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Subject Area: Political Theory
Subject Area: History
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

4: TO GOVERNOR ROBERT HUNTER MORRIS - George Washington, George Washington: A Collection [1988]

Edition used:

George Washington: A Collection, compiled and edited by W.B. Allen (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 1988).

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.


4

TO GOVERNOR ROBERT HUNTER MORRIS

Winchester, April 9, 1756

Dear Sir:

French and Indian WarI had scarce reached Williamsburg, before an express was after me with news of the French and Indians advancing within our settlements, and doing incredible mischief to the inhabitants, which obliged me to postpone my business there, and hurry to their assistance with all expedition.* When I came to this place I found everything in deep confusion; and the poor distressed inhabitants under a general consternation. I therefore collected such forces as I could immediately raise, and sent them in such parties, and to such places as was judged most likely to meet with the enemy, one of which, under the command of Mr. Paris, luckily fell in with a small body of them as they were surrounding a small fort on the No. River of Cacapehon; whom they engaged, and after half an hour’s close firing put to flight with the loss of their commander Monsieur Donville (killed) and three or four more mortally wounded. The accident that has determined the fate of Monsieur, has, I believe, dispersed his party. For I don’t hear of any mischief done in this colony since, though we are not without numbers who are making hourly discoveries.

I have sent you a copy of the Instructions that were found about this officer; that you may see how bold and enterprising the enemy have grown; how unconfined are the ambitious designs of the French; and how much it will be in their power (if the colonies continue in their fatal lethargy) to give a final stab to liberty and property.

Union of the colonies in times of dangerNothing I more sincerely wish than a union of the colonies in this time of eminent danger; and that you may find your assembly in a temper of mind to act consistently with their preservation. What Maryland has, or will do I know not, but this I am certain of, that Virginia will do every thing that can be expected to promote the public good.

I went to Williamsburg fully resolved to resign my commission, but was dissuaded from it, at least for a time. If the hurry of business in which I know your honor is generally engaged will admit of an opportunity to murder a little time in writing to me, I should receive the favor as a mark of that esteem which I could wish to merit, by showing at all times when its in my power, how much I am . . .

Dear Sir

Your honor’s most Obedient

and most Humble Servant

G. Washington

PS: A letter this instant arriving from Williamsburg informs that our Assembly have voted 20,000£ more and that their forces shall be increased to 2,000 men, a laudable example this, and I hope not a singular one.

The enclosed to Col. Gage I beg the favor of you to forward.

[*]The events related here followed Washington’s return from Boston, where he had gone to confront Governor Shirley and to clear up doubts about provincial command authority. Shirley ordered that, in joint commands, Colonel Washington would take precedence over Maryland’s Captain John Dagworthy, even though Dagworthy had once held a Royal commission and despite the general rule that provincial officers were subordinate to officers with Royal commissions. Departing Virginia on February 4, Washington returned to Williamsburg on March 30. The news from the frontier hastened him westward to Winchester on April 1 or 2. There he attempted to improve recruitment and organize colonial forces in order to defend the frontiers. The battle related here took place between one of Washington’s scouting parties and a band of Indians under the command of Monsieur Douville (Donville in Washington’s manuscript). Douville died and was scalped.