governor at Williamsburg, after as fatiguing and perilous a journey as it is possible to conceive. Throughout the whole, he and his friend experienced a continued series of cold, wet weather. Every moment, they were in danger. from a hidden foe; and, at one time, an Indian, belonging to a party who had lain for the purpose in ambush, discharged a rifle at them, when within less than fifteen yards; but fortunately missed his object. Yet, under all these disadvantages, Washington was enabled, by his own observations, and by inquiries from others, to gain very ex tensive information; respecting the face and soil of the country, the distances and bearings of places, and the number, size, and strength, of nearly all the enemy's forts.

George Washington was born in the parish which bears his family name, in the county of Westmoreland, in Virginia, on the 11th (corresponding with the new style 22d) of February, 1732. He was the third son of Augustine Washington, a planter, of respectable talents, distinguished integrity, and large estate; descended from an ancient family of Cheshire, in England: one of whom removed to Virginia, about the middle of the seventeenth century, and became the proprietor of a large tract of land in King George's county. Inhaling a pure mountain air, and accustomed to the healthful occupations of a rural life, his limbs expanded to a large and well-proportioned size, corresponding with his majestic stature. His education was suited to the business of the country. His classical studies were not pursued beyond the rudiments of the Latin tongue; but his knowledge of the most useful branches of mathematics, was sufficiently extensive.

At the age of ten years, his father dying, the charge of a numerous family devolved on major Washington's eldest brother, Lawrence; a young gentleman of promising talents, who had a captain's commission in the provincial troops, employed in the celebrated attack against Cartha gena, under admiral Vernon. On his return, Lawrence married the daughter of the honourable William Fairfax and settled on his patrimonial estate; which, through re spect to his admiral, he called Mount Vernon. He was af terwards made adjutant-general of the militia of Virginia; but did not long survive the appointment. He left one daughter, who died young; and his second brother also, having died without children, the major succeeded to Mount Vernon. The genius of Washington was on the point of being exercised on a different element from that of which

he has been already introduced. At the age of fifteen, he was entered as a midshipman in the British navy; but his mother, then a widow, unwilling that he should be employ ed at so great a distance, that profession was abandoned.

The reply which the French commander had given, brought matters to a crisis. The Virginia assembly were induced to organize a regiment, in order to support the claims of Britain over the territory in dispute. Of this, Mr. Fry was appointed colonel, and young Washington lieutenant colonel. With two companies, the latter 1754 pushed forward as far as the Great Meadows; where he surprised and captured, in the night, a party of French who were advancing towards the English settlements. Shortly afterwards, Mr. Fry died, and Washington became commander of the regiment. Having then collected the whole at the Meadows, and being joined by two independ ent companies, he went on to dislodge the enemy from Fort Duquesne (the site of the present Pittsburg;) a post. which they had recently erected at the confluence of the Monongahela and Alleghany rivers. On his way, however, being informed that the garrison had been strongly reenforced, and that the French were again advancing with nine hundred men, besides Indians, his own party not being four hundred, he deemed it prudent to fall back, and make a stand at a fort which he had thrown up previous to his setting out. Before he had time to complete his fortifications, he was attacked by De Villier. He made a brave defence, behind his small unfinished works; but, after a contest of nine hours, in which two hundred of the enemy were killed, he was under the necessity of agreeing to a capitulation; his men being allowed to march out with all the honours of war, to retain their arms and baggage, and retire, unmolested, into the inhabited parts of Virginia.

To draw forth the colonial resources, in a uniform sys tem of operations, a meeting of the governors and most distinguished members of the provincial assemblies was held at Albany, in the state of New-York; where, it was proposed, that a grand council should be formed, of persons chosen by the respective assemblies; which council, together with a governor, to be chosen by the crown, should be authorized to make general laws, and to raise money, from all the colonies, for the common defence. But this plan was not acceptable to the British ministry. They proposed another; that the governors, attended by one or two members of their respective councils, which were, for the

gainst adversaries whose whole navy confrigates; and Hudson's river, being naof the largest size, to a great distance, unity of severing the eastern from the falmost preventing between them any

the desire which general Washingto itish felt for the possession of New York officer direct his attention to its defence. fixed his head quarters in that city, and ength that wisdom could invent or indusHe made a new distribution of the army: Massachusetts, ordering a small division awing the greatest portion into New York. he now laboured to secure this important forgetful of the other districts of his counehensive mind embraced, in one view, the whole; and his experience taught him the ethod of preserving them. He determined sts;" the best suited to the condition of bis id the least adapted to the interest of his le it increased the confidence of the one, perations of the other, by continual alarm. solved to make their first attempt on Long n more advantageous than that on which is it abounded with fresh provisions. On st, they landed without opposition between Utrecht and Gravesend. The American a small peninsula; having Wallabout Bay Hook, to which they extended, on the right, in the rear. General Sullivan, to whom The defence of the island, was encamped with ithin these works, at Brooklyn. The passes the hills were all guarded, and a battalion rved the motions of the British.

ter, with his Hessian auxiliaries in English Flatbush; and, on the following morning, ol Clinton gained possession of a height e of the defiles. The guard fled, without istance. Early on the 28th, an attack was essians, and by another body under general as well supported for a considerable time, The Americans who opposed general Heist informed of the approach of Clinton, who upon their left. They immediately began á

he has been already introduced. At the age of fifteen, he was entered as a midshipman in the British navy; but his mother, then a widow, unwilling that he should be employ ed at so great a distance, that profession was abandoned.

The reply which the French commander had given, brought matters to a crisis. The Virginia assembly were induced to organize a regiment, in order to support the claims of Britain over the territory in dispute. Of this, Mr. Fry was appointed colonel, and young Washington lieutenant colonel. With two companies, the latter 1754 pushed forward as far as the Great Meadows; where he surprised and captured, in the night, a party of French who were advancing towards the English settlements. Shortly afterwards, Mr. Fry died, and Washington became commander of the regiment. Having then collected the whole at the Meadows, and being joined by two independ ent companies, he went on to dislodge the enemy from Fort Duquesne (the site of the present Pittsburg;) a post which they had recently erected at the confluence of the Monongahela and Alleghany rivers. On his way, however, being informed that the garrison had been strongly reenforced, and that the French were again advancing with nine hundred men, besides Indians, his own party not be ing four hundred, he deemed it prudent to fall back, and make a stand at a fort which he had thrown up previous to his setting out. Before he had time to complete his fortifications, he was attacked by De Villier. He made a brave defence, behind his small unfinished works; but, after a contest of nine hours, in which two hundred of the enemy were killed, he was under the necessity of agreeing to a capitulation; his men being allowed to march out with all the honours of war, to retain their arms and baggage, and retire, unmolested, into the inhabited parts of Virginia.

To draw forth the colonial resources, in a uniform sys tem of operations, a meeting of the governors and most distinguished members of the provincial assemblies was held at Albany, in the state of New-York; where, it was proposed, that a grand council should be formed, of persons chosen by the respective assemblies; which council, together with a governor, to be chosen by the crown, should be authorized to make general laws, and to raise money, from all the colonies, for the common defence. But this plan was not acceptable to the British ministry. They proposed another; that the governors, attended by one or two members of their respective councils, which were, for the

most part, of royal appointment, should concert measures for all the colonies; erect forts, and raise troops: with power to draw on the English treasury, in the first instance; but the expense to be ultimately reimbursed by a tax laid on the colonies by act of parliament. This plan was as much disrelished by the colonies, as the former had been by the British ministry. Having been communicated, through one of the royal governors, to Dr. Franklin, and his opinion thereon requested, this sagacious patriot expressed his sentiments in writing; and, by his strong reasoning powers, discovered, in the intended measure, the germ of a controversy in which he himself holds so conspicuous and honourable a place.

men.

By whatever means, however, the supplies were to be raised, both England and the colonies agreed that no time should be lost in commencing the military operations. It was therefore resolved to drive the French from the Ohio, and from all the posts which they held within the limits claimed by the king of Great Britain. To effect the first purpose, general Braddock was sent from Europe to 1755 Virginia, with two regiments; where he was joined by as many as increased his force to twenty-two hundred He was a brave man; but his bravery was unaccom panied by experience. He was strict in the camp; but his strictness was tinctured with severity, and his severity ap proached to arrogance. He particularly slighted the colonial militia, and the Virginia officers. Washington, who acted as aid-de-camp of the general, asked permission to go before him, and scour the woods with provincial troops; who were well acquainted with that service. But this was refused. Braddock, with twelve hundred men, pushed on, incautiously, until, on the 9th of July, within a few miles If Fort Duquesne, he fell into an ambuscade of French and ondians. The invisible enemy commenced a heavy and welldirected fire on his uncovered troops. The van was forced back on the main body, and the whole was thrown into con fusion. The slaughter was dreadful: particularly amongst the officers. In a short time, Washington was the only aidde-camp left alive, and not wounded. He had two horses shot under him, and four bullets passed through his coat: but he escaped unhurt. Throughout the whole of the car nage and confusion, he displayed the greatest coolness and self-possession. Braddock, too, was undismayed, amidst a shower of bullets; and by his countenance and example encouraged his men to stand their ground: but valour was