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.

396 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [AET. 42.
sketch of my thoughts upon your letter. When I look
back, and see the length of my own, I cannot, as I am a
good deal hurried at this time, think of taking off a fair
copy.
I am, dear Sir, your most obedient humble servant.
TO BRYAN FAIRFAX.
Mount Vernon, 24 August, 1774.
DEAR SIR,
Your letter of the 5th instant came to this place, forwarded by Mr. Ramsay, a few days after my return
from Williamsburg, * and I delayed acknowledging it
sooner, in the hope that I should find time, before I
began my journey to Philadelphia, to answer it fully,
if not satisfactorily; but, as much of my time has been
*,In compliance with the recommendation of the deputies, who sent out
a circular from Williamsburg on the 31st of May, town and county meetings had been held in all parts of the colony, and delegates chosen to assemble in convention at Williamsburg on the 1st of August. Washington
was elected for Fairfax county, and was present at the Convention. By
this body were appointed delegates to meet those from other colonies
in a general congress at Philadelphia, in the September following. The
persons selected were Peyton Randolph, Richard Henry Lee, George
Washington, Patrick Henry, Richard Bland, Benjamin Harrison, and Edmund Pendleton. The other important acts of the Convention were the
instructions to these deputies (Wirt's Life of Patrick Henry, p. 101), and
a series of resolves put forth in the form of an AIssociation.- Burk's History of Virginia, Vol. III. p. 382. These resolves are nearly the same in
substance and temper as those, which had been adopted two weeks before
in Fairfax county. After sitting six days the Convention broke up, having
authorized the moderator, Peyton Randolph, to call the deputies together
again on any occasion, which he might deem expedient.
According to Governor Hutchinson, the idea of a General Congress
originated with Dr. Franklin, and was first suggested by him in a letter to
the Massachusetts Assembly. -History of Jassachusetts, Vol. III. p. 393.
The date of this suggestion is not mentioned; but in the early part of the
year 1774, the necessity of such a congress began to be a popular sentiment throughout all the colonies.