University of Virginia Library

CHAPTER VI.

ENGLAND PREPARES TO ASSERT HER CLAIM.

Thus stood matters at the close of the year 1752. The
two great powers beyond the Atlantic, glad of a respite after
eight years successful and unsuccessful war, were resting
under the truce secured by the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle;
while their commissioners were trying to out-wit one another
on the matter of the disputed lands in the West.[36]

But the calm was that which precedes the storm. Although
all seemed "peace" at home, a very different state of affairs
existed in the backwoods of America. Here, the clangor of
arms, the stern word of command, the daily reveillé—sounds
so strange in the deep seclusion of an American forest—all
told of the approaching conflict.

The unprejudiced reader cannot but deplore the shortsighted
policy which induced England to bring on the unfortunate
and protracted struggle of which we are about to
speak.[37] Had it not been for her rapacity—her insatiate
craving—her horse-leech cry,—"Give! give!" none can doubt
but that all the horrors and bloody wrongs attending her six
years' war with France, would have been averted. The English
principle of action, both at home and abroad, seems ever
to have been,

The spring of 1753 opened with every prospect of matters
coming to a crisis. The English traders had been driven off,
and the warlike movements of the French indicated a determined
resolution on their part. Information of these movements
having been conveyed to the colonial authorities of
Pennsylvania and Virginia, the former voted six hundred
pounds for distribution among the Indians of the West, and
two hundred additional to the Twigtees, who had lost some
of their number in endeavoring to protect the Pennsylvania
traders taken captive by the French. Conrad Wieser, an
experienced provincial interpreter, was sent out to ascertain
the number, condition, situation, and feeling of the tribes
on the Ohio and tributaries, "so that he might regulate the
distribution of the goods that were to be divided among
them."[39] In June a messenger was despatched to

the French, cautioning them against invading his
"Majesty's dominions." This commissioner only went to
Logstown,—being afraid to go up the Alleghany as instructed.[41]

In October instructions reached the colonies, from the Earl
of Holdernesse, Secretary of State,[42] to resist all

encroachments on the part of the French; and as
better security, to erect two forts at suitable points in the
disputed territory. Accompanying these instructions to Virginia,
came thirty pieces of cannon and eighty barrels of
powder.[44] This looked like bringing matters to an issue, and
so thought all who heard of it.

Disposed to adjust the difficulty by mild means, Governor
Dinwiddie determined to send a messenger to the French
commandant on the head waters of the Ohio, threatening him
that unless the French forces were immediately withdrawn,
war would be the consequence.[45]

In looking around for one whose zeal, energy, valor and
sagacity, might be equal to the herculean task of making
his way hundreds of miles through an unbroken wilderness,
and countless hordes of savages, his eye fell upon a young
Virginia surveyor; scarcely twenty-one years of age, but
whose courage and manly bearing as an officer in the provincial
ranks,[46] had won for him the esteem and admiration,
not only of his companions in arms, but of the Governor himself.
That young man was George Washington, afterwards
the glory and the pride of his country. He was selected
above all others, and the choice proved the wisdom and judgment
of Governor Dinwiddie.

Receiving his instructions, and a passport, he left Williamsburg
on the 31st day of October, 1753. In two

weeks, he had reached Wills creek, where Cumberland
now stands. With Gist as his guide, and accompanied
by six other men, he commenced, on the 15th of November
(1753) the arduous ascent of the rugged and
winter-bound Alleghanies. Who can realize the
untold perils of that mountain march! All around was terribly
wild,—the howling of the storm,—the roar of the winter's
blast,—the fierce sweep of the snow,—and the hoarse voice
of distracted waters, with the awful solitude and strength
which reigned around, were enough to make the very souls
of men shrink back in unwonted awe. But undismayed amid
all this terrible war of the elements, the young Virginian
struggled on, reaching the Monongahela on the 23d, near the
spot where two years afterwards, he took part in one of the
most sanguinary conflicts of the six years' war. He reached
the forks (Pittsburgh) on the 23d, and his keen eye at once
saw the great advantage presented by the place for a fortified
post.[49]

Inviting Shingiss, king of the Delawares, to meet in council
at Logstown, they proceeded thither, "where we arrived
between sun-setting and dark, on the twenty-fifth day after
leaving Williamsburg."[50]

At this place, Washington met Tanacharison, Half King
of the Six Nations;[51] but finding little could be done with the
natives on account of their fear of the French, he set out,
accompanied by the Half King and three other Indians, for
the French post at the head of French creek.

Through incessant rains and interminable swamps, they
travelled on to Venango, (seventy miles) where, meeting Captain
Joncaire, who had command of the station, Washington
was informed that they (the French) had taken possession of
the Ohio, (meaning the entire region from the Lakes to the
river Ohio) and, by — they "would hold it." Joncaire advised
Washington to proceed to the quarters of St. Pierre
(Le Bœuf) who was a higher officer in command. Four
days more of severe fatigue, brought the little party to St.
Pierre. Delivering Gov. Dinwiddie's message, the commandant
replied that he could do nothing more than send it on to
the Marquis Du Quesne, Governor-general of Canada. As

to withdrawing from his present position, he could not. This
was all done in the most polite and respectful manner.[52] During
his stay, Washington was handsomely cared for; every attention
and kindness being shown him.

Returning, they reached Venango, after a "tedious and
fatiguing passage down the creek. Several times, we had
like to have been staved against rocks, and many times, were
obliged to get out and remain in the water half an hour or
more, getting over the shoals. At one place, the ice had
lodged and made it impassable by water: we had therefore,
to carry our canoes across a neck of land, a quarter of a
mile."[53]

From Venango, Washington and Gist set out on foot,
"with gun in hand, and pack on back" for the Ohio. Of the
hardships which they underwent during this perilous march,
we will quote a few passages from the journal of the illustrious
chief. Reaching a place in the Alleghany river, where
they desired to cross, but the ice driving in such vast quantities,
it was found impossible to effect a passage except on a
raft, "which we set to work with our poor hatchets, and
finished just after sun-setting. This, was a whole day's work;
we next got it launched, then went on board of it, and set
off; but before we were half-way over, we were jammed in
ice in such a manner, that we expected every moment our raft
to sink, and ourselves to perish. I put out my setting pole,
to try to stop the raft that the ice might pass by, when the
rapidity of the stream threw it with so much violence against
the pole, that it jerked me out into ten feet water; but I fortunately
saved myself, by catching one of the raft logs.—
Notwithstanding all our efforts, we could not get to either
shore, but were obliged, as we were near an island, to quit
our raft and make to it.

"The cold was so extremely severe, that Mr. Gist had all his

fingers and some of his toes frozen, and the water was shut
up so hard, that we found no difficulty in getting off the island,
on the ice, in the morning."[54] Who can read this plain,
simple and touching narrative, and not shudder at the imminent
danger of a life so valuable? At one time, a treacherous
Indian,[55] at the distance of fifteen paces, fired upon them;
but, escaping all, they reached the house of a friend at the
mouth of Turtle creek, and thence Washington returned in
safety to Williamsburg, reaching that place on the 16th of
January, 1754.

1 Supposed to be Wainright's Island, a short distance above Pittsburg.