EconlibThe LibraryOther Sites |
Front Page  Titles (by Subject) TO WILLIAM FAIRFAX. - The Writings of George Washington, vol. I (1748-1757)
Return to Title Page for The Writings of George Washington, vol. I (1748-1757)The Online Library of LibertyA project of Liberty Fund, Inc.Search this Title:Also in the Library:
TO WILLIAM FAIRFAX. - George Washington, The Writings of George Washington, vol. I (1748-1757) [1889]Edition used:The Writings of George Washington, collected and edited by Worthington Chauncey Ford (New York and London: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1889-1893). Vol. I (1748-1757).
Part of: The Writings of George Washington, 14 vols.
About Liberty Fund:Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals. Copyright information:The text is in the public domain. Fair use statement:This material is put online to further the educational goals of Liberty Fund, Inc. Unless otherwise stated in the Copyright Information section above, this material may be used freely for educational and academic purposes. It may not be used in any way for profit.
TO WILLIAM FAIRFAX.Mount Vernon, 23 April, 1755. Dear Sir,I cannot think of quitting Fairfax,1 without embracing this last opportunity of bidding you farewell. I shall this day set off for Will’s Creek, where I expect to meet the General, and to stay, I fear, too long, as our march must be regulated by the slow movements of the train; which, I am sorry to say, will be tedious, very tedious indeed, as I have long predicted, though few believed. Alexandria has been honored with five governors in consultation; a favorable presage, I hope, not only of the success of this expedition, but of the future greatness of this town; for surely such a meeting must have been occasioned by the commodious and pleasant situation of this place, which prognosticates population, and the increase of a (now) flourishing trade.1 I have had the honor to be introduced to the several governors, and of being well received by them all; especially Mr. Shirley, whose character and appearance have perfectly charmed me, as I think his every word and action discover in him the gentleman and politician. I heartily wish the same unanimity may prevail amongst us, as appeared to exist between him and his Assembly, when they, to expedite the business, and to forward his journey hither, sat till eleven and twelve o’clock every night. It will be needless, as I know your punctuality requires no stimulus, to remind you of an affair, about which I wrote some time ago; therefore I shall only beg my compliments to Mr. Nicholas and his lady, and to all friends who think me worthy of their inquiries. I am, &c.2 [1 ]Mount Vernon is in Fairfax County. [1 ]Soon after General Braddock arrived in Virginia, he wrote (March 10) to the governors of Massachusetts, New York, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, requesting them to meet him at Annapolis in Maryland, to concert measures for future operations. The General, Commodore Keppel, and Governor Dinwiddie proceeded to Annapolis, but the place of meeting was afterwards changed to Alexandria, where they all assembled on the 14th of April, and concerted measures for the united action of the middle and northern colonies. The minutes of this council are printed in Documentary History of New York, II., 376. [2 ]The last of Gen’l Braddock’s orders dated at Alexandria were those of April 14. On the 21st they were issued at Frederick. The march to Wills Creek that was outlined for Colo. Dunbar was 129 miles in length. He was to leave Alexandria on the 29th and reach Wills Creek on the 9th of May. The following was the movement of the advanced corps:— |
