May it please your Excellency: It is with the greatest concern I acquaint you, that Mr. Ward, ⁴ ensign in Captain Trent's company was obliged to surrender his small fortress in the Forks of Monongahela, at the summons of Captain Contrecoeur, ⁵ commander of the French forces who fell down from Vengano with a fleet of 360 canoes and battoes, conveying upwards of one thousand men, eighteen pieces of artillery, and large stores of provisions and other necessaries; Mr. Ward having but an inconsiderable number of men (not exceeding 30 and no cannon to make a proper defence was forced to give up the fort on the 17th instant. They suffered him to draw out his men, arms, and working tools, and gave leave that he might retreat to the inhabitants with them. I have heard of your excellency's great zeal for his majesty's service, and for all our interests on the present occasion; therefore I am persuaded you will take proper notice of the Indians' moving speech and think their unshaken fidelity worthy your consideration.

[Note:Edward Ward. ]

[Note:After Contrecoeur took possession of the partially built works, on April 17, he completed the fort and named it Duquesne. ]

    I have arrived thus far with a detachment of 159 men; col Fry with the remainder of the regiments and artillery is daily expected. In the mean time we shall advance slowly across the mountains, making the roads as we march, fit for the carriage [of] the great guns &c. and are designed to proceed as far as the mouth of Red Stone Creek ⁶ which enters the Monogahela about 37 miles above the fort (the French have taken) from whence we have water carriage down the river; there is a store house built by the Ohio Company at the place, which for the present may serve as a receptacle for our ammunition and provisions.

[Note:Red Stone Creek empties into the Monongahela in Fayette County, Pa. The old Ohio Company erected a storehouse near the mouth of the creek and Col. James Burd built a fort there in 1758. It was indifferently called Red Stone and Burds Fort. The town of Brownsville is now on the site. ]

    Besides the French herein mentioned we have credible information that another party are coming up Ohio. We also have intelligence that 600 of the Chippoways and Ottoway Indians are marching down Scioto Creek to join them.

    I ought first to have begged pardon of your excellency for this liberty of writing, as I am not happy enough to be ranked among those of your acquaintance. It was the glowing zeal I owe my country that influenced me to impart these advices and my inclination prompted me to do it to you as I know you are solicitous for the public weal and warm in this interesting cause; that should rouse from the lethargy we have fallen into, the heroick spirit of every free-born English man to attest the rights and privileges of our king (if we don't consult the benefit of ourselves) and resque from the invasions of a usurping enemy, our Majesty's property, his dignity, and land.

    I hope sir, you will excuse the freeness of my expressions, they are the pure sentiments of the heart of him who is with all imaginable regard and due respect, Your Excellency's most obt. etc.

    N.B. I herewith have inclosed for your Excellency's perusal a copy of the Summons from the French officers, and also the Indina's speech which was delivered to and brought by Mr. Ward. ⁷

[Note:From the Baltimore Repository (March, 1811), where the text was first printed. It was printed again in the Magazine of American History (1881). In both instances the date is given as April 24, and it is so dated by Ford, but Washington wrote a similar letter, under date of April 27, to Gov. lames Hamilton, so it is more reasonable to assign that date to his letter to Sharpe. The letter to Governor Dinwiddie, reporting the same occurrences, is dated April 25. Washington's journal, published by the French, Mémoires Contenant le Précis des Faits , mentions these letters under the entry for April 23, but the probability of a French error is strong. Washington's letter to Hamilton is printed by Sparks (vol. 2, p. 11). ]