Governor Robert Dinwiddie to Colonel George Washington, June 24, 1757
extracted from
The Official Records of Robert Dinwiddie, Volume II, R. A. Brock, editor
(Richmond: Virginia Historical Society, 1884), pages 654-655.
Governor Dinwiddie to Colonel Washington.
June 24th, 1757.
Sir:
I c'd not answer y'r several l'res till now. I've wrote to Mr. Atkin ab't the Indians, and he must know better than I can, how to manage 'em. Capt'n Pearis, having accepted a Commiss'o, from Gov'r Sharpe, [can not have] any Expectat'ns from this Colony. His Conduct has been bad, so I think it's a good ridance of him. As to Bat-Men, I presume My L'd overlook'd that Article, but on return from me he'll be more particular. The Co'try's at a monstrous Charge; therefore, as formerly, there are but two Bat-Men to be allowed to a Company, and this is agreeable to the Regulation in the Regulars, as Colo. Stanwix can inform yo. Capt. Woodward will remain a short Time at fort Loudon, till yo. are inform'd of the Designs of the Enemy. If the supplying the poor Country People will be of any advantage to the Co'try, it's left with Yo. to do it, with frugality and proper Objects. Y'r removal of Capt. Stewart's Comp'y from Maidston, for the Reasons assign'd, I approve of it. The 11 Deserters in Confinement, some of the ringleaders, sh'd undergo Corporal Punishmen't, or, on their Confession of their Faults and Promises of good Behaviour for the future, a proper reproof, at the head of the Regim't, may do; but on this Yo. must act as you think fit. Colo. Stanwix, being appointed Commander-in-Chief. Yo. must submit to his Orders, with't regard to any Yo. have from me; he being near the Place, can direct Affairs more properly than I can. Maj'r Lewis has been very unlucky in all his Expedit'ns. I don't impute this last to Mismanagement, as the Indians c'd not be prevailed on to take Provis'ns Suffic't. I wish we may have a good Acco'tt of Capt. Spotswood. Colo. Stephen was highly blameable to take any of the Regimental Suplies for the Indians; more so, as contrary to Yo. Orders. and his not bringing the Officers ap't'd for So. Carolina. If the King's Ship and Transport had not been ready to sail, I sh'd have order'd the others down. If any of the Dutch Blankets rem'n, and not wanted for the Indians, I've no objection to their being replaced in the Room of those made use of. The Provis'ns deliver'd to Capt. Dagworthy at fort Cumberland sh'd, by Agreem't with Gov'r Sharpe be replaced at for Loudoun in the diferent Species d'd; the Beef proving bad sh'd have been objected to before Capt. Dagworthy gave his Receipt, and not to be condemned as useless, partially by their own Officers. I wrote Mr. Sharpe agreeable thereto, and he wrote Dr. Ross, their Commiss'y, was to settle the Aff'r w'th Yo. I can't see how it's to be settled but by supplying the diferent Species at for Loudon, or Mon'y to purchase the q'ty. I do not think of the additional Companies till Yo. compleat the 8 Companies now in the Co'try. As to the Settlem't of y'r Brother's Estate, y'r Absence on that Acco'tt from L'd Loudoun must be suspended till our Aff'rs gives a better prospect. I've y'r roll of the Subaltern Officers, and shall send Yo. some blank Com'o's to fill'd up. As to the Resignation of Williams and Dear, I hope their Places may be supplied by Persons of equal Merit. I agree that the Capt'ns accepting Lieut's Com's sh'd have rank prior to the other Lieut's. Serj't Hews, on y'r recommendation and Capt. Stewart's, has Com'o. for Adjutant of the Regim't. There, as yet, has no Clergyman offer'd to be Chaplain; if not one of good character, better have none, and more so as the Regim't is to be devided agreeable to L'd Loudoun's Disposit'n. I already wrote You to send Officers to Fredericksburg to receive the Draughted Men who are to [be] incorporated with the Regim't, And subject to the Laws and Discipline of the others with't any Restriction. I do not think of the Rangers of your Way to be under y'r Direct'ns, and those in Augusta under the command'g Officer there. I observe the return of your Men in May is 432, and the 16th of June only 384. This Dificiency you can best explain. I wrote Yo. by the Expression an Answer to the Melancholy Acco'tt of the Mot'ns of the Enemy from Fort Du Quesne, and am in Pain to know their No's and Progress. I dread the first Acc'tt will be their taking fort Cumberland, but hope y'r Men, w'th the Militia, will secure fort Loudoun. By the return of the Bearer, who goes to conduct the Cherokees to Winchester, I expect as full an Acco'tt as yo. can give, and where Colo. Stanwix is and his Mot'ns, of the Acco'tt of the French, &c.
I rem'n, Sir,
Y'r most h'ble serv't.