USA > Pennsylvania > Early history of western Pennsylvania, and of the West, and of western expeditions and campaigns, from MDCCLIV to MDCCCXXXIII > Part 7
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"Sometimes pitched battles occurred in which time, place, and sec- onds were appointed beforehand. I remember having seen one of those
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pitched battles in my fathers fort, when a boy. One of the young men knew very well beforehand that he should get the worst of the battle, and no doubt repented the engagement to fight; but there was no getting over it. The point of honor demanded the risk of battle. He got his whipping ; they then shook hands and were good friends afterwards.
"The mode of single combats in those days was dangerous in the extreme ; although no weapons were used, fists, teeth and feet were employed at will, but above all, the detestable practice of gouging, by which eyes were sometimes put out, rendered this mode of fighting frightful indeed ; it was not however, so destructive as the stiletto of an Indian, the knife of a spaniard, the small sword of the Frenchman, or the Pistol of the American or English duellist.
"Instances of seduction and bastardy, did not frequently happen in our early times. I remember one instance of the former, in which the life of the man was put in jeopardy by the resentment of the family, to which the girl belonged. Indeed, considering the chivalrous temper of our people, this crime could not then take place without great personal danger from the brothers, or other relations of the victims of seduction, family honor being then estimated at an high rate.
" I do not recollect that profane language, was much more prevalent in our early times than at present."
What a contrast does this picture of early simplicity present to the mind ! Great, in many respects, have been the changes within the short period of half a century ! Now, the inhabitants of the same region possess all the luxuries and refinements of long settled European coun- tries. All the fashions of dress in the metropolis of Pennsylvania, and other Atlantic cities, flourish here. 'The linsey and coarse linens have been exchanged for the substantial and fine fabrics of Europe and Asia. The hunting shirt for the fashionable coat of broad bloth, and the moc- casin for boots and shoes of tanned leather. Ladies dress as fine as any in the Atlantic cities.
The mechanic arts here are not surpassed by any in the east. Litera- ture and science receive great attention. By the persevering hand of industry, " the wilderness has been made to blossom." The aspect of the country has every where been changed. The horse paths, along which the first settlers for many years made their laborious journies over mountains for salt and iron, were soon succeeded by wagon roads at first, and then by substantial turnpike roads ; and now, what was a little more than a century ago, the far backwoods, is brought into a close and lucrative connection with several of the Atlantic cities. The jour-
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ney formerly considered so long and expensive, and even perilous, is now made in less than fifty hours."
Not only have physical changes been wrought, "but the rude sports of early times have been discontinued. Athletic trials of muscular strength, possessing at the best, when perverted from their true purposes, little merit, have given way to the more noble ambition for mental en- dowments, and skill in useful arts. To the rude, and often indecent songs, have succeeded the pslam, the hymn, and swelling anthem. To the clamorous boast, the provoking banter, the biting sarcasm, the hor- rid oath and imprecation, have succeeded urbanity of manners, and a course of conversation enlightened by science, and chastened by mental attention and respect. The spirit of revenge, so prevalent at one time among some of the first settlers, is now wholly unknown. Every where, among all classes of society, great changes have been wrought within the last fifty years."
CHAPTER III .
WASHINGTON'S MISSION TO FORT LE BOEUF .- ERECTION OF A FORT AT THE JUNCTION OF THE ALLEGHENY AND MONONGAHELA RIVERS .- ARRIVAL OF THE FRENCH FROM FORT VENANGO .- SUMMONS BY THE FRENCH TO SUR- RENDER .-- SURRENDER OF THE FORT BY ENSIGN WARD .- WASHINGTON'S LETTERS .- NOTICE OF HALF KING ..
In the year 1753, Governor Dinwiddie of Virginia, (1) having learned that the French intended to extend their fortified posts, south of Fort Venango and French Creek, determined to send a messenger to learn their movements, and to remonstrate against their designs. For this purpose, he selected GEORGE WASHINGTON, then under twenty-two years of age. Washington left Virginia on the fourteenth of Novem- ber, 1753, performing a journey, over mountain and torrent, through morass and forest, bearing the inclemency of the winter in a trackless wilderness. On the fifth day after his departure, he reached the mouth of Turtle creek, on the Monongahela. Here he learned from Frazier, an Indian trader, that expresses had been sent down the river with intel- ligence to the traders of the French general's death, and the return of ' the French army to winter quarters. He then proceeded to the forks
(1) Western Pennsylvania was at this time claimed by both Pennsylvania and Virginia. It will be seen by the Votes of Assembly of Pennsylvania, Vol. IV. March 21, 1754, Gov. Dinwiddie said in a letter to Gov. Hamilton of Pennsylvania,-" I am much misled by our surveyors, if the forks of the Mon- ongahela be within the bounds of the Province of Pennsylvania."
A fierce contest between the two States, on this subject, subsequently en- sued .- (See Gordon's Hist. Penn, 474.)
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of the Ohio, ten miles below, having sent his baggage by water. Wash- ington, when waiting for the arrival of his baggage, spent some time in viewing the present site of Pittsburg, with reference to the building of a fort. The Ohio company had intended to have erected a fort, about two miles further up the Monongahela, on the south-east side. Wash- ington examined both situations, and gave a decided preference to the forks of the Ohio. (1)
· Afterwards Washington, in company with Half King, and three other Sachems of the Six Nations, proceeded to Fort Venango, and then to Fort Le Bœuf, on a branch of French Creek, (2) at which latter place they arrived on the eleventh day of December. Here Washington had an interview with the Commandant, showed his commission, and delivered the letter of the Governor of Virginia. The French officers held a council; during which time, Washington made observations in relation . to the Fort; took an exact account of its situation, dimensions, and number of men in the garrison, and the number of canoes, which were in readiness to convey their forces down the river in the spring. (3) After considerable delay, he received the answer of Legardeau de St. Pierre, the French commandant, dated at Fort Le Bœuf, referring the discussion of the rights of the two countries, to the Marquis du Quesne, Governor General of Canada, by whose orders he had assumed, and meant to maintain his present position. From De la Joncaire, a Cap- tain in the French service, and Indian interpreter, Washington received full information of the designs of the French. They claimed the Ohio river, and the country through which it flows, from the discovery of La Salle, sixty years before, and their present measures for its defence, had arisen from the attempts of the Ohio Company to occupy its banks. (4) On Wednesday the twenty-sixth day of December, with gun in hand, and pack on his back, in which were his papers, he set out on foot for Virginia, in company with a gentleman by the name of Gist. Their horses had become so enfeebled, that they were put in charge of one of the company, by the name of Vanbraam, with money and directions to bring them and the, baggage along, with the most convenient dispatch. After great hardships, and suffering from cold, and peril from hostile Indians, Washington arrived at Williamsburg, on the sixteenth day of January, 1754, after a journey of more than two months. (5)
.(1) Washington's Journal in the Appendix, p. 37, 38.
(2) Washington's Journal in the Appendix, p. 46.
(3) Washington's Journal in the Appendix, p. 45, 46.
(4) Gordon's History of Pennsylvania, p. 177. 1
(5) Washington's Journal in the Appendix, p. 48, 49.
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No doubt longer remained, of the intention of the French in their movements. Washington's Journal was ordered to be published, to arouse the people and excite their indignation. It was reprinted in nearly all the newspapers of the colonies, republished in London, and extensively read. (1.)
Immediate arrangements were made in Virginia, to arrest the progress of the French. The Governor and Council resolved to enlist two com- panies, of one hundred men each, and send them to the Ohio, with orders to construct a fort on that river. The command of the two com- panies was given to Washington, who was appointed Major, without a dissenting voice. One company was to be raised by himself, and the other by Captain Trent, who was to collect his men among the traders and back settlements, and proceed immediately to the place of destina- tion. Major Washington, in the mean time, was stationed at Alexan- dria, till the other company should be completed, and the proper military supplies forwarded to this place.(3.)
" To facilitate the enlistment of the number of troops wanted, Gover- nor Dinwiddie issued a proclamation, granting five thousand acres of land on the Ohio River, to be divided among those who should be en- gaged in the expedition. One thousand acres were to be laid off con- tiguous to the fort, at the junction of the Monongahela and the Allegheny, for the use of the soldiers doing duty there, to be called the garrison lands."(2.)
" The reasons assigned by the Governor to the ministers for making this grant were, that he hoped the soldiers would become permanent settlers, and that it was better to secure the lands by such a bounty, than to allow the French to take quiet possession of as many millions of acres as he had granted thousands. His proclamation was sanctioned . by the King, but it was not well received in another quarter. The As- sembly of Pennsylvania took alarm at the freedom with which lands, situated as they said in that province, were given away. Governor Hamilton wrote an expostulatory letter. It was a perplexing case ; but Governor Dinwiddie escaped from the difficulty by replying, that the claims of Pennsylvania were at least doubtful, the boundary line not having been run; that the object in view equally concerned both pro- vinces ; that his grant did not necessarily imply future jurisdiction, and
(1.) Spark's Washington, Vol. II. p. 432.
(2.) Spark's Washington, Vol. II. p. 1.
(3.) History of the Backwoods, p. 64-65.
--
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that, if the Pennsylvania jurisdiction should be established, the quit-rents might eventually be paid to the proprietary instead of the crown."
When Capt. Trent had raised a party of men, he set out for the junc- tion of the Monongahela and Allegheny, for the purpose of speedily erecting the fort. Major Washington remained behind, actively engaged in raising the requisite number of men which were to follow, and ably garrison the fort when erected. (1)
The Virginia Assembly, then voted ten thousand pounds towards supporting the expedition, and the Governor was induced to increase the military force to three hundred men, divided into six companies and Col. Joshua Fry was appointed to command the whole. Maj. Wash- ington was in consequence raised to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Ten cannon and other military equipments which had recently arrived from England, were sent to Alexandria, for the use of the expedition.
Col. Washington marched from Alexandria on the 2d day of April, with two companies of troops, and arrived at Will's creek, where the town of Cumberland now stands, on the 17th of April, having been joined on his route by a detachment under Capt. Stephen.
The detachment under Capt. Trent, arrived at the junction of the Monongahela and Allegheny, on the 17th day of February, (2) and on the 16th of April, 1754, were engaged in the erection of the fort, when Contrececur, at the head of a large French force, suddenly ap- peared before the fort .* Very little progress had been made in the work. Capt. Trent was absent at Will's creek, and Lieut Frazier, was absent at his residence, ten miles up the Monongahela. Ensign Ward, therefore, was left in command, and the whole number of his men amounted to only forty-one. (3)
Contrecœur approached within a short distance of the fort, and sent an officer with a summons to surrender, the particulars of which will be found in the following letters from Col. Washington to the Governors of Virginia and Pennsylvania :
WILL'S CREEK, 25th April, 1754.
SIR :-- Captain Trent's ensign, Mr. Ward, has this day arrived from the fork of the Monongahela, and brings the disagreeable account, that the fort, on the 18th instant, was surrendered at the summons of Mon-
(1) History of the Backwoods, p. 64.
(2) Maryland Gazette, March 14, 1755.
* After taking possession of the fort, the French commenced an immediate enlargement and completion of it. See Stobo's plan, and his and M'Kinney's description of it, in the early history of Pittsburg.
(3) Spark's Washington, vol. II, p. 4, 6, 7. 5
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sieur Contrecœur to a body of French, consisting of upwards of one thousand men, who came from Venango with eighteen pieces of canon, sixty batteaux, and three hundred canoes. They gave him liberty to bring off all his men and working tools, which he accordingly did the same day.
Immediately upon this information I called a council of war, to ad- vise on proper measures to be taken in this exigency. A copy of their resolves, with the proceedings, I herewith inclose by the bearer, whom I have continued express to your Honor for more minute in- telligence.
Mr. Ward has the summons with him, and a speech from Half King, which I also enclose, with the wampum. He is accompanied by one of the Indians mentioned therein, who were sent to see where we were, what was our strength, and to know the time to expect us out. The other young man I have prevailed upon to return to the Half King with the following speech:
"Sachems, Warriors of the Six United Nations, Shannoahs, and Delawares, our friends and brothers: I received your speech by the Buck's brother, (Mr. Ward, ) who came to us with the two young men five sleeps after leaving you. We return you thanks from hearts glowing with affection for your steadfast adherence to us, for your kind speech, and for your wise councils and directions to the Buck's brother,
"The young man will inform you where he met a small part of our army advancing towards you, clearing the road for a great number of our warriors, who are immediately to follow with our great guns, our ammunition and provisions.
" I could not delay to let you know our hearts, and have sent back one of the young men with this speech to acquaint you with them. I have sent the other, according to your desire, to the Governor of Vir- ginia, with the Buck's brother, to deliver your speech and wampum, and to be an eye-witness of the preparations we are making to come in haste to support you, whose interest is dear to us as our lives. We resent the usage of the treacherous French, and our conduct will henceforth plainly show you how we have it at heart.
" I cannot be easy without seeing you before our forces meet at the fork of the road, and therefore I have the greatest desire that you and Escuniate, or one of you, should meet me on the road as soon as possi- ble, to assist us in council.
"To assure you of the good will we bear you, and to confirm the
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truth of what has been said, I herewith present to you a string of wam- pum, that you may thereby remember how much I am your brother and friend."
I hope my proceedings in these affairs will be satisfactory to your honor, as I have, to the utmost of my knowledge, consulted the inte- rest of the expedition and good of my country ; whose rights, while they are asserted in so just a cause, I will defend to the last remains of life.
Hitherto the difficulties I have met with in marching have been greater than I expect to encounter on the Ohio, when possibly I may be sur- rounded by the enemy ; and these difficulties have been occasioned by those, who, had they acted as becomes every good subject, would have exerted their utmost abilities to forward our just designs. Out of se- venty-four wagons impressed at Winchester, we got but ten, after wait- ing a week, and some of those so badly provided with teams, that the soldiers were obliged to assist them up the hills, although it was known they had better teams at home. I doubt not that in some points I may have strained the law; but hope, as my sole motive was to expedite the march, I shall be supported in it, should my authority be ques- tioned, which at present I don't apprehend, unless some busy-body in- termeddles.
Your honor will see by the resolves in council, that I am destined to the Monongahela with all the diligent despatch in my power. We will endeavor to make the road sufficiently good for the heaviest artillery to pass ; and, when we arrive at Redstone creek, fortify ourselves as strongly as the short time will allow. I doubt not that we can main- tain a possession there, till we are re-inforced, unless the rising of the waters shall admit the enemy's canon to be conveyed up in canoes, and then I flatter myself we shall not be so destitute of intelligence, as not to get timely notice of it, and make a good retreat.
I hope you will see the absolute necessity for our having, as soon as our forces are collected, a number of canon, some of heavy metal, with mortars and grenades to attack the French, and put us on an equal foot- ing with them.
Perhaps it may be thought advisable to invite the Cherokees, Cataw- bas and Chickasaws to march to our assistance, as we are informed that six hundred Chippewas and Ottawas are marching down Sciota creek to join the French, who are coming up the Ohio. In that case, I would beg leave to recommend their being ordered to this place first, that a peace may be concluded between them and the Six Nations; for I am
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informed by several persons, that, as no good harmony subsists between them, their coming first to the Ohio may create great disorder, and turn out much to our disadvantage.
As I had opportunities I wrote to the Governors of Maryland and Pennsylvania, acquainting them with these advices, and enclosed the summons and Indian speech, which I hope you will not think me too forward in doing. I considered that the Assembly of Maryland was to sit in a few days, that the Pennsylvania Assembly is now sitting, and that, by giving timely notice, something might be done in favor of this expedition, which now requires all the force we can muster.
By the best information I can get, I much doubt whether any of the Indians will be in to treat in May. Are the Indian women and children, if they settle amongst us, to be maintained at our expense ? They will expect it. I have the honor to be, &c.,
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
To Gov. DINWIDDIE.
WILL'S CREEK, 27th April, 1754.
HONORABLE SIR :- It is with greatest concern I acquaint you, that Mr. Ward, Ensign in Captain Trent's company, was compelled to sur- render his small fort in the Forks of Monongialo to the French, on the seventeenth instant (April), who fell down from Weningo (Venango), with a fleet of three hundred and sixty batteaux and canoes, with up- wards of one thousand men and eighteen pieces of artillery, which they planted against the fort, drew up their men and sent the enclosed sum- mons to Mr. Ward, who having but an inconsiderable number of men, and no cannon to make a proper defence, was obliged to surrender ; they suffered him to draw off his men, arms and working tools, and gave leave that he might retreat to the inhabitants.
I have heard of your Honor's great zeal for his Majesty's service, and for all our interests on the present occasion. You will see by the en- closed speech of the Half-King, that the Indians expect some assistance from you ; and I am persuaded you will take proper notice of their moving speech, and of their unshaken fidelity.
I thought it more advisable to acquaint your Honor with it imme- diately, than to wait till you could get intelligence by way of Williams- burg and the young man, as the Half-King proposes.
I have arrived thus far with a detachment of one hundred and fifty men ; Col. Fry, with the remainder of the regiment and artillery, is daily expected. In the mean time, we advance slowly across the moun- tains, making roads as we march, fit for the carriages of our great guns,
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and are designed to proceed as far as the mouth of Red-stone Creek, which enters Monongialo about thirty-seven miles above the fort taken by the French, from whence we have a water-carriage down the river ; and there is a stone house, built by the Ohio company, which may serve as a receptacle for our ammunition and provisions.
Besides these French that came from Weningo, we have credible accounts that another party are coming up Ohio. We also have intelli- gence that six hundred of the Chippeways and Ottoways are marching down Scioto Creek to join them.
I hope your Honor will excuse the freedom I have assumed in ac- quainting you with these advices. It was the warm zeal I owe my country that influenced me to it, and occasioned this express.
I am, with all due respect and regard,
Your Honor's most obedient and very humble servant,
GEO. WASHINGTON.
To Governor Hamilton, of Pennsylvania.
A Summon, by order of Contrecœur, Captain of one of the companies of the detachment of the French Marine, Commander-in-chief of his most Christian Majesty's troops, now on the Beautiful River, to the Commander of those of the King of Great Britain, at the mouth of the River Monongialo :
SIR :- Nothing can surprise me more than to see you attempt a set- tlement upon the lands of the King, my Master ; which obliges me now, sir, to send you this gentleman, Chevalier Le Mercier, Captain of the Bombardiers, Commander of the Artillery of Canada, to know of you, Sir, by virtue of what authority you are to come to fortify yourself within the dominions of the King, my Master. This action seems so contrary to the last treaty of peace concluded at Aix La Chapelle, between his most Christian Majesty and the King of Great Britain, that I do not know to whom to impute such a usurpation, as it is incontestible that the lands situated along the Beautiful River belong to his Christian Majesty.
I am informed, Sir, that your undertaking has been concerted by none else than by a company who have more in view the advantage of the trade than to endeavor to keep the union of harmony which subsists between the crowns of France and Great Britain, although it is as much the interest, Sir, of your nation as ours to preserve it.
Let it be as it will, sir, if you come into this place charged with orders, I summon you in the name of the King, my Master, by virtue of orders which I got from my General, to retreat peaceably with your
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troops from off the lands of the King (and not to return ; or else I find myself obliged to fulfil my duty, and compel you to it. I hope, sir, you will not defer an instant, and that you will not force me to the last ex- tremity). In that case, sir, you may be persuaded that I will give orders that there shall be no damage done by my detachment.
I prevent you, Sir, from the trouble of asking me one hour of delay, nor to wait for my consent to receive orders from your Governor. He can give none within the dominions of the King, my master. Those I have received of my General, are my laws, so that I cannot depart from them.
If, on the contrary, Sir, you have not got orders, and only come to trade, I am sorry to tell you, that I cannot avoid seizing you, and to confiscate your effects to the use of the Indians, our children, allies, and friends ; as you are not allowed to carry on a contraband trade. It is for this reason, Sir, that we stopped two Englishmen, last year, who were trading upon our lands ; moreover, the King, my master, asks nothing but his right; he has not the least intention to trouble the good harmony and friendship which reigns between his Majesty and the King of Great Britain.
The Governor of Canada can give proof of having done his utmost endeavors to maintain the perfect union which reigns between the two friendly Princes ; as he had learned that the Iroquois and Nepissingues of the Lake of the two mountains, had struck and destroyed an English family towards Carolina, he has barred up that road and forced them to give him a little boy belonging to that family, which was the only one alive, and which Mr. Welrich, a merchant of Montreal, has carried to Boston ; and what is more, he has forbid his savages from exercising their accustomed cruelty upon the English and friends.
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