General Braddock reported to Governor Dinwiddie at Williamsburg, and laid before him his plans of operation. As the fame of the youthful Washington had reached him in the old country, his thoughts were very naturally directed to him in this interview. "Where is Colonel Washington," he inquired. "I long to see him." "He is retired from the service, sir," replied the governor. "Retired?" exclaimed General Braddock. "Colonel Washington retired? Pray, sir, what is the reason?" "He was displeased with the king's order reducing the rank of provincial officers," answered the governor. And he proceeded to explain the matter in full, without exposing his own agency in the matter. General Braddock heard him through, when he retorted 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."