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. 211
A return of the stores at this place is enclosed. I
should have sent it before, but waited to add a return of
those at Fort Cumberland. None has yet come down.
If Captain McNeil goes to the Cherokee nation, it
would be well for him to conduct the Catawbas home.
But when I recommended an officer's going with them,
it was with a view of engaging a body of their men to
come to our assistance in the spring, and to march with
their warriors, not choosing to trust altogether to their
unmeaning promises and capricious humors. But you
will be pleased to direct as you see proper in this affair.
I have hitherto advanced very little money to the masters of servants, because I waited your directions. I
received forty-one last night from Captain McNeil, who
desires leave to continue recruiting. I do not consent
to it, until I know whether it is agreeable to you, and
whether I may send out as many other officers as can
be spared for the same service.
I should have been exceedingly glad, if your Honor
and the Council had directed in what manner Fort
Cumberland is to be strengthened; that is, whether it
is to be made cannon-proof or not; and that you would
fix the sum beyond which we shall not go, for I must
look to you for the expense. I have read that paragraph in Lord Loudoun's letter, which you were pleased
to send me, over and over again, but am unable to comprehend its meaning. * What scheme it was, that I was
The Governor's settled determination to sustain Fort Cumberland, contrary to the opinion of Colonel Washington, betrayed him and his Council
into a series of hasty resolutions and wild mistakes.
* In this paragraph Lord Loudoun writes to the Governor; —" As to
the affair of Fort Cumberland, I own it gives me great uneasiness, and I
am of the same opinion with you, that it was very material to have supported that fort this winter, and after that we could easily have made it a
better post than. ever it has been, from what I hear of it. I cannot agree
with Colonel Washington in not drawing in the posts from the stockade
forts in order to defend that advanced one; and I should imagine much