RECENT ACQUISITIONS
BRISCOE CENTER ACQUIRES GEORGE WASHINGTON LETTER
Letter illustrates a young Washington’s views about Indian relations
D
ue to the generosity of Mr. Barron Kidd of Dallas, Texas, white settlers on the south bank of the Potomac. the Briscoe Center has acquired a letter written by the By 1769, Washington was in the midst of considerable efforts first president of the United States, George Washington. to expand his land holdings to the west, especially into what was The Briscoe Center’s letter from Washington to John called “the Ohio Country” (made up of what is now Ohio and Armstrong, written Aug. 24, 1769, finds Washington between parts of Pennsylvania and West Virginia). It is understandable wars, actively pursuing his financial and domestic interests. that both Washington and Armstrong had a vested interest in During the period between his any developments in that region that marriage in 1759 and the start indicate serious trouble with “...the manner in which it happen’d is variously might of the Revolutionary War in the Indians and therefore inhibit 1775, Washington lived a busy related, and none of them favourable to the western expansion by colonists. life, serving as a vestryman and authors of the Mischeif—It seems this Murder Washington relays the informa(for it deserves no other name) was committed tion he has on the incident to Armas a member of the House of strong, along with his thoughts on Burgesses in Williamsburg, Va., on slight provocation...” the matter. According to Washingpurchasing land and managing ton’s intelligence, the three Indians were returning from “war” — his plantations. Armstrong was an Irish immigrant who worked as a land surprobably a war party or raid against other Indians — and traveled veyor in Pennsylvania as well as serving as a justice of the peace. “through the Inhabitants” to be safe from further attacks. Armstrong advised Washington about dealing with the Land OfWashington describes the incident as “murder,” “villainy,” and fice in Carlisle, Pa., while obtaining land grants and on develop“mischeif.” He demands “justice” and calls for such incidents to be ments in local relations with Indian tribes. (Later, he would serve “suppressd.” His indignation is also driven by a fear of “the evils as a major general under Washington in the Revolutionary War.) that otherwise must follow” if similar incidents were to go on unchecked and with increasing frequency. The Briscoe Center’s letter discusses the murder (“for it deserves It is interesting to note that Washington demonstrates a keen no other name”) of three members of the Mingo Indian tribe by
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Briscoe Center for American History