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.] PRIVATE LETTERS. 369
account having been frequently corroborated by your
brother, of whom I often inquired after you, I thought a
letter could have little chance of finding you in England.
I have just been told by Mr. Mercer, that you are to
remain in London for some advices from' him, respecting
the affairs of the Ohio Company.* Mrs. Washington
makes a tender of her compliments to you, and I am,
with very sincere regard, dear Sir, your most obedient
humble servant.
TO WILLIAM EDWARDS, GOVERNOR OF WEST FLORIDA.
Virginia, 25 March, 1773.
SIR,
Mr. Wood, the bearer of this, is a gentleman of Virginia, going upon a tour to Florida. He proposes,
before his return, to explore some of the ungranted
lands in your government; and, as I have never yet
been able to designate the lands to which I am entitled
under his Majesty's proclamation of October, 1763,
he has promised, if he meets with such lands as he
thinks will answer my purpose, to have ten thousand
acres surveyed for me. To five thousand acres I am
entitled in my own right, by virtue of that proclamation;
to the residue by purchase, certificates of which will be
presented to your Excellency by Mr. Wood, under the
hand and seal of Lord Dunmore, our present governor. t
% See APPENDIX, NO. VI.
t By this proclamation, three new colonies were established in Ameri.
ca, namely, Quebec, or Canada, East Florida, and West Florida. Lands
were also granted to the officers and soldiers, who had served in the late
war, and who resided in America, on their personal application for the
same, in the following quantities and proportions. To every field-officer five
thousand acres, to every captain three thousand, to every subaltern or staffofficer two thousand, to every non-commissioned officer two hundred, and
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