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.

76 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. [1756.
the last war, upon which he now plumed himself, refusing obedience to any provincial officer, however
high in rank. Hence, whenever Colonel Washington
was at Fort Cumberland, the Maryland captain would
pay no regard to his orders. The example was mischievous, and kept the garrison in perpetual feuds and
insubordination. The affair was laid in due form before'Governor Dinwiddie, and his positive order in the
case was requested. Not caring to venture his authority in deciding a doubtful question, the governor
refrained from interference, but at the same time told
Colonel Washington that the pretensions of Dagworthy
were frivolous; and he seemed not a little incensed,
that a captain with thirty men should presume to dispute the rank of the commander-in-chief of the Virginia forces, who had been commissioned under his
own hand. In short, he intimated to Colonel Washington, that Dagworthy might be arrested, according
to military usage; taking care, nevertheless, to give
no order on the subject.
This vacillation of the governor only increased the
embarrassment. In the first place, the fort was in
Maryland, and Dagworthy acted under the governor
of that colony, who was known to encourage his claim.
Again, in General Braddock's time, Dagworthy, on
the ground of his old commission, had been put above
provincial officers of higher rank. With these precedents before him, Colonel Washington did not choose
to hazard an arrest, for which he might himself be
called to account. He was prompt, however, in his
determination, either to resign his commission, as he
had formerly done for a similar reason, or to have this
difficulty removed.
As a last resort, it was proposed to refer the matter
to General Shirley, now the commander-in-chief of his