THE BONE OF CONTENTION

The Ohio Valley was the hunting ground of many Indian tribes. No white men had ever settled there. However, by the middle of the 18th century the English in America were still eager to enlarge their territory. They claimed ownership of the Ohio Valley, while the French were also determined to fight for their supremacy in that part of America. Thus, the Ohio Valley became the chief bone of contention between England and France, as both the French and the English

wanted to own it.

Then Virginia had no western boundary; by the charter of 1609 it was to extend from sea to sea, "west and northwest". It claimed ownership of the whole Ohio Valley. The English in Virginia formed the Ohio company to build new towns and farms in the Ohio Valley. The company wanted to send settlers to the valley to hold it. George Washington's brothers were members of the Ohio Company. George Washington probably listened with interest to their talk about the new plans.

Meanwhile, the French started to build forts along the river to ensure their domination in the region. Most of the French forts were built in what is now northwestern Pennsylvania. It was clear that the English would have to prepare for a war. Cannon and powder were brought from England to Virginia, and two British forts were built on the Ohio. The Virginian militia was training hard to be able to repel the enemy's attacks. While Virginia was getting ready, the French soldiers came to the Ohio region. They were accompanied by their Indian allies. It was clear that they planned to invade the whole Ohio Valley and drive out the

English.

The governor of Virginia and his council decided to send a messenger to the French to order them away. This trip was as dangerous as it was important. The messenger would have to know the Indians and the country. He had to be strong and healthy as well as brave and wise. He had to be a person who the French would respect. Above all, he had to be able to see and take in everything but say little. He was to find out the number of the French in the Ohio Valley, how many were on the way, and what they were planning to do. The messenger chosen by the governor and his council was George Washington, then only twenty-one years old.

Notes:

the bone of contention — причина спора

supremacy — превосходство

to ensure their domination in the region — чтобы обеспе­чить себе господство в регионе

the English would have to prepare for a war — англича­нам придется готовиться к войне

militia — милиционная армия, ополчение

messenger — гонец

to order them away — приказать им убираться прочь

was as dangerous as it was important — была в равной сте­пени и опасной, и важной

EXERCISES

1. Переведите на русский язык:

The hunting ground, of many Indian tribes, white men had ever settled there, however, by the middle of the 18th century, the English in America, to enlarge their territory, they claimed ownership of the Ohio Valley.

2. Выпишите из текста предложения, содержащие следующие словосочетания и переведите их на русский язык:

Then Virginia had no western, the Ohio Valley, the French started to build, the French soldiers came to the Ohio region.

3. Составьте предложения со следующими словами и словосочетаниями:

The governor, his council, a messenger to the French, as dangerous as it was important, as well as brave and wise, the number of.

4. Ответьте на следующие вопросы:

1. Why did the Ohio Valley become the chief bone of contention between England and France?

2. Why did the governor of Virginia send a messenger to the French?

3. Who was sent to the French fort?