“You colonists are like a bullock. You have yet to find out your own strength,” said the old man.
“That will be found, if France undertakes to drive us. We cannot suffer our traders to be mistreated, sir,” said George Washington, “and our trade with the Indians to be cut off.”
“Aye,” laughed the old man. “You are slow, and stubborn, like English, and admit no attack upon your liberties. I sometimes think that the best part of England has come over here. And out of this war there will arise, I also think, a new race of peoples by a new name.”
“And what will that be, my lord?” Christopher Gist inquired.
“Americans, by George.”
“How so, sir?” Washington asked.
“You are already Americans in some of your notions,” said the old man. “You wish to grow, and you desire to think as you please. That is why you came here. It is your weakness now, for you do not act together. You cannot bring France to terms of yourselves. You will need help from the King, and helped by the King you will learn to use your strength. France certainly will lose. She cannot hold this remote Ohio country, and she will lose her Canada. You colonists will then be free to expand, without a rival shutting you in. An empire lies west of you. You will grow out of your English clothes, and when England tries to remind you that you owe her your humble duty and must pay for her expenses, you will fight.”
“Would you think us so ungrateful, sir?” said Washington.
“Ha ha!” the old man chuckled. “One may be thankful for being set up in business, and then object to turning the business over to outside hands. You Americans are born of freedom, and freedom of action by your own vote you will have.”
And that proved true; for when these American colonies had grown large and were self-supporting, and England would have taxed their prosperity, without giving them a vote, they did object.