1755 Letters

Mount Vernon, VA - 2 April 1755

I find myself much embarrassed with my affairs, having no person in whom I can confide, to entrust the management of them with.

Annapolis, MD - 13 April 1755

Benjamin Franklin letter to Deborah Franklin... We got well over here last Night about 8 aClock.

Mount Vernon, VA - 20 April 1755

It is true I have been importuned to make this campaign by General Braddock, as a member of his family, he conceiving, I suppose, that the small knowledge I have had an opportunity of acquiring of the country, Indians, &c., is worthy of his notice

Mount Vernon, VA - 23 April 1755

I shall this day set out for Will's Creek, where I expect to meet the General, and to stay, I fear, too long, as the march must be regulated by the slow movements of the train ; which, I am sorry to say, will be tedious

Winchester, VA - 5 May 1755

You will naturally conclude, that to pass through Maryland, when no object required it, was an uncommon, and an extraordinary route for the General and for Colonel Dunbar's regiment to this place.

Fort Cumberland, MD - 14 May 1755

As wearing boots is quite the mode, and mine are in a declining state, I must beg the favor of you to procure me a pair that are good and neat

Youghiogany, OH - 28 June 1755

At the Little Meadows a second council was called (for there had been one before), wherein the urgency for horses was again represented to the officers of the different corps, and how laudable a farther retrenchment of their baggage would be

Great Crossing - 30 June 1755

As the Doctor thinks it imprudent for me to use much exercise for two or three days, my movements will be retarded.

Little Meadows, PA - 15 July 1755

The horses, which carry the wounded gentlemen in litters, are so much fatigued, that we dread their performance ; therefore, it is desired that you will be kind enough to send out eight or ten fresh horses

Fort Cumberland, MD - 18 July 1755

As I doubt not but you have heard of our defeat, and, perhaps, had it represented in a worse light, if possible, than it deserves, I have taken this earliest opportunity to give you some account of the engagement as it happened

Fort Cumberland, MD - 18 July 1755

We have been most scandalously beaten by a trifling body of men, but fatigue and want of time prevent me from giving you any of the details, until I have the happiness of seeing you at Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon, VA - 2 August 1755

I must own, I was not a little surprised to find, that Governor Innes was the means of alarming the country with a report so extraordinary, without having better confirmation of the truth, than the story of an affrighted wagoner!

Mount Vernon, VA - 2 August 1755

so little am I dispirited at what has happened, I am always ready, and always willing, to render my country any services that I am capable of, but never upon the terms I have done

Mount Vernon, VA - 14 August 1755

If it is in my power to avoid going to the Ohio again, I shall ; but if the command is pressed upon me, by the general voice of the country, and offered upon such terms as cannot be objected against, it would reflect dishonor upon me to refuse it

Mount Vernon, VA - 14 August 1755

The chief cause, next to indisposition, that prevented me from going down to this Assembly, was a determination not to offer my services ; and that determination proceeded from the following reasons.

Fredericksburg, VA - 6 September 1755

The country has come to a resolution to raise sixteen companies, which are to be formed into a regiment, and of which they have honored me with the command.

Alexandria, VA - 11 September 1755

After a small halt at Fredericksburg, to issue orders to the recruiting officers appointed to that rendezvous, I proceeded to this place, in order to collect a return of the provisions and clothing

Fredericksburg, VA - 8 October 1755

I shall set out this evening for Winchester, where I expect to be joined by the recruits from Alexandria and this place, as soon as they can possibly march that distance

Winchester, VA - 11 October 1755

I was told by Colonel Martin, who had attempted to raise the militia for the same purpose, that it was impossible to get above twenty or twenty-five men, they having absolutely refused to stir

Winchester, VA - 17 October 1755

In however trifling a light the attempts of the French to alienate the affections of our southern Indians may at first appear, I must look upon it as a thing of the utmost consequence, requiring our greatest and most immediate attention.

Alexandria, VA - 28 November 1755

There has been such total negligence among the recruiting officers in general, such disregard of the service they were employed in, and such idle proceedings, that I am determined to send out none until we all meet

Easton, PA - 27 December 1755

Benjamin Franklin letter to Deborah Franklin... am glad to hear that the Companies are forming in Town and chusing their Officers, and hope the Example will be followed throughout the Country.

Winchester, VA - 28 December 1755

see that the troops are duly drawn out and trained to their exercise, and practised to bush-fighting.