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Washington's birth--his ancestors--the first school he attended--family anecdotes--death of his father.

Family anecdote--George lives with his half-brother Augustine about three years, and attends Mr. Williams's school--his manuscript book of forms--his rules of behavior.

Came very near entering the British Navy at the age of fourteen--attends school at Fredericksburg--becomes a practical surveyor at the age of sixteen--the Indian war dance--continues surveying three years--is appointed Adjutant General of the Militia, with the rank of Major, at the age of nineteen--accompanies his half-brother Lawrence to Barbadoes--Lawrence dies and leaves George the Mount Vernon estate.

Washington's mission from the Governor of Virginia to the French commandant, at the age of twenty-one--narrowly escapes being killed by an Indian--came near being drowned in the Allegany river--visits Queen Aliquippa.

Major Washington, at the age of twenty-two, is appointed to command the regular Virginia forces, consisting of two companies--being increased to six companies, he is raised to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and made second in command--his modesty--the fort, just begun at the fork of the Ohio, surrenders to the French--Washington attacks and defeats a party of French.

Battle of the Great Meadows--vote of thanks to Colonel Washington and his officers--disapproving of the arrangement of the Virginia troops, he retires from the service.

Is invited by General Braddock to join his expedition as a volunteer--accepts the invitation--Battle of Monongahela--Washington conducts the retreat with ability, and retains the confidence of the public.

Anecdote--Washington is appointed to command the Virginia forces--his visit to Boston--commands the advance division at the taking of Fort Du Quesne--resigns his military commission--marries--devotes himself chiefly to agricultural pursuits till called to take command of the American armies in the war of Independence.

TO THE READER.

The author, in remarking that he has drawn his information from the most authentic sources, acknowledges his obligations to the works of Weems, Ramsay, Marshall, and M'Guire, and especially to the valuable notes and observations of Sparks.

THE EARLY LIFE OF WASHINGTON.

Washington's birth--his ancestors--the first school he attended--family anecdotes--death of his father.

George Washington was born in Virginia, on the 22d of February, 1732. The particular place of his birth was Pope's Creek, Washington parish, in the county of Westmoreland. The name of his great grandfather was John Washington, who came from the north of England and settled on Pope's Creek, in Virginia, in the year 1655. He afterwards married Miss Pope, the daughter of the gentleman from whom the Creek took its name. John Washington is believed to have been a military man in early life. His will, now at Mount Vernon, is endorsed thus: "The will of Lieutenant Colonel Washington." This will contains a small bequest to the church, and affords evidence that he was a pious man. As the parish in which he lived has always borne his name, he was probably very instrumental in establishing it.

John Washington had three children, Lawrence, John and Ann. Lawrence Washington, the oldest son and the grandfather of George, inherited the Pope's Creek farm.--Augustin Washington, the son of Lawrence and the father of George, was born in the year 1694. He was probably the eldest son of Lawrence, as he inherited the patrimonial estate at Pope's Creek.

Augustin Washington was married twice. His first wife was Jane Butler, by whom he had four children, viz. Butler, Lawrence, Augustin, jun. and Jane. Butler and Jane died young. Lawrence and Augustin lived to be men. The second wife was Mary Ball, a young lady of highly respectable family in the northern part of Virginia.--George was the first fruit of this union. He was the oldest of six children, viz. George, Elizabeth, Samuel, John Augustin, Charles and Mildred. Mildred died very young.--George was baptized April the 5th, 1732.

The church of England was then almost the only denomination of Christians in the colony of Virginia. The parents of George Washington were members of this church, and brought up their family in the habit of regular attendance on public worship.

One fine morning in the autumn of 1737, Mr. Washington, having George, then five years old, by the hand, came to the door and invited cousin Washington and myself to walk with them to the orchard, promising to show us a fine sight. On arriving at the orchard, we were presented with a fine sight indeed. The ground, as far as we could see, was covered with mellow apples, and yet the trees were bending under the weight of their fruit. "George," said his father, "don't you remember, my son, when this good cousin of yours brought you that fine large apple, last spring, that I could hardly prevail upon you to divide it with your brothers and sisters? And don't you remember I then told you we ought to be generous to each other because the Almighty is so bountiful to us?" Poor George could not say a word, but hanging down his head, looked quite confused. "Now look around, my son," continued his father, "and see how kindly the Almighty has treated us, and learn from this how we ought to treat our fellow creatures." George looked a while in silence on the abundance of fruit before him, then lifting his eyes to his father, he said, with emotion, "Well, father, only forgive me this time, and see if I am ever so stingy any more."

Mr. Augustine Washington took great pains early to inspire his son George with the love of truth. The following anecdote shows that his endeavors were not without success.

When George was about six years old, he became the owner of a hatchet, with which, like most other little boys, he was very much delighted. He went about chopping every thing that came in his way. One day, in the garden, he unluckily tried the edge of his hatchet upon the body of a beautiful young English cherry tree, which he cut so badly that the tree never recovered from the injury. The next morning his father seeing what had befallen the tree, which, by the by, was a great favorite with him, came into the house, and with much warmth, asked who had done the mischief, declaring at the same time, that he would not have taken five guineas for the tree.--Nobody could tell him any thing about it. Presently George and his hatchet made their appearance. "George," said his father, "do you know who cut that beautiful cherry tree yonder in the garden?" George was taken by surprise. He hesitated for a moment; but he soon recovered himself.--Looking at his father, he said, "I will not tell a lie, father, I cut it with my hatchet." The delighted father, embracing his child, said, "No matter about the tree, George; you have frankly told me the truth. Though you saw I was offended, you were not afraid to do right. The pleasure I enjoy to witness this noble conduct in my son is of more value to me than a thousand such trees."

Mr. Washington took the following method to impress upon his son the existence and wisdom of God from the evidence of design in his works.

On a bed in the garden, well prepared for the purpose, he traced with a stick the letters of his son's name. He then very carefully sowed seed in the small furrows made by the stick, covered it over and smoothed the ground nicely with a roller. In a few days the seed came up, and exhibited in large letters, the words GEORGE WASHINGTON.--They soon caught the eye for which they were intended. Again and again the astonished boy read his name, springing up from the earth, fresh and green. He ran to his father and exclaimed, "O father! come here! come with me and I will show you such a sight as you never saw in all your life." Eagerly seizing his father's hand, he tugged him along through the garden to the spot. "Look there, father," said he, "did you ever see such a sight before?" "It is a curious affair, indeed, George." "But, father, who made my name there?" "It grew there, my son." "I know it grew there, but who made the letters so as to spell my name?" "Did they not grow so by chance, my son?" "O no, sir, they never grew so by chance." "Why not, my son?" "Nobody," said George, "ever saw a single letter grow up by chance; and how could a whole name grow up so even and be spelled so exactly right by chance? Somebody planted it so." "That is true, George. I planted it so," said Mr. Washington, and showed him how he did it. "Now, George, if letters could not grow so as to spell your name by chance, how could the world and all the things and creatures in it be made so exactly suited to each other and to some useful purpose, by chance?"

Thus happily and profitably to young Washington passed the days of his earliest years. Mr. Washington's family government was steady and reasonable; his treatment of his children was kind and affectionate. George was an intelligent boy and a dutiful son. Never were parent and child more strongly attached. But, in the providence of God, only a few years more were to be allowed them for the enjoyment of each other's society, on earth.

About the year 1739, when George was about seven years old, his father removed from his estate on Pope's Creek to a farm which he owned in Stafford county, on the Rappahannock river, directly opposite to Fredericksburg.

Lawrence Washington, the elder of George's two half-brothers, became of age in 1739, and soon afterwards received a Captain's commission in a regiment raised in America, and served with the British forces in the unsuccessful siege of Carthagena, conducted by Admiral Vernon and General Wentworth. Having been absent in the army about two years, Captain Washington returned to Virginia. A few months after his return, his father was taken ill.--George was then on a visit to some of his acquaintances, living in Chotanct, in King George county, about twenty miles from his father's residence. Mr. Washington was at first unwilling to interrupt George in the enjoyment of his visit; but after his sickness became alarming, George was sent for, and reached home but just in time to receive the parting blessing of his beloved father. He died on the 12th of April, 1743, at the age of forty-nine years. George was then eleven years old.

Family anecdote--George lives with his half-brother Augustine about three years, and attends Mr. Williams's school--his manuscript book of forms--his rules of behavior.

About this time, Captain Lawrence Washington married Ann, the daughter of Mr. William Fairfax, a relation of Lord Thomas Fairfax.

Mr. Augustine Washington left his estate on the river Potomac, in Fairfax county, to his eldest son, Lawrence, who called it Mount Vernon, in honor of Admiral Vernon. He left his estate at Pope's Creek to his second son, Augustine. Mrs. Augustine Washington and her family continued to reside on the farm near Fredericksburg.--Upon her now devolved the care of the plantation. Her first born son, George, continued to live with her some months after his father's death. During this period, a circumstance happened which shows that George, though a good boy on the whole, was not wholly exempt from youthful rashness. His mother owned a beautiful colt, which, never having been broken, was remarkably wild. George delighted to look at this colt as he pranced about the pasture, snuffing up the wind, wheeling and halting and displaying his fine proportions. He often wished himself upon the colt's back. One day he engaged some of his school companions to come early the next morning and help him to take a ride before breakfast.--They came, and found the colt at no great distance from the house. After a great deal of difficulty they contrived to corner him and put a bridle upon him. Several boys held the bridle while George leaped upon his back. A violent struggle followed.--The horse seemed determined to shake off his rider, and his rider seemed equally determined to keep his seat. At length the noble animal, in the fury of his plunges, fell headlong and burst a blood vessel. This killed him instantly. George received no injury by the fall; but when he saw the poor creature lie dead, and considered his mother's attachment to the animal, he began to look very serious. The call to breakfast was soon heard. Some of George's companions had been invited to take breakfast with him that morning. The boys were all remarkably silent at the table. Whether Mrs. Washington had any suspicions that all was not right, is uncertain. But she inquired if they had seen any thing of her fine sorrel colt, in their rambles. Neither of the boys replied to this question. She repeated it. There was now no escape.--George's character for truth and frankness had been tried when he was much younger. It did not then fail; it must not now fail. "Your sorrel colt is dead, mother," replied George. "Dead, George!" exclaimed Mrs. Washington, with surprise. "Yes, he is dead." "How came he dead, George?"--"I will tell you, mother. I am the one in fault." He then related all the circumstances just as they happened. "I very much regret the loss of my colt," said Mrs. Washington; "but I rejoice to hear my son frankly tell the truth, without showing any disposition to cast his own faults upon others."

Soon after this occurrence, George was sent to Pope's Creek, the place of his nativity, to live with his half-brother Augustine. The chief object of sending him there was that he might have the benefit of a respectable school in the neighborhood, kept by a Mr. Williams. He remained with his half-brother and attended that school about three years. An old gentleman, who was one of Mr. Williams's scholars at that time, has often said that such was George's reputation for truth, impartiality and good judgment among his schoolmates, that they were continually referring their disputes to him, and so great was their confidence in him, that his decisions were seldom called in question. He said nothing was more common, when the boys were in high dispute about some question of fact, than for one of them to call out, "Well, boys, George Washington was there! George Washington was there! He knows all about it; and if he don't say it was so, why then we will give it up."

Though George Washington was naturally of a resolute and martial spirit, he was habitually gentle and obliging in his conduct. He never quarrelled with his companions; and he would always endeavor to settle their quarrels with each other. If he could not calm their passions and prevent their fighting by his arguments, he would inform the instructor of their barbarous intentions; though by doing so he often brought upon himself their censure at the time.

Weems.

Came very near entering the British Navy at the age of fourteen--attends school at Fredericksburg--becomes a practical surveyor at the age of sixteen--the Indian war dance--continues surveying three years--is appointed Adjutant General of the Militia, with the rank of Major, at the age of nineteen--accompanies his half-brother Lawrence to Barbadoes--Lawrence dies and leaves George the Mount Vernon estate.

While George lived with his half-brother Augustine at Pope's Creek, he was taught the manual exercise by Adjutant Muse, a Westmoreland volunteer, who had been in the service with his other half-brother, Lawrence. He was also instructed in the art of fencing, by Mr. Van Braam, who afterwards accompanied him against the French as his interpreter.

J. Sparks.

In the summer of 1746, George left Mr. Williams's school in Westmoreland county, and returned home to his mother's, in Stafford county. He was then about fourteen years old. Soon after his return he became very desirous to enter the British navy.--His half-brother Lawrence approved his choice. Mr. William Fairfax, the father-in-law of Lawrence, was desirous that George's inclination for the navy should be gratified. They both used their influence with his mother in favor of the project. She at first seemed to consent, though reluctantly.--Lawrence procured him a midshipman's warrant. But as the time of separation drew near, her maternal feelings and more mature reflection caused his mother to waver in her decision. She suggested many objections to the plan; and seemed to listen with more satisfaction to those who opposed, than to those who approved of it. In September, during her suspense upon the subject, George went to see and further consult his brother Lawrence at Mount Vernon, and other friends in the county of Fairfax. On this occasion he spent a little time at the house of Mr. William Fairfax, who is said to have been an amiable and excellent man. During this visit, George told Mr. Fairfax that he was willing to follow the advice of his brother Lawrence, as his best friend. On his return home, however, George found his mother so decidedly opposed to his going to sea, and her feelings so tenderly affected at the thought of his leaving her, that he gave it up entirely; thinking it his duty to sacrifice his inclinations, in this case, to her happiness. When we consider that this scheme was suited to captivate his youthful fancy, that it was encouraged by some of his most judicious friends, and that the necessary preparations were made for carrying it into effect, it is evident that the sacrifice was great, and a proof of filial affection and dutiful regard highly honorable to him. It must be admitted that the mother's feelings were truly parental, and her wishes reasonable, when it is considered that George was her eldest son, that his father was dead, and that she was left with five younger children.--This decision was probably an event of Providence, upon which the very existence of the United States, as an independent nation, depended.

After this, George lived a part of his time with his brother Lawrence, at Mount Vernon, and a part of the time with his mother, near Fredericksburg, and went to school in that town. Here he made great improvement in the art of surveying.

In March, 1748, being then sixteen years old, he engaged as a surveyor of lands, associated with Mr. George Fairfax, in the employ of Lord Thomas Fairfax. They set out on a surveying tour to the western parts of Virginia, on the 13th of March, accompanied by their assistants, and travelled in a north westerly direction, nearly in range with the Potomac. The first day they rode to the residence of Lord Fairfax, in Frederick county, passing through beautiful groves of sugar trees, and admiring the richness of the land upon the river Shenandoah. The next day they sent on their baggage to a place now called Winchester, and worked industriously for several succeeding days, surveying land in the neighborhood. They then travelled about forty miles further into the country, in a continual rain, swimming their horses over the rivers, which were then very high. Just after the rain ceased and the weather had cleared away, they were agreeably surprised by the appearance of more than thirty friendly Indians, returning from war. The surveying party remained to witness the performance of their war dance. After clearing a large space of ground and making a fire in the middle of it, the Indians seated themselves around the fire. The speaker then made a grand speech, in which he told them in what manner they were to dance. When the speech was ended, the best dancer jumped up as if suddenly awaked from sleep, and ran and jumped about the ring in a most comical manner. He was soon followed by the others, in a similar style. Their dance was accompanied by appropriate music.--One Indian beat time upon a deer-skin stretched tightly over a vessel half full of water, while another rattled a gourd shell with shot in it, and a piece of a horse's tail tied to it, to make it look finely.

One windy night, about a week after, the straw on which Washington was asleep, in the tent, took fire; but one of the party fortunately awoke in time to extinguish it. A few days after, their tent was blown down by the violence of the wind. They occasionally shot a wild turkey or two, which they cooked upon forked sticks instead of spits, and ate upon large chips instead of plates. After becoming fatigued by travelling about all day, they usually camped out in the forest, and slept with their clothes on all night. During this tour, young Washington and his party surveyed between two and three thousand acres of land, and arrived safely home on the 12th of April, having been absent just one month.

For three years, young Washington was occupied nearly all the time, when the season would permit, in surveying wild lands among the Alleghany mountains and on the southern branches of the river Potomac. His surveying expeditions were attended with so many hardships and privations, that he was rarely out more than a few weeks at a time, upon any one of them. In the intervals of these expeditions, he made it his home with his brother Lawrence, at Mount Vernon, though he passed a part of his time with his mother.

J. Sparks.

J. Sparks.

In the year 1751, young Washington, though but nineteen years of age, was appointed Adjutant General of the northern division of the Virginia militia, with the rank of Major.

Marshall.

Lawrence, not receiving the relief expected from the climate of Barbadoes, went to Bermuda, in March. His health continuing to fail, he returned home in the course of the summer, and died at Mount Vernon, July 26, 1752. George was at Mount Vernon when his brother died, and immediately took charge of his affairs. On opening his will, it was found that he had given to George the Mount Vernon estate, and some valuable lands in Berkley county, Virginia.

Washington's mission from the Governor of Virginia to the French commandant, at the age of twenty-one--narrowly escapes being killed by an Indian--came near being drowned in the Allegany river--visits Queen Aliquippa.

Information had been received, from time to time, that the French were making encroachments on what was deemed British territory, beyond the Allegany mountains, and that a French army was approaching from Canada to build forts on the Ohio river and to take possession of the whole country. As this territory was supposed to be within the limits of Virginia, the Governor of that colony resolved to send a messenger with a letter to the French commandant on the Ohio, to demand of him an answer, to ascertain important facts, and to make useful observations. Major George Washington was selected for this arduous undertaking. His knowledge of the Indians, his habits of living and travelling in the woods acquired on his surveying expeditions, and certain traits in his character, well fitted him for this delicate and important mission, though he was not yet twenty-two years of age.--He was commissioned by the Governor on the 30th of October, 1753, and the same day set out upon his dangerous journey.--On the 14th of November he arrived at the mouth of Wills Creek, now Cumberland, on the river Potomac, having engaged a French interpreter and procured the necessary supply of provisions, horses, &c., on the way. Here he engaged Mr. Gist, an experienced Indian trader, to accompany him; also, an Indian interpreter, and four other men as attendants; and with these men, left the place the next day. The excessive rains and the vast quantities of snow which had fallen, prevented their reaching the river Monongahela till the 22d of November.--Here they learned that expresses had been sent down the river a few days before, with information of the French General's death, and the return of the greater part of the French troops into winter quarters.

Dinwiddie.

As the late rains had rendered the rivers impassable without swimming their horses, Washington sent two of his men, with the baggage, in a canoe, about ten miles down the river Monongahela, to meet the rest of the party at the fork of the Ohio, now Pittsburg. As young Washington arrived at the fork before the canoe, he spent some time in viewing the two rivers, Monongahela and Allegany, at and near their junction which forms the Ohio, and examining the land in the fork, which, having the command of both rivers, he thought well situated for a fort.

On the Allegany river, about two miles above the fork, lived Shingiss, King of the Delawares, an Indian chief friendly to the English. Washington, with his attendants, called upon this chief, and invited him to attend a council at a place called Logstown, about twenty miles west of his residence. He accepted the invitation, and accompanied Washington and his men to Logstown.--They arrived about sunset. Washington found that the friendly chief, called the Half-King, whom he particularly wished to see, was out at his hunting cabin on little Beaver Creek, about fifteen miles distant. Washington, by his Indian interpreter, informed the Half-King's principal man at Logstown that he was a messenger to the French commandant, and was ordered to call upon the Sachems of the Six Nations and inform them of the fact. He then gave him a string of wampum and a twist of tobacco, and desired him to send for the Half-King. The man promised to dispatch a runner for him the next morning. Washington invited him and other chief men to his tent in the evening. They came and staid about an hour. About three o'clock in the afternoon of the next day, the Half-King arrived. He told Washington that the French had lately built two forts about fifteen miles apart, one on Lake Erie, and the other on French Creek, which falls into the Allegany from the north, and near a small lake. He gave Washington a plan of both these forts, of his own drawing. He said the present French commandant was at the fort on French Creek, and that he could not reach in less than five or six nights sleep, in good travelling. The next day, Washington met several chiefs in council, and delivered a friendly speech to them, in which he briefly stated the object of his visit, and requested an escort of warriors to the French commandant. This was replied to in the same spirit by the Half-King.--Runners were dispatched very early the next morning, for the purpose of assembling a more full council, but not many came.--It was, however, agreed to furnish Washington and his men a convoy, to consist of three chiefs, namely, Half-King, Jeskakake and White Thunder, and one of their best hunters.

They all set out from Logstown on the 30th of November, and travelled in continual bad weather till the 4th of December, when they reached Venango, a settlement at the place where French Creek falls into the Allegany river. This place is now the town of Franklin, the capital of Venango county. They saw the French colors flying at a house in Venango. Washington went immediately to the house to inquire where the commandant resided. Here he found a Captain and three other French officers.--The Captain informed him that he, himself, had the immediate command on the river, but that there was a general officer at the first fort above, to which he advised him to proceed with his dispatches. He invited Washington and his party to sup with him and his officers, and treated them with great complaisance. The badness of the weather and the winning treatment which the Indians received from the French, combined to detain Washington and his party at Venango three days. Monsieur La Force, commissary of the French stores, with three soldiers, accompanied them up the Creek. The travelling was so bad they did not reach the fort on French Creek till the 12th of December.

The French commandant was the Chevalier de Saint Pierre, a knight of the military order of St. Louis. Washington waited on him soon after his arrival, and was received and conducted to him by the second officer in command. Washington acquainted the Chevalier with his business, and presented his commission and letter. While the commandant was in consultation with his officers upon the communication from the Governor of Virginia, in a private apartment, Washington embraced the opportunity of examining the strength and taking the dimensions of the fort, and of making other observations. He was satisfied that the garrison contained upwards of a hundred soldiers. One of his people, by his direction, took an account of upwards of two hundred canoes, hauled up and prepared to convey the French forces down the river at the proper season.

On the 14th, the snow was so deep that Washington sent off his horses very lightly loaded, in the care of four of his men, to Venango, having determined to go down himself, with the remainder of his party, in a canoe. Young Washington had to contend with a variety of mild and artful means used to detain his convoy of Indians, and to draw them away from the English interests. He was at length obliged to assume a tone of remonstrance before he could induce the French and Indians to part.--The French commandant, at last, ordered a plentiful store of provisions to be put on board Washington's boat, and appeared very friendly and complaisant. They had a tedious passage down the Creek. They found it extremely crooked. Several times they came near being staved against the rocks. At times they were all hands obliged to get out, and remain in the water half an hour or more, getting over the shoals. At one place, the ice had lodged and blocked up the passage by water, so that they were obliged to carry their boat a quarter of a mile across a neck of land. They did not reach Venango till the 22d. Here they found their horses.

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