gusta men were always ready to go on any warlike expedition when their homes could be left in safety, but to abandon wives and children to the merciless savages, who came by stealth to slaughter or capture their helpless victims, was more than ought to have been demanded. It was no common danger, and one which no courage could guard against. Governor Dinwiddle, in his comfortable quarters at Williamsburg, was totally unable to appreciate the difficulties and the spirit of the people.
The Governor's vituperation of the people of Augusta did not impair the intense loyalty of the County Court, however others of the population may have been affected by it. This spirit was carried to excess, and rather absurdly exhibited at times. It was in 1756 that one Francis Farguson was brought before the court "by warrant under the hand of Robert McClanahan, gent., for damning Robert Dinwiddle, Esq., for a Scotch peddling son of a b," and found guilty. He was discharged, however, on apologizing and giving security to keep the peace.
Major Lewis did not get off till the month of June. The Cherokees brought out by Pearls refused to go to Winchester, but went home, promising, however, to come back with a larger reinforcement of their tribe. The Governor, on the 12th of June, addressed a stately message "to the Emperor, Old Hop, and other sachems of the great nation of Cherokees."
It was determined by a council of war, held at Fort Cumberland, that Captain Hogg should have the care of constructing the forts provided for by Act of Assembly. Washington addressed instructions to Hogg, dated Winchester, July 21, 1756. The militia of Augusta were ordered out to assist. The forts were to be twenty or thirty miles apart, to the southward of Fort Dinwiddle, on Jackson's river. Lieutenant Bullet was to be left at Fort Dinwiddle, with thirty privates of Hogg's company, and the other forts were to be garrisoned by fifteen to thirty men each. Hogg was instructed not to divide his force, but to keep his men together, and build fort after fort, without attempting to construct more than one at the same time. This precaution indicates the danger of attack by the enemy. The building of the forts was a scheme of the Governor's, disapproved by Washington, and resulted in no good
In a letter to Henry Fox, Esq., dated July 24th, Governor Dinwiddle says: "About one month ago, one hundred French
