ccasional fort, in hopes of being able to defend himself in
that situation, until he should be joined by a reinforcement from New
York, which, how ever, did not arrive.

COLONEL WASHINGTON DEFEATED AND TAKEN BY THE FRENCH.

While he remained in this situation, de Viller, a French commander, at
the head of nine hundred men, being on his march to dislodge Washington,
detached one Jamonville, an inferior officer, with a small party, and
a formal summons to colonel Washington, requiring him to quit the fort,
which he pretended was built on ground belonging to the French, or their
allies. So little regard was paid to this intimation, that the English
fell upon this party, and, as the French affirm, without the least
provocation, either slew or took the whole detachment. De Viller,
incensed at these unprovoked hostilities, marched up to the attack,
which Washington for some time sustained under manifold disadvantages.
At length, however, he surrendered the fort upon capitulation, for the
performance of which he left two officers as hostages in the hands of
the French; and in his retreat was terribly harassed by the Indians,
who plundered his baggage, and massacred his people. This event was no
sooner known in England, than the British ambassador at Paris received
directions to complain of it to the French ministry, as an open
violation of the peace; but this representation had no effect.

DIVISIONS AMONG THE BRITISH COLONIES.

Both nations by this time foresaw that a rupture would be inevitable,
and each resolved to make suitable preparations. France continued to
send reinforcements of men, and supplies of ammunition to Quebec, for
the prosecution of her ambitious projects; and the ministry of Great
Britain transmitted salutary cautions to the governors of the provinces
in North America, exhorting them to join their endeavours for repelling
the incursions of the enemy. Such an union as seemed necessary for their
common preservation was not easily effected. The different colonies were
divided by different views and interests, both religious and political;
besides, every settlement was distracted into factions, formed by
the governor and the demagogues of the assembly; in other words, an
opposition like that in parliament, and a continual struggle between the
liberties of the people and the prerogative of the proprietor, whether
sovereign or subject. Mr. Dinwiddie, governor of Virginia, having
demanded a certain