George Washington: First in War, First in Peace, and First in the Hearts of His Countrymen

For Lesson One: Honor and Passion for Glory:
George Washington in the Ohio Valley

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George Washington Papers, 1741-1799

[Letter from George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, September 24,
1757]

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NOTE: This is an excerpt. The full text version of Letter from George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, September 24, 1757 is in George Washington Papers, 1741-1799.

The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.--vol. 02

Fort Loudoun, September 24, 1757.

Honble. Sir: Enclosed is a copy of a letter, which I received from Captain McKenzie. Since my last, the different parties I detached in quest of the enemy, (who committed the late depredations in this neighborhood,) are returned, after having prosecuted the most probable measures, and exerted their utmost efforts in vain, in endeavoring to come up with and prevent the enemy's escape. Nor is it in any degree surprising, for when the vast extent of country, the scattered and distant manner in which the inhabitants are settled, the nature of the ground, and disposition of the enemy we have to cope with, are collectively considered, it is next to impossible, that any of our parties should ever see the enemy, except when they possess such advantages as render their victory certain.

The inhabitants of this valuable and very fertile valley are terrified beyond expression. Some have abandoned their plantations, and many are packing up their most valuable effects in order to follow them. Another irruption into the heart of this settlement will, I am afraid, be of fatal consequence to it. I was always perswaded, and almost every day affords new matter for confirming me in the opinion, that the enemy can, with the utmost facility, render abortive every plan, which can be concerted upon our present system of defence; and that the only method of effectually defending such a vast extent of mountains covered with thick woods, as our frontiers, against such an enemy, is by carrying the war into their country. And I think I may, without assuming uncommon penetration, venture to affirm, that, unless an expedition is carried on against the Ohio next spring, this country will not be another year in our possession.

... {excerpt ends}

Questions:

• What is Washington's assessment of the situation on the frontier in his letter to Governor Dinwiddie?
• How does Washington describe the fall of Fort Duquesne to Governor Fauquier?
• What credit does Washington give to his troops during the long campaign to dislodge the French from the Ohio Valley?
• How does the British victory affect relations with the Indians?

Go to the complete interview from which this excerpt was taken.