witness of our proceedings, and is waiting for this without my knowing till just now that he intends to visit you, I refer you to him for particulars. I expect my messenger in to-night from the Half-King, and shall write more fully to-morrow by the express that came from Colonel Fry.

The numbers of the French have been greatly magnified, as your Honor may see by a copy of the enclosed journal of a person, whom I sent out to gain intelligence. I have received letters from the Governors of Pennsylvania and Maryland, copies of which I also enclose. I am, &c.

TO COLONEL JOSHUA FRY.

Great Meadows, 29 May, 1754.

SIR,

This is by an immediate express, whom I send to inform you, that yesterday I engaged a party of French, whereof ten were killed, one wounded, and twenty-one taken, with the loss of only one of mine killed and two or three wounded, among whom was Lieutenant Waggener. By some of their papers we can discover, that large detachments are expected every day, which we may reasonably suppose are to attack us, especially since we have begun.

This is therefore to acquaint you with the necessity of a reinforcement, which I hope you will detach immediately, as you can be in no manner of danger in your march; for the French must pass our camp, which I flatter myself is not practicable without my having intelligence of it, especially as there will be Indians always scouting. If a sufficient reinforcement does not come, we must either quit our ground and retreat to you, or

fight very unequal numbers, which I will do, before I will give up one inch of what we have gained. The great haste I am in, to despatch the bearer, prevents me from being particular at this time. I shall conclude, Sir, with assuring you how sincerely concerned I am for your indisposition, which I hope you will soon recover from, and be able to join us, with the artillery, that we may attack the French in their forts. I am, &c.*

SIR,

TO GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.

Camp at the Great Meadows, 29 May, 1754.

In answering your letter by Mr. Birney, I shall begin with assuring you, that nothing was farther from my intentions than to recede, though I then pressed, and

* Colonel Fry died at Will's Creek two days after this letter was written, and the command of the expedition devolved of course on Washington, as second in rank. Reinforcements were forwarded, so that the whole number of troops under his immediate command amounted to somewhat more than three hundred.

The death of Colonel Fry was considered an essential loss to the service. He was born in Somersetshire, England, and educated at Oxford. Excelling in the mathematical sciences, he was at one time Professor of the Mathematics in the college of William and Mary; and, after resigning that station, he was a member of the House of Burgesses, and otherwise employed in public affairs, particularly in running the boundary line at the westward between Virginia and North Carolina. In concert with Peter Jefferson he made a map of Virginia, which had much repute. By these employments he had gained such a knowledge of the interior country, as, with other qualifications, pointed him out for this command. He was one of the commissioners from the government of Virginia for making a treaty with the Indians at Logstown, June, 1752. In a notice of him written at the time, it is said, "he was a man of so clear a head, so mild a temper, and so good a heart, that he never failed to engage the love and esteem of all who knew, or were concerned with him, and he died universally lamented."

still desire, that my services may be voluntary, rather than on the present pay. I am much concerned, that you should seem to charge me with ingratitude for your generous, though undeserved favors; for I assure you, Sir, nothing is more a stranger to my breast, or a sin that my soul more abhors, than that black and detestable one of ingratitude. I retain a true sense of your kindness, and want nothing but opportunity to give my testimony of willingness to oblige you, as far as my life or fortune will extend.

I could not object to the pay before I knew it. I dare say you remember, that the amount allowed by the first estimate to a lieutenant-colonel was fifteen shillings, and to a major twelve shillings and sixpence, of which I then complained very much, till your Honor assured me that we were to be furnished with proper necessaries, and offered that as a reason why the pay was less than that of British officers. After this, when you were so kind as to prefer me to the command I now hold, and at the same time informed me, that I was to have but twelve shillings and sixpence, after this, influenced also by some other reasons, I was induced to acquaint Colonel Fairfax with my intention of resigning, which he must well remember, as it happened at Bellhaven; and it was there that he dissuaded me from it, and promised to represent the trifling pay to you, who would endeavour (as I at the same time told him that the Speaker thought the officers' pay too small) to have it enlarged.

As to the numbers that applied for commissions, and to whom we were preferred, I believe, had those gentlemen been as well acquainted with this country, and as sensible of the difficulties that would attend a campaign here as I then was, that your Honor would not have been so troublesomely solicited as you were. Yet I do not offer this as a reason for quitting the service.

For my own part I can answer, that I have a constitution hardy enough to encounter and undergo the most severe trials, and, I flatter myself, resolution to face what any man dares, as shall be proved when it comes to the test, which I believe we are upon the borders of.

There is nothing, Sir, I believe, more certain, than that the officers in the Canada expedition had British pay allowed, while they were in the service.* Lieutenant Waggener, Captain Trent, and several others, whom I have conversed with on that head, and who were engaged in that expedition, affirm it for truth. Therefore, Sir, as this cannot be allowed, suffer me to serve as a volunteer, which, I assure you, will be the next reward to British pay; for, as my services, so far as I have knowledge, shall equal those of the best officer, I make it a point of honor not to serve for less, or accept a medium.

Nevertheless, I have communicated your sentiments to the other officers, and, as far as I could put on the hypocrite, set forth the advantages that may accrue, and advised them to accept the terms, as a refusal might reflect dishonor upon their character, leaving it to the world to assign what reason it pleases for their quitting the service. I am very sensible of the pernicious con

This Canada expedition was the one projected by Governor Shirley, and approved by the British government, in 1746, during the previous war between England and France. The memorable capture of Louisburg the year preceding, effected mainly by colonial troops from Massachusetts, had raised to a high pitch the martial spirit of the people; and large numbers were easily enlisted for this new expedition, in the northern and middle provinces. They were disbanded the next year, without having accomplished any thing, but were all paid at the same rate as the troops on the King's establishment.- Belknap's History of New Hampshire, Vol. II. p. 235.

From the tenor of this letter to Governor Dinwiddie, it is evident, that the parsimony of the Virginia government, on this occasion, was as illjudged as it was unprecedented.

C*

sequences that will attend their resigning, as they have gained some experience of the military art, have a tolerable knowledge of the country, having been most of them sent out at different times with parties, and are now accustomed to the hardships and fatigues of living as we do, which, I think, were it truly stated, would prevent your Honor from many troublesome solicitations from others for commissions. This last motive has induced and will induce me to do what I can to reconcile matters, though I really believe there are some, who will not remain long without an alteration. They have promised to consider it, and give you an answer. I was not ignorant of the allowance, which Colonel Fry has for his table; but, being a dependent there myself, I am deprived of the pleasure of inviting an officer, or friend, which to me would be more agreeable, than any benefits I shall meet with there.

And here I cannot forbear answering one thing more in your letter on this head, which, too, is more fully expressed in a paragraph of Colonel Fairfax's letter to me, as follows;-"If, on the British establishment, officers are allowed more pay, the regimentals they are obliged annually to furnish, and their necessary table and other incidental expenses, being considered, little or no savings will be their portion."

I believe it is well known, that we have been at the expense of regimentals, and it is still better known, that regimentals, and every other necessary, which we were under an indispensable necessity of purchasing for this expedition, were not to be bought for less in Virginia currency, than they would cost British officers in sterling money; which ought to have been the case, to put us upon a parity in this respect. Then Colonel Fairfax observes, that their table and other incidental charges prevent them from saving much. They have the enjoy