Robert Dinwiddie to George Washington, 3 May 1756

Williamsburg May 3d 1756

Sir.

I am sincerely concern–€™d for Your Situation from the many flying Parties of French & Indians, but I hope before this reaches You a large body of Militia are at Winchester to reinforce You, & if possible to drive the Enemy over the Allegany Mountains; besides the Militia there are to be Drafts from each County to compleat Your Regiment to 1500 or 2000 Men, but I fear it will be a Month before they are all drafted.

I observe Colo. Stephen–€™s Letters vindicating his Character, 1 & hope the Reports were without Foundation & in course 2 malitious.

I approve, for the Reasons You assign, the fortifying of Winchester, 3 & when the Militia arrives You may employ many of them on that Business, & if they expect extra Pay for that Service, You must agree with them accordingly; there are ten Cannon at Rock Creek with the Ball & all other Appurtenances, of the same weight as those at Fort Cumberland; if You can get clear of the cruel Invaders You may send for them & mount them at Winchester. 4

As to Provisions to the poor distress–€™d who have fled to You for protection, Humanity calls on You to grant them relief, & I am perswaded Your good Nature therein will be approv–€™d of by every Person.

We are in great want of Lead now in the Magazine after the three Tons sent to Fredericksburg. 5 Do You know what Quantity is at Fort Cumberland?

I am now sending up some more Powder & Small Arms for Alexandria–€”I have ordered every Thing in my Power that I cou–€™d conceive necessary for Your relief; & I wish it was further in my Power to send Forces sufficient & all other Necessaries for extracting the Men & the poor Frontier Inhabitants from the Cruelty of a barbarous Enemy, & I doubt not in a short Time to turn the Tables on them; keep up Your Spirits & hope that all will be right soon.

If they have ordered some of the Forces from Brit[ai]n here it will be very agreeable, but at present I cannot tell where they are to be landed.

The Gentlemen here have enter–€™d into an Assosiation, 6 one hundred mounted & accouter–€™d on Horseback, & propose carrying two hundred Volunteers with them, & intend to be at Fredericksbg in their way to Winchester by the 20th of this Month, 7 to be Comanded by the Attoy Genl which I hope will give great Spirits to our Common People.

My Respects to Colo. Innes, I remain with Prayers for Your Protection & am Sir Your humble Servant

Robt Dinwiddie