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.

508 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [APPENDIX.
" P. S. As we are not sufficiently supplied with powder, it may be
proper to request of the gentlemen, who join us from Fairfax or Prince
William, to come provided with an over proportion of that article."
TO COLONEL GEORGE WASHINGTON.
" Charlottesville, 29 April, 1775.
" SIR,
"The county of Albemarle in general, and the gentlemen volunteers in particular, are truly alarmed, and highly incensed with the
unjustifiable proceedings of Lord Dunmorej who, we are informed, has
clandestinely taken possession of our ammunition lodged in the magazine. We should have attended at Fredericksburg, in order to
have proceeded to Williamsburg to demand a return of the powder,
had the alarm reached us before an account of security being given
for its delivery. However, to assure you and the world of our readiness and willingness to resent any encroachment of arbitrary power,
we now declare to you, should it be necessary, that the first company
of Independents for Albemarle will attend in Williamsburg, properly equipped, and prepared to enforce an immediate delivery of the
powder (if not to be obtained otherwise), or die in the attempt.
With respect we remain ready to obey your commands.
"CHARLES LEWIS, Captain.
"GEORGE GILMER, Lieut.
" JOHN MARKS, 2nd Lieut.
" P. S. The company will stand under arms all day on Tuesday
waiting your answer."
Three names, signed to the first letter above, were well known in
the subsequent revolutionary history. Mercer and Weedon were
generals, and Spotswood a colonel, in the Continental army. The
first died of wounds received at the battle of Princeton; the two
last were officers of approved' ability and courage.
The excitement about the powder gradually subsided, on the
promise of the Governor to arrange the affair to the satisfaction of
the people. More than seven hundred men well armed had collected at Fredericksburg. (Wirt's Life of Patrick Henry, p. 135.)
A council of deputies from the assembled multitude was held, in
which, after much warmth of discussion, it was resolved, that they
should all return home, but be ready to march at a moment's warning, on any future alarm. At the close of the following letter is an
allusion to this meeting. The letter is moreover interesting as an