The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

PART I.] THE FRENCH WAR. 109
I shall defer writing to the Speaker and Committee
upon any other head, than that of commissary, still hoping to be down by the time mentioned in my last,
provided no new disturbances happen, having some
points to settle, that I am uneasy and urgent about. I
have been obliged to do duty very foreign to my own;
but that I shall never hesitate about, when the good of
the service requires it.
In a journey from Fort Cumberland to Fort Dinwiddie, which I made purposely to see the situation of our
frontiers, how the rangers were posted, and how troops
might be disposed of for the defence of the country, I
purchased six hundred and fifty beeves, to be delivered
at Fort Cumberland by the 1st of November, at ten
shillings per hundred weight, except a few for which I
was obliged to give eleven shillings. My own bonds
are now out for the performance of these covenants.
This is the commissary's business, who, I am sorry to
say, has hitherto been of no use, but of disservice to me,
in neglecting my orders, and leaving this place without
flour, and Fredericksburg without any provisions for
the recruits, although he had timely notice. I must beg,
that, if Mr. Dick will not act, some other person may be
appointed; for, if things remain in this uncertain situation, the season will pass without having provision made
for the winter, or the summer campaign.
with the service, and on the 15th of October he wrote to Colonel Washington; -" Your name is more talked of in Pennsylvania, than that of any
other person in the army, and every body seems willing to venture under
your command. If you would send some discreet person, I doubt not he
would enlist a good number, especially to be irregulars, for all their talk is
of fighting the Indian way. The Assembly of Pennsylvania is now sitting.
Mr. Franklin and Mr. Peters both told me, that, if you would write a pressing letter to them, Informing them of the damages and murders, and
desiring their assistance, you would now get it sooner than any one in
America."
VOL. 11. J