I LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. | Tr'6& TONER COLLECTION. Chap, ^^_3.12^. She/f ^ ^,S._ I UNITED STATES OF AMERICA J THE EVENING STAR WASHINGTON: Saturday February 20, 1892. WASHINGTOI^'S YOUTH. An Authentic Statement of Facts Concerning His Early Career, HIS SCHOOLBOY DAYS Little Known of His Childhood— His Method- ical Ways as a Youth— Extracts From His Journals— His Neatness of Dress and Study of Deportuaent— Habits and Character. Pabt I. Written for The Eveoimr Star by Dr. J. M, Toner. ABIT8 MA^ THE man; manners, the gentleman; reason, judgment and enter- prise, with well-directed industry, the success- f u 1 and exemplary citizen. Is genius in" nate or acquired and is it possible in the child life of an indi- | vidual to discover in- | dications'of capabilities and of character? Dress, education and the conventionalities of an age give almost as much sameness to the conduct and appearance of a people as does the bi'ick- maker's mold to the clay he works. "Want of intercourse with the world influences not only the customs, but the mental and pliysical characteristics of communities, causing them to become iilmost as uniform as the dress they wear. Nevertheless it is, I apprehend, a universal vanity to think ourselves endowed with special talents and so commendable that they ought to be indulged. Many, though quite deficient in energy and perseverance, behove they have great aptitude for the affairs of life; superior, indeed, to their neighbors, which they could demonstrate if they tried or had the opportunity. People acquire the routine of every-day life almost automaticaHy, but under varying de- grees of mural concepts, ethical culture anfl notions of obligations and duty. I » Nevertheless, implanted in tlie minds of all is the idea of a greater than themselves and an admii-ation for the leader, the seer and the prophet. No clime, age or race has an exclupivo prerogative to either the genius, the mental powers, the virtues or the vices which distinguish a people and alone elevate or degrade ni-.tions. Yet while there is great sameness, when the race is viewed as a unit, among individuals are much diversity of brain power and aptness for pur- suits, with degrees of reason and self-control which lie at the foundation of all the virtues. It is not my purpose to inquire into the mysteries of that divinity "that shapes our ends," but to look backward and discuss some of the factors essential to grea-tness and Avhich it is conceived must be either inborn or ac- quired in very early childhood. From time to time characters possessing, to a phenomenal degree, the heroic and philanthropic virtues spring unexpectedly and without special train- ing into prominence and become leaders of the world. George Washington, whose birth we com- memorate today, was one of the most con- spicuous illustrations of this fact in history. Many believe he was expressly created, pre- served and directed by Providence for the special work he performed for his country. A people may have surprises of this nature, but Providence is methodical and has no accidents. Washington's child life. Was the child life and early youth of George W^ashington entirely commonplace and without indication of the greatness of the coming man? We think not. It would be hazardous to at- tempt to fix the age in days, months or years in tfie life of an individual when impressions for good or evil may first be made as object lessons and which exercise a dominating influ- ence in after life. It is believed precepts im- bibed in early youth possess a controlling in- fluence over actions in mature and even in old age. If the theory be correct that much of what is greatest in great men may be traced to the nobility of character in their mothers what a debt of gratitude the world owes to that worthy Virginia matron, Mary Washington. From his tenderest years hi's teacher by ex- ample and precept was his firm, tender and sensible mother, to whose benign influence he attributed whatever of virtue he possessed. We know less of the child life of George Washington than we could wish. The family Bible records George's birth and baptism. Up to his lather's last sickness, when George, then in his eleventh year, was sent for at the dying man's request, his name is rarely refered to except by his school teachers or by his mother and brothers. The desire to supply incidents to illustrate this period of his ilto led one of his first biographers to draw somewhat largely, I apprehend, upon his fancy. My desire is to assemble some data relative to tlie youth, habits and personal characteristics of George Washington. His services as patriot aed statesman are familiar to all. a. HIS SCHOOL TEACilEKS. Biographers furnish the names of two of George's school teachers; it is, however, prob- able that he had others. The first was a BIr. Hobby, a tenant of his father's, who was also sexton of the parish Oberwharton in ytafl'ord county, Va., and taught iu one of the "old field school houses" near by. George's studies un- der him were, of course, of the simplest kind, as reading, writing and ciphering, but the bright boy had at the same time the moral in- fluence or a good home and the example and instruction of conycienlious pareuis. He was not born to or reared in any enervating luxu- ries or the leading lo effeminacy or evil environ- ments. Parental influence and his school tasks satislied his demands and prepared him for the self-denials and hardships of the ciurveyor'a tent, the frontier cabin and the camp of the patriot soldier. The other teacher, Mr. Williams, conducted a more advanced school in Westmoreland, to which George was sent shortly after his father's death, boarding meantime with his half brother, A.ugustine. who married a Miss Ayiet, and resided at the oldhomentead, where George was born, on Pope's creek. It was at this school that he made his greater advances and acquired his proficiency in mathematics and surveying. Is' ot withstanding the embarrass- ment of a limited education by force of genius and manly perseverance he supplied the defi- ciencies and discharged with distinguished ability the trusts of as heavy responsibilities as ever rested upon any man. As a pupil he was noted tor his punctual attendance, orderly con- duct, devotion to study and his popularity with his school-fellows. He was the preferred umpire iu their disj^utos, the leader m their sports of running, leaping, wrgstling, pitching the bar and other games. ' HIS BEOTHEr' LAWRENCE. I When George was between seven and eight i years of age his half brother Lawrence re- i turned from England with a good education I He possessed a tine, manly figure, and was the ; beau ideal of George, wiio saw in him the model man of business, with the manners of a j gentleman. Lawrence, although fourteen years older than George, looked with admira- tion upon his brother, whom he found com- panionable much beyond what his age might suggest, and whose expanding intellect and perfect rectitude of character merited his highest regard. It is prooable that the ensign's commission in the Britisu navy procured for George in 174U was obtained through Maj. Lav/rcnce Washington and his friends, but doubtless the boy,lisieningto the tales of brave deeds and glory to be won, acquiesced iu their views and would have gone into navy service had not his mother objected. Washington was already an ad- vanced pupil in the school of self-control, and gave no outv/ard evidence ot disappointment at his mother's decision. No sulks or poutings; no attempts to run away from home and go to sea^ in defiance of maternal authority, but for another year or more he continued at school iwider the immediate inliuence oi' his mother and his elder brothers. Throughout all of Washington's writings, whenever refernece is made to his mother, either in his youth, ma- ture manhood or advanced age, it is done with the most becoming and dutitul respect. HIS CARE AND METHOD. George's neatly kept school copy book, made between the age of thirteen and sixteen years still in good condition and preserved in the De- partment of State, exhibits his fine penman- ship, proficiency and accuracy, as well as his aptness in mathematical demonstration and drawing of geometrical fip;nres and plats of surveys. From early yduM he had a mental method of his own* for analyzing questions coming before him for consideration, examin- ing them in their immediate ana remote effects and generally reaching conclusions that were just. From boyhood he was noted for sound judgment andability to concentrate the powers of his mind almost at will upon any given sub- ject. He early acquired a mastery of method, and in all ths afifairs of life it never deserted him. While not demoustrative in his temperament he ,was politely social and strongly attached to his friends.-. Hfs occupa- tions from an early period led him into associa- I tion with persons older than himBelf. | While attentive and respectful to ladies he I was never what, at this day, would be called a "ladies' man." A good and entertaining con- versationalist, ho was never a ready public speaker. Even in advanced life, while reading his carefully prepared state papers, he exhib- ited much nervousness. Without having a loud voice he was a clear and deliberate reader. i [his eakly joukkal. The earliest records of his inaependent opin- ions apart from his school books, if we except his agency in formulating his version of the "Kules of Civility and Decent Behaviour," are to be found in "A Journal of My Journey Over the Mountains," begun March il, 1747-8, when he was just ono month over sixteen years of age. Washington held a commission from William and Mary College as a public surveyor. A record of this fact was made at Culpeper Court House July 22, 1749, but it is probable he was a licensed surveyor several years before that. Even at this age he possessed not only the expert knowledge of a surveyor, but ex- hibited surprising fortitude and perseverance, associating with business men in a business way and discharging important trusts with a steadiness of purpose and ability which elic- ited universal commendation. By his genius, probity, perseverance and attainments as a surveyor he achieved a reputation for meritori- ous performances at the age of sixteen above all contemporaries. Washington attained his full stature before his twentieth year, was an athlete of the first order— tall, strong and of graceful carriage. He was a skillful horseman, fond of field sports and accustomed to vigor- ous and prolonged bxer tion. HIS DEESS AND MANNER. He was neat and careful in his dress, but not the least inclined to foppishness. Whatever he made use of or wore he wished to be in good taste and the best of its Jiind. He was fond of children, considerate of Iho feelings of others, kind and liberal to servants, punctual to en- gagements, circumspect in his intercourse with people in general, painstaking and explicit in his business transactions. A memoraudum in his journal of 17i8 gives minute directions to his tailor, M'hich begins as follows: '-Have my c,oat made by the following directions to be made a Frocke with Lapel Breast." Ac The memorandum is long and very specific in its directions, > o - Nor did he negiGct to study what was becom- ing in manners and deportment, as is mani- fested in his version of the '"Rules of Civility at'd Decent Behaviour," of whose underlying principles be was master iu a high degree. His nabit of noting his personal expenses has pre- served for us the following fact: "September 10, 1748, cash, 10 shillings paid the music Master for my entrance to the dancing class." July 17, 1758, he opens an account against Mrs. *Mary Washington. There are many charges in this account, chiefly for money lent his mother anuualiy or ottenor to the close of her life. Beneath the last entry is written: "Settled." Washington grasped a knowledge of the prac- tical and useful affairs in life almost by intui- tion. HIS INTEEEST IN AGRIOULTUEE. His earliest recorded observations on the ; value of lands, the quality of timber, the pro- ductiveness of the soil, &c., in his journal, illus- trate the maturity of his mind: "Sunday, ■ March 13, 1747-8. Bode to his Lordship's Quar- i ter aboat 4 Miles highe'r up ye river, we went i through most beautiful Groves of Sugar Trees , & spent ye best part of ye Day in admiring ye Land." Washington was an enthusiastic admirer of the grand and sublime in nature and was, as his diaries show, specially observant of the beau- tiful native trees which were to be met with in our forests, never being at a loss to tell with pre- cision where the finest specimens of the various species were to be found. Later in life when he was embellishing the lawn and grounds of Mount Vernon he took pains to transplant to them hundreds of select specimens of the grandest indigenous trees of our country, from near and remote localities, noted either for their effect m the landscape, their shade, graceful forms, beauty of bud, leaf, blossom or fruit or for the variety of their autumnal tints. UNDEEGOING HABDSHIPS. While his engagements as a surveyor brought him many opportunities for observing the grandeur of nature, they also imposed numer- ous hardships and nrivatioas. On a spare leaf in his journal is the draft of a letter, without date, but written in 1748, to "Dear Bichard," i in which he describes some of his discomforts. ! He writes: "Nothing would make it pass of tolerably but a good reward, a Doubblelooii is mv constant gain every Day that the weather will permit my going out and sometimes six Pistoles." From the tone of this and the drafts of other letters in the same book, to youthful friends, it is evident he at first felt sorely his isolation and want of companionohip. But there is no intimation anywhere that he lacked the fortitude or perseverance necessary to bear the privation or perform the duties he had undertaken. , •, . Early in life he manifested the fixed determi- nation'to earn more than His expenses that he might at all times have the means to help others and forward his own plans. Washing- ton's earlv surveys, it will be remembered, were chiefly in the unsettled parts of the Shenandoah valley and along the Potomac river and its larger branches in Virginia. For want of habitations the surveyors were obliged to camp out in improvised tents. His journal, under date of "March 31. 1748," has the follow- ing record: "Early this Morning one of our Men went out with, ye Gun & soon returned with two Wild Turkies we then went to our Business run of three Lots & returned to our Camping place at b tumps." As illustrating his fortitude and perseverance, the draft of the following letter to a youthful friend in the fall of 174y may be quoted: "I have not sloep'd above three Nights or four in a bed but after Walking a good deal all the Day lay down before the tire upon a Little Hay Stiaw Fodder or bearskin whichever is to ! be 'h.ad.''—[-/ournal of My Journey Omr the ' Mountahis, p. 63.] i It will be remembered that at the time this journal was written the country west of the Blue Ridge was the home and hunting ground of the Indian. In March, 17i8. a war party of Indians, re- turning from the south, with one scalp, stopped at the surveyors' camp for the night, and were induced, for a bottle of rum, to give an exhibi- tion of their war dance. — {^Journal of My Jour- ney Over the Mouaiains.} The following memorandum from this jour- nal, without date, but probably made in 17-19, shows George's solicitude for the business in- terests oi his brother Lawrence, who had gone to England chiefly on the business of the ••Ohio Company:' -"When I see my Brother Austin to Enquire of him whether he is the Actinii- Attorney tot my Brother and as my Brother Lawrence left Directions with the Hon. W. Fx to remit his Pay as Adjutant whether it would not be more proper to Keep it to Pay the Notes of Hand that's Daily coniing against him and to Write Word to Williamsburg to Acquaint his Hon: my B: A: to write him word." HIS BUSINESS HABITS. still more characteristic of young Washing- ton is the following record in 1748: "Mcmo- raudom to charge Mrs. Ans. Washington with 4-9 and 18d the 30 of July to a Maryland House- wife as also Major Law: . Wasbiugtoii with 1-3 lent 15 of August 5-9 the 17 lJo2-6 Do: I read to the Eeigii of K: John In the Spectators Read to No. 143." Ill a small dilapidated ledger, probably the first openexi by George Washington, may be ' found accounts against the following named eighteen persons. Their names, witn the years i in which the entries were made, are here given I in alphabetical order: Mr. Richard Barnes, 1749; 3Ir. William Bernard, 1749; Charles Car- } ter Janr.. 1750; George Fairfax Esqr., 1748; [Mr. James Hunter, 175U; Mr. John Lewia, 1748; Darby McKeaven — Great Cacapohou, 1750; William Miller of Losi River of Cacapehon, ! 1750; Mr. Thomas Turner of King George, 1748; Mrs. Ann Washington, 1748; Augustine Washington, 1748; Mr. Baily Washington, 1747; j Maj. Lawrence Washington. 1748; Mr. Lawrence ! Washington,of Stafford, 1747; Mrs. Mary Wash- ington, 1748; Robert Washington Junr., 1748; Mr. John Welton So Branch Potomac, 1750; Mr. John West Junr., Fairfax, 1749. The following accounts against his brother Lawrence and his sister-in-law, Ann Washing- ton, made up as they are of small items, show his methods as well as his notions of exact jus- tice and fair dealing even with his relations. His charges against strangers are kept with equal exactness: Major La we Washington Dr 1748 ^S.D. August 15 To cash lent you at the falls of Potomac 1 3 '* 17 To cash lent you to pay Ned Barred's exp 5 9 " 19 To do to pay your Boy's exp. 2 6 Per Contra Cr 1748-9 Feb 14 By cash at Loo 5 Mrs. Ann Washington, of Fairfax Dr 1748 £ S. D. July 28 To cash paid Maryland woman for you 4 9 Feb 15 To cash at whist 2 6 Feb 25 To do 57>^ Per Contra Cr 1748-9 Mar 2 By cash 1 7K We deduce from these entries, the bulk of which were chiefly for small sums of money lent to friends, that Washington was of an ac- commodating spirit; the fact that he seems al- ways to have had money, shows that he was I thrifty, and his making book entries shows 1 that he had business tact and methods was orderly and had a just appreciation of the 1 value of money. He credits himself in this r book with small sums won at loo, whist and ' billiards; also with small losses at these games with his friends. This habit of charging him- self with losses at cards and other games was 1 continued through his life. These extracts from George Washington's early business ac- , counts suggest that the SevmpihiBOvdeTly methods which led him to submit to the lab(5r I of keeping an exact account of his personal ex- ' penses throughout the revolutionary war. and which he presented to Congress to discharge in lieu of salary, existed in him from his youth. He never counted trouble or cost where a principle was to bo maintained, and his systematic methods secured to him time for every duty. His expeiise accounts show that on Septem- ber 20, 1747, he buys himKelf a two-foot gunter for 3^. This was probably the common flat drawing scale or rule, UBual'ly an inch and a half broad, divided and ruled to various meas- ures relating to surveying, navigation, trigo- nometry, &o., used chiefly by surveyors. AS A LETTER WRITER. It has been said and with much truth that Washington was a slave to his pen. Springing from his habit of explicitness of detail in en- terprises and intimately connected with this marked trait was his custom of taking notes and making records of observed facts relating to matters in which he was interested. On the value of approved methods he sententiously wroie, '•Contracts not reduced to writing are seldom performed to the satisfaction of either party." Though he was not an essayist or a writer of books, he was one of the most felici- tous letter writers in history. Nearly every subject of practical interest to a people in a new country — such as farm man- agement and productions, commerce, inven- tions, manufactures and the right of the peo- ple to choose their own form of government and rulers — engaged his attention and are dis- cussed with great ability. His earliest business letter of which I have any knowledge is one from the valley of Vir- ginia, May 5, 1749, to his half brother. Law- rence Washington, at the time a member of the house of burgesses, and is directed to Wil- I liamsburg. In this letter matters of much importance to 1 his mother and to his father's estate he dis- cusses in a familiar and comprehensive manner and points out the great injury a proposed new ferry would be to iheir plantation, and hopes the assembly will not authorize its establish- ment at the place proposed. While in ordinary business matters he could safely rely on his own judgment, in those re- quiring the technical knowledge of a lawyer he never failed to employ one, as is attested by the many fees to attorneye entered in his cash book. His fees as a surveyor and his salary as adjutant general puthitn in possession of funds. It was apparent to all who knew him and ob- served his aptitude for and his attention to business that he was sure to get on in the world. I As early as 1750 George Washington became i tne owner of, at least, two tracts of land in Frederick county, Va., and from this time on he was more or less extensively engaged in buying, patenting, selling and leasing lands. A de«line in the health of Lawrence Washing- ton led him to throw much of his private busi- ness upon George, who was not only capable, but desirous also of relieving him. HIS riUST MILITARY COMMISSION. In the spring of this year Lawrence re- signed the office of adjutant general, with the rank of major, which he held in one of the four military divisions into which Virginia was then districted, and it is suppesed he was iustruaierirtal in having George appointed his successor, with a salary of £150 a year. The duty of the office was the organization, equip- ment and drilling of the militia in his district. This appointment is good evidence of the early maturity of both his mind and body as well as of the correct and orderly- habits of George Washington, otherwise the governor and council could not have felt justified in his selection for so important an office while he was still under age. With his usual conscien- tiousness ho immediately set about qualifying himself for the proper discharge of his duties. For months he made a rigid study of tactics, the use of the sword and the evolutions of cav- alry. In this study he received instructions from Adjutant Muse of Westmoreland county and Jacob Van Braam of Fredericksburg, both of whom were capable and had served with Maj. Lawrence Washington in the Carthagenian expedition. Up to this time, beyond the tra- ditional tales of his school boy drills, there is no evidence of his having given any special at- tention to the study of arms. This was George Washington's first military com- mission. The duties which this office imposed and the studies which it led Washington to make may have awakened in his mind dreams which found their most congenial exercise in the benefits they con- ferred in after days upon his country. His mind had broadened with years and the inter- course he had had with active business men, so that at twenty he was well fitted for an en- larged field of duty and responsibility. I HIS TRIP TO BARBADOES. 1 For relief to his pulmonary trouble Lawrence j Washington was advised by his physician to 1 spend the winter in Barbadoes, which he re- ' solved to do. It was his desire and it was like- I wise counseled bv all bis friends that George i should accompany him. This course, it was : seen, would oblige George to give up his very sitisfactory 'and profitable engagement with Lord Fairfax, but this he at once concluded to do. It was. indeed, but an opportunity tor Georce to exercise one of his noblest traits ot character-gratitude. The brothers were ar- dentlv attached to each other, and no request Lawrence could have made would George, for a moment, have hesitated to grant. They took passage upon a vessel freighted with Virginia products, which sailed from the Potomac September 28, 1751, and landed sately November 2 at Bridgetown, in Carlyle bay, Ibl-md of Barbadoes. This was the only time George Washington was ever beyond the bounds of wmxt is now tho United htates. As was his custom he began a journal and noted evervthing of interest occurring on the voyage and during his stay upon the island. The daily I entries, Except for a period of two weeks while I he suffered from an attack of smallpox, were uninterrupted until his return to Mount Vernon. STUDYING NAVIGATION. He had studied the theory of navigation in connection with surveying, so he ac- cepted with eagerness the opportunity on this voyage for a practical application of the knowledge. He copied the ship's log book into his journal and made daily astronomical observations under the instruction of the ship's captain, noting the weather, direction of the winds and currents, vessels sighted and passing events, keeping his journal as orderly ! ^is though he were actually in charge of the ship. Unfortunately the paper upon which this journal was written is so poor that it is rapidly crumbling to dust, and already much of it is lost beyond recovery. It is due to the Department of State to say that they are put- ting the Washington papers in the best possi- ble condition for their future protection and preservation. ,. j> ^ , . . . ^ It was characteristic of Washington to make a hasty survey of localities visited for the first time and to acquire their history. Adhering to this custom when he landed in Barbadoes he records the result in his journal with appre- ciative comments on its climate, population, government, commerce, productions, military • defenses, &c. Bridgetown had, even then, its theater and it is probable that it was here that George Washington witnessed, for the first time, a dramatic performance. He alludes to the play he attended. "The Tragedy of George Bromwell," in the following cautious words: "The character of Bromwell and several others were said to be well performed. There was music adapted and regularly conducted." Washington, whose principle it was to thrive by industry and live within his means, was sur- prised at the pecuniary embarrassment fre- quently overtaking the planters in Barbadoes. His temarks on this topic are: "Howwonderful that such people should be in debt, and not be able to indulge themselves in all the luxuries as well as the necessaries of life. Yet so it hap- pens. Estates are often alienated for debts. How persons coming to estates of two, three aud four hundred acres can want is tome most wonderful." Lawrence Washington tailed to receive the benefit he had been led to anticipate, and resolved to try Bermuda in the spring. 1 He also felt severely the separation from his . wife, and arranged with George to return to , Virginia and accompany her out to join him on the Island of Bermuda, to which he went in March. Accordingly George Washington sailed for Virginia on the 22d of December, 1751, arriving at Mount Vernon on the 4th of Feb- ruary following. THE DEATH OF LAWKENCE. Letters from Lawrence, after his brother left him, show an increased despondency and finally despairing of recovery he resolved, in- , stead of having his wife come out to him, that he would return home. . He reached Mount Vernou in May and died there on the 26th of July, 1752, and was interred in a vault he had built, which afterward received the remains of his illustrious brother. The paternal care ex- ercised by this pure-minded and a-^complished gentleman for his half brother George must forever link their names together in the hearts and memories of the American people. Al- though George Washington was still under legal age he was named in Lawrence's will as one of his executors. The estate was left to his wife and his sur- viving infant daughter^ Sarah, with a clause that in the event of his daughter's death with- out issue Mount Vernon and other propertjr j named should, on^his wife's decease, go to-, his j brother George. "" The infant died within a' year. It need hardly be said that George Washing- ton managed the estate with judgment and scrupulous fidelity. He leased the plantation for a few years from the widow, and finally , bought her life interest in it, thus becoming the absolute owner as well as proprietor of Mount Vernon. He had unusual capacity for business, and could not bear to be unemployed. Late in life, in giving advice to a young gen- tleman on the necessity of employment, he says: * 'Idleness is disreputable under any cir- . cumstances, productive of no good, oven when j unaccompanied by vicious habits." I •-»♦ ' THE EVENING STAR. WASHINGTON: MONDAY February 83, 1893. ClJOSliY S. NOYES.... ,.., JB:tlitor. WASHINGTON'S YOUTH. — — » . E is Services and Adventures in the French and Indian War, HONORS EARLY GAINED. How He Won His Spurs— A Perilous Mission to the Frencli Forts— His Diplomatic Ser- vice—The Disastrous Engagement at Great Meadows— On Braddock's Staff. Part II. Written for The Evenine: Star by Dr. J. M. Toner. In 1753 the conflict of interests between the French and the English for territorial pos- session v/est of the Alleghany mountains bagan to assume threatening aspects and Governor' Dinwiddie, with zeal and diplomatic tact, | resolved to serve notice upon the French in '. their forts near Lake Erie that they were tres- ; passing upon the territory of Great Britain and '■ warning them to depart in peace. The exocu- ; tion of this delicate and hazardous mission required a journej', going and returning, of over eleven hundred miles, through forests j inhabited by Indians, who were generally hostile to the English. To insure success the mes- senger must be a man of intelligence, courage, perseverance, experience in traveling through the woods and acquainted with the manners of the Indians. Washington's successful career as a surveyor beyond the Blue Bidge had already brought his name and character prominently to the attention of the governor and hif5 council. The commission was offered to him as one well qualified for such an undertaking. He accepted it October 30, 1753, and set out the same day, fully apprised of the difficulties to be encountered. At Fredericksburg he engaged Jacob Van Braam as French interpreter and then, proceeding to Alexandria, procured a few horses and other necessaries. At Winchester he secured baggage or pack horses and the remainder of his outfit, and going thence di- rect to Will's creek, arrived on the 14th. Here he engaged Capt. Christopher Gist as guide and four servants, Barnaby Curren and John Mc- Quire, Indian traders; Henry Stuart and Wil- liam Jenkins. Crossing the Alleghany mountains by the Ohio Company's route they halted atLogst'own, eighteen miles below the present city of Pitts- j burg, to hold council with the Indians. An In-.i diau interpreter, John Davidson, and three Indians— Half King, White Thunder and Jes- kakake — were engaged and accompanied the party as guides and hunters when the journey was resumed. At Venango, though pcilitely re- ceived by the French oificer in charge of the fort, Capt. Jouicarie, Washington, as the bearer of dispatches from Gov. Dinwiddle, was re- fei-red to St. Pierre as the proper person to re- ceive his message, i Another weary march of four days brought [ them to their destination at Fort Le Boeuf. ■ The Chevalier St. Pierre received Major Wash- ! ington with formal politeness and in due course delivered to him a sealed reply. A HARD JOURNEY. The journey back, owing to the lateness of the season and the fatigue already borne, was far more severe than the trip out had been. ! The horses were so jaded as scarcely to be able to travel, and after three days' weary marching Washington gave up his horse to help carry the I baggage, put Van Braam in charge of the caval- cade, equipijed himself in a hunting dress, | strapped his pajDers and some provisions tc his i back, and gun in hand, accompanied by no one ' but Gist, struck out on, the most direct route for Sfaawnopen Town ■ . After enduring great I hardships, shot at by a treacherous Indian | i guide and nearly drowned by being tiung from | ' a raft by drifting ice while crossing the Alle- gheny river, they finally reached Mr. Frazer's ( iind rested, waiting for *the others to come up. | At Mr. Gi&t's plantation at Monongahela, 1 fifteen miles above Frazer's, Washington bought [ a horse, and pushing on alone reached Belvoir '' January 11. Here he rested one daj', then set I out for Williamsburg and delivered St. Pierre's | answer to Gov. Dinwiddle on the 16th, after an j absence of only seventy-eight days. Washing- ! ton's embassy to the French commandant near Lake Erie was, considering the season of the year, the means at his command, the extent of : wilderness traversed, the hosxile Indians met and placated, all fraught with such danger and difficulty as to place its execution among the heroic achievements in history. This diplomatic step of serving notice on the French was deemed to be ofgrieat moment to British interests in Americat and gave dignity and character to the enterprise in Washington's eyes. The prudence, disputch and persever- ance exercised by Washington in his journey and in his intercourse with the suspicious and crafty Indians and the more subtile French was in every step of the mission marked by a high degree of address and judgment. The sol- dierly acumen, too, with wiiich he noted the defensible ana strategetical points in the route gave special value to his journal and elicited from the governor, counsel and assembly their hearty acknowledgments. His journal was written out from his note book in a single. day to accommodate the gov- ernor, who, by the advice of the council, sub- mitted it in that form to the house of burgesses as a report of the mission. That body ordered it to be printed and copies were sent to the governors and influential persons in the sev- eral colonies. It was also sent to the home government as a justification of the new policy inaugurated by the governor of Virginia and to stimulate the ambition of the crown to an- tagonize the French. I Praise of Major George Washington's cour- I age, prudence, diplomacy and perseverance ! was universal, and, notwithstanding his youth, he was henceforth widely recognized as a capa- I ble and safe leader in public .nffairs. Move- ments for the political control of the Mississippi valley were rapidly drifting beyond the sphere i of diplomacy between France and Great Britain to that of open and armed hostility. | j HOSTILITIES BEGUN. J I Gov. Dinwiddle had become interested in the i Ohio Company, and immediately after receiv- j ing Maj. Washington's report as to the inten- I tions of the French about the head waters of | the Ohio ordered two companies of provincial i militia to be raised for sfervice at the forks of , the Ohio, and there to erect a fort. In Jan- uarj', 1754, Capt. William Trent was commis- eioned to raise a company of 100 men, appoint his own officers and rendezvous at the forks. Gov. Dinwiddle called the assembly to meet on the 14th of February, 1754. . in a special session, that they might grant the neces- sary authority and ijrovide the requisite I means for carrying out these measures, i After much entreaty and eome threats on the part of the governor, the assembly authorized the raising of a regiment of 300 volunteers and voted the requisite appropriation. George Washington, with characteristic diffidence, de- clined to accept the chief command of the ex- pedition, with the remark: "It is a charge too great for my youth and inexperience to be en- trusted with." But he did accept the ofdce of second in command and was appointed lieu- ^ tenant colonel, under Colonel "Fry. Neither I soldiers nor officers came forward at the call of the governor as promptly as he expected, so ^ that he was moved to issue a proclamation 1 granting 200,000 acres of land on the Ohio to i be divided among those engaging in the expe- j dition. j Washington's expedition. i April 2, 1754, Washington set off from Alex- andria with two companies, amounting, to about 150 men, for the Ohio. At or west of Winches- ter his companies were joined by that of Capt. | Adam Stephen and others, enlisted chieliy in the j valley of Virginia. Col. Fry, as commander-in- ' chief, was to follow, bringing with him the ar- tillery and remaining part of the Virginia regi- ment. . Before arriving at Will's creek Lieut.' Col. Washington learned that the few troops at the forks had been obliged by a superior force of the French to vacate their works and were then retiring to Virginia. The situation in which W^ashington now found himself was one of such gravity as to induce him to call a council of * war, in which it was decided to proceed to the Ohio Company's store house at Redstone creek and there await reinforcements. Washington wrote to the governor the particulars of the situation and requested that cannon of heavier metal than any on hand might be forwarded. To enable his little army to move he had to send back forty miles for wagons, and during the delay dispatched sixty men in advance to open a road, and on the 2yth of April, 1754, Washington, with the remaining 160 men, left Will's creek! It was a difficult task to make a wagon road across the steep and rocky moun- tains over which the artillery, coming with Col. Fry, could pass. Washington was no merely perfunctory lieutenant colonel in command of a detachment, but a strategist with broad and patriotic views as to the rights and duties of a citizen. Knowing that the legislature of Pennsj-lvania was then in session and that the assembly of Maryland would convene in a short time he wrote to the rcsi^ective governors detailing the situation of afiairs and the needs of the expe- dition and praying for prompt co-operation. On the 9th of Maj' he was, after' great labor, at the ''Little Meadows," only alDout twenty miles from Will's creek, full of courage, and perseveringly clearing a road to the Ohio. ' I ' ' AN APPEAL FOR FAIIINKSS. Delayed for a day at the great crossing of the Youghiogheny* river while a bridge was being constructed, Washington on the 29th of May gives a striking exhibition of one of hie strong- est characteristics— love of justice— by^vriting an earnest protest to Gov. Dinwiddie against the unfairness of compelling the Virginia olfi- cers and men to serve for less pay than was al- lowed to the same grade in the regular army doing similar service. On the 18th he had written: "Let me serve voluntarily; then I will, with the greatest pleasure in life, devote my services to the ex- pedition without any other reward than the satisfaction of serving my country; but to be slaving dangerously for the shadow of cay. through woods, rocks, mountains, I would rather prefer the great toil of a daily laborer and dig for a maintenance, provided I were re- duced to the necessity, than serve upon such ignoble terms, for I really do not see why the lives of his majesty's subjects in Virginia should j be of less value than of those in other parts of ' his American dominions, especially when it is well known that we must undergo double their hardship." Again'on the 29th, after showing that their pay, as lixed, would not clothe them and meet their necessary expenses, he says: "For my own part it is a matter almost indifferent whether I serve for full pay or as a generous volunteer. Indeed did my circumstances cor- respond with my inclination, I sliould not hesi- tate a moment to prefer the latter, for the mo- tives that led me here were pure and noble. I had no view of acquisition but that of honor, by serving faithfully my king and country." He adds: "I have a constitution hardy enough to encounter and undergo the most severe trials and, I flatter myself, resolution to face what any man durst, ae shall be proven when it comes to the tost," With three soldiers and an Indian guide Washington examined the Youghiogheny river for miles to ascertain whether it would be pos- sible to descend that stream in canoes and small boats, but this was found to be impracti- cable, and he continued his roadmaking toward the mouth of the Redstone creek,. A SCOUTING PABTY CAPTURED. French spies, Indian scouts and reconnoiter- ing parties from the enemy's camp doubtless kept the French commander fully informed of the progress and, approximately, of the num- ber of the Virginia troops. On the evening of the 27th of May Washington learned through his scouts that a reconnoitering party of French were discovered in a retired camp some six miles distant. Leaving a guard with the I ammunition and baggage in a place of 1 safety ho set out with a guide and forty men to capture them if possible. It was raining and the night was ex- cessively -dark, but they groped their way to the Half King's wigwam, who piloted them to the Frenchmen's camp.. The English were discovered on their ap- proach, just about sunrise on the 29th, by the JFrench, who flew to arms; a Bharp engagement ensued, which was kept up for fifteen minutes, when the French gave way and were all cap- tured except one. Ten of the French were killed, twenty-one were taken prisoners and one escaped. Washington had one man killed and three wounded. The same day Washington wrote to the gov- ernor a full account of the skirmish. The French, after the skirmish, endeavored to make it appear that they were on a friendly mission to serve a summons on the English. But that the party was more than this was proven by the instructions found upon the per- son of Jumonville. On the 30th the captured French were forwarded with a detachment of soldiers under Lieut. John West and Acting Ensign Spiltdorph to Gov. Dinwiddie, then at Winchester. Washington's promotion. On the 3l6t of May Col. Joshua Fry died at Will's creek from injuries received by his horse falling on him According to military usage this threw the whole responsibility of the ex- pedition for the time being upon Col. Washing- ton. On the 4th of June, 1754, Gov. Dinwiddie promoted Washington to the rank of colonel in i the Virginia regiment, and at the same time 1 appointed Col. James Innes of North Carolina, j who was daily expected at Winchester with I three independent companies from that pfov- j ince, to be commander-in-chief. From some fatality or want of management neither he nor ) his companies ever joined Washington; had f they done so in season the result of the expe- i dition might have been quite different. On the 9th Adjt. I^Iuse, recently promoted to be major, arrived with nine swivels and a small s-ipply of powder and ball. He also brought "from Gov. Dinwiddie a belt of wampum and a speech to the Half King, with medals for the chiefs and goods for presents and rewards to Indian scouts, as suggested by Washington. The chiefs were invited to a council and assembled with tbeir usual cere- monious formality, painted and decorated in savage finery. Washington wore one of the medals at the council. Half Ki^ig was decor- ated and given the name Dinwiddie. A son of Queen Alequippa, whose friendship Wash- ington had secured in January by giving her an old match coat, was decorated with a medal and given,the name of Fairfax. The sachems complimented Washington by giving him the name Conotaucarius, the significance iJif Avhich is not known to the writer. On the 10th the camp was agitated by scouts bringing in word that a party of ninety French- men was approaching. Washington put him- self at the head of 150 men to meet them, but it was soon learned that it was a false alarm, occasioned by nine deserters from the French, whose numbers had been magnified and their intentions misunderstood. Oapt. Mackay ar- rived the same day with his independent com- pany of South Carolinians. Wasliinffton was now contronted with the dreaded problem of imving an officer who conceived because he Held the king s commission he could not re- ceive orders from a provincial officer, com- missioned by a governor. The men of the inde- pendent company would not assist in road-mak- ing unless paid a shilling sterlingextra per day. i.o avoid misunderstanding Washington left C%pt. Mackay at Fort Necessity, and on the 11th ot June proceeded with his own soldiers in the effort to open the road to Eedstone creek. At Grist s plantation, thirteen miles from Fort Ne- cessity, Washington received reliable intelli- gence that the French had been reinforced and were marching to attack him without delay He began to throw up intrenchments. called iii his working parties and held a council of war at which It was resolved to retreat until thev could be reinforced. THE ENGAGEMENT AT THE GREAT MEADOWS. On the 1st of July Washington's forces reached the Great Meadows, on their retreat. Here the Virginians were exhausted with fa- tigue, hunger and vexation, and declared they could not carry their baggage and drag the swivels any further. Washington sent off an express to hasten supplies and reinforcements, began to fortify his position and make the beet defense he could. He had but one day to clear off the ground, erect defenses and dig trenches himself working with his men. On the morn- ing of the 3d of July, while still engaged in strengthening the defenses of Fort Necessity, the French, in largo numbers, were reported advancing and to be already within four miles. About 11 o'clock they began the attack, which continued all day and was terminated at 8 o'clock in the evening by the French request- ing a parley. This eventuated in an agreement of capitulation. Articles were drawn up in French defining the terms, which, after several interviews and modifications, were mutually agreed to. By the light of a tallow candie these articles were read and translated by word of mouth to Washington and his officers by Capt. Van Braam, a German, who had only an im- perfect knowledge of the French language. Chevalier de Pyroney, the only other person in Washington's command acquainted with the la^nguage, had been wounded in the early part of the action and could give no assistance. THE CAPITULATION, The points of the agreement as understood by Washington and his officers were that they should surrender the fort, be allowed to retire to the settlements, leaving their ..stores, except the artillery, powder and military accouter- meuts, which were to bo destroyed and their personal effects secreted until they could be sent for, as all their horses having been killed ov lost in the engagement, they had at present no means of transportation. Furthermore, they should give their word that no attempt should be made to settle on his Christian majesty's territory for the space of a year, and lastly all the French prisoners taken should be returned. For the faithful performance of j these things Capt. Van Braam and Capl. Stobo ' should be held by the French aa hostages. It i was Washington's expectation that the prison- i era would be promptly forwarded to the French i and the liberation of the hostages would speedily i follow. But Gov. Dinwiddle had other views, and, to ; the mortification of Washington, would not carry out this stipulation, so that the hostages ' were detained and finally sent to Canada as ; prisoners of war, and only after many years' . confinement either escaped or were liberated I when the French were driven from her Ameri- j can provinces. The expedition proved a mis- erable and mortifying failure, but from no \ want of enterprise, courage or perseverance i on the part of the brave and laborious detach- i ment i;nder Col. Washington, but from the ! want of military knowledge, mismanagement I and meddlesomeness of the governor and his ; advisers and the inefficient and neglectful com- I missary of ammunition and supplies. The de- feated forces under Col. Washington marched 1 out of Fort Necessity with the honors of war, their regimental colors flying and drums beat- ; ing, but chagrined, fatigued and hungry, and commenced their weary march of seventy miles back to the first habitation. The strong and able-bodied carried the loads and helped the feeble, sick and wounded to Will's creek, the only place where supplies could be had. On the 9th of July Col. Washington had re- turns made to him at Will's creek, showing the actual condition of the several companies in the expedition, the killed, sick, wounded or missing as well as the number of those able for service, and after seeing all made as comfort- able as possible he and Capt. Mackay, who left hie independent company at Will's creek, pro- ceeded to Williamsburg to report to the gov- ernor. The two independent companies expected from New York arrived about this time and were marched to Will's creek, where, with Capt. Mackay's company, they began the erec- tion of works to serve as a frontier post and which finally came to be known as Fort Cum- berland. THE RETURN TO ALEXANDRIA. The Virginia regiment, after resting a few days, marched first to Winchester and after- ward to Alexandria. Notwithstanding the dis- i appointing results of the expedition the as- sembly passed a vote of thanks to Washington and the other officers for their bi-avery and i their gallant defense of the country ana the rights of the king in the battle of the Great Meadov,^s. The names of two officers connected I with the expedition were omitted in this vote of thanks, viz: Maj. Muse and Capt. Van j Braam. The first because of cowardice and ; the latter under the apprehension that he had \ intentionally deceived Col. Washington in the j preparation of the articles of capitulation, i Three hundred pistoles (nearly $1,100) were J voted to be distributed among the men in j the engagement. j When thearticlcBOf capitulation were signed Washington had no copy of them in Engliah, and when they camo to bo carefully translated ^ it was diacovered that they contained admis- ! sions derogatory to him and his troops and concessions made as to the claims of France I purposely inserted, it was afterward stated, but not *80 translated, as to be understood in that sense by him or his officers, and which i could only be accounted for on the theory of an erroneous rendering of the text of the arti- cles of capitulation. Some distrust of the fidelity of Capt. Van Braam arose and his ^ name was omitted from the list of otRcers 1 thanked by the house of burgesses. Futther 1 inquirj^ however, satisfied all that his imper- : i'ect knowledge of French was alone to blame, ■Washington's conduct was carefully inquired .into by the assembly and by the governor. Nothing v.as found "to blame but much to ad- ! mire in his courage and perseverance under ,' most adverse circumstances and almost crimi- nal want of support. This was perhaps the most severe trial and imfjortant occuri-ence in ' Washington s early life and military experi- j ence. It \raa proper that . the country should j know all the facts, that they rilight form just j conclusioxis. It was vital to his reputation and military aspirations in the future that the truth should be told and the causes of the fail- ure be placed where they belonged. I I have dwelt upon Washington's first mili- ) tary operations and their unfavorable end- ing at greater length than I would otherwise j have done had not this reverse with the pecu- I liar questions arising in the Jumonville affair and the verbal inaccuracies in the oral trans- lation of the articles of capitulation taken place before the greatness and magnanimity of. Washington's chtti'acter were established to be' above suffering from misrepresentation. Wash- ingtonis conduct having stood the test of every inquiry by the governor and the assembly early in August he joined his regiment, then at Alex- andria. PLANNING ANOTHER EXPEDITION. The governor was doing everything he could to send at once another military detachment across the mountains to engage and dislodge the French at the forks of the Ohio, and ac- tually issued orders to that effect. The Vir- 1 ginia' troops, for want of numbers and equip- [ ment, were totally unfit for the service de- ; manded. The presentation of facts concerning ; the actual condition of the Virginia forces by ' Washington led him into quite a correspondence with the governor and some of the members of the council. His letters on the subject at this time show how comprehensive and sound were his views on military affairs and how inadequate were the forces to the object the governor expected them to accomplish. Much to the regret of the governor the sending of another expedition that fall was abandoned. Washington's besignation. Dinwiddle then resolved upon radical changes in the organization of the Virginia troops, adopting a plan of having no officer higher than a captain. This measure, it was surmised, was devised bj' Gov- Dinwiddle, Gov. Sharp of Maryland and Col. Innes, and was de- signed to m'inimize the coloners power and prevent disputes in the matter, of rank. This reorganization would reduce Col. Washington, who, to avoid embarrassment, resigned his commission in October and retired to'Mount Vernon. In December. 1754. he leased the Mount Vernon estate from George Lee and his wife. Ann, late the widow of Lawrence Wash- ington, and took up his residence there. The ancestors of Washington were generally land owners and agriculturists. George Wash- ington either inherited or acquired in youth a love for this pursuit. In him a taste for culti- vating the soil was even more ardent than was his love of arms. INVITED TO BEADDOCK's STAFF. In the spring of 1755 Braddock arrived in Alexandria with two well-equipped British reg- iments, with instructions to proceed, after re- cruiting his forces in Virginia, to the capture of Fort Duquesne and the expulsion of the French from the Ohio. Gen. Braddock was well in- formed as to the abilities of Col. Washington,- and learning that he had retired from the serv- ice and Avas occupying himself with the duties of a farmer Braddock concluded to invite the promising young soldier to join his staff as an aid in the" expedition. Washington accepted the position, as he was desirous of seeing serv- ice under a capable and experienced officer, and May 10, at Frederick, in Maryland, was proclaimed an aid to the general, this position '^ removing for the time being all questions of ; rank, which had been such a source of annoy- j ance. He found the well-ordei'ed camp of the | British regulars a good school for study and de- rived much benefit as well as pleasure from his intercourse with the accomplished officers asso- ciated with Gen. Braddock. The history of this expedition is well known, as is also the splendid conduct of Col. Wash- ington in the disastrous battle of the Monon- gahela, and his heroic services in rescuing the , remnant of the defeated army and his main- taining as orderly a retreat as was practicable under the circumstances. Washington's per- ! formance, although just out of a sick bed, was so gallant and fearless during the action and in the retreat as to merit and receive the com- mendation not only of the Americans, but also of the British officers and soldiers. All tongues sounded his praise, and from this period for- ward Washington was emphatically a man of mark not only in the estimation of the Americans, but of the British government and European military officers. / . .. CALLED *0 THE COMMAND. The unprotected condition in which the fron- tier of Virginia was left on the defeat of Brad- dock's army and the remains of the British regiments going into quarters at Philadelphia, instead of remaining somewhere on the frontier to check encroachments upon the settlements, called for additional legislation and renewed efforts by Virginia for her own protection. The more the situation was discussed the more the public voice was heard to sound the praise of Col. George Washington, reiterating his especial fitness to command the Virginia forces ' to be raised for the protection of the settle- ments. It was no secret to the governor his council and the assembly why Ool. Vv'ashington had resigned his commission and that he would not again serve unless his rank, could be as- sured and respected. The assembly, therefore, > in directing the raising of troops and in pro- viding for their support, had this point also before them. The governor could not be in- different to the ■ facts under the new law and appointed Wa&hington, August 14( 1755. colonel of the Virginia forces to be immediatelv raised for the building of forts and the protection of the frontier, AVith the peculiar compliment of leaving to him the selection of hie own field ofticers. Seeing no probability that he could be un- pleasantly interfered with on the score of rank in his command of the forces, Washington ac- cepted and served with ability until, with the assistance of the Forbes expedition in 1758, in which he bore a conspicuous part, the French were compelled to abandon Fort Duquesne. The early military career of Washington has been dwelt upon with sume minuteness because it was the formative period of his character. These were the years in which he was study- ing, in a practical way, the art of war and the power and influence of armies under the con- trol of statesmen in molding the political insti- tutions of a country. Washington had always advocated aggressive measures against the Frerich and Indians, so that the result of the campaign gave him great ' satisfaction. Feeling tiiat his work was done in that direction he soon after resigned his commission. HIS MARRIAGE. For nearly a year he was betrothed to Mrs. i Martha Custis, and was married to her early in I January, 1759, settling down at Mount Vernon shortly after to the enjoyment of domestic life and the pursuits of an enlightened agricultur- ist. He was then in the unconscious plenitude of his splendid powers, his character formed and recognized by the leading men of his day. I Henceforth Washington is to bo viewed as I I Having fully demonstrated his powers and ca- pabilities under most trying circumstances, bo that he is entitled to be ranked as one of the most promising if not actually the foremost j : character in the colonies. The term character I ' is used as indicating the well-balanced facul- ' ties resulting from the harmonious blending of i a vigorous physical organization, high moral , concepts and strong mental powers. Like the > circle, its excellence depends on its complete \ roundness, not on its magnitude. The wider • the intelligence the stronger the mind disci- i plined by reason and reflection; the higher the ethical culture and the greater the harmony in all the powers the more exalted will be the vir- tues; in a word, the more nearly perfect will be, the character. Truth, courage and man- hood are the central pillars in the temple of r personal rectitude, which in its totality we call ' nature or character. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS