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Events on Wednesday 12 December 1753 1
1753Washington delivers ultimatum to the French in the Ohio CountryVirginia envoy warns French forces to withdraw, a prelude to the French and Indian WarVirginia governor Robert Dinwiddie sent young militia officer George Washington to the Ohio Valley to demand that French forces withdraw from territory claimed by Britain. Washington delivered the message to commandant Legardeur de Saint-Pierre at Fort Le Boeuf, who refused, setting the stage for armed conflict the following year.