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was the origin of the circumspection and vigilance which afterwards marked his conduct in a successful defensive war.

Let us for a moment enquire into the cause of those unprovoked hostilities of the French against the British colonies. As France, for many centuries had been the professed rival of England, she beheld the rapid prosperity of these colonies, and the consequent aggrandizement of the mother country, with envious apprehension. The French government also made settlements in North America, and divided this vast continent into two Provinces; the northern was called Canada, and the southern Louisiana. But as the principal part of this territory was comparatively barren and uncultivated, the French formed the ambitious project of obtaining possession of the British settlements by force. For this purpose they erected a chain of forts, which extended throughout an immense tract of country. These fortifications were garrisoned by troops well supplied with military stores; but the vast circumjacent regions were totally uninhabited, except by hunting parties of the wandering Indians.

The French engaged these savages in their interest, by supplying them with arms and ammunition, in exchange for rich furs. Thus

they obtained the alliance of a formidable and enterprizing race, who naturally hated the British colonists, whom they considered as the original invaders of their country.

In the summer of 1754, the French having built several forts within the boundaries of the British settlements, an army of veterans was sent from France to support those unjustifiable encroachments. We have already mentioned their victory over the troops commanded by Washington, and that they had erected a fort at an advantageous post, which it had been his determination to secure. They named this fortress Du Quesne, in which they stationed a strong garrison, well provided with military stores. These hostile measures on the part of France, excited the indignation of the English government, and orders were issued to make general reprisals in Europe and America.

In the year 1755, General Braddock was sent to America, at the head of two veteran regiments from Ireland, to reduce the forts. on the Ohio. On his arrival, he was joined by the independent and provincial corps of America but when the army was ready to march against the enemy, the want of waggons for the conveyance of stores, had almost proved an insurmountable obstacle to the ex

pedition. In this emergency, a patriotic American stepped forward, and removed the difficulty; this was the celebrated Benjamin Franklin, whose extraordinary talents had already contributed to the diffusion of knowledge and happiness. This benign philosopher exerted his influence so effectually with his countrymen, that, in a short time, he collected one hundred and fifty waggons, which proved an ample supply for the army.

As in consequence of a military regulation, "no officer who did not derive his commission from the king, could command one who did," Washington resigned; but, strongly attached to a military life, and emulous to defend his country with distinguished zeal, he voluntarily served under General Braddock, as an extra aid-de-camp. That general marched against Fort Du Quesne; but soon after he crossed the river Monongahela, the van division of his army was attacked by an abuscade of French and Indians, and totally defeated. The thickness of the woods prevented both the European and provincial troops from being able to defend themselves with effect; they could neither keep their ranks, nor charge the enemy with the bayonet, while the Indians; who were expert at bush-fighting, and were widely scattered,

fired at them in all derections, from behind trees, where they were concealed from their foes, and took a fatal aim. Washington had cautioned General Braddock in vain ; his ardent desire of conquest made him deaf to the voice of prudence; he saw his error when too late, and bravely perished in his endeavours to save the division from destruction. The gallant but unfortunate general had four horses shot under him, before he was slain, and almost every officer whose duty obliged him to be on horseback, was either killed or wounded except Washington. Amid the carnage, the presence of mind, and abilities of our hero, were conspicuous; he rallied the troops, and at the head of a corps of grenadiers, covered the retreat of the division, and secured their passage over the ford of Monongahela. Anxious for the preservation of the troops, and unmindful of the fatigues he had undergone, during a sultry day in July, in which he had scarcely a moment of rest, he hastened to concert measures with Colonel Dunbar, who commanded the rear division, which had not been engaged. Nei-' ther the wilderness, through which he was obliged to pass, the innumerable dangers that surrounded him in his progress, nor his exhausted state, could prevent him from pursu,

ing the line of his duty. He travelled during the night, accompanied by two guides, and reached the British camp in safety. Thus his perseverance and wisdom saved the residue of the troops. Colonel Dunbar now assumed the chief command; he with considerable difficulty effected a retreat, but was obliged to destroy his baggage, to prevent it from falling into the hands of the enemy. Washington received the most flattering marks of public approbation; but his best reward was the consciousness of his own integrity.

Soon after this transaction, the regulation of rank, which had justly been considered as a grievance by the colonial officers, was changed in consequence of a spirited remonstrance of Washington; and the governor of Virginia rewarded the services of this brave officer, by appointing him to the command of all the troops of that colony. The natural energy of his mind was now called into action; and his thoughts were continually employed in forming new plans for the protection of the frontiers.

We may forin some idea of his increasing popularity, and the high estimation in which he was held by his countrymen, from the following curious prediction. It was publish

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