WASHINGTON'S EARLY MILITARY CAREER.


The Maryland Gazette, no 447. Annapolis: Printed by Jonas Green, Post-Master, at his office in Charles Street, June 27, 1754. 4 pp. Folio (256 x 238 mm). pages toned, dampstaining at left margin, dsibound from larger volume.Page 2, column 3 contains a brief, early mention of Washington's French and Indian War exploits: "We have certain Information, that Nine of the French Soldiers, from the Fort which was delivered up by Ensign Ward ... have Deserted, and come over to Major Washington. Upwards of 300 Soldiers are now at Alexandria, and more expected every Day, who are to march in a few Days, to join and reinforce Major Washington, so that it is hoped his Army will soon be able to withstand and repel and Attacks that may be offered him by the French." Though this report is fairly complementary of Washington's leadership, his ambush of French leader Joseph Coulons de Villiers de Jumonville was an unprovoked act of peacetime aggression that sparked a seven-years long conflict. Column one of this paper also includes mention of Benjamin Franklin's attendance at the Albany Congress of 1754, in which he attempted to persuade the various colonies to band together to defend themselves against hostile forces.