rted with indignation:

"Colonel Washington is right. It is a shame for the government to issue
such an order, and as unjust as it is shameful."

"But your disciplined troops are far more valuable than an undisciplined
force like ours," suggested the governor.

"Granted," answered General Braddock; "and so much more credit to
Colonel Washington, who handled undisciplined troops so well. He must be
a brave and efficient officer."

"He is," responded Governor Dinwiddie; "no one disputes that."

"Then he ought to have the chance for promotion that the king's officers
do," interrupted the general. "I don't like such partiality. Colonel
Washington must be brought back into service."

"I should be glad to see him in active service again, and nothing would
please our people more," rejoined the governor. "He is an idol with the
Colonists, he has proved himself so loyal, brave, and efficient."

"Well, where is he? I must see him," continued General Braddock.

He was told that he was on his farm at Mount Vernon.

"Then he must leave his farm for the service of his country, as
Cincinnatus did," interjected Braddock.

General Braddock addressed a letter to him, soliciting an interview, and
appealing to him strongly to give his able services to the "common
cause." He urged him to join his army, and offered him an honorable
position upon his staff.

Washington was too much of a patriot to allow his personal grievance to
interfere with the defence of his country in these circumstances, and he
waited upon General Braddock at Alexandria, and accepted the position.
However, he wrote to a friend that it was not altogether patriotism that
determined his decision.

"I must be ingenuous enough to confess," he wrote, "that I am not a
little biassed by selfish considerations. To explain: I wish earnestly
to attain some knowledge in the military profession, and, believing a
more favorable opportunity cannot offer than to serve under an officer
of General Braddock's abilities and experience, it does, you may
reasonably suppose, contribute not a little to influence my choice."

As soon as possible after the arrival of General Braddock, Governor
Dinwiddie called a conference of the governors of five Colonies to
discuss war measures. The result of the conference was the plan of
undertaking three expeditions. "The first of these was to be conducted
by Braddock, with the British troops, against Fort Duquesne; the second,
under the comm