Page:The Life of George Washington, Volume 1.djvu/72

 42 INTRODUCTION. chap, ir. Having made arrangements for obtaining 1608. regular supplies, and for the government of the colony, of which his firm friend mr. Scri- vener was appointed vice president; he, on the 24th of July, only three days after returning from his first voyage, again sailed with twelve men, to complete his researches into the coun- tries on the Chesapeak. From this voyage he returned on the seventh of September. He had advanced as far as the river Susquehanah, and visited all the coun- tries on both shores of the bay. He entered most of the large creeks, and sailed up many of the great rivers to their falls. He made ac- curate observations on the extensive territories through which he passed, and on the various tribes inhabiting them, with whom he alter- nately fought, negotiated, and traded. In the various situations in which he found himself, he always displayed judgment, courage, and that presence of mind which is essential to the character of a commander; and he never failed finally to inspire the savages he encoun- tered, with the most exalted opinion of himself, and his nation. When we consider that he sailed above three thousand miles in an open boat ; when we contemplate the dangers, and the hardships he encountered, and the fortitude, courage and patience with which he met them ; when we reflect on the useful and important additions he made to the stock of know-