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.

EiT. 22.] LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 53
of design and action was essential, such a state of
things was so unpropitious, that Colonel Washington
wrote earnestly to the governor to settle the controversy by a positive order under his own hand. The
governor hesitated, because he was not sure, that Captain Mackay's pretensions were inconsistent with the
rule adopted by the ministry, namely, that all officers
with King's commissions should take rank of those
commissioned in the colonies.
To avoid altercation, and prevent the contagious
example of disobedience from infecting the troops,
Colonel Washington resolved to advance with a large
part of his army, and, if not obstructed by the enemy,
to go on by the shortest route to the Monongahela
River. Captain Mackay's company was left at Fort
Necessity, as a guard to that post. The road was to
be cleared and levelled for artillery carriages; and the
process was so laborious, that it took two weeks to
effect a passage through the gorge of the mountains
to Gist's settlement, a distance of only thirteen miles.
The Indians were troublesome with their speeches,
councils, and importunities for presents, particularly a
party from the interior, who feigned friendship, but
who were discovered to be spies from the French.
Due vigilance was practised, and scouts were kept
abroad, even as far as the neighbourhood of Fort Duquesne, so that the first motions of the enemy might
be detected.
It was at length told by French deserters and Indians, that Fort Duquesne was reinforced by troops
from Canada, and that a strong detachment would
shortly march against the English. A council of war
being called, it was at first thought best to make a
stand, and wait the approach of the enemy at Gist's
plantation. An intrenchment for defence was begun,
E