re is not a shadow of
proof. On the other hand, there is positive evidence that Jumonville was
conducting a reconnoitering party, to ascertain the position and
strength of the English.

Washington's report to Governor Dinwiddie, and the latter's letter to
Lord Albemarle, establish the facts in the case beyond contradiction.
For this reason we introduce them here:

"I set out with forty men before ten, and it was from that time till
near sunrise before we reached the Indians' camp, having marched in
small paths, through a heavy rain, and a night as dark as it is possible
to conceive. We were frequently tumbling over one another, and often so
lost that fifteen or twenty minutes' search would not find the path
again.

"When we came to the half-king, I counselled with him, and got his
assent to go hand in hand and strike the French. Accordingly he,
Monacawacha, and a few other Indians, set out with us; and when we came
to the place where the troops were, the half-king sent two Indians to
follow the tracks and discover their lodgment, which they did, at a very
obscure place, surrounded with rocks. I, thereupon, in conjunction with
the half-king and Monacawacha, formed a disposition to attack them on
all sides, which we accordingly did; and, after an engagement of fifteen
minutes, we killed ten, wounded one, and took twenty-one prisoners.
Amongst those killed was Monsieur Jumonville, the commander. The
principal officers taken are Monsieur Drouillon, and Monsieur La Force,
of whom your Honor has often heard me speak as a bold, enterprising man,
and a person of great subtlety and cunning. These officers pretend that
they were coming on an embassy; but the absurdity of this pretext is too
glaring, as you will see by the instructions and summons enclosed. Their
instructions were to reconnoiter the country, roads, creeks, and the
like, as far as the Potomac, which they were about to do. These
enterprising men were purposely chosen out to procure intelligence,
which they were to send back by some brisk despatches, _with the mention
of the day that they were to serve the summons_, which could be with no
other view than to get reinforcements to fall upon us immediately
after."

Governor Dinwiddie wrote to Lord Albemarle as follows:

"The prisoners said they were come as an embassy from the fort: but your
lordship knows that ambassadors do not come with such an armed force
without a trumpet or any other sign of friendship; nor