The Journal of Major George Washington, sent by the Hon. Robert Dinwiddie, Esq. ... — to the Commandant of the French Forces on Ohio. London: T. Jefferys, 1754. 8vo (230 x 116 mm). 32 pp; engraved portrait of Washington inserted as frontispiece, dated 1780; later issue of map (c.1860) supplied, bound at rear. Nineteenth-century green morocco by Bedford, repair to title page, light soiling along margins. FIRST OBTAINABLE EDITION OF THIS CRITICAL DOCUMENT LEADING TO THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR, and WASHINGTON'S FIRST PUBLISHED WORK . George Washington was only 21 years old when he was commissioned by Governor Dinwiddie of Virginia to journey to the Ohio Country and negotiate with the French for a withdrawal of their forces. He reached the French Commander on Lake Erie in early December and after fruitless but informative discussions, Washington carried back the French refusal, reaching Williamsburg on January 16, 1754. This was a mere month and a day after his departure from Lake Erie, an astounding feat in itself in midwinter. On the way Washington remarked that the fork between the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers is "extremely well situated for a fort" (the future site of Pittsburgh) and gleaned much information from Tanacharison (the Seneca "Half-King") and other Indian leaders, as well as from a party of French deserters. Only two days elapsed between Washington's return to Williamsburg and the meeting of the General Council at which his account was presented. Washington's news of French insolence and treachery to the Indians was so incendiary that his account was immediately printed in Williamsburg in pamphlet form (an edition known in only 9 institutional copies), before being reprinted in London with a map for the first time. This copy has the map supplied from a later issue, but otherwise this is a beautiful copy of the first obtainable edition of this American landmark, called by Howes, "the most desirable eighteenth century American rarity." Howes W-134. Sabin 101710; Vail 472.
The Journal of Major George Washington, sent by the Hon. Robert Dinwiddie, Esq. ... — to the Commandant of the French Forces on Ohio. London: T. Jefferys, 1754. 8vo (230 x 116 mm). 32 pp; engraved portrait of Washington inserted as frontispiece, dated 1780; later issue of map (c.1860) supplied, bound at rear. Nineteenth-century green morocco by Bedford, repair to title page, light soiling along margins. FIRST OBTAINABLE EDITION OF THIS CRITICAL DOCUMENT LEADING TO THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR, and WASHINGTON'S FIRST PUBLISHED WORK . George Washington was only 21 years old when he was commissioned by Governor Dinwiddie of Virginia to journey to the Ohio Country and negotiate with the French for a withdrawal of their forces. He reached the French Commander on Lake Erie in early December and after fruitless but informative discussions, Washington carried back the French refusal, reaching Williamsburg on January 16, 1754. This was a mere month and a day after his departure from Lake Erie, an astounding feat in itself in midwinter. On the way Washington remarked that the fork between the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers is "extremely well situated for a fort" (the future site of Pittsburgh) and gleaned much information from Tanacharison (the Seneca "Half-King") and other Indian leaders, as well as from a party of French deserters. Only two days elapsed between Washington's return to Williamsburg and the meeting of the General Council at which his account was presented. Washington's news of French insolence and treachery to the Indians was so incendiary that his account was immediately printed in Williamsburg in pamphlet form (an edition known in only 9 institutional copies), before being reprinted in London with a map for the first time. This copy has the map supplied from a later issue, but otherwise this is a beautiful copy of the first obtainable edition of this American landmark, called by Howes, "the most desirable eighteenth century American rarity." Howes W-134. Sabin 101710; Vail 472.
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
