From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library

Farm House to the White House, by William M. Thayer 78
Monsieur Reparti did not arrive until the next day, when the second officer in command introduced
Washington to him. He received Governor Dinwiddie's letter, and retired to translate it. In a short time,
however, he sent for Washington and his interpreter to correct the translation, and see that it was well
understood. Then dismissing Washington, Reparti called his officers to a council of war. While the French
officers were thus engaged in secret, Washington had a good opportunity to ascertain the dimensions and
equipments of the fort, and draw a plan of the same. He lost no time in making observations which would be
of great benefit to his government. The following is a description of the fort which he recorded at the time to
carry to Governor Dinwiddie:
"It is situated on the south or west fork of French Creek, near the water, and is almost surrounded by the creek
and a small branch of it, which form a kind of island. Four houses compose the sides. The bastions are made
of piles driven into the ground, standing more than twelve feet above it, and sharp at top, with port-holes cut
for cannon, and loop-holes for the small arms to fire through. There are eight six-pound pieces mounted in
each bastion, and one piece of four pounds before the gate. In the bastions are a guard-house, chapel, doctor's
lodging, and the commander's private store, round which are laid platforms for the cannon and men to stand
on. There are several barracks without the fort, for the soldiers' dwellings, covered, some with bark and some
with boards, made chiefly of logs. There are also several other houses, such as stables, smith's shop, etc.
"I could get no certain account of the number of men here; but, according to the best judgment I could form,
there are a hundred, exclusive of officers, of whom there are many. I also gave orders to the people who were
with me to take an exact account of the canoes which were hauled up to convey their forces down in the
spring. This they did, and sold fifty of birch-bark, and a hundred and seventy of pine, besides many others,
which were blocked out, in readiness for being made."
In his interview with the commander, Washington inquired of him: "By what authority have the French made
prisoners of several of our English subjects?"
"The country belongs to us," answered the commander, "and no Englishman has a right to trade upon these
waters. I have orders to make prisoners of every Englishman who attempts it on these waters."
"How about the boy who was captured and carried through this place?" asked Washington.
"That a boy was captured and carried past here, I will not deny," replied Reparti, "but I do not remember the
name of the place he came from, nor understand the facts in the case particularly. The Indians had two or three
scalps with them also."
"But I was told at Venango that they had eight?" retorted Washington.
Reparti was embarrassed here, and evaded an answer.
"What has been done with John Trotter and James McClochlan, two Pennsylvania traders, whom the French
captured and carried away with all their goods?" continued Washington.
"They were sent to Canada, but I understand that they have now gone home," Reparti answered.
On the next day Washington received the commander's reply to Governor Dinwiddie's letter, and therefore
was ready to return. The snow was deep, the weather stormy, and the horses exhausted, so that the homeward
journey was undertaken with much discouragement.
When about ready to start, Washington found that the French were presenting large inducements to his Indian
guides to remain. He was obliged to resort to strategy, and finally to reprimand, to frustrate their plans. When
the French officers saw that all their efforts to detain them were fruitless, they offered them intoxicating