With Washington in the west;

by Edward Stratemeyer

Of course Joseph Morris was anxious to learn all about the affairs at the trading-post and the brothers spent a whole day and several hours of the night going over the figures James had brought along. These satisfied Joseph thoroughly and he congratulated his brother heartily on his success.

“As for that additional capital, do as you think best,” he added. “I am willing you shall use it all up to the limit of fifty pounds. That I must keep for Rodney’s doctor’s bills and for anything else he may need in the future.”

James Morris remained at the homestead about a week, and then, in company with the hunter who was going to Georgetown he started eastward again. He went straight through to Annapolis, and here not only disposed of his furs at a good price but also made several business arrangements for future goods, and purchased additional things needed at the post.

While in the east he heard many rumors which caused him more or less uneasiness. Governor Dinwiddie had sent a Captain Trent to the French commander on the Ohio to remonstrate against the several attacks on the English traders, and this commissioner had returned with news that the friendly Miamis living at and near Piqua had been attacked by other Indians and by the French and defeated, and that the English traders were taken prisoners and the French flag hoisted over the spot. At the same time news came from other sources that two additional English trading-posts had been robbed by the French and Indians and everything of value carried off.

“Can it be possible that they intend to attack my post?” he asked himself. Then he resolved to get back to the Kinotah without unnecessary delay. But trading in those days took time, and shop-keepers were not used to be hurried, and consequently it was fully a week before he started on the return, by way of Winchester and Will’s Creek.

In the meantime Governor Dinwiddie, much dissatisfied by the manner in which Captain Trent had executed, or more properly perhaps, failed to execute, his commission, appointed George Washington to take up the task, knowing that Washington was well acquainted with the country and its people, and used to roughing it. By his orders Washington was to go to Logtown and hold a conference with Tanacharisson and other sachems of the tribes friendly to the English, and having settled with them, was to get an escort and travel to the headquarters of the French commander, where he was to present a letter written by Governor Dinwiddie and wait not longer than a week for an answer. While traveling to the French headquarters he was to keep his eyes and ears open and learn all he could of what the enemy had done and was doing toward fortifying the Ohio valley.

Such a mission was exactly to Major Washington’s taste, and late in October he set out, accompanied by Jacob Van Braam, an old Dutch-American soldier, who had taught Washington how to fence and shoot while at Mount Vernon, and who went along as interpreter. The pair journeyed from Fredericksburg to Alexandria, and from the latter place to Winchester. Here tents and supplies were purchased, and they pushed on to Will’s Creek, arriving there in the middle of November. Winter was now at hand again and the ground was covered with snow.

At Will’s Creek James Morris met the Washington party, which was now increased by the addition of Mr. Gist, the pioneer, John Davidson, an Indian interpreter, and several backwoodsmen and Indian traders. Word had come in of a battle between the Delawares and some thieving Miamis under Red Bird, but nothing of the attack on Ella Dell post. Yet the air was full of ugly rumors and James Morris lost no time in bidding his brother and the others of the family farewell.

“I am going west with the Washington party,” he said. “He remembers Dave well and said he would be glad to have me along. I don’t know how far I will go with him but certainly as far as Logtown.”

The first snows of the winter had been followed by a thaw and heavy rains, consequently the rivers were so swollen the party had to swim their horses across. Washington shipped a goodly portion of his outfit down the Monongahela by canoes, telling those in charge to meet him at the point where that stream and the Alleghany united.