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. 257
TO CAPTAIN WILLIAM PEACHEY.
Fort Loudoun, 18 September, 1757.
DEAR SIR,
Your favor of the 22d ultimo came to hand about four
days ago. In answer to that part, which relates to
Colonel C.'s gross and infamous reflections on my conduct last spring, it will be needless, I dare say, to observe further at this time, than that the liberty, which he
has been pleased to allow himself in sporting with my
character, is little else than a comic entertainment, discovering at one view his passionate fondness for your
friend, his inviolable love of truth, his unfathomable
knowledge, and the masterly strokes of his wisdom in
displaying it. These several talents he has, I think,
exhibited in a most conspicuous manner to every person, who was in the least degree acquainted with the
situation of affairs in this county at that juncture. The
report of your false musters is equally absurd.
You are heartily welcome to make use of any letter,
or letters, which I may at any time have written to you;
for, although I keep no copies of epistles to my friends,
nor can remember the contents of all of them, yet, I am
sensible, that the narrations are just, and- that truth and
honesty will appear in my writings; of which, therefore,
I shall not be ashamed, though criticism may censure
my style. I am, &c.
TO GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.
Fort Loudoun, 24 September, 1757.
SIR,
Enclosed is a copy of a letter, which I received from
Captain McKenzie. Since my last, the different parties
VOL. II. 33 V *