may

of the collection and of the safety with which it 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.

W. I.

SUNNYSIDE, 1855.

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,

19

CHAPTER III.

Paternal Conduct of an Elder Brother-The Fairfax family-Washing-

ton's Code of Morals and Manners-Soldiers' Tales-Their Influence

-Washington prepares for the Navy-A mother's objections-Re-

turn to School-Studies and Exercises-A School-boy Passion-The

Lowland Beauty-Love Dittics at Mount Vernon-Visit to Belvoir

-Lord Fairfax-His Character-Fox-hunting a remedy for Love-

Proposition for a Surveying Expedition,

27

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 Coun-

try-Projects of Settlements-The Ohio Company-Enlightened

views of Lawrence Washington-French Rivalry-Celeron de Bien-

ville-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 Yadkin-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 Ken-

tucky-A Deserted Home-French Schemes-Captain Joncaire, a

Diplomat of the Wilderness-His Speech at Logstown-The In-

dians' Land-" Where?"

PAGE

47

CHAPTER VI.

Preparations for Hostilities-Washington appointed District Adjutant

General-Mount Vernon a School of Arms-Adjutant Muse а

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,

64

CHAPTER VII.

Council of the Ohio Tribes at Logstown-Treaty with the English-

Gist's Settlement-Speeches of the IIalf-king and the French Com-

mandant-French Aggressions-The Ruins of Piqua-Washing-

ton sent on a Mission to the French Commander-Jacob Van

Braam, his Interpreter-Christopher Gist, his Guide-Halt at the

Confluence of the Monongahela and Allegany-Projected Fort-

Shingis, a Delaware Sachem-Logstown-The Half-king-Indian

Councils-Indian Diplomacy-Rumors concerning Joncaire-In-

dian escorts-The IIalf-king, Jeskakake, and White Thunder,

71

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 Thunder staggered-The Speech-belt

-Departure-La Force, the wily Commissary-Fort at French

Creek-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-Difficul-

ties and Delays in Parting-Descent of French Creek-Arrival at

Venango,

PAGN

82

CHAPTER IX.

Return from Venango-A Tramp on Foot-Murdering Town-The In-

dian Guide-Treachery-An Anxious Night-Perils on the Alle-

gany 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 recruits Troops-Dinwiddie and the House of Bur-

gesses-Independent Conduct of the Virginians-Expedients to

gain Recruits Jacob Van Braam in Service-Toilful March to

Wills' Creek-Contrecœur at the Fork of the Ohio-Trent's Re-

fractory Troops,

92

100

CHAPTER XI.

March to the Little Meadows-Rumors from the Ohio-Correspond-

cnce 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 IIalf-king-

French Tracks-The Jumonville Skirmish-Treatment of La Force

-Position at the Great Meadows-Belligerent Feelings of a Young

Soldier,

112

CHAPTER XII.

Scarcity in the Camp-Death of Colonel Fry-Promotions-Mackay

and his Independent Company-Major Muse-Indian Ceremonials

-Public Prayers in Camp-Alarms-Independence of an Inde

pendent 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-