ernment, and accounted a document of much importance, as unfolding the views of the French, and announcing the first positive proof of their hostile acts in the disputed territory.

Nothing more was expected from the small military preparations set on foot by the governor and Council, than to take a position on the Ohio before the French should come down the river, and unite with the parties from New Orleans. The command of one of the two companies was given to Captain Trent, who, being acquainted with the frontiers, was sent forward to enlist his men among the traders and back settlers, and ordered to commence with all speed the building of a fort at the Fork of the Ohio, in conformity with the recommendation of Major Washington, who had examined that place, as we have seen, with a view to its military advantages.

At the same time, Major Washington was stationed at Alexandria, as a convenient situation for the rendezvous of his men, and for superintending the transportation of supplies and the cannon intended to be mounted in the fort. Lord Fairfax, holding the office of county-lieutenant, which gave him authority over the militia in his neighbourhood, was active in procuring enlistments and rendering other services to his young friend. The governor's instructions to the officers bore a warlike aspect. They were, to drive away, kill, and destroy, or seize as prisoners, all persons not the subjects of the King of Great Britain, who should attempt to settle or take possession of the lands on the Ohio River or any of its tributaries.

These arrangements being made, Governor Dinwiddie summoned the legislature to meet at an early day, in order to take into consideration the critical state of affairs, and provide for the safety of the Dominion, as

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Virginia was at that time denominated. He also wrote letters to the governors of the other provinces, calling on them for aid, and drawing a vivid picture of the common danger, with moving appeals to their patriotism and sense of duty to their sovereign. New York and the New England colonies he desired to send troops towards Canada, and make a feint in that direction, which should prevent the reinforcements at Quebec from marching to the Ohio.

These appeals were of little avail; the governors had received no instructions; funds for military objects were not at their disposal; and the assemblies were slow to impose taxes even for the support of their own governments. Some persons doubted the authority of the governor of Virginia to meddle in so grave a matter; others were not convinced, that the French had encroached upon the King's lands; and others regarded it as a national concern, in which the colonies had no right to interfere without direct orders and assistance from the King. If treaties have been violated, said they, it is not for us to avenge the insult, and precipitate a war by our zeal and rashness.

In short, the call was premature, and there was little hope of coöperation from the other colonies. Messengers were despatched to the southern Indians, the Catawbas and Cherokees, inviting them to join in repelling a common enemy, who had already engaged in their behalf the powerful nations of Chippewas and Ottowas. Reliance was also placed on the friendship of the Twigtwees, Delawares, and other tribes beyond the Ohio.

When the Assembly met, a difference of opinion prevailed, as to the measures that ought to be pursued; but ten thousand pounds were finally voted for the defence of the colony, cloaked under the title of an act "for the encouragement and protection of

the settlers on the waters of the Mississippi." The governor's equanimity was severely tried. The King's prerogative and his own dignity he thought were not treated with due respect. So obtuse were some of the burgesses, that they could not perceive the justice of the King's claims to the lands in question, and they had the boldness to let their doubts be known in a full assembly. "You may well conceive," said the governor in writing to a friend, "how I fired at this; that an English legislature should presume to doubt the right of his Majesty to the interior parts of this continent, the back of his dominions." And, alluding to one of the members, he added, "How this French spirit could possess a person of his high distinction and sense, I know not." Another point was still more annoying to him. The Assembly appointed commissioners to superintend the appropriation of the funds. This act he took as a slight to himself, since by virtue of his office the disposal of money for public uses ought to rest exclusively with the governor. Such was his view of the matter, and he declared that nothing but the extreme urgency of the case should have induced him to sign the bill.

To the Earl of Holdernesse he complained of the wayward temper and strange doings of the Assembly. "I am sorry to find them," said he, "very much in a republican way of thinking; and, indeed, they do not act in a proper constitutional way, but make encroachments on the prerogative of the crown, in which some former governors have submitted too much to them; and, I fear, without a very particular instruction, it will be difficult to bring them to order." Notwithstanding these grievances, the governor's zeal for the public good rose above his personal feelings, and he applied himself ardently to the work he had undertaken.

CHAPTER III.

Military Preparations. - Washington appointed Lieutenant-Colonel.Marches to the Allegany Mountains. Joined by Parties of Indians. Skirmish with a French Detachment under Jumonville. The Chief Command devolves on Colonel Washington. — His generous Sentiments respecting the Terms of Service. - Fort Necessity. Battle of the Great Meadows. Resigns his Commission. - Engages in the Expedition under General Braddock. - Difficulties encountered by the Army in its March. - Battle of the Monongahela. Its disastrous Results. - Bravery and good Conduct of Colonel Washington in that Action. His prudent Advice to General Braddock.

WITH the means now provided by the legislature, the military establishment was increased to six companies, under the command of Colonel Joshua Fry. He was an Englishman by birth, educated at Oxford, skilled in the mathematical sciences, and much esteemed for his amiable qualities and gentlemanly character. Major Washington was made second in command, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. Subordinate officers were commissioned, and, to quicken the military zeal of the people, and give alacrity to the recruiting service, Governor Dinwiddie issued a proclamation granting two hundred thousand acres of land on the Ohio River, to be divided among the troops, who should engage in the proposed expedition, and releasing the same from quitrents for fifteen years. One thousand acres were ordered to be laid off, contiguous to the fort at the Fork of the Ohio, for the use of the soldiers doing duty there, to be called the garrison lands.

The reasons assigned by the governor to the ministers for making this grant were, that he hoped the soldiers would become permanent settlers, and that it was better to secure the lands by such a bounty,

than to allow the French to take quiet possession of as many millions of acres as he had granted thousands. His proclamation was sanctioned by the King, but it was not well received in another quarter. The Assembly of Pennsylvania took alarm at the freedom, with which lands, situate as they said in that province, were given away. Governor Hamilton wrote an expostulatory letter. It was a perplexing case; but Governor Dinwiddie escaped from the difficulty by replying, that the claims of Pennsylvania were at least doubtful, the boundary line not having been run, that the object in view equally concerned both provinces, that his grant did not necessarily imply future jurisdiction, and that, if the Pennsylvania claim should be established, the quitrents might eventually be paid to the proprietary instead of the crown.

Fresh encouragement was inspired by a letter from the Earl of Holdernesse, authorizing Governor Dinwiddie to call to his aid two independent companies from New York, and one from South Carolina. These were colonial troops, raised and supported at the King's charge, and commanded by officers with royal commissions. They could be marched to any part of the continent. None of these companies had ever been stationed in Virginia. Expresses were immediately despatched to the governors of the above colonies, requesting them to order forward the companies without delay.

News came from North Carolina, also, that the Assembly had voted twelve thousand pounds for defence, and that a respectable force would soon be in the field to join their neighbours in the common cause. Thus far the prospect was flattering. The sympathy of the other colonies, however, did not manifest itself in any direct efforts. The Assembly of Maryland brought in

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