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from yourself to that gentleman. Although I esteem him greatly on account of his father, for whose memory and friendship I shall ever retain a most grateful regard, yet, making him lieutenant over so many ensigns of long standing, will occasion great confusion in the corps, and bring censure on me; for the officers will readily conceive, that my friendship and partiality for the family were the causes of it. If Mr. Fairfax would accept of an ensigncy, the matter might pretty easily be accommodated. The letter under cover to Colonel Fairfax is not yet come to hand.

I have heard nothing yet from Colonel Stanwix; but soon shall, as I wrote to him a few days ago, and expect his answer.

As we have not at this time either commissary or assistant here, it is not in my power to send a return of the provisions with any tolerable exactness. But I do not doubt, that Mr. Rutherford, our acting commissary, who is now below, has satisfied your Honor fully in this particular; if he has not, I will take care to do it in my next.

I doubt not your Honor will see the necessity of making an agreement with the contractors, for furnishing the Indians with provisions; otherwise they will take no concern in this matter. I conceive they are allowed a certain amount for each soldier, that shall be returned, and that Indians are included. If not, no persons will supply them on the same terms, that they do soldiers, for Indians eat and waste triple as much as soldiers.

I am your Honor's, &c.

The commission had not been solicited by Colonel Washington, nor was the application of Mr. Fairfax's friends made through him, but directly to the Governor.

VOL. II.

SIR,

TO GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.

Fort Loudoun, 17 September, 1757.

A letter of the 22d ultimo, from Captain Peachey, came to my hands the other day, the contents of which are herewith forwarded.* I should take it infinitely kind, if your Honor would please to inform me, whether a report of this nature was ever made to you; and, in that case, who was the author of it?

It is evident, from a variety of circumstances, and especially from the change in your Honor's conduct towards me, that some person, as well inclined to detract, but better skilled in the art of detraction, than the author of the above stupid scandal, has made free with my character. For I cannot suppose, that malice so absurd, so barefaced, so diametrically opposite to truth, to common policy, and, in short, to every thing but villany,

*The letter begins by detailing a conversation, which the writer had lately held with Mr. Charles Carter, of Shirley, respecting a transaction in which Captain Peachey had been concerned some months before, on a mission to Williamsburg, when the frontiers were in great alarm from the incursions of the enemy; and then proceeds;

"Mr. Carter says, that Mr. Christopher Robinson told him he heard Colonel R. C. say, that I affirmed, that my whole business at that time was to execute a scheme of yours to cause the Assembly to levy largely both in men and money, and that there was not an Indian in the neighbourhood; that the frontiers, and even Winchester and the adjacent country, did not appear to be in any more danger at that time than any other. Mr. Robinson also informed Mr. Carter, it was said, that that piece of deceit, or imposition of yours (as they term it), had lessened the Governor's and some of the leading men's esteem for you; or, at least, they make use of it as a reason for their ill treatment, and the worse opinion they say they have of you than formerly.

"I hope you know me better than even to suppose I could be guilty of a thing of this kind; therefore, I shall only add, that you may depend I shall use my endeavour to trace the matter, till I find the person, that dares make himself the author of such a scandalous report. If you think fit to make use of the above, you are at full liberty to do so."

as the above is, could impress you with so ill an opinion of my honor and honesty.

If it be possible, that Colonel C.,- for my belief is staggered, not being conscious of having given the least cause to any one, much less to that gentlemen, to reflect so grossly, I say, if it be possible, that Colonel C. could descend so low as to be the propagator of this story, he must either be vastly ignorant of the state of affairs in this county at that time, or else he must suppose, that the whole body of inhabitants had combined with me, in executing the fraud. Or why did they, almost to a man, forsake their dwellings in the greatest terror and confusion; so that, while one half of them sought shelter in paltry forts, of their own building, the other fled to the adjacent counties for refuge, numbers of them even to Carolina, from whence they have never returned?

These are facts well known; but not better known, than that these wretched people, while they lay pent up in forts, destitute of the common support of life (having in their precipitate flight forgotten, or rather been unable to secure, any kind of necessaries), did despatch messengers of their own (thinking I had not represented their miseries in the piteous manner they deserved), with addresses to your Honor and the Assembly, praying relief. And did I ever send any alarming account, without also sending the original papers, or the copies, which gave rise to it?

That I have foibles, and perhaps many of them, I shall not deny. I should esteem myself, as the world also would, vain and empty, were I to arrogate perfection.

Knowledge in military matters is to be acquired by practice and experience only; and, if I have erred, great allowance should be made for the want of them; unless my errors should appear to be wilful; and then, I con

ceive, it would be more generous to charge me with my faults, and let me stand or fall according to evidence, than to stigmatize me behind my back.

It is uncertain in what light my services may have appeared to your Honor; but this I know, and it is the highest consolation I am capable of feeling, that no man, that ever was employed in a public capacity, has endeavoured to discharge the trust reposed in him with greater honesty, and more zeal for the country's interest, than I have done; and if there is any person living, who can say with justice, that I have offered any intentional wrong to the public, I will cheerfully submit to the most ignominious punishment, that an injured people ought to inflict. On the other hand, it is hard to have my character arraigned, and my actions condemned, without a hearing.

I must therefore again beg in more plain, and in very earnest terms, to know, if Colonel C. has taken the liberty of representing my character to your Honor with such ungentlemanly freedom as the letter implies? Your condescension herein will be acknowledged, as a singular favor done your Honor's most obedient, humble

To this request, Governor Dinwiddie replied, in a letter dated September 24th;

"Your letter of the 17th I perused, and would gladly hope there is no truth in it. I never heard of it before, nor did I ever conceive you would have sent down any alarm without proper foundation. However, I shall show it to Colonel C. when he comes to town; but I would advise you not to give notice to every idle story you hear; for if I was to regard reports of different kinds, I should be constantly perplexed.

"My conduct to you from the beginning was always friendly; but you know I had great reason to suspect you of ingratitude, which I am convinced your own conscience and reflection must allow. I had reason to be angry, but this I endeavour to forget; but I cannot think Colonel C. guilty of what is reported. However, as I have his Majesty's leave to go home, I propose leaving this in November, and I wish my successor mav show you as much friendship as I have done."

TO CAPTAIN WILLIAM PEACHEY.

DEAR SIR,

Fort Loudoun, 18 September, 1757.

Your favor of the 22d ultimo came to hand about four days ago. In answer to that part, which relates to Colonel C.'s gross and infamous reflections on my conduct last spring, it will be needless, I dare say, to observe further at this time, than that the liberty, which he has been pleased to allow himself in sporting with my character, is little else than a comic entertainment, discovering at one view his passionate fondness for your friend, his inviolable love of truth, his unfathomable knowledge, and the masterly strokes of his wisdom in displaying it. These several talents he has, I think, exhibited in a most conspicuous manner to every person, who was in the least degree acquainted with the situation of affairs in this county at that juncture. The report of your false musters is equally absurd.

You are heartily welcome to make use of any letter, or letters, which I may at any time have written to you; for, although I keep no copies of epistles to my friends, nor can remember the contents of all of them, yet, I am sensible, that the narrations are just, and that truth and honesty will appear in my writings; of which, therefore, I shall not be ashamed, though criticism may censure my style. I am, &c.

SIR,

TO GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.

Fort Loudoun, 24 September, 1757.

Enclosed is a copy of a letter, which I received from Captain McKenzie. Since my last, the different parties

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