"I must be ingenuous enough to confess," he wrote, "that I am not a little biassed by selfish considerations. To explain: I wish earnestly to attain some knowledge in the military profession, and, believing a more favorable opportunity cannot offer than to serve under an officer of General Braddock's abilities and experience, it does, you may reasonably suppose, contribute not a little to influence my choice."
As soon as possible after the arrival of General Braddock, Governor Dinwiddie called a conference of the governors of five Colonies to discuss war measures. The result of the conference was the plan of undertaking three expeditions. "The first of these was to be conducted by Braddock, with the British troops, against Fort Duquesne; the second, under the command of Governor Shirley of Maryland, now honored with the commission of general from the king, was intended for the reduction of the French fort of Niagara, and was composed of American regulars and Indians; the third was an expedition against Crown Point, to be undertaken by a regiment of militia."
As soon as Washington's mother learned that her son had decided to join Braddock's army, she hastened to Mount Vernon in great distress.
"I hoped you had quit war forever, George," she said, "and would be content to look after your farm and mother, without exposing yourself to death any more."
"A man must be loyal to his country, mother," replied Washington. "He is not much of a man if he is not willing to risk his life for his country."
"I will not dispute you, George, on that point," continued his mother; "but somehow I had got it into my mind that you were through with war, and I was glad of it. I suppose that a mother's love had more to do with it than patriotism."
"But you believe in patriotism?" added Washington.
"Of course I do."
"But do not want your son to be patriotic," he quickly added, knowing exactly what course to pursue in order to secure his mother's approval.
"Not so, George," Mrs. Washington answered. "I honor patriotism, and if it is necessary for you to join the army again, I am willing. As I said, a mother's love got the better of me for the moment."