A PERSON OF DISTINCTION

George Washington’s First Mission

This is the title of a new book on young George Washington that nears completion. Its author is Carl F. Robertson, PhD, Founder, President, and CEO of the Providence Plantation Foundation. The book makes a careful study of those persons and experiences that collectively prepared young George Washington for his expedition to the upper Ohio Valley in 1753. As the envoy of Virginia governor Robert Dinwiddie 21 year-old Washington carried a letter to the French Commandant, Le Garde St. Pierre, demanding the immediate withdrawal of French forces from what in London and Williamsburg was regarded as British territory. After Washington was in the Ohio Country carrying out his first public mission, Governor Dinwiddie, writing to newly arrived Maryland governor, Horatio Sharpe, made reference to the young diplomat as “a person of distinction.” Hence the title of this book. The meaning and significance of the term is explained as well.

But the book is also about young Washington’s first efforts at diplomacy with the Ohio Indians. Considerable detailed attention is paid to the historical circumstances and culture of these Indians and those who were French allies. One of the latter attempted to shoot Washington and Gist during their return trip. The meaning and tentative location of that attempted assassination is also spelled-out in this highly informative book.

Dr. Robertson argues that most biographers and other students of Washington’s younger years have not carefully studied the historical expedition described in the journals of Washington and Gist. He seeks to correct many misunderstandings and offers better-documented explanations of the events of this journey. Two of the serendipitous discoveries he has made during his extensive research into the period documents and maps, and the pertinent history, is the location of the historic Delaware settlement, known as “the Murdering Town” and the “forgotten path” on which Washington and Gist walked to the Allegheny River. He offers what he believes is the best explanation of how the epithet “Murdering Town” was attached to this village on the Connoquenessing. He also cuts through the thicket of confusion by clarifying the location of the “Venango path” as part of the network of main Indian paths that existed for millennia in the watershed of the Ohio and its numerous tributaries. But when did GW use it and when did he not?

The book jacket—front and back—has pictures of young George Washington based on the latest life-sized image of him that now stands at Mount Vernon’s museum. The book makes use of other images to illuminate the highpoint of Washington’s mission and maps to support the case that Dr. Robertson makes in the book on subjects that have been long without resolution.

A related piece of exciting news is that a companion to the book is a DVD in preparation on “Washington’s perilous path” between Murdering Town and the Allegheny. A voice-over narration relates Washington’s historical experiences on the most dangerous part of his entire 900-mile expedition, accompanied by over thirty digital photos and a combination of historic and modern maps to show where he walked. Just as the book is a must read, the DVD is a must see! Both the book and the DVD are expected to be available by Christmas, 2008. Watch for them, and be sure to get your own copy and some for holiday gifts as well!