1.

1752.

and other lands were to descend to George, with the reser- CHAPTER vation of the use of the same to the wife during her lifetime. Although he was the youngest executor, yet his acquaintance with his brother's concerns, and the confidence always reposed in him by the deceased, were grounds for placing the business principally in his hands. His time and thoughts, for several months, were taken up with these affairs, complicated in their nature, and requiring delicacy and caution in their management.

as adjutant

His private employments, however, did not draw him His duties away from his public duties as adjutant-general. Indeed general. the sphere of that office was enlarged. Soon after Governor Dinwiddie came to Virginia, the colony was portioned into four grand military divisions. Major Washington's appointment was then renewed, and the northern division was allotted to him. It included several counties, each of which was to be visited at stated times by the adjutant, in order to train and instruct the militia officers, review the companies on parade, inspect the arms and accoutrements, and establish a uniform system of manœuvres and discipline. These exercises, so congenial to his taste, were equally advantageous to himself and to the subordinate officers, who could not fail to be animated by his example, activity, and enthusiasm.

3

CHAPTER

II.

1753.

Encroach

ments of the French and Indians.

CHAPTER II.

The French make Encroachments on the Western Frontiers of Virginia. Claims of the French and English to the Western Territory considered. Major Washington is sent by the Governor of Virginia to warn the Intruders to retire. Crosses the Allegany Mountains. Meets Indians on the Ohio River, who accompany him to the French Garrison. - Indian Speech. - Interviews with the French Commander. - Perilous Adventures during his Journey, and in crossing the Allegany River. Returns to Williamsburg and reports to the Governor. - His Journal published. — He is appointed to the Command of Troops to repel the Invasion of the Frontiers. Governor Dinwiddie.

THE time was now at hand, when the higher destinies of Washington were to unfold themselves. Intelligence came from the frontiers, that the French had crossed the Lakes from Canada in force, and were about to establish posts and erect fortifications on the waters of the Ohio. It was rumored, also, that, alarmed for their safety, the friendly Indians were beginning to waver in their fidelity; and the hostile tribes, encouraged by the presence and support of the French, exhibited symptoms of open war. The crisis, in the opinion of Governor Dinwiddie and his Council, called for an immediate inquiry. A messenger had already been sent over the mountains, in the character of a trader, with presents of powder, lead, and guns for the Indians, instructed to ascertain their temper, penetrate their designs, and, above all, to trace out the artifices and movements of the French.

This messenger, either intimidated or deceived by the savages, executed his mission imperfectly. He went as far as the Ohio River, met some of the friendly sachems, delivered his presents, stayed a few days with them, and then returned. He brought back various reports concerning the French, narrated to him by the Indians, who had been in their camp at Lake Erie, and who magnified their strength and formidable appearance, telling him, that they took every Englishman prisoner, whom they found beyond the Allega

11.

nies, because all that country belonged to the French King, CHAPTER and no Englishman had a right to trade with the Indians in the King's territory.

In the mean time the British ministry, anticipating from the political aspect of affairs a rupture with France, despatched orders to the governor of Virginia to build two forts near the Ohio River, for the purpose of securing possession, driving off intruders, and retaining the alliance of the Indians, or holding them in check. Thirty pieces of light cannon and eighty barrels of powder were sent out from England for the use of the forts.

1753.

Governor of ordered to

Virginia

build forts.

the French.

These orders came too late. Before they arrived, the Designs of governor of Canada had been diligently employed for a whole season in pushing forward troops across the Lakes, with munitions of war and other supplies, and a footing had already been gained in the heart of the disputed territory. Bodies of armed men had likewise ascended the Mississippi from New Orleans to act in concert, and established themselves on the southern waters of the Ohio. The object was to form a line of military posts from Louisiana to Canada, and thus confine the western limits of the English colonies within the Allegany Mountains. Thus far had the French advanced, before the British government began any active measures to counteract them.

A question here occurs, of much historical interest, but of too wide a compass to be discussed in this place. What right had England or France to the territory in dispute? Although each party set up many pretensions, it would be difficult in reviewing them to strike the balance, because, when compared, it could not be shown, that even a plausible argument existed in favor of either side. England rested her claims on Indian treaties, and the French fortified theirs by still higher authority, the treaties of Ryswick, Utrecht, and Aix-la-Chapelle, and by the fact of prior dis

covery.

Questions as of the French

to the title

or English to

the lands Alleganies.

beyond the

claim.

It was always the policy of the English to keep up a English good understanding with the Six Nations, a powerful confederacy bordering on Lake Ontario. By their position they

CHAPTER

II.

1753.

Encroach.

ments of the French and Indians.

CHAPTER II.

The French make Encroachments on the Western Frontiers of Virginia. Claims of the French and English to the Western Territory considered. Major Washington is sent by the Governor of Virginia to warn the Intruders to retire. Crosses the Allegany Mountains. - Meets Indians on the Ohio River, who accompany him to the French Garrison. - Indian Speech. Interviews with the French Commander. - Perilous Adventures during his Journey, and in crossing the Allegany River. — Returns to Williamsburg and reports to the Governor. His Journal published. — He is appointed to the Command of Troops to repel the Invasion of the Frontiers. Governor Dinwiddie.

-

THE time was now at hand, when the higher destinies of Washington were to unfold themselves. Intelligence came from the frontiers, that the French had crossed the Lakes from Canada in force, and were about to establish posts and erect fortifications on the waters of the Ohio. It was rumored, also, that, alarmed for their safety, the friendly Indians were beginning to waver in their fidelity; and the hostile tribes, encouraged by the presence and support of the French, exhibited symptoms of open war. The crisis, in the opinion of Governor Dinwiddie and his Council, called for an immediate inquiry. A messenger had already been sent over the mountains, in the character of a trader, with presents of powder, lead, and guns for the Indians, instructed to ascertain their temper, penetrate their designs, and, above all, to trace out the artifices and movements of the French.

This messenger, either intimidated or deceived by the savages, executed his mission imperfectly. He went as far as the Ohio River, met some of the friendly sachems, delivered his presents, stayed a few days with them, and then returned. He brought back various reports concerning the French, narrated to him by the Indians, who had been in their camp at Lake Erie, and who magnified their strength and formidable appearance, telling him, that they took every Englishman prisoner, whom they found beyond the Allega

11.

nies, because all that country belonged to the French King, CHAPTER and no Englishman had a right to trade with the Indians in the King's territory.

In the mean time the British ministry, anticipating from the political aspect of affairs a rupture with France, despatched orders to the governor of Virginia to build two forts near the Ohio River, for the purpose of securing possession, driving off intruders, and retaining the alliance of the Indians, or holding them in check. Thirty pieces of light cannon and eighty barrels of powder were sent out from England for the use of the forts.

1753.

Governor of ordered to

Virginia

build forts.

the French.

These orders came too late. Before they arrived, the Designs of governor of Canada had been diligently employed for a whole season in pushing forward troops across the Lakes, with munitions of war and other supplies, and a footing had already been gained in the heart of the disputed territory. Bodies of armed men had likewise ascended the Mississippi from New Orleans to act in concert, and established themselves on the southern waters of the Ohio. The object was to form a line of military posts from Louisiana to Canada, and thus confine the western limits of the English colonies within the Allegany Mountains. Thus far had the French advanced, before the British government began any active measures to counteract them.

A question here occurs, of much historical interest, but of too wide a compass to be discussed in this place. What right had England or France to the territory in dispute? Although each party set up many pretensions, it would be difficult in reviewing them to strike the balance, because, when compared, it could not be shown, that even a plausible argument existed in favor of either side. England rested her claims on Indian treaties, and the French fortified theirs by still higher authority, the treaties of Ryswick, Utrecht, and Aix-la-Chapelle, and by the fact of prior discovery.

Questions as

to the title

of the French or English to

the lands Alleganies.

beyond the

claim.

It was always the policy of the English to keep up a English good understanding with the Six Nations, a powerful confederacy bordering on Lake Ontario. By their position they