A new chapter in the early life of Washington : in connection with the narrative history of the Potomac company

Dedication

TO THE HONORABLE JOHN P. KENNEDY.

My Dear Sir : —

In 1823, after the lapse of many years, the project of connecting the East and the West, through the valleys of the Potomac River, and that of the most convenient tributary to the Ohio west of the mountains, was revived in the form of a proposition for a continuous canal navigation. To consummate this connection, required the rights and privileges secured under the existing charter of the Potomac Company to be surrendered. This was done; the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company was organized, and all the original papers, books, records, and notes, belonging to that time-honored enterprise, were deposited in its office.

Part I

A NUMBER of years anterior to the commencement of the Revolutionary War, the project of uniting the two great divisions of the country, separated by the Alleghany range of mountains, by means of a public highway, was entertained by some of the most prominent and distinguished individuals of Virginia and Maryland.

In the latter part of the year 1753 Major Washington, then only 21 years of age, was delegated by the Governor and Council of Virginia on an important mission across the AUeghanies. Having been actively engaged during the greater part of the three years immediately preceding his appointment in surveying the wild lands of Western Virginia and in the mountainous district at the head-waters of the Potomac Eiver ; and already possessing a deservedly high character for energy, firmness and decision; with a thorough knowledge of the peculiar feehngs and prejudices of the Indians; a practical acquaintance with the mode of living and travelling, and \vithal accustomed to the privations, hardships and exposure of a camp life in a wilderness country, the attention of Governor Dinwiddie was readily attracted to him, as the individual who combined in the greatest degree the qualifications suited to the discharge of the delicate and responsible duties of the mission. He was accordingly selected. His commission (Appendix A), the letter of instructions (B), and passport (C) were prepared with much care, and formally presented to him by the Governor at the seat of government on the 30th day of October, 1753.

Immediately after the presentation of the credentials, he took his departure from Williamsburg amid the warm congratulations and good wishes of the Colonial Government and numerous friends who had called upon him on the occasion. He first proceeded to Alexandria, where he remained several days occupied in making the necessary arrangements for the journey, and then proceeded on his mission to the valley of the Ohio by the way of Wills' Creek. After a tedious and laborious journey of nearly three weeks, he reached his destination ; and, in pursuance of the letter of his instructions, continued there no longer than was absolutely necessary to the faithful discharge of the important duties devolving upon him under the authority of his special commission. On his return, he directed his course to a more southern route, and entered the valley of the Potomac, not far north of the sources of the Shenandoah River.

Notwithstanding the inclement season of the year when the journeys were performed, he took daily notes of the incidents as he proceeded, and sketched, with remarkable precision and graphic power, the physical features and topography of the country through which he travelled. On his return to Williamsburg, he made a verbal report of the result of the mission to the Governor and members of the Council, and presented to them the manuscript journal of his travels across the mountains.

From the imperfect record that is left of his personal interview with Governor Dinwiddle, it is fair to infer that he availed himself of the occasion to suo-o-est the importance of opening a communication, by means of a public road, between the settlements east and west of the mountains. The suggestion, however, does not owe its origin so much to the consideration of facilitating trade and social intercourse between these two parts of the country, as to the idea of affording military protection to the remote settlements, and a defence against the aggressions of the French and their Indian allies upon the territory claimed by the British crown.

Previous to the mission of Major Washington, the West was known only as a dense and extensive wilderness; traversed by watercourses and rivers; broken by lofty mountains and deep valleys, and inhabited by wandering and wariike tribes of Indians. Few of the prominent citizens of the Atlantic colonies at this period had an adequate idea of the character of the mountainous belt of country which intervened between the westernmost settlements of the eastern declivity of the Alleghany range and the western waters ; and no disposition was manifested to explore it, at the expense of the enjoyments and comforts of their homes, and at the imminent peril of their lives. Huntsmen, trappers and Indian traders were occasionally seen wending their way through its dark valleys, and over their rough and rocky acclivities ; but these laborious and dangerous journeys were not undertaken to acquire personal knowledge of the country with a view to its occupation or improvement. The object was gain by the toilsome prosecution of the particular pursuit in which these adventurers were engaged; and they were rather more inclined to magnify the difficulties they encountered in traversing the country in quest of hunting and trading grounds, than to give a candid representation of the character of the soil; of the broad and beautiful valleys and noble streams they had so often beheld beyond the mountains.

Under these circumstances, it was fortunate for the country that an occasion occurred which called into active requisition the services of the youthful Washington, an occasion that opened the bud which in after years developed to maturity, in the perfect greatness of the " Father of his Country." By the energy, the industry, and the fearlessness he manifested in the progress of his journey through an almost untrodden wilderness of several hundred miles in extent, and the intelHgence and sagacity and judgment displayed in the management of the affairs of the mission, he drew around him the unqualified confidence and esteem of the authorities of Virginia. On his return, he was immediately complimented by a military promotion to the grade of Lieut. Colonel of the regular forces, and in that capacity joined the brave, but ill-fated Braddock, and his army in the following year at the junction of the Youghiogheny and Monongahela rivers a few days before the disastrous battle.

Notwithstanding the entire defeat of the army under General Braddock, there were displays of military skill and courage on the part of the officers and men w^hich embalm their names in our grateful recollection, and adorn that otherwise dark page of American history with peculiar brightness. Among the most conspicuous. Colonel Washington stood preeminent. The House of Burgesses, which convened at Williamsburg in August following, unanimously passed a vote of thanks to Col. Washington and his officers " for their bravery and gallant defence of their country." All the proceedings of the campaign were approved and applauded by the people, and Washington, thus cheered and encouraged in his patriotic efforts to serve his country, his determination to retire from the army was for a time delayed, and the chain of events which connected him with the subsequent history of the country remained unbroken.

In a letter which he wrote to his brother a few days after the battle, dated Fort Cumberland (D), July 18th, he says: "By the all-powerful dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation; for I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet escaped unhurt, although death was levelling my companions on every side of me."

The Reverend Samuel Daviess, subsequently President of the college at Princeton, on the 17th day of August delivered an address, which both by its title and tenor is so remarkably characteristic of the times, and so prophetic, that I cannot deem it entirely out of place to refer to it, and introduce a brief extract from it. " Religion and Patriotism, the Constituents of a Good Soldier," was its appropriate title. The knowledge of the defeat of Braddock and his army created much alarm, and aroused a military spirit in the country of the most effective character. Volunteer companies were organized in almost all the colonies, and the sound of preparation to march to the frontiers for the protection of the settlements was heard in every direction. Forces from the north, south, and middle colonies were ready to unite and place themselves under the command of the gallant chief whose military achievements at the Great Meadows (E)

and upon the bloody plains of the Monongahela had already won for him the title of a " hero."

The reverend speaker, after applauding this noble spirit which pervaded the country, in terms of the highest pride and satisfaction, paused for a moment, and then, as if moved by inspiration, continued: "I may point out to the public that heroic youth, Colonel Washington, whom I cannot but hope Providence has hitherto preserved in so signal a manner for some important service to his country."

Colonel Washington continued in the military service of the colony until the termination of the campaign in 1758, when he resigned his commission, and in the following year was elected a member of the House of Burgesses.

An interesting circumstance is related in Wirt's " Life of Patrick Henry," illustrative of the modesty of the distinguished youth, who, for the first time, was introduced to a legislative body as one of its members, and is so characteristic of true merit, that I trust its insertion here needs no apology.

"A short time after Col. Washington had taken his seat, the speaker, Mr. John Robinson, in obedience to an order of the House, rose, and in an eloquent and impressive manner, tendered to him the thanks of the House for his eminent public services, and expatiated in language of the highest admiration upon his military achievements, and the importance of the services he had rendered the country." When

Washington rose to express his gratefnl sense of the honor they had conferred upon him, in noticing his pubhc services in this distinguished manner, the biographer remarks : " He hesitated, stammered, and trembled, and was so much confused that he stood hesitating for a few moments, when the speaker relieved him by a stroke of address that would have done honor to Louis XIV. in his proudest and happiest moment, and said, with a conciliating smile : ' Sit down, Mr. Washington ; your modesty is equal to your valor, and that surpasses the power of any language that I possess.' "

There is no evidence in the recorded proceedings of the House of Burgesses of this session, that the subject of opening a communication with the West was introduced. The scheme he had originally indicated to Governor Dinwiddle was not, however, abandoned; it continued to be cherished by him with undiminished favor. In his personal intercourse with the members, he took occasion to commend the project as worthy of their favorable consideration ; and he determined, before it should be formally brought before the legislature of the colony for its definite action, to supply himself with such facts as would show the feasibility of the project, the expense of its construction, and the advantages that would flow from the proposed improvement.

For this purpose, mainly, he made several tours of examination to the sources of the Potomac River and the country intervening, to the navigable points of the western waters, in the years 1770, 1772, and 1774. The selection of the best route Avas of the first importance, and to this object his personal efforts V were particularly directed.

Few of the large streams issuing directly from the eastern and western slopes of the Appalachian chain were known at this early period, beyond the line of settlements. Their sources were either conjectured, or located upon vague and indefinite information, derived generally from hunters and trappers ; or from those whose erratic wanderings from their temporary habitations in the plains and depths of ravines and valleys, not unfrequently led them to the heads of the streams or opposite sides of the mountains, and enabled them to form estimates, with tolerable accuracy, of the distances across the portage. Well defined Indian and traders' paths, connecting these points, intersected each other at various angles, and greatly facilitated the explorations of the summit range. Several surveying parties were for some time engaged at different points, running lines and marking boundaries ; and in collecting materials for a map, and an analysis of the middle colonies. Captain Thomas Hutchins, a bold, intrepid and intelligent woodsman, led the advance in this arduous and dangerous service. The surveys and explorations of these parties were noted with remarkable correctness. The topographical description of Western Virginia, and Maryland especially, exhibits interesting details of the entire surface of the eastern and western slopes and summits of the mountain range between the State lines of Pennsylvania and North Carolina.

The maps that were plotted of the several surveys made by these parties, were critically examined by Colonel Washington, and materially aided him in selecting the most feasible route for the contemplated communication between the Atlantic colonies and the Western Territory.

Naturally fearless in the pursuit of a patriotic object, he allowed no difficulties or dangers to check him in the progress of his searches among the gorges and fastnesses of the formidable barrier which interposed, in the accomplishment of his favorite scheme. He penetrated to the very fountain sources — made laborious reconnoissances of the intervening summits — strictly scrutinized all the advantages and disadvantages of their ground, and took ample notes of the diversified features of the country, within the range of the examination — thus preparing himself with the most important facts, to sustain the proposition upon its presentation to the legislatures of the colonies more immediately interested.

In his letter to Mr. Jefferson, dated in 1784, ten years after his last tour across the mountains, in reference to the route, and the policy of opening the communication, he says: "I have, I think, clearly pointed out the advantages of the route I have selected, and the wisdom of the policy on the part of the States (Virginia and Maryland), to render it facile."

The territories of Virginia and Maryland, being divided by the Potomac, made it the interest of these two colonies to be proportionably concerned in the improvement of its navigation, and the extension of the communication by a public highway to the valley of the Ohio. It was evident that the western trade would soon be a matter of importance, and could only be secured to those points on the Atlantic side to which the earliest and most improved channel would be opened. The sagacious and observant mind of Washington' foresaw clearly that the great western region would rapidly be peopled by an energetic and industrious population ; that its valleys and its plains would be checkered with cultivated fields, and meadows, and villages; that its numerous navigable streams would be active channels of trade and internal commerce, and that the multifarious interests of enlightened and prosperous communities would soon extend their beneficent influences over the wide valleys of the Ohio River and its tributaries ; and that a wise and just policy prompted the earliest adoption of the measure he proposed to bring before the legislatures of the respective colonies.

It was the invariable custom of Washington, from the age of eighteen years, to take notes of the most important circumstances and events in which he was personally concerned; and whilst travelling, to keep a daily journal of the incidents as they occurred in the progress of his journey. In this journal he particularly noticed the peculiarities and fertility of the soil, and the natural growth of the country through which he passed, to which were added such reflections and considerations as the occasion would suggest to a mind equally imbued with the power of close observation and deep thought. This custom had acquired with him the force of habit, and rendered his observations both highly interesting and instructive.

Shortly after his return from the western tour, in 1770, a portion of his journal and extracts from his letters, to some of his friends in Virginia and Maryland, were published in several of the Colonial Gazettes, and were widely circulated and read. As was naturally to be expected, from the character of these papers, their perusal awakened a spirit of inquiry, and with it a strong desire among the energetic and enterprising of the youthful population to emigrate to the west, and in a few years hundreds of that class of the population of the Atlantic colonies had emigrated thither.

When Washington made his next tour, in 1774, he was surprised at the change that had already taken place in the valley of the Ohio River. With a mind that could clearly anticipate the future, he beheld, at no distant day, that remote wilderness of the great and extensive West the abode of dense and enterprising communities ; in the possession and enjoyment of all the elements of social and political prosperity; and, to hasten this consummation, he regarded the opening of a communication by a public highway between the East and the West as of the first importance.

Entertaining these views, he brought the subject before the House of Burgesses, at its regular session, in 1774, and urged it earnestly upon the attention of the members, as a measure of public policy. But striving, for a long time in vain, for aid from the colony, he was compelled to change his original design ; and he introduced and moved the adoption of a bill to empower individuals to subscribe to the enterprise, and accomplish the improvement on certain expressed conditions, at their own expense. Even with this essential modification, the project was opposed — the largest share of the opposition coming from Central Virginia. To allay the hostility from this populous part of the colony, an amendment was incorporated in the bill to include in its provisions the improvement of the navigation of James E-iver. This measure of compromise seemed to reconcile the conflicting sectional interests of the colony ; and, had time allowed, would have secured a passage of the bill in the House of Burgesses.

But the prospects of a similar bill before the General Assembly of Maryland were not so encouraging.

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To give availability to any enactment, the concurrent action of the legislatures of the two colonies was necessary, so far, at least, as regarded the improvement of the channel of the Potomac River. Jealousies, and the rivalries for the western trade, had already grown up between the citizens of Georgetown and the merchants of Baltimore; and whatever efforts for aid were made by one party in the legislature, were counteracted by the other. Applications, memorials, protests, and remonstrances, followed each other in quick succession, and the friends and advocates of the scheme despaired of success during the pending session.

This was the doubtful condition of the favorite project of Washington, and to which the earliest energies of his mind had been steadily directed, when he was called, by his appointment (F) of Commander-in-Chief of the Army in 1775, to Cambridge. The war which immediately followed the affair at Lexington, in April of this year, drew the public mind to more engrossing objects ; and during the continuance of that memorable struggle for national existence and independence, and until the retirement of the illustrious chief in 1783, the prosecution of this measure was entirely suspended.

The indications, however, in the House of Burgesses at the commencement of the Revolutionary War, were sufficiently favorable to encourage the belief that, in the event of the successful termination of that contest, no further difficulty would be experienced in obtaining from that body at a subsequent session all the powers and privileges that were embraced in the bill of 1774, and which were considered entirely adequate to carry into operation the original views and intentions of the friends of the project.

In Maryland, the prospect of eventual success was not so flattering. The union of the merchants of Baltimore, an enterprising, intelligent, and wealthy community, exercised a controlling influence, not only over the deliberations and actions of the General Assembly, but moulded public sentiment in opposition to any measure which was supposed would divert any of its trade to another market; and precluded the hope that any future session would in the least abate its hostility to a proposition of this character, or which did not directly or indirectly promote its business and commercial prosperity.

Part II

In 1783, the war of the Revolution terminated by a treaty which recognized and acknowledged the independence of the United States. Soon after that memorable event, the illustrious Washington resigned his commission (G) of commander-in-chief of the army into the hands of Congress at Annapolis, and immediately thereafter proceeded to Mount Vernon, where, as he beautifully and feelingly expresses it, "he hoped to spend the remainder of his days, in cultivating the affections of good men, and in the practice of the domestic virtues."

Here, in his favorite retreat, secluded from the cares and anxieties of public life, crowned with glory and with honor, the beloved Washington cherished the hope of continuing in the enjoyment of that tranquillity and freedom fi'om official responsibilities and cares which years of long public service had made particularly desirable.

Notwithstanding the agreeableness of this retire-

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ment, he did not abandon the favorite enterprise of his eariy years (H). Contemplating from its quiet shades the wide extent of country which had risen from a condition of colonial dependence to a confederation of sovereign States, he was the more impressed with the importance of the measure as a matter of national concern, of the wisdom of the policy of connecting the East and the West by a public highway, and of the adoption of a system of internal improvement, of which this proposed communication was to be the introduction. Fully persuaded of the propriety of his views, he opened an extensive correspondence on the subject with some of the most distinguished sages and patriots of the " times that tried the souls of men." He advocated the policy upon the broad, patriotic, and lofty principle of a common interest, or, in other words, of the general welfare; and although General Washington cherished full confidence in the stability of the popular institutions of the government, and in the inviolability of the Union, yet, with a wisdom and a forethought at that early period of our experience peculiarly his own, he regarded the facilitation of social intercourse between the populations of the extreme parts of our broad and extended territory, and the mutual interchange of trade and commerce by means of public roads and highways, as important auxiliaries in binding still more closely the sovereignties of the States in one fraternal, indissoluble compact.

The enterprise of the Potomac Company was well calculated, in his view, to take the lead in this patriotic scheme. It was considered feasible, and at a comparatively moderate cost. The route he had suggested embraced a wider range of interests than any other that could at that time be proposed to connect the East with the West, the Atlantic markets with the fields of production, the purchasers and consumers with the producers.

The condition of the country under the confederative government rendered the policy of establishing a judicious system of national internal improvement obviously apparent. The vast extent of the public domain in the far west., and in several of the States ; the importance of facilitating the transportation of the mails ; the establishment of post-offices, and encouragements to the settlement of the public lands, were among the principal considerations which imposed upon the government the imperative duty to aid and foster the system, in the infancy of the existence of the republic. And these considerations did not fail to be fully appreciated by the Father of HIS Country.

Having enjoyed the quietude of his retirement for a few months, he left Mount Vernon on his first tour to the West after the close of the Revolutionary War, on the first day of September, 1784. The principal objects in view were to examine the condition of his lands in that country ; to renew his recollection of the features of the dividing ridge he had formerly examined, and to extend his observations beyond the limits to which they were originally confined. He proceeded directly to Fort Cumberland, where he remained a few days to prepare for the journey. A great extent of wilderness and mountain district lay before him, and through which it was not only necessary for him to travel, but, in order to carry out the intentions which mainly prompted the journey, to make an extensive and critical reconnoissance of the summit range which intervened between the head-waters of the Potomac and the Ohio Rivers. This was not an easy service ; it was one of toil and peril. When General Washington reached the first settlement beyond Fort Cumberland, he was advised of the great dissatisfaction which prevailed among the Indians inhabiting the country at the sources of the Cheat, Youghiogheny, Monongahela, and Savage Rivers ; and was cautioned not unnecessarily to expose himself to their wiles and treachery, while he would be engaged in the examinations.

This information did not deter him from his original purpose, nor in the least abate his zeal in the pursuit of his patriotic object. He devoted several weeks to the arduous duties he had assumed, and supplied himself with facts and arguments of the most convincing character relative to the route he had selected for the proposed communication. His plan contemplated the improvement of the navigation of the Potomac from tide-water to the mouth of Wills' Creek, or to the highest practicable point of the Potomac, and connect it by a road or highway across the portage with the navigable waters of the Cheat, the Youghiogheny, and the Monongahela Pivers ; or more directly with the Ohio.

After having completed the examination of the several portages across the mountains and of the head-waters of the streams with which he proposed to connect, he returned to Mount Vernon on the 4th day of October, 1784. On his return, he took a more southern route, and entered upon the eastern slope of the dividing ridge near the sources of the Shenandoah Piver, and descended upon the valley at a point not far from the site of the beautiful and flourishing town of Staunton. The entire distance he travelled during this tour exceeded six hundred and fifty miles. Generally, it was performed on horseback; but in numerous instances, on account of the rough and rocky character of the country, he was compelled to dismount, lead his horse, and travel on foot. With few intervals, the routes that were examined lay through uncultivated, wild, and mountainous districts. Since his first exploration of the country in 1774, the improvement he had suggested as a means merely of defence and protection to the settlements west of the mountains against the hostile aggressions of the French and Indians, had materially changed its character. It had now become a measure of great national importance, both as regarded its effect upon trade and upon the integrity of the confederation, now the Union of the States.

Shortly after his return to Mount Vernon, he prepared an interesting report of the proceedings of his tour, and the convictions of his own mind in reference to the object of his journey; which, with a transcript of his journal, he transmitted to the Governor of Virginia. In his report he not only affirms, but clearly demonstrates, the practicability of the project, and recommends it to his favorable consideration with great powers of argument. He forcibly illustrates the advantages of its adoption by an array of facts which are incontrovertible, and presented in the report especially for the consideration of the legislature, as arguments indorsing the wisdom of the measure proposed as a means of strengthening the bonds of union between the East and the West, and, besides, eminently calculated to promote the general prosperity of the States. Upon the desirable results of the adoption of the policy suggested in his report, he dwells with peculiar emphasis and satisfaction. To its accomplishment he had directed his earliest and untiring energies, and now, at a maturer period, commends it as worthy of the countenance and favor of every patriot in the land.

Entertaining a sincere wish for the success and good name of the administration of his warm personal friend Governor Harrison, he adds to this report the following language : " If you concur with me in the proposition I have suggested, and it is adopted by the legislature, it will signalize your administration as an important era in the history of this country."

On another occasion, not long subsequent to the date of his communication to Governor Harrison, he addressed a letter of similar import to a distinguished member of Congress, in which he recommends the project with equal earnestness and force. As a measure of public policy, he remarks : " There is a matter, which, though it does not come before Congress wholli/, is in my opinion of great political importance, and ought to be attended to in time. It is to prevent the trade of the western territory from settling into the hands of the Spaniards or the British. But, it may be asked. How are we to prevent this % Happily for us, the way is plain. Extend the navigation of the eastern waters ; communicate them as near as possible with those which run westward — open those to the Ohio ; open also such as extend from the Ohio towards Lake Erie, and we shall not only draw the produce of the western settlers, but the peltry and the fur trade of the lakes to our ports ; thus adding an immense increase to our exports, and binding these people to us by a chain which can never be broken."