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.

466 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [APPENDIX.
granted to each of the soldiers, who had been in the engagement.
To the vote of thanks Washington replied as follows.
TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF BURGESSES.
" Williamsburg, 23 October, 1754.
" SIR,
"Nothing could give me, and the officers under my command,
greater satisfaction, than to receive the thanks of the House of Burgesses, in so particular and public a manner, for our behaviour in the
late unsuccessful engagement with the French; and we unanimously
hope, that our future proceedings in the service of our country will
entitle us to a continuance of your approbation. I assure you, Sir, I
shall always look upon it as my indispensable duty to endeavour to
deserve it.
" I was desired by the officers of the Virginia regiment to make
their suitable acknowledgments for the honor they have received in
your thanks; I therefore hope the enclosed will be agreeable, and
answer their, and the intended purpose of, Sir, your most obedient
humble servant,
" GEORGE WASHINGTON."
TO THE WORSHIPFUL THE SPEAKER, AND THE GENTLEMEN OF THE
HOUSE OF BURGESSES.
" We, the officers of the Virginia regiment, are highly sensible of
the particular mark of distinction, with which you have honored us,
in returning your thanks for our behaviour in the late action, and
cannot help testifying our grateful acknowledgments for your high
sense of what we shall always esteem a duty to our country and the
best of kings.
"Favored with your regard, we shall zealously endeavour to deserve your applause, and by our future actions strive to convince the
worshipful House of Burgesses, how much we esteem their approbation, and, as it ought to be, regard it as the voice of our country.
"Signed for the whole corps,
" GEORGE WASHINGTON."
The exact number of men engaged in the action of the Great
Meadows cannot be ascertained. The Virginia regiment consisted
of three hundred and five, including officers, of whom twelve were
killed and forty-three wounded. These numbers are stated in a return made out by Colonel Washington himself. Captain Mackay's