|
|
Front Page  Titles (by Subject) TO COLONEL BASSETT. - The Writings of George Washington, vol. II (1758-1775)
TO COLONEL BASSETT. - George Washington, The Writings of George Washington, vol. II (1758-1775) [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). Vol. II (1758-1775).
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.
- The Writings of George Washington.
- 1758.
- To John Blair, President of the Council. 1
- To Colonel Stanwix.
- To Brigadier-general Stanwix.
- To Major Francis Halket.
- To the President of the Council.
- To Sir John St. Clair.
- To the President of the Council.
- To the President of the Council.
- To Major Francis Halket.
- To the President of the Council.
- To General Forbes.
- To Governor Fauquier.
- To Colonel Henry Bouquet, Commanding At Raystown.
- To Colonel Bouquet.
- To Colonel Bouquet.
- To Colonel Bouquet.
- To Colonel Bouquet.
- To Colonel Bouquet.
- To Mrs. Martha Custis.
- To Colonel Bouquet.
- To Colonel Bouquet.
- To [gabriel Jones]?
- To Colonel James Wood.
- To Colonel Bouquet. 2
- To Colonel Bouquet.
- To Major Francis Halket, Brigade Major.
- To Governor Fauquier.
- To Colonel Bouquet.
- To Colonel Bouquet.
- To Colonel Bouquet.
- To Colonel Bouquet.
- To John Robinson.
- To Governor Fauquier.
- To Mrs. George William Fairfax.
- To Governor Fauquier.
- To Mrs. George Wm. Fairfax.
- To Governor Fauquier.
- To General Forbes.
- To Governor Fauquier.
- To General Forbes.
- To General Forbes.
- To General Forbes.
- To Governor Fauquier.
- To Governor Fauquier.
- To General Forbes.
- 1759.
- To Robert Cary and Company, Merchants, London.
- To Richard Washington.
- To Robert Cary and Company.
- Invoice of Sundries to Be Sent By Robert Cary and Company For the Use of George Washington.
- Invoice of Sundries to Be Shipped By Robert Cary and Company, For the Use of Master John and Miss Patty Custis, Each to Be Charged to Their Own Accounts, But Both Consigned to George Washington, Potomac River.
- To Robert Cary and Company.
- 1760.
- Journal, 1 1760.
- To Richard Washington.
- To Robert Cary & Co., London.
- To Captain Robert Mackenzie, At Venango.
- 1761.
- To Richard Washington.
- To Reverend Charles Green. 1
- To Richard Washington.
- 1762.
- [to George William Fairfax]?
- 1763.
- To Chs. Lawrence, Tailor In London.
- To Robert Stewart.
- To Robert Stewart.
- Notes On the Dismal Swamp. 1
- 1764.
- To Robert Cary & Co.
- 1765.
- Messrs. Carlyle & Adam.
- To Col. Burwell Bassett.
- To Francis Dandridge, London.
- 1766.
- To Captain Joh. Thompson.
- 1767.
- To Captain John Posey.
- To William Crawford. 1
- To Colonel Armstrong.
- To Captain John Posey.
- 1768.
- Diary For 1768. 1
- To Rev. Jonathan Boucher. 1
- To Robert Cary & Co.
- 1769.
- To William Ramsay. 1
- To George Mason. 1
- To Colonel Bassett.
- To Colonel John Armstrong.
- 1770.
- To Lord Botetourt, Governor of Virginia. 1
- To Dr. Boucher.
- To Dr. Boucher.
- The Session of the Burgesses In 1770. 1
- To Geo. Wm. Fairfax.
- To Dr. Boucher.
- Journal of a Tour to the Ohio River. 2
- To Dr. Boucher.
- To Dr. Boucher.
- 1771.
- To Dr. Boucher. 1
- To — Colston.
- To Dr. Boucher.
- To Robert Cary & Co.
- The Annapolis Races of 1771.
- To George Mercer, London. 1
- To Robert Stobo.
- 1772.
- To Dr. Boucher.
- To Dr. Boucher.
- To Lord Dunmore, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. 1
- To Matthew Campbell. 1
- To Lord Dunmore and Council.
- 1773.
- To Colonel Bassett.
- To Captain John Dalton.
- To Rev. Dr. Thruston.
- To James Wood. 1
- To James Wood.
- To Benedict Calvert.
- To Lord Dunmore, Governor of Virginia.
- To Colonel Bassett.
- Journey to New York, 1773. 1
- To Colonel Bassett.
- Advertisement of the Ohio Lands. 1
- To Willliam Crawford.
- To Michael Cresap.
- To Colonel Armstrong.
- To Lord Dunmore.
- 1774.
- To William Black.
- To Colonel Bassett.
- To Henry Riddell.
- To Thomas Lewis, Esq.
- Session of the House of Burgesses, 1774. 1
- To Bryan Fairfax.
- To Bryan Fairfax.
- Virginia Convention. 1
- To Richard Henry Lee.
- To Bryan Fairfax.
- The Continental Congress of 1774.
- To Captain Robert Mackenzie. 1
- To James Mercer.
- 1775.
- Instructions For Mr. James Cleveland.
- Supplementary Instructions. 1
- To John West.
- To John Connolly.
- To Jno. Washington.
- Instructions For William Stevens.
- To John Augustine Washington.
- To Lord Dunmore.
- To Montague.
- To Mercer. [ Extract. ]
- Advertisement. 2
- To George William Fairfax, England.
- Acceptance of Appointment.
- Commission As Commander-in-chief. *
- To Mrs. Martha Washington.
- To John Parke Custis.
- To Colonel Bassett.
- To the Captains of Several Independent Companies In Virginia.
- To John Augustine Washington.
- To the Continental Congress.
- To the Continental Congress.
- To Major-general Philip Schuyler.
- Answer to an Address of the New York Provincial Congress. 1
TO COLONEL BASSETT.
Philadelphia, 19 June, 1775. Dear Sir,—
I am now Imbarked on a tempestuous ocean, from whence perhaps no friendly harbor is to be found. I have been called upon by the unanimous voice of the Colonies to the command of the Continental Army. It is an honor I by no means aspired to. It is an honor I wished to avoid, as well from an unwillingness to quit the peaceful enjoyment of my Family, as from a thorough conviction of my own Incapacity & want of experience in the conduct of so momentous a concern; but the partiallity of the Congress, added to some political motives, left me without a choice. May God grant, therefore, that my acceptance of it, may be attended with some good to the common cause, & without injury (from want of knowledge) to my own reputation. I can answer but for three things: a firm belief of the justice of our cause, close attention in the prosecution of it, and the strictest Integrity. If these cannot supply the place of ability & Experience, the cause will suffer, & more than probable my character along with it, as reputation derives its principal support from success; but it will be remembered, I hope, that no desire or insinuation of mine placed me in this situation. I shall not be deprived, therefore, of a comfort in the worst event, if I retain a consciousness of having acted to the best of my judgment.
I am at liberty to tell you that the Congress, in committee (which will I dare say be agreed to when reported), have consented to a Continental Currency, and have ordered two million of dollars to be struck for payment of the Troops and other expenses arising from our defence, as also that 15,000 men are voted as a Continental army, which will I dare-say be augmented, as more Troops are imbarked & Imbarking for America than was expected at the time of passing that vote. As to other articles of Intelligence I must refer you to the Gazette, as the Printers pick up every thing that is stirring in that way. The other Officers in the higher departments are not yet fixed, therefore I cannot give you their names. I set out to-morrow for Boston, where I shall always be glad to hear from you. My best wishes attend Mrs. Bassett, Mrs. Dandridge, & all our relations & friends. In great haste, as I have many letters to write, and other business to do. I remain with the sincerest regards, Dear Sir, &c.
P.S. I must entreat you and Mrs. Bassett if possible to visit at Mt. Vernon, as also my wife’s other friends. I could wish you to take her down, as I have no expectation of returning till winter & feel great uneasiness at her lonesome situation. I have sent my Chariot & Horses back.
|
