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 1.] THE FRENCH WAR. 115
TO COLONEL AD-AM STEPHEN.
Alexandria, 28 November, 1755.
SIR,
I received your two letters by Jenkins last night, and
was greatly surprised to hear that Commissary Walker
was not arrived at camp, when he came away. He set
out from Williamsburg about the 12th instant, with orders to proceed immediately up; but such disobedience
of commands, as I have generally met with, is insufferable, and shall not go unpunished. The account you
enclosed of the method of receiving the beef, I suppose,
is customary; but for want of knowledge in those affairs,
I can neither applaud nor condemn it.
The Governor did not seem inclined to promote the
removal of the fort; however, the Committee have
lodged a discretionary power in my hands, and have
resolved to pay for all extraordinary labor. I would,
therefore, have as little labor lost at Fort Cumberland
as possible; at least, until I come up, which will be very
shortly, my stay here being only for a few days, in order
to receive recruits, and hurry up the stores to Winchester.
I believe those, who say Governor Sharpe is to command, can only wish it. I do not know that General
Shirley has a power to appoint a chief to our forces, -
to regulars he may. As to that affair of turning the
store-house into a dwelling-room, I do not know what
better answer to give, than saying, that this is one
among the many instances, which might be offered, of
the inconvenience of having the fort in Maryland. As
soon as I hear from Governor Shirley, which is hourly
expected, I can then send a more determinate answer.
There has been such total negligence among the recruiting officers in general, such disregard of the service