From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
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<strong>Farm</strong> <strong>House</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>White</strong> <strong>House</strong>, by William M. Thayer 87<br />
Anticipating a challenge <strong>to</strong> a duel, Payne armed himself with a pis<strong>to</strong>l in <strong>the</strong> morning before making <strong>the</strong> call.<br />
To his surprise, Washing<strong>to</strong>n met him at <strong>the</strong> door with an apology.<br />
"I ask your pardon for an offence given in an unguarded moment," he said, grasping his hand.<br />
Payne was thoroughly embarrassed by this reception, and he was so filled with admiration by <strong>the</strong><br />
magnanimity of <strong>the</strong> act, that he became one of Washing<strong>to</strong>n's warmest friends. Their mutual friendship lasted<br />
as long as <strong>the</strong>y lived.<br />
Mr. McGuire very properly says of this deed:<br />
"How noble and becoming was this conduct! It was especially admirable in a youthful soldier, whose very<br />
profession exposed him <strong>to</strong> peculiar temptations on such an occasion. How many would have been driven, by<br />
<strong>the</strong> fear of reproach and dread of unfavorable insinuations, <strong>to</strong> incur <strong>the</strong> hazards of a duel, thus offering up at<br />
<strong>the</strong> shrine of honor <strong>the</strong> costly sacrifice of human life. It was not possible that a man like Washing<strong>to</strong>n, so<br />
endowed with moral courage and regard for virtue, should be moved by <strong>the</strong> fear of man <strong>to</strong> such a course. He<br />
dreaded not <strong>the</strong> charge of cowardice from <strong>the</strong> mouths of fools. In his own bosom he had its ample refutation.<br />
He was conscious of a fortitude which no dangers could shake. To display it in murdering a fellow-citizen was<br />
not his ambition. He had before him <strong>the</strong> tented field and <strong>the</strong> enemies of his country, and he was pledged for<br />
<strong>the</strong> hazards of a mortal conflict in her defence. Here he was willing <strong>to</strong> show his courage and lay down his life.<br />
He would not do so <strong>to</strong> gratify revenge, or win applause from <strong>the</strong> vain."<br />
When Washing<strong>to</strong>n had recruited two more companies of fifty men each, he applied <strong>to</strong> Governor Dinwiddie<br />
for permission <strong>to</strong> advance for <strong>the</strong> better protection of <strong>the</strong> frontier. Having procured <strong>the</strong> order from <strong>the</strong><br />
governor, he marched out of camp, equipped not only with arms, but also with implements of labor for<br />
constructing a road over which supplies and cannon might be readily transported. This was a great<br />
undertaking, since <strong>the</strong>re were giant trees <strong>to</strong> be felled, hills <strong>to</strong> be levelled, marshes <strong>to</strong> be filled, rocks <strong>to</strong> be<br />
blasted, and bridges <strong>to</strong> be built. So great a work was this, that <strong>the</strong> little army was fourteen days going thirteen<br />
miles. They reached Will's Creek on <strong>the</strong> 24th of April, 1754, where Washing<strong>to</strong>n unexpectedly met Captain<br />
Trent.<br />
"What are you doing here, captain," said Washing<strong>to</strong>n, somewhat surprised at seeing him.<br />
"Recruiting my command," answered Trent. "I need more men <strong>to</strong> construct <strong>the</strong> fort."<br />
"That is certain, and we need more men everywhere," responded Washing<strong>to</strong>n. "It is fearfully hard work <strong>to</strong><br />
prosecute such a campaign with so few men. But how are you succeeding?"<br />
"As well as could be expected under <strong>the</strong> circumstances. I am thankful for <strong>the</strong> smallest number of recruits, for<br />
forty men <strong>to</strong> construct and garrison a fort at <strong>the</strong> forks of <strong>the</strong> Ohio is al<strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r <strong>to</strong>o small a force."<br />
While discussing this matter, Ensign Ward entered <strong>the</strong> camp, and surprised both Washing<strong>to</strong>n and Trent by<br />
saying:<br />
"The garrison at <strong>the</strong> fort have surrendered <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> French."<br />
Captain Trent left Ensign Ward in command of his force at <strong>the</strong> forks, while he was recruiting at Will's Creek.<br />
"How can that be?" exclaimed Trent, surprised beyond measure.<br />
"On <strong>the</strong> 17th," <strong>the</strong> ensign explained, "we were surprised by <strong>the</strong> appearance of <strong>the</strong> French fleet in <strong>the</strong> river,<br />
under <strong>the</strong> command of Captain Contrecoeur, consisting of three hundred canoes and sixty batteaux, carrying a