 

TO    RICHARD     HENRY    LEE. 

Williamsburg,  7  August,  1774.' 

Dear  Sir, 

If  this  letter  should  (though  I  do  not  see  any  prob- 
able chance  that  it  will,)  reach  your  hands  in  time,  it 
is  to  ask,  if  you  do  not  think  it  necessary,  that  the 
deputies  from  this  colony  should  be  furnished  with 
authentic  lists  of  the  exports  and  imports  annually, 
more  especially  to  and  from  Great  Britain  ;  and,  in 
that  case,  to  beg  of  you  to  obtain  such  from  the  cus- 
tom-house officers  on  the  Potomac  and  Rappahan- 
nock. I  have  desired  the  speaker,  if  he  should 
think  it  expedient,  and  might  not  have  thought  of  it, 
to  do  the  same  from  the  York,  and  James  River 
offices. 

I  have  got  an  account  (though  not  a  certified 
one,)  from  Mr.  Wythe,  of  our  number  of  taxables 
in  1770,  since  increased  (Archy  Carey  says)  to 
10,000,  as  would  have  appeared  by  the  list  which 
would  have  been  returned  in  May,  if  the  session 
had  gone  on.      I   am,   &c. 

P.  S.  If  you  should  travel  to  Philadelphia  by 
land  I  should  be  glad  of  your  company.  Mr.  Henry 
is  to  be  at  my  house  on  his  way  Tuesday,  the 
thirtieth  instant.^ 

'  From  Life  and  Correspojidcncc  of  Richard  Henry  Lee,  i.,  105.  I  have 
clianged  the  date  from  the  9th  to  the  7th. 

'  "  I  hoped  to  have  obtained  from  the  Custom  Houses,  the  number  and  size 
of  the  shipping,  as  well  as  a  general  state  of  the  imports  and  exports,  and  ac- 
cr)rdingly  applied  ;  but  they  appear  at  present  unwilling  to  give  me  any  infor- 
mation on  the  subject,  I  suppose  on  account  of  the  present  situation  of  public 
:'fTairs,  and  the  part  I  have  taken  therein." — Silas  Dcane  to  Gov.  Trumbull, 
16  August,  1774. 


[774]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  429 


TO    BRYAN     FAIRFAX. 

Mount  Vernon,  24  August,  1774. 

Dear  Sir, 

Your  letter  of  the  5th  instant '  came  to  this  place, 
forwarded  by  Mr.  Ramsay,  a  few  days  after  my  re- 
turn from  Williamsburg,  and  I  delayed  acknowledg- 

'  In  order  to  show  what  the  beliefs  of  a  moderate  loyalist  were,  and  to  fur- 
ther illustrate  the  situation  of  politics  in  Vir^nia  at  this  time,  I  have  thought  it 
best  to  print  this  letter  of  Brjan  Fairfax  in  full : — 

I  received  your  Favour  of  the  20th  of  July  and  must  own  that  I  thought  it  odd 
at  first  that  my  Letter  was  not  read  tiU  I  considered  that  I  had  no  Right  to  have 
it  done,  as  ever}-  one  who  chose  it  ought  to  have  been  present,  and  till  I  per- 
ceived by  your  Letter  that  the  Committee  were  against  it.  If  there  had  been 
no  Reason  for  refusing  it  but  a  Persuasion  that  the  sentiments  contained  in  it 
were  erroneous  I  don't  think  it  would  have  been  a  just  one.  I  am  satisfied 
with  your  Reasons  as  I  had  no  Desire  to  make  a  Part)*  or  oppose  mj'  opinion  to 
that  of  a  large  Majority- ;  I  sent  it  down,  as  I  could  not  go  in  person,  without 
great  Inconvenience,  that  I  might  not  hereafter  reproach  myself  with  being 
silent  on  the  Occasion.  However  I  am  inclined,  since  the  Receipt  of  yours  to 
think  I  am  mistaken  about  the  Plan  determined  on  at  Home.  You  have  no 
Reason,  Sir,  to  doubt  your  Opinion  ;  it  is  I  that  have  Reason  to  doubt  mine 
where  so  many  men  of  superior  understanding  think  otherwise.  It  has  in  Fact 
caused  me  to  examine  it  again  and  again  ;  but  if  I  was  not  convinced  of  an 
Error,  it  appeared  to  me  that  it  showed  as  much  Cowardice  in  a  Man  not  to 
maintain  his  opinions  when  real,  as  Obstinacy  to  persevere  in  them  contrary  to 
Conviction.  Mr.  Williamson  told  me  the  other  day  that  he  found  afterwards 
that  there  were  a  great  many  of  his  opinion  in  the  Court  House  who  did  not 
care  to  speak,  because  they  thought  it  would  be  to  no  Purpose  ;  and  it  may  be 
so,  because  a  Person  present  when  he  was  telling  me  so,  said  he  was  at  the  Meet- 
ing and  did  secretly  object  to  some  of  the  Resolves  but  could  not  speak  his 
mind.  That  you  may  not  think  my  Sentiments  quite  so  singular  as  they  ap- 
peared to  be,  I  must  observe,  that  the  second  Person's  opinion  I  heard  after  the 
arrival  of  the  Boston  Port  Bill,  was  Mr.  Dalton's,  who  asked  me  what  I  thought 
of  it ;  whether  I  did  not  think  that  the  Parliament  were  bound  to  do  what  they 
did  or  something  like  it  to  secure  the  Trade  of  their  Merchants?  If  the  same 
outrage  had  been  committed  in  any  foreign  Port  whether  the  Government  could 
have  acquiesced  without  demanding  and  enforcing  Restitution  ?  or  something  to 
this  Purport.  And  it  really  appeared  to  me  then  a  distinct  Thing  from  enfor- 
cing the  Paj-ment  of  the  Duty.  The  next  Person  whose  opinion  I  heard  was  Mr. 
Williamson's  ;  and  the  next  Mr.  Henderson's,  with  this  difference,  that  the 
Bostonians  ought  to  have  destroyed  the  Tea,  but  should  have  sent  home  the 


430  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1774 

ing  it  sooner,  in  the  hopes  that  I  should  find  time, 
before  I  began  my  other  journey  to  Philadelphia,  to 
answer  it  fully,  if  not  satisfactorily  ;  but,  as  much   of 

Payment  for  it  immediately.  But  that  the  government  could  not  avoid  taking 
the  Steps  &c.  He  joined  with  me  in  opinion  that  the  People  at  Boston  were 
blameable  in  their  Behavior  in  other  Respects  ;  and  when  I  expressed  my  con- 
cern at  the  Bill  then  talked  of  for  altering  their  Charter,  he  observed  that  the 
Measure  might  be  necessary  considering  the  factious  Conduct  of  the  people. 
They  have  all  along  appeared  to  me  to  shew  a  different  spirit  from  the  Rest  of 
the  Colonies  ;  and  if  ever  we  have  a  civil  war,  I  think  without  some  check  they 
will  be  at  the  head  of  it,  and  I  can't  conceive  any  thing  worse  for  America  at 
present.  I  know  not  whether  Mr.  Henderson  told  me  this  in  confidence  or  not. 
In  case  he  should,  I  beg  that  you  won't  mention  his  opinion,  altho'  he  don't  re- 
serve this  Caution.  By  mentioning  the  word  Check,  I  don't  mean  to  approve 
of  all  or  scarce  one  of  the  measures  lately  exercised  on  N:  England.  A  Charter 
should  not  be  altered  without  the  Consent  or  Consulting  with  the  Majority  of  the 
people,  or  upon  some  very  flagrant  or  violent  Occasions  wherever  the  good  of 
the  whole  is  endangered.  But  even  then  the  Consent  of  the  whole  ought  to  be 
obtained.  No  Constitution,  as  I  mentioned  in  my  Letter,  should  be  altered 
unless  the  Consent  of  every  Part  concerned  can  be  had.  We  have  no  right  to 
alter  our  Constitution  without  the  consent  of  the  king  &  Parliament.  For  the 
same  Reason  none  of  our  Constitutions  should  be  altered  without  our  consent : 
For  the  Parliament  according  to  the  opinion  of  good  Civilians  have  no  Right  to 
alter  the  Constitution  of  England  without  taking  or  obtaining  a  sanction  from 
the  voice  of  the  people  if  it  could  be  had  ;  because  the  Constitution  is  fixed  when 
the  people's  Representatives  are  chosen,  and  therefore  they  must  act  according 
to  it  and  can't  alter  it.  It  may  possibly  be  for  the  good  of  the  Colony  of  Mas- 
sachusetts to  alter  the  Constitution.  Governor  Hutchinson  a  Native  and  a  Man 
of  good  character  advised  it,  it  is  true,  but  he  may  have  too  arbitrary  Notions. 
As  the  People  who  first  went  to  settle  chose  such  a  Form  of  Government  and 
obtained  it,  they  ought  to  l)e  the  best  Judges  of  the  Conveniences  or  Inconven- 
iences attending  it.  I  wish  our's  was  altered  with  respect  to  the  Council  ;  but 
it  is  dangerous  meddling  in  such  matters  ;  it  might  be  a  bad  precedent  in 
troublesome  times.  And  as  to  ye  Act  for  transporting  Criminals  to  England 
for  Trial  tho'  I  wish  every  man  could  obtain  strict  justice,  and  that  no  Man  in 
civil  Disputes  should  be  tried  till  the  Passions  of  Men  have  a  little  subsided,  I 
dislike  it  as  much  as  any  Man  ;  Rut  in  regard  to  the  Boston  Port  Bill  I  own  I 
have  no  objection  to  it,  except  to  the  Power  given  to  the  Cmwn  of  shutting  up 
the  Port  after  the  Tea  may  be  paid  for.  I  can  see  no  Difference  between  de- 
manding Satisfaction  first,  and  sending  a  Fleet  to  demand  it  with  conditional 
orders  to  block  up  the  Port  upon  Refusal  or  till  Satisfaction  is  made.  I  own 
lo<j  tliat  I  have  been  inclined  to  think  tliat  the  Tea  ought  to  have  been  paid  for 
before  the  other  Colonies  had  joined  in  support  of  Boston  ;  but  I  suppose  I  am 


1774]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  431 


my  time  has  been  engrossed  since  I  came  home  by 
company,  by  your  brother's  sale  and  the  business 
consequent  thereupon,  in  writing  letters  to  England, 

wrong  as  so  many  others  think  otherwise.  However  upon  this  Occasion  I  can't 
help  mentioning,  that  at  a  very  full  Meeting  of  Gentlemen  at  York  relating  to 
the  Middlesex  Election,  there  were  only  two,  one  a  namesake  of  mine,  who  dis- 
sented from  the  whole  Assembly  ;  consequently  their  opinions  were  very  un- 
popular. And  yet  I  have  lived  to  see  some  coming  over  to  their  opinion  and  as 
strongly  of  their  opinion  ;  two  of  them  at  least,  Mr.  Harrison  and  Mr.  Grayson, 
as  ever  they  were  of  a  contrary  one.  This  Example  (if  this  Assembly  were  mis- 
taken) would  serve  to  shew,  if  there  were  not  many  Instances  in  History  where 
large  Bodies  of  Men  have  been  mistaken,  that  a  Man,  however  doubtful  he  may 
become  when  he  perceives  a  great  number  to  think  otherwise,  ought  not  to  be 
too  hasty  in  giving  up  his  opinion. 

I  have  been  uneasy  to  find  that  any  one  should  look  upon  the  Letter  sent  down 
as  repugnant  to  the  principle  we  were  contending  for  ;  and  therefore  when  you 
have  leisure  I  shall  take  it  as  a  Favor  if  you  will  let  me  know  wherein  it  was 
thought  so.  I  must  make  an  Apology  for  these  long  Letters  which  I  trouble  you 
with.  I  have  scarce  passed  a  day  without  anxious  thoughts  upon  the  subject.  I 
beg  leave  to  look  upon  you  as  a  Friend,  and  it  is  a  great  Relief  to  unbosom  ones 
thoughts  to  a  Friend  ;  besides,  the  Information  and  Correction  to  my  Errors 
I  may  obtain  from  a  Correspondence,  is  a  great  Inducement  to  it.  For  I  am 
convinced  that  no  Man  in  the  Colony  wishes  its  Prosperity  more,  would  go 
greater  Lengths  to  serve  it,  nor  is  at  the  same  time  a  better  subject  to  the 
Crown.     Pray  excuse  these  Compliments.     They  may  be  tolerable  in  a  Friend. 

I  can't  recollect  any  Expression  that  could  give  any  Reason  for  the  supposi- 
tion just  mentioned  as  to  Taxes,  I  never  was  of  opinion  that  the  Parliament  had 
a  Right  to  impose  them,  and  hardly  ever  had  a  Doubt  upon  the  subject  of  their 
taking  our  Money  from  us  without  our  Consent  ;  Tho'  as  to  the  Duty  on  Tea  I 
never  was  so  clear  in  opinion  as  to  sign  any  Paper  in  opposition  to  the  Right ; 
but  as  it  is  certainly  unjust,  I  may  refuse  to  trade  with  a  nation  exercising  that 
Injustice  even  if  the  Right  was  ever  so  clear.  But  I  don't  remember  that  I 
mentioned  any  doubts  upon  the  subject.  Since  I  got  so  far  I  have  been  reading 
King  James's  Charters  to  the  first  Virginia  Companys  at  the  End  of  Stith's  His- 
tory ;  there  is  one  Expression  in  the  2d  Charter,  a  little  different  from  the 
Quotation  of  it  which  I  have  in  the  House,  and  which  I  can't  understand 
perfectly,  at  least  without  considering  a  subsequent  clause.  Sect.  ig.  And  for 
their  further  Encouragement  of  our  special  Grace  and  Favour,  we  do,  by  these 
presents,  for  us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors,  yield  and  grant,  to  and  with  the  said 
Treasurer  and  Company,  and  their  successors,  and  every  of  them,  their 
Factors  and  Assigns,  that  they  and  every  of  them  shall  be  free  of  all  subsidies 
and  Customs  in  Viiginia,  for  the  Space  of  one  &  twenty  years,  and  from  all 
Taxes  and  Impositions  forever,  (here  the  Quotation  stops)  upon  any  Goods  or 


432  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1774 

and  now  in  attending  to  my  own  domestic  affairs 
previous  to  my  departure  as  above,  I  find  it  im- 
possible to  bestow  so  much  time   and    attention  to 

merchandises,  at  any  time  or  times  hereafter,  either  upon  Importation  thither, 
or  exportation  from  thence,  into  our  Realm  of  England,  or  into  any  other  of  our 
Realms  or  Dominions,  by  the  said  Treasurer  and  Company,  and  their  Successors, 
&c.:  Except  only  the  five  pounds  pr.  cent  due  for  Custom,  upon  all  such  goods 
and  merchandises  as  shall  be  brought  or  imported  into  our  Realm  of  England,  or 
any  other  of  these  our  Dominions  according  to  the  ancient  Trade  of  Merchants  ; 
'&c.  In  the  2ist  Sect,  are  these  words  (after  directing  what  duties  strangers  and 
foreigners  are  to  pay  over  and  above  such  subsidy  and  custom  as  the  said 
Treasurer  and  Company  or  their  Successors,  is,  or  hereafter  shall  be,  to  pay) 
and  the  same  sums  of  money  and  benefit  as  aforesaid,  for  and  during  the  space  of 
one  and  twenty  years,  shall  be  wholly  employed  to  the  Benefit,  Use  and 
Behoof  of  the  said  Colony  and  Plantation  ;  and  after  the  said  one  and  twenty 
years  ended,  the  same  shall  be  taken  to  the  Use  of  us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors, 
by  such  Officers  and  Ministers,  as  by  us  our  heirs  and  Successors,  shall  be  there- 
unto assigned  and  appointed,  as  is  specified  in  the  said  former  Letters  Patents. 
I  shall  be  glad  of  your  opinion  upon  this.  If  you  would  read  over  all  the 
Charters  anew  some  Thoughts  might  occur  on  both  sides  of  the  Question.  The 
distinction  that  was  made  some  years  ago  in  the  Colonies  between  the  Right  to 
impose  Duties  for  the  Regulation  of  Trade  which  has  been  allowed,  and  the 
Right  to  impose  Duties  for  raising  a  Revenue,  I  don't  understand  so  well  as 
I  wish  to  do,  tho'  I  can  see  a  great  difference  between  the  propriety  or  Justice 
in  laying  a  small  Duty  or  Duties  for  the  former  purpose,  and  a  declared,  or 
apparent  intention  to  raise  a  considerable  Revenue  by  Degrees. 

There  is  a  new  opinion  now  lately  advanced  in  Virginia  that  the  Parliament 
has  no  Right  to  make  any  or  scarce  any  Laws  binding  on  the  Colonies.  It  has 
given  me  much  uneasiness.  For  altho'  I  wish  as  much  as  any  one  that  we  were 
legally  exempted  from  it,  yet  I  hold  it  clearly  that  we  ought  to  abide  by  our 
Constitution.  The  common  Consent  and  acquiescence  in  the  colonies  for  such 
a  length  of  time  is  to  us  a  clear  Proof  of  their  having  a  Right,  and  altho'  it  is 
said  that  it  has  only  been  exercised  in  Matters  of  Trade,  it  will  be  found  to  be  a 
mistake.  The  act  for  the  Alteration  of  the  style  was  unquestionably  received  and 
assented  to.  The  Act  for  the  Regulation  of  the  Post-Office,  I  mean  the  first  Act ; 
the  Act  empowering  Officers  to  enlist  servants  just  imported,  and  to  pay  for 
them  ;  the  Acts  relating  to  the  Provincial  Troops  the  late  war,  &c.  have  no 
Relation  to  Trade  ;  but  they  were  enacted  when  the  Act  of  any  single  Assembly 
could  not  have  answered  the  End.  And  upon  tliese  occasions  they  have  been 
passed  without  the  least  objection  that  ever  1  heard  to  the  contrary.  When  I 
first  heard  the  Subject  of  Taxation  mentioned,  a  Tax  was  talked  of  to  be  laid  by 
Parliament  on  the  Lands  in  America.  Colo.  Mason,  who  was  present  spoke  as 
much  as  usual  upon  the  subject,  ui)on  the  Imfprojpriety  I   believe  of  taxing 


1774]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  433 

the  subject  matter  of  your  letter  as  I  could  wish 
to  do,  and  therefore,  must  rely  upon  your  good  na- 
ture and  candor  in  excuse    for    not    attempting    it. 

infant  Colonies  and  the  nature  or  excessiveness  of  it  compared  to  the  value  of 
Lands,  &c. ,  but  I  did  not  hear  him  make  one  objection  as  to  the  Right  of  Par- 
liament. When  I  came  afterwards  to  hear  the  Right  called  in  question  I 
recollected  the  Conversation,  and  was  surprised  that  I  had  not  heard  a  Man  of 
his  understanding  and  readiness  to  find  fault  with  ever)'  thing  irregular,  take 
notice  of  it  ;  and  tho'  he  may  not  have  considered  the  matter  as  a  new  Point,  yet 
it  is  a  proof  that  the  Idea  of  the  Parliament  having  no  Right  to  make  any  Laws 
for  us  had  not  ever  entered  into  his  mind  before.  I  saw  Colo.  Richard  Henry 
Lee  act  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  under  the  act  relating  to  servants,  and  insist  upon 
the  Right  he  had  to  act  on  shipboard  because  the  Act  of  Parliament  had  given 
power  to  aU  Justices  in  America  to  act  without  confining  them  to  their  respective 
Counties.  I  have  often  heard  mention  made  of  uniting  some  of  the  Colonies,  by 
Act  of  Parliament,  of  some  in  Pennsylvania  having  thoughts  of  petitioning  to 
have  their  Charter  abrogated  and  a  new  Government  formed,  and  aU  this 
without  any  objection  to  the  Right ;  which  looks  to  me  like  a  common  Consent. 
But  I  am  almost  unwilling  to  advance  any  opinion  now.  I  should  not  but  in 
hopes  that  you  will  give  me  yours  upon  this  Point. 

By  the  first  Charter  granted  to  Virginia,  the  Council  were  to  govern  the  Col- 
ony according  to  such  Laws,  ordinances  and  Instructions  as  they  were  to  re- 
ceive from  the  Crown.  By  the  second  Charter  they  were  to  be  governed  by 
such  Laws,  orders,  &c. ,  as  should  be  made  by  the  Council  for  the  Colony  ap- 
pointed in  and  to  reside  in  London  ;  who  were  to  make,  ordain  and  establish 
all  manner  of  Laws,  Orders,  Directions,  Instructions,  forms  and  ceremonies  of 
Government  and  Magistracy,  fit  and  necessary  for  the  said  Colony  ;  and  the 
first  government  was  annulled.  Pursuant  to  these  Charters  and  the  third,  the 
Council  and  Company  in  England  made  an  Ordinance  for  holding  an  Assembly 
in  Virginia,  with  power  to  make  Laws  in  the  year  1721,  with  a  proviso  that  no 
Law  made  was  to  be  in  force  tiU  it  had  obtained  their  Assent  at  Home. 

When  I  have  considered  these  Disputes  I  have  often  wished  to  know  the  sen- 
timents of  the  first  settlers  here.  In  Capt.  Smith's  History  there  is  mention  of 
Taxes  by  the  Parliament,  and  some  one  in  Virginia  makes  the  same  objections 
to  it  as  we  do  at  this  day.  Much  about  the  same  time  I  perceive  that  the  As- 
sembly had  petitioned  the  Parliament  for  Relief  ;  they  thought  themselves  Ul- 
used  by  the  King.  I  am  mistaken  in  saying  that  the  Assembly  petitioned. 
It  was  the  company  at  home  petitioned,  being  encouraged  it  is  said  by  the  Par- 
liament having  taken  the  case  of  the  Plantation  Tobacco  into  consideration. 
The  Assembly  petitioned  the  King  to  continue  and  even  farther  to  confirm  the 
Government,  under  which  they  then  lived.  But  if  the  Government  must  be 
altered,  they  desired  &c. ,  and  in  their  letter  to  the  Lords  of  the  Council  they 
expressed  a  Desire  that  the  Governors  sent  over  might  not  have  absolute  au- 


434  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1774 

In  truth,  persuaded  as  I  am,  that  you  have  read  all 
the  political  pieces,  which  compose  a  large  share  of 
the  Gazette  at  this  time,  I  should  think  it,  but  for 
your  request,  a  piece  of  inexcusable  arrogance  in 
me,  to  make  the  least  essay  towards  a  change  in  your 
political  opinions  ;  for  I  am  sure  I  have  no  new  lights 
to  throw  upon  the  subject,  or  any  other  arguments 
to  offer  in  support  of  my  own  doctrine,  than  what 
you  have  seen  ;  and  could  only  in  general  add,  that 
an  Innate  spirit  of  freedom  first  told  me,  that  the 
measures,  which  administration  hath  for  some  time 
been,  and  now  are  most  violently  pursuing,  are  re- 
pugnant to  every  principle  of  natural  justice  ;  whilst 

thority,  but  might  be  restrained  to  the  consent  of  the  Council ;  and  that  they 
might  still  retain  the  liberty  of  their  General  Assemblies.  This  was  the  style 
and  situation  of  our  Ancestors  in  the  Infancy  of  the  Colony.  The  English 
Government  was  a  long  time  arriving  to  Maturity  also.  I  don't  think  the  Con- 
stitution was  properly  settled  till  the  Revolution.  And  then  immediately  were 
sown  the  seeds  of  its  Ruin.  The  Parliament  then  first  began  to  borrow  money 
and  consume  in  one  year  the  amount  of  some  years'  Taxes.  And  within  ten 
or  twelve  years  Corruption  was  introduced  in  order  to  keep  out  the  Tory  Inter- 
est. I  am  very  sorry  we  happen  to  differ  in  opinion.  I  hope  however  that 
our  Sentiments  will  again  coincide  as  in  other  Matters  :  I  wish  they  could  with 
regard  to  storing  the  Goods.  Perhaps  it  is  only  intended  as  a  Threat  to  the 
Merchants.  But  if  it  is  otherwise,  and  they  should  send  any  over,  I  am  afraid 
that  we  should  lie  at  the  Mercy  or  Generosity  of  those  Merchants  whether  they 
will  apply  to  Government  for  Troops  to  release  their  Goods  or  not.  If  the 
End  could  be  answered  otherwise  it  would  be  better.  If  there  was  virtue 
enough  in  the  Country  to  abstain  from  only  half  the  goods  commonly  con- 
sumed, it  might  probably  answer  in  a  few  years.  If  every  man  of  Influence 
would  encourage  his  Neighbor  to  persevere,  perhaps  we  might  hold  out  ;  espe- 
cially if  tlie  names  of  those  Merchants  should  be  published  who  sell  or  import 
contrary  to  the  Desire  of  the  general  Sense  of  the  Country  ;  as  it  might  prevent 
others  from  doing  the  like.  I  am  sorry  to  hear  what  you  mention  of  General 
Gage.  I  did  not  imagine  he  has  been  so  weak  as  to  call  Resolutions  not  to 
trade  with  Great  Britain  by  the  name  of  Treason. 

I  must  again  apologise  for  this  Letter,  hoping  you'l  excuse  it  and  believe  that 
I  am,  &c. — Bryan  Fairlax  to  Washington,  Towlston,  5  August,  1774. 


1774]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  435 

much  abler  heads  than  my  own  hath  fully  convinced 
me,  that  it  is  not  only  repugnant  to  natural  right,  but 
subversive  of  the  laws  and  constitution  of  Great 
Britain  itself,  in  the  establishment  of  which  some 
of  the  best  blood  in  the  kingdom  hath  been  spilt. 
Satisfied,  then,  that  the  acts  of  a  British  Parliament 
are  no  longer  governed  by  the  principles  of  justice, 
that  it  is  trampling  upon  the  valuable  rights  of 
Americans,  confirmed  to  them  by  charter  and  the 
constitution  they  themselves  boast  of,  and  convinced 
beyond  the  smallest  doubt,  that  these  measures  are 
the  result  of  deliberation,  and  attempted  to  be  car- 
ried into  execution  by  the  hand  of  power,  is  it  a  time 
to  trifle,  or  risk  our  cause  upon  petitions,  which  with 
difficulty  obtain  access,  and  afterwards  are  thrown  by 
with  the  utmost  contempt  ?  Or  should  we,  because 
heretofore  unsuspicious  of  design,  and  then  unwilling 
to  enter  into  disputes  with  the  mother  country,  go  on 
to  bear  more,  and  forbear  to  enumerate  our  just 
causes  of  complaint  ?  For  my  own  part,  I  shall  not 
undertake  to  say  where  the  line  between  Great  Brit- 
ain and  the  colonies  should  be  drawn  ;  but  I  am 
clearly  of  opinion,  that  one  ought  to  be  drawn,  and 
our  rights  clearly  ascertained.  I  could  wish,  I  own, 
that  the  dispute  had  been  left  to  posterity  to  deter- 
mine, but  the  crisis  is  arrived  when  we  must  assert 
our  rights,  or  submit  to  every  imposition,  that  can  be 
heaped  upon  us,  till  custom  and  use  shall  make  us  as 
tame  and  abject  slaves,  as  the  blacks  we  rule  over 
with  such  arbitrary  sway. 

I  intended  to  have  wrote  no  more  than  an  apology 


436  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1774 


for  not  writing-  ;  but  I  find  I  am  insensibly  running 
into  a  length  I  did  not  expect,  and  therefore  shall 
conclude  with  remarking,  that,  if  you  disavow  the 
right  of  Parliament  to  tax  us,  (unrepresented  as  we 
are,)  we  only  differ  in  respect  to  the  mode  of  opposi- 
tion, and  this  difference  principally  arises  from  your 
belief,  that  they — the  Parliament,  I  mean, — want  a 
decent  opportunity  to  repeal  the  acts  ;  whilst  I  am  as 
fully  convinced,  as  I  am  of  my  own  existence,  that 
there  has  been  a  regular,  systematic  plan  formed  to 
enforce  them,  and  that  nothing  but  unanimity  in  the 
colonies  (a  stroke  they  did  not  expect)  and  firmness, 
can  prevent  it.  It  seems  from  the  best  advices  from 
Boston,  that  General  Gage  is  exceedingly  disconcerted 
at  the  quiet  and  steady  conduct  of  the  people  of  the 
Massachusetts  Bay,  and  at  the  measures  pursuing  by 
the  other  governments  ;  as  I  dare  say  he  expected  to 
have  forced  those  oppressed  people  into  compliance, 
or  irritated  them  to  acts  of  violence  before  this,  for  a 
more  colorable  pretense  of  ruling  that  and  the  other 
colonies  with  a  hiofh  hand.      But  I  am  done. 

I  shall  set  off  on  Wednesday  next  for  Philadelphia, 
whither,  if  you  have  any  commands,  I  shall  be  glad 
to  oblige  you  in  them  ;  being,  dear  Sir,  with  real  re- 
gard, &c. 

P.  S.   Pray  what  do  you  think  of  the  Canada  Bill  ? 


1774]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  437 

THE    CONTINENTAL    CONGRESS    OF    1 774- 

August  30.     Colo.  Pendleton,  Mr  Henry,  Colo.  Mason,  and  Mr, 
Thos.  Triplet,  came  in  the  evening  and  stay'd  all  night. 

31.  All  the  above  gentlemen  dined  here  ;  after  which  with 
Colo.  Pendleton  and  Mr.  Henry,  I  set  out  on  my  journey  to  Phil- 
adelphia and  reached  Upper  Marlboro. 

September  i.     Breakfasted  at  Queen  Anne.     Dined  in  Annapolis, 
and  lodged  at  Rock  Hall. 

2.  Dined  at  Rock  Hall  (waiting  for  my  horses),  and  lodged 
at  New  Town,  on  Chester. 

3.  Breakfasted  at  Down's.  Dined  at  the  Brick  Tavern 
(Carson's)  and  lodged  at  Newcastle. 

4.  Breakfasted  at  Christeen  Ferry.  Dined  at  Chester,  and 
lodged  at  Doctr.  Shippen's  in  Phila.  after  supping  at  ye  New 
Tavern.' 

5.  Breakfasted  and  dined  at  Doctor  Shippen's.  Spent  ye 
evening  at  Tavern.* 

6.  Dined  at  the  New  Tavern,  after  being  in  Congress  all 
day. 

7.  Dined  at  Mr.  Pleasants',  and  spent  the  evening  in  a  Club 
at  the  New  Tavern. 

8.  Dined  at  Mr.  Andrew  Allan's,  and  spent  the  evening  in 
my  own  lodging. 

9.  Dined  at  Mr.  Tilghman's,  and  spent  the  evening  at  home 
(at  my  lodgings). 

10.  Dined  at  Mr.  Richard  Penn's. 

11.  Dined  at  Mr  Griffen's.' 

12.  Dined  at  Mr.  James  Allan's. 

13.  Dined  at  Mr.  Thos.  Mifflin's. 

14.  Rid  over  the  Province  Island,  and  dined  at  Mr  Wm. 
Hamilton's. 

15.  Dined  at  my  lodgings. 

'  Adams  describes  it  as  "the  most  genteel  one  in  America." 

'  On  this  day  the  delegates  met  at  the  Tavern  in  the  morning  and  went  to 

Carpenter's  Hall.     Peyton  Randolph  was  unanimously  chosen  President,  and 

Charles  Thomson  Secretary. 

*  Adams  records  dining  at  Mr  killing's  "with  the  gentlemen  from  Vii^nia." 

Works,  ii.,  378. 


438  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1774 

16.  Dined  at  the  State  House,  at  an  entertainment  given  by 
the  city  to  the  members  of  the  Congress.' 

17.  Dined  at  Mr.  Dickenson's,  about  2  miles  from  town. 

18.  Dined  at  Mr.  Hills,  about  6  miles  from  town. 

19.  Rid  out  in  the  morning  ;  dined  at  Mr.  Ross's. 

20.  Dined  with  Mr.  Fisher,  the  Mayor. 

21.  Dined  with  Mr.  James  Mease. 

22.  Dined  with  Mr.  Chew,  the  Chief  Justice. 

23.  Dined  with  Mr.  Joseph  Pemberton. 

24.  Dined  with  Mr  Thos.  Willing,  and  spent  ye  evening  at 
ye  city  Tavern. 

25.  Went  to  the  Quaker  meeting  in  the  forenoon,  and  St. 
Peters  in  the  afternoon.     Dined  at  my  lodgings. 

26.  Dined  at  the  old   Doctr.  Shippen's,  and  went  to  the 
Hospital.' 

27.  Dined  at  the  Tavern  with  the  Virginian  Gentlemen  &c. 

28.  Dined  with  Mr.  Edward  Shippen's  ;  spent  the  afternoon 
with  the  Boston  gentlemen.' 

29.  Dined  at  Mr.  Allans,  and  went  to  the  Ball  in  the  after- 
noon. 

30.  Dined  at  Doctor  Cadwalladers. 

October  i.     At  ye  Congress  till  3  o'clock.     Dined  with  Mr.  Ham- 
ilton at  Bush  Hill. 

2.  Went  to  Christ  Church,  and  dined  at  ye  New  Tavern. 

3.  At  Congress  till  3  o'clock.     Dined  at  Mr.  Reed's. 

'  "  On  Friday,  Septejiiber  i6th,  the  Honorable  Delegates,  now  met  in  Gen- 
eral Congress,  was  elegantly  entertained  by  the  gentlemen  of  Philadelphia. 
Having  met  at  the  City  Tavern  about  three  o'clock,  they  were  conducted  from 
thence  to  the  State  House  by  the  Managers  of  the  Entertainment,  where  they 
were  received  by  a  very  large  company,  composed  of  the  clergy,  such  genteel 
strangers  as  happened  to  be  in  Town,  and  a  number  of  respectable  citizens, 
making  in  the  whole  near  five  hundred."  The  toasts  that  were  drank  are  given 
in  Force,  American  Archives,  Fourth  Scries,  i.,  goo.  Adams  makes  no  men- 
tion of  this. 

'  "  Dined  at  old  Dr  Shippens,  with  Mr  and  Mrs  Blair,  young  Dr.  Shippen, 
the  Jersey  delegates,  and  some  Virginians.  Afterwards  went  to  the  Hospital, 
and  heard  another  lecture  upon  anatomy  from  young  Dr.  Shippen."  Adams, 
ii.,  382. 

^  "Spent  the  evening  at  home  with  Colonel  Lee,  Colonel  Washington,  and 
Dr.  Shippen,  who  came  in  to  consult  us."     Adams,  ii.,  386. 


1774]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  439 


4.  At   Congress    till   3    o'clock.     Dined    at   young   doctor 
Shippen's. 

5.  At  Congress  as  above.     Dined  at  Doctor  Bond's. 

6.  At  Congress.     Dined  at  Mr.  Saml.  Meredith's. 

7.  At  Congress.     Dined  at  Mr.  Thos.  Smith's.' 

8.  At  Congress.     Dined  with  Mr.  John  Cadwallader. 

9.  Went  to  the  Presbyterian  meeting  in  the  forenoon,  and 
Romish  church  in  the  afternoon.'     Dined  at  Sevan's. 

10.  At  Congress.     Dined  at  Doctor  Morgan's. 

11.  Dined  at  my  lodgings,  and  spent  the  evening  at  Sevan's. 

12.  At   Congress    all   the  forenoon.      Dined  at  Mr.   Josh. 
Wharton's,  and  went  to  ye  Governor's  Club. 

13.  Dined   at   my    lodgings,   after  being  at    Congress   till 
4  o'clock. 

14.  Dined  at  Mr.  Thos.  Barclay's  and  spent  the  evening 
at  Smith's. 

15.  Dined  at  Bevan's.     Spent  the  evening  at  home. 

16.  Went  to  Christ  Church  in  the  forenoon,  after  which  rid 
to  and  dined  in  ye  Province  Island.     Supped  at  Byrns's. 

17.  After  Congress  dined  on  board  Captn.  Hamilton.    Spent 
the  evening  at  Mr.  Mifflin's. 

18.  Dined  at  Doctor  Rush's  and  spent  the  evening  at  ye  New 
Tavern. 

19.  Dined  at  Mr.  Willing's,  and  spent  the  evening  at  my  own 
lodgings. 

20.  Dined  at  ye  New  Tavern  with  ye  Pennsylvania  Assem- 
bly.'    Went  to  the  Ball  afterwards. 

21.  Dined  at  my  lodging  and  spent  the  evening  there  also. 

22.  Dined  at  Mr.  Griffen's  and  drank  tea  with  Mr.  Rober- 
deau. 

'  "  Dined  with  Mr.  Thomas  Smith,  with  a  large  company,  the  Virginians  and 
others." — Adams,  ii.,  395. 

'  Adams  was  present,  and  gives  a  good  account  in  his  Diarj-  (IForis,  ii., 
395),  and  in  a  letter  to  his  wife,  October  9,  1774. 

•  "  Dined  with  the  whole  Congress,  at  the  City  Tavern,  at  the  inN-itation  of 
the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  Pro^'ince  of  Pennsylvania.  The  whole 
House  dined  with  us,  making  near  one  hundred  guests  in  the  whole  ;  a  most 
elegant  entertainment." — Adams,  ii,  400. 


440  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1774 

23.  Dined  at  my  lodgings  and  spent  the  evening  there. 

24.  Dined  with  Mr,  Mease,  and  spent  the  evening  at  the  new- 
tavern. 

25.  Dined  at  my  lodgings. 

26.  Dined  at  Bevan's,  and  spent  the  evening  at  the  New 
Tavern.' 

27.  Set  out  on  my  return  home." 

'  "  This  day  the  Congress  finished.  Spent  the  evening  together  at  the  City 
Tavern;  all  the  Congress,  and  several  gentlemen  of  the  town." — Adams,  ii., 
401. 

^  Of  the  impression  Washington  made  on  his  fellow  members  we  have  but  few 
records,  but  such  as  exist  all  tend  to  show  that  it  was  marked  : 

"  Col.  Washington  is  nearly  as  tall  a  man  as  Col.  Fitch,  and  almost  as  hard 
a  countenance  ;  yet  with  a  very  young  look,  and  an  easy  soldierlike  air  and 
gesture.  He  does  not  appear  above  forty  five,  yet  was  in  the  first  actions  in 
1753  and  1754,  on  the  Ohio,  and  in  1755  was  with  Braddock,  and  was  the 
means  of  saving  the  remains  of  that  unfortunate  army.  It  is  said  that  in  the 
House  of  Burgesses  in  Virginia,  on  hearing  of  the  Boston  Port  Bill,  he  offered 
to  raise  and  arm  and  lead  one  thousand  men  himself  at  his  own  expense,  for  the 
defence  of  the  country,  were  there  need  of  it.  His  fortune  is  said  to  be  equal  to 
such  an  undertaking." — Silas  Deane  to  his  wife,  19  September,  1774. 

"  Mr.  Henry,  on  his  return  home,  being  asked,  '  Who  is  the  greatest  man  in 
Congress?'  replied,  '  If  you  speak  of  eloquence,  Mr.  Rutledge,  of  South  Caro- 
lina, is  by  far  the  greatest  orator  ;  but  if  you  speak  of  solid  information  and 
sound  judgment.  Colonel  Washington  is  unquestionably  the  greatest  man  on  that 
floor.'  " — CaJ7ipbell,  580. 

Dr.  Solomon  Browne  in  a  letter  from  Philadelphia,  5  Oct.,  1774,  recorded  in 
a  few  lines  of  doggerel  verse  how  he  went  to  see  "  America's  great  patriots,  re- 
tire from  weighty  council,"  and  among  them 

"  With  manly  gait 
His  faithful  steel  suspended  by  his  side, 
Passed  W'-shi-gt-n  along,  Virginia's  Hero." 

"This  Col.  Washington,"  he  added,  "is  a  man  noted  as  well  for  his  good 
sense,  as  his  Bravery.  I  heard,  he  said,  he  wished  to  God  the  Liberties  of 
America  were  to  be  determined  by  a  single  Combat  between  himself  and 
G[eorg]e." — Penn.  Mag.  of  Biography  and  Ilistoy,  v.,  IIO,  ill. 

"  It  is  now  Saturday  morning.  ...  In  the  afternoon  [yesterday]  came  in  the 
Virginia  and  Maryland  delegates.  .  .  .  The  Virginia,  and  indeed  all  the  south- 
ern delegates  appear  like  men  of  importance.  We  waited  on,  and  were  intro- 
duced to  them  in  the  evening.  They  are  sociable,  sensible,  and  spirited  men, 
and  the  short  opportunity  I  had  of  attending  to  their  conversation  gives  me  the 
highest  idea  of  their  principles  and  character." — Silas  Dcanc  to  his  wife,  Sep- 
tember, 1774.     "  You  may  tell  your  friends  tiiat  I  never  met,  nor  scarcely  had 


1774]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  441 

TO    CAPTAIN    ROBERT    MACKENZIE.' 

Philadelphia,  9  October,  1774. 

Dear  Sir, 

Your  letter  of  the   13th  ultimo  from  Boston  gave 

me  pleasure,  as  I   learnt  thereby,  that  you  were  well, 

and  might  be  expected  at  Mount  Vernon  in  your  way 

to  or  from  James  River,  in  the  course  of  the  winter. 

When  I  have  said  this,  permit  me  with  the  freedom 

of  a  friend  (for  you  know  I  always  esteemed  you)  to 

an  idea  of  meeting,  with  men  of  such  firmness,  sensibiUty,  spirit,  and  thorough 
knowledge  of  the  interests  of  America,  as  the  gentlemen  from  the  Southern 
Provinces  appear  to  be.  In  this  I  do  not  speak  from  prejudice,  but  from  the 
knowledge  I  have  of  them  in  their  pubUc  as  weU  as  their  private  conversation, 
both  of  which  I  attend  to  with  a  pleasure  that  balances  many,  if  not  more  than 
all  the  anxieties  and  troubles  of  such  a  journey.  May  New  England  go  hand  in 
hand  with  them,  and  we  need  not  fear  a  want  of  spirit."  Do.  to  do.,  Septem- 
ber 5th,  1774. 

"  There  are  some  fine  fellows  come  from  Virginia,  but  they  are  verj'  high. 
The  Bostonians  are  mere  milksops  to  them.  We  understand  they  are  the  capi- 
tal men  of  the  colony,  both  in  fortune  and  understand." — Joseph  Reed,  Life  of 
Reed,  i.,  75. 

'  Captain  Mackenzie  had  been  a  captain  of  the  Virginia  regiment,  com- 
manded by  Washington  in  the  French  War,  and  a  friendly  intimacy  seems 
always  to  have  subsisted  between  them.  Mackenzie  had  obtained  a  commission 
in  the  regular  army,  and  was  now  attached  to  the  forty-third  regiment  of  foot. 
He  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Bunker's  Hill,  while  fighting  in  that  regi- 
ment.  He  wrote  as  follows  to  Washington  from  Boston,  13  September,  1774  : — 

"  Mr.  Atchison  can  sufficiently  inform  you  of  the  state  of  this  unhappy  prov- 
ince, of  their  tyrannical  oppression  over  one  another,  of  their  fixed  aim  at  total 
independence,  of  the  weakness  and  temper  of  the  mainsprings  that  set  the  whole 
in  motion,  and  how  necessary  it  is,  that  abler  heads  and  better  hearts  should 
draw  a  line  for  their  guidance.  Even  when  this  is  done,  't  is  much  to  be 
feared,  that  they  will  follow  it  no  further,  than  where  it  coincides  with  their 
present  sentiments. 

"  Amidst  all  these  jarrings  we  have  until  lately  lived  as  in  a  camp  of  pleasure  ; 
but  the  rebellious  and  numerous  meetings  of  men  in  arms,  their  scandalous  and 
ungenerous  attacks  upon  the  best  characters  in  the  province,  obliging  them  to 
save  their  lives  by  flight,  and  their  repeated  but  feeble  threats  to  dispossess  the 
troops,  have  furnished  sufficient  reasons  to  General  Gage  to  put  the  town  in  a 
formidable  state  of  defence,  about  which  we  are  nov\'  fully  employed,  and  which 
wUl  be  shortly  accomplished  to  their  great  mortification." 


442  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1774 

express  my  sorrow,  that  fortune  should  place  you  in 
a  service,  that  must  fix  curses  to  the  latest  posterity 
upon  the  contrivers,  and,  if  success  (which,  by  the 
by,  is  impossible)  accompanies  it,  execrations  upon 
all  those,  who  have  been  instrumental  in  the  execu- 
tion, 

I  do  not  mean  by  this  to  insinuate,  that  an  officer 
is  not  to  discharge  his  duty,  even  when  chance,  not 
choice,  has  placed  him  in  a  disagreeable  situation  ; 
but  I  conceive,  when  you  condemn  the  conduct  of 
the  Massachusetts  people,  you  reason  from  effects,, 
not  causes  ;  otherwise  you  would  not  wonder  at  a 
people,  who  are  every  day  receiving  fresh  proofs  of 
a  systematic  assertion  of  an  arbitrary  power,  deeply 
planned  to  overturn  the  laws  and  constitution  of 
their  country,  and  to  violate  the  most  essential  and 
valuable  rights  of  mankind,  being  irritated,  and  with 
difficulty  restrained  from  acts  of  the  greatest  violence 
and  intemperance.  For  my  own  part,  I  confess  to 
you  candidly,  that  I  view  things  in  a  very  different 
point  of  light  from  the  one  in  which  you  seem  to  con- 
sider them  ;  and  though  you  are  led  to  believe  by 
venal  men, — for  such  I  must  take  the  liberty  of  call- 
ing those  new-fangled  counsellors,  who  fly  to  and  sur- 
round you,  and  all  others,  who,  for  honors  or  pecu- 
niary gratifications,  will  lend  their  aid  to  overturn  the 
constitution,  and  introduce  a  system  of  arbitrary  gov- 
ernment,— although  you  are  taught,  I  say,  by  dis- 
coursing with  such  men,  to  believe,  that  the  people 
of  Massachusetts  are  rebellious,  setting  up  for  inde- 
pendency,  and   what   not,   give   me  leave,  my  good 


1774]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  443 

friend,  to  tell  you,  that  you  are  abused,  grossly 
abused.  This  I  advance  with  a  degree  of  confidence 
and  boldness,  which  may  claim  your  belief,  having 
better  opportunities  of  knowing  the  real  sentiments 
of  the  people  you  are  among,  from  the  leaders  of 
them,  in  opposition  to  the  present  measures  of  the 
administration,  than  you  have  from  those  whose  busi- 
ness it  is,  not  to  disclose  truths,  but  to  misrepresent 
facts  in  order  to  justify  as  much  as  possible  to  the 
world  their  own  conduct.  Give  me  leave  to  add, 
and  I  think  I  can  announce  it  as  a  fact,  that  it  is  not 
the  wish  or  interest  of  that  government,  or  any  other 
upon  this  continent,  separately  or  collectively,  to  set 
up  for  independence  ;  but  this  you  may  at  the  same 
time  rely  on,  that  none  of  them  will  ever  submit  to 
the  loss  of  those  valuable  rights  and  privileges,  which 
are  essential  to  the  happiness  of  ever}'  free  state,  and 
without  which,  life,  liberty,  and  property  are  rendered 
totally  insecure. 

These,  Sir,  being  certain  consequences,  which  must 
naturally  result  from  the  late  acts  of  Parliament  rela- 
tive to  America  in  greneral,  and  the  orovernment  of 
Massachusetts  Bay  in  particular,  is  it  to  be  wondered 
at,  I  repeat,  that  men,  who  wish  to  avert  the  impend- 
ing blow,  should  attempt  to  oppose  it  in  its  progress, 
or  prepare  for  their  defence,  if  it  cannot  be  averted  ? 
Surely  I  may  be  allowed  to  answer  in  the  negative  ; 
and  again  give  me  leave  to  add  as  my  opinion,  that 
more  blood  will  be  spilled  on  this  occasion,  if  the 
ministry  are  determined  to  push  matters  to  extrem- 
ity, than   history  has  ever  yet  furnished  instances  of 


444  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1774 

in  the  annals  of  North  America,  and  such  a  vital 
wound  will  be  given  to  the  peace  of  this  great  coun- 
try, as  time  itself  cannot  cure,  or  eradicate  the  re- 
membrance of. 

But  I  have  done.  I  was  involuntarily  led  into  a 
short  discussion  of  this  subject  by  your  remarks  on 
the  conduct  of  the  Boston  people,  and  your  opinion 
of  their  wishes  to  set  up  for  independency.  I  am 
well  satisfied,  that  no  such  thing  is  desired  by  any 
thinking  man  in  all  North  America ;  on  the  contrary, 
that  it  is  the  ardent  wish  of  the  warmest  advocates 
for  liberty,  that  peace  and  tranquillity,  upon  constitu- 
tional grounds,  may  be  restored,  and  the  horrors  of 
civil  discord  prevented.' 

I  am  very  glad  to  learn,  that  my  friend  Stewart 

'  "  At  that  Congress  [the  first  Continental],  Washington  had  appeared  as  one 
of  the  representatives  of  Virginia,  but  apparently  not  yet  clear  as  to  what  extent 
it  was  proper  to  involve  himself  in  the  difficulties  into  which  Massachusetts  was 
plunged.  There  is  reason  to  suppose  that  he  shared  somewhat  in  the  distrust 
generally  felt,  south  of  New  England,  of  the  purposes  of  the  Massachusetts 
leaders.  Whilst  in  this  state  of  mind,  he  received  a  letter  from  Captain 
MacKenzie.  MacKenzie  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  an  acquaintance  of 
Washington,  who  had  taken  a  commission  in  the  British  army,  and  was  at  this 
time  attached  to  one  of  the  regiments  stationed  at  Boston.  The  object  of  the 
letter  was  to  prejudice  his  mind  against  the  action  of  the  people  of  Massa- 
chusetts, and  to  induce  him  to  exert  his  influence  to  counteract  the  policy  their 
delegates  were  advocating  in  Philadelphia.  Determined  to  satisfy  himself  as 
to  the  true  character  and  designs  of  these  delegates,  he  seems  to  have  sought  an 
interview  and  free  conference  with  them  at  their  lodgings.  That  interview  took 
place  on  the  evening  of  the  28th  of  September,  1774  [page  438  antc\.  Richard 
Henry  Lee,  and  Dr.  Shippen  of  Philadelphia,  were  also  present.  It  seems  to 
have  settled  all  Washington's  doubts,  if  he  had  any  ;  for  instead  of  noisy, 
brawling  demagogues,  meaning  mischief  only,  he  found  the  delegates  plain, 
downright  practical  men,  seeking  safety  from  oppression,  and  contemplating 
violence  only  as  a  result  of  an  absolute  necessity  forced  on  them  by  the  govern- 
iiient  at  home.  The  effect  of  this  conference  is  made  visible  in  liis  answer  to 
MacKenzie." — Charles  Francis  Adams,  Proceedings  of  the  Massachusetts  His- 
torical Society,  iv.,  69. 


1774]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  445 

was  well  when  you  left  London.  I  have  not  had  a 
letter  from  him  these  five  years,  nor  heard  of  him  I 
think  for  two.  I  wish  you  had  mentioned  his  em- 
ployment, 

I  remain,  dear  Sir,  your  most  obedient  servant.' 

1  "  I  have  this  very  day  heard,  that  in  that  tract  of  Virginia  called  the  North- 
em  Neck,  and  which  lies  betwixt  Rappahannock  and  Potomack  Rivers,  they  have 
lately  raised  one  thousand  volunteers,  as  fine  fellows  and  good  woodsmen  as  any 
on  our  continent,  who  have  put  themselves  under  the  command  of  Col.  George 
Washington,  a  brave  and  experienced  officer,  whom  it  is  said,  has  undertaken 
the  command  of  them,  and  that  they  are  soon  to  march  for  your  place."  Wil- 
liam Black  to  Boston  Committee,  22  December,  1774.  Massachusetts  Historical 
Society,  Fourth  Series,  iv.,  p.  187. 

"  My  necessary  absence,  on  the  occasion  of  the  Indian  disturbances  will  I  hope, 
account  and  excuse  me  for  my  not  having  acknowledged  your  Lordship's  several 
letters  in  due  time  and  order,  and  for  not  having  regularly  communicated  ac- 
counts of  the  public  affairs  of  the  colony  to  which  some  of  them  refer  ;  and  I 
wish  I  were  now  so  fortunate  as  to  have  it  in  my  power  to  make  a  representa- 
tion of  their  appearing  with  a  more  favorable  aspect  than  when  I  last  wrote  upon 
these  important  concerns. 

"  The  associations  first,  in  part,  entered  into,  recommended  by  the  people  of 
this  colony,  and  adopted  by  what  is  called  the  Continental  Congress,  are  now 
enforcing  throughout  this  country  with  the  greatest  rigor.  A  Committee  has 
been  chosen  in  every  county,  whose  business  it  is  to  carry  the  association  of  the 
Congress  into  execution,  which  committee  assumes  to  inspect  the  books,  invoices, 
and  all  other  secrets  of  the  trade  and  correspondence  of  merchants,  to  watch  the 
conduct  of  every  inhabitant  without  distinction,  and  to  send  for  all  such  as  come 
under  their  suspicion  into  their  presence,  to  interrogate  them  respecting  all  mat- 
ters which,  at  their  pleasure,  they  think  fit  objects  of  their  inquiry  ;  and  to  stig- 
matize, as  they  term  it,  such  as  they  find  transgressing  what  they  are  now  hardy 
enough  to  call  the  laws  of  the  Congress,  which  stigmatising  is  no  other  than  in- 
viting the  vengeance  of  an  outrageous  and  lawless  mob  to  be  exercised  upon  the 
unhappy  victims.  Every  county,  besides,  is  now  arming  a  company  of  men, 
whom  they  call  an  Independent  Company,  for  the  avowed  purpose  of  protecting 
their  Committees,  and  to  be  employed  against  government  if  occasion  require. 
The  Committee  of  one  county  has  proceeded  so  far  as  to  swear  the  men  of  their 
Independent  Company  to  execute  all  orders  which  shall  be  given  them  from  the 
Committee  of  their  County. 

"As  to  the  power  of  government  which  your  Lordship  in  your  letter  No.  11 
directs  should  be  exerted  to  counteract  the  dangerous  measures  pursuing  here,  I 
can  assure  your  Lordship  that  it  is  entirely  disregarded,  if  not  wholly  overturned. 
There  is  not  a  justice  of  peace  in  Virginia  that  acts  except  as  a  Committee  man  ; 


446  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1774 

TO    JAMES    MERCER. 

Mount  Vernon,  26  December,  1774. 

Dear  Sir, 

I  do  not  recollect  whether,  in  my  last,  I  informed 
you  that  it  was  ^29  you  gave  for  the  negro  Kate,  and 
that  the  whole  of  your  purchases  in  Frederick 
amounted  to  ^2385,  14.  2  ;  if  I  did  not  then  do  it, 
these  will  be  found  right,  and  agreeable  to  the 
original  entries. 

I  have  heard  nothing  yet  from  Colo.  Payton^ 
respecting  those  lands  which  you  appear  charged 
with  at  the    Loudoun  sale.     There    is    no  doubt,   I 

the  abolishing  the  courts  of  justice  was  the  first  step  taken  in  which  the  men  of 
fortune  and  pre-eminence  joined  equally  with  the  lowest  and  meanest.  The 
general  court  of  judicature  of  the  colony  is  much  in  the  same  predicament ;  for 
though  there  is  at  least  a  majority  of  his  Majesty's  council  who,  with  myself,  are 
the  judges  of  that  court,  that  would  steadily  perform  their  duty,  yet  the  lawyers 
have  absolutely  refused  to  attend,  nor  indeed  would  the  people  allow  them  to 
attend,  or  evidences  to  appear.  The  reason,  commonly  assigned  for  this  pro- 
ceeding, is  the  want  of  a  fee  bill,  which  expired  the  last  session  of  Assembly  ; 
and  it  is  a  popular  argument  here,  that  no  power  but  the  legislature  can  estab- 
lish fees,  and  the  fee  bill  not  having  been  renewed  is  attributed  to  the  dissolu- 
tion. But  the  true  cause  of  so  many  persons  joining  in  so  opprobrious  a  measure 
was  to  engage  their  English  creditors,  who  are  numerous,  to  join  in  the  clamors 
of  this  country  ;  and  not  a  few,  to  avoid  paying  the  debts  in  which  many  of  the 
principal  people  here  are  much  involved. 

"  With  regard  to  the  encouraging  of  those,  as  your  Lordship  likewise  exhorts 
me,  who  appeared  in  principle  averse  to  these  proceedings,  I  hope  your  Lord- 
ship will  do  me  the  justice  to  believe  I  have  left  no  means  in  my  power  unes- 
sayed  to  draw  all  the  assistance  possible  from  them  to  his  Majesty's  government ; 
but  I  presume  your  Lordsiiip  will  not  think  it  very  extraordinary  that  my  per- 
suasions should  have  been  unavailing  against  the  terrors  which  on  the  other 
hand,  are  held  out  by  the  Committee. 

"  Independent  Companies,  &c.,  so  universally  supported,  who  have  set  them- 
selves up  superior  to  all  other  authority,  under  the  auspices  of  their  Congress, 
the  laws  of  which  they  talk  of  in  a  stile  of  respect,  and  treat  with  marks  of  rev- 
erence which  they  never  bestowed  on  their  legal  government,  or  the  laws  pro- 
ceeding from  it.  I  can  assure  your  Lordship,  that  I  have  discovered  no  instance 
where  the  interposition  of  government,  in  the  feeble  state  to  which  it  is  reduced, 


[774]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  447 


presume,  of  courts  or  others  taking  them  off  your 
hands.  If  there  be,  the  sums  bid  for  them  will 
require    to    be    added    to    your    account. 

I  cannot  say  but  that  I  should  have  liked  to  have 
had  1224  acres  of  land  warranted  to  me,  instead  of 
your  granting  1 200  acres  more  or  less  ;  for  as  it  was 
upon  the  presumption  that  the  tracts  of  Gray  and 
Adams  contained  this  quantity,  clear  of  disputed 
bounds,  that  I  agreed  to  give  the  price  I  did  ;  so  if  it 
falls  short  (I  mean  more  than  is  generally  allowed  for 
variation  of  instruments)  I  shall  not  much  like,  nor 
indeed  think  myself  bound  by  it  ;  and  am  inclined  to 

could  serve  any  other  purpose  than  to  suffer  the  disgrace  of  a  disappointment, 
and  thereby  afford  matter  of  great  exultation  to  its  enemies,  and  increase  their 
influence  over  the  minds  of  the  people. 

"  But,  my  Lord,  every  step  which  has  been  taken  by  these  infatuated  people, 
must  inevitably  defeat  its  own  purpose.  Their  non-importation,  non-exporta- 
tion, &c.,  cannot  fail,  in  a  short  time  to  produce  a  scarcity  which  will  ruin  thou- 
sands of  families.  The  people,  indeed,  of  fortune  may  supply  themselves  and 
their  negroes  for  two  or  three  years  ;  but  the  middling  and  poorer  sort,  who  live 
from  hand  to  mouth  have  not  the  means  of  doing  so,  and  the  produce  of  their 
lands  will  not  purchase  those  necessaries  (without  which  themselves  and  negroes 
must  stars-e)  of  the  merchants,  who  may  have  goods  to  dispose  of,  because  the 
merchants  are  prevented  from  turning  such  produce  to  any  account.  As  to 
manufacturing  for  themselves,  the  people  of  Virginia  are  very  far  from  being 
naturally  industrious,  and  it  is  not  by  taking  away  the  principal,  if  not  the  only 
encouragement  to  industry,  that  it  can  be  excited  ;  nor  is  it  in  times  of  anarchy 
and  confusion  that  the  foundation  of  such  improvements  can  be  laid.  The 
lower  class  of  people  too  will  discover  that  they  have  been  duped  by  the  richer 
sort,  who  for  their  part  elude  the  whole  effects  of  the  association,  by  which  their 
poor  neighbors  perish.  \Miat  then  is  to  deter  those  from  taking  the  shortest 
mode  of  supplying  themselves  ;  and  unrestrained  as  they  are  by  laws,  from 
taking  whatever  they  want,  wherever  they  can  find  it  ? 

"The  arbitrar}'  proceedings  of  these  Committees,  likewise,  cannot  fail  produ- 
cing quarrels  and  dissensions,  which  will  raise  partisans  of  government  ;  and  I 
am  firmly  persuaded  that  the  colony,  even  by  their  own  acts  and  deeds,  must  be 
brought  to  see  the  necessity  of  depending  on  its  mother  countn-,  and  of  em- 
bracing its  authority." — Dunmore  to  the  Earl  of  Dartmouth,  24  December,  1774. 


448  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1774 

think  (as  Mr.  Carlyle  also  does)  that  Hough  must 
have  made  some  mistake  in  his  measurement,  as  the 
original  patents  to  Adams  and  Gray  together  contain 
no  more  than  11 68  acres,  whilst  it  appears  that 
Adams'  patent  runs  into  Gray's,  and  one  half,  or  near 
it,  of  Gray's  is  taken  away  by  Strutfield's.  Notwith- 
standing all  which  Hough  you  say  (for  I  have  no  plat 
or  report  of  his)  makes  56  acres  more  than  is  granted 
by  both  patents  ;  at  the  same  time  he  differs  but  little 
(I  perceive  by  your  plat)  from  the  original  courses 
and  distances. 

I  do  not  pretend  either  to  be  well  acquainted  with, 
the  phrases  which  constitute  a  general  warranty,  but 
the  words  made  use  of  by  you,  for  this  purpose  are 
not  so  strong  and  eniphatical  as  I  have  generally  ob- 
served upon  these  occasions  ;  which  usually  run  in 
some  such  manner  as  this  :  "  From  the  claim,  or 
claims  of  any  person,  or  persons,  whatsoever,  the  said 

his ,  his  heirs  &c.  doth  warrant,  and  will  forever 

defend."  Your  covenant  may,  for  ought  I  know  be 
tantamount,  although  no  such  expressions  are  used, 
and,  therefore,  I  shall  say  nothing  further  on  this 
head. 

It  was  my  intention  to  have  run  round  the  lines  of 
these  tracts  and  tried  the  contents  of  them  myself  ; 
but  I  have  never  been  a  day  well  since  my  return 
from  Frederick,  nor  a  day  without  company.  If  you 
have  Adam's  conveyance,  I  should  be  glad  to  be  fur- 
nished with  it  when  you  send  the  copy  of  the  power  of 
attorney,  to  McCoul  and  Blair,  as  I  have  no  paper 
relative  to  this  land,  except  an  unattested  copy  of  the 
Proprietor's  deed  to  him. 


1774]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  449 

I  have  wrote  to  your  Brother  '  since  I  came  home.  I 
intended  a  short  letter,  just  to  advise  him  of  the 
amount  of  the  sales,  but  insensibly  run  into  a  long 
one.  Inclosed  is  a  copy  of  it,  as  also  of  the  two 
queries  which  he  seems  anxious  for  your  answering  ; 
the  reason  of  my  repeating  them  to  you  now,  being 
that  they  are  again  urged  to  me  in  a  letter  from  Mr. 
Montague.  If  you  choose  to  answer  them,  it  may  be 
by  way  of  letter  to  me,  which  I  can  enclose  to  your 
brother.  It  was  for  this  reason  I  have  furnished 
you  with  my  preparatory  letter. 

As  ye  quantity  of  wheat  threshed  at  Marlborough, 
agreeably  to  your  letter  of  the  13th  inst.  is  too  much 
for  a  load  ;  and  as  the  holidays  are  near  at  hand,  and 
bad  weather  probably  approaching,  it  will  be  out  of 
my  power  to  send  for  it  very  soon.  Indeed  this  will 
always  be  the  case,  (which  makes  no  material  differ- 
ence to  me,)  if  it  cannot  be  got  ready  for  delivery 
before  Christmas,  it  being  difficult  afterwards,  to 
procure  craft  till  the  frosts  are  thought  to  be  over  in 
the  spring. 

I  have  heard  no  person  speak  of  the  sale  of  cattle 
in  Frederick  but  what  thought  it  a  great  one.  I 
have  mentioned  the  average  price  to  no  one  since,  but 
what  thinks  I  might  buy  for  much  less  ;  and  although 
I  do  not  dispute,  as  I  have  never  seen  the  goodness 
of  your  cattle  at  Marlborough,  yet  give  me  leave  my 
friend  to  tell  you,  that  you  are  too  sanguine  in  your 
expectations  in  matters  of  this  sort.  It  is  not  my  in- 
tention to  buy  at  high  prices,  as  I  am  in  no  immediate 

'  George  Mercer. 


45 o  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1774 

want.  My  design,  as  I  raise  a  great  deal  of  provender, 
was  to  stock  my  plantations  more  plentifully  than  they 
are,  if  I  could  purchase  upon  terms  as  I  liked  ;  and 
hearing  you  talk  of  selling  cattle  from  Marlborough, 
I  thought  it  might  answer  both  our  purposes  ;  but  you 
are  to  observe  that  if  your  bond  upon  delivery  of  the 
cattle  is  to  have  a  credit  for  the  amount  of  ye  sale,  it 
is,  to  all  intents  and  purposes,  a  ready  money  sale  to 
both  [of]  us,  although  no  cash  is  deposited.  This,  in 
fact,  is  the  case  in  respect  to  the  land,  which  makes 
the  ^446  allowed  for  your  moiety  equal  to  ^468.  6.  o, 
a  year  hence,  to  say  nothing  of  the  disadvantage 
attending  ready  money  sales  ;  and  is  a  circumstance 
I  did  not  advert  to.  The  kind  of  cattle  I  should 
prefer,  would  be  cows  and  heifers,  as  they  would  put 
me  into  a  full  stock  the  soonest ;  but  when  I  wrote  to 
you  on  this  subject,  my  intention  if  we  could  agree 
upon  terms,  was  to  take  off  all  you  could  spare  of 
every  kind ;  if  the  person  I  should  send  liked  the 
cattle  at  the  price  they  should  be  offered,  and  found 
they  were  not  the  worse  for  having  a  parcel  picked 
out  for  your  plantation  use,  for  I  would  not  be  con- 
cerned with  refuse  cattle  at  any  rate. 

I  find,  in  order  to  lay  your  brother's  affairs  fully 
before  him  in  my  next,  that  it  will  be  necessary  for 
me  to  have  copies  of  both  the  reports  made  by  the 
commissioners,  neither  of  which  I  have.  As  I  think 
you  spoke  something  of  a  plan  when  we  were  in 
Frederick  together,  of  your  committee  being  branched 
out  to  [  ]  different  purposes,  I  shall  be  obliged  to 
you   for  forwarding    me  a    copy  of  your    resolution 


1775]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  451 

respecting  the  matter.  A  plan  of  this  kind  I  am  sure 
is  necessary  for  us,  and  we  may  be  benefitted  by  a 
precedent. 

With  very  great  esteem,  and  with  the  compliments 
of  the  season,  I  remain,  &c.' 


INSTRUCTIONS    FOR    MR.  JAMES    CLEVELAND. 

10  January,  1775. 

As  I  am  resolved,  if  no  unforeseen  accident  happens  to  pre- 
vent it,  to  have  my  people  at  work  upon  my  lands  on  the  Ohio, 
by  the  last  day  of  March,  no  steps  previous  to  this  undertaking 
should  be  delayed,  by  which  a  disappointment  must  follow.  I, 
therefore,  knowing  it  will  take  some  time  to  collect  provisions, 
and  tools  to  carry  on  this  work,  and  that  the  transportation  of 
them  in  the  spring  early  over  the  Allegany  Mountains  may  be 
attended  with  difficulty  and  uncertainty,  do  request  and  require 
you  to  go  immediately  over  to  Gilbert  Simpson's  in  the  Redstone 
settlement,  and  there  do,  or  attempt  to  do,  the  following  things  : — 

First.  Engage  anywhere  between  one  hundred  and  fifty  and 
two  hundred  bushels  of  Indian  corn,  and  to  prevent  disappoint- 
ments, let  it  be  actually  lodged  at  Gilbert  Simpson's  before  the 
first  day  of  March.  Also  engage  upon  the  best  terms  you  can  to 
be  delivered  as  aforesaid,  about  fifteen  hundredweight  of  bacon  ; 
and  desire  Mr.  Simpson  by  all  means  to  have  them  securely 
lodged  for  you  at  his  house  by  that  time  at  furthest. 

Second.  Engage  upon  the  best  terms  you  can,  such,  and  so 
many  canoes,  as  are  absolutely  necessary  to  transport  your  pro- 
visions and  tools  down  the  river.  And  to  avoid  the  expense  of 
bags  as  much  as  possible,  try  if  one  of  the  canoes  cannot  be 

'  Endorsement  on  back  of  letter  :  "  The  genl.  then  corresponded  with  Mr. 
Montague,  the  friend  of  Mr.  Gravatt  and  brother  of  Mis  Wroughton,  thro' 
whom  the  power  of  attorney  originally  came  to  George  Mason,  John  Taylor, 
and  the  gen'l.  to  sell  G.  Mercer's  estates  in  Frederick  and  Loudoun. 

"  Moiety  of  four  mile  run  land  estimated  at  ;[C446  conveyed  to  the  gen'l.  in 
discharge  of  John  Mercer's  debt  to  Custis — one  of  the  old  debts  estimated  in  the 
settlement  between  the  father  and  sons  at  ;^2300." 


452  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1775 

fitted  up  in  such  a  manner  as  to  carry  your  corn  and  bacon  with 
the  assistance  of  one  or  two  only.  Perhaps  the  canoes  built  for 
me  last  year  may  again  be  got.  Speak  to  Major  Crawford  on 
this  head. 

Third.  If  Mr.  Simpson  has  not  already  moved  all  the  tools 
and  necessaries  which  were  carried  out  for  me  last  spring,  from 
Val.  Crawford's,  let  it  be  done  as  soon  as  you  get  out.  Here 
with  is  a  list  of  what  he  acknowledges  he  had  left  upon  hand 
in  September  last,  as  also  of  what  he  carried  out.  Take  an 
exact  account  of  everything  you  find  and  have  them  secured 
at  Mr.  Simpson's  ready  at  your  departure  down  the  river.  After 
which  see  what  things  you  will  want  for  your  undertaking  down 
the  river,  and  then 

Fourth.  Try  if  they  are  to  be  had  out  there,  at  what  prices, 
and  if  you  find  the  only  difference  to  lie  in  the  expense  of  the 
carriage  out,  endeavor  to  buy  every  thing  you  can  want  there, 
rather  than  run  the  hazard  of  sending  them  from  hence  in  March, 
and  have  them  lodged  as  above  ;  for  if  you  do  not  get  every 
thing  into  his  possession,  you  may  more  than  probable  depend 
upon  promises,  and  be  disappointed  after  your  men  are  assembled 
and  ready  to  start,  which  must  occasion  a  delay,  and  of  course  a 
loss  to  me,  not  only  of  time,  but  in  having  men  upon  expence. 

Fifth.  It  may  not  be  amiss  to  engage  potatoe  seed,  and  such 
things,  as  will  not  only  contribute  to  your  better  living,  but  v/ill, 
in  case  corn  should  be  found  very  scarce  and  difficult  to  be  got 
make  the  less  of  it  necessary  ;  for  I  do  expect  that  from  the 
breaking  up  of  the  plantations  last  year,  and  the  great  number  of 
people  that  will  be  going  over  this,  that  corn  will  be  very  scarce 
and  exceeding  dear.  If  you  could  get  peach,  or  any  other  kind 
of  fruit  stones,  or  apple  seeds,  it  would  not  be  amiss  to  engage 
them  to  carry  out  with  you. 

Sixth.  Inasmuch  as  both  time  and  expences  will  be  saved  by 
engaging  men  in  the  Redstone  settlement  to  go  with  you  down 
the  river,  I  would  have  you  make  diligent  enquiry  whether  they 
are  to  be  had,  and  upon  what  terms,  and  engage  at  least  five 
upon  the  best  terms  you  can,  and  have  them  bound  in  the  arti- 
cles given  you.  If  you  should  meet  with  such  peojjle  as  you 
think  will  answer  the  purpose,  in  your  own  neighborhood  or 
elsewhere,  you   might  engage  them,  provided  you  can  depend 


1775]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  453 

upon  their  going  at  the  proper  time  and  will  transport  themselves 
without  any  expence  to  me. 

Seventh.  If  you  can  hire  negro  fellows,  or  choose  to  carry  any 
of  your  own,  upon  the  terms  I  mentioned  to  you,  there  will  not  in 
that  case  be  occasion  to  hire  so  many  white  men  as  above  (to  wit, 
five).  And  as  I  am  told  that  there  are  three  of  the  servants 
which  I  sent  out  last  spring  still  at  Mr.  Val.  Crawford's  and  his 
brother.  Captain  Crawford's,  ready  to  be  employed  in  my  service  ; 
you  may  direct  them  to  stay  where  they  are,  and  be  ready  again 
the  15th  of  March  ;  or  if  Gilbert  Simpson  wants  hands  for  my 
mill  work,  let  them  be  employed  (instead  of  hirelings)  there, 
till  the  15th  of  March  aforesaid. 

Eight.  As  the  rest  of  the  servants  were  sold,  and  the  money 
by  this  time  become  due,  I  have  desired  Mr.  Val.  Crawford,  if  he 
has  received  it,  to  pay  it  to  you  ;  and  if  he  has  not,  to  let  you  have 
the  purchaser's  bonds,  which  give  to  Mr.  Simpson,  and  desire 
him  to  collect  the  money  and  apply  it  towards  payment  of  the  mill 
accounts.  If  you  can  get  com,  or  other  provisions,  tools,  or  other 
things  of  Val.  Crawford,  I  would  have  you  do  it,  as  it  will  save  me 
the  payment  of  cash  ;  but  be  sure  to  have  the  matter  fixed  in 
such  a  manner  with  him  as  to  run  no  risque  of  a  disappointment. 

You  may  get  com  and  other  things  from  Captain  Crawford,  in 
like  manner  ;  but  that  you  may  not  depend  too  much  upon  these 
uncertain  chances,  I  now  furnish  you  with  ;^6o,  Pennsylvania 
money,  and  whatever  it  falls  short  of  the  amount  of  your  purchases 
I  will  supply  when  you  go  out  again,  that  everybody  may  be  paid 
for  what  you  get  of  them. 

As  I  must  set  off  for  the  Assembly  by  the  first  of  February, 
and  shall  want  to  see  you  before  I  go,  I  would  have  you  endeavor 
[if]  it  can  conveniently  be  done,  to  be  down  here  by  that  time. 
I  have  nothing  more  to  add  at  present  than  to  wish  you  success 
in  your  journey,  and  am  (S:c. 


SUPPLEMENTARY   INSTRUCTIONS. 

I  earnestly  recommend  to  you  to  follow  after  the  people  I  have 
sent  out  as  soon  as  you  can  do  it  with  safety,  as  much  depends 
upon  making  a  proper  beginning. 

'  Without  date,  but  probably  later  than  March  6.     See  page  ^^q  post. 


454  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1775 

If  you  should  not  arrive  at  Gilbert  Simpson's  till  after  William 
Stevens  is  gone  with  the  people,  provision,  and  tools,  you  will 
follow  them  by  land  and  water,  as  you  shall  find  it  most  conven- 
ient. I  directed  Stevens  to  leave  his  baggage  horses  there,  in 
order  that  you  might  go  by  land  if  you  chose  it,  as  it  would  be 
the  most  expeditious  way  and  you  would  want  the  horses  on  the 
land  to  draw  in  your  logs,  plow,  and  bring  in  your  game. 

If  you  should  go  by  land,  I  shall  have  no  objections  to  your 
buying  and  carrying  two  or  three  cows  down  with  you,  if  they  are 
to  be  had  upon  reasonable  terms.  If  you  should  buy  cows  get  a 
bull  also,  that  the  breed  may  be  propagated.  You  will  find  a 
bell  necessary  for  them,  as  also  for  the  horses. 

As  you  know  the  general  plan  and  design  of  my  seating  these 
lands,  I  shall  not  hamper  you  with  particular  instructions,  but 
leave  you  to  be  governed  by  circumstances.  My  first  and  indeed 
principal  aim  is,  to  save  as  much  land  as  possible,  in  the  shortest 
time  and  at  the  least  expence.  If  this  could  be  done  in  such  a 
manner,  and  by  such  means,  as  to  be  serviceable  hereafter,  it 
would  be  so  much  the  better  ;  and  for  this  reason  it  is,  I  shall 
leave  you  to  act  from  circumstances. 

It  runs  in  my  head,  that  if  there  is  a  good  stream  of  water  upon 
any  of  the  tracts,  and  a  convenient  place  out  of  the  way  of  freshes, 
to  build  a  mill,  that  this  might  be  as  good  a  method  as  any  to 
save  the  land,  provided  an  industrious  millwright  could  be  en- 
gaged, and  there  could  be  any  certain  prospect  of  getting  iron 
work  without  much  trouble  or  inconvenience. 

When  you  see  Stevens,  call  for  the  instructions  I  gave  him,  in 
order  that  you  may  see  what  is  there  required,  and  govern  your- 
self thereby  as  nearly  as  circumstances  will  permit  ;  for  I  do  not 
mean  to  tie  you  down  strictly  to  any  certain  rule,  but  to  allow 
you  to  act  in  such  a  manner  as  shall  appear  most  for  my  interest. 

If  you  should  find  any  of  the  white  servants  obstinate,  and 
determined  not  to  behave  well,  I  hereby  give  you  full  power  and 
authority  to  sell  and  dispose  of  them  to  the  best  advantage.  I 
have  given  Stevens  a  description  of  each,  that  in  case  any  should 
attempt  to  runaway,  they  may  be  advertised,  and  every  pains 
taken  to  recover  them  that  can  be  consistently. 

Write  to  me  by  every  opportunity,  as  it  is  very  probable  that 


1775]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  455 

not  one  letter  in  five  will  come  to  hand.  Mention  in  all  of  them, 
therefore,  what  you  want  and  how  you  go  on. 

After  you  have  got  a  place  inclosed,  try  and  buy  me  all  the 
buffalo  calves  you  can  get,  and  make  them  as  gentle  as  possible. 
I  would  not  stick  at  any  reasonable  price  for  them,  especially  the 
cow  calves,  but  I  should  like  at  least  two  bull  calves  for  fear  of 
accidents,  as  I  am  very  anxious  to  raise  a  breed  of  them. 

Take  the  two  servants  from  Major  Crawford's  that  he  offered, 
if  you  find  from  their  character  that  they  will  answer  your  pur- 
pose, and  that  they  will  be  useful  to  you.  If  you  get  them,  you 
may  in  my  name,  promise  them  a  year  of  their  time  if  they  be- 
have so  as  to  deserve  it. 


TO    JOHN     WEST. 

Mount  Vernon,  13  January,  1775. 

Sir, 

Your  letter  of  the  8th,  which  is  just  handed  to  me, 
could  not  have  given  you  more  pain  in  writing,  than 
it  has  given  me  in  reading,  because  I  never  deny  or 
even  hesitate  in  granting  any  request,  that  is  made  to 
me,  especially  by  persons  I  esteem,  and  in  matters  of 
moment,  without  feeling  inexpressible  uneasiness.  I 
do  not  wonder  at  your  solicitude  on  account  of  your 
only  son.  The  nurturing  and  bringing  him  up  in  a 
proper  course  is,  no  doubt,  an  object  of  great  concern 
to  you,  as  well  as  importance  to  him  ;  but  two  things 
are  essentially  necessary  in  the  man  to  whom  this 
charge  is  committed,  a  capacity  of  judging  with 
propriety  of  measures  proper  to  be  taken  in  the 
government  of  a  youth,  and  leisure  sufficient  to 
attend  to  the  execution  of  these  measures.  That 
you  are  pleased  to  think  favorably  of  me,  in  respect 
to  the  first,  I  shall  take  for  granted,  from  the  request 


456  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1775 

you  have  made  ;  but  to  show  my  incapacity  of  attend- 
ing to  the  latter,  with  that  good  faith,  which  I  think 
every  man  ought  to  use,  who  undertakes  a  trust  of 
this  interesting  nature,  I  can  solemnly  declare  to  you, 
that,  for  a  year  or  two  past,  there  has  been  scarce  a 
moment,  that  I  could  properly  call  my  own.  What 
with  my  own  business,  my  present  ward's,  my 
mother's,  which  is  wholly  in  my  hands,  Colonel  Col- 
vill's,  Mrs.  Savage's,  Colonel  Fairfax's,  Colonel 
Mercer's,  and  the  little  assistance  I  have  undertaken 
to  give  in  the  management  of  my  brother  Augustine's 
concerns  (for  I  have  absolutely  refused  to  qualify  as 
an  executor),  together  with  the  share  I  take  in  public 
aflairs,  I  have  been  kept  constantly  engaged  in  writ- 
ing letters,  settling  accounts,  and  negotiating  one 
piece  of  business  or  another  ;  by  which  means  I  have 
really  been  deprived  of  every  kind  of  enjoyment,  and 
had  almost  fully  resolved  to  engage  in  no  fresh 
matter,  till  I  had  entirely  wound  up  the  old. 

Thus  much.  Sir,  candor,  indeed  the  principle  of 
common  honesty,  obliged  me  to  relate  to  you,  as  it 
is  not  my  wish  to  deceive  any  person  by  promising 
what  I  do  not  think  it  in  my  power  to  perform  with 
that  punctuality  and  rectitude,  which  I  conceive  the 
nature  of  the  trust  would  require.  I  do  not,  however, 
give  a  flat  refusal  to  your  request.  I  rather  wish  you 
to  be  fully  informed  of  my  situation,  that  you  may 
think  with  me,  or  as  I  do,  that,  if  it  should  please  the 
Almighty  to  take  you  to  himself  as  soon  as  you 
apprehend  (but  I  hope  without  just  cause),  your  son 
may  be  placed  in  better  hands  than  mine.     If  you 


1775]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  457 


think  otherwise,  I  will  do  the  best  I  can,  merely  as 
a  guardian. 

You  will  act  very  prudently  in  having  your  will 
revised  by  some  person  skilled  in  the  law,  as  a  testa- 
tor's intentions  are  often  defeated  by  different  inter- 
pretations of  statutes,  which  require  the  whole 
business  of  a  man's  life  to  be  perfectly  conversant 
with  them.  I  shall  not,  after  what  I  have  here  said, 
add  any  thing  more  than  my  wishes,  which  are 
sincerely  offered,  for  your  recovery,  and  that  you 
may  live  to  see  the  accomplishment  of  your  son's 
education.     With  very  great  esteem,  Sir,  I  am  &c.  ' 


TO    JOHN  CONNOLLY. 

Mount  Vernon,  25  February,  1775. 

Dear  Sir, 

Your  servant,  on  his  return  from  Williamsburg, 
affords  me  occasion  to  answer  your  polite  letter.  I 
confess  the  state  of  affairs  is  sufficiently  alarming ; 
which  our  critical  situation,  with  regard  to  the  In- 
dians does  not  diminish  :  but  as  you  have  wrote  to 

'  On  2  February,  1775,  the  citizens  of  Fairfax  County  met,  George  Washington 
presiding,  and  voted  to  enroll  their  militia,  and  to  pay  a  tax  of  three  shillings 
per  poll  to  defray  the  expense  of  equipment. 

' '  Virginia  and  Marjdand  ride  most  noble  mettled  coursers.     But  to  drop  this 
jockey  metaphor,  they  are  a  noble  spirited  people.     Never  was  such  vigor  and 
concord  heard  of,  not  a  single  traitor,  scarcely  a  silent  dissentient.     The  whole 
country  is  fuU  of  soldiers,  all  furnished,  all  in  arms."     Charles  Lee  to  Robert 
Morris,  27  January,  1775.     He  was  writing  from  Williamsburg,  Va. 
"  In  spite  of  Gage's  flaming  sword, 
Or  Carleton's  Canadian  troop, 
Brave  Washington  shall  give  the  word,  - 
And  we  '11  make  them  howl  and  whoop." 

—  Virginia  Gazette,  12  Januarj-,  1775. 


458  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1775 

Lord  Dunmore,  relative  to  the  prisoners  under  your 
charge,  there  can  be  no  doubt  of  his  Lordship's  hav- 
ing now  transmitted  you  the  necessary  directions  on 
that  subject.  I  have  only  to  express  my  most  ardent 
wishes  that  every  measure,  consistent  with  reason 
and  sound  policy,  may  be  adopted  to  keep  those 
people,  at  this  time,  in  good  humor;  for  another 
rupture  would  not  only  ruin  the  external,  but  internal 
parts  of  this  government.  If  the  journal  of  your 
proceedings  in  the  Indian  war  is  to  be  published,  I 
shall  have  an  opportunity  of  seeing  what  I  have  long 
coveted.  With  us  here,  things  wear  a  disagreeable 
aspect ;  and  the  minds  of  men  are  exceedingly  dis- 
turbed at  the  measures  of  the  British  government. 
The  King's  Speech  and  Address  of  both  Houses, 
prognosticate  nothing  favorable  to  us  ;  but  by  some 
subsequent  proceedings  thereto,  as  well  as  by  private 
letters  from  London,  there  is  reason  to  believe  the 
ministry  would  willingly  change  their  ground,  from  a 
conviction  the  forcible  measures  will  be  inadequate 
to  the  end  designed.  A  little  time  must  now  unfold 
the  mystery,  as  matters  are  drawing  to  a  point.  I 
am  &c.'  

TO    JNO.    WASHINGTON. 

Mount  Vernon  6th  Mar  1775 

Dear  Sir, 

Mr.  Fitzhugh  delivered  me  your  favr   of  the  13th 
ulto.  on   Tuesday  last — but  as   I   received  it  on  the 

'  From  "A  Narrative  of  the  Transactions,  Imprisonment,  and  sufferings  of 
John  Connolly,  an  American  Loyalist  and  Lieut.  Col.  in  his  Majesty's  Service," 
printed  in  the  Pennsylvania  Magazine  of  History  and  Biography,  xii.  and 
xiii.     Force's  Fourth  Series,  ii.,  I2i,  122. 


1775]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  459 

Road,  I  could  not  answer  it  by  him,  &  wish  it  was  in 
my  power  to  do  it  satisfactorily  now —  So  far  am  I 
from  having  ^200  to  lend,  that,  involved  as  I  am  with 
one  expence  and  another  particularly  on  a  very  heavy 
charge  of  Seating  my  Lands  over  the  AlHgany 
Mountains  in  order  to  comply  with  the  conditions  of 
the  Grant.  I  would  gladly  borrow  that  Sum  myself 
for  a  few  months,  so  exceeding  difficult  do  I  find  it, 
under  the  present  scarcity  of  cash  to  collect  enough 
to  answer  this  emergency  &  at  the  same  time  comply 
with  my  other  engagements —  This  information  you 
may  rely  on  as  a  fact  from  Dr  Sir  &c. 


INSTRUCTIONS    FOR    WILLIAM    STEVENS. 

6  March,  1775. 

As  Mr.  James  Cleveland,  whom  I  have  employed  to  take  charge 
of  my  business  upon  the  Ohio,  is  rendered  unable  at  this  time  by 
sickness,  to  proceed  out  with  my  People,  I  must  commit  the  care 
&  management  of  them,  &  the  business  to  you,  till  he  can  follow, 
or  till  you  can  hear  further  from  me. 

Proceed  therefore,  without  any  unnecessary  loss  of  time,  to  Mr. 
Gilbert  Simpson's  on  Youghiogany,  where  I  expect  Provision's  are 
laid  In,  &  where  Majr.  Crawford  will  have  in  readiness  Tools,  & 
Canoes  ready  to  transport  you  down  the  River — do  not  delay  one 
moment  longer  than  you  can  help  in  that  Settlement,  but  set  out 
with  all  your  necessaries  by  Water  for  the  great  Kanhawa — Your 
Provisions  will  go  in  Casks  which  are  provided  for  the  purpose  ; 
but  the  two  Horses  which  are  sent  for  the  purpose  of  drawing  in 
your  Logs,  fetching  in  your  Provisions,  &  tending  your  Corn 
when  they  can  be  spared  from  other  business,  must  be  sent  down 
by  Land  in  the  manner  which  shall  appear  most  advisable  to  you 
at  Simpson's. — 

The  Land  you  are  to  go  to,  lays  on  the  great  Kanhawa  on  the 


46o  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1775 

lower  or  Right  hand  side  as  you  go  up  it — the  Tract  begins  abt 
two  Miles  from  the  Mouth  of  that  River  and  runs  up  the  same, 
binding  therewith,  for  Seventeen  Miles — you  may  begin  your  Im- 
provements therefore  in  any  part,  but  nearest  the  middle  (for 
fear  of  getting  of  it)  would  be  best  if  you  can  carry  on  your  works 
to  equal  advantage  to  do  wch  you  should  examine  the  Bottoms 
well  to  see  where  you  can  clear  most  in  the  shortest  time. 

So  soon  as  you  have  pitchd  upon  the  Spot  to  begin  your 
Improvements  on,  use  every  diligence  in  your  power  to  get  as 
much  Land  as  possible  ready  for  Corn,  &  continue  planting,  even 
with  the  rare  ripe  Corn,  as  long  as  you  think  it  shall  have  time  to 
come  to  perfection.  You  may,  in  the  meanwhile,  be  putting  up 
Houses  for  the  convenience  of  yourselves  to  live  in,  but  do  not 
spend  any  time  in  fencing  in  the  Field  till  it  is  too  late  to  Plant,  as 
the  Corn  can  take  no  injury  till  some  time  after  it  is  up  which  will 
be  time  enough  to  begin  Fencing. 

After  the  Season  is  too  far  advanced  for  Planting,  and  you 
have  Inclosed  the  Field — you  are  then  to  go  to  such  other  kinds 
of  Improvements  as  will  go  the  furthest  in  saving  the  Land — that 
is,  you  are  to  build — to  clear — to  Fence — to  drain — or  do  any 
thing  else  agreeable  to  the  Act  of  Assembly  which  will  be  highest 
valued  in  proportion  to  the  work,  &  the  time  spent  thereon  ;  &  I 
have  a  notion  that  draining  will  be  found  among  the  most  profita- 
ble things  you  can  do — but  as  it  is  impossible  for  me  to  judge,  at 
this  distance,  you  must  be  governd  by  Circumstances,  and  your 
own  judgment  which  I  hope  will  be  employed  as  much  as 
possible  for   my  Interest. 

Consult  Major  Crawford  about  a  Hunter  &  endeavr  to  secure 
a  good  one  upon  the  best  terms  you  can  to  attend  you — this 
Hunter  might,  probably,  be  a  proper  Person  to  take  the  Horses 
down. — 

I  do  not  know  that  any  of  the  white  servants  will  attempt  to 
run  away  from  you,  but  to  guard  against  it  as  much  as  possible 
keep  a  strict  watch,  &  as  soon  as  you  have  got  to  the  Land  draw 
your  Canoes  (without  telling  them  the  reason  of  it)  quite  up 
the  Bank  &  cover  them  to  prevent  the  sun  from  splitting  them. 

In  the  Keg  with  the  Lead,  there  is  a  Canister  of  Peach-stone 
Kernals  (near  2000)  let  them  be  phinted  in  Drills  as  soon  as  you 


1775]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  461 

get  to  the  Land,  &  fixed  upon  a  Place  for  a  Plantation, — also 
Plant  Potatoes — Pease  &  every  thing  of  that  kind  in  their  proper 
seasons,  if  you  can  get  them  to  carry  with  you — and  if  you 
could  get  I  Boor,  &  2  Sow  pigs  to  carry  with  you  it  would  be  a 
good  thing. 

As  you  will  be  under  a  necessity  of  depending  upon  hand 
Mill  stones  for  meal  (a  pair  of  which  are  provided  at  Mr. 
Simpson's)  you  should  take  care  to  be  provided  with  peck  to 
keep  them  in  order. — also  with  a  grind  stone  for  your  Tools. 

I  have  no  reason  to  doubt,  but  that  you  will  find  every  thing 
provided  at  Simpsons  by  the  time  you  get  out — if  however  it 
should  turn  out  otherwise, — I  hope  Majr.  Crawford  will  give  you 
all  the  assistance  he  can  in  getting  what  is  wanted  as  it  will  be  a 
folly  to  go  down  without, — get  2  light  fluke  Plows. 

Leave  with  Gilbert  Simpson  an  exact  list  of  every  thing  you 
carry  down  the  River,  though  never  so  trifling,  for  Mr.  Cleve- 
land, that  he  may  know  what  you  have  &  see  if  any  thing  fur- 
ther is  necessary  for  him  to  provide. — Endeavour  to  make  the 
Servants  and  Negroes  take  care  of  their  Cloathes  &  have  them 
mended  when  wanted. 

I  give  you  a  description  of  each  Servant — if  any  of  them 
should  Run  away,  advertize  a  good  reward  to  any  one  that  will 
bring  them  to  you,  to  me,  or  Majr.  Crawford. 

Take  great  care  of  your  Tools,  that  none  are  lost,  or  left  as 
you  go  along  down — Take  care  also  that  you  have  full  enough 
of  them  for  your  hands  ;  if  to  spare,  so  much  the  better,  as  I 
shall  probably  send  out  more  hands  some  time  hence  Keep  a 
list  therefore  of  the  quantity  you  have,  &  call  them  over  fre- 
quently.— After  you  have  built  a  House  for  yourselves,  there 
might  also  be  one  built  to  lock  yr  Provisions,  Tools  &c.,  up  in. 

I  cannot  pretend  to  say  with  certainty,  when  I  shall  be  with 
you  ;  but  hope  it  may  happen  in  May — if  not  in  May  it  shall  be 
as  soon  after  as  I  can  make  it  convenient — nor  can  I  judge  with 
any  certainty  how  long  it  will  take  you  to  save  that  Tract  on 
the  great  Kanhawa,  which  you  are  to  go  first  to,  as  it  contains 
10,990  acres  ;  but  the  Buildings  and  other  Improvements  ought 
to  be  valued  (at  any  rate)  before  you  go  to  the  next  Tract  or 
rather   return    to  it,  as  it  lyes   on  the  Ohio,  three  or  four  miles 


462  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1775 

above  the  Rapid,  at  the  great  Bent  in  the  Ohio  (which  is  30  odd 
miles  above  the  mouth  of  the  great  Kanhawa)  this  is  the  next 
4395  acre  tract  I  shall  Improve,  &  Lyes  in  Bottetourt  County, 
as  the  large  one  of  10,990  acres  does  in  Fincastle  County. 

I  give  you  Money  to  bear  your  Expences  out,  and  hope,  and 
beg  that  you  will  use  as  much  frugality  in  Travelling  as  pos- 
sible,— keep  an  exact  Acct.  of  your  Expences  that  you  may  be 
able  to  settle  with  me  when  we  meet,  or  with  Mr.  Cleveland  in 
my  behalf. 

I  would  have  you,  as  it  is  as  good  a  way  as  any,  go  by  Mr. 
Cleveland's  House,  &  if  he  is  well  enough  to  give  it,  take  his  ad- 
vise about  your  conduct,  if  he  thinks  he  shall  be  able  to  follow 
you  in  any  reasonable  time,  perhaps  it  may  be  necessary  to  leave 
the  Horses  at  Gilbert  Simpson's  for  him  &  the  Negro  that  is  run 
away  to  come  after  you  by  Land,  &  to  drive  two  or  three  Cows 
out,  if  to  be  had  from  the  Red  Stone  settlement. 

Sow  the  Turnep  seed  which  you  carry  as  soon  as  you  can 
with  safety — and  endeavour  to  provide  Water-Mellon  seed — Cu- 
cumbers— &  every  kind  of  seed  which  will  serve  to  make  your 
Corn  &CC  hold  out  at  the  same  time  that  it  adds  to  your  good 
Living. 

Get  three  or  4  good  strong  padlocks  at  Leesburg  &  as  many 
strong  Lines  for  Fishing,  as  Fish  will  be  a  great  help  to  you. 

Get  Paper  at  Leesburg,  and  write  frequently  to  me  how  you 
go  on,  as  Letters  are  very  apt  to  miscarry. 

I  wish  you  well  &  that  success  may  attend  you,  &  am  &c.' 

'  17  March,  1775.  "  The  Independent  Company  of  Richmond  County  present 
their  most  respectful  compliments  to  Colo.  Washington,  and  beg  leave  to  inform 
him  that  they  have  unanimously  chosen  him  their  commander,  should  they  be 
obliged  to  have  recourse  to  arms  to  defend  their  King  and  country.  They  flatter 
themselves  from  their  assiduity  they  shall  be  able  to  make  a  tolerable  appear- 
ance some  time  in  the  summer,  and  should  look  on  themselves  as  highly  honored 
if  the  Colonel  would  be  pleased  to  review  Ihem  when  most  convenient  to  him. 
In  the  meantime  they  would  be  glad  to  be  favoured  with  any  instructions  he 
should  thind  proper  to  give. 

On  Monday  March  20th,  the  convention  assembled  "  in  the  old  church  in  the 
town  of  Richmond."  One  of  its  fir?*  acts  after  organization  was  to  approve 
the  proceedings  of  the  "American  Continental  Congress,"  and  to  consider 
"  this  whole  continent  as  under  the  highest  obligations  to  tliat  very  respectable 
body,   for  the  wisdom  of   their  counsels,   and  their  unremitted  endeavors  to 


1775]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  463 

TO   JOHN    AUGUSTINE   WASHINGTON. 

Richmond,  25  March,  1775. 

Dear  Brother, 

Mr.  Smith  delivered  me  your  letter  of  the  i6th 
instant,  but  as  one  is  generally  in  a  hurry  and  bustle 
in  such  places,  and  at  such  times,  as  these,  I  have  only 
time  to  acknowledge  it,  and  add,  that  it  would  have 
given  me  pleasure  to  have  met  you  here.  I  shall  refer 
you  to  Mr.  Smith  for  an  account  of  our  proceedings 
up  to  this  day,  and  you  cannot  fail  of  learning  the 
rest  from  the  Squire,  who  delights  in  the  minutiae  of 
a  tale.  I  am  in  doubt  whether  we  shall  finish  here 
this  week  ;  but  as  I  shall  delay  little  time  on  the  road 
in  returning,  I  shall  hope  to  see  you  on  your  way  up, 
or  down,  from  Berkeley.  I  am  much  obliged  to  you 
for  the  holly-berries  and  cotton-seed.  My  love  to  my 
sister  and  the  children. 

I  had  like  to  have  forgot  to  express  my  entire 
approbation  of  the  laudable  pursuit  you  are  engaged 
in,  of  training  an  independent  company.  I  have 
promised  to    review  the    independent    company    of 

maintain  and  preserve  inviolable,  the  just  rights  and  liberties  of  his  Majesty's 
dutiful  and  loyal  subjects  in  America."  Thanks  were  returned  to  the  dele- 
gates by  name.     But  see  Force,  Fourth  Series  ii.,  163,  164. 

On  the  23d  Patrick  Henry  introduced  resolutions  looking  to  the  arming  of 
the  colony. 

Thursday  March  23,  1775.  The  Virginia  convention  resolved  "that  a  well 
regulated  militia,  composed  of  gentlemen  and  yeomen,  is  the  natural  strength 
and  only  security  of  a  free  government  ;  that  such  a  militia  in  this  colony 
would  forever  render  it  unnecessary  for  the  mother  country  to  keep  among  us, 
for  the  purpose  of  our  defence,  any  standing  army  of  mercenary  forces,  always 
subversive  of  the  quiet,  and  dangerous  to  the  liberties,  of  the  people,  and  would 
obviate  the  pretext  of  taxing  us  for  their  support. — Force,  Fourth  Series,  ii., 
168,  169. 

"That  this  colony  be  immediately  put  into  a  posture  of  defence,  and  that 


464  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1775 

Richmond  some  time  this  summer,  they  having  made 
me  a  tender  of  the  command  of  it.  At  the  same 
time  I  could  review  yours,  and  shall  very  cheerfully 
accept  the  honor  of  commanding  it,  if  occasion 
require  it  to  be  drawn  out,  as  it  is  my  full  intention  to 


Mr.  Henry,  Mr.  Lee,  Mr.  Treasurer,  Mr.  Harrison,  Mr.  Lemuel  Riddick, 
Mr.  Washington,  Mr.  Stevens,  Mr.  Andrew  Lewis,  Mr.  Christian,  Mr.  Pendle- 
ton, Mr.  Jefferson  and  Mr.  Zane,  be  a  committee  to  prepare  a  plan  for  the 
embodying,  arming,  and  disciplining,  such  a  number  of  men  as  may  be  suffi- 
cient for  that  purpose."  A  report  was  made  on  the  following  day,  and  is 
printed  in  Virginia  Gazette,  March  30,  1775. 

Some  of  the  warmest  patriots  in  the  convention,  writes  Wirt,  opposed  these 
resolutions.  Richard  Bland,  Benjamin  Harrison,  Edmund  Pendleton  and 
Robert  C.  Nicholas,  "  resisted  them  with  all  their  influence  and  abilities."  He 
gives  what  purports  to  be  Henry's  speech  in  favor  of  his  resolutions — on  the 
authority  of  Edmund  Randolph — but  the  researches  of  Mr.  Moncure  D.  Con- 
way enable  us  to  give  what  Randolph  himself  wrote.  "  After  a  few  seconds 
Richard  Henry  Lee  fanned  and  refreshed  with  a  gale  of  pleasure  ;  but  the 
vessel  of  the  revolution  was  still  under  the  impulse  of  the  tempest  which  Henry 
had  created.  Artificial  oratory  fell  in  copious  streams  from  the  mouth  of  Lee, 
and  rules  of  persuasion  accomplished  every  thing  which  rules  could  effect.  If 
elegance  had  been  personified,  the  person  of  Lee  would  have  been  chosen. 
But  Henry  trampled  upon  rules,  and  yet  triumphed,  at  this  time  perhaps 
beyond  his  own  expectation.  Jefferson  was  not  silent.  He  argued  closely, 
profoundly,  and  warmly  on  the  same  side.  The  post  in  the  revolutionary 
debate  belonging  to  him,  was  that  at  which  the  theories  of  republicanism  were 
deposited.  Washington  was  prominent,  though  silent.  His  looks  bespoke  a 
mind  absorbed  in  meditation  on  his  country's  fate  ;  but  a  positive  concert 
between  him  and  Henry  could  not  more  effectually  Jiave  exhibited  him  to  view, 
than  when  Henry  ridiculed  the  idea  of  peace  '  when  there  was  no  peace,'  and 
enlarge  on  the  duty  of  preparing  for  war."     Omitted  Chapters  of  History,  382. 

On  the  same  day  [March  25]  Washington  was  appointed  on  a  committee  "to 
prepare  a  plan  for  the  encouragement  of  arts  and  manufactures  in  this  colony." 

The  delegates  to  the  Continental  Congress  were  also  elected. 

George  Mason  was  taking  an  active  part  in  the  political  events  of  this  time, 
but  he  appears  to  have  made  Washington  the  instrument  for  carrying  his  ideas 
into  practice.  He  submitted  in  February,  1775,  a  ])]an  for  establishing  a  militia, 
printed  in  Force,  Fourth  Series,  vol.  i.,  1145,  and  made  the  judicious  suggestion 
that  the  old  burgesses  should  be  chosen  as  delegates  to  attend  the  convention  at 
Richmond,  rightly  believing  that  such  a  step  would  carry  more  weight  with  the 
people  than  the  selection  of  new  men. 


1775]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  465 

devote  my   life   and   fortune    in    the    cause  we  are 
engaged  in,  if  needful. 

I  remain,  dear  Sir,  your  most  affectionate  brother. 


TO    LORD    DUNMORE. 

Mount  Vernon,  3d  April  1775. 

My  Lord. 

At  second  hand,  I  learnt  from  Captain  Floyd, 
that  the  Surveys  made  by  Mr.  Crawford  under  'the 
Proclamation  of  1 754  (expressly  agreeable  to  an 
order  of  Council  of  the  15th  of  December,  1769),  and 
for  which  your  Lordships  Patents  under  the  Seal  of 
the  Colony,  hath  actually  been  obtained,  are  now  de- 
clared null  and  void. — The  information  appearing  al- 
together incredible,  I  gave  little  attention  to  it,  'till  I 
saw  Mr.  Wilper  on  friday  last,  who,  in  confirmation 
of  the  report,  added,  that  all  the  patentees  (whom  he 
had  seen)  under  that  Proclamation,  were  exceedingly 
distressed  and  at  a  loss,  to  know  what  to  think  of  it, 
or  how  to  act  in  a  case  so  uncommon,  this  therefore 
has  caused  me  to  give  your  Lordship  the  trouble  of  a 
Letter  on  the  occasion,  convinced  as  I  am,  of  your 
inclination  to  hear,  and  disposition  to  redress,  any 
just  cause  of  complaint,  which  may  be  submitted  to 
your  decision. — In  pursuit  of  this  enquiry,  my  Lord, 
which  becomes  highly  interesting  to  me,  as  well  as 
others,  to  make,  I  shall  beg  leave  to  lay  a  short  state 
of  our  case  before  your  Lordship  in  order  to  shew  (if 
the  information  be  true),  for  I  confess  I  look'd  upon 
it  at  first  as  a  move  only  of  the  Surveyors  to  filtch  a 


466  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1775 

little  more  money  from  us,  the  peculiar  hardship  of  our 
situation  if  we  are  to  encounter  fresh  difficulties  in 
search  of  Lands  which  in  my  humble  opinion  has 
already  involved  us  in  expence  and  trouble,  which 
ought  to  have  been  avoided. 

I  shall  not  presume,  my  Lord,  to  ask  a  patient 
hearing  of  the  reasons  which  induced  Mr.  Dinwiddie 
to  issue  the  Proclamation  of  1 754  ; — the  proclamation 
itself  is  sufficiently  declaratory  of  them  and,  being  an 
act  of  public  notoriety,  the  utility  of  which  was  well 
known  at  the  time  of  its  promulgation,  and  as  uni- 
versally acknowledged  to  be  just ;  I  shall  say  nothing 
thereon  ;  nor  shall  I  undertake  to  prove  how  well 
men  ;  at  very  small  daily  pay,  were  entitled  to  this 
testimony  of  his  Majesty's  bounty  ;  the  experience 
your  Lordship  has  lately  had  of  a  warfare  in  that 
country  affords  a  recent  instance  of  the  hardship  and 
difficulty  which  the  first  troops  had  in  exploring  a 
trackless  way  over  those  great  ridges  of  mountains 
between  Fort  Cumberland  and  Pittsburgh,  and  mak- 
ing roads  for  the  armies  which  afterwards  followed, 
and  in  which  they  joined.  But  I  will  take  the  liberty 
humbly  to  represent,  that  instead  of  having  extraor- 
dinary difficulties  thrown  in  our  way,  we  were  in  my 
opinion  entitled,  as  well  from  the  spirit,  as  the  express 
words  of  the  Proclamation,  above  mentioned,  to  the 
Lands  free  of  all  costs  and  trouble,  for  the  truth  of 
which,  I  should  have  no  scruple  in  appealing  to  your 
Lordship's  candor,  if  you  would  take  the  trouble  of 
reading  the  Proclamation,  wherein  (after  setting  forth 
the  necessity  of  raising  Troops)  are  these  words ; — 


1775]  GEORGE   WASHINGTON.  467 

"  For  an  encouragement  to  all  who  shall  voluntarily 
enter  into  the  said  service.  I  do  hereby  notify  and 
promise,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  his 
Majesty's  Council  of  this  Colony,  that  over  Cff  above 
their  pay  200,000  acres  of  His  Majesty,  the  King  of 
Great  Britain's  Lands,  on  the  east  side  of  the  River 
Ohio,  within  this  Dominion  (100,000  acres  to  be  con- 
tiguous to  the  said  Fort,  and  the  other  100,000  acres, 
to  be  on  or  near  the  River  Ohio)  shall  be  laid  off,  & 
granted  to  such  persons  who  by  their  voluntary  en- 
gagement and  good  behavior  in  the  said  service ; 
shall  deserve  the  same  ;  and  I  further  promise  that 
the  said  Lands  shall  be  divided  amongst  them  imme- 
diately after  the  performance  of  the  said  service,"  &c. 
— Is  it  not  to  be  inferred,  my  Lord,  from  the  natural 
import  of  these  words,  that  the  Lands  were  to  be 
laid  off  for,  and  divided  amongst  the  grantees,  with- 
out involving  them  in  either  trouble  or  expence  ? 
Nothing,  in  my  humble  opinion,  is  more  self-evident. 
But  they  finding  that  the  most  valuable  part  of  their 
Grant,  (respecting  the  location)  was  actually  preoc- 
cupied— that  Emigrants  were  spreading  fast  over  that 
country, — and  that  the  same  difficulties  might  arise  in 
other  quarters  and  contests  ensue ;  application  was 
made  for  liberty  to  make  our  own  surv^eys,  and  a  Dis- 
trict assigned  for  it,  at  least  200  miles  from  any  set- 
tlement— unexplored  by  any  County-Surveyor,  un- 
known in  whose  districts  it  lay,  if  it  lay  in  any,  as  the 
jurisdiction  of  no  county  had  extended  within  the 
number  of  miles  above  mentioned  ; — and  but  few  men 
at  that  early  day,  hardy  enough  to  undertake  a  work, 


468  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1775 

in  a  wilderness  where  none  but  savages  &  wild  beasts 
inhabited. — I  say,  under  these  circumstances,  applica- 
tion was  made  for  a  special  surveyor,  and  an  order  of 
Council  obtained  in  the  following  words  : — 

"  The  Council  also  advised  that  Colo.  Washington 
should  apply  to  the  President  &  Masters  of  the  Col- 
lege requesting  them  to  nominate  &  appoint  a  person 
properly  qualified  to  survey  the  said  Land  with  all 
possible  expedition,  signifying  to  them  that  their 
compliance  herein  will  be  agreeable  to  this  Board." 

In  consequence  of  this  order,  &  of  Capt.  Crawford's 
qualification  as  a  Surveyor,  he  was  appointed  to  run 
out  this  200,000  acres  of  Land  ;  and  having  given 
Bond  in  the  usual  &  accustomed  form,  to  the  College 
proceeded  to  the  business,  and  making  his  returns  to 
the  Secretary's  office.  Patents  have  been  issued  under 
your  Lordships  signature  &  the  seal  of  the  Colony, 
ever  since  the  first  of  December  1773.  Would  it  not 
be  exceedingly  hard  then,  my  Lord,  under  these  cir- 
cumstances— at  this  late  day — after  we  had  proceeded 
in  all  respects  agreeably  to  the  orders  of  Government, 
and  after  many  of  us  have  been  run  to  great  &  con- 
siderable expence,  to  declare  that  the  Surveys  are 
invalid?  It  appears  in  so  uncommon  a  light  to  me, 
that  I  hardly  know  yet  how  to  persuade  myself  into 
a  belief  of  the  reallity  of  it,  nor  should  I  have  given 
your  Lordship  any  trouble  on  the  subject  at  this  time, 
but  for  the  importunity  of  others,  and  from  a  desire 
(as  I  shall  leave  home  the  first  of  May)  of  knowing 
if  the  account  be  true,  what  steps  the  grantees,  under 
the  afore-mentioned  Proclamation,  are  further  to  take. 


1775]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  469 

I  beg  your  Lordships  excuse  for  the  length  and 
freedom  of  this  epistle.  I  am  persuaded  you  possess 
too  much  candour  yourself  to  be  offended  at  it  in 
others,  in  relating  of  facts,  especially,  as  I  profess 
myself  to  be,  with  the  utmost  respect,  etc' 


TO    MONTAGUE. 

Mount  Vernon,  5  April.  1775. 

Sir, 

My  Letter  of  the  4th  of  December  to  Colo.  Mercer 
(dispatched  by  the  first  opportunity  that  offered  after 
the  close  of  his  Sales)  would  inform  you  of  the  total 
amount  thereof ;  &  that  the  contest  between  Miss 
Wroughton  and  Messrs.  Dick  &  Hunter,  respecting  a 
preference  of  Mortgages,  would,  more  than  probable, 
be  avoided. 

I  have  now  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your 
favor  of  the  29th  of  August,  &  to  acquaint  you, 
that  the  packet  herewith  sent  to  Colo  Mercer,  con- 
tains such  papers  &  documents  as  are  necessary'  to 
give  the  fullest  information  of  the  state  of  his  affairs 
in  this  country ;  which,  circumstances  considered, 
have  turned  out  infinitely  beyond  my  expectation,  or 
the    expectation    of   ever)'-    one    who     bestow'd    any 

'  On  March  2ist  Dunmore  had  issued  a  proclamation  against  the  claims  of  some 
"disorderly  persons"  to  lands  in  Virginia  under  pretence  of  a  purchase  from 
the  Indians  ;  but  the  occasion  of  Washington's  letter  was  a  report  that  the  sur- 
veyor who  had  made  the  surveys  had  not  properly  qualified,  a  matter  that  Lord 
Dunmore  was  examining.  In  October,  Lord  Dunmore  and  others,  forming 
the  Wabash  Company,  purchased  an  extensive  tract  of  territory  from  the  In- 
dians of  the  Piankeshaw  nation,  but  the  revolution  followed  and  the  claims 
were  never  allowed. 


470  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1775 

thought  upon  them.  I  shall  not  therefore,  at  this 
time,  trouble  you  either  with  a  recital  or  copies  of 
those  papers,  but  add,  that  I  have  directed  the 
Attorney  General  (Mr.  Randolph)  who  was  retained 
as  Counsel  for  Colo.  Mercer  &  his  mortgages  to 
appeal  from  any  decision  which  might  even  appear  to 
give  Messrs.  Dicks  and  Hunter's  trust-Deed  the 
preference,  to  Miss  Wroughton's  Mortgage  ;  for  as 
to  Mr.  Gravat's,  it  is  entirely  out  of  the  question,  no 
person  disputing  the  validity  of  his  mortgage.  Mr. 
James  Mercer,  in  a  Letter  which  I  received  from  him 
some  time  ago,  proposed  a  matter,  which  if  acceded 
to,  might  ultimately  secure  Miss  Wroughton,  and  put 
an  end  to  all  controversy  respecting  the  mortgage. 
I  shall  communicate  the  proposal  in  his  own  words, 
as  follows  ; 

"  It  appears  to  me  to  be  yet  of  some  consequence 
to  Messrs.  Dick  &  Hunter,  if  they  are  postpon'd  to 
Miss  Wroughton, — tho'  none  to  Miss  Wroughton — 
in  this  way — if  they  are  postpon'd,  and  the  purchasers 
are  not  punctual,  they  will  not  receive  their  money 
but  out  of  the  last  payments,  by  which  Mr.  Dick 
may  be  greatly  affected ;  for  in  the  mean  time  his 
Estate  may  be  seized,  &  sold  for  half  its  value.  As 
Miss  Wroughton  cannot  want  all  her  money  at  once, 
&  will  be  sufficiently  secured  ;  I  could  wish  she 
wou'd  consent  to  let  the  Speaker's  Debt  be  paid, 
next,  after  she  will  receive  ^1,000. — Cou'd  this  be 
granted  I  shall  not  dispute  her  preference.  My 
answer  shews  how  much  this  Debt  is — if  she  will 
consent,  I  will  guarantee  her  Debt,  or  let  her  have  a 


1775]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  471 

preference.  Pray  be  so  kind  as  to  mention  this  to 
Mr.  Montague." 

After  considering  this  proposal,  you  will  be  so 
good  Sir,  as  to  let  me  know  Miss  Wroughton's  senti- 
ments thereon,  that  I  may  communicate  them  to  Mr. 
Mercer,  &  conform  to  them  myself. 

It  gives  me  much  pain  to  find  two  Gentln  broth- 
ers, who  individually  stand  high  in  the  esteem 
of  their  countrymen,  imbibing  unfavorable  impres- 
sions, and,  to  their  joint  Friends,  mu[tu]ally  arraign- 
ing the  conduct  of  each  other,  when  I  am  satisfied 
that  both  think  themselves  right,  and  that  neither 
hath  made  proper  allowance  for  the  situation  of  the 
other.  At  Colo.  Mercer's  request,  I  propounded  the 
queries  he  transmitted,  to  his  Brother,  whose  answers, 
in  a  letter  to  me,  are  forwarded  to  him  ;  but  these 
things  only  serve  to  irritate  ;  for  as  I  am  thoroughly 
satisfied  on  the  one  hand,  that  Colo.  Mercer  has 
advanced  nothing  to  you,  or  Mr.  Gravat,  but  what 
was  perfectly  consistent  with  his  Ideas  of  truth  & 
justice  : — so  on  the  other,  I  am  as  well  persuaded, 
that  Mr.  James  Mercer  hath  not  intentionally 
wronged  him  of  a  farthing ;  &  yet  appearances  may 
be  against  him,  for  want  of  a  thorough  knowledge  of 
his  situation,  &  the  motives  which  influenced  his 
conduct. — That  Colo.  Mercer  has  been  a  considerable 
loser  in  the  management  of  his  Estate  here,  nobody 
will  deny  ;  but  has  not  every  gentleman  in  this  countr^^ 
whose  other  avocations,  or  whose  inclinations  would 
not  permit  them,  to  devote  a  large  portion  of  their 
time  &  attention  to  the  management  of  their  own 


472  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1775 

Estates,  shared  the  same  fate  ?  Our  Gazettes  afford 
but  too  many  melancholy  proofs  of  it  in  the  sales 
which  are  daily  advertised  ;  the  nature  of  a  Virginia 
Estate  being  such,  that  without  close  application,  it 
never  fails  bringing  the  proprietors  in  Debt  annually, 
as  Negroes  must  be  clothed  &  fed,  taxes  paid,  &c, 
&c,  whether  anything  is  made  or  not : — but  Colo. 
Mercer  must,  I  think ;  have  been  well  acquainted 
with  two  facts,  namely,  that  his  brother  had  neither 
leisure,  nor  a  competent  knowledge  of  plantation 
business,  to  become  a  fit  person  to  undertake  it, — 
and,  that  Steward's  (in  this  country  at  least)  far  re- 
moved from  the  inspection  of  a  Superior,  are  scarce 
ever  to  be  entrusted. — But  all  this  is  foreign  from  the 
main  purpose  of  my  letter  and  is  an  evil  out  of  the 
power  of  poor  Mercer  or  his  friends  to  remedy,  at 
this  day  ;  the  uneasiness  I  feel  at  seeing  two  Brothers, 
accustomed  to  live  in  perfect  amity,  now  bickering  & 
accusing  each  other  of  hardships  occasioned  by  the 
other,  led  me  into  this  digression,  for  which  I  ask 
your  pardon. 

I  hope  this  Letter  will  find  you  in  a  better  state  of 
health  than  your  last  describes,  &  with  esteem  & 
respect,  &c. 


TO    MERCER. 
\^Extract.\ 

Mount  Vernon  5  April — 1775. 

I  enclose  you  a  copy  of  my  last  letter  of  the  4th  of 
December,  and  an  account  of  the  proceedings  of  the 
Convention  held  at  Richmond  the  20th  ulto.    A  great 


1775]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  473 

number  of  very  good  companies  were  raised  in  many 
counties  in  this  Colony,  before  it  was  recommended 
to  them  by  the  Convention,  &  are  now  in  excellent 
training '  ;  the  people  being  resolved,  altho'  they  wish 
for  nothing,  more  ardently,  than  a  happy  &  lasting 
reconciliation  with  the  parent  State,  not  to  purchase 
it  at  the  expence  of  their  liberty,  &  the  sacred  com- 
pacts of  Governments. — When  you  see  my  old  friend 
Colo.  Stewart,  be  pleased  to  present  my  warmest 
wishes  to  him,  and  assure  him,  that  having  received 
no  answer  to  several  letters  I  had  written,  I  concluded 
that  he  must  either  be  dead — removed  out  of  the 
reach  of  my  letters,  or  had  forgot  there  was  such 
a  person  in  existence  as  myself.  To  the  best  of  my 
recollection  I  have  never  received  a  line  from  him 
since  his  first  leaving  Jamaica  or  immediately  upon 
his  arrival  in  London  from  that  Island  ;  Since  which 
I  have,  as  above,  wrote  several  times,  without  ever 
learning  with  certainty  where  he  was  fixed,  or  in  what 
Line  he  walked.     I  am,  &c. 


ADVERTISEMENT.' 

Fairfax  Cocnty,  April  23,  1775. 
Forty  Dollars  Reward.  Ran  away  from  the  subscriber,  on 
the  19th  instant,  at  night,  two  servant  men,  viz.  Thomas  Spears, 
a  joiner,  bom  in  Bristol,  about  20  years  of  age,  5  feet  6  inches 
and  a  half  high,  slender  made.  He  has  light  grey  or  blueish  col- 
ored eyes,  a  little  pock  marked,  and  freckled,  with  sandy  colored 
hair,  cut  short  ;  his  voice  is  coarse,  and  somewhat  drawlUng.    He 

'  Sparks,   Writings  of  Washington,  ii.,  506. 
-  From  the  Virginia  Gazette,  4  May,  1775. 


474  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1775 

took  with  him  a  coat,  Avaistcoat,  and  breeches,  of  light  brown  duffil, 
with  black  horn  buttons,  a  light  colored  cloth  waistcoat,  old 
leather  breeches,  check  and  oznabrig  shirts,  a  pair  of  new  milled 
yarn  stockings,  a  pair  of  old  ribbed  ditto,  new  oznabrig  trowsers, 
and  a  felt  hat,  not  much  the  worse  for  wear.  William  Webster, 
a  brickmaker,  born  in  Scotland,  and  talks  pretty  broad.  He  is 
about  5  feet  6  inches  high,  and  well  made,  rather  turned  of  30, 
with  light  brown  hair,  and  roundish  face.  He  had  an  olive  col- 
ored coat,  pretty  much  worn,  with  black  horn  buttons,  duffil  waist- 
coat and  breeches  (same  as  Spears' s)  oznabrig  trousers,  and  check 
and  oznabrig  shirts.  They  went  off  in  a  small  yawl,  with  turpen- 
tine sides  and  bottom,  the  inside  painted  with  a  mixture  of  tar 
and  red  lead.  Masters  of  vessels  are  cautioned  against  receiving 
of  them  ;  and  the  above  reward  is  offered  to  any  person  who  will 
deliver  them  at  my  dwelling-house  in  this  county,  or  twenty 

DOLLARS  for  each  from 

George  Washington.' 


TO    GEORGE    WILLIAM    FAIRFAX,    ENGLAND. 

Philadelphia,  31  May,  1775." 

Dear  Sir, 

Before  this    letter  will    come    to    hand,  you  must 
undoubtedly  have  received  an  account  of  the  engage- 

'  "  I  have  as  yet  heard  nothing  from  the  speaker  fixing  the  time  of  our  setting 
out ;  indeed  from  some  disturbances  in  the  city  by  the  slaves,  I  doubt  whether 
he  will  go.  I  purpose,  however,  to  set  off  at  all  events  Wednesday  morning, 
the  3d.,  and  shall  be  glad  to  meet  you  at  upper  Marlbrough,  Thursday  night." 
— Edmund  Pendleton  to  Washington,  21  Ajiril,  1775. 

"  May  9,  1775.  Dined  with  Stephen  Collins  ;  passed  the  evening  at  Joseph 
Reed's,  in  company  with  Col.  Washington,  (a  fine  figure  and  of  a  most  easy 
and  agreeable  address,)  Richard  Ilcnry  Lee,  and  Col.  Harrison,  three  of  the 
Virginia  delegates.  Besides  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Reed,  were  Mrs.  Deberdt,  Dr.  Ship- 
pen  and  Thomas  Smith.  I  staid  till  twelve  o'clock,  the  conversation  being 
chiefly  on  the  most  feasible  and  prudent  method  of  stopping  up  the  channel  of 
the  Delaware  to  prevent  the  coming  up  of  any  large  ships  to  the  city  ;  I  could 
not  perceive  the  least  disposition  to  .accommodate  matters." — Curwens  Journal 
and  Letters,  27,  28. 

'  Washington  was  now  attending  the  second  Continental  Congress,  which 
assembled  in  Philadelphia  on  the  lOth  of  May. 


1775]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  475 

ment  in  the  Massachusetts  Bay,  between  the  ministe- 
rial troops  (for  we  do  not,  nor  can  we  yet  prevail 
upon  ourselves  to  call  them  the  King's  troops),  and 
the  provincials  of  that  government.  But  as  you  may 
not  have  heard  how  that  affair  began,  I  enclose  you  the 
several  affidavits,  which  were  taken  after  the  action. 

General  Gage  acknowledges,  that  the  detachment 
under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Smith  was  sent  out  to 
destroy  private  property  ;  or,  in  other  words,  to 
destroy  a  magazine,  which  self-preservation  obliged 
the  inhabitants  to  establish.  And  he  also  confesses, 
in  effect  at  least,  that  his  men  made  a  very  precipitate 
retreat  from  Concord,  notwithstanding  the  reinforce- 
ment under  Lord  Percy  ;  the  last  of  which  may  ser\-e 
to  convince  Lord  Sandwich,  and  others  of  the  same 
sentiment,  that  the  Americans  will  fiofht  for  their 
liberties  and  property,  however  pusillanimous  in  his 
Lordship's  eye   they  may  appear  in  other  respects. 

From  the  best  accounts  I  have  been  able  to  collect 
of  that  affair,  indeed  from  every  one,  I  believe  the 
fact,  stripped  of  all  coloring,  to  be  plainly  this,  that, 
if  the  retreat  had  not  been  as  precipitate  as  it  was,  and 
God  knows  it  could  not  w^ell  have  been  more  so,  the 
ministerial  troops  must  have  surrendered,  or  been 
totally  cut  off.  For  they  had  not  arrived  in  Charles- 
town  (under  cover  of  their  ships)  half  an  hour,  before 
a  powerful  body  of  men  from  Marblehead  and  Salem 
was  at  their  heels,  and  must,  if  they  had  happened  to 
be  up  one  hour  sooner,  inevitably  have  intercepted 
their  retreat  to  Charlestown.  Unhappy  it  is,  though, 
to  reflect,  that  a  brother's  sword  has  been  sheathed  in 
a    brother's   breast,    and  that    the  once  happy    and 


476  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1775 

peaceful  plains  of  America  are  either  to  be  drenched 
with  blood  or  inhabited  by  slaves.  Sad  alternative  ! 
But  can  a  virtuous  man  hesitate  in  his  choice? 

I  am  with  sincere  regard,  and  affectionate   compli- 
ments to  Mrs.  Fairfax,  dear  Sir,  your  &c.' 


ACCEPTANCE    OF    APPOINTMENT. 

On  the  15  June,  1775,  Congress  having  resolved  "That  a  gen- 
eral be  appointed  to  command  all  the  continental  forces  raised  or 
to  be  raised  for  the  defence  of  American  liberty,"  proceeded  tea 

'  ELECTED   COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF   OF   THE   CONTINENTAL  ARMY. 

While  the  appointment  of  Washington  to  the  command  of  the  Continental 
army  appears  a  natural  one  when  regarded  from  a  military  standpoint — as  he 
was  about  the  only  man  of  American  birth  in  the  colonies  who  could  lay  claim 
to  any  extensive  military  experience, — the  political  reasons  that  controlled  the 
choice  were  by  no  means  unimportant.  The  contest  between  the  colonies  and 
the  mother  country  had  naturally  centred  in  the  colony  of  the  Massachusetts 
Bay,  and  Boston  had  in  consequence  assumed  the  leading  part.  When  hostili- 
ties had  actually  begun  and  the  siege  of  Boston  attempted,  the  Provincial  Con- 
gress was  met  by  the  serious  question  of  how  to  maintain,  control,  and  utilize  the 
force  that  had  so  suddenly  been  collected  and  looked  to  it  for  commands.  To 
continue  the  men  in  service  for  any  time  was  more  than  the  Congress  could  ac- 
complish ;  and  to  disband  them  would  defeat  their  cause,  and  ruin  their  charac- 
ter with  the  other  colonies,  from  which  aid  was  expected.  It  was  thus  very 
natural  that  the  Provincial  Congress  should  turn  to  the  Continental  Congress 
and  seek  advice  and  assistance. 

There  existed  reasons,  however,  why  this  advice  and  active  aid  should  not  be 
at  once  granted.  I  have  already  quoted  what  Mr.  Charles  Francis  Adams 
believed  of  "  one  of  the  most  characteristic  as  well  as  important  productions 
that  remain  to  give  an  insight  into  his  [Washington's]  mind  "  (page  444  ante). 
Other  evidences  are  at  hand  of  a  little  jealousy  subsisting  on  the  part  of  the 
Southern  Colonies  of  the  New  England  provinces,  dating  from  a  very  early  period 
of  the  contest.  The  people  of  Boston,  it  was  said,  "  do  affect  to  dictate  and 
take  the  lead  in  Continental  measures,"  and  were  apt  "  from  an  inward  vanity 
and  self-conceit,  to  assume  big  and  haughty  airs."  Ilawley  to  John  Adams,  25 
July,  1774.  Even  General  Gage  intimated  that  to  persuade  the  other  colonies 
to  make  the  cause  of  Boston  the  common  cause  of  America,  the  delegates  from 
Massachusetts  to  the  General  Congress  would  probably  "  pay  the  rest  the  com- 
pliment of  taking  their  advice."     Gage  to  the  Earl  of  Dartmouth,  20  July, 


1775]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  477 

choice,  and  the  ballots  being  taken,  George  Washington,  esq.,  was 
unanimously  elected. 

On  the  day  following  the  president  informed  Mr.  Washington 
that  Congress  had  unanimously  made  choice  of  him  to  be  general 
and  commander-in-chief  of  the  American  forces  and  requested  he 
would  accept  that  employment,  to  which  Mr.  W.,  standing  in  his 
place,  answered  : 

Mr.  President, 

Though  I  am  truly  sensible  of  the  high  honor  done 

1774.  It  was  to  a  Virginia  delegate,  Peyton  Randolph,  that  the  post  of  honor 
in  the  Congress  was  given,  and  the  efforts  of  the  Boston  representatives  were 
exerted  to  remove  distrust,  and  were  in  a  measure  crowned  with  success.  "  Here- 
tofore, we  have  been  accounted  by  many  intemperate  and  rash  ;  but  now  we 
are  universally  applauded  as  cool  and  judicious,  as  well  as  spirited  and  brave. 
This  is  the  character  we  sustain  in  Congress.  There  is,  however,  a  certain  de- 
gree of  jealousy  in  the  minds  of  some,  that  we  aim  at  total  independency,  not 
only  of  the  mother  country,  but  of  the  colonies,  too  ;  and  that,  as  we  are  a 
hardy  and  brave  people,  we  shall  in  time  overrun  them."  Samuel  Adams  to 
Joseph  Warren,  25  September,  1774. 

In  the  second  Congress  Adams  found  that  this  jealousy  was  directed  against 
a  New  England  army,  commanded  by  a  New  England  general,  and  that  to  gain 
the  aid  of  the  Congress,  or  induce  it  to  assume  the  maintenance,  regulation  and 
direction  of  the  motley  force  then  collected  before  Boston,  the  point  of  com- 
mand must  be  yielded.  Writing  many  years  after  the  event  he  recalls  that 
some  of  the  leading  Sons  of  Liberty  in  Philadelphia  took  pains  to  warn  him  and 
his  colleagues  to  be  moderate,  and  to  recognize  the  lead  of  Virginia — the  col- 
ony, doubtless,  that  had  exhibited  the  most  marked  jealousy,  if  not  suspicion, 
of  the  motives  of  the  New  England  provinces.  Again  was  Randolph  unani- 
mously chosen  to  the  chair,  but  in  a  few  days  was  obliged  to  return  to  Virginia 
to  open  the  session  of  the  Assembly.  Hancock,  of  Massachusetts,  was  elected 
to  the  vacancy, — presumably  a  political  choice — and  soon  the  affairs  of  the  con- 
tinent, rendered  doubly  momentous  by  the  shedding  of  blood  at  Lexington, 
pressed  upon  the  attention  of  Congress.  Washington,  it  is  recorded  by  John 
Adams  ( Works,  i.,  173)  was  attending  the  sessions  of  Congress  in  military  uni- 
form— blue  and  bufif.  Proceedings  of  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society, 
January,  1859.  This  action  was,  as  Mr.  Charles  Francis  Adams  suggests,  an 
announcement  that  his  mind  was  made  up,  and,  as  it  were,  an  unconscious  nom- 
ination of  himself  for  a  command.  The  Massachusetts  and  Virginia  delegates 
were  at  this  time  working  together,  this  unity  being  secured  mainly  through  the 
intimacy  existing  between  the  two  Adamses  and  Richard  Henry  Lee. 

On  June  2d  a  letter  from  the  Massachusetts  Provincial  Congress  was  laid  before 


478  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1775 

me  in  this  appointment,  yet  I  feel  great  distress  from 
a  consciousness  that  my  abilities  and  military  experi- 
ence may  not  be  equal  to  the  extensive  and  important 
trust.  However,  as  the  Congress  desire  it,  I  will  enter 
upon  the  momentous  duty  and  exert  every  power  I 

the  Continental  body,  asking  advice  respecting  the  institution  of  a  civil  govern- 
ment in  the  colony,  and  also  suggesting  that  as  the  army  then  collecting  from 
different  colonies  was  for  the  general  defence  of  the  rights  of  America,  the 
regulation  and  direction  of  it  were  proper  subjects  for  Continental  action. 
Force,  American  Archives,  Fourth  Series,  ii.,  621.  It  is  not  known  whether 
the  question  of  command  was  connected  with  this  suggestion,  and  Mr.  C.  F. 
Adams  regards  the  appointment  by  the  Provincial  Congress  of  Artemas  Ward  to 
the  chief  command  on  the  day  after  this  letter  was  written,  as  an  indication  that 
it  was  not.  I  am  inclined  to  believe,  however,  that  this  appointment  of  Ward 
was  not  intended  to  forestall  any  nomination  by  the  Continental  Congress,  but 
was  local  in  its  nature,  for  he  was  to  command  only  the  forces  raised  by  the 
Congress  from  which  he  received  his  commission.  The  issuing  of  the  commis- 
sion was  deemed  "expedient."  The  conception  of  a  continental  army  was 
probably  then  forming,  as  the  New  York  delegates  in  the  Continental  Congress 
wrote  on  June  3  to  the  Provincial  Assembly  about  the  "command  of  the  Conti- 
nental army  in  our  Province,"  as  "general  officers  will,  in  all  probability,  be 
shortly  appointed  by  this  Congress."  So  again  on  the  7th,  the  Provincial  Con- 
gress wrote  in  reply  :  "  The  colonies  of  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut  have 
fonned  their  respective  armies,  and  nominated  to  the  general  command  of  them  ; 
the  supposition  that  in  case  a  continental  army  should  be  established  by  author- 
ity of  your  respectable  body,  their  officers  will  be  permitted  to  preserve  their 
respective  ranks,  appears  to  us  highly  probable."  It  does  not  follow  that  the 
matter  had  as  yet  been  formally  brought  before  Congress.  Force,  American 
Archives,  Fourth  .Series,  ii.,  898,  1282,  1292.  James  Warren  had  already 
hinted  the  name  of  Washington  to  John  Adams  for  the  command.  "  They 
[the  army]  seem  to  want  a  more  experienced  direction.  I  could  for  myself 
wish  to  see  your  friends  Washington  and  L  [ee]  at  the  head  of  it  ;  and  yet  dare 
not  propose  it,  though  I  have  it  in  contemplation."  7  May,  1775.  Step  by 
step  the  idea  of  Continental  control  gained  force,  and  matters  were  in  train  for> 
the  nomination  of  officers. 

The  Soutliern  delegates  were  in  favor  of  Washington,  but  even  some  of  the 
members  from  Virginia  wore  "  very  cool  "  about  his  appointment,  while  Pendle- 
ton was  "  very  clear  and  full  against  it."  Furthermore  the  New  England  dele- 
gates were  divided  in  opinion,  an  embarrassment  that  Adams  believed  "  was 
never  publicly  known."  It  was,  however,  soon  known  to  Gage,  for  he  wrote  to 
the  Earl  of  Dartmouth  on  October  15th  of  "  much  division  in  the  Congress,  jeal- 
ousy of  the  Eastern  delegates,  owing  to  which  Washington  was  appointed  to  the 
chief  command  of  the  rebel  army."     Weary  of  waiting  and  convinced  that  a 


1775]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  479 

possess  in  the  service  and  for  support  of  the  glorious 
cause.  I  beg  they  will  accept  my  most  cordial  thanks 
for  this  distinguished  testimony  of  their  approbation. 
But  lest^ome  unlucky  event  should  happen  unfavour- 
able to  my  reputation,  I  beg  it  may  be  remembered 

concession  must  be  made  John  Adams  determined  to  bring  the  matter  to  a  head 
by  moving  that  Congress  should  adopt  the  army  before  Boston,  and  appoint 
Colonel  Washington  commander  of  it.  ' '  Accordingly,  when  Congress  had  as- 
sembled, I  rose  in  my  place,  and  in  as  short  a  speech  as  the  subject  would  ad- 
mit, represented  the  state  of  the  Colonies,  the  uncertainty  in  the  minds  of  the 
people,  their  great  expectation  and  anxiety,  the  distresses  of  the  army,  the  dan- 
ger of  its  dissolution,  the  difficulty  of  collecting  another,  and  the  probability  that 
the  British  army  would  take  advantage  of  our  delays,  march  out  of  Boston,  and 
spread  desolation  as  far  as  they  could  go.  I  concluded  with  a  motion,  in  form, 
that  Congress  would  adopt  the  army  at  Cambridge,  and  appoint  a  general  ;  that 
though  this  was  not  the  proper  time  to  nominate  a  general,  yet,  as  I  had  reason 
to  believe  this  was  a  point  of  the  greatest  difficulty,  I  had  no  hesitation  to  de- 
clare that  I  had  but  one  gentleman  in  my  mind  for  that  important  command, 
and  that  was  a  gentleman  from  Virginia  who  was  among  us  and  ver)-  well  known 
to  all  of  us,  a  gentleman  whose  skill  and  experience  as  an  officer,  whose  inde- 
pendent fortune,  great  talents,  and  excellent  universal  character,  would  com- 
mand the  approbation  of  all  America,  and  unite  the  cordial  exertions  of  all  the 
colonies  better  than  any  other  person  in  the  union.  Mr.  Washington,  who  hap- 
pened to  sit  near  the  door,  as  soon  as  he  heard  me  allude  to  him,  from  his  usual 
modesty,  darted  into  the  library  room.  .  .  .  Mr.  Samuel  Adams  seconded  the 
motion.  .  .  .  The  subject  came  under  debate,  and  several  gentlemen  declared 
themselves  against  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Washington,  not  on  account  of  any 
personal  objection  against  him,  but  because  the  army  were  all  from  New  Eng- 
land, had  a  general  of  their  own,  appeared  to  be  satisfied  with  him,  and  had 
proved  themselves  able  to  imprison  the  British  army  in  Boston,  which  was  all 
they  expected  or  desired  at  that  time.  Mr.  Pendleton,  of  Virginia,  Mr.  Sher- 
man, of  Connecticut,  were  verj'  explicit  in  declaring  their  opinion  ;  Mr.  Gushing 
and  several  others  more  faintly  expressed  their  opposition,  and  their  fears  of  dis- 
contents in  the  army  and  in  New  England.  Mr.  Paine  expressed  a  great  opin- 
ion of  General  Ward  and  a  strong  friendship  for  him,  having  been  his  classmate 
at  college,  or  at  least  his  contemporary  ;  but  gave  no  opinion  upon  the  question. 
The  subject  was  postponed  to  a  future  day.  In  the  meantime,  pains  were  taken 
out  of  doors  to  obtain  a  unanimity,  and  the  voices  were  generally  so  clearly  in 
favor  of  Washington,  that  the  dissentient  members  were  persuaded  to  withdraw 
their  opposition,  and  Mr.  Washington  was  nominated,  I  believe  by  Mr.  Thomas 
Johnson  of  Maryland,  unanimously  elected,  and  the  army  adopted."  Adams, 
Works,  ii.,  415-418. 
The  choice  was  made  on  Thursday,  June  15th,  and  on  the  next  day  Washing- 


48o  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1775 

by  every  gentleman  in  the  room,  that  I  this  day 
declare  with  the  utmost  sincerity  I  do  not  think 
myself  equal  to  the  command  I  am  honored  with. 

As  to  pay,  Sir,  I  beg  leave  to  assure  the  Congress, 
that  as  no  pecuniary  consideration  could  have 
tempted  me  to  accept  this  arduous  employment  at  the 

ton  was  notified  of  his  election  and  accepted  in  the  modest  speech  printed  above. 
It  was  soon  apparent  that  the  opinion  of  Washington  entertained  by  "  many  of 
the  staunchest  "  members  of  Congress  had  been  adopted  in  Massachusetts  where 
the  inactivity  and  almost  incompetency  of  General  Ward  to  meet  the  emergency 
were  leading  the  Provincial  Congress  to  look  elsewhere  for  a  commander.  "  I 
should  heartily  rejoice  to  see  this  way  the  beloved  Colonel  Washington  and  do 
not  doubt  the  New  England  generals  would  acquiesce  in  showing  to  our  sister 
colony,  Virginia,  the  respect  which  she  has  before  experienced  from  the  Conti- 
nent, in  making  him  Generalissimo.  This  is  a  matter  in  which  Dr.  Warren 
agrees  with  me,  and  we  had  intended  to  write  you  jointly  on  the  affair."  James 
Warren  to  John  Adams,  4  June,  1775.  (The  letter  may  have  reached  Philadel- 
phia before  the  choice  had  been  made.)  The  battle  of  Bunker's  Hill  only  served 
to  increase  the  feeling  against  the  provincial  general.  ' '  Fine  fellows  you  know 
our  countrymen  are  ;  and  want  nothing  but  a  general  of  spirit  and  abilities  to 
make  them  a  fine  army.  All  our  efforts,  which  are  many,  cannot  supply  that 
defect, — yours  must  do  it.  Could  you  believe,  he  [Ward]  never  left  his  house 
on  Saturday  ;  but  I  shall  add  no  more.  I  wish  that  was  the  worst  of  it  "  War- 
ren to  Samuel  Adams,  21  June,  1775.  And  to  John  Adams  he  wrote  :  "  Had 
our  brave  men,  posted  on  ground  injudiciously  at  first  taken,  had  a  Lee  or  a 
Washington  instead  of  a  general  destitute  of  all  military  ability  and  spirit  to 
command  them,  it  is  my  opinion  the  day  would  have  terminated  with  as  much 
glory  to  America  as  the  19th  of  April.  This  is  our  great  misfortune,  and  it  is 
remediless  from  any  other  quarter  than  yours.  We  dare  not  supercede  him  here 
— it  will  come  well  from  you,  and  really  merits  your  attention."  20  June,  1775. 
On  the  same  day  the  Massachusetts  Provincial  Congress  wrote  to  the  Continen- 
tal Congress  :  "  We  beg  leave  humbly  to  suggest  that  if  a  commander  in  chief 
of  the  army  of  the  United  Colonies  should  be  appointed,  it  must  be  plain  to 
your  Honors,  that  no  part  of  this  Continent  can  so  much  require  his  immediate 
presence  and  exertions  as  this  colony."  While  we  find  the  suggestion  of  Wash- 
ington for  the  command  among  both  the  Southern  members  and  in  Massachu- 
setts, it  would  not  be  a  correct  statement  to  assert  that  he  was  chosen  in  obedi- 
ence to  a  general  demand.  The  act  was  rather  due  to  the  efforts  of  a  few  of  the 
more  far  sighted  leaders  of  the  Revolution,  in  which  colonial  pride  and  jealousy 
played  not  an  unimportant  part. 

The  political  effect  of  the  appointment  was  clearly  recognized  by  some.     "  I 
can  now  inform  you  tliat  the  Congress  have  made  choice  of  the  modest  and  vir- 


1775]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  481 

expense  of  my  domestic  ease  and  happiness,  I  do  not 
wish  to  make  any  profit  from  it.  I  will  keep  an  exact 
account  of  my  expenses.  Those  I  doubt  not  they 
will  discharge,  and  that  is  all  I  desire.' 

tuous,  the  amiable,  generous,  and  brave  George  Washington,  Esquire,  to  be 
general  of  the  American  army,  and  that  he  is  to  repair,  as  soon  as  possible,  to  the 
camp  before  Boston.  This  appointment  will  have  a  great  effect  in  cementing 
andsecuring  the  union  of  these  colonies."  John  Adams.  17  June,  1775.  "George 
Washington,  a  delegate  from  Virginia,  is,  at  the  particular  request  of  the  people  in 
New  England,  and  with  the  unanimous  consent  of  the  Congress,  appointed 
commander  in  chief  of  the  Continental  forces,  with  a  handsome  salary  per  an- 
nima.  The  commission  he  received  with  pleasure,  but  positively  refused  any 
pay,  requiring  only  a  reimbursement  of  his  actual  expenses."  Letter  dated 
Philadelphia,  20  June,  1775,  in  Force,  American  Archives,  Fourth  Series,  ii., 
1033.  There  are  some  personal  records  of  the  appointment  that  do  not  lack  in- 
terest. "  There  is  something  charming  to  me  in  the  conduct  of  Washington.  A 
gentleman  of  one  of  the  first  fortunes  upon  the  continent,  leaving  his  delicious 
retirement,  his  family  and  friends,  sacrificing  his  ease,  and  hazarding  all  in  the 
cause  of  his  country  !  His  views  are  noble  and  disinterested.  He  declared,  when 
he  accepted  the  mightj'  trust,  that  he  would  lay  before  us  an  exact  account  of  his 
expenses,  and  not  accept  a  shilling  for  pay."  John  Adams  to  Elbridge  Gerry, 
18  June,  1775.  Samuel  Adams  speaks  of  "  our  patriotic  General  Washington  " 
(to  Gerry,  22  June),  and  Hancock,  recovering  from  his  chagrin  at  being  passed 
over,  could  say  "  He  is  a  fine  man."  {To  Gerry,  18  June.)  In  the  camp  at  Cam- 
bridge the  appointment  was  gracefully  accepted  and  his  conduct  after  his  arrival 
greatly  increased  the  esteem  in  which  he  was  held  and  prevented  much  of  that 
discontent  which,  it  was  feared,  would  follow  the  supercession  of  the  pro\4ncial 
generals.     Greene,  Life  of  Greene,  i.,  loi. 

As  a  curiosity,  I  give  the  following  memorandum  : — 

"  WTien  Congress  determined  to  be  independent  and  appointed  general  officers 
to  command  our  armies  to  prosecute  the  war  for  independence  and  defending  our 
liberty,  they  nominated  Gen'l  Washington  to  the  chief  command  ;  but  his  great 
modesty  recommended  Genl  Lewis  in  preference  to  himself.  But  one  of  his  col- 
leagues from  Virginia  observed  that  Genl.  Lewis's  popularity  had  suffered  much 
from  the  declamation  of  some  of  his  troops  on  the  late  expedition  against  the 
Indians,  and  it  would  be  impolitick  at  that  juncture  to  make  the  appointment." 
Narrative  of  Captain  John  Stuart,  Magazine  of  American  History,  1877,  740. 

'  "  As  soon  as  he  could  get  himself  in  readiness  he  set  out  for  Boston  to  take 
upon  him  the  command  of  the  army  before  that  town."  {MS.  note  of  Charles 
Thomson  prefixed  to  vol.  i.  of  Washington's  Letters  in  the  Records  of  the 
Continental  Congress.)  Thomson's  memorandum  was  made  from  a  copy  of  the 
acceptance  in  the  MS.  of  Edmund  Pendleton.  Continental  Congress,  No.  152, 
vol.  i.,  p.  I. 


482  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1775 

COMMISSION    AS    COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. 

^IXjC  delegates  of  the  United  Colo?ites  of  New-Hampshire,  Massa- 
chusetts bay,  Rhode  Island,  Connecticut,  New-  York,  New  y^ersey, 
Pennsylvania,  New  Castle,  Kent  &'  Sussex  on  Delaware,  Maryland, 
Virginia,  North  Carolifia  and  South  Carolina 

To  i&ZUXQt  ^ilaslxttX^tjCriX  Esquire 

'WS^t/  reposing  especial  trust  and  confidence  in  your  patriotism, 
conduct  and  fidelity  Do  by  these  presents  constitute  and  appoint  you 
to  be  (&tXiSiXK\  WCI&,  ®01UmatXdjeie  in  @M«f  of  the  Army 
of  the  United  Colonies  afid  of  all  the  forces  raised  or  to  be  raised  by 
them  and  of  all  others  who  shall  voluntary  offer  their  service  and 
join  the  said  army  for  the  defence  of  American  liberty  and  for 
repelling  every  hostile  invasion  thereof.  And  you  are  hereby  vested 
with  full  power  and  authority  to  act  as  you  shall  think  for  the  good 
and  welfare  of  the  sej'vice. 

,^11^  we  do  hereby  strictly  charge  and  require  all  officers  and 
soldiers  under  your  com?fiand  to  be  obedient  to  your  orders  6^  diligent 
in  the  exercise  of  their  several  duties. 

J^tX^  we  do  also  enjoin  and  require  you  to  be  careful  in  executing 
the  great  trust  reposed  in  you,  by  causing  strict  discipline  and  order  to 
be  observed  in  the  army  and  that  the  soldiers  are  duly  exercised  and 
provided  with  all  convenient  necessaries. 

^XktL  you  are  to  regulate  your  conduct  in  every  respect  by  the  rules 
and  discipline  of  ivar  {as  herewith  given  you)  and  punctually  to 
observe  and  follow  such  orders  and  directions  from  time  to  time  as 
you  shall  receive  from  this  or  a  future  Congress  of  the  said  United 
Colonies  or  a  committee  of  Congress  for  that  purpose  appointed. 

This  Commission  to  continue  in  force  until  revoked  by  this  or  a 

future  Congress.  „         ,        ^  ,,    ^ 

By  order  of  the  Congress 

Dated,  Philadelphia  fune  igth  lyjS- 

John  Hancock  President 
Attest  Chas.    1 HOMSON  Seer. 

[See  note  on  opposite  page.] 


1775]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  483 

TO    MRS.    MARTHA    WASHINGTON.. 

Philadelphia,  18  June,  1775. 

My  Dearest, 

I  am  now  set  down  to  write  to  you  on  a  subject, 
which  fills  me  with  inexpressible  concern,  and  this 
concern  is  greatly  aggravated  and  increased,  when 

Note. — The  Commission  and  instructions  were  drawn  up  by  the  same  com- 
mittee of  Congress,  consisting  of  Richard  Henry  Lee,  Edward  Rutledge  and  John 
Adams,  and  appointed  16  June,  1775.     The  instructions  are  as  follows  : — 

"  This  Congress  having  appointed  you  to  be  General  and  Commander-in- 
chief  of  the  army  of  the  United  Colonies,  of  all  the  forces  raised  or  to  be  raised 
by  them,  and  of  all  others  who  shall  voluntarily  offer  their  service,  and  join  the 
said  army  for  the  defence  of  American  liberty,  and  for  repelling  every  hostile 
invasion  thereof,  you  are  to  repair  ^vith  all  expedition  to  the  colony  of  Massa- 
chusetts Bay,  and  take  charge  of  the  army  of  the  United  Colonies.  For  your 
better  direction  ; — 

"  I.  You  are  to  make  a  return  to  us  as  soon  as  possible  of  all  forces,  which 
you  shall  have  under  your  command,  together  with  their  military  stores  and  pro- 
visions ;  and  also  as  exact  an  account  as  you  can  obtain  of  the  forces  which 
compose  the  British  army  in  America. 

"  2.  You  are  not  to  disband  any  of  the  men  you  find  raised  until  further  di- 
rection from  this  Congress  ;  and  if  you  shall  think  their  numbers  not  adequate 
to  the  purpose  of  security,  you  may  recruit  them  to  a  number  you  shall  think 
sufi&cient,  not  exceeding  double  that  of  the  enemy. 

"  3.  In  all  cases  of  vacancy  occasioned  by  the  death  or  removal  of  a  colonel, 
or  other  inferior  officer,  you  are  by  brevet,  or  warrant  under  your  seal,  to  ap- 
point another  person  to  fill  up  such  vacancy,  until  it  shall  otherwise  be  ordered 
by  the  Provincial  Convention,  or  the  Assembly  of  the  colony,  from  whence  are 
the  troops  in  which  such  vacancy  happens,  shall  direct  otherwise. 

"  4.  You  are  to  victual,  at  the  Continental  expense,  all  such  volunteers  as 
have  joined  or  shall  join  the  united  army. 

"5.  You  shall  take  every  method  in  your  power,  consistent  with  prudence, 
to  destroy  or  make  prisoners  of  all  persons  who  now  are,  or  who  hereafter  shall 
appear  in  arms  against  the  good  people  of  the  United  Colonies. 

"  6.  And  whereas  all  particulars  cannot  be  foreseen,  nor  positive  instructions 
for  such  emergencies  so  beforehand  given,  but  that  many  things  must  be  left  to 
your  prudent  and  discreet  management,  as  occurrences  may  arise  upon  the  place, 
or  from  time  to  time  fall  out,  you  are,  therefore,  upon  all  such  accidents,  or  any 
occasions  that  may  happen,  to  use  your  best  circumspection  ;  and,  advising  with 
your  council  of  war,  to  order  and  dispose  of  the  said  army  under  your  command 
as  may  be  most  advantageous  for  the  obtaining  of  the  end  for  which  these  forces 
have  been  raised,  making  it  your  especial  care,  in  discharge  of  the  great  trust 
committed  unto  you,  that  the  liberties  of  America  receive  no  detriment." 


484  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1775 

I  reflect  upon  the  uneasiness  I  know  it  will  give  you. 
It  has  been  determined  in  Congress,  that  the  whole 
army  raised  for  the  defence  of  the  American  cause 
shall  be  put  under  my  care,  and  that  it  is  necessary 
for  me  to  proceed  immediately  to  Boston  to  take  upon 
me  the  command  of  it. 

You  may  believe  me,  my  dear  Patsy,  when  I  assure 
you,  in  the  most  solemn  manner,  that,  so  far  from 
seeking  this  appointment,  I  have  used  every  endeavor 
in  my  power  to  avoid  it,  not  only  from  my  unwilling- 
ness to  part  with  you  and  the  family,  but  from  a  con- 
sciousness of  its  being  a  trust  too  great  for  my  capacity, 
and  that  I  should  enjoy  more  real  happiness  in  one 
month  with  you  at  home,  than  I  have  the  most  dis- 
tant prospect  of  finding  abroad,  if  my  stay  were  to  be 
seven  times  seven  years.  But  as  it  has  been  a  kind 
of  destiny,  that  has  thrown  me  upon  this  service, 
I  shall  hope  that  my  undertaking  it  is  designed  to 
answer  some  good  purpose.  You  might,  and  I  sup- 
pose did  perceive,  from  the  tenor  of  my  letters,  that 
I  was  apprehensive  I  could  not  avoid  this  appoint- 
ment, as  I  did  not  pretend  to  intimate  when  I  should 
return.  That  was  the  case.  It  was  utterly  out  of  my 
power  to  refuse  this  appointment,  without  exposing 
my  character  to  such  censures,  as  would  have  re- 
flected dishonor  upon  myself,  and  given  pain  to  my 
friends.  This,  I  am  sure,  could  not,  and  ought  not, 
to  be  pleasing  to  you,  and  must  have  lessened  me 
considerably  in  my  own  esteem.  I  shall  rely,  there- 
fore, confidently  on  that  Providence,  which  has  here- 
tofore   preserved    and   been    bountiful    to    me,    not 


1775]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  485 

doubting  but  that  I  shall  return  safe  to  you  in  the 
fall.  I  shall  feel  no  pain  from  the  toil  or  the  danger 
of  the  campaign  ;  my  unhappiness  will  flow  from  the 
uneasiness  I  know  you  w^U  feel  from  being  left  alone. 
I  therefore  beg,  that  you  will  summon  your  whole 
fortitude,  and  pass  your  time  as  agreeably  as  possible. 
Nothing  will  give  me  so  much  sincere  satisfaction  as 
to  hear  this,  and  to  hear  it  from  your  own  pen.  My 
earnest  and  ardent  desire  is,  that  you  would  pursue 
any  plan  that  is  most  likely  to  produce  content,  and 
a  tolerable  degree  of  tranquillity  ;  as  it  must  add 
greatly  to  my  uneasy  feelings  to  hear,  that  you  are 
dissatisfied  or  complaining  at  what  I  really  could 
not  avoid. 

As  life  is  always  uncertain,  and  common  prudence 
dictates  to  every  man  the  necessity  of  settling  his 
temporal  concerns,  while  it  is  in  his  power,  and  while 
the  mind  is  calm  and  undisturbed,  I  have,  since  I  came 
to  this  place  (for  I  had  not  time  to  do  it  before  I  left 
home)  got  Colonel  Pendleton  '  to  draft  a  will  for  me, 
by  the  directions  I  gave  him,  which  will  I  now  enclose. 
The  provision  made  for  you  in  case  of  my  death  will, 
I  hope,  be  agreeable. 

I  shall  add  nothing  more,  as  I  have  several  letters 
to  write,  but  to  desire  that  you  will  remember  me  to 
your  friends,  and  to  assure  you  that  I  am,  with  the 
most  unfeigned  regard,  my  dear  Patsy,  your  affec- 
tionate,   &c. 

'  Colonel  Edmund  Pendleton,  at  this  time  a  delegate  from  Virginia  to  the 

Continental  Congress. 


486  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1775 

TO    JOHN    PARKE    CUSTIS. 

Philadelphia,  19  June,  1775. 

Dear  Jack  : 

I  have  been  called  upon  by  the  unanimous  voice 
of  the  colonies  to  take  the  command  of  the  con- 
tinental army.  It  is  an  honor  I  neither  sought  after, 
or  was  by  any  means  fond  of  accepting,  from  a  con- 
sciousness of  my  own  inexperience  and  inability  to 
discharge  the  duties  of  so  important  a  trust.  How- 
ever, as  the  partiality  of  the  Congress  has  placed  me 
in  this  distinguished  point  of  view,  I  can  make  them 
no  other  return  but  what  will  flow  from  close  atten- 
tion and  upright  intention — for  the  rest  I  can 
say  nothing.  My  great  concern  upon  this  occasion 
is,  the  thought  of  leaving  your  mother  under  the  un- 
easiness which  I  fear  this  affair  will  throw  her  into ; 
I  therefore  hope,  expect,  and  indeed  have  no  doubt, 
of  your  using  every  means  in  your  power  to  keep  up 
her  spirits,  by  doing  everything  in  your  power  to  pro- 
mote her  quiet.  I  have,  I  must  confess,  very  uneasy 
feelings  on  her  account,  but  as  it  has  been  a  kind  of 
unavoidable  necessity  which  has  led  me  into  this 
appointment,  I  shall  more  readily  hope  that  success 
will  attend  it  and  crown  our  meetings  with  happiness. 

At  any  time,  I  hope  it  is  unnecessary  for  me  to 
say,  that  I  am  always  pleased  with  yours  and  Nelly's 
abidance  at  Mount  Vernon  ;  much  less  upon  this  oc- 
casion, when  I  think  it  absolutely  necessary  for  the 
peace  and  satisfaction  of  your  mother  ;  a  considera- 
tion which  I  have  no  doubt  will  have  due  weight 
with  you  both,  and  require  no  arguments  to  enforce. 


1775]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  487 

As  the  public  gazettes  will  convey  ever}'^  article  of 
intelligence  that  I  could  communicate  in  this  letter,  I 
shall  not  repeat  them,  but  with  love  to  Nelly,  and 
sincere  regard  for  yourself,  I  remain,  &c. 

P.  S. — Since  writing  the  foregoing,  I  have  received 
your  letter  of  the  fifteenth  instant.  I  am  obliged  to 
you  for  the  intelligence  therein  contained,  and  am 
glad  you  directed  about  the  tobacco,  for  I  had  really 
forgot  it.  You  must  now  take  upon  yourself  the  en- 
tire management  of  your  own  estate,  it  will  no  longer 
be  in  my  power  to  assist  you,  nor  is  there  any  occa- 
sion for  it,  as  you  have  never  discovered  a  disposi- 
tion to  put  it  to  a  bad  use. 

The  Congress,  for  I  am  at  liberty  to  say  as  much, 
are  about  to  strike  two  millions  of  dollars  as  a  con- 
tinental currency,  for  the  support  of  the  war,  as 
Great  Britain  seems  determined  to  enforce  us  into — 
and  there  will  be  at  least  fifteen  thousand  raised  as  a 
continental  army.  As  I  am  exceedingly  hurried  ;  I 
can  add  no  more  at  present  than  that  I  am,  &c. 


TO    COLONEL    BASSETT. 

Philadelphia,  19  June,  1775. 

Dear  Sir, — 

I  am  now  Imbarked  on  a  tempestuous  ocean,  from 
whence  perhaps  no  friendly  harbor  is  to  be  found.  I 
have  been  called  upon  by  the  unanimous  voice  of 
the  Colonies  to  the  command  of  the  Continental 
Army.  It  is  an  honor  I  by  no  means  aspired  to.  It 
is  an  honor  I  wished  to  avoid,  as  well  from  an  un- 


488  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1775 

willingness  to  quit  the  peaceful  enjoyment  of  my 
Family,  as  from  a  thorough  conviction  of  my  own  In- 
capacity &  want  of  experience  in  the  conduct  of  so 
momentous  a  concern  ;  but  the  partiallity  of  the  Con- 
gress, added  to  some  political  motives,  left  me  with- 
out a  choice.  May  God  grant,  therefore,  that  my 
acceptance  of  it,  may  be  attended  with  some  good  to 
the  common  cause,  &  without  injury  (from  want  of 
knowledge)  to  my  own  reputation.  I  can  answer 
but  for  three  things  :  a  firm  belief  of  the  justice  of 
our  cause,  close  attention  in  the  prosecution  of  it, 
and  the  strictest  Integrity.  If  these  cannot  supply 
the  place  of  ability  &  Experience,  the  cause  will 
suffer,  &  more  than  probable  my  character  along 
with  it,  as  reputation  derives  its  principal  support 
from  success ;  but  it  will  be  remembered,  I  hope, 
that  no  desire  or  insinuation  of  mine  placed  me  in 
this  situation.  I  shall  not  be  deprived,  therefore,  of 
a  comfort  in  the  worst  event,  if  I  retain  a  conscious- 
ness of  having  acted  to  the  best  of  my  judgment. 

I  am  at  liberty  to  tell  you  that  the  Congress,  in 
committee  (which  will  I  dare  say  be  agreed  to  when 
reported),  have  consented  to  a  Continental  Currency, 
and  have  ordered  two  million  of  dollars  to  be  struck 
for  payment  of  the  Troops  and  other  expenses  arising 
from  our  defence,  as  also  that  15,000  men  are  voted 
as  a  Continental  army,  which  will  I  dare-say  be  aug- 
mented, as  more  Troops  are  imbarked  &  Imbarking 
for  America  than  was  expected  at  the  time  of  passing 
that  vote.  As  to  other  articles  of  Intelligence  I  must 
refer  you  to  the  Gazette,  as  the  Printers  pick  up  every 


1775]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  489 

thing  that  is  stirring  in  that  way.  The  other  Officers 
in  the  higher  departments  are  not  yet  fixed,  therefore 
I  cannot  give  you  their  names.  I  set  out  to-morrow 
for  Boston,  where  I  shall  always  be  glad  to  hear  from 
you.  My  best  wishes  attend  Mrs.  Bassett,  Mrs. 
Dandridge,  &  all  our  relations  &  friends.  In  great 
haste,  as  I  have  many  letters  to  write,  and  other 
business  to  do.  I  remain  with  the  sincerest  regards. 
Dear  Sir,  &c. 

P.S,  I  must  entreat  you  and  Mrs.  Bassett  if  pos- 
sible to  visit  at  Mt.  Vernon,  as  also  my  wife's  other 
friends.  I  could  wish  you  to  take  her  down,  as  I 
have  no  expectation  of  returning  till  winter  &  feel 
great  uneasiness  at  her  lonesome  situation.  I  have 
sent  my  Chariot  &  Horses  back. 


TO    THE    CAPTAINS    OF     SEVERAL    INDEPENDENT    COMPA- 
NIES   IN    VIRGINIA. 

Philadelphia,  20  June,  1775. 

Gentlemen, 

I  am  now  about  to  bid  adieu  to  the  companies 
under  your  respective  commands,  at  least  for  a  while. 
I  have  launched  into  a  wide  and  extensive  field,  too 
boundless  for  my  abilities,  and  far,  very^  far,  beyond 
my  experience.  I  am  called,  by  the  unanimous  voice 
of  the  Colonies,  to  the  command  of  the  Continental 
arm.y  ;  an  honor  I  did  not  aspire  to  ;  an  honor  I  was 
solicitous  to  avoid,  upon  a  full  conviction  of  my  inad- 
equacy to  the  importance  of  the  service.  The  par- 
tiality of  the  Congress,  however,  assisted  by  a  political 


490  THE   WFITINGS  OF  [1775 

motive,  rendered  my  reasons  unavailing,  and  I  shall 
to-morrow  set  out  for  the  camp  near  Boston. 

I  have  only  to  beg  of  you,  therefore,  before  I  go, 
(especially  as  you  did  me  the  honor  to  put  your  com- 
panies under  my  direction,  and  know  not  how  soon 
you  may  be  called  upon  in  Virginia  for  an  exertion 
of  your  military  skill,)  by  no  means  to  relax  in  the 
discipline  of  your  respective  companies.' 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c. 


'  The  reply  of  the  Independent  Company  of  Alexandria  to  this 'letter  is  an 
evidence  of  the  warm  attachment  of  his  friends,  at  the  same  time  that  it  is 
remarkable  for  the  sentiments  it  expresses,  even  at  so  late  a  day,  in  regard  to  a 
conciliation  with  great  Britain. 

"  Your  favor  of  the  20th  ultimo,  notifying  us  of  your  intended  departure  for 
the  camp,  we  received,  and,  after  transmitting  copies  to  the  different  officers,  to 
whom  it  was  directed,  we  laid  it  before  a  full  meeting  of  your  company  this 
day.  At  the  same  time  that  they  deplore  the  unfortunate  occasion,  that  calls 
you,  their  patron,  friend,  and  worthy  citizen,  from  them  and  your  more  tender 
connexions,  they  beg  your  acceptance  of  their  most  hearty  congratulations  upon 
your  appointment  to  the  supreme  military  command  of  the  American  confed- 
erated forces.  Firmly  convinced.  Sir,  of  your  zealous  attachment  to  the  rights 
of  your  country,  and  those  of  mankind,  and  of  your  earnest  desire,  that  har- 
mony and  good  will  should  again  take  place  between  us  and  our  parent  state, 
we  well  know,  that  your  every  exertion  will  be  invariably  employed  to  preserve 
the  one  and  effect  the  other. 

"  We  are  to  inform  you.  Sir,  by  desire  of  the  company,  that,  if  at  any  time 
you  shall  judge  it  expedient  for  them  to  join  the  troops  at  Cambridge,  or  to 
march  elsewhere,  they  will  cheerfully  do  it.  We  now  recommend  you  to  the 
favor  of  Him,  by  whom  kings  reign  and  princes  decree  justice,  wishing  all  your 
counsels  and  operations  to  be  directed  by  his  gracious  providence  to  a  happy 
and  lasting  union  between  us  and  Great  Britain." 

The  publication  of  this  letter  called  out  the  following  : 

"  Go,  gallant  Washington — 
And  v/hen  (all  milder  means  withstood) 
Ambition,  tani'd  by  loss  of  blood. 
Regains  lier  reason  ;  then,  on  angels'  wings. 
Shall /<"«(-(•  descend,  and  shouting  greet. 
With  peels  of  joy,  these  liai)py  climes." 

— Pennsylvania  Gazette,  26  July,  1775. 


[775]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  491 


TO    JOHN    AUGUSTINE    ^YASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia,  20  June,  1775. 

Dear  Brother, 

I  am  now  to  bid  adieu  to  you,  and  to  ever}'  kind  of 
domestic  ease,  for  a  while.  I  am  embarked  on  a  wide 
ocean,  boundless  in  its  prospect,  and  in  which,  per- 
haps, no  safe  harbor  is  to  be  found.  I  have  been 
called  upon  by  the  unanimous  voice  of  the  Colonies 
to  take  the  command  of  the  Continental  army  ;  an 
honor  I  neither  sought  after,  nor  desired,  as  I  am 
thoroughly  convinced,  that  it  requires  greater  abilities 
and  much  more  experience,  than  I  am  master  of,  to 
conduct  a  business  so  extensive  in  its  nature,  and 
arduous  in  the  execution.  But  the  partiality  of  the 
Congress,  joined  to  a  political  motive,  really  left  me 
without  a  choice  ;  and  I  am  now  commissioned  a 
General  and  Commander-in-chief  of  all  the  forces 
now  raised,  or  to  be  raised,  for  the  defence  of  the 
United  Colonies.  That  I  may  discharge  the  trust  to 
the  satisfaction  of  my  employers,  is  my  first  wish  ;  that 
I  shall  aim  to  do  it,  there  remains  as  little  doubt  of. 
How  far  I  may  succeed,  is  another  point  ;  but  this  I 
am  sure  of,  that,  in  the  worst  event,  I  shall  have  the 
consolation  of  knowing,  if  I  act  to  the  best  of  my 
judgment,  that  the  blame  ought  to  lodge  upon  the 
appointers,  not  the  appointed,  as  it  was  by  no  means 
a  thing  of  my  own  seeking,  or  proceeding  from  any 
hint  of  my  friends. 

I  am  at  liberty  to  inform  you,  that  the  Congress, 
in  a  committee,  (which  will  I  dare  say  be  agreed  to 
when  reported,)  have  consented  to  a  Continental  cur- 


492  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1775 

rency,  have  ordered  two  millions  of  dollars  to  be 
struck  for  payment  of  the  troops,  &c.,  and  have 
voted  fifteen  thousand  men  as  a  Continental  army, 
which  number  will  be  augmented,  as  the  strength  of 
the  British  troops  will  be  greater  than  was  expected 
at  the  time  of  passing  that  vote.  General  Ward, 
General  Lee,  General  Schuyler,  and  General  Putnam 
are  appointed  Major-Generals  under  me.  The  Brig- 
adier-Generals are  not  yet  appointed.  Major  Gates 
j]is  made]  Adjutant-General.'     I  expect  to  set  out  to- 

*  General  Ward  had  already  been  appointed,  by  the  Provincial  Congress  of 
Massachusetts,  commander  of  all  the  forces  raised  by  that  colony,  and  was  now 
in  Cambridge  at  the  head  of  the  army.  Generals  Lee  and  Schuyler  were  in 
Philadelphia,  and  accompanied  the  Commander-in-chief  to  New  York.  Lee 
continued  with  him  to  head-quarters.  Putnam  was  in  Cambridge,  commanding 
the  Connecticut  troops.  Gates  was  at  his  seat  in  Berkeley  County,  Virginia,  but 
speedily  joined  the  army. 

Lee  was  a  colonel  on  half-pay  in  the  British  army,  but  he  resigned  his  com- 
mission, by  a  formal  letter  to  the  Secretary  at  War,  as  soon  as  he  was  appointed 
major-general  by  the  Congress,  and  before  he  received  a  commission  in  the 
American  army.  He  had  been  a  soldier  from  his  youth,  and  had  seen  much 
service  in  America  during  the  French  war,  and  afterwards  in  Europe.  When 
he  received  this  appointment,  he  had  been  only  about  eighteen  months  in  the 
colonies,  but  that  time  had  mostly  been  spent  in  travelling.  He  thus  formed 
many  acquaintances,  and  inspired  the  public  with  a  high  opinion  of  his  military 
character.  His  friend  Gates  had  induced  him  to  buy  lands  in  Virginia,  beyond 
the  Blue  Ridge,  where  he  sometimes  resided.  Gates,  also,  had  been  an  officer 
in  the  British  army.  He  was  a  captain  at  Braddock's  defeat,  where  he  was 
wounded  ;  and  he  rose  afterwards  to  the  rank  of  major,  which  he  resigned,  and 
retired  from  the  service,  purchasing  lands  and  settling  himself  as  a  planter  in 
Virginia.  A  friendly  intercourse  had  long  subsisted  between  him  and  Washing- 
ton. He  was  appointed  Adjutant-General  by  the  Congress,  at  the  express 
solicitation  of  the  Commander-in-chief,  with  the  rank  of  brigadier.  General 
Washington  wrote  to  him  immediately  after  his  appointment,  and  Gates  replied 
in  very  cordial  terms,  adding  in  conclusion  : — "  I  will  not  intrude  more  upon 
your  time,  only  to  assure  you,  that  I  shall  not  lose  a  moment  in  paying  you  my 
personal  attendance,  with  the  greatest  respect  for  your  character,  and  the  sin- 
cerest  attachment  to  your  person."  Gates  arrived  in  Cambridge  before  the 
middle  of  July. — Sparks. 


1775]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  493 

morrow  for  Boston,  and  hope  to  be  joined  there  in  a 
little  time  by  ten  companies  of  riflemen  from  this 
province,  Maryland,  and  Virginia.  For  other  articles 
of  intelligence,  I  shall  refer  you  to  the  papers,  as  the 
printers  are  diligent  in  collecting  every  thing  that  is 
stirring. 

I  shall  hope  that  my  friends  will  visit  and  endeavor 
to  keep  up  the  spirits  of  my  wife,  as  much  as  they 
can,  as  my  departure  will,  I  know,  be  a  cutting  stroke 
upon  her ;  and  on  this  account  alone  I  have  many 
very  disagreeable  sensations.  I  hope  you  and  my 
sister,  (although  the  distance  is  great,)  will  find  as 
much  leisure  this  summer  as  to  spend  a  little  time  at 
Mount  Vernon. 

My  sincere  regards  attend  you  both,  and  the  little 
ones,  and  I  am  your  most  affectionate  brother. 


TO    THE    CONTINENTAL    CONGRESS. 

New  York  24th  [25]  June  1775.' 

Gentlemen, 

The  Rain  on  Friday  afternoon  and  Saturday  the 
advice  of  several  Gentlemen  of  the  Jerseys  and  this 

'  Washington's  commission  was  signed  on  the  igth.  On  the  following  day 
"the  three  battalions  of  Philadelphia  and  the  liberties,  together  with  the 
artillery  company,  a  troop  of  light  horse,  several  companies  of  light  infantry, 
rangers  and  riflemen,  in  the  whole  about  two  thousand,  marched  out  to  the 
commons,  and  having  joined  in  brigade,  were  reviewed  by  General  Washing- 
ton. .  .  .  They  went  through  the  manual  exercise,  firings  and  manoeuvres 
with  great  dexterity  and  exactness."  Rivington's  Gazetteer,  ]un&2(^\h.  "  Phila- 
delphia, June  23.  This  morning  at  seven  o'clock  it  is  said,  general  Washing- 
ton will  set  out  for  Massachusetts  Bay,  in  order  to  take  command  of  the 
American  Army,  attended  by  Major  Mifflin,  one  of  his  aid  de  camps,  and 
general  Lee,  who  is  appointed  third  in  command."  Virginia  Gazette,  6  July. 
"June  24.     Yesterday  morning  General  Washington  and  General  Lee  set  off 


494  THE   WRITINGS  OF  [1775 

city,  by  no  means  to  cross  Hudson's  River  at  the 
lower  Ferry  and  some  other  occurrences  too  trivial 
to  mention  (which  happened  on  the  Road)  prevented 
my  arrival  at  this  place  until  the  afternoon  of  this 
day.     In  the  morning,  after  giving  General  Schuyler 

for  Philadelphia  to  take  command  of  the  American  army  at  Massachusetts  Bay. 
They  were  accompanied  a  few  miles  from  town  by  the  troop  of  light  horse,  and 
by  all  the  officers  of  the  city  militia  on  horseback.  They  parted  with  our  cele- 
brated commanders,  expressing  the  most  ardent  wishes  for  their  success  over 
the  enemies  of  our  liberty  and  country."  Rivingion's  GazetUer,  June  2gth.  On 
the  24th,  General  Schuyler  wrote  to  the  New  York  Congress  from  New  Bruns- 
wick :  "General  Washington,  with  his  retinue,  is  now  here,  and  proposes  to 
be  at  Newark  by  nine  to-morrow  morning.  The  situation  of  the  men-of- 
war  at  New  York  (we  are  informed)  is  such  as  may  make  it  necessary  that 
some  precaution  should  be  taken  in  crossing  Hudson's  river,  and  he  would  take 
it  as  a  favor  if  some  gentlemen  of  your  body  would  meet  him  to-morrow  at  New- 
ark, as  the  advice  you  may  there  give  him  will  determine  whether  he  will  continue 
his  proposed  route  or  not."  On  the  day  before  (June  23d)  the  New  York  Con- 
gress had  requested  Col.  Lasher,  whom  Jones  describes  as  a  German  shoe- 
maker, "to  send  one  of  his  field  officers  to  meet  General  Washington,  and  to 
know  when  he  will  be  in  this  city,"  and  "  to  make  such  orders  as  to  have  his 
battalion  ready  to  receive  Gen.  Washington  when  he  shall  arrive."  On  the 
receipt  of  General  Schuyler's  letter  the  Congress  ordered  Thomas  Smith,  John 
Sloss  Hobart,  Gouverneur  Morris,  and  Richard  Montgomery  "  to  go  immediately 
to  Newark,  and  recommend  to  general  Washington  the  place  which  they  shall 
think  most  prudent  for  him  to  cross  at."  Some  precaution  was  necessary  as 
the  i.rovince  was  still  intensely  loyal,  the  Provincial  Congress,  where  the  revo- 
lutionary spirit  might  be  supposed  to  have  centered,  was  then  discussing  a 
plan  of  accommodation  with  Great  Britain,  and  on  this  very  day  information 
was  received  that  the  royal  governor,  Tryon,  had  arrived  at  the  Hook,  and 
might  land  at  one  o'clock.  How  to  pay  the  due  respect  to  both  the  general 
and  the  governor  was  a  question  that  could  be  determined  only  by  a  proper 
amount  of  "trimming,"  but  little  creditable  to  the  Congress.  "Colonel 
Lasher  was  called  in,  and  requested  to  send  one  company  of  the  militia  to 
Paulus  Hook  to  meet  the  generals  ;  that  he  have  another  company  at  the  side 
of  the  ferry  for  the  same  purpose  ;  that  he  have  the  residue  of  his  battalion 
ready  to  receive  the  general  or  governor  Tryon,  which  ever  shall  first  arrive, 
and  to  wait  on  both  as  well  as  circumstances  will  allow."  {^Provincial  Con- 
gress, June  25th.)  Fortunately  for  the  Congress  circumstances  were  favorable 
to  this  double  arrangement,  as  Washington  landed  a  sufficient  time  before 
Tryon  to  permit  an  escort   for  both.     "Last  Sunday  about  two  o'clock,  the 


1775]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  495 

such  orders,  as,  from  the  result  of  my  Inquiry  into 
matters  here,  appear  necessary,  I  shall  set  out  on  my 
Journey  to  the  Camp  at  Boston  and  shall  proceed 
with  all  the  dispatch  in  my  Power.  Powder  is  so 
essential  an  Article  that  I  cannot  help  again  repeat- 
generals  Washington,  Lee  and  Schuyler  arrived  here.  They  crossed  the  North 
River  at  Hoback  [Hoboken]  and  landed  at  Col.  Lispenard's  [in  the  vicinity  of 
Laight  and  near  Greenwich  Street].  There  were  eight  or  ten  companies  under 
arms,  all  in  uniforms,  who  marched  out  to  Lispenards.  The  procession  began 
from  there  thus,  the  companies  first,  Congress  next,  two  of  Continental  Con- 
gress next,  general  officers  next,  and  a  company  of  horse  from  Philadelphia, 
who  came  with  the  general  brought  up  the  rear.  There  were  an  innumerable 
company  of  people,  men,  women  and  children  present."  Gilbert  Livingston 
to  Dr.  Peter  Tappan,  29  July,  1775.  The  Virginia  Gazette,  13  July,  copying 
from  a  northern  gazette,  said  "  The  generals  landed  at  the  seat  of  Colonel 
Lispenard  about  4  o'clock  yesterday  afternoon,  \i.  e.  the  25th],  from  whence 
they  were  conducted  by  nine  companies  of  foot  in  their  uniforms,  and  a  greater 
number  of  the  principal  inhabitants  of  this  city  than  ever  appeared  here  on  any 
occasion  before."  Judge  Thomas  Jones,  a  staunch  loyalist  records  a  descrip- 
tion of  this  event  :  "  After  I2  o'clock  the  same  day  Washington,  Lee,  and 
Schuyler,  three  of  the  first  rebel  generals  appointed  by  Congress  to  the  com- 
mand of  their  army,  the  two  first  on  their  way  to  Boston,  the  latter  for  Albany 
to  command  the  expedition  then  preparing  against  Canada,  arrived  from  Phila- 
delphia, and  were  entertained  at  the  house  of  Leonard  Lispenard,  Esq.,  about 
two  miles  out  of  town.  Upon  this  occasion  the  volunteer  companies  raised 
for  the  express  purpose  of  rebellion,  the  members  of  the  Provincial  Congress, 
those  of  the  city  committee,  the  parsons  of  the  dissenting  meeting-houses,  with 
all  the  leaders  and  partisans  of  faction  and  rebellion  (including  Peter  R. 
Livingston,  Esq.,  and  Thomas  Smith,  John  Smith  and  Joshua  Hett  Smith,  the 
brother-in-law  and  brothers  of  William  Smith,  Esq.,)  waited  upon  the  beach 
to  receive  them  upon  their  landing  from  the  Jersey  shore,  and  conducted  them 
up  to  Lispenard's,  amidst  the  repeated  shouts  and  huzzas  of  the  seditious  and 
rebellious  multitude,  where  they  dined,  and  towards  evening  were  escorted 
to  town,  attended  and  conducted  in  the  same  tumultuous  and  ridiculous  man- 
mer."  New  York  during  the  Revolutionary  War,  i.,  55.  Governor  Tryon 
landed  in  the  evening  (eight  or  nine  o'clock)  and  it  is  very  probable,  as  Jones 
says,  much  the  same  collection  of  people  greeted  him  with  the  loudest  acclama- 
tions and  accompanied  him  to  the  house  of  Mr.  Hugh  Wallace.  "  Gaine,  in 
his  New  York  Gazette  and  Mercury,  does  not  allude  to  either  of  the  arrivals 
referred  to  ;  Rivington,  in  his  Gazetteer  of  the  28th  June,  gives  an  account  of 
Tryon's  reception."     New  York  City  during  the  Revolution,  83,  n. 


496  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1775 

ing  the  necessity  of  a  supply.  The  Camp  at  Boston 
from  the  best  accounts  I  can  get  from  thence,  is  but 
very  poorly  supplied.  At  this  place  they  have  scarce 
any.  how  they  are  provided  in  General  Wooster's 
Camp  I  have  not  been  able  yet  to  learn.' 

Governor  Tryon  is  arrived  and  General  Schuyler 
directed  to  advise  you  of  the  line  of  conduct  he 
moves  in.  I  fear  it  will  not  be  very  favourable  to  the 
American  cause.  I  have  only  to  add  that  I  am  with 
the  greatest  respect  and  regard. 


TO    THE    CONTINENTAL    CONGRESS. 

New  York  Sunday  24  [25]  June  1775  5  o'Clock  P  M 

Sir 

Upon  my  Arrival  here  this  Afternoon  I  was  in- 
form'd  that  an  Express  was  in  town  from  the  provin- 
cial Camp  in  Massachusets  Bay,  and  having  seen 
among  other  papers  in  his  possession  a  Letter  directed 
to  you  as  president  of  Congress  I  have  taken  the 
Liberty  to  open  it. 

'  General  Wooster  commanded  tlie  forces,  which  had  been  raised  by  Connec- 
ticut, and  which  were  stationed  on  the  shores  of  Long  Island  Sound,  to  protect 
the  southern  borders  of  that  colony.  On  the  15th  of  June,  a  rumor  having 
been  spread,  that  a  regiment  of  British  troops  was  soon  to  be  landed  in  the  city 
of  New  York  from  Ireland,  the  Provincial  Congress  invited  General  Wooster 
to  march  within  five  miles  of  the  city  for  its  defence,  and  while  there  to  be  un- 
der the  command  of  the  Continental  Con^^ress,  or  that  of  New  York.  This 
request  being  approved  by  the  government  of  Connecticut,  General  Wooster 
marched  eighteen  hundred  men  to  the  neighbourliood  of  the  city,  on  the  28th  of 
June,  where  he  remained  several  weeks. — MS.  Journal  of  the  New  York  Pro- 
vincial Coni;rcss. 

In  reply  to  General  Wooster's  letter  of  consent,  the  Congress  add  : — "We  beg 
leave  to  testify  to  you  our  high  sense  of  the  readiness,  which  you  show  to  assist 
our  colony.  That  honest  zeal,  which  inspirits  the  bosom  of  our  countrymen  in 
Connecticut,  commands  our  admiration  and  praise." 


1775]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  497 

I  was  induced  to  take  that  Liberty  by  several  Gen- 
tlemen of  New  York  who  were  anxious  to  know  the 
particulars  of  the  Affair  of  the  1 7th  Inst  and  agreeable 
to  the  Orders  of  many  members  of  the  Congress  who 
judged  it  necessary  that  I  should  avail  myself  of  the 
best  Information  in  the  Course  of  my  Journey. 

You  will  find  Sir  by  that  Letter  a  great  want  of 
Powder  in  the  provincial  army  ;  which  I  sincerely  hope 
the  Congress  will  supply  as  speedily  &  as  effectually 
as  in  their  Power. 

One  thousand  pounds  in  Wt  were  sent  to  the 
Camp  at  Cambridge  three  days  ago  from  this  City  ; 
which  has  left  this  Place  almost  destitute  of  that 
necessary  article  ;  there  being  at  this  Time  from  the 
best  Information  not  more  than  four  Bbs  of  powder 
in  the  City  of  N  York. 

I  propose  to  sett  off  for  the  provincial  Camp  to 
morrow  and  will  use  all  possible  Dispatch  to  join  the 
Forces  there. 

Please  to  make  my  Compliments  to  the  Gentlemen 
the  Congress. 


TO    MAJOR-GENERAL    PHILIP    SCHUYLER. 

New  York,  25  June,  1775. 

Sir, 

You  are  to  take  upon  you  the  command  of  all  the 
troops  destined  for  the  New  York  department,  and  see 
that  the  orders  of  the  Continental  Congress  are  car- 
ried  into  execution,  with  as  much  precision  and  exact- 
ness as  possible.  For  your  better  government  therein, 
you  are  herewith  furnished  with  a  copy  of  the  in- 


498  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1775 

structions  given  to  me  by  that  honorable  body.  Such 
parts  thereof  as  are  within  the  line  of  your  duty,  you 
will  please  to  pay  particular  attention  to.  Delay  no 
time  in  occupying  the  several  posts,  recommended  by 
the  Provincial  Congress  of  this  colony,  and  putting 
them  in  a  fit  posture  to  answer  the  end  designed  ; 
neither  delay  any  time  in  securing  the  stores,  which 
are,  or  ought  to  have  been,  removed  from  this  city  by 
order  of  the  Continental  Congress. 

Keep  a  watchful  eye  upon  Governor  Tryon,  and,  if 
you  find  him  attempting,  directly  or  indirectly,  any 
measures  inimical  to  the  common  cause,  use  every 
means  in  your  power  to  frustrate  his  designs.'  It  is 
not  in  my  power,  at  this  time,  to  point  out  the  mode 
by  which  this  end  is  to  be  accomplished  ;  but  if  forci- 
ble measures  are  judged  necessary,  (respecting  the 
person  of  the  Governor,)  I  should  have  no  difficulty 
in  ordering  of  them,  if  the  Continental  Congress  was 
not  sitting  ;  but  as  this  is  the  case,  [and]  the  seizing 
of  governors  quite  a  new  thing,  and  of  exceeding 
great  importance,  I  must  refer  you  to  that  body  for 
direction,  if  the  Governor  should  make  any  move 
towards  increasing  the  strength  of  the  Tory  party,  or 

'  Tryon  had  been  governor  of  New  York  since  August,  1771,  and  recently 
absent  for  several  months  in  England.  He  was  known  to  be  extremely  hostile 
to  the  movements  in  the  colonies  ;  and,  possessing  much  talent  and  address,  it 
was  feared  his  influence  would  have  a  pernicious  effect  on  the  inhabitants  of  New 
York,  who  already  manifested  a  lukewarmness  and  hesitancy  by  no  means  en- 
couraging to  the  ardent  champions  of  liberty.  Hence  the  necessity  of  keeping 
an  eye  on  his  motions,  and  guarding  against  any  schemes  he  might  adopt  to 
promote  his  aims.  The  mayor,  aldermen,  and  commonalty  of  the  city  con- 
gratulated him  in  a  public  address,  to  which  he  replied  ;  but  there  was  no  inter- 
course between  him  and  the  Provincial  Congress. — Almon's  Remembrancer,  vol. 
i.,  p.  180. 


1775]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  499 

in  arming  them  against  the  cause  we  are  embarked 
in.  In  like  manner,  watch  the  movements  of  the 
Indian  Agent,  (Colonel  Guy  Johnson,)  and  prevent, 
as  far  as  you  can,  the  effect  of  his  influence  to  our 
prejudice  with  the  Indians.'  Obtain  the  best  infor- 
mation you  can  of  the  temper  and  disposition  of 
those  people,  and  also  of  the  Canadians,  that  a  proper 
line  may  be  marked  out  to  conciliate  their  good 
opinion,  or  facilitate  any  future  operation. 

The  posts  on  Lake  Champlain,  &c.,  you  will  please 
to  have  properly  supplied  with  provisions  and  am- 
munition ;  and  this  I  am  persuaded  you  will  aim  at 
doing  on  the  best  terms,  to  prevent  our  good  cause 
from  sinking  under  a  heavy  load  of  expense.  You 
will  be  pleased,  also,  to  make  regular  returns  to  me 
once  a  month,  and  to  the  Continental  Congress,  and 
oftener  as  occurrences  may  require,  of  the  forces 
under  your  command,  of  your  provisions,  stores,  &c., 
and  give  me  the  earliest  advices  of  every  piece  of  in- 
telligence, which  you  shall  judge  of  importance  to  be 
speedily  known.  Your  own  good  sense  must  govern 
in  all  matters  not  particularly  pointed  out,  as  I  do  not 
wish  to  circumscribe  you  within  narrow  limits.  I  am 
Sir,  &c.= 


'  Guy  Johnson  resided  at  Guy  Park,  near  the  Mohawk  River,  at  that  time  on 
the  frontiers  of  New  York,  and  had  excited  a  good  deal  of  uneasiness  among  the 
people,  by  the  part  he  had  taken  with  the  Indians,  and  by  the  influence  he  was 
known  to  have  over  them.  A  correspondence  of  a  f)ointed  nature  had  already 
passed  between  him  and  the  New  York  Provincial  Congress. — -Journals  of 
the  Congress  for  i"]"]^. — Also,  Sparks's  Life  of  Gouvemeur  Morris,  vol.  i., 
p.  41. 

'  After  Washington  had  left  Philadelphia  a  change  in  the  sentiments  of  Con- 
gress respecting  Canada  occurred,  and  Schuyler  was  ordered  to  repair  at  once  to 


500  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1775 

ANSWER    TO    AN    ADDRESS    OF    THE    NEW    YORK     PROVIN- 
CIAL   CONGRESS/ 

New  York,  26  June,  1775. 

Gentlemen, 

At  the  same  time  that  with  you  I  deplore  the  un- 
happy necessity  of  such  an  appointment,  as  that  with 
which  I  am  now  honored,  I  cannot  but  feel  senti- 
ments of  the  highest  gratitude  for  this  affecting  in- 
stance of  distinction  and  regard. 

Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point,  to  examine  into  the  condition  of  these  posts 
and  obtain  intelligence  of  the  disposition  of  the  Canadians  and  the  Indians  of 
Canada  ;  to  destroy  all  British  boats  on  the  lakes,  and  if  practicable  and  not  dis- 
agreeable to  the  Canadians,  to  occupy  St.  Johns  and  Montreal.  The  cause  of 
this  change  was  the  letter  from  the  Albany  Committee,  printed  in  Force, 
American  Archives,  Fourth  Series,  ii.,  1048. 

'  On  the  26th  the  draught  of  an  address  to  General  Washington  was  read  in 
Congress,  and  Mr.  Morris  and  Mr.  Low  waited  upon  the  general  to  know 
when  he  would  receive  it.  The  reply  was  at  half  past  two  that  afternoon,  at 
which  hour  the  following  address  was  presented  : 

"  At  a  time  when  the  most  loyal  of  His  Majesty's  subjects,  from  a  regard  to 
the  laws  and  constitution  by  which  he  sits  on  the  throne,  feel  themselves  re- 
duced to  the  unhappy  necessity  of  taking  up  arms  to  defend  their  dearest 
rights  and  privileges,  while  we  deplore  the  calamities  of  this  divided  Empire, 
we  rejoice  in  the  appointment  of  a  gentleman  from  whose  abilities  and  virtue  we 
are  taught  to  expect  both  security  and  peace. 

"Confiding  in  you.  Sir,  and  in  the  worthy  Generals  immediately  under  your 
command,  we  have  the  most  flattering  hopes  of  success  in  the  glorious  struggle 
for  American  liberty,  and  the  fullest  assurance,  that  whenever  this  important 
contest  .shall  be  decided  liy  that  fondest  wish  of  each  American  soul,  an  accom- 
modation with  our  mother  country,  you  will  cheerfully  resign  the  important 
deposit  committed  into  your  hands  and  reassume  the  character  of  our  worthiest 
citizen." 

The  idea  contained  in  this  last  sentence,  which  Mr.  Sparks  says  was  "  a  broad 
hint  to  a  military  commander-in-chief,"  is  taken  from  a  letter  written  by  the 
New  York  Provincial  Congress  to  its  delegates  in  the  Continental  Congress  on  7 
June,  1775.  In  sul)mitting  its  views  on  the  appointment  of  ofhcers  it  said  : 
"On  a  general  in  America,  fortune  also  should  l)estow  her  gifts,  that  he  may 
rather  communicate  luster  to  his  dignities  than  receive  it,  and  that  his  country 
in  his  property,  his  kindred,  and  connexions,  may  have  sure  pledges  that  he 
will  faithfully  perform  the  duties  of  his  liigh  office,  and  readily  lay  down  his 


1775]  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  501 

May  your  warmest  wishes  be  realized  in  the  suc- 
cess of  America,  at  this  important  and  interesting 
period  ;  and  be  assured,  that  every  exertion  of  my 
worthy  colleagues  and  myself  will  be  equally  extend- 
ed to  the  reestablishment  of  peace  and  harmony  be- 
tween the  mother  country  and  these  colonies,  as  to 
the  fatal  but  necessary  operations  of  war.  When  we 
assumed  the  soldier,  we  did  not  lay  aside  the  citizen  ; 

power  when  the  general  weal  requires  it."  Force,  American  Archives,  Fourth 
Series,  ii.,  1282.  The  address  and  the  general's  reply  were  published  by  order 
of  the  Congress. 

"  When  Oliver  Cromwell  was  declared  Generalissimo  of  the  Parliament  army 
in  King  Charles  I's  time,  he  soon  made  himself  master  of  the  Government.  And 
when  the  Prince  of  Orange  was  set  at  the  head  of  the  Confederacy  in  the 
Netherlands,  on  the  separation  of  the  United  Provinces  from  Spain,  he  soon 
assumed  the  Stadtholdership,  which  has  ever  since  been  continued  in  his  fam- 
ily. To  obviate,  perhaps,  any  similar  apprehension,  the  Provincial  Congress 
of  New  York  have  addressed  his  Excellency,  hoping,  that  whenever  the  im- 
portant contest  shall  be  decided  by  that  fondest  wish  of  every  American  soul,  an 
accommodation  with  the  mother  country,  he  will  cheerfully  resign  the  sacred 
trust,  and  reassume  the  character  of  their  worthiest  citizen.  To  this  address 
the  General  retiimed  a  full  and  satisfactory  answer."  Gentleman  s  Magazine. 
August,  1775. 

"June  27.  Yesterday  afternoon  General  Washington  with  his  suite,  attend- 
ed by  the  several  New  York  militia  companies,  a  troop  of  gentlemen  of  the 
Philadelphia  light  horse,  commanded  by  Captain  Markoe,  and  a  number  of  the 
inhabitants  of  New  York,  set  out  for  the  provincial  camp  at  Cambridge,  near 
Boston.  Last  night  he  rested  at  King's  Bridge,  and  this  morning  proceeded 
on  his  journey."  New  York  Gazette,  July  24th.  Quoted  in  Moore,  Diary  of  the 
Revolution,  i.,  104. 

"  I  do  myself  the  honor  to  acquaint  you  that  I  parted  with  General  Wash- 
ington yesterday  at  10  o'clock  at  New  RocheUe,  at  which  place  we  were  met  by 
General  Wooster's  and  Colonel  Waterbury's  regiments.  .  .  .  Governor 
Tryon  I  have  reason  to  believe  will  not  create  any  trouble  in  his  government. 
It  is  said  that  he  laments  (and  is  sincere)  that  the  unhappy  controversy  has  been 
carried  so  far,  and  that  he  wishes  a  happy  termination  of  it  on  principles 
friendly  to  both."  Schuyler  to  the  Continental  Congress,  New  York,  June  28, 
1775-  (Governor  Trumbull  expected  to  meet  Washington  at  Hartford  on  the  27th.) 
"  Govr.  Tryon  continues  a  prudent  conduct.  I  cannot  learn  that  he  has  taken 
any  step  that  will  give  umbrage."     Schuyler  to  Hancock,  July  2,  1775. 


502  THE  WRITINGS  OF  [1775 

and  we  shall  most  sincerely  rejoice  with  you  in  that 
happy  hour,  when  the  establishment  of  American 
liberty,  on  the  most  firm  and  solid  foundations,  shall 
enable  us  to  return  to  our  private  stations  in  the 
bosom  of  a  free,  peaceful,  and  happy  country.  I 
am,  &c. 

END    OF    VOL.    II. 


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