re all purchasers of lots at the first auction on July 13,
1749, and at once began carrying out the mandate of the assembly,
_i.e._, to build within two years or forfeit their holdings.

Within six years the town, so neatly built, so strategically situated,
was "honoured with 5 Governors in Consultation; a happy presage I hope,
[wrote George Washington to William Fairfax at Williamsburg] not only of
the success of this Expedition, but for our little Town; for surely such
honours must have arisen from the Commodious and pleasant situation of
this place the best constitutional qualitys for Popularity and increase
of a (now) flourishing Trade."[83]

That Sally Fairfax was in residence in Alexandria and evidently in her
own house taking part in the festivities arranged for General Braddock
at the Carlyle house, dancing at the assembly balls, attending reviews,
is indicated by a communication from her friend, young Washington:

Fort Cumberland May 14, 1755

Dear Madam:

I have at last with great pains and difficulty discovered the Reason
why Mrs. Wardrope is a greater favorite of Gen^l Braddocks than Mrs.
Fairfax; and met with more respect at the late review in Alexandria.

The cause I shall communicate, after rallying you for neglecting the
means that introduced her to his favour which ... to say truth were
in [?] a present of delicious Cake, and potted Woodcocks; that
wrought such wonders [?] upon the Heart of the General as upon those
of the gentlemen that they became instant Admirers, not only the
charms but the Politeness of this Fair Lady.[84]

After his father's death on September 3, 1757, George William Fairfax
came a step nearer the title of Lord Fairfax. He went on a very curious
mission to England to refute in person a rumor that he was a black man,
and to show any doubting relations the hue of his skin was exactly the
same as theirs. This was especially strange, for William Fairfax had
taken Sarah Walker Fairfax, his wife and mother of George William, to
England in 1717, and certainly they must have met representatives of the
family on that visit. Nevertheless, it is to Sally that the knowledge of
this peculiar circumstance is due. In 1802, writing to her nephew in
Virginia in reference to an inheritance of her husband's she says, "He
[Henry Fairfax, William Fairfax's older brother] would have left it to
your uncle William Henry Fairfax [George William Fairfax's younge