He was a young man for such an undertaking, not yet twenty-two, but clearly of good reputation.

It is plain enough that Lord Fairfax and others had said to the governor, "Here is the very man for you; young, daring, and adventurous, but yet sober-minded and responsible, who only lacks opportunity to show the stuff that is in him." Thus, then, in October, 1753, Washington set forth with Van Braam, and various servants and horses, accompanied by the boldest of Virginian frontiersmen, Christopher Gist.

He wrote a report in the form of a journal, which was sent to England and much read at the time as part of the news of the day, and which has an equal although different interest now.

It is a succinct, clear, and sober narrative.

The little party was formed at Will's Creek, and thence through woods and over swollen rivers made its way to Logstown.