He took the issue in a serious and even
bitter spirit. He knew nothing of the Englishman at home for he
had never set foot outside of the colonies except to visit
Barbados with an invalid half-brother. Even then he noted that
the "gentleman inhabitants" whose "hospitality and genteel
behaviour" he admired were discontented with the tone of the
officials sent out from England. From early life Washington had
seen much of British officers in America. Some of them had been
men of high birth and station who treated the young colonial
officer with due courtesy. When, however, he had served on the
staff of the unfortunate General Braddock in the calamitous
campaign of 1755, he had been offended by the tone of that
leader. Probably it was in these days that Washington first
brooded over the contrasts between the Englishman and the
Virginian. With obstinate complacency Braddock had disregarded
Washington's counsels of prudence. He showed arrogant confidence
in his veteran troops and contempt for the amateur soldiers of
whom Washington was one. In a wild country where rapid movement
was the condition of success Braddock would halt, as Washington
said, "to level every mole hill and to erect bridges over every
brook." His transport was poor and Washington, a lover of horses,
chafed at what he called "vile management" of the horses by the
British soldier.
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