Jacques Legardeur de Saint-Pierre, who succeeded Marin as commander of the French forces after the latter died on October 29, invited Washington to dine with him. Over dinner, Washington presented Saint-Pierre with the letter from Dinwiddie demanding an immediate French withdrawal from the Ohio Country. Saint-Pierre said, "As to the Summons you send me to retire, I do not think myself obliged to obey it." He told Washington that France's claim to the region was superior to that of the British, since René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle had explored the Ohio Country nearly a century earlier.
Why did French feel they had right to Ohio claim?
France's claim to the region was superior to that of the British Sieur de La Salle had explored the Ohio Country nearly a century earlier René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle had explored the Ohio Country nearly a century earlier. René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle had explored the Ohio Country René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle had explored the Ohio Country nearly a century earlier