The following statement gives a history of the fort: JUMONVILLE CAMP, FORT NECESSITY, PA. Usually we think of George Washington as the general in whose hands Congress placed the military authority necessary for the preservation of a new nation, or as the President who aided in guiding the country which he helped to create. Sometimes we recall the many anecdotes connected with his life as a child. Not frequently, however, is thought given to that period of his young manhood days when brain and muscle were trained to accept responsibility to an unusual degree for one so young. It was in the western part of the State of Pennsylvania where much of importance in his early life was lived-those momentous events for a boy which added strength to his character, and steel to his body. In 1753 the Royal Governor Dinwiddie, of Virginia, learning that the French were encroaching on what was considered British territory west of the Alleghany Mountains, resolved to send a commissioner to the French, duly authorized to demand of them the designs of their Government. Maj. George Washington was selected for this arduous undertaking. His knowledge of the Indians and of woodcraft acquired in surveying expeditions, and the marked traits of character which he displayed, recommended him for this delicate and important mission, although he was not yet 22 years of age. Washington successfully performed his work, reaching Williamsburg on his return in January of 1754. The reply of the French was displeasing to Governor Dinwiddie, and the Colonial Council ordered two companies of 100 men each to be raised and sent to the Ohio Valley, to construct a fort for the purpose of protecting the settlers who might go out under the auspices of the Ohio Company. Washington had command of this expedition and reached Great Meadows on May 25, 1754. Here he learned that a party of French were approaching, and, leaving a guard at his camp, with 40 men set out to join his Indian ally, Half King, and then proceeded in the direction of the French camp. This was found to be located some distance east of the Braddock Road, in a narrow valley, faced on one side with a wall of rocks. The Virginians and the Indians were preparing to surround the French when they were discovered. Fire was opened, and in a sharp exchange the French were routed. Jumonville, the commander of the party, was killed, as were nine others. It was an unfortunate affair, as the French claimed Jumonville was the bearer of messages to the British. The news of this encounter was carried to Fort Duquesne, and its commander immediately began preparations to send a force to strike the English. ___Washington returned to Great Meadows and set about preparing a position. Here a fort was built, the outlines of which are still visible. It is located about 400 yards from the present highway leading from Cumberland, Md., to Uniontown, Pa., about 5 miles east of Uniontown. It was named Fort Necessity. The French attacked Washington's command on the 3d of July, 1754. Superior numbers compelled Washington to retire within the fort, and honorable terms of surrender being offered he accepted them. When the French took possession of the fort on July 4, the English marched out with drums beating and carrying their arms. The following year Washington marched through this same country as a member of Braddock's command. For a period of seven years of the early life of George Washington, many of the most important things to happen to him occurred in the western part of Pennsylvania. No place is as appropriate to memorialize the events of his youth as is Fort Necessity. In view of the importance of this fort in the life of George Washington, your committee recommend the enactment of this bill so that the monument may be erected for the George Washington Bicentennial, which occurs next year. The report of the War Department on the bill is as follows: FEBRUARY 10, 1930. Hon. W. FRANK JAMES, Chairman Committee on Military Affairs, House of Representatives. DEAR MR. JAMES: Careful consideration has been given to the bill (H. R. 9104) to provide for the commemoration of the Battle of Fort Necessity, Pa., which you transmitted to the War Department under date of January 28, 1930, with a request for information and the views of the department relative thereto. The applicable provision of existing law on this subject appears in Public No. 372, Sixty-ninth Congress, entitled "An act to provide for the study and investigation of battle fields in the United States for commemorative purposes," approved June 11, 1926. In the report of progress made in the study and investigation of battlefields submitted to Congress on November 29, 1929, and published as Senate Document No. 46, Seventy-first Congress, second session, it was recommended that Congress approve the general classification of battlefields as set forth in H. R. 1071, Sixty-ninth Congress, first session; that it indicate which battlefields, if any, it desires to commemorate or survey; and that it authorize the necessary appropriations to carry its wishes into effect. No action has been taken by Congress on this recommendation. The method of commemoration of the historic events named in this bill and the amount authorized to be appropriated are in accordance with the recommendations as to classification and estimates of cost, which will be included in the next annual report of the Secretary of War to Congress, on the subject of battlefield commemoration. This bill authorizes the appropriation of $25,000 for commemorating the historic events referred to therein, and further authorizes an annual maintenance appropriation not to exceed $250. The question as to whether or not any historical event shall be commemorated is a matter of public policy which Congress must decide. For that reason the War Department consistently withholds any definite recommendation as to whether or not a particular event should be commemorated. Sincerely yours, SEA WALL AT SELFRIDGE FIELD, MICH. JANUARY 30, 1931.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union and ordered to be printed Mr. MCSWAIN, from the Committee on Military Affairs, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany H. R. 9224] The Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 9224) to authorize an appropriation for the completion of a sea wall at Selfridge Field, Mich., introduced by Mr. Cramton, having considered the same, report thereon with the recommendation that it do pass with the following amendment: Line 4, strike out the amount "$150,000" and insert in lieu thereof "$50,000". The purpose of this bill is to authorize a small additional appropriation for the completion of the construction of a sea wall at Selfridge Field, Mich., for which $230,400 was appropriated in Public, No. 278, Seventy-first Congress, approved May 28, 1930. After the authorization was obtained it was found that it would be necessary to construct a wall of higher elevation to furnish the necessary protection. It was estimated that $150,000 would be required in addition to the original appropriation, but since that time à contract has been let for the construction of the sea wall at the higher elevation of 580 feet (the original was planned to be 578 feet), using the $230,400 now available. The terms of the contract are so favorable that the War Department feels that only $50,000 will be required to fully complete the fill and grading behind the sea wall. Therefore, your committee recommends the bill in the amended form. The letter of the War Department is as follows: Hon. W. FRANK JAMES, Chairman Committee on Military Affairs, House of Representatives. DEAR MR. JAMES: Careful consideration has been given to the bill (H. R. 9224) to authorize an appropriation for the completion of a sea wall at Selfridge Field, Mich., transmitted with your letter of December 10, 1930, with request for a report thereon and such views relative thereto as the department might desire to communicate. The sum of $230,400 was authorized to be appropriated for the "construction of a sea wall and the necessary fill" at Selfridge Field, Mich., by Public, No. 806, Seventieth Congress, approved February 25, 1929. The above funds were appropriated in Public, No. 278, Seventy-first Congress, approved May 28, 1930. The estimate of $230,400 was based on the construction of a sea wall with top elevation at 578 feet. After the above authorization was obtained, experience with a period of high water in Lake St. Clair indicated that it would be necessary to construct the sea wall to elevation 580 feet in order to furnish the necessary protection, and it was estimated that $150,000 additional would be required for this purpose. However, since that time a contract has been let for the construction of the sea wall to elevation 580 feet, using the $230,400 now available. The terms of this contract are so favorable that it now appears that only $50,000 instead of $150,000 will be necessary to fully complete the fill and grading behind the sea wall. The War Department is therefore in favor of the passage of H. R. 9224, provided that the same is amended to authorize $50,000 instead of $150,000 for the completion of the sea wall and fill at Selfridge Field, Mich. Sincerely yours, |