life, and has no belief in the theory that such scenes effect human character, he should visit Brownsville for the romantic scenes and delightful experiences which the place itself can furnish, aside from its connection with history or biography. The town is wealthy, and contains a large class of most cultivated people, but simplicity in dress, in dwellings, in manners, with an oldtime gentility, are characteristic of the Brownsville population. The styles of a century ago, when the town was founded, cling with great pertinacity to everything made or done in these days. The Quaker inclination to keep the old in fashion, and the sweet disposition which is somehow associated with a Quaker bonnet, seem also to be equally natural to the natives of this wonderfully interesting and picturesque old town.

CHAPTER II.

Historic Events in Washington County.-The Early Traders. War Between the French and English.-General Washington on the Monongahela.-Battles of the Revolution.--Indian Wars. The Whiskey Insurrection.-War of 1812.-War with Mexico.-Growth of the Country.

The history of Washington County contains some exciting events, and is intimately connected with the history of the nation. For the early pioneers who traded and fought with the Indians in the expeditions, explorations and wars when the English and French fought so persistently and cruelly for the possession of the Monongahela and Ohio Valleys, were worthy ancestors of the heroic sons who fought with Washington at Valley Forge, with Jackson at New Orleans, Scott at Mexico, and Logan at Peach Tree Creek.

The region now included in Washington and the adjacent counties was occupied by the Delaware and Shawanese Indians when in 1670 the first white men penetrated to the banks of the Monongahela. But it was nearly a hundred years after LaSalle visited the valley on his voyage of discovery for the French government before any serious attempt was made to occupy the territory. Then it was attempted simply to hold the title to the country, which was excitedly disputed between the French and English. An army was sent by France, in 1753, to take possession of the country about the head waters of the Ohio. It came across the country from Lake Erie and began to erect forts

along the Ohio and some of its tributaries. Then the English government instructed Governor Dinwiddie of Virginia to fit out an expedition to meet and disperse the French invaders. The Governor set himself about the task and sent a messenger into the disputed country to command the French to evacuate the forts they had constructed. That messenger was George Washington.

His commission read as follows:

Whereas, I have received information of a body of French forces being assembled in a hostile manner on the river Ohio, intending by force of arms to erect certain forts, on said river, within this territory, and contrary to the dignity and peace of our sovereign, the King of Great Britian; these are therefore to require and direct you, the said George Washington, forthwith to repair to Logstown, on the said river, Ohio, and, having there informed yourself where the French forces have posted themselves, thereupon to proceed to such place, and being there arrived to present your credentials together with my letter, to the chief commanding officer, and in the name of His Britannic Majesty, to demand an answer thereto.

On your arrival at Logstown, you are to address yourself to the Half King, to Monacatoocha, and the other sachems of the Six Nations, acquainting them with your orders to visit and deliver my letter to the French commanding officer, and desiring the chiefs to appoint you a sufficient number of their warriors to be your safeguard as near the French as you may desire, and to wait your further directions.

You are diligently to inquire into the numbers and force of the French on the Ohio and adjacent country; how they are likely to be assisted from Canada; and what are the difficulties and conveniences of that communication, and the time required for it.

You are to take care to be truly informed what forts the French have erected, and where; how they are garrisoned and appointed, and what is their distance from each other, and from Logstown; and from the best intelligence you can procure, you are to learn what gave occasion to this expe

dition of the French; how they are likely to be supported, and what their pretensions are.

When the French commandant has given you the required and necessary dispatches, you are to desire of him a proper guard to protect you as far on your return as you may judge for your safety against any straggling Indians or hunters that may be ignorant of your character, and molest you. Wishing you good success in your negotiations, and safe and speedy return, I am, &c.

Williamsburg, 30th October, 1753.

ROBERT DINWIDDIE.

To which was added the following instructions for Washington's personal direction :

"TO GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esquire, one oF THE ADJUTANTS GENERAL OF THE TROOPS AND FORCES IN THE COLONY OF VIRGINIA :

"I, reposing especial trust and confidence in the ability, conduct and fidelity of you, the said George Washington, have appointed you my express messenger; and you are hereby authorized and empowered to proceed hence, with all convenient and possible despatch, to the part or place on the Ohio where the French have lately erected a fort, or forts, or where the commandant of the French forces resides, in order to deliver my letter and message to him; and after waiting not exceeding one week for an answer, you are to take your leave and return immediately back.

"To this commission I have set my hand, and caused the great seal of this dominion to be affixed, at the city of Williamsburg, the seat of my government, this 30th day of October, in the twenty-seventh year of the reign of his Majesty, George, the second, king of Great Britain, &c., &c. Annoque Domini, 1753.

"ROBERT DINWIDDIE."

Then followed those wars, marches, countermarches, skirmishes and alternate defeats which characterized the campaigns of Washington and of Bradock against the French. It seems like a dream to look on the ceaselessly moving river, and think of the time when along this same stream George Washington glided in a canoe on his perilous

journey! This great tract of land, where he saw only a forest, or the wigwams of the friendly Indians, now peopled with English speaking races, and proudly living under his

name.

Historic fields abound. The old Redstone fort still appears in dilapidated works. The field of Washington's defeat by the French is shown by enterprising farmers. "Bradock's field," where such disaster came to the proud English regulars, and compelled them to acknowledge the genius and bravery of "Mr. Washington" in conducting their retreat, has become a picnic resort. The trees still stand where Indians were shot by the daring scouts of those early days, and graves are still green where sleep the brave frontiersmen, who tried to make the wilderness blossom as the rose, but died in attempting to secure the right to cultivate it.

Traditions of adventure with Indians and French still furnish fireside topics for winter conversations among the people, and many a boy at this late day passes a wakeful night after listening to the tale of bloody encounters and hairbreadth escapes of the "great grandfather who first came into this county." These historic facts are given here more because of their having been recited in the ears of the youth of the county, than for their own interest to the reader as historic matter.

After Washington's campaigns and the Indian wars and massacres, came the War of the Revolution. In that the men of the country now included in Washington County were singularly conspicuous. They had entered the territory when the French were driven out from various quarters, but the larger number were from the North of Ireland. A trading post was established at Brownsville, or near that point, and one settler after another came to clear the woods and occupy the land. They were hardy, courageous lovers