"That is true, no doubt, but I have more hope that General Abercrombie will do something effective for this part of the country," answered Fairfax. "General Loudoun had more than his hands full to look after the troops at the north, so that he could give little attention to our claims."
"I wish that it might be so," responded Washington; "but the only effective blow that can be struck for us is the reduction of Fort Duquesne. Until that is done, the enemy has a base of supplies, and a refuge from which to sally forth at any time, for pillage and butchery on the frontier. The possession of Canada is important, and victories there now would greatly encourage our people. An army of from five to ten thousand men would drive the French and Indians before it, and put the English into speedy possession of the Ohio."
"And that will encourage the people, and put hope and life into them," added Fairfax.
"And patriotism, too, I should hope," said Washington. "Our people lack patriotism, and there is no disguising it."
One of Washington's trials, at that time, was the unwillingness of the people to incur the expense and dangers of war. They appeared to think that sufferings and death alone awaited them in warfare with Indians. Such harrowing tales of cruelties by the savages had come to them, that they shrank from conflict with the barbarians.
Mrs. Washington was very much opposed to her son going to the Ohio again. Rumors of another expedition against Duquesne reached her, whereupon she wrote to him, entreating him not to undertake the hazardous enterprise. He replied to her as follows:
Dear Mother,—If it is my power to avoid going to the Ohio again, I shall; but if the command is pressed upon me by the general voice of the country, and offered upon such terms as cannot be objected against, it would reflect dishonor upon me to refuse it; and that, I am sure, must and ought to give you greater uneasiness than my going in an honorable command. Upon no other terms will I accept it. At present I have no proposals made to me, nor have I any advice of such an intention, except from private hands.
General Abercrombie surprised Washington, however, by issuing an order to organize a strong expedition against Duquesne. The newly appointed commander-in-chief appeared to comprehend the situation as his predecessors had not, and Washington was overjoyed. The cloud that had enveloped his spirit was lifted, and he saw a brighter future.
The northern troops, also, were meeting with successes, and news of their victories gladdened all hearts. The expeditions against Louisburg, Ticonderoga, and Crown Point proved fortunate, and the people became more and more hopeful as their advances were known.
"There is hope now for our cause," remarked Washington to Mr. Fairfax at Williamsburg, very much elated by the prospect before him. "I can see the end now. It looks as if General Abercrombie was the right man in the right place."