in a general court-martial. Captain Trent's behaviour has been very tardy, and has convinced the world of what they before suspected, his great timidity. Lieutenant Frazier, though not altogether blameless, is much more excusable, for he would not accept of the commission, till he had a promise from his captain, that he should not reside at the fort, nor visit it above once a week, or as he saw necessary.

*

Queen Aliquippa desired that her son, who is really a great warrior, might be taken into council, as he was declining and unfit for business, and that he should have an English name given him. I therefore called the Indians together by the advice of the Half-King, presented one of the medals, and desired him to wear it in remembrance of his great father, the King of England, and called him by the name of Colonel Fairfax, which he was told signified the first of the council. This gave him great pleasure. I was also informed, that an English name would please the Half-King, which made me presume to give him that of your Honor, and call him Dinwiddie; interpreted in their language, the head of all. I am, &c.

P.S. These deserters corroborate what the others said and we suspected. La Force's party were sent

* Complaint was made against Captain Trent for being absent from his post when the French compelled his ensign to capitulate.

Mr. Frazier had lived for some time in the Ohio country as an Indian trader. He had a house at the mouth of the Creek, ten miles up the Monongahela from the Fork of the Ohio River, and near the spot afterterwards rendered memorable by Braddock's disastrous rencounter. Hence his stipulation, when he accepted the commission to act as lieutenant, not to be obliged to reside at the fort, then about to be constructed at the Fork of the River, nor to visit it except at stated times.

The Indians were likewise fond of giving names to the whites. Washington they named Connotaucarius. The governor of Pennsylvania was called Onus, the governor of Maryland Tocarryhogan, and the gover

out as spies, and were to show that summons if discovered, or overpowered, by a superior party of ours. They say the commander was blamed for sending so small a party.

Since writing the foregoing, Captain Mackay, with the Independent Company, has arrived, whom I take to be a very good sort of a gentleman. For want of proper instructions from your Honor, I am much at a loss to know how to act, or proceed in regard to his company. I made it my particular study to receive him (as it was your desire) with all the respect and politeness, that were due to his rank, or that I was capable of showing; and I do not doubt from his appearance and behaviour, that a strict intimacy will ensue, when matters shall be put in a clear light. But at present, I assure you, they will rather impede the service, than forward it; for, as they have commissions from the King, they look upon themselves as a distinct body, and will not incorporate and do duty with our men, but keep separate guards, and encamp separately. I have not offered to control Captain Mackay in any thing, nor showed that I claimed a superior command, except in giving the patrole and countersign, which must be the same in an army consisting of different nations, to distinguish friends from foes. He knows the necessity of this, yet does not think he is to receive it from me. Then who is to give it? Am I to issue these orders to a company? Or is an independent captain to prescribe rules to the Virginia regiment? This is the question. But its absurdity is obvious.

It now behooves you, Sir, to lay your absolute commands on one or the other to obey. This is indispen

nor of Virginia Assaragoa. These names pertained to the office, and not to the individual, each successive governor being designated by the same appellation. Giving a name was attended with much ceremony.

sably necessary, for nothing clashes more with reason, than to conceive our small bodies can act distinctly, without having connexion with one another, and yet be serviceable to the public. I do not doubt that Captain Mackay is an officer of sense, and I dare say will do the best for the service; but, Sir, two commanders are so incompatible, that we cannot be as useful to one another, or the public, as we ought; and I am sincerely sorry, that he has arrived before your instructions by Colonel Innes, who I doubt not will be fully authorized how to act. But as we have no news of Colonel Innes, I have, in the mean time, desired Major Carlyle to send this by an immediate express to you, who, I hope, will satisfy these doubts.

Captain Mackay and I have lived in the most perfect harmony since his arrival, and have reasoned on this calmly; and, I believe, if we should have occasion to exert our whole force, we shall do as well as divided authority can do. We have not had the least warmth of dispute. He thinks you have not a power to give commissions, that will command him. If so, I can very confidently say, that his absence would tend to the public advantage. I have been particularly careful in discovering no foolish desire of commanding him, neither have I intermeddled with his company in the least, nor given any directions concerning it, except, in general, the countersign, and place to repair to in case of an alarm, none of which he thinks he should receive. I have testified to him, in the most serious manner, the pleasure I should take in consulting and advising with him upon all occasions, and I am satisfied that we shall never differ after you have decided this point. I am convinced, that your own just discernment and consideration will prove to you, that there can be no medium. The nature of the thing will not allow of it. Before

VOL. II.

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orders will be observed, it must be known who is to command; and I am very confident you will see the absurdity, and consider the effects, of Captain Mackay's having the direction of the regiment; for it would certainly be the hardest thing in life, if we are to do double and treble duty, and neither be entitled to the pay nor rank of soldiers. That the first column of the Virginia regiment has done more for the interest of this expedition, than any company, or corps, that will hereafter arrive, must be obvious to all. This, Sir, Captain Mackay did not hesitate one moment to allow, since he has seen the work we have done upon the roads. We shall part to-morrow. I shall continue my march to Red-stone, while his company remains here. This, Sir, I found absolutely necessary for the public interest. Captain Mackay says, that it is not in his power to oblige his men to work on the road, unless he will engage them a shilling sterling a day, which I would not choose to do. And to suffer them to march at their ease, whilst our faithful soldiers are laboriously employed, carries with it an air of such distinction, that it is not to be wondered at, if the poor fellows were to declare the hardship of it. He also assures me, that this is not peculiar to his company, but that no soldiers subject to martial law can be obliged to work for less. I shall continue to complete the work we have begun with my own men. We shall have the whole credit, as no others have assisted.

I hope, from what has been said, your Honor will see the necessity of giving your speedy order on this head; and I am sensible you will consider the evil tendency, that will accompany Captain Mackay's arrival. The rank of office to me, Sir, is much more important than

the pay.

Captain Mackay brought none of the cannon, very little ammunition, about five days' allowance of flour,

*

and sixty beeves. I am much grieved to find our stores so slowly advancing. God knows when we shall be able to do any thing to deserve better of our country. I am, Sir, with the most sincere and unfeigned regard, your Honor's most obedient and most humble servant.

SIR,

TO WILLIAM FAIRFAX.†

Alexandria, 11 August, 1754.

Since my last to you, I have received, by Mr. Spiltdorph, the letter therein alluded to, the contents of which are nearly the same as in the one received from

As intimated in this letter, Colonel Washington marched forward with the Virginia regiment, and left Captain Mackay with his company to guard Fort Necessity. Thus the difficulty about command was for the time removed. He advanced slowly as far as Gist's house, thirteen miles from the Great Meadows, employing the soldiers on the way in repairing the road, and sending out scouting parties to watch the motions of the French. In the mean time, he held councils with several Indian chiefs, who came to him for that purpose, delivered speeches, exchanged belts of wampum, and went through the usual ceremonies on such occasions. But all to little purpose, for some of the Indians were treacherous spies from the French, and others had no higher motive than that of obtaining presents of goods and provisions. In this mode of gaining friends, the French were much the most successful, as they were better supplied with all the articles wanted by the Indians. A party of men was likewise despatched to clear the road beyond Gist's house, towards the junction of Red-stone Creek with the Monongahela.

While these operations were going on, reports were constantly brought in by French deserters and Indians, that large reinforcements had arrived at Fort Duquesne, and that a formidable force would soon come out to attack the English. On the 28th of June a council of war was held at Gist's house, in which it was unanimously resolved, that it was necessary to return to the fort, and wait there at all events till they should receive a larger supply of provisions. They retreated accordingly. The enemy appeared before the fort on the 3d of July, and the action of the Great Meadows was fought on that day. See APPENDIX, No. III.

William Fairfax was the son of Henry Fairfax, of Yorkshire, England, and grandson of Thomas the fourth Lord Fairfax. His father died when