George Washington

Date

1732–1799

Description

City of birth: Colonial Beach
Country of birth: United States
Field of activity: Politics — national governance

More detail coming ...

Quotes

'I rejoice that I am likely to be happy under the Command off an experienced Officer and a Man of Sense — it is what I have most ardently wish’d for — I shall here beg leave to return my grateful thanks for your favour in promoting me to the Command of the Regiment — believe me Honble Sir when I assure you, my Breast is warm’d with every generous Sentiment that your goodness can inspire: I want nothing but oppertunity to testifie my sincere regard for your Person, to whom I stand indebted for so many unmerited favour’s ... The approbation you have expressd of my conduct has given me more pleasure than any thing wch has happen’d since my Imbarking in this Expedition.'

Author

George Washington

Speaker

George Washington

Title of the publication

'From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 10 June 1754,' The Papers of George Washington, Colonial Series, vol. 1.

Other contributors

W.W. Abbot, editor

Publisher (or journal name with vol. and number)

University Press of Virginia

City of publication

Charlottesville

Country of publication (modern nation-state equivalent)

United States of America

Publication date

1983

Location [pp. or web]

pp. 129-40

Other location

Founders Online, National Archives, founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/02-01-02-0066 (accessed 10 January 2017)

Original language

English

Genre

Correspondence

Context

This is a small excerpt of a very long letter to Robert Dinwiddie, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, in which Washington expresses gratitude for his recent promotion to 'Command of the Regiment' and endeavours — in rather obsequious terms — to convince Dinwiddie that this command should be made clear to one or two other, seemingly recalcitrant, officers. The letter also contains detailed accounts of military matters and interaction with local native American tribes.

'Brethren, WE are very glad to see you, and sorry that such Reports disquiet you: The English do not intend to hurt you, or any of your Allies; this News, we know, must have been forged by the French, who are constantly treacherous, asserting the greatest Falshoods whenever they think they will turn out to their Advantage; they speak well, promise fine Things, but all from the Lips outward; whilst their Heart is corrupted and full of venomous Poison. You have been their Children, and they would have done every Thing for you, but they no sooner thought themselves strong enough, than they returned to their natural Pride, and drove you off from your Lands, declaring you had no Right on the Ohio. The English, your real Friends, are too generous, to think of using the Six Nations, their faithful Allies, in like Manner.'

Author

George Washington

Speaker

George Washington

Title of the publication

'Expedition to the Ohio, 1754: Narrative', The Diaries of George Washington, vol. 1.

Other contributors

Donald Jackson, editor

Publisher (or journal name with vol. and number)

University Press of Virginia

City of publication

Charlottesville, Virginia

Country of publication (modern nation-state equivalent)

United States of America

Publication date

1976

Location [pp. or web]

pp. 174-210

Other location

Founders Online, National Archives, founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/01-01-02-0004-0002

Original language

English

Genre

Journal entry

Context

Washington addresses a Council comprised of local native American tribes including the 'Half-King', several of the Six Nations, Loups and Shawanese (note that these are Washington’s names for the tribes). Washington stands as proxy for the governor of Virginia, and this excerpt forms part of a long dialogue between the two parties that endeavours to forge an alliance with the aim of defeating the French.

'I heartily Congratulate you on the happy News of my Brothers safe arrival in health in England and am joy’d to hear that his stay is likely to be so short I hope you’l make Use of your Natural Resolution and contendness as they are the only Remedys to spend the time with ease & pleasure to yourself. I am deprived of the pleasure of waiting on you (as I expected) by Aguee and Feaver which I have had to Extremety since I left which has occasioned my Return D[own].'

Author

George Washington

Speaker

George Washington

Title of the publication

'From George Washington to Ann Fairfax Washington, September-November 1749', The Papers of George Washington, Colonial Series, vol. 1.

Other contributors

W.W. Abbot, editor.

Publisher (or journal name with vol. and number)

University Press of Virginia

City of publication

Charlottesville, Virginia

Country of publication (modern nation-state equivalent)

United States of America

Publication date

1983

Location [pp. or web]

pp. 37-39

Other location

Founders Online, National Archives, founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/02-01-02-0005 (accessed 10 January 2017)

Original language

English

Genre

Correspondence

Context

Ann Fairfax Washington was the wife of Washington’s half-brother, Lawrence Washington, who has travelled to England for health and business reasons in the early summer of 1749. Lawrence returned to Virginia in March 1750.