expected to do his duty faithfully. A person who did not perform his share of labor on these occasions was designated by the epithet of "Lawrence" or some other title still more opprobious; and when it came to his turn to require the like aid from his neighbors, the idler soon felt his punishment, in their refusal to attend to his calls. “Although there was no legal compulsion to the performance of military duty; yet every man of full age and size was expected to do his full share of public service. If he did not do so he was "Hated out as a coward." Even the want of any article of war equipments, such as ammunition, a sharp flint, a priming wire, a scalping knife or tomahawk was thought highly disgraceful. A man, who without a reasonable cause failed to go on a scout or campaign when it came to his turn, met with an expression of indignation in the countenances of all his neighbors, and epithets of dishonor were fastened upon him without mercy. "Debts, which make such an uproar in civilized life, were but little known among our forefathers at the early settlement of this country. After the depreciation of the continental paper they had no money of any kind; every thing purchased was paid for in produce or labor. A good cow and calf was often the price of a bushel of alum salt. If a contract was not punctually fulfilled, the credit of the delinquent was at an end. "Any petty theft was punished with all the infamy that could be heaped on the offender. A man on a campaign stole from his comrade, a cake out of the ashes, in which it was baking. He was immediately named “The bread rounds." This epithet of reproach was bandied about in this way, when he came in sight of a group of men one of them would call "who comes there?" Another would answer "The bread rounds." If any one meant to be more serious about the matter, he would call out" Who stole a cake out of the ashes," Another replied by giving the name of the man in full, to this a third would give confirmation by exclaiming "That is true and no lie." This kind of "tonguelashing" he was doomed to bear, for the rest of the campaign, as well as for years after his return home. "If a theft was detected in any of the frontier settlements, a summary mode of punishment was always resorted to. The first settlers, as far as I knew of them had a kind of innate, or hereditary detestation of the crime of theft, in any shape or degree, and their maxim was that "a thief must be whipped." If the theft was of something of some value, a kind of jury of the neighborhood, after hearing the testimony would condemn the culprit to Moses' Law, that is to forty stripes, save one. If the theft was of some small article, the offender was doomed to carry on his back the flag of the United States, which then consisted of thir teen stripes. In either case, some able hands were selected to execute the sentence, so that the stripes were sure to be well laid on. "This punishment was followed by a sentence of exile. He then was informed that he must decamp in so many days and be seen there no more, on penalty of having the number of his stripes doubled. "For many years after the law was put in operation in the western part of Virginia, the magistrates themselves, were in the habit of giving those who were brought before them on charges of small thefts, the liberty of being sent to jail, or taking a whipping. The latter was commonly chosen and was immediately inflicted, after which the thief was ordered to clear out. "In some instances, stripes were inflicted; not for the punishment of an offence; but for the purpose of extorting a confession from suspected persons. This was the torture of our early times, and no doubt sometimes very unjustly inflicted.. "If a woman was given to tattling and slandering her neighbors, she was furnished by common consent, with a kind of patent right to say whatever she pleased, without being believed. Her tongue was then said to be harmless, or to be no scandal. "With all their rudeness, these people were given to hospitality and freely divided their rough fare with a neighbor, or stranger, and would have been offended at the offer of pay. In their settlements and forts, they lived, they worked, they fought and feasted, or suffered together, in cordial harmony. They were warm and constant in their friendships. On the other hand, they were revengeful in their resentments. And the point of honor sometimes led to personal combats. If one man called another a liar, he was considered as having given a challenge which the person who received it must accept, or be deemed a coward, and the charge was generally answered on the spot, with a blow. If the injured person was decidedly unable to fight the aggressor, he might get a friend to do it for him. The same thing took place on a charge of cowardice, or any other dishonorable action, a battle must follow and the person who made the charge must fight, either the person against whom he made the charge or any champion who choose to espouse his cause. Thus circumstanced, our people in early times were much more cautious of speaking evil of their neighbors than they are at present. "Sometimes pitched battles occurred in which time, place, and seconds were appointed beforehand. I remember having seen one of those pitched battles in my fathers fort, when a boy. One of the young men knew very well beforehand that he should get the worst of the battle, and no doubt repented the engagement to fight; but there was no getting over it. The point of honor demanded the risk of battle. He got his whipping; they then shook hands and were good friends afterwards. "The mode of single combats in those days was dangerous in the extreme; although no weapons were used, fists, teeth and feet were employed at will, but above all, the detestable practice of gouging, by which eyes were sometimes put out, rendered this mode of fighting frightful indeed; it was not however, so destructive as the stiletto of an Indian, the knife of a spaniard, the small sword of the Frenchman, or the Pistol of the American or English duellist. "Instances of seduetion and bastardy, did not frequently happen in our early times. I remember one instance of the former, in which the life of the man was put in jeopardy by the resentment of the family, to which the girl belonged. Indeed, considering the chivalrous temper of our people, this crime could not then take place without great personal danger from the brothers, or other relations of the victims of seduction, family honor being then estimated at an high rate. "I do not recollect that profane language, was much more prevalent in our early times than at present." What a contrast does this picture of early simplicity present to the mind! Great, in many respects, have been the changes within the short period of half a century! Now, the inhabitants of the same region possess all the luxuries and refinements of long settled European countries. All the fashions of dress in the metropolis of Pennsylvania, and other Atlantic cities, flourish here. The linsey and coarse linens have been exchanged for the substantial and fine fabrics of Europe and Asia. The hunting shirt for the fashionable coat of broad bloth, and the moccasin for boots and shoes of tanned leather. Ladies dress as fine as any in the Atlantic cities. Litera The mechanic arts here are not surpassed by any in the east. ture and science receive great attention. By the persevering hand of industry, "the wilderness has been made to blossom." The aspect of the country has every where been changed. The horse paths, along which the first settlers for many years made their laborious journies over mountains for salt and iron, were soon succeeded by wagon roads at first, and then by substantial turnpike roads; and now, what was a little more than a century ago, the far backwoods, is brought into a close and lucrative connection with several of the Atlantic cities. The jour ney formerly considered so long and expensive, and even perilous, is now made in less than fifty hours." Not only have physical changes been wrought, "but the rude sports of early times have been discontinued. Athletic trials of muscular strength, possessing at the best, when perverted from their true purposes, little merit, have given way to the more noble ambition for mental endowments, and skill in useful arts. To the rude, and often indecent songs, have succeeded the pslam, the hymn, and swelling anthem. To the clamorous boast, the provoking banter, the biting sarcasm, the horrid oath and imprecation, have succeeded urbanity of manners, and a course of conversation enlightened by science, and chastened by mental attention and respect. The spirit of revenge, so prevalent at one time among some of the first settlers, is now wholly unknown. Every where, among all classes of society, great changes have been wrought within the last fifty years." CHAPTER III. WASHINGTON'S MISSION TO FORT LE BOEUF.-ERECTION OF A FORT AT THE JUNCTION OF THE ALLEGHENY AND MONONGAHELA RIVERS.-ARRIVAL OF THE FRENCH FROM FORT VENANGO-SUMMONS BY THE FRENCH TO SURRENDER.--SURRENDER OF THE FORT BY ENSIGN WARD.-WASHINGTON'S LETTERS.-NOTICE OF HALF KING. In the year 1753, Governor Dinwiddie of Virginia, (1) having learned that the French intended to extend their fortified posts, south of Fort Venango and French Creek, determined to send a messenger to learn their movements, and to remonstrate against their designs. For this purpose, he selected GEORGE WASHINGTON, then under twenty-two years of age. Washington left Virginia on the fourteenth of November, 1753, performing a journey over mountain and torrent, through morass and forest, bearing the inclemency of the winter in a trackless wilderness. On the fifth day after his departure, he reached the mouth of Turtle creek, on the Monongahela. Here he learned from Frazier, an Indian trader, that expresses had been sent down the river with intelligence to the traders of the French general's death, and the return of the French army to winter quarters. He then proceeded to the forks (1) Western Pennsylvania was at this time claimed by both Pennsylvania and Virginia. It will be seen by the Votes of Assembly of Pennsylvania, Vol. IV. March 21, 1754, Gov. Dinwiddie said in a letter to Gov. Hamilton of Pennsylvania,-"I am much misled by our surveyors, if the forks of the Monongahela be within the bounds of the Province of Pennsylvania." A fierce contest between the two States, on this subject, subsequently en Wash of the Ohio, ten miles below, having sent his baggage by water. ington, when waiting for the arrival of his baggage, spent some time in viewing the present site of Pittsburg, with reference to the building of a fort. The Ohio company had intended to have erected a fort, about two miles further up the Monongahela, on the south-east side. Washington examined both situations, and gave a decided preference to the forks of the Ohio. (1) Afterwards Washington, in company with Half King, and three other Sachems of the Six Nations, proceeded to Fort Venango, and then to Fort Le Bœuf, on a branch of French Creek, (2) at which latter place they arrived on the eleventh day of December. Here Washington had an interview with the Commandant, showed his commission, and delivered the letter of the Governor of Virginia. The French 'officers held a council; during which time, Washington made observations in relation to the Fort; took an exact account of its situation, dimensions, and number of men in the garrison, and the number of canoes, which were in readiness to convey their forces down the river in the spring. (3) After considerable delay, he received the answer of Legardeau de St. Pierre, the French commandant, dated at Fort Le Bœuf, referring the discussion of the rights of the two countries, to the Marquis du Quesne, Governor General of Canada, by whose orders he had assumed, and meant to maintain his present position. From De la Joncaire, a Captain in the French service, and Indian interpreter, Washington received full information of the designs of the French. They claimed the Ohio river, and the country through which it flows, from the discovery of La Salle, sixty years before, and their present measures for its defence, had arisen from the attempts of the Ohio Company to occupy its banks. (4) On Wednesday the twenty-sixth day of December, with gun in hand, and pack on his back, in which were his papers, he set out on foot for Virginia, in company with a gentleman by the name of Gist. Their horses had become so enfeebled, that they were put in charge of one of the company, by the name of Vanbraam, with money and directions to bring them and the baggage along, with the most convenient dispatch. After great hardships, and suffering from cold, and peril from hostile Indians, Washington arrived at Williamsburg, on the sixteenth day of January, 1754, after a journey of more than two months. (5) (1) Washington's Journal in the Appendix, p. 37, 38. |