The following is a copy of the letter which Washington carried from Governor Dinwiddie to the French commander on the Ohio: SIR:--The lands upon the River Ohio, in the western parts of the Colony of Virginia, are so notoriously known to be the property of the Crown of Great Britain, that it is a matter of equal concern and surprise to me to hear that a body of French forces are erecting fortresses and making settlements upon that river, within his Majesty's dominions. The _many_ and _repeated_ complaints I have received of these acts of _hostility_ lay me under the necessity of sending, in the name of the king, my master, the bearer hereof, George Washington, Esq., one of the adjutants-general of the forces of this dominion, to complain to you of the encroachments thus made, and of the injuries done to the subjects of Great Britain, in violation of the law of nations, and the treaties now subsisting between the two crowns. If these facts be true, and you think fit to justify your proceedings, I must desire you to acquaint me by whose authority and instructions you have lately marched from Canada with an armed force, and invaded the King of Great Britain's territories, in the manner complained of; that, according to the purpose and resolution of your answer, I may act agreeably to the commission I am honored with, from the king, my master. However, sir, in obedience to my instructions, it becomes my duty to require your peaceable departure; and that you will forbear prosecuting a purpose so interruptive of the harmony and good understanding which his Majesty is desirous to continue and cultivate with the most Christian king. ROBERT DINWIDDIE. IX. MISSION TO THE FRENCH. Washington left Williamsburg on the thirty-first day of October, 1753. He proceeded to Fredericksburg, where Van Braam joined him, thence to Alexandria and Winchester for supplies and horses, but did not arrive at Will's Creek, where Mr. Gist and others of the party were found, until Nov. 14. "Now we must depend on you, Mr. Gist, to pilot us through the wilderness," said Washington. "My knowledge of the way ends about where yours begins, I suspect; so we shall commit ourselves to your care." "Well, I shall take a straight course to Frazier's, on the Monongahela River," answered Gist. "And who is Frazier?" inquired Washington. "He is an Indian trader, who lives at the mouth of Turtle Creek." "Well acquainted with the country, I suppose he is," suggested Washington. "He ought to be, for he has been at his business several years, and is an intelligent, responsible man." "Such a man as we need to see, I should think," continued Washington; "so I agree to follow you to Frazier's without a single objection." "A storm is brewing, and will soon be upon us," said Mr. Gist. "I fear that a hard time awaits us."