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.

24 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. [1753.
test, in which nearly all Europe was involved, and
which terminated in severing from France the larger
portion of her possessions on the western continent,
The result is well known. The terms of the peace,
so humiliating to the national pride of France, were
endured no longer than till an opportunity offered of
retaliation and recompense. This presented itself
much sooner than could have been foreseen, in the
war of the American revolution; and it may safely be
said, that the first blow struck on the Ohio was the
beginning of the series of events, which ended thirty
years afterwards in establishing the independence of
the English Colonies. We shall hence find Washington acting a prominent part in this great drama from
its very commencement to its close, gaining strength
and rising higher and higher at every stage, the defender of his country's cause, equal to all occasions,
successful, and triumphant.
As a first step towards executing the orders of the
ministers, Governor Dinwiddie resolved to send a commissioner in due form, and invested with suitable
powers, to confer with the officer commanding the
French forces, and inquire by what authority he presumed to invade the King's dominions, and what were
his designs. The commission was delicate and hazardous, requiring discretion, ability, experience in the
modes of travelling in the woods, and a knowledge of
Indian manners. These requisites were believed to
be combined in Major Washington, and the important
service was intrusted to him, although as yet but
twenty-one years old.
Ie was instructed to proceed without delay to the
Ohio River, convene some of the Indian chiefs at a
place called Logstown, make known to them the objects of his visit, and, after having ascertained where