232

XIV.

A RIFT IN THE CLOUD.

Great Need of the Hour--The People Timid--Washington's Mother
again--Another Expedition against Duquesne--Size of the
Army--Goes to Williamsburg--Mr. Chamberlain's Salutation--Stops
to Dine--Meets Mrs. Custis--A Widow Bewitching--Business
done--Returning, stops to see Mrs. Custis--A Treaty of Love--The
New Road Project--Washington opposes it--Elected to House of
Burgesses--Delay--Army moved in September--Braddock's Folly
repeated--Washington overruled--His Prophecy--Major Grant--His
Reckless Course--Conceit of Grant and Forbes--Marching into an
Indian Ambuscade--A Bloody Battle--Defeat of the
English--Retreat--Where was Washington--His Views--Forbes
proposes Winter Quarters--Washington proposes and leads Another
Attack--The Enemy escapes from the Fort--Washington plants Flag
over it--Leaves Force to rebuild--French War ended--Washington
resigns--Goes to Mount Vernon--Testimonial of Officers 249

XV.

HIS WIFE AND HOME.

Who was Mrs. Custis--Rich and Beautiful--Washington's
Marriage--What Negro said of him--Took Seat in House of
Burgesses--Happy Man--The Legislature do him Honor--Removes to
Mount Vernon--His Estates described--Sixteen Spinning
Wheels--Mrs. Washington at the Head--Irving's Description--Rank
necessarily maintained--Company, and English Style--Mrs.
Washington's Wardrobe--His Wardrobe--Education of her
Children--Their Wardrobe--Her Kindness to Slaves--Domestic
Habits--Washington labored on Farm--Systematic
Habits--Improvements on Farm--Reclaiming Dismal Swamp--Hunting
in Winter--Interlopers, and the War against them--The Hunter
conquered--Attending Episcopal Church--Mrs. Washington a Devout
Christian--Building a House of Worship--Washington at
Church--Death of Mrs. Washington's Daughter--The Son
Wayward--Letter about Love--King's College, and
Incident--Keeping his Books--In her Husband's Headquarters in
Winter--Death--Mount Vernon now 270

XVI.

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.

More Indian Depredations, and War--Washington's Conference with
Mason on English Tyranny--Taxation without
Representation--Oppressive Acts multiplied--The Stamp
Act--Patrick Henry in the Assembly--Treason--Governor dissolved
the Assembly--A Re