Letters to Wafhington AND ACCOMPANYING PAPERS PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY OF THE COLONIAL DAMES OF AMERICA EDITED BY STANISLAUS MURRAY HAMILTON Editor of the Writings of James Monroe VOL. V 1774, 1775 GENERAL INDEX BOSTON AND NEW YORK HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND COMPANY £, Cambridge COPYRIGHT, 1902, BY THE COLONIAL DAMES OF AMERICA ALL RIGHTS RESERVED CONTENTS OF VOLUME V 1774 PAGE FROM COLONEL WILLIAM PRESTON, MAY 27™ . . . . . . .. i Surveying of Washington's Ohio lands — Boundary questions — Land warrants. FROM DOCTOR JOHN CONNOLLY, MAY 28TH 3 Dunmore's war. FROM THOMAS EDEN & Co., MAY 31 ST 7 Tobacco sales. FROM DOCTOR JOHN CONNOLLY, JUNE 7TH 8 Dunmore's war — Colonel Croghan's Indian grant. FROM CAPTAIN WILLIAM CRAWFORD, JUNE STH 9 Dissolution of Virginia Assembly — Dunmore's war — Surveying of Washington's Ohio lands — New Virginia county. FROM MR. VALENTINE CRAWFORD, JUNE STH 12 Dissolution of Virginia Assembly — Building of forts — Selling of Washington's servants — Dunmore's war — Lund Washington's Ohio land — Illness of Moses Crawford — Washington's agreement with William Stevens. FROM MR. VALENTINE CRAWFORD, JUNE STH 16 Dunmore's war — Employment of Washington's servants as mili- tia — Need of ammunition. FROM THOMAS NEWTON, JR., ESQRE., JUNE 27TH 17 Price of flour at Norfolk. FROM THOMAS JOHNSON, JR., ESQRE., JUNE 28TH 18 Boston Port Bill — Dissolution of Virgina Assembly — Office fees. FROM BRYAN FAIRFAX, ESQRE., JULY 3RD 19 Mrs. Savage's annuity — Sale of land — Reasons for refusing can- didacy to House of Burgesses — Non-importation Resolves — Par- liament's right to tax colonies. FROM BRYAN FAIRFAX, ESQRE., JULY I7TH 22 Excuse for non-attendance of Alexandria committee — Petition to the King—Political tenets—Non-importation Resolves — Parlia- ment's right to tax colonies— Stamp Act — Tax on tea — Regula- tion of post office. iv Contents of Volume V FROM MR. VALENTINE CRAWFORD, JULY 27x11 30 Advertisement for runaway servant — Dunmore's war — Com- mand of expedition — Selling of Washington's servants — Wash- ington's milLj FROM BRYAN FAIRFAX, ESQRE., AUGUST 5TH 34 Washington's reasons for not reading former letter to committee — Tenets of other Virginians — Boston Port Bill — Alteration of Massachusetts Charter — Act for transporting criminals to England for trial—Mistakes of majorities — Parliament's right to tax col- onies — Tax on tea — Application of Virginia charters to situation — Distinction between tax for regulation of trade and for raising a revenue — Parliament's right to make laws for colonies — Earlier interpretation of Parliament's powers over colonies —English consti- tution — Non-importation Resolves — Criticism of General Gage. FROM THE COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE OF CHARLES COUNTY, MD., TO THE COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE OF FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA., AUGUST QTH 44 Prevention of landing of tea. FROM COLONEL WILLIAM PRESTON, AUGUST I5TH 46 Indian attack on surveyors — Surveying of Washington's Ohio lands — Dunmore's war. FROM MR. GILBERT SIMPSON, AUGUST 2OTH 47 Building of mill — Dunmore's war. FROM LIEUTENANT ROBERT MACKENZIE, SEPTEMBER I3TH. . .. 49 Criticism of New England attitude — Quartering of British troops in Boston — Washington's friends in London. FROM MAJOR WILLIAM CRAWFORD, SEPTEMBER 20TH 51 Taking up of land for Washington — Dunmore's war—Colonel Cresap's claim — Vindication of Valentine Crawford — Boundaries of Virginia. FROM MR. GILBERT SIMPSON, SEPTEMBER 24TH 53 Building of mill. FROM MR. VALENTINE CRAWFORD, OCTOBER IST 54 Dunmore's war — Quartering of British troops at Boston -r-Ex- culpation of conduct in management of business. FROM BRYAN FAIRFAX, ESQRE., OCTOBER 27TH 56 Sale of land. FROM THE FAIRFAX INDEPENDENT COMPANY, OCTOBER I9TH . . 56 Purchase of military accoutrements. FROM THE EARL OF STIRLING, OCTOBER 31 ST 57 Delaware lottery tickets. FROM JOSEPH BEEVERS, NOVEMBER STH 59 Negotiation of bill. FROM MR. WILLIAM MILNOR, NOVEMBER STH 59 Delivery of merchandise — James Tilghman — Peach-trees from Mr. Meredith. Contents of Volume V v FROM MR. GILBERT SIMPSON, NOVEMBER 9111 60 Building of mill — Partnership with Washington. FROM MAJOR WILLIAM CRAWFORD, NOVEMBER 14111 61 Dunmore's war — Treaty of Camp Charlotte — Attitude of Min- goes — Intelligence furnished by John Montour — Capture of Min- goes — Surveyingof Washington's Ohio land — Purchase of Colonel Mercer's slaves — Colonel Cresap's claim — Death of Moses Craw- ford. FROM MR. WILLIAM MILNOR, NOVEMBER 29x11 65 Military accoutrements for Virginia companies — Enclosure of pamphlets. FROM COLONEL GEORGE MUSE, NOVEMBER 30x11 66 Sale of bounty land. FROM ROBERX ADAM, ESQRE., DECEMBER 9x11 67 Recommendation of Mr. Young. FROM XHE PRINCE WILLIAM INDEPENDENX COMPANY, NOVEMBER IIXH 68 Election of Washington as commander. FROM MR. GILBERX SIMPSON, DECEMBER i8xn 69 Building of mill — Advantageous situation of mill. FROM THOMAS NEWXON, JR., ESQRE., DECEMBER 2isx 72 Unsatisfactory collections — Sale of biscuit — Price of flour at Norfolk — Articles for John Parke Custis — Crew and anchor for Washington's brig. FROM BALFOUR & BARRAUD, DECEMBER 25x11 73 Agreement for sale of flour and bread. FROM MR. WILLIAM MILNOR, DECEMBER 27x11 74 Order on James Tilghman — Enclosure of pamphlets — Military accoutrements for Virginia companies. „ FROM JAMES SXEWARX, DECEMBER 28x11 75 Soliciting patronage for manufacturers. FROM WILLIAM GRAYSON, ESQRE., DECEMBER 27x11 78 Military accoutrements for Prince William Company. FROM COLONEL JOHN CARLYLE, DECEMBER 29XH 79 Settlement of Augustine Washington's estate — Purchase of lime- stone. 1775 FROM MR. WILLIAM MILNOR, JANUARY 3RD 80 Military accoutrements of Virginia companies — Sergeant Woelp- per — Peace with Indians. FROM COLONEL GEORGE MUSE, JANUARY 6xn 81 Sale of bounty land. vi Contents of Volume V FROM EDMUND PENDLETON, ESQRE., JANUARY IOTH 82 Purchase of Ohio lands — Virginia Assembly FROM THOMAS JOHNSON, ESQRE., JANUARY I;TH 83 Manufacture of linen. FROM THOMAS JOHNSON, ESQRE., JANUARY 24™ 84 Prorogation of Maryland Assembly — Potomac River Bill — Gen- eral Charles Lee's plan — Attitude in Maryland. FROM EDWARD SNICKERS, JANUARY 26xn 87 Sale of wheat from Colonel Mercer's estate — Recommendation of Mr. Reed — Recording of mortgage. FROM COLONEL WILLIAM PRESTON, JANUARY 27-™ 88 Surveying of Washington's Ohio lands — Dunmore's war. FROM COLONEL WILLIAM PRESTON, JANUARY 31 ST 89 Surveying of Washington's Ohio lands — Transylvania Com- pany's purchase from Cherokees. FROM THE REVEREND WALTER MAGOWAN, FEBRUARY 3RD . .. 91 Sale of lottery tickets. FROM MR. DANIEL JENIFER ADAMS, FEBRUARY 4TH 92 Conveyance of land — Lawsuit. FROM GEORGE MASON, ESQRE., FEBRUARY 6TH 93 Illness of Mrs. Eilbeck — Plan for regulation of militia —Attitude of England — Choice of delegates to Convention — Collection of tithes for ammunition from non-residents of Fairfax. FROM MR. GILBERT SIMPSON, FEBRUARY 6TH 97 Location of county seat of Youghiogheny — Building of mill. FROM MAJOR WILLIAM CRAWFORD, FEBRUARY 7TH 99 Surveying and settling of Washington's Ohio lands — Acknow- ledgment of present. FROM WILLIAM GRAYSON, ESQRE., FEBRUARY STH . . . . . .. 100 Purchase of accoutrements for Prince William Company. FROM DOCTOR JOHN CONNOLLY, FEBRUARY 9TH 101 Course to be pursued with Mingoes —Treaty of Camp Charlotte. FROM MR. JAMES CLEVELAND, FEBRUARY I3TH 102 Illness of — Transportation of servants and stores to tract on Great Kanawha — Indian dissatisfaction. FROM MR. JAMES CLEVELAND, FEBRUARY 15™ 104 Difficulty in hiring servants. FROM MR. JACOB GOODING, FEBRUARY i6ra 105 Building of mill. FROM MR. ALEXANDER COWAN, FEBRUARY I7TH 106 Valentine Crawford's debt to Captain William McGachen. FROM GEORGE MASON, ESQRE., FEBRUARY I7TH 107 Illness of Mrs. Eilbeck — Mr. Harper's mistake in purchase of powder — Payment for military accoutrements of Fairfax Company — Collection of tithes for ammunition— Potomac River Bill. Contents of Volume V vii FROM GEORGE MASON, ESQRE., FEBRUARY i8TH no Exculpation of intentions in plan for collecting tithes — Potomac River Bill — Denunciation abroad of American Revolution. FROM MR. WILLIAM MILNOR, FEBRUARY 2isx 112 Military accoutrementsof Virginia companies — Books of military exercises — Reestablishment of health — Guns for Lund Washing- ton and John Parke Custis. FROM THE HONBLE JOHN TAYLOE, FEBRUARY 22ND 114 Settlement of Colonel Mercer's estate — Death of Philip Ludwell Lee. FROM THOMAS JOHNSON, JR., ESQRE., FEBRUARY 25111 115 Conveyance of land of Daniel Jenifer Adams in payment of debt — Law regulating loans in Maryland — Plan of General Charles Lee — Potomac River Bill. FROM WILLIAM AYLETT, ESQRE., FEBRUARY 26xn 118 Request for relinquishment of lawsuit against John G. Fraser. FROM ROBERT H. HARRISON, ESQRE., FEBRUARY 26TH 120 Mrs. Savage's annuity. FROM THE HONBLK GEORGE WILLIAM FAIRFAX, MARCH 2ND. . . 121 English ships still sailing to America — Purchase of horse for Washington — Sale of stock and furniture at Belvoir — Repairs at Belvoir— Sale of estate of Colonel John Mercer — Unpaid accounts — Shipment of tobacco — Settlement of The Bloomery partnership — American sympathizers in England — Review of militia in Eng- land. FROM SAMUEL ATHAWES, ESQRE., MARCH 3RD 127 Shipment of tobacco. FROM CHARLES CARROLL, OF CARROLLTON, MARCH 3RD . . .. 128 Pamphlet on culture of hemp. FROM MR. ROBERT MANDELL, MARCH 5TH 130 Josias Adams7 debt to John Glassford & Co. FROM GEORGE GRAY, MARCH 5TH 130 Josias Adams' debt to. FROM MAJOR WILLIAM CRAWFORD, MARCH 6ra 130 Transportation of servants and stores to tract on Great Kanawha — Taking up of land for Washington. FROM MR. WILLIAM MILNOR, MARCH 7TH 132 Military accoutrements for Virginia companies — Inclosure of pamphlets. FROM GEORGE MASON, ESQRE., MARCH QTH 133 Potomac River Bill — Transylvania Company's purchase from Cherokees — Title of Crown to land beyond the Alleghanies— Vir- ginia's western possessions — Payment to Mr. Mizzay—Collection of tithes for ammunition — Illness of George Mason, Jr. viii Contents of Volume V FROM GEORGE MASON, ESQRE., MARCH QTH 135 Potomac River Bill — Illness of George Mason, Jr. — Collection of tithes for ammunition — Payment to Mr. Mizzay — Cherry-trees. FROM CAPTAIN ROBERT MACKENZIE, MARCH I4TH. 136 Apology. FROM MR. DANIEL JENIFER ADAMS, MARCH ISTH 137 Washington's assuming of Josias Adams' debts — Conveyance of land and personal effects — Costs of lawsuit — Request to sell slave in Maryland — Value of horse. FROM THOMSON MASON, ESQRE., MARCH I5TH 140 Request to receive collections for. FROM THE INDEPENDENT COMPANY OF RICHMOND, MARCH I7TH . 140 Election of Washington as commander. FROM COLONEL THOMAS CRESAP, MARCH 2isT 141 Claim to land. FROM MR. VALENTINE CRAWFORD, MARCH 23RD 142 Exculpation of conduct — Assistance to James Cleveland. FROM JAMES BALFOUR, ESQRE., MARCH 25TH 144 Illness of — Shipment of flour — Appointment of O. Hanbury on committee to prepare petition to Parliament. FROM CAPTAIN HENRY MCCABE, MARCH 31 ST 145 Request for loan. FROM ALEXANDER H. SMITH, ESQRE., MARCH 31 ST 146 Delaware lottery tickets. FROM DENNIS STIPHENS, APRIL 3RD 146 Exculpation of conduct. FROM MR. GILBERT SIMPSON, APRIL 3RD 148 Building of mill — Vindication of Dennis Stephens. FROM WILLIAM GRAYSON, ESQRE., APRIL 5TH 150 Military accoutrements of Prince William Company. FROM CAPTAIN EDWARD SNICKERS, APRIL 6TH 151 Ownership of wheat — Sergeant Hughes. FROM GEORGE DIGGES, ESQRE., APRIL ;TH 152 Purchase of salt. FROM CAPTAIN WILLIAM PRESTON, APRIL QTH 152 Payment for surveying.— Transylvania Company's purchase from Cherokees — Surveying of western land. FROM MR. JAMES CLEVELAND, APRIL IOTH 153 Transportation of servants and stores to tract on Great Kanawha — Loss of Mr. John West's provisions and tools. FROM THOMAS CONTEE, ESQRE., APRIL IITH 156 Purchase of brigantine. FROM MR. JAMES TAYLOR, JR., APRIL I2TH 156 Mr. Morton's affair. Contents of Volume V ix FROM THOMAS NEWTON, JR., APRIL I2TH 157 Sale of herrings — Current price of flour — Death of Mr. Balfour. FROM GOVERNOR DUNMORE, APRIL i8TH 158 Illegal land patents. FROM MR. WILLIAM MILNOR, APRIL i8TH 158 Military accoutrements for Virginia companies — Mount Vernon fishery — Removal to Arch Street. FROM COLONEL EDMUND PENDLETON, APRIL 21 ST 159 Mrs. Savage's annuity — Removal of powder from magazine at Williamsburg — Danger of slave insurrection. FROM MR. CHARLES YATES, APRIL 25TH 161 Request for payment of subscription. FROM THE INDEPENDENT COMPANY OF FAIRFAX, APRIL 25TH . . 161 Military accoutrements. FROM THE INDEPENDENT COMPANY OF SPOTSYLVANIA, APRIL 26TH 162 Removal of powder from magazine — Proposal to march to Wil- liamsburg — Need of powder. FROM THE INDEPENDENT COMPANY OF PRINCE WILLIAM, APRIL 26TH 163 Proposal to march to Williamsburg. FROM THE INDEPENDENT COMPANY OF ALBEMARLE, APRIL 2gTn . 165 Removal of powder from magazine — Proposal to march to Wil- liamsburg. FROM ALEXANDER SPOTSWOOD, ESQRE., APRIL 30TH 166 Request for commission in American army — Offer to serve gratis — Decision not to march to Williamsburg. FROM MR. JAMES CLEVELAND, MAY I2TH 166 Transportation of servants and stores to tract on Great Kanawha — Escape of servants to Shawanese towns — Game — Fish — Cul- tivation of land — Purchase of tools and stock — Appraisement of buildings. FROM MR. JAMES CLEVELAND, MAY 2isT 171 Capture of runaway servants — Need of corn and flour — Inquiry respecting American affairs. FROM MR. JAMES CLEVELAND, JUNE 7TH 172 Cultivation of land — Appraisement of buildings — Capture of runaway servants — Need of provisions — Sale of servants — Indian dissatisfaction. FROM GENERAL HORATIO GATES, JUNE 22ND 174 Military orders from Washington — Raising of riflemen — Com- mission as adjutant-general. FROM MR. VALENTINE CRAWFORD, JUNE 24TH 176 Capture of runaway servants — Sale of servants — Transportation of stores to tract on Great Kanawha — Difficulties in locating and Contents of Volume V settling Dr. Craik's bounty land — Arrest of Dr. Connolly — Affairs of Lund Washington. FROM MESSRS. MCKEAN & RODNEY, JUNE 29™ 179 Recommendation of John Parke as volunteer. FROM RICHARD HENRY LEE, JUNE 29x11 180 Battle of Bunker Hill — Death of Dr. Joseph Warren — Powder sent from Philadelphia — Indian neutrality — Adoption of military code of Massachusetts — Expedition against Canada — Military hospital — Enlistment of surgeons. FROM GENERAL PHILIP SCHUYLER, JULY IST 181 Arrival of Connecticut troops — Expedition against Canada — Mutiny of British seamen — Governor Tryon — Commissions— Occupation of post in Highlands — Rejection of remonstrance in House of Commons. EXTRACT FROM GENERAL ORDERS OF COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, JULY 4TH 184 CLOSING ANNOUNCEMENT 185 ERRATA 186 GENERAL INDEX 187