George Washington's notebook

George Washington's notebook was a detailed diary witten by George Washington, detailing several of his thoughts and experiences from throughout his life. Washington kept the notebook with him from his youth until his death, and wrote a final entry on the same day that he passed away.

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14th December 1799

My death has not yet quite arrived, but it is near and as inevitable as night follows day. I have felt myself decline for a long time now, but I fear not death. This is what I told Doctor Craik when leaving him instructions to stop the vain attempts that can only delay the inevitable. Soon, I shall join my dearest Martha.

The events of my life have swept me towards a destiny I could never have expected as a young man, when I was simply trying to provide for my family following the death of our father. I have had the honour of doing what few men have done — give birth to a nation. I have fought, first as a soldier, then as a president, to forge this nation, to make it strong. And strong it has become, so strong that no force exists that could make it disappear. Even on the brink of death, I feel pride in this.

With the little strength I have left, I am adding these words to the notebook I have kept all my life. It tells of events known by all, and others that have remained secret. Who will read these words? I especially think of Connor, the mysterious man who played such a surprising role in my destiny and that of the nation...

Who will read my strange story?

The map of the thirteen American states, neatly arranged along the east coast... I am fascinated by the immensity of the countryside remaining to be explored on our continent...

My Virginian compatriots. Brave simple folk — farmers, woodcutters. I admire their tenacity.

20th March 1748

I enjoyed school, but had to leave this autumn, just before turning sixteen. Since the death of my father four years ago, our lives have become difficult and I must help my family.

These last two years, I have studied geometry, trigonometry, logarithms. I am drawn to the precision of numbers, the power they give us to find the best solution to any problem.

I was introduced to Lord Fairfax by my dear brother Lawrence. Lord Fairfax is an extraordinary man, one of the most powerful landowners in all of Virginia. It seems he took a liking to me, offering me work as a surveyer on his land. He told me that my riding skills and love of mathematics mean I am perfectly able to do this sort of task. The offer is a good opportunity for me. I am soon to leave for the northern frontier of Virginia, in the valleys of the Allegheny Mountains. Lord Fairfax owns an enormous amount of land there, much of it still unexploited. My work will to be map the region and define lots so that new plantations can be set up.

The trip will be rough — I must cross the Allegheny Mountains and a desert before arriving in this savage land, thick with Indians whose hospitality is uncertain. This time, mother has agreed to let me leave.

15th August 1752

There are times when a man can but watch, stupefied, as the happiness and misery of his destiny closely intertwine. I am only twenty years of age, but in the space of four years my reputation as a surveyor has grown, and I have earned a comfortable amount to provide for my family. This reputation has inspired the government of Virginia, which knows my taste for action and military affairs, to name me adjutant general. It is an immense honour that I also partly owe to the support of Lord Fairfax.

It is currently my duty to assemble and train the militia who will defend the frontier of our district against both the encroachment of the French and the ravages caused by the Indians. However, the succes I have in this domain is overshadowed by sorrow — my brother Lawrence has just died. I loved and admired him so much.

He was the most affectionate, upstanding and dignified brother that one could have asked for. He was only 31, and has left me his estate on Mount Vernon.

Now I must face managing Mount Vernon in addition to my military duties. And so I ready myself for the combat that awaits, plunging myself into books of military strategy, training in fencing, and above all listening to the Virginian officers that make up my militia, men of experience who have known war.