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stretching their settlements from north to south, necessarily crossed those of the English, extending from east to west. These interfering claims gave to each a plausible title to the same country; for the principles of colonizing, adopted by the parties, would have given to each of them, all that delightful region, which lies between the Alleghany mountains and the Mississippi. Both considering their respective rights, as founded on the new law of nations, rushed into a fierce and bloody war, extending, in its progress, from the Ohio to the Ganges, for lands which belonged to neither, and which, in twenty years after the termination of hostilities, passed away, by common consent, from both; and were vested in a new power, whose national existence, by a mysterious Providence, in a great measure, grew out of their contentions.

This controversy, about the Ohio lands, was by far the most important, which had ever taken place on the North American continent. The prize contended for was of immense value, and drew forth the energies of both nations. The white population of the English colonies was, at that period, about twenty for one of the French: but the latter was united, under a single military governor, who could give an uniform direction to the physical force of the country, which was under his sole command. The government was military, and the people could be called into the field, whenever their service was required. The French also had great influence over the Indians, and were uncommonly successful in securing their affections.

The New England governments sometimes acted in concert; but the other English colonies were in the habit of pursuing different interests, under distinct legislatures, and, being dispersed over a large extent of territory, were, for the most part, unused to military operations. Under these circumstances, two of the greatest powers, in the Old World, entered into a bloody competition, for ascendency in the New.

The collision of the exclusive claims of France and England, in the same country, was accelerated, in the following manner. About the year 1749, a grant of six hundred thousand acres of land, in the neighbourhood of the Ohio, was

made out in favour of certain persons in Westminster, London, and Virginia, who had associated, under the title of the Ohio company. At this time, France was in possession of the country, on both sides of the mouth of the Mississippi, as well as of Canada, and wished to form a communication between these two extremities of her territories in North America. She was therefore alarmed at the scheme in agitation, by the Ohio company, inasmuch as the land granted to them lay between her northern and southern settlements. Remonstrances against British encroachments, as they were called, having been made in vain, by the governor of Canada, the French, at length, seized some British subjects, who were trading among the Twightwees, a nation of Indians near the Ohio, as intruders on the land of his most Christian majesty, and sent them to a fort, on the south side of lake Erie. The Twightwees, by way of retaliation for capturing British traders, whom they deemed their allies, seized three French traders, and sent them to Pennsylvania. The French, persisting in their claims to the country on the Ohio, as part of Canada, strengthened themselves, by erecting new forts in its vicinity, and at length began to seize and plunder the British traders, found on or near that river. Repeated complaints of those violences being made to the governor of Virginia, it was at length determined to send a suitable person to the French commandant near the Ohio, with a letter, to demand the reason of his hostile proceedings, and to insist on his evacuating a fort he had lately built. Major Washington, being then but little more than twenty-one years of age, offered his service, which was accepted. The distance to the French settlement was more than four hundred miles; and one half of the route led through a wilderness, inhabited only by Indians. He received his commission, October 31st, 1753, and immediately commenced his journey. On the way, his horses failed. He, nevertheless, proceeded on foot, with a gun in his hand, and a pack on his back. On the 12th of December, he found the French commandant at a fort, on the river Le Boeuf, and tendered to him governor Dinwiddie's letter of remonstrance. In a few days, he received the commandant's

answer, and, on his return, delivered it to governor Dinwiddie, at Williamsburg, about the middle of January, 1754. This answer was of such a nature, as induced the Virginia assembly to raise a regiment, to support the claims of his Britannic majesty, over the territory in dispute. Of this, Mr. Fry was appointed colonel, and George Washington lieutenant colonel. The latter, in April, 1754, advanced, with two companies of the regiment, as far as the Great Meadows, and, in the vicinity thereof, came up with, and surprised, in the night, a party of Frenchmen, who were advancing towards the English settlements. The commanding officer, Mr. Inmonville, was killed; one person escaped; and all the rest surrendered. Shortly afterwards, colonel Fry died, and Washington became commander of the regiment. He collected the whole at the Great Meadows, and was there joined by two independent companies. With this force, he erected a small stockade fort, which was afterwards called Fort Necessity. A small garrison was left therein; and colonel Washington advanced, with the main body, to dislodge the French from Fort Duquesne, which they had recently erected, at the confluence of the Monongahela and Alleghany rivers. On his way, he was informed, by friendly Indians, that the French had strongly reinforced Fort Duquesne, and were advancing in force towards the English settlements. A council of war recommended a retreat to the Great Meadows; and to make a stand at the fort, lately erected there. Shortly after they reached that place, and before they had time to fortify themselves, they were attacked by Monsieur de Villier, at the head of a considerable force. Colonel Washington made a brave defence, behind the small unfinished work, called Fort Necessity; but at length surrendered, on articles of capitulation, by which it was agreed, that the garrison should march out, with the honours of war, and be permitted to retain their arms and baggage; and to march, unmolested, into the inhabited parts of Virginia.

From the eagerness discovered by both nations for these lands, it occurred to all, that a rupture between France and England, could not be far distant. It was also evident to

the rulers of the latter, that the colonies would be the most convenient centre of operation, for repressing French en ́croachments. To draw forth the colonial resources, in an uniform system of operations, became an object of public attention. To digest a plan for this purpose, a general meeting of the governors, and most influential members of the provincial assemblies, was held at Albany. The commissioners, at this congress, were unanimously of opinion, that an union of the colonies was necessary: and they proposed a plan to the following effect; "that a grand council should be formed of members, to be chosen by the provincial assemblies, which council, together with a governor, to be appointed by the crown, should be authorized to make general laws, and also to raise money, from all the colonies, for their common defence. The leading members of the provincial assemblies were of opinion, that, if this plan were adopted, they could defend themselves from the French, without any assistance from Great Britain. This plan, when sent to England, was not acceptable to the ministry, and, in lieu thereof, they proposed, “that the governors of all the colonies, attended by one or two members of their respective councils," which were, for the most part of royal appointment, "should, from time to time, concert measures for the whole colonies; erect forts; and raise troops; with a power to draw upon the British treasury, in the first instance: but to be ultimately reimbursed, by a tax to be laid on the colonies, by act of parliament." This was as much disrelished by the colonists, as the former plan had been by the British ministry. The principle of some general power, operating on the whole of the colonies, was still kept in mind, though dropped for the present.

The ministerial plan, laid down above, was transmitted to governor Shirley; and by him communicated to Dr. Franklin, and his opinion thereon requested. That sagacious patriot sent to the governor an answer, in writing, with remarks upon the proposed plan, in which, by his strong reasoning powers, on the first view of the new subject, he anticipated the substance of a controversy, which, for twenty

years, employed the tongues, pens, and swords, of both countries.

The policy of repressing the encroachments of the French, on the British colonies, was generally approved, both in England and America. It was therefore resolved, to take effectual measures for driving them from the Ohio, and also for reducing Niagara, Crown Point, and the other posts, which they held within the limits claimed by the king of Great Britain.

To effect the first purpose, general Braddock was sent from Ireland to Virginia, with two regiments; and was there joined by so many more, as amounted, in the whole, to twenty-two hundred men. He was a brave man ; but destitute of the other qualifications of a great officer. His haughtiness disgusted the Americans, and his severity made him disagreeable to the regular troops. He particularly slighted the country militia, and the Virginia officers. Colonel Washington, who acted as aid-de-camp of the general, begged his permission to go before him, and scour the woods with provincial troops, who were well acquainted with that service; but this was refused. The general, with twelve hundred men, pushed on incautiously, till he fell into an ambuscade of French and Indians. An invisible enemy commenced a heavy and well-directed fire, on his uncovered troops. The van fell back on the main body; and the whole was thrown into disorder. Marksmen levelled their pieces particularly at officers, and others on horseback. In a short time, Washington was the only aid-de-camp left alive, and not wounded. He had two horses shot under him; and four bullets passed through his coat; but he escaped unhurt, though every other officer on horseback was either killed or wounded. Providence preserved him, for further and greater services. Throughout the whole of the carnage and confusion of this fatal day, Washington displayed the greatest coolness, and the most perfect self-possession. Braddock was undismayed, amidst a shower of bullets; and, by his countenance and example, encouraged his men to stand their ground: but valour was useless, and discipline only offered surer marks, to the

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