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.