[6] As a large landowner, Fairfax was active leasing out his property to smaller farmers, such as Perrygreen Mackness [7] In 1772, he deeded a 600-acre (2.4 km2) farm, Chattins Run, on Goose Creek, in Fauquier County, Virginia to Washington to repay a debt.

[12]Washington responded, writing: As to your political sentiments, I would heartily join you in them, so far as relates to a humble and dutiful petition to the throne, provided there was the most distant hope of success.

Does it not appear, as clear as the sun in its meridan brightness, that there is a regular, systematic plan formed to fix the right & practise of taxation upon us?

[13][14]But Washington added: That I differ very widely from you, in respect to the mode of obtaining a repeal of the Acts so much, & so justly complaind of, I shall not hesitate to acknowledge; & that this difference in opinion may, probably, proceed from the different Construction's we put upon the Conduct, & Intention of the Ministry, may also be true; But as I see nothing on the one hand, to induce a belief that the Parliament would embrace a favourable opportunity of Repealing Acts which they go on with great rapidity to pass, in order to enforce their Tyrannical System; and on the other, observe, or think I observe, that Government is pursuing a regular Plan at the expence of Law & justice, to overthrow our Constitutional Rights & liberties, how can I expect any redress from a Measure which hath been ineffectually tryd already—For Sir what is it we are contending against?

I cannot conclude without expressing some concern that I should differ so widely in Sentiments from you in a matter of such great Moment & general Import; & should much distrust my own judgement upon the occasion, if my Nature did not recoil at the thought of Submitting to Measures which I think Subversive of every thing that I ought to hold dear and valuable – and did I not find, at the same time, that the voice of Mankind is with me.

[15][16]Fairfax respectfully disagreed, writing: There is a new opinion now lately advanced in Virginia that the Parliament have no right to make any or scarce any Laws binding on the Colonies.

However, he wrote to Washington, who sent him a pass to travel between the lines: For the past two years I have had a strong Desire to enter into Holy Orders than ever I had before tho' frequently in my Life have had the same, yet generally suffered worldly considerations to interfere.

This Desire and the not finding myself at Liberty to concur in the Public measures make me very anxious to get to England, and I have been in Hopes of obtaining a Pass from the Congress to go to N: York for that Purpose.

There has appeared to me but one Objection, and that is, the giving of Intelligence, but I would not only enter into Engagements in that respect if required but it may [be] considered that what I might say would be of little Consequence, but if of any would rather of America because I really think that it would be the Interest of Great Britain to let her enjoy her Independence, for if successful in this Struggle which is very doubtful it might all be to do over again at another Time.

I intended to have seen Your Excellency before I left the warm Springs the last of August where Colo. Lewis, Your Brother & Mr. W. Washington and to have brought my Son Tommy with me, when I came home I found they had put him on the Militia Roll and draught him tho' under the Age required and therefore I had him excused.

in regard to the great & laborious Undertaking You are engaged in ...[18]Washington responded, writing:: The difference in our political Sentiments never made any change in my friendship for you, and the favorable Sentiments I ever entertained of your hon'r, leaves me without a doubt that you would say any thing, or do any thing injurious to the cause we are engaged in after having pledged your word to the contrary.

I therefore give my consent readily ...[19]In 1757, after a whirlwind social scene in Westmoreland and Essex County, Fairfax's brother-in-law John Carlyle caught up with him in the Annapolis gaol and brought him back to Belvoir.

[24] On rap musician Logic's 2017 album Everybody in the song "Waiting Room," Bryan Fairfax is described as the next reincarnation of the character Atom.