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.

66 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. [1754.
Washington at first declined listening to the proposal,
but when the call was repeated, with the additional
request that an officer might be sent to them, engaging at the same time their parole for his safety, he
sent out Captain Vanbraam, the only person under
his command, that could speak French, except the
Chevalier de Peyrouny, an ensign in the Virginia regiment, who was dangerously wounded, and disabled
from rendering any service on this occasion. Vanbraam returned, and brought with him from M. de Villiers, the French commander, proposed articles of capitulation. These he read. and pretended to interpret,
and, some changes having been made by mutual agreement, both parties signed them about midnight.
" By the terms of the capitulation, the whole garrison
was to retire, and return without molestation to the
inhabited parts of the country; and the French commander promised, that no embarrassment should be
interposed, either by his own men or the savages.
The English were to take away every thing in their
possession, except their artillery, and to march out of
the fort the next morning with the honors of war, their
drums beating and colors flying. As the French had
killed all the horses and cattle, Colonel Washington
had no means of transporting his heavy baggage and
stores; and it was conceded to him, that his men
might conceal their effects, and that a guard might
be left to protect them, till horses could be sent up
to take them away. Colonel Washington agreed to
restore the prisoners, who had been taken at the skir.mish with Jumonville; and, as a surety for this article
two hostages, Captain Vanbraam and Captain Stobo,
were delivered up to the French, and were to be retained till the prisoners should return. It was moreover agreed, that the party capitulating should not