One object of Washington's mission was to win over, if possible, the Indians, whose friendship for either the French or the English depended wholly on self-interest.

He seems to have been most successful in securing the friendship of Thanacarishon, the great Seneca Chief, known as the Half-King.

This native left it as his opinion that the colonel was a good-natured man, but had no experience; he took upon him to command the Indians as his slaves, and would have them every day upon the scout and to attack the enemy by themselves, but would by no means take advice from the Indians.

He lay in one place from one full moon to the other, without making any fortifications, except that little thing on the meadow, whereas, had he taken advice, and built such fortifications as I advised him, he might easily have beat off the French.

But the French in the engagement acted like cowards, and the English like fools.[1] [Footnote 1: Quoted by Lodge, I, 74.] Believing that he could accomplish no more at that time, Washington retraced his steps and returned to Williamsburg.
Governor Dinwiddie, being much disappointed with the outcome of the expedition, urged the Virginian Legislature to equip another party sufficiently strong to be able to capture Fort Duquesne, and to confirm the British control of the Ohio.