collation of many of them with the originals having convinced me of the general correctness of the collection, and of the safety with which it may be relied upon for historical purposes; and I am happy to bear this testimony to the essential accuracy of one whom I consider among the greatest benefactors to our national literature; and to whose writings and researches I acknowledge myself largely indebted throughout my work.

SUNNYSIDE, 1855.

W. L.

The Home of Washington's boyhood-His Early Education-Lawrence Washington

and his Campaign in the West Indies-Death of Washington's Father-The

widowed Mother and her Children-School Exercises.....

CHAPTER III.

Paternal Conduct of an Elder Brother-The Fairfax Family-Washington's Code of

Morals and Manners-Soldiers' Tales-Their Influence-Washington prepares for

the Navy-A Mother's Objections-Return to School-Studies and Exercises-A

School-boy Passion-The Lowland Beauty-Love Ditties at Mount Vernon-Visit

to Belvoir-Lord Fairfax-His Character-Fox-hunting a Remedy for Love-

Proposition for a Surveying Expedition.

CHAPTER IV.

Expedition beyond the Blue Ridge-The Valley of the Shenandoah-Lord Halifax-

Lodge in the Wilderness-Surveying-Life in the Backwoods-Indians-War

Dance-German Settlers-Return Home-Washington as Public Surveyor-Sojourn

at Greenway Court-Horses, Hounds, and Books-Rugged Experience among the

Mountains

CHAPTER V.

English and French Claims to the Ohio Valley-Wild State of the Country-Projects of

Settlements-The Ohio Company-Enlightened views of Lawrence Washington-

VOL. I.-A*

18

25

85

PAGE

French Rivalry-Celeron de Bienville-His Signs of Occupation-Hugh Crawford

-George Croghan, a veteran Trader, and Montour, his Interpreter-Their Mission

from Pennsylvania to the Ohio Tribes-Christopher Gist, the Pioneer of the Yad-

kin-Agent of the Ohio Company-His Expedition to the Frontier-Reprobate

Traders at Logstown-Negotiations with the Indians-Scenes in the Ohio Country

-Diplomacy at Piqua-Kegs of Brandy and Rolls of Tobacco-Gist's return across

Kentucky-A Deserted Home-French Scheme-Captain Joncaire, a Diplomat of

the Wilderness-His Speech at Logstown-The Indians' Land-" Where?"....... 43

CHAPTER VI.

Preparations for Hostilities-Washington appointed District Adjutant-general-Mount

Vernon a School of Arms-Adjutant Muse a veteran Campaigner-Jacob Van

Braam a Master of Fence-Ill health of Washington's brother Lawrence-Voyage

with him to the West Indies-Scenes at Barbadoes-Tropical Fruits-Beef-steak

and Tripe Club-Return home of Washington-Death of Lawrence.

CHAPTER VII.

Council of the Ohio Tribes at Logstown-Treaty with the English-Gist's Settlement-

Speeches of the Half-king and the French Commandant-French Aggressions-

The Ruins of Piqua-Washington sent on a Mission to the French Commander-

Jacob Van Braam, his Interpreter-Christopher Gist, his Guide-Halt at the con-

fluence of the Monongahela and Allegany-Projected Fort-Shingiss, a Delaware

Sachem-Logstown-The Half-king-Indian Councils-Indian Diplomacy-Ru-

mors concerning Joncaire-Indian Escorts-The Half-king, Jeskakake, and White

Thunder..

58

64

CHAPTER VIII.

Arrival at Venango-Captain Joncaire-Frontier Revelry-Discussions over the Bottle

-The old Diplomatist and the young-The Half-king, Jeskakake, and White Thun-

der staggered-The Speech-belt-Departure-La Force, the wily Commissary-

Fort at French Creck-The Chevalier Legardeur de St. Pierre, Knight of St. Louis

-Captain Reparti-Transactions at the Fort-Attempts to seduce the Sachems-

Mischief brewing on the Frontier-Difficulties and Delays in Parting-Descent of

French Creek-Arrival at Venango..

CHAPTER IX.

Return from Venango-A Tramp on Foot-Murdering Town-The Indian Guide-

Treachery-An Anxious Night-Perils on the Allegany River-Queen Aliquippa-

The old Watch-coat-Return across the Blue Ridge..

CHAPTER X.

Reply of the Chevalier de St. Pierre-Trent's Mission to the Frontier-Washington re-

cruits Troops-Dinwiddie and the House of Burgesses-Independent Conduct of

74

88

CONTENTS.

the Virginians-Expedients to gain Recruits-Jacob Van Braam in Service-Toil-

ful march to Wills' Creek-Contrecœur at the Fork of the Ohio-Trent's refractory

Troops

xi

PAGE

90

CHAPTER XI.

March to the Little Meadows-Rumors from the Ohio-Correspondence from the banks

of the Youghiogeny-Attempt to descend that River-Alarming Reports-Scouting

Parties-Perilous situation of the Camp-Gist and La Force-Message from the

Half-king-French Tracks-The Jumonville Skirmish Treatment of La Force-

Position at the Great Meadows-Belligerent Feelings of a young Soldier... 101

CHAPTER XII.

Scarcity in the Camp-Death of Colonel Fry-Promotions-Mackay and his Inde-

pendent Company-Major Muse-Indian Ceremonials-Public Prayers in Camp-

Alarms-Independence of an Independent Company-Affairs at the Great Meadows

-Desertion of the Indian Allies-Capitulation of Fort Necessity-Van Braam as

an Interpreter-Indian Plunderers-Return to Williamsburg-Vote of Thanks of

the House of Burgesses-Subsequent Fortunes of the Half-king-Comments on the

Affair of Jumonville and the Conduct of Van Braam.

118

CHAPTER XIIL.

Founding of Fort Cumberland-Secret Letter of Stobo-The Indian Messenger-Project

of Dinwiddie-His Perplexities-A Taint of Republicanism in the Colonial Assem-

blies-Dinwiddie's Military Measures-Washington quits the Service-Overtures of

Governor Sharpe, of Maryland-Washington's dignified Reply-Questions of Rank

between Royal and Provincial Troops-Treatment of the French Prisoners-Fate

of La Force-Anecdotes of Stobo and Van Braam....

128

CHAPTER XIV.

Return to quiet Life-French and English prepare for Hostilities-Plan of a Campaign

-General Braddock-His Character-Sir John St. Clair Quartermaster-general-

His Tour of Inspection-Projected Roads-Arrival of Braddock-Military Consul-

tations and Plans-Commodore Keppel and his Seamen-Ships and Troops at

Alexandria-Excitement of Washington Invited to join the Staff of Braddock-A

Mother's Objections-Washington at Alexandria-Grand Council of Governors-

Military Arrangements-Colonel William Johnson-Sir John St. Clair at Fort

Cumberland-His Explosions of Wrath-Their Effects-Indians to be enlisted-

Captain Jack and his Band of Bush-beaters..

CHAPTER XV.

Washington proclaimed Aide-de-camp-Disappointinents at Fredericktown-Benjamin

Franklin and Braddock-Contracts-Departure for Wills' Creek--Rough Roads-

The General in his Chariot-Camp at Fort Cumberland-Hugh Mercer-Dr. Craik

136