August 20th

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A colored sketch of Robert Dinwiddie wearing a white wig.

Virginia Governor Robert Dinwiddie
New York Public Library

To Robert Dinwiddie (Governor)  

Fort Loudoun, 17 September 1757

That I have foibles, and perhaps many of them, I shall not deny. I should esteem myself, as the world also would, vain and empty, were I to arrogate perfection.* 

Knowledge in military matters is to be acquired by practice and experience only; and, if I have erred, great allowance should be made for my errors for want of it; unless these errors should appear to be willful; and then, I conceive it would be more generous to charge me with my faults, and let me stand or fall according to evidence, than to stigmatize me behind my back. 

It is uncertain in what light my services may have appeared to your Honor; but this I know, and it is the highest consolation I am capable of feeling, that no man, that ever was employed in a public capacity, has endeavoured to discharge the trust reposed in him with greater honesty, and more zeal for the country’s interest, than I have done; and if there is any person living, who can say with justice, that I have offered any intentional wrong to the public, I will cheerfully submit to the most ignominious punishment, that an injured people ought to inflict. On the other hand, it is hard to have my character arraigned, and my actions condemned, without a hearing. 

I must therefore again beg in more plain, and in very earnest terms, to know, if Colonel Corbin has taken the liberty of representing my character to your Honor with such ungentlemanly freedom as the letter implies? Your condescension herein will be acknowledged, as a singular favor done your Honor’s most obedient, humble servant.**

G:o Washington 

* Washington’s subordinate, Captain Peachy, reported that Colonel Corbin had been accused of making the scandalous accusation that the threat to the settlers on the frontier was a lie concocted by Washington, and represented to the Assembly by Captain Peachy. In a letter of reply, Dinwiddie denied having heard anything regarding this accusation supposedly leveled by Colonel Corbin (see below). 

** “Governor Dinwiddie replied (September 24): ‘Your other letter of the 17th I perused. I would gladly hope there is no truth in it. I never heard of it before, or did I ever conceive you would have sent down any alarms without proper foundation. However, I shall show it to Colonel Corbin when he comes to town; but I’d advise you not to give credit to every idle story you hear; for if I was to notice reports of different kinds, I should be constantly perplexed. My conduct to you from the beginning was always friendly; but you know I had great reason to suspect you of ingratitude, which I am convinced your own conscience and reflection must allow, I had reason to be angry, but this I endeavor to forget; but I cannot think Colonel Corbin guilty of what is reported. However, as I have his Majesty’s leave to go home, I propose leaving this in November, and I wish my successor may show you as much friendship as I have done.’ Dinwiddie’s letter is printed in Hamilton’s Letters to Washington, vol. 2, p. 204.” — Fitzpatrick, et al., WGW

Sources and Abbreviations

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