Final answer:
In 1749, the Governor of Virginia granted the Ohio Company the right to settle lands west of the Appalachian Mountains.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1749, the Governor of Virginia granted the Ohio Company the right to settle lands west of the Appalachian Mountains. This was part of a larger movement of British colonists seeking new land, and the Ohio Valley was particularly attractive for its fertile soil. However, this westward expansion brought them into conflict with Native American tribes who resisted further intrusion by white settlers.