Minister from France- We believe that we have a right to the Ohio River Valley. We claimed this land long before the British were ever here. The only land they rightfully own is on the other side of the Appalachian Mountains.
King George II- We have a right to the land in the Ohio River Valley. Our colonists from Virginia and Pennsylvania paid money for this land that was claimed by Britain.
They have a right to move there.
French Minister- Our fur traders have lived for a long time in the Ohio River Valley alongside the Native American Indians. They have lived together in peace and we will not let the colonists try to take our land. Your people have already taken enough of their land.
King George II- Our colonists are simply building settlements in the Ohio River Valley.
We are not taking any land from the Native Americans.
Messenger- (to Virginia Governor) Governor Dinwiddy, we have reports that the
French are building military forts in the Ohio River Valley. We feel they are doing this to prepare for a war on our settlers that have moved onto this land.
Governor Dinwiddy- Tell Major George Washington to send a message to the French that they need to leave our lands at once or they will face serious consequences.
George Washington- (to French Commander) I have come to the Ohio River Valley to give a message to you. My commander has given me orders to tell you that you and your men must leave this land at once. You have invaded our land in the Ohio River Valley and built a military fort. We see this as an act of war.
French Commander- We will not leave this land Mr. Washington. Go back and tell your commander that no Englishman has a right to trade or even set foot in the Ohio
River Valley.
Washington- Sir, I have been told that the French will not leave our land. They told me to tell you all of our men must leave the Ohio River Valley at once.

Governor Dinwiddy- I want to promote you for a job well done George. It was very brave of you to go alone to meet with the French. I am assigning you command of 150 soldiers. I want you to take them to the Ohio River Valley to build a military fort of our own. If they are planning a war we must be ready for them. Go to Duquesne (DuCane) to build the fort.
Washington attacks French scouts after learning they were already building a fort where he was supposed to build one for the British. They kill 10 Frenchmen in the attacks. Washington’s troops then built a quick fort but were surrounded and had to surrender.
Colonist- Our majesty and King, we the colonists are calling on you in the name of God to come to our aid and defeat the French in this war so that we may move into the Ohio
River Valley.
King George II- The fighting in the colonies has increased. I believe it is my duty to help protect the colonists. I will put General Edward Braddock in charge of the British army and send him to the colonies with 2,000 soldiers. George Washington will be his advisor.
George Washington-
General Braddock, I don’t think it would be a wise decision for you to try to fight a battle against the French and Indians using European battle tactics. I am afraid they will launch a surprise attack against us.
General Braddock-
Who is in charge here? Do you think I’m going to listen to a 23 year old colonist who has no military background. I am the best British general there is.
I have won many battles by lining up and fighting. I know that no army can be a match for mine. We will head to Fort Duquesne ( Ducane) and I will win this battle within three or four days.
Native Americans- Although the colonial traders have more money and pay us more for our furs we have decided to fight with the French because they have given us something the colonists never have. Respect!
The Frenchmen in this land have treated us with respect while the colonists continually pushed us off our land forcing us to move here.