himself well acquainted with the situation of all the colonies, their wants, their trade, and their capabilities, with a view to unite them, if possible, under one government, over which he hoped to obtain the appointment of governor-general. The pressure of war, with the combined force of the French and Indians, which seemed now about to fall upon the colonies, and rendered some union necessary for the purpose of defence, seemed highly favorable to his design.

The French, at an early day, conceived a correct idea of the importance of the British colonies in America. The Count De Callier, governor of Montreal, during his residence in Canada, after a long experience, derived from observations on the spot, had formed the bold project of separating in two the English colonies by the capture of New York. The success of this scheme would manifestly have destroyed that concert so necessary to harmony and efficiency of co-operation, and left the other colonies liable to be cut off in detail, and would effectually establish the safety of Canada, by enabling the French to keep in check the powerful savage confederation, composed of the Five Nations, which had lately, by a furious irruption, laid waste the country, even to the gates of Montreal and Quebec. This plan of Callier's was adopted

Sept. 1692. by the French government. A fleet was sent to the

bay of New York, with orders to retain possession of it until December, when, if no further orders were received, it was to sail for Port Royal, land its munition and stores, and return to France. The land force were to have marched from Quebec by the route of the Sorel River and Lake Champlain. This expedition was defeated by a destructive inroad of the Five Nations, which carried death and desolation over the whole country, even to the very gates of the capital. This unforeseen occurrence rendered it necessary to retain the whole force at home, in measures of self-defence, and saved New York, without her having to strike a blow in her own behalf.

The British government, daily becoming more sensible of the importance of the North American colonies, and seeing the danger to which they were exposed by the plan of De Callier, set on foot a plan of general defence in the year 1695, adjusting the quotas of each colony to the ratio of its population, and forwarding the scale to the different governors, to recommend for the adoption of the respective colonial assemblies. Several of the colonies rejected this scheme, because several of those which were thought most exposed wished to employ it as their own interest dictated. Among the refractory was Virginia, which could not be prevailed upon, by all the art and ingenuity of the governor, aided by his great enthusiasm in this his favorite plan, to vote a cent to the enterprise, to his inconceivable chagrin and mortification. Nicholson, finding his own efforts utterly unavailing, laid the matter before the king, and urged the propriety of forcing Virginia to see her true interests upon this occasion. William, in reply, recom.

mended a new consideration of the matter by the General Assembly, alleging, upon the authority of Nicholson's report, " that New York was the barrier of Virginia against the Indians and French of Canada; and as such, it was but justice she should defend it." The assembly deemed it but due respect to his majesty to take the subject again into consideration, but found no reason to change their former opinion, declaring "that neither the forts then in being, nor any others that might be built in the province of New York, could in the least avail in the defence or security of Virginia; for that either the French, or the northern Indians, might invade the colony, and not come within a hundred miles of such fort."

The failure of this great subject irritated the governor beyond expression; and excited in his mind the most inordinate antipathy to the assembly. He charged the conduct of the assembly to a spirit of rebellion, and inveighed against what he called its parsimony, in the most unmeasured terms, offering to pay the quota of Virginia out of his own pocket, and boasting afterwards that he had done it; but, at the same time, taking the obligation of the gentleman to whom he gave the bills, that no use should be made of them until the queen should remit money to pay them. This affectation of generosity was designed to gain popularity with the other colonies.

CHAPTER VI.

EVENTS FROM THE YEAR 1705 TO THE TERMINATION OF THE FRENCH AND

INDIAN WAR.

Gov. Nicholson superseded by Nott, and he by Jennings.-Administration of Gov. Spotswood--he effects a passage over the Blue Ridge.-Drysdale governor-succeeded by Gooch.-Death of Rev. James Blair.-Notice of Col. Wm. Byrd.-Gooch's charge to the Grand Jury, against Presbyterians, Methodists, &c.-Burning of the Capitol at Williamsburg.—Revision of the Colonial Laws.-Departure of Gooch.Dinwiddie governor.—Encroachments of the French.-Mission of George Washington beyond the Alleganies, to the French Commandant of a Fort--its inauspicious results.-Gov. Dinwiddie prepares to repel the encroachments of the French-Expedition against them under Col. Fry, and the erection of Fort Duquesne.—Washington's skirmish with Jumonville-he erects Fort Necessity-he surrenders to the French, and marches back to Virginia.-The Burgesses pass a vote of thanks to him. Gov. Dinwiddie resolves to prosecute the war-the futility of his projects.—Arrival of Gen. Braddock.-Braddock's defeat.-Bravery of Washington and the Virginia troops.-Frontiers open to incursions from the savages.--Fauquier governor.Troops destined for the conquest of Duquesne rendezvous at Raystown.-Defeat of Major Grant, and heroism of Capt. Bullet.-Fort Duquesne evacuated.-End of the War.

THE first half of the eighteenth century, to the breaking out of the French and Indian war, is extremely barren of incident in the history of Virginia. Very little more can be given than a list of

the various colonial governors, with the dates of their appointments and removals, and a synopsis of their characters. This brevity arises from the fact that it was mainly a time of peace, which usually leaves but little of striking incident to record, of marked interest to the general reader,-although a narration of laws, and causes which advance or retard the welfare of society, or those things which exhibit a true portraiture of it, would arrest the attention of the political economist, and, to some degree, of all. Again, the annals of Virginia, during this period, are brief and unsatisfactory; and, doubtless, much highly valuable material is, in consequence, forever lost. Probably a thorough inspection of documents in possession of the British government would throw much light upon this period, and the colonial history of Virginia generally, and settle some points which, for lack of information, are now in controversy.

Gov. Nicholson continued in office until 1705, when he was superseded by Edward Nott, who survived his appointment but a few months. The death of Nott devolved the government on Edmund Jennings, the president, and the council.

A commission, meanwhile, had issued, appointing Brigadier Gen. Hunter lieutenant-governor, under the Earl of Orkney; but he having been taken on his passage by the French, Col. Alexander Spotswood was appointed his successor. His administration commenced in 1710. He was an accomplished and enterprising man; and had his suggestions to the British ministry been fully and promptly executed, they would have proved highly useful to the interests of Britain in America, at a time when France was endeavoring to wrest from her the trade and riches of the new world. Early in his administration, Spotswood, at the head of a troop of horse, effected a passage over the Blue Ridge, which had previously been considered an impenetrable barrier to the ambition of the whites, and discovered the beautiful valley which lies beyond. In commemoration of this event, he received from the king the honor of knighthood, and was presented with a miniature golden horseshoe, on which was inscribed the motto, "Sic jurat transcendere montes"-" Thus he swears to cross the mountains."

In 1723, Spotswood was succeeded by Sir Hugh Drysdale. In 1739, when hostilities were commenced against Spain, and soon after against France, Spotswood was again called into service, and honored with the command of the colonial troops; but he did not live to enjoy the returning smiles of royal favor. Drysdale was succeeded in office by Gooch, a brigadier-general on the British establishment, who passed acts of the Assembly for the first time in 1727. During his administration, he commanded the colonial troops in the unsuccessful expedition against Carthagena. In 1743, died the Rev. James Blair, the first president of William and Mary. He was an eminent and learned divine, to whose exertions the institution owed much of its prosperity. His death occasioned a vacancy in the council, which was filled by William

12

Fairfax, son of the proprietor of the Northern Neck. Col. Wm. Byrd, also a member of the council, died about this period. He was a wealthy gentleman, of extensive acquirements, and one of the commissioners who had been appointed to run the dividing line between Virginia and North Carolina. His journal of the survey, which has descended to our times, is "marked by a spirit of unaffected humor, that does equal honor to his heart and understanding."

In April, 1745, Gov. Gooch made an address to the grand jury of the General Court, in opposition to the Presbyterians, Methodists, and other denominations of Christians, who had at this time become numerous in Virginia. It illustrates the state of religious intolerance at that time, and, singular as it may seem to us of the present day, it met with the approval of the most gifted minds in the colony, "among whom were some that afterwards became distinguished champions of an unqualified freedom in every thing that related to the human mind."*

In the year 1746, the public buildings in Williamsburg were burnt; and the subject was shortly after agitated of removing the seat of government to some more central part of the colony. In the session of 1748, the assembly appointed the following named gentlemen a committee to revise the colonial laws:-Peyton Randolph, Philip Ludwell, Beverly Whiting, Carter Burwell, and Benjamin Waller. Gooch, who had been governor of Virginia for upwards of 20 years, sailed for England in 1749," amidst the blessings and tears of the people, among whom he had lived as a wise and beneficent father." The government now devolved on Robinson, the president of the council. At his death a few days after, Thomas Lee, who had succeeded him in the presidency, was advanced to the chair of government.

In the year 1752, Governor Dinwiddie arrived in Virginia. Since the failure of De Callier's design upon New York, in 1692, the French in Canada and Louisiana, acting in concert, continued to extend their forts and strengthen their power by alliances with the Indians; thus at once endeavoring to unite their possessions, to monopolize the Indian trade, and to limit the British settlements. Gov. Dinwiddie, viewing with just alarm the encroachments of the French, in Oct., 1753, dispatched George Washington, then but 21 years of age, on a mission to the French commandant of a fort on a branch of French Creek, about 15 miles south of Lake Erie.

This commission was delicate and hazardous, and required experience in the modes of travelling through the woods, and a knowledge of the Indian character. The distance was nearly 600 miles, over rugged mountains and mostly through a howling wilderness. The party consisted of eight persons: Jacob Vanbraam, interpreter, Mr. Gist, guide, and four others, two of whom were Indian traders. After much toil in an inclement season, in marching over snow-covered mountains and crossing rivers on frail rafts, they at length reached the junction of the Monongahela with the Allegany. Washington examined the place, and by his recommnendation the fortification was erected there that afterwards became so much celebrated.

* For this address see Burke's History of Va., vol. III., p. 119.

Twenty miles below the Forks of the Ohio, at Logstown, he called together some of the Indian chiefs and delivered to them the governor's message, soliciting a guard to the French encampments. The principal sachem was Tanacharison, alias the Half-King. The sachems having met in council, Washington addressed them, explaining the objects of his mission. The Half-King made a pacific reply, and, in company with him and three other Indians, Washington finally set off and reached the French fort. M. de St. Pierre, the commandant, received him courteously. Washington presented his commission and letter from Gov. Dinwiddie. This letter asserted that the lands on the Ohio belonged to the British crown, and urged a speedy and peaceful departure of the French. St. Pierre's reply was respectful, but uncomplying and determined. He said that the message should have been sent to the French governor in Canada, and that he would not retire unless ordered by him. While there, Washington was very politely entertained; but the French commandant used artifice to detain the Indians. Finally, after much perplexity, the whole party embarked in a canoe on their return, and proceeded down as far as Venango, which they reached in six days. The passage was full of peril from rocks, shallows, and drifting trees. At Venango they found their horses, in an emaciated condition. To lighten their burden, Washington proceeded on foot, in an Indian walking dress, in company with Messrs. Gist and Vanbraam, the horses being under the direction of the drivers. After three days travel, Washington, with Mr. Gist, left the party and went on ahead, each with a loaded knapsack and a gun. The next day they met an Indian, whom they engaged to pilot them to the forks of the Allegany. The Indian acted very suspiciously, and it was soon conjectured from his conduct that he intended to murder them. They managed, however, to get rid of him, and travelled all night. The next evening, at dusk, they arrived at the Allegany river. Weary and exhausted, they passed the night on the bank, making their bed on the snow, and exposed to the inclemencies of the weather. When morning arrived they prepared to cross the river.

"There was no way of getting over," says Washington, "but on a raft; which we set about making with but one poor hatchet, and finished just after sunsetting. This was a whole day's work. We next got it launched, and went on board of it; then set off. But, before we were half way over, we were jammed in the ice in such a manner, that we expected every moment our raft would sink, and ourselves perish. I put out my setting-pole to try to stop the raft, that the ice might pass by; when the rapidity of the stream threw it with so much violence against the pole, that it jerked me out into ten feet water. But I fortunately saved myself by catching hold of one of the raftlogs. Notwithstanding all our efforts, we could not get the raft to either shore, but were obliged, as we were near an island, to quit our raft and make to it."

This was a desert island. They passed the night in extreme suffering, from the intense cold, and Mr. Gist's hands and feet were frozen. When morning dawned, a gleam of hope appeared. The ice had congealed to the eastern shore sufficiently hard to allow them to cross to it. At length, after an absence of sixteen weeks, they arrived at Williamsburg.

The intentions of the French being now understood, the Governor of Virginia acted with energy to resist their encroachments. The journal of Washington was also published. It was reprinted in London, and considered by the government as unfolding the hostile views of the French, and the first proof of their intentions. A regiment was raised in Virginia, under the command of Colonel Joshua Fry, for the purpose of erecting a fort at the forks of the Ohio. Washington was appointed second in command, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. A small party of Captain Trent's company was hastily sent forward to commence the fort, but were interrupted by the arrival of Captain Contrecreur, with a thousand French and Indians, who drove away the English, and erected Fort Duquesne. This was the first act of open hostility. The news reached Colonel Washington while he was posted at Will's creek (at which place Fort Cumberland was afterwards erected) with three companies, waiting the arrival of Colonel Fry with the