We acted in concert to supply Braddock's army with provisions; and when the shocking news arrived of his defeat, the governor sent in haste for me to consult with him on measures for preventing the desertion of the back counties. I forget now the advice I gave; but I think it was that Dunbar should be written to, and prevailed with, if possible, to post his troops on the frontiers for their protection, till, by reënforcements from the colonies, he might be able to proceed on the expedition. And, after my return from the frontier, he would have had me undertake the conduct of such an expedition with provincial troops, for the reduction of Fort Duquesne, Dunbar and his men being otherwise employed; and he proposed to commission me as general. I had not so good an opinion of my military abilities as he professed to have, and I believe his professions must have exceeded his real sentiments; but probably he might think that my popularity would facilitate the raising of the men, and my influence in Assembly, the grant of money to pay them, and that, perhaps, without taxing the proprietary estate. Finding me not so forward to engage as he expected, the project was dropped, and he soon after left the government, being superseded by Captain Denny. Before I proceed in relating the part I had in public affairs under this new governor's administration, it may not be amiss here to give some account of the rise and progress of my philosophical reputation. [Footnote 158: In 1752 the French began connecting their settlements on the Lakes and on the Mississippi by a chain of forts on the Ohio. The English warned off the intruders upon what they deemed their territory, and sent General Braddock to the colonists' aid. War was declared in 1756.] [Footnote 159: A French fort upon the west side of Lake Champlain.] [Footnote 160: That is, he was born in Boston.] [Footnote 161: The estate of the Penn family.] [Footnote 162: Through which the people loaned money to the government.] [Footnote 163: A tax or duty on certain home productions.] [Footnote 164: Gun carriages, transport wagons, etc.] [Footnote 165: Of the government at London, as on p. 147.] [Footnote 166: "Per diem," i.e., a day, or per day.] [Footnote 167: Disinterested.] [Footnote 168: A member of the light cavalry.] [Footnote 169: "Carrying horses," i.e., carrying packs or burdens upon the back.] [Footnote 170: Junior and subordinate officers.] [Footnote 171: Muscovado sugar is brown sugar.] [Footnote 172: Upon the site of this fort Pittsburg is built. The French were also fortified at Niagara and at Frontenac on Lake Ontario.] [Footnote 173: The historian and philosopher. He was born in 1711 and died in 1776.] [Footnote 174: "Bought servants," i.e., those whose service had been bought for a term of years (see Note 2, p. 69).] [Footnote 175: This dialogue and the militia act are in the Gentleman's Magazine for February and March, 1756.]