you see the returns, what had best be done with the provisions. The quantity is too great for the present consumption, and to wagon it up can never answer the expense.

Major Carlyle thinks the West India market best, as the returns will be in rum, which he can soon turn into flour at the camp.

I am afraid I shall not be able to push things with vigor this fall, for want of a commissary who will act with spirit. Mr. Dick seems determined not to enter into any further contracts, unless he is better supported, or until he meets the Committee in October; by which time the best season for engaging beef will be almost over. The Governor, by the advice of Sir John St. Clair, expressed, just as I was coming away, his desire of having him continued; so that I am entirely ignorant how to act. The making of contracts myself is foreign to my duty; neither have I time; and to see the service suffer will give me infinite uneasiness, as I would gladly conduct every thing, as far as I am capable, with life and spirit. This never can be done unless a fund of money is lodged in camp for defraying the contingent charges. As I believed it difficult to get all the clothing in any one part of the country, I engaged it where I could, and have got shoes, stockings, shirts, and hats enough upon tolerably good terms, as you may see by the enclosed.

Major Carlyle is also willing to engage one hundred complete suits, as good as those imported, for three pounds, or less; with which I have acquainted the Governor. I believe them to be as cheap as can be got below, as it is the making chiefly, that occasions the difference between those imported, and those provided here. I am, &c.*

* The following particulars are entered in the book of Military Orders and Instructions, which was kept by Colonel Washington. "After giv

TO GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.

Fredericksburg, 8 October, 1755.

SIR,

three hours after 1 Shortly afterwards

I arrived at this place in less than wrote you from Colonel Baylor's. arrived also Colonel Stephen, who gives a worse account, than he related in his letter; but as he is the bearer of this, I shall be the less prolix, referring to him for particulars.

I shall set out this evening for Winchester, where I expect to be joined by the recruits from Alexandria and this place, as soon as they can possibly march that distance; also, by one hundred men from Prince William and Frederic. I have written to Fairfax county, desiring that a troop of horse may hold themselves in readiness to march at an hour's warning. So that I doubt not, that, with this assistance, I shall be able to repulse the enemy, if they are still committing their outrages upon the inhabitants. We are at a loss for want of almost every necessary, - tents, kettles, arms, ammunition, and cartridge-paper. I hope, as your Honor did not send to Philadelphia for them, you will, if possible, endeavour to get them below, and send them

ing the necessary orders, and collecting returns of the provisions and clothing at Alexandria, and stores at Rock Creek, I proceeded to Winchester, where I arrived on the 14th of September. Thence I went to Fort Cumberland, and took upon me the command of the troops there, issuing the daily orders, and giving such instructions and directions as appeared necessary. Thence to Fort Dinwiddie on Jackson's River. After examining the state of things there, I set out for Alexandria, and arrived on the 2d of October. On the 5th reached Fredericksburg in my way to Williamsburg. Continued my journey to Colonel Baylor's, where I was overtaken by an express sent from Colonel Stephen (commanding at Fort Cumberland), informing me that a body of Indians had fallen upon the inhabitants, killed many of them, and destroyed and burnt several of their houses. Thereupon I wrote to the Governor, and returned immediately to Fredericksburg."

*

by the first opportunity to this place, or Alexandria, with orders that they may be forwarded immediately to Winchester.

I must again take the liberty of mentioning to you the necessity of putting the militia, when they are drawn out into actual service, under better regulation than they are at present, as well as of putting us under a military law. Otherwise we shall only be a burthensome charge to the country, and the others will prove its ruin. That this may not appear an unmeaning expression, I refer you to Lieutenant-Colonel Stephen, who can give you some late proofs of their disobedience and inconsistent behaviour.

As these affairs will take some time, I find I cannot possibly be in Williamsburg till the 6th, 7th, or 8th of November, when I should be glad to meet a committee, in order to settle with them and your Honor some points, that are very necessary for the good of the expedition.

Colonel Stephen has orders to receive some money below, that we may be enabled to pay the troops, keep them in spirits, and answer such immediate charges as cannot be dispensed with, until I come down. I should be glad if your Honor would order him to repair therewith (as soon as he has done his business with the committee) to Winchester; and from thence, with a proper guard, to Fort Cumberland. I hope the treasury will have a sufficient sum of money prepared against I come down, that I may meet with no delay.

There are about seventy recruits at this place, and I left twenty-five at Alexandria. I suppose they are augmented before this time by officers, who, I am sorry to say, have paid slight regard to orders, by not being in at the time appointed. I am, &c.

SIR,

TO GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.

Winchester, 11 October, 1755.

As I think it my indispensable duty to inform you particularly of my proceedings, and to give the most. plain and authentic accounts, from time to time, of our situation, I must acquaint you that, immediately after giving the necessary orders at Fredericksburg, and despatching expresses to hurry the recruits from Alexandria, I rode post to this place. I passed by Lord Fairfax's, who was not at home, but was here, where I arrived yesterday about noon, and found every thing in the greatest hurry and confusion, by the back inhabitants flocking in, and those of this town moving out, which I have, as far as was in my power, prevented. I was desirous of proceeding immediately, at the head of some militia, to put a stop to the ravages of the enemy, believing their numbers to be few; but I was told by Colonel Martin, who had attempted to raise the militia for the same purpose, that it was impossible to get above twenty or twenty-five men, they having absolutely refused to stir, choosing, as they say, to die with their wives and families.

Finding this expedient likely to prove abortive, I sent off expresses to hurry on the recruits from below, and the militia from Fairfax and Prince William, who had been ordered out by Lord Fairfax. I also hired spies to go out and discover the numbers of the enemy, and to encourage the rangers, who, we were told, were blocked up by the Indians in small fortresses. But, if I may offer my opinion, I believe they are more encompassed with fear, than by the enemy. I have also impressed wagons and sent them to Conococheague for flour, musket-balls, and flints. Powder, and a trifling

quantity of paper, bought at extravagant prices, for cartridges, I expect from below.

Six or eight smiths are now at work, repairing the firearms that are here, which are all that we have to depend upon. A man was hired, on the 24th of last month, to do the whole, but neglected it, and was just moving off to Pennsylvania in wagons. I impressed his wagons, and compelled him by force to assist in this work. In all things I meet with the greatest opposition. No orders are obeyed, but such as a party of soldiers, or my own drawn sword, enforces. Without this, not a single horse, for the most earnest occasion, can be had, - to such a pitch has the insolence of these people arrived, by having every point hitherto submitted to them. However, I have given up none, where his Majesty's service requires the contrary, and where my proceedings are justified by my instructions; nor will I, unless they execute what they threaten, that is, "blow out our brains."

I have invited the poor distressed people, who were driven from their habitations, to lodge their families in some place of security, and to join our parties in scouring the woods, where the enemy lie; and I believe some will cheerfully assist. I have also taken, and shall continue to take, every previous step to forward the march of the recruits, as soon as they arrive here. Your Honor may depend, that nothing in my power shall be wanting for the good of the service. I would again hint the necessity of putting the militia under a better regulation, had I not mentioned it twice before, and a third time may seem impertinent. But I must once more beg leave to declare, for here I am more immediately concerned, that, unless the Assembly will pass an act to enforce the military law in all its parts, I must, with great regret, decline the honor that has been so gener