Young George Washington's Adventures: Meeting the French
November 14, 1753. Washington stopped in Wills Creek to finish preparations. There he met a very important travel companion, Christopher Gist. Gist had spent several years traveling all over the Ohio River valley and he would serve as Washington's guide.
Christopher Gist. A skilled wilderness traveler and American Indian negotiator, he and Washington both kept journals of the journey.
Activity: Who to Take. With Christophe Gist as his guide and Indian negotiator, what other people do you think Washington would have taken with hime on the journey? Instructions: Select the people Washington would have taken. Carpenter. Indian interpreter. Pottter. Wash woman. Four strong helpers. Cook. French interpreter.
Activity: Who to Take. In addition to Christoper Gist, his guide, Washington also took an Indian interpreter, a French interpreter, and four strong helpers.
With everything he needed for his journey Washington and the group set out for Logstown.
November 26, 1753. When the group arrived their main objective was to meet with two powerful American Indian chief's who lived there and have them help with the journey to the French fort. Monacatoocha. Half King.
Monacatoocha. An Oneida chief who know the American Indians could not remain neutral as the French and British started fighting over land.
The Half King. The Seneca chief who tried to do what was best for his people as the French and British moved into the area.
Washington used an American Indian language interpreter, John Davison, to help him communicate. Although he was inexperienced,Washington knew it as tradiitional in American Indian cultures to exchange gifts at important meeting to show sincerity.
Washington was delighted to discover that the Half King was upset with the French, because a French officer had called his people names and threatened to take their land. The Half King says, "The French general called us flies and mosquitoes." Washington hoped this would help convince some of the American Indians at Logstown to join him on his journey - to be guides, guards and hunters for the group. They would voice their own concerns to the French.
The chiefs needed time to plan. They wanted to make sure their interests were represented to both the British and the French. After a few days three chiefs and one hunter were ready and left with Washington and his group.
On December 11, 1753 the travelers arrived at Fort LeBoeuf. The next day Washington presented the letter to the French arrmy commander, Legardeur de St. Pierre. The commander needed to the translate and study the letter. After looking around Washington's fears were confirmed. The French were preparing to build more forts and take control of the disputed land within the Ohio River valley.
Legardeur de St. Pierre. Born in Canad he was a French marine captain and commander of Fort LeBoeuf. He only had one eye.
Washington made careful notes on the French activity for his report to the Govenor Dinwiddie. He also learned that Legardeur de St. Pierre had replaced the commander who had insulted the Half King. Legardeur de St. Pierre realized the importance of having a good relationship with the American Indians living in the area. He did not want them as enemies or joining the British. He began to try to fix the broken friendship with gifts and promises.
After two days the French finally answered that they were not going to leave the area. It was time to leave, but the French tried to persuade the Indian chiefs to stay one more night, offering them valuable gifts so that Washington would leave without the Half King. Washington was very upset and in a hurry to return to Virginia. But, he knew it was very important for the Half King and other chiefs to stay on the side of the British. He agreed to stay the night.
