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.

254 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [.,ET. 25.
TO GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.
Fort Loudoun, 17 September, 1757.
SIR,
A letter of the 22d ultimo, from Captain Peachey,
came to my hands the other day, the contents of which
are herewith forwarded.* I should take it infinitely
kind, if your Honor would please to inform me, whether
a report of this nature was ever made to you; and, in
that case, who was the author of it?
It is evident, from a variety of circumstances, and especially from the change in your Honor's conduct towards me, that some person, as well inclined to detract,
but better skilled in the art of detraction, than the author of the above stupid scandal, has made free with my
character. For I cannot suppose, that malice so absurd, so barefaced, so diametrically opposite to truth, to
common policy, and, in short, to every thing but villany,
" The letter begins by detailing a conversation, which the writer had
lately held with Mr. Charles Carter, of Shirley, respecting a transaction in
which Captain Peachey had been concerned some months before, on a
mission to Williamsburg, when the frontiers were in great alarm from the
incursions of the enemy; and then proceeds;"Mr. Carter says, that Mr. Christopher Robinson told him he heard
Colonel R. C. say, that I affirmed, that my whole business at that time was
to execute a scheme of yours to cause the Assembly to levy largely both
in men and money, and that there was not an Indian in the neighbourhood;
that the frontiers, and even Winchester and the adjacent country, did not
appear to be in any more danger at that time than any other. Mr. Robinson also informed Mr. Carter, it was said, that' that piece of deceit, or imposition of yours (as they term it), had lessened the Governor's and some
of the leading men's esteem for you; or, at least, they make use of it as a
reason for their ill treatment, and the worse opinion they say they have
of you than formerly.
" I hope you know me better than even to suppose I could be guilty of a
thing of this kind; therefore, I shall only-add, that you may depend I shall
use my endeavour to trace the matter, till I find the person, that dares
make himself the author of such a scandalous report. If you think fit to
make use of the above, you are at full liberty to do so."