 The French were alarmed by these developments, and in 1753 began the construction of a series of fortifications in the uppermost headwaters of the Ohio River (near present-day Erie, Pennsylvania), intending to extend the line of forts downriver and deny British traders and settlers access to the territory.When news of this reached Virginia, Governor Dinwiddie sought advice from the British government in London.He received orders to send a messenger to the French, reiterating British claims and demanding that they stop construction of their forts and quit the territory.