Journal of my journey over the mountains

Journal of my journey over the mountains - while surveying for Lord Thomas Fairfax, baron of Cameron, in the northern neck of Virginia, beyond the Blue Ridge, in 1747-8.

This journal of George Washington, now for the first time printed entire and with literal exactness, was begun, as shown by the date in the opening lines, when he was but one month over sixteen years of age. It is his own daily record of observations during his first remunerated employment. His proficiency as a surveyor, and his fortitude in encountering the hardships of the forest in this expedition were, considering his age, truly remarkable. With him the beginning determined the end. Biographers have made us acquainted with the character of his worthy parents, and with the sturdy stock from which they were descended. It does seem as though Providence called our Washington into being, and educated him in the western world just at the time when a great leader was wanted to direct a revolution, and to found on this continent a new and a free, English-speaking nation. Every factor, whether of lineage or culture, in the admirably balanced character of Washington, as well as every aspiration of his heart, from his cradle to his grave, is of high interest to the world. Although deprived of a father's care at the age of[10] eleven years, he was, however, especially blessed in having such a mother as the noble Mary Washington, who conscientiously discharged her sacred duty as his guardian, counselor and friend. Hence filial reverence grew with his growth and strengthened with his maturing years into fixed principles, making him throughout all his eventful life loyal to every virtue and heroic in every trust. When George Washington set out on the enterprise herein narrated, he was just out of school, where he had received the best education the neighborhood could supply, supplemented with good private instruction. We may well believe that his mother and his brothers then supposed that George had attained an age and proficiency when he should either go to college to acquire a higher education, or embark speedily in some respectable calling; and we may further conclude that this precocious youth was eager to take part in the affairs of life, and deferentially announced his preference for the latter course. Possibly he was influenced in this selection by his great admiration for his half-brother, Major Lawrence Washington, who was actively and prosperously engaged in various business enterprises, who made much of George, and had him visit Mount Vernon whenever it was practicable. George Washington's aptitude for mathematics early attracted the attention of his teachers, and his beautifully kept copy-books, which are still preserved, attest his unusual ability in mathematical demonstra[11]tion and diagrams. Mr. Williams, the principal of the Academy in Westmoreland county, Va., where young Washington was, to give a practical value to this mathematical talent, had added surveying and navigation to his other studies; and these were soon mastered by this bright pupil. Land surveying was then a profitable and genteel pursuit in the colonies, and it comported well with Washington's tastes and inclinations. While visiting his brother at Mount Vernon, he had repeatedly amused himself and entertained guests of the house by surveying, in their presence, the garden, or a field, and rapidly drawing plats of them as an exercise. A few maps of such early surveys have been preserved. One of them, of Lawrence Washington's turnip field, bearing date 27 Feb., 1747-8, is reproduced in fac-simile in this publication. The others are without date, but are of about the same period; although one, namely that of "Hell Hole," a part of the Mount Vernon estate, and frequently mentioned in Washington's later diaries, may have been an earlier production. A fac-simile of it may also be found in this work. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 52395
Author: Washington, George
Release Date: Jun 23, 2016
Format: eBook
Language: English

Contributors

Editor: Toner, Joseph M. (Joseph Meredith), 1825-1896