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 1WAR. 103
TO GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.
Winchester, 11 October, 1755.
SIR,
As I think it my indispensable duty to inform you
particularly of my proceedings, and to give the most
plain and authentic accounts, from time to time, of our
situation, I must acquaint you that, immediately after
giving the necessary orders at Fredericksburg, and
despatching expresses to hurry the recruits from Alexandria, I rode post to this place. I passed by Lord
Fairfax's, who was not at home, but was here, where I
arrived yesterday about noon, and found every thing in
the greatest hurry and confusion, by the back inhabitants
flocking in, and those of this town moving out, which I
have, as far as was in my power, prevented. I was desirous of proceeding immediately, at the head of some
militia, to put a stop to the ravages of the enemy, believing their numbers to be few; but I was told by
Colonel Martin, who had attempted to raise the militia
for the same purpose, that it was impossible to get above
twenty or twenty-five men, they having absolutely refused to stir, choosing, as they say, to die with their
wives and families.
Finding this expedient likely to prove abortive, I
sent off expresses to hurry on the recruits from below,
and the militia from Fairfax and Prince William, who
had been ordered out by Lord Fairfax. I also hired
spies to go out and discover the numbers of the enemy,
and to encourage the rangers, who, we were told, were
blocked up by the Indians in small fortresses. But, if I
may offer my opinion, I believe they are more encompassed with fear, than by the enemy. I have also
impressed wagons and sent them to Conococheague for
flour, musket-balls, and flints. Powder, and a trifling