the fact on that fatal day, I should scarcely have given credit to it even now.

*

Whenever it suits you to come into Fairfax, I hope you will make your home at Mount Vernon. I assure you, nothing could have added more to the satisfaction of my safe return, than hearing of the friendly concern that has been expressed on my supposed death. I am, &c.

TO AUGUSTINE WASHINGTON.†

DEAR BROTHER,

Mount Vernon, 2 August, 1755.

The pleasure of your company at Mount Vernon always did, and always will, afford me infinite satisfaction; but, at this time, I am too sensible how needful the country is of all the assistance of its members, to have a wish to hear that any are absent from the Assembly.

I most sincerely wish, that unanimity may prevail in all your counsels, and that a happy issue may attend your deliberations at this important crisis.

I am not able, were I ever so willing, to meet you in town, for, I assure you, it is with some difficulty, and much fatigue, that I visit my plantations; so much has a sickness of five weeks' continuance reduced me. But though it is not in my power to meet you there, I can nevertheless assure you, and others "whom it may concern," (to borrow a phrase from Governor Innes,) that, so little am I dispirited at what has happened, I am

*For a further account of Braddock's defeat, in the action of the Monongahela, see APPENDIX, No. IV.

Augustine Washington was an elder brother by the father's first marriage, and was now at Williamsburg as a member of the Assembly.

always ready, and always willing, to render my country any services that I am capable of, but never upon the terms I have done; having suffered much in my private fortune, besides impairing one of the best of constitutions.

-

I was employed to go a journey in the winter, when, I believe, few or none would have undertaken it, — and what did I get by it? My expenses borne! I then was appointed, with trifling pay, to conduct a handful of men to the Ohio. What did I get by that? Why, after 'putting myself to a considerable expense, in equipping and providing necessaries for the campaign, I went out, was soundly beaten, and lost them all!-came in, and had my commission taken from me, or, in other words, my command reduced, under pretence of an order from home! I then went out a volunteer with General Braddock, and lost all my horses, and many other things. But this being a voluntary act, I ought not to have mentioned it; nor should I have done it, were it not to show, that I have been upon the losing order ever since I entered the service, which is now nearly two years. So that I think I cannot be blamed, should I, if I leave my family again, endeavour to do it upon such terms, as to prevent my suffering; -to gain by it being the least of my expectations.

I doubt not but you have heard the particulars of our shameful defeat, which really was so scandalous, that I hate to mention it. You desire to know what artillery was taken in the late engagement. It is easily told. We lost all that we carried out, excepting two sixpounders, and a few cohorns, which were left with Colonel Dunbar; and the cohorns have since been destroyed to accelerate his flight. You also ask, whether I think the forces can march out again this fall. I answer, I think it impossible, at least, for them to do the French any damage (unless it be by starving them), for

the want of a proper train of artillery; yet they may be very serviceable in erecting small fortresses at convenient places to deposit provisions in, by which means the country will be eased of an immense expense in the carriage, and it will also be a means of securing a retreat, if we should be put to the rout again. The success of this measure, however, will depend greatly upon what Governor Shirley does at Niagara; for, if he succeeds, their communication with Canada will be entirely cut off.

It is impossible for me to guess at the number of recruits, that may be wanted, as that must depend altogether upon the strength of the French on the Ohio, which, to my great astonishment, we were always strangers to.

I thank you, very heartily, for your kind offer of a chair, and for your goodness in sending my things; and, after begging you to excuse the imperfections of this letter, which, in part, are owing to my having much company that hurries me, I shall conclude, dear Sir, Your most affectionate brother.

TO MRS. MARY WASHINGTON.

HONORED MADAM,

Mount Vernon, 14 August, 1755.

If it is in my power to avoid going to the Ohio again, I shall; but if the command is pressed upon me, by the general voice of the country, and offered upon such terms as cannot be objected against, it would reflect dishonor upon me to refuse it; and that, I am sure, must or ought to give you greater uneasiness, than my going in an honorable command. Upon no other terms will I

accept of it. At present I have no proposals made to me, nor have I any advice of such an intention, except from private hands. I am, &c.

DEAR SIR,

TO WARNER LEWIS.

Mount Vernon, 14 August, 1755.

After returning you most sincere and grateful thanks, for your kind condolence on my late indisposition, and for the generous and (give me leave farther to say) partial opinion, you have entertained of my military abilities, I must express my concern for not having it in my power to meet you, and other friends, who have signified their desire of seeing me in Williamsburg.

*

Your letter only came to hand at nine last night, and you inform me, that the Assembly will break up the latter end of the week, which allows a time too short in which to perform a journey of a hundred and sixty miles, especially by a person in my feeble condition; for, although I am happily recovered from the disorder, which brought me to so low an ebb, by a sickness of nearly five weeks' continuance, yet my strength

* Mr. Ludwell, another of his friends in the Assembly, had written to him on the 8th of August.-"I most heartily congratulate you on your safe return from so many dangers and fatigues, and by this time I hope you are well enough recovered to give us the pleasure of seeing you here, which all your friends are extremely desirous of. The House has voted twelve hundred men, but it is very probable they will determine at last for four thousand. In conversation with the Governor I said, if this should be done I supposed his Honor would give the command of them to Colonel Washington, for I thought he deserved every thing his country could do for him. The Governor made reply much in your favor, though I understand there is another warm solicitation for it. If we could be so happy as to have you here at this time, and it were known that you are willing to take such a command, I believe it would greatly promote the success of our endeavours with the Assembly."