The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

94 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. [1758.
obtaining the general approbation causes me to hesitate a moment to leave my regimentals at this place,
and proceed as light as any Indian in the woods. It
is an unbecoming dress, I own; but convenience,
rather than show, I think, should be consulted." He
equipped in the Indian dress two companies, which
had been ordered to advance to the main body; and
it was so much approved by Colonel Bouquet, that
he encouraged the army to adopt it. "The dress,"
he replied, "takes very well here. We see nothing
but shirts and blankets. It should be our pattern in
this expedition." Its lightness and convenience were
suited to the heat of summer, and it saved expense
and trouble.'He had been but a few days at Fort Cumberland,
when he learnt with great surprise, that General Forbes
was hesitating as to the route he should pursue in
crossing the mountains to Fort Duquesne. The road,
over which General Braddock marched, was the only
one that had been cut through the wilderness for
the passage of wagons and artillery; and as its construction had cost immense toil, it seemed incredible
that any other route should be attempted, or even
thought of, so late in the season. His sentiments
being asked, he expressed them in the most unreserved manner, and with a cogency of argument, that
could have been set aside only by a determination
on the part of the general, arising from motives foreign to the absolute merits of the case. Colonel Bouquet, who participated in the general's views, desired
a consultation with Washington on the subject. "Nothing," said he, "can exceed your generous dispositions
for the service. I see, with the utmost satisfaction,
that you are above the influences of prejudice, and
ready to go heartily where reason and judgment shall