In 1753 Governor Dinwiddie, of Virginia, had sent a commissioner to warn the French to cease from encroaching on the lands in the Ohio wilderness which belonged to the King of England, but the messenger stopped one hundred and fifty miles short of his goal.  Therefore, the Governor decided to despatch another envoy.  He selected George Washington, who was already well known for his surveying, and for his expedition beyond the mountains, and doubtless had the backing of the Fairfaxes and other influential gentlemen.  Washington set out on the same day he received his appointment from Governor Dinwiddie (October 31, 1753), engaged Jacob Van Braam, a Hollander who had taught him fencing, to be his French interpreter; and Christopher Gist, the best guide through the Virginia wilderness, to pilot the party.  In spite of the wintry conditions which beset them, they made good time.  Washington presented his official warning to M. Joncaire, the principal French commander in the region under dispute, but he replied that he must wait for orders from the Governor in Quebec.  One object of Washington’s mission was to win over, if possible, the Indians, whose friendship for either the French or the English depended wholly on self-interest.  He seems to have been most successful in securing the friendship of Thanacarishon, the great Seneca Chief, known as the Half-King.  This native left it as his opinion that

the colonel was a good-natured man, but had no experience; he took upon him to command the Indians as his slaves, and would have them every day upon the scout and to attack the enemy by themselves, but would by no means take advice from the Indians.  He lay in one place from one full moon to the other, without making any fortifications, except that little thing on the meadow, whereas, had he taken advice, and built such fortifications as I advised him, he might easily have beat off the French.  But the French in the engagement acted like cowards, and the English like fools.[1]

[Footnote 1:  Quoted by Lodge, I, 74.]

Believing that he could accomplish no more at that time, Washington retraced his steps and returned to Williamsburg.

Governor Dinwiddie, being much disappointed with the outcome of the expedition, urged the Virginian Legislature to equip another party sufficiently strong to be able to capture Fort Duquesne, and to confirm the British control of the Ohio.  The Burgesses, however, pleaded economy, and refused to grant funds adequate to this purpose.  Nevertheless, the Governor having equipped a small troop, under the command of Colonel Fry, with Washington as second, hurried it forth.  During May and June they were near the Forks, and with the approach of danger, Washington’s spirit and recklessness increased.  In a slight skirmish, M. de Jumonville, the French commander, was killed.  Fry died of disease and Washington took his place as commander.  Perceiving that his own position