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. 181
two of our deserters have reached Fort Duquesne, who
were heard to speak in high terms, before they escaped,
of the reward that would be got for communicating the
weakness of the works and garrison at Fort Cumberland.
As a general meeting of all the persons concerned in
the estate of my deceased brother* is appointed to be
held at Alexandria, about the middle of September next,
for making a final settlement of all his affairs, and as I
am very deeply interested, not only as an executor, and
heir of part of his estate, but also in a very important
dispute, subsisting between Colonel Lee, who married
the widow, and my brothers and self, concerning a devise in the will, which brings the whole personal estate
in question, - I say, as this is a matter of very great
moment to me, I hope your Honor will readily consent
to my attending this meeting, provided no disadvantage
is likely to arise during my absence; in which case, I
shall not offer to quit my command.
If war is to be declared at this place, I should be glad
if your Honor would direct the manner. I know there
is ceremony required, but the order I am ignorant of. t
I am, &c.
* Lawrence Washington.
i This alludes to the formal declaration of war against France, the intelligence of which had but recently arrived in America. - Governor
Dinwiddie answered; —" The method, by which you are to declare war,
is at the head of your companies, with three volleys of small arms for his
Majesty's health and a successful war."
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