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.

390 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [AET. 42.
us, but weaken our cause; yet I think we may do more
than is generally believed, in respect to the non-importation scheme. As to the withholding of our remittances,
that is another point, in which I own I have my doubts
on several accounts, but principally on that of justice;
for I think, whilst we are accusing others of injustice,
we should be just ourselves; and how this can be, whilst
we owe a considerable debt, and refuse payment of it to
Great Britain, is to me inconceivable. Nothing but the
last extremity, I think, can justify it. Whether this is
now come, is the question.
I began with telling you, that I was to write a short
letter. My paper informs me I have done otherwise.
I shall hope to see you to-morrow, at the meeting of the
county in Alexandria, when these points are to be considered. I am, dear Sir, your most obedient and humble servant.
TO BRYAN FAIRFAX.
Mount Vernon, 20 July, 1774.
DEAR SIR,
Your letter of the 17th was not presented to me till
after the resolutions, which were judged advisable for
this county to adopt, had been revised, altered, and corrected in the committee; nor till we had gone into a
general meeting in the court-house, and my attention
was necessarily called every moment to the business
before us.*. I did, however, upon the receipt of it, in
" In conformity with the spirit and practice, which now began to prevail
in different parts of the colonies, the inhabitants of Fairfax county had assembled, and appointed a committee for drawing up resolutions expressive
of their sentiments on the great topics, which agitated the country.
Washington was chairman of this committee, and moderator of the meetings held by the people. An able report was prepared by the committee,