The followiug memorandum endorsed upon the letter, in Mrs. Torin's handwriting.
I find he has not received mine, of 30th July, 1762, though it went by Mr. Sumpter, a friend of his, who went back with the Indian Kings.
It may be interesting to remark, that the James Fontaine, spoken of as an infant in the foregoing letter, in after life held a commission as Major of a volunteer regiment of cavalry from Kentucky, which composed part of the force which was sent against the Indians on our western frontier, after the close of the Revolutionary War. Owing to some indiscretion of the commanding officer, his regiment was surrounded by the Indians. Major Fontaine proposed to the troops to cut
their way through them. There were but few who joined in
this heroic attempt, which would probably have saved the
greater part of the regiment, had the movement been executed by all, with the resolution which marked the brave few.
Major Fontaine succeeded, but died almost immediately, from the numerous wounds he received.
To Mr. John Fontaine.
Rock Castle, Hanover Co., Va., July 8, 1765.
Dear Sir:—Your very kind letter of 20th June, 1764, I just now received, for which, as for a most agreeable cordial, I return you my sincere thanks.
Your memento, my dear uncle, that you are now seventy-one years old, and that you are providing a substitute to act that kind part which you now fill yourself, after you shall leave the stage, though kind and reasonable, has yet raised in me that sorrow which is natural, at the thought of parting
