USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > Popular history of Erie county, Pennsylvania > Part 5
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R. E. Pattison became governor a second time, Jan, '91 and July 6. 1892. the Homestead riots culminated in a bloody battle between the strikers and Pinker- ton men in, which about 20 were killed. 40 wounded, and the Pinkerton's defeat- od. The State Militia was called out, the Erie troops remaining on guard over -two months.
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ERIE COUNTY HISTORY.
The introduction of free school books in Sept. '93, in accordance with a re- cent Legislative act, is a matter believed to be fraught with great importance in the education of the poor. It was first agitated by T. P. Rynder of Erie. candi- date for governor on the labor ticket, in 1890.
State Summary .- Our space devoted to State history is necessarily brief and many important features have been omitted. Thearea of the State is 42,215 square miles. The population in 1790, was 434.373: 1800, 602,365: '20, 1,047,507; '40, 1,724,033: '60, 2,906.215; '70. 3.521.951; '80. 4.282,738; '90, 5,258,014. Of the 587,829 foreign born population. the British Isles furnished 366,865: Germany 168,426 while the remaining 52.538. represented many different countries. The colored population of this state is 85.535: Chinese 156; Indians 184.
There are 67 counties. The principal cities, census 1890, Philadelphia, 1,046,- 964, Pittsburg 238,617: Allegheny, 105,287; Scranton, 75,215: Reading, 58,661; Erie, 40,634; Harrisburg. 39.385; Wilksbarre, 37,718; Lancaster, 32,011; Altoona, 30,337; Williamsport, 27,132: Allentown, 25,228; York. 20 793, Chester, 20,226. The State has seven Supreme Judges elected for 21 years each, the Chief Justice. Hon. J. P. Sterrett, receiving a salary of $8,500 and Associates $8,000 each. The State is divided into 43 Judicial districts, in each of which. the people elect a Judge for a term of ten years. U. S. courts are held at Philadelphia, Pittsburg, Erie and Williamsport.
NOTE :- The names of State Governors, will be found in italics in the regular succession of events, from provincial to the present time. In the following sum- mary the names of democrats are marked with * while the opposing party are left unmarked.
VOTE FOR GOVERNOR .- Since the adoption of the State Constitution of 1790, the votes for the two leading candidates have been as follows: *Thos. Mifflin 27,- 725, Arthur St. Clair 2,802: 1793 Mifflin 18,590, F. A. Muhlenberg 10,706: '96 Miffiin 30,020. Muhlenberg 1.011: '99 *Thomas Mckean 38,036, James Ross 32,641: 1802 Mckean 47,879, Ross 17,037: '05 McKean 43,644, *Simon Snyder 38,433: '08 Snyder 67,975, Ross 39,575: '11 Snyder 52.319, Wm. Tighlman, 3,609: '14 Snyder 51,099, Isaac Wayne 29,566: '17 *Wm. Findlay 66,331. Joseph Heister (Federal) 59,272: '20 Heister 67.905, Findlay 66,300: '23 *J. Andrew Shulze 81,751, Andrew Gregg 64,151: '26 Shulze 72.710, John Sergeant 1,175: '29 *Geo. Wolf 78,219, Joseph Ritner (Anti-Mason) 51,776: '32 Wolf 91,335, Ritner 88,165: '35 Ritner 94,- 023, Wolf 65,804, *H. A. Muhlenberg 40.586: '38 *David R. Porter 127,827, Ritner 122,321: '41 Porter 136,504, John Banks (Whig) 113,473: '44 *F. R. Shunk 160,322, Joseph Markle 156,040: '47 Shunk 146,081, James Irom 128,148: '48 Wm, F. Johnson (Whig) 168,522, *Morris Longstreth 168,225: '51 *Wm. Bigler 186,489, Johnson 178.034: '54 James Pollock (Whig and Knownothing) 203,822, Bigler 166, 991: '57 *Wm. F. Packer 188,846, David Wilmot 149,139: '60 Andrew G. Curtin (Republican) 262,346. * H. D. Foster 230,239: '63 Curtin 269,506, *G. W. Wood- ward 254,171: '66 J. W. Geary 307.274. * H. Clymer, 290,097: '69 Geary 290,552 * Asa Packer, 285,956: '72 J. F. Hartranft 353,387, *C. R. Buckalew 317,760: '75 Hartranft 304.175, *C. L. Pershing 292,145: '78 H. M. Hoyt 319,490, *A. H. Dill 297,137, S. R. Mason, (Greenback) 81,758: '82 *R. E. Pattison, 355,791, James A. Beaver 315,589, John Stewart (Ind.) 43,743: '86 Beaver 412,285; * C. F. Black 369,634, C. S. Wolfe, ( Ind.) 32,458: '90 Pattison 464,209, G. W. Delamater, 447,655, J. D. Gill 16,108. (See supplement for State officers '94.)
SENATORS from this district have been 11800 *John Hamilton, Washington
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SENATORS AND CONGRESSMEN.
Co., *Win. Mc Arthur, Crawford; '09 *Wilson Smith, Erie; '12 *Joseph Shannon, same; '16 *Henry Hurst, Crawford; '21 *Jac b Harrington, Mercer; '25 *John Leech same; '29 *T. S. Cunningham, same; '37 Jos. M. Sterrett, Erie: '41 J. W. Farrelly, Crawford; '43 Elijah Babbitt, Erie; '45 J. D. Dunlap, Erie; '49 John H. Walker, Erie; '52 James Skinner, Erie: '55 D. A. Finney, Crawford; '61 M. B. Lowry, Erie; '70 G B. Delamater, Meadville; '72 Geo. H. Cutler; '75-80 Henry Butterfield; '80 James Sill: '84 E. A. Walling: '88-96 D. B. McCreary.
(#In 1800 the senatorial district comprised the whole of N. W. Penn'a; the fol- lowing year it was reduced to Erie, Crawford, Venango, Mercer and Warren; in 1825 to Erie, Crawford and Mercer; '37 to Erie and Crawford and in '72 to Erie county alone.)
REPRESENTATIVES .- ¿ 1800 *Samuel Ewalt, of Pittsburg, for the Northwest- ern district; '01 *Alexander Buchanan, Crawford county; '01-5 *John Lytle Jr., Waterford; '06-7 *Wilson Smith, Waterford; '08-'12 *John Phillips, Venan- go tp .; '08 9 *James Harrington, Mercer; '10-'11 *Roger Alden, Crawford; '12 *P. Farrelly, Crawford; '13-'14 *James Burchfield. Crawford; '13-'15 *James Weston, Le Bœuf: '15-'16,'18,'20 *Jacob Harrington: '15-'17 *Ralph Marlin, Crawford; '16-'17 *Samuel Hays, Venango; 18-'19, 21 *James Cochran, Crawford; '18 Joseph Hackney, Venango: '19- 20 *Wilson Smith, Waterford, *Win Connelly Venango; '21 *David Brown, Warren, Geo. Moore, Erie Co. (¿The district at first comprising all the North West, was reduced in 1801 to Erie, Crawford, Mercer, Warren and Venango and since 1821 Erie county has been a separate district.)
1822 *James Weston, LeBœuf; '23 Thomas H. Sill, Erie; '24 *John Phillips, Venargo tp .; '25-7 *Stephen Woolverton, Mill Creek; '28-9 *Geo. Moore; '30-1 John Riddle, Erie: '32-5 J. H. Walker, Erie, '36 T. R. Miller, Springfield, Elijah Babbitt, Erie; '37 Chas. M. Reed, Erie, David Sawdey, Conneaut; '38 9 Samuel Hutchins, Waterford, Wm. M. Watts, Erie; '40,'42 Stephen Skinner, Mckean; '40-4 J. D. Dunlap, Erie; '41 S. C. Lee, Greene; '42,'45 Lyman Robinson, Watts- burg: '43,'46 D. A. Gould, Springfield; '44 Mark Baldwin, North East; '45 J. B. Johnson. Erie; '46 7 Wm. Sanborn Amity; '47-9. 53-6,'60 Gideon J. Bull, Erie; '48 Theo. Ryman, Girard; '49, 50 James C. Reid Erie; '49 Leffert Hart, Girard; '50-1 A. W. Blaine, North East: '51-2 C. W. Kelso, Erie; '52-3 H. A. Hills, Conneaus; *James Thompson, Erie; '55 * Murray Whalon, Erie; '56-7 W. Warner. Venango; '57 David Himrod, Waterford; '58 J. W. Campbell, Washington; '58 *Wilson Laird, Erie: '59 Jonas Gunnison, Erie: '59-'60 Henry Teller, Girard; '61-2 J. P. Vincent, Erie: E. W. Twitchell Edinboro: '63-4 J. R. Cochran, Erie, B. S. Hill Wattsburg: '65 6,'69 D. B. McCreary, Erie; '65-6 O. S. Woodward, Waterford; '67-8 G. P. Rea, Girard, J. D. Stranahan, Le Bœuf; '69 C. O. Bowman, Corry; '70-1 G. W. Starr, Erie; '70 I. N. Miller, Springfield; '71 C. P. Rogers, Erie: '72,1'74 Wm. W. Brown, Corry; '72-3 E. H. Wilcox. Edinboro; '73 Henry Butterfield, Erie. (+Under the re- vised Constitution, the sessions are biennial and all members since 1874 have been elected for 2 years.) 1874 Orlando Logan, Albion; '74-8 *Wm. Henry, Erie, S. F. Chapin, Wattsburg; '76 C. A. Hitchcock, North East: '76-'80, S. E. Kincaid, Wayne: '78 Gustav Jarecki, Erie, *Alfred Short, North East; '78-82 M. H. Silver- thorn. Fairvew: '80-4 A. W. Hayes, Wattsburg; '80-6 I. B. Brown Corry; '82 Jno. W. Walker, Erie, H. A. Traut, Girard: '84-8 E. K. Nason, North East; James R. Burns, Erie, Thos. Osbourn Jr., Elk Creek; '86 Warren Chaffee, Wattsburg; '88 J. D. Bentley Corry; '88 92 W. B. Flickenger. Erie; '88-92 B. B. Whitley, East Mill- creek; '90-4 C. M. Wheeler, Le Boeuf; '92 4 J. Ross Raymond, North East; Henry Butterfield, Erie, (For elections '94 see supplement.)
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ERIE COUNTY HISTORY.
CONGRESSMEN .-* Albert Gallatin of Washington Co., represented the north- western district of this State in 1800; * Wmn. Hoge same, '01; * John Hoge, same, '03; * J. B. C. Lucas, Beaver, '04; * Samuel Smith, Erie, '05-12; * Abner Lacock, Bea- ver. '12: * Thos. Wilson. Erie, '13 - 16; * Robt. Moore. Beaver. '16-'20: * P. Farrelly, Crawford, '20-6, (died Feb. '26, while enroute for Washington;) Thos. H. Sill of Erie, by special election Mar. 14, '26 chosen to fill the vacancy; * Stephen Barlow, Crawford. '26; Thos. H. Sill, '28; John Banks, Mercer, '30; * John Galbraith, '32-6, '38; * Arnold Plumer, '36, '40; Chas, M. Reed, Erie, '43; * James Thompson. Erie, '44 50; C. B. Curtis, Warren. '50, '72; John Dick, Crawford. '52-8; Elijah Babbitt, Erie. '58 '62; G. W. Scofield, Warren, '62-'72; * A. G. Egbert, Venango. '74; L. F. Wat- son. '76, '80: J. H. Osmer Venango, '78; S. M. Brainerd, Erie, '82: W. L. Scott, Erie, '84-8; W. C. Culbertson, Girard, '88; Matthew Griswold, Erie, '90; J. C. Sibley, Crawford, '92.
U. S. SENATORS from this State have been chosen as follows: Wm. Maclay, 1789: Robt. Morris, '89; Andrew Gallatin, '93; James Ross. '94; Wm. Bingham. '95; J. P Muhlenberg, 1801; Geo. Logan, '01; Samuel Maclay '03; Andrew Gregg, '07; Michial Lieb, '08: Abner Lacock, '13; Jonathan Roberts, '14; Walter Lowric, '19; Wm. Findlay. '21: Wm. Marks, '25: I. D. Barnard, :27: G. M. Dallas, '31; Wm. Wil- kins, '31: Samuel McKean, '33; James Buchanan, '34; Danl. Sturgeon, '39; Simon Cameron, '45, '57, '67-'77: James Cooper, '49: Richard Brodhead, '51; Wm. Bigler. '55: David Wilmot. '61; Edgar Cowan, '61; C. R. Buckalew, '63; John Scott. '69: Wmn. A. Wallace, '75; J. Don. Cameron, '77-'97: J. I. Mitchell,'81; M. S. Quay, '87-'94.
For comparison of causes we give, for 10 years past the popular vote for gov- ernor, 1882, R. E. Pattison dem. 355,791: J. A. Beaver rep. 315,589; John Stewart ind 43,743; A. C. Pettit pro. 5,196. 1886 Beaver rep. 412,285; Black dem. 369,634; Wolf pro. 32.458: Houston greenback 4,835. 1890 R E. Pattison dem. 464,209; G. W. Delamater rep. 447,655: Gill pro. 16,108: Rynder labor 224. (See supplement for vote 1894 and present State and County officers.)
Presidential Electors .- The electoral vote of Pennsylvania has been cast as follows: 1788 Washington 10, Adams 8, Hancock 2: '92 Washington 15, Adams 14, Clinton 1: '96 Adams 14, Jefferson 13, Pinckney 2, Burr 1: * 1800 Jefferson S, Burr 8, Adams 7, Pinckney 7. Up to this time each elector voted for two persons, the one receiving the highest number, (if a majority,) to be president and second highest vice president. 1804 Jefferson 20; '08, Madison 20; '12, Madison 25: '16. Monroe 25: '20, Monroe 24; +'24, Jackson 28; '28, Jackson 28; '32, Jackson 30; '36, VanBuren 30; '40, ¿Harrison 30; '44, Polk 26; '48, "Tyler 26: '52, Pierce 27: '56, Buchanan 27; '60, Lincoln 27; '64, ¿Lincoln 26; '68, Grant 26: '72, Grant 29: '76, | Hayes 29; '80, ** Garfield 29; '84, ttBlaine 30; '88, Harrison 30; '92, *+Harrison 32
NOTE .- By the above it will be seen that Pennsylvania has been upon the win- ning side with few exceptions. * The electoral vote of 1800 was a tie between Jeff- erson and Burr 73 each. In Congress the former was chosen president and Burr vice. tIn 1824 Jackson received 99 electoral votes, J. Q. Adams 84, W. H. Craw- ford 41. Henry Clay 37: there being no majority it was decided in the House of Re- presentatives in favor of J. Q. Adams. #Wm. H. Harrison died in one month after his inauguration and was succeeded by John Tyler, vice president. Tyler d'ed July 9, 1850 and was succeeded by Millard Fillmore. ¿ Lincoln was assassinated by Booth. Apr. 14. 1865 and succeeded by Andrew Johnson. |Returns disputed and decided by Electoral Commission. ** Died Sept. 19, '81, succeeded by C. A. Arthur. HiGrover Cleveland elected and this state was on the vanquished side for the first time in 60 years. * +Cleveland won again and Pennsylvania got left.
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NORTH WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
The president receives a salary of $50,000; vice-president, cabinet officers and speakers of the House each $8.000. U. S. Senators and Congressmen, each receive $5,000 per year with mileage and various other privileges.
U. S. Officers. - Pennsylvania has always held a fair share of representa- tion in the Councils of the nation. Prior to the adoption of the Constitution, Thos. Mifflin and Arthur St. Clair, were presidents, pro tempore of the U. S. Senate; James Buchanan, Pres. 1857-61; Geo. M. Dailas. V. P., 1845-9; Timothy Picker- ing. James Buchanan and J. S. Black served as Secretaries of State; Alb. Gallatin, A. J. Dallas, Richard Rush, S. D. Ingraham, W. J. Duane, W. Forward, W. M. Meredith as Secs. of Treasury; T. Pickering, J. M. Porter, W'm. Wilkins, Simon Cameron, E. M. Stanton, J. Don. Cameron as Secs. of War; Wm. Jones, A. E. Borie, Secs. of Navy: T. M. T. McKennan, Sec. of Interior; Benj. Franklin, Tim- othy Pickering, James Campbell, John Wanamaker. Postmaster General; Wm. Bradford. Richd. Rush, I. D. Gilpin, J. S. Black, E. M. Stanton, Wayne Mc Veagh, B. H. Brewster, Attys. General: James Wilson, Henry Baldwin, R. C. Grier, Wm. Strong. Justices of Sureme Court: Joseph Casey, Chief Justice Court of Claims.
THE POPULAR VOTE of this State for president 1892: Harrison rep. 516,011; Cleveland dem. 452,264; Bidwell pro. 25,123; Weaver peo. 8,714; socialist 898, total 1,003,010 votes.
GEOGRAPHICAL, GEOLOGICAL, ETC.
This State presents a great diversity of surface and is naturaily classified into three distinct divisions, of unequal size-viz: (1.) The S. E. corner, adjoining the Delaware, being from 20 to 400 feet above tide water. gradually rising to the range of Blue Mountains, covering an agricultural area of about one-fifth of the State. (2.) Following this comes the chain of the Appalachian System, broad valleys, interspersed between the Tuscaroras, Alleghenies and other ranges of mountains, through which flow the Susquehanna, Juniata, Schuylkill, Alleghe- ny, Monongahela and smaller rivers. This mountainous belt averages nearly 100 miles in width. extending across the State from N. E. to S. W. and covers about two-fifths of its area. The altitude of these mountains varies from 1,500 to 2,800 feet. (3.) Lastly comes the great N. W. plateaus of the State, naturally slooping towards Lake Erie: its waters, excepting a narrow belt in close proximity to the lake, flowing to the Ohio river.
North Western Pennsylvania presents a diversified area of rolling and high lands, streams and valleys, being thoroughly watered in all directions and in its different counties are found an admirable location for agricultural and graz- ing pursuits; portions of Erie County alone, being thoroughly adapted to grapes and tender fruits. The entire region is populated by a thrifty and progressive people. The great central portion of the State is rich in coal and iron ore, sever- al of the N. W. counties produce largely of petroleum and gas, while Erie County has no special mineral worth; but numerous light pressure gas wells are found. The altitude of Lake Erie's surface is 573 feet, above the level of the sea, the av- erage plateau of Erie City, lying about 100 feet, above this beautiful water. Ex- tending along and nearly parallel with the lake, are three or four distinct ridges; the first a mile or two away, rising 100 feet to 200 feet, than comes a varying line at an elevation of 300 to 500 feet and the water shed proper from 7 to 15 miles away from Lake Erie, rises from 600 to 1200 feet above its surface. East and south of the Lake Ridge, the lands slope towards French Creek and other tributaries of the Allegheny and Ohio rivers.
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ERIE COUNTY HISTORY.
The Triangle .- Continuing the northern boundary of Pennsylvania on the 42° parallel, it terminated at Lake Erie in Springfield twp. giving to this State about five miles of lake shore. When New York's western boundary was surveyed it was found to be 20 miles east of Presque Isle bay, thus leaving a triangle north of Pennsylvania and west of New York. This was variously claimed by N. Y .. Conn. and Mass., but after protracted negotiations was ceded to the general G >v- ernment. Connecticut in its cession, reserved a tract 62 miles in breadth and ex- tending 120 miles along the south shore of Lake Erie, west from Pennsylvania.
which acquired the name of "Western Reserve." The Triangle on its hypote- nuse, extends 40 miles in a northeasterly direction against Lake Erie, its eastern boundary of 18 miles being New York, and its southern line about 36 miles on the 42° parallel. This embraces 202,187 acres and with the unexcelled harbor at Erie was considered of great value to Pennsylvania. The north line of the State, sur- veyed in 1787, by Andrew Ellicott and N. Y. commissioners, gave the distance from the Delaware river to Lake Erie as 259 miles and 88 perches.
Harbor and Peninsula .- Presque Isle bay adjoining the city of Erie, is nearly five miles in length and from one to two miles in breadth, comprising an area of seven square miles. The Peninsula which makes this magnificent land locked harbor, is very narrow where it first juts out, into the open lake, about three miles west of the city limits. The lake line follows a northeasterly course for four miles, curving thence to the east and for the last mile going nearly south, to the harbor entrance. At its widest place the peninsula is a mile in breadth, but there are numerous marshes, bays, and inlets, so that the entire land area is but little more than two square miles. A light sand stretches along the beach, but farther inland is a dense underbrush and in some places timber of considerable size. About 1835 a channel was formed across the neck of land at the head of the bay and for a time, boats entered from the west end, but it was found that sand was being carried through this apperture and lodged in the other parts of the reg- ular channel in consequence of which the Government erected a break water and closed the breach.
The easteru point, by its sharp curve, forms just inside the harbor entrance. a sub-bay, about 2,000 feet in diameter, in which the crippled boats of Commodore Perry's fleet were quartered in the winter of 1813-14: and from the comfortless con- dition of the marines and soldiers there, it was named Misery bay. by Lieut. Holdup. The average depth of water in the harbor is 18 feet, the channel having been dredged to a sufficient depth to accommodate the largest boats, and Presque Isle bay has surface enough to hold the entire fleets of the great lakes.
Gen. Wm. Irvine who was sent to examine the State lands in this section was impressed with the importance of the Triangle to the future wellfare of Pennsyl- vania, and recommended its immediate purchase from the U. S. Negotiations were made and Apr. 18, 1791 its purchase was authorized by the Legislature. A deed, signed by George Washington, President, and Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State, was issued to Pennsylvania Mar. 3, 1792; the consideration being 75 cents per acre. In the mean time, Jan. 9, 1789, the State authorities procured a release from the Indians, in Council at Ft. Harmar, (Marietta, O.) for $2,000; signed by 17 Seneca Sachems; Hichonquash, a chief of the Tuscaroras: Oncheye, chief of the Onandagas; Kiatulahoh and Aqueia, Munsey chiefs: and Soahaes and Otachsaka of the Cayugas. This was executed by Richard Butler and John Gibbons, as Com- missioners, with Gov. Arthur St. Clair and Gen. Joseph Harmar as witnesses. A year or two later some of the Indians who had not participated in the above sale,
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FRENCH SETTLEMENT
expressed themselves as much agrieved, and, to protect the settlers, a second in- strument was executed, Feb. 3, 1791, by Cornplanter, Halftown and Bigtree, giv- ing a full quitelaim for $800.
Possession By the French .- The natural beauties of Presque Isle bay and its nearness to the tributaries of the Ohio, made it a strategic point of importance, and early in 1753, the French planned for its occupancy. An army of perhaps 800 men, under command of Sieur Morang arrived in July and at once commenced the erection of Ft. Presque Isle, on the west side of the mouth of Millcreek. Large chestnut logs were hewn and securely pinned together, to the height of 15 feet and about 120 feet square. A gate was made on both north and south sides and a blook house erected in each corner. The fort was completed Aug. 3, and a wagon road was cut through to LeBœuf lake where a second fort was erected in September. A detachment of 50 men was sent to the month of French creek, (now Franklin,) to erect a fort but the Indians protested against this and the soldiers returned to Ft. LeBœuf. A month or two later however, Capt. Jean Coeur with a smaller force went to negotiate with the Indians for privilege to build a trading post, and taking the house of John Frasier, an English subject, they raised the French Col- ors, in Oct. 1753, where Ft. Venango, was erected the following spring. Late in October 300 soldiers to garrison the forts at Presque Isle and LeBœuf, were left in this section, while a large part of the force was sent back to Canada. A halt was made at the mouth of Chautauqua creek to complete the fort which had been partly built the previous spring, in the event it might be needed, from whence to carry supplies, via Chautauqua lake to garrisons on the Allegheny; although the portage through Erie County was later accepted as a more feasible route. Fifty men were left at a point on the Niagara river, to build bateaux, in which to forward supplies to Presque Isle the next spring. Some of the above facts were given in evidence, by Stephen Coffin, an Englishman who had been taken to Can- ada by the French in 1747; and who accompanied this French expedition, until he escaped and made his way to the English settlements in the winter of 1753-4.
The Ohio Company was in 1749, by George II, granted 600,000 acres of land along the Ohio river. This company was composed of English capitalists and native Virginians among whom was George Washington and to whom was given an important mission in the fall of 1753. After his return, early in 1754, he recommended the Ohio Company to erect a fort at the junction of the Allegheny and the Monongahela rivers, from its importance as a strategic point. While engaged in this work, Apr. 18, 1754, they were surprised by the French and com- pelled to surrender. The latter rapidly c myleted the fort, and named it Du- Quesne, in honor of the governor of Canada.
Washington's Mission to LeBœuf was accompanied by John Davidson Indian interpreter; Jacob Van Braun, who could converse in French; an Indian trader, Christopher Gist; and a red skin guide. These set out from Cumberland Md. Nov. 14, 1753 and a week later camped at the forks of the Ohio. Here the young Major was reinforced by Currin, McQuire, Stewart and Jenkins who acom- panied him to the Indian village, at Logstown, which he reached Nov. 24, and at once convened a Council of Sachems. Their influence was easily enlisted against the French, as they were much exercised regarding the advent of Capt. Celeron and a company of French soldiers, who had in 1749 deposited leaden plates at points along the Allegheny and the Ohio rivers, as far west as the Muskingum, confir- ming the discovery and posession of this country by the French. Maj. Washing-
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ERIE COUNTY HISTORY.
ton. accompanied by Half King and other Indians, left Logtowns Nov. 30, reach- ing Capt. Jean Coeur's squad. at the mouth of French creek, Dec. 4. The French gave the Indians intoxicants and tried to disconcert Washington's plans, but after a few days stay he pushed forward to LeBœuf arriving there Dec. 11, 1753. Capt. Riparti who was in command of the French garrison at Ft. Presque Isle, was called over to consult with the commandant at Ft. LeBœuf. Washington's treatment though formal, was courteous and he gave in his journal a warm compliment to the gentlemanly character of the French officers. The ob- ject and result of Washington's mission are given in the following letters:
OCTOBER 31, 1753.
To the Commander-in-chief of the French forces:
SIR: The lands upon the River Ohio, in the western part of the colony of Virginia. are so notoriously known to be the property of the crown of Great Brit- ain that it is a matter of equal concern and surprise to me to hear that a body of French forces are erecting fortresses and making settlements upon that river within His Majesty's dominions. The many and repeated complaints I have re- ceived of these acts of hostility lay me under the necessity of sending in the name of the King. my master. the bearer hereof. George Washington, Esq., one of the Adjutants General of the forces of this dominion. to complain to you of the en- croachment thus made,and of the injuries done to the subjects of Great Britain, in violation of the law of nations and the treaties subsisting between the two crowns. If these facts are true and you think fit to justify your proceedings. I must desire you to acquaint me by whose authority and instructions you have lately marched from Canada with an armed force and invaded the King of Great Britain's territory, in the manner complained of; that, according to the purport and resolution of your answer. I may act agreeable to the commision I am honored with from the King, my master. However, sir, in obedience to my instructions, it becomes my duty to require your peaceable departure; and that you would forbear prosecuting a pur- pose so interruptive of the harmony and good understanding which His Majesty is desirous to continue and cultivate with the most Christian King. etc.
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