Governor Robert Dinwiddie to Andrew Lewis, September 15, 1755
extracted from
The Official Records of Robert Dinwiddie, Volume II, R. A. Brock, editor
(Richmond: Virginia Historical Society, 1884), page 198-199.
Governor Dinwiddie to Major Andrew Lewis
Sept'r 15th, 1755.
Sir:
I rec'd Y'r Let'r of the 9th by Co. Stewart. I am sorry for the Death of 13 of our Subjects at Green Bryer, and I think the People in Augusta in general have not acted with proper Spirit in not resist'g the flying Parties of the barbarous Ind's. This I think, w'n I consider the No. of Y'r Militia and the small No. of Ind's y't do the Mischief. I expect 150 Warriors from the Cherokees to rem'n on our Frontiers all Winter; w'n they come, give Orders to receive them kindly and supply them the same as our own People, and I believe with encouragem't, they promised to go ag'st the Shawnees, and to cut them off, w'ch I wish they may do as they are the Ind's who have comitted the many Murders. I wonder C't. Overton did not proceed to Green Bryer, w'ch probably w'd [have] been of great Service. As to Capt's Preston and Smith as rangers, they are not to be at any Place but to scower the Woods on the Frontiers. And let C't Buchanan know, as You was first qualified as Colo. of the Co'ty, you are to Com'd till I see proper to appoint a Lieut. You must do Duty where You are till reliev'd. I have formed our Forces into a Regim't, under the Com'd of Co. Washington and You are to [be] appoint'd Maj'r. Y'r Pay for Y'r Co'y has been duly p'd to Co. Wood and the Pay M'r has carried up Money for last Mo. I have given Co. Steuart 200 to purchase Provis's for the Rangers of Y'r Co'ty. each other Co'y sent to You had 100 to purchase their own Provis's. I think the Rangers sh'd be so fixt as to protect the Grain till gather'd in, but w't can be s'd w'n the Inhabit's are seiz'd with a Panick, as not to defend their Crops. As Y'r Co'y has not been full, yet p'd as full, the Money p'd for Men not in being You sh'd apply to purchase Provisions. I am much hurried so cannot enlarge.
I am S'r Y'r Friend, &c.
P. S. - I send You four Commissions to fill up.