(Washington, George) | Washington's infamous military debut—and the start of the French and Indian War

(Washington, George)

Near-contemporary report of Washington's surrender of Fort Necessity in Le Courrier, No. LXXX. Avignon: Alexandre Giroud, Friday, 4 October 1754

Letterpress newsletter issue, 4 pages (232 x 186 mm) on a bifolium, paginated 321–324, text in two columns; neatly disbound with tiny sewing holes at inner margins, very light dampstaining at fore-edge corners.

This French newsletter records Washington's disasterous military debut and the gaffe he committed by signing a poorly translated instrument of surrender. Ordered, in March 1754, by Governor Robert Dinwiddie of Virginia to enforce British ownership claims in the Ohio Territory, Colonel Washington took a small detachment, including Seneca Indian allies to Great Meadows, located in what is now Fayette County in southwestern Pennsylvania. 

Acting on intelligence provided by the Seneca Tanacharison, or "Half King," in late May Washington surprised a small French force travelling from Fort Duquesne, killing ten and taking twenty-one prisoners. While Washington thought he was attacking a military party, the French later claimed that the men who were attacked were on a diplomatic mission. Adding to the rancor, several of the French casualties were scalped, including their commander, Ensign Joseph Coulon de Jumonville. (Some reports claim that Tanacharison essentially executed Jumonville and then washed his hands in the Frenchman's brains.)

Anticipating a swift French response, Washington withdrew and established the aptly named Fort Necessity, but when he was attacked by a combined French and Indian force of 600 on 3 July, he soon realized he had no choice but to surrender. The French permitted the British to evacuate the fort, but not until Washington had signed the terms of surrender, which included an admission that he had played a role in the assassination of Ensign Jumonville.

Washington evidently agreed to the terms because he was provided with an inaccurate translation. Although he received some harsh criticism in Great Britain, Washington received a vote of thanks from the House of Burgesses and Governor Dinwiddie. Washington's first, unsuccessful mission would ignite the French and Indian War—but it also crystalized Washington's own life's calling. In a postscript to a letter written from Camp in Great Meadows on 31 May 1754, Washington told his brother, John Augustine, "I can with truth assure you, I heard Bulletts whistle and believe me there was something charming in the sound" (Papers of George Washington, Colonial Series, ed. Abbot, 1:119).

The full text of the articles of surrender, including Washington's printed signature at their conclusion, appears in the second column of page 323 and the first column of page 324.

PROVENANCE:

Christie's New York, December 3, 2007, lot 203 (undesignated consignor)