The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-02-22

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for the night he learned their likes
and dislikcs. their weak and their.
strong points-a knowledge which
served him well during the Revolu-
tionary War.
The Treaty of AK la chapelle
signed In 174s was expected to give
peace to the world. but somehow the
great statesmen who framed It forgot
to settle the controversy Of the French
and English over boundary lines in
America which had become disturb
ing element. For several years both
the French and English claimed the
rich valley of the Ohio. Finally the
English decided to make the first move
toward settling It,. and a company Of
gentlemen-nmong them August and
Lawrence Washington. obtained a
grant from England for six hundred
thousand acres of land.
When the French learned that the
Company was preparing to open trade
with the Indians they objected. The
English at once started to organize
military companies. and George WASH
tngton became an adjutant general
with the title Of major. While this
was going on Robert Dinwiddie, a
shrewd Scotchman, was sent to vir-
ginia to act as Lieutenant Governor
Dinwiddie learned that the French
were encouraging their 1ndiRn allies
to bold assaults on the English set
Elements and he determined to as
certain Just what It meant so he sent
Captain William Trent to expostulate
with the French commander. but this
officer evidently lost his nerve and
gave up the mission.
Sent On Pcrilous Mission.
Governor Dinwiddie then selected
Major George Washington. at that
time twenty-one years OF age. He was
not only to deliver the letter OF Din
widdie to the French officer ''but to
learn as much as possible about the
strength and fortiffcations of the
French" With his party of eight men
Washington rode over four hundred
miles through forests inhabited by
hostile tribes. The weather was bitter
cold and some Of his men had their
toes and ears frozen. They. however,
accomplished their mission although
during the return trip Washington
came near losing his life through the
treachery Of an Indian.
The result Of washington's trip jus-
titled the darkest apprehension OF the
English Governor. The clash between
the French and English of the new
world was inevitable. Dlnwiddie at
once began to prepare by raising regi-
ments, Offering the colonelcy of one to
washington. who declined, An Eng
lishman named Fry was given the
post with Washington as second In
command. After 2 few weeks Colonel
Fry died and not only the sole COM
mand Of the regiment but Of the first
Expedition against the French devolved
upon Washington.
j First Victory.
The march to Great Meadows was
] fraught with trouble to the young
!. commander Many of his men were
unwilling. lazy recruits. ill-provisioned
and ill-armed. The, march was over
a difficult country. and full of disap-
pointments as to supplies and fresh
horses which were to have been sent
when they reached Wills Greek
Washington found out that the for
which the Government had built 70,
him at the junction of the Aileghen,
and Monongahela rivers had been ap.
propriated by the French while the
commander was away on pleasure
"trip. on learning this 1t Is recorded
! thet Warrington swore and said man,
. unprintable things about the mar
higher. up and his neglect OF duty 4.
putting incompetent people in impor
!. tant ,places. He did not lose heart
! but kept on until he reached Grea
/, Meadows. There his army campet
for nearly a month before meeting
the enemy.
At last one of his indian scout
9 brought word that the French wer,
|, behind the hills at breakfast with n,
= sentry on duty. 1t was the work o
z a, few minutes to reach the spot. TIL
J. encounter was short, the officer /,
command being the first killed, dyinl
: almost directly at Washing ton's feet
!. Ten men were killed and the other
. made prisoners and marched to tn
Z Z English camp at Great Meadow,
Washington had begun his militar
career with victory. France Gale,
Z him mnrderons ruffian, London de
3 ciareds that he was a bombastic hert
D and the people OF Virginia proclaime
8 him great man. Defeat came latei
i although the virginiars declared tit
II be a mastery retreat.
b Pretty soon young oficers began
d arrive from England with orders frol
q King George II. to outrank the pre-
Il vin6ials. Washinston was 30 insuite
i at this order that he. at once resigne