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.

MT. 26.] LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 95
direct. I wish sincerely that we may all entertain
one and the same opinion; therefore I desire to have
an interview with you at the houses built half way
between our camps." This proposal was acceded to,
and the matter was deliberately discussed.
It was represented by Colonel Washington, that a
great deal of pains had been taken formerly by the
Ohio Company, with the aid of traders and Indians,
to ascertain the most practicable route to the western
country; that the one from Will's Creek was selected
as far preferable to any other; that a road had accordingly been made, over which General Braddock's army
had passed; and that this road required but slight
repairs to put it in good condition. Even if another
route could be found, she thought the experiment a
hazardous one at so advanced a stage in the season,
as it would retard the operations, and, he feared, inevitably defeat the objects of the campaign, and defer
the capture of Fort Duquesne to another year. Such
a result would dishearten the colonies, which had made
extraordinary efforts to raise men and money for the
present enterprise, with the full expectation of its success; it would moreover embolden the southern Indians, already disaffected, who would seize the opportunity to commit new hostilities, thereby distressing the
inhabitants, strengthening the enemy, and adding to
the difficulty of a future conquest. But, admitting it
possible, that a new road could be made from Raystown through Pennsylvania, yet no advantage could
be derived from it, that did not actually exist in an
equal or greater degree in Braddock's Road. Forage
for the horses was abundant in the meadows bordering
the latter; the streams were fordable, and the defiles
easy to be passed.
These reasons, so obvious and forcible, did not change