to conduct him over the Alleghany mountains, the passage of which, at that season of the year, began to be extremely difficult. After surmounting considerable impediments occasioned by the snow and high waters, he reached the mouth of Turtle creek, on the Monongahela. At that place, he learned from an Indian trader, that the French general was dead, and that the major part of the army had retired into winter quarters. Pursuing his route, he examined the country through which he passed with a military eye, and selected the confluence of the Monongahela and Alleghany rivers, the place where fort du Quesne, now fort Pitt, was afterwards erected by the French, as an advantageous and commanding position, which it would be advisable immediately to seize, and to fortify.

After employing a few days among the Indians in that neighbourhood, and procuring some of their chiefs to accompany him whose fidelity he took the most judicious means to secure, he ascended the Alleghany river. At the mouth of French creek, he found the first fort occupied by the troops of France. Proceeding further up the creek to another fort, he was received by monsieur le Gardeur de St. Pierre, the commanding officer on the Ohio, to whom he delivered the letter of Mr. Dinwiddie. Having received an answer, he returned to Williamsburg on the 16th of January 1754, after undergoing infinite fatigue on the route, and incurring considerable danger from the hostile Indians by whom it was infested. The exertions made by Mr.

Washington on this occasion, the perseverance with which he surmounted the difficulties of the journey, and the judgment displayed in his conduct towards the Indians, raised him in the public opinion, as well as in that of the lieutenant governor. His journal,* drawn up for the inspection of Mr. Dinwiddie, was published, and was generally considered as strongly evidencing the solidity of his understanding, and the fortitude of his mind. As the answer from the commandant of the French forces on the Ohio indicated no disposi. tion to withdraw from that country, it was deemed necessary to make some preparations to maintain the right asserted over it by the British crown, and the assembly of Virginia determined to authorize the governor, with the advice of council, to raise a regiment for that purpose, to consist of three hundred men. The command of this regiment was given to Mr. Fry,* a gentleman sup

*See Note, No. I. at the end of the volume.

With an unaffected modesty which the accumulated honours of his after life could never impair, major Washington, though the most distinguished military character then in Virginia, declined being a candidate for the command of this regiment. The following letter written on the occasion to colonel Richard Corbin a member of the council, with whom his family was connected by the ties of friendship and of affinity, was lately placed in the hands of the author by Mr. Francis Corbin, a son of that gentleman.

Dear sir,

In a conversation at Green Spring you gave me some room to hope for a commission above that of a major, and to be ranked among the chief officers of this expedition. The

posed to be well acquainted with the western country, and major Washington was appointed lieutenant colonel. Extremely solicitous to be engaged as early as possible in active and useful service, he obtained permission, about the beginning of April, to march with two companies in advance of the other troops, to the Great Meadows, a position in the Alleghany mountains. By this measure he expected to protect the country, to make himself more perfectly acquainted with it, as well as with the situation and designs of the enemy; and to preserve the friendship of the savages. Soon after his arrival at that place,

command of the whole forces is what I neither look for, expect, or desire; for I must be impartial enough to confess it is a charge too great for my youth and inexperience to be intrusted with. Knowing this I have too sincere a love to my country to undertake that which may tend to the prejudice of it. But if I could entertain hopes that you thought me worthy of the post of lieutenant colonel, and would favour me so far as to mention it at the appointment of officers, I could not but entertain a true sense of the kindness.

. I flatter myself that under a skilful commander, or man of sense (which I most sincerely wish to serve under) with my own application and diligent study of my duty, I shall be able to conduct my steps without censure, and in time render myself worthy the promotion that I shall be favoured with

now.

The commission he solicited was transmitted to him by Mr. Corbin in the following laconic letter.

Dear George,

I enclose you your commission. God prosper you with it.

Your friend,

RICHARD CORBIN.

he was visited by some friendly Indians, who informed him that the French had dispossessed a party of workmen employed by the Ohio company to erect a fort on the southeastern branch of the Ohio, and were themselves engaged in completing a fortification at the confluence of the Alleghany and Monongahela rivers; and that a detachment from that place was then on its march towards his camp. Open hostilities had not yet commenced, but the country was considered as invaded, and several circumstances were related contributing to the opinion that this party was approaching with hostile views. Among others, it was stated that they had withdrawn themselves some distance from the path, and had encamped for the night in a bottom, in a secret, retired situation, as if to secure concealment. Entertaining no doubt of the unfriendly designs with which this detachment was advancing, lieutenant colonel Washington resolved to anticipate them. Availing himself of the offer made by the Indians to serve him as guides; and considering the darkness and rain of the night merely as circumstances favourable to the enterprise, he proceeded with celerity and secrecy to the French encampment, a few miles west of the Great Meadows, which he completely surrounded. About daybreak his troops fired, and rushed upon the party who immediately surrendered. One man only escaped; and a Mr. Jumonville, the commanding officer, was the only person killed.

The residue of the regiment was now on its march to join the detachment advanced in front. Before its arrival the command devolved on lieutenant colonel Washington by the death of colonel Fry. The whole regiment was united at the Great Meadows; soon after which two independent companies of regulars arrived at the same place, the one from South Carolina, and the other from New York, making in the whole, (for the Virginia regiment was not complete) somewhat less than four hundred effective men. The regular captains objected to being commanded by a provincial officer, but, under existing circumstances, the dispute about rank was waved for the moment, and the command rested with colonel Washington. After erecting a small stockade at the Great Meadows, for the purpose of securing the provisions and horses, the troops commenced their march towards fort du Quesne, with the intention of dislodging the French from that place. They had proceeded to the westernmost foot of the Laurel hill, about thirteen miles, when intelligence was received which terminated their march. They were there met by some friendly Indians who informed them that the French and their savage allies as numerous as the pigeons in the woods, were rapidly advancing to meet them. Among those who brought this information was a trusty chief only two days from the fort on the Ohio. He had observed the arrival of a considerable re-enforcement at that place, and had heard the intention declared of marching immediately