who found
means to escape. About the same time, near 1,000 French, under the
command of Monsieur de Carstrecoeur, and 18 pieces of cannon, came in
300 canoes from Venango, a fort that they had usurped upon the banks of
the Ohio, and surprised an English fort on the forks of the
Monongahella. After this, a great many skirmishes happened between the
English and the French with various success.

"In the meanwhile, orders came from England to the Governors of the
British settlements in America to form a kind of political confederacy,
to which every province was to contribute a quota. Though the scheme of
political confederacy was the best measure that could be pursued in the
situation of the British settlements, yet it had not all the effect that
was expected from it." (Rapin's History of England, Vol. XXI., pp. 491,
492.)]

[Footnote 226: Rapin's History of England, Vol. XXI., pp. 520, 521.
Rapin adds:--"While all Europe was in suspense about the fate of the
English and French squadrons, the preparations for a vigorous sea war
were going on in England with unparalleled spirit and success.
Notwithstanding, the French Court still flattered itself that Great
Britain, out of tenderness to his Majesty's German dominions, would
abstain from hostilities. Mirepoix (the French Ambassador at London)
continued to have frequent conferences with the British Ministry, who
made no secret that their admirals, particularly Boscawen, had orders to
attack the French ships wherever they should meet them; on the other
hand, Mons. de Mirepoix declared that his master would consider the
first gun fired at sea, in a hostile manner, as a declaration of war.
This menace, far from intimidating the English, animated them to
redouble their preparations for war."--_Ib._, p. 521.]

[Footnote 227: Rapin, Vol. XXI., p. 521. It was during this interval
that the unfortunate expedition, death, and defeat of General Braddock
took place, on the banks of the Ohio river, at Fort du Quesne,
afterwards called Pittsburg. "The naval expedition, under Admiral
Boscawen, was somewhat more fortunate (than that of Braddock), though
far from answering the expectations of the public. He made a prosperous
voyage till he came to the banks of Newfoundland, where his rendezvous
was; and in a few days the French fleet, under De la Mothe, came to the
same station. But the thick fogs which prevail on those coasts,
especially at that time of the year, kept the two squadrons fro