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.

110 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [/ET. 23.
I have appointed Captain George Mercer (whose
seniority entitled him to it) my aid-de-camp; and
Mr. Kirkpatrick, of Alexandria, my secretary, a young
man bred to business, of good character, well recommended, and a person of whose abilities I had not the
least doubt.
I hope your Honor will be kind enough to despatch
Colonel Stephen, with orders to repair hither immedi,
ately, and excuse the prolixity of this letter. I was
willing to give a circumstantial account of our situation,
that you may be the better enabled to judge what orders
are necessary. I am, &c.
TO GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.
Winchester, 17 October, 1755.
SIR,
Last night by the return of the express, who went to
Captain Montour, I received the enclosed from Mr. Harris at the Susquehanna. I think no means should be
neglected to preserve the few Indians, who still remain
in our interest. For which reason I shall send Mr. Gist,
as soon as he arrives (which I expect will be to-day),
to Harris's Ferry, in hopes of engaging and bringing
with him the Belt of Wampum and other Indians at that
place. I shall further desire him to send an Indian express to Andrew Montour, to try if he cannot be brought
with them.
In however trifling a light the attempts of the French
to alienate the affections of our southern Indians may at
first appear, I must look upon it as a thing of the utmost
consequence, requiring our greatest and most immediate