"Gav. Sketches of Gen. Washington's Private Characters 
“‘ friends, to make Phzladelphia (instead of a confined room 
“or two) my quarters for the winter. But the affairs of the 
“army requre my constant attention and. presence ; and, 
“ circumstanced as matters are at this juncture, call for some 
“degree of care and address, to keep it from crumbling.— 
“As peace and retirement are my ultimate aim, and the 
“most pleasing and flattering wish of my soul, every thing 
“ advancive of this end, contributes to my satisfaction ; how- 
“ ever dificult and inconvenient in the attainment: and will 
“reconcile any place, and all circumstances, to my feelings, 
“whilst I remain in service.” 
In proof of the goodness and candour of his heart, I ex- 
tract a part of a letter, dated ‘‘West Point August 22d, 1779;” 
to the same confidential friend. \ 
A most disastrous, and nearly ruinous, misfortune, had 
taken place, at an early period of the war. He, at that 
distant time, suffered under the reproaches, of some envi- 
ous, of a few malignant, and of more mistaken,.malcontents; 
for, although posterity may not believe it,such there were.* 
* These would, either priyately, or openly, censure (among other unjustifiable charges) his Fabian 
policy. I was continually, durmg all the active years of the war, in a situation to know the exact 
state of our army, and its strength, deficiencies, wants, or supplies; which I could not, at any time (un- 
officially) for any purpose, reveal. Witheut pretensions to military talents, or skill, I was always satis- 
fied, that this policy was our salvation. Although rejoiced when our army was strong im its effectives, 
and redundant mits supplies; yet sometimes feared, that zealous patriotism, and professional pride 
“ (honourable and appropriate to soldiers, and sufficiently prevalent among our military characters) 
“would urge to pitched battles. Under this idea, I had frequent occasion to draw comfort from mis- 
fortune. I thought, when impolitic measurés had “ crumbled” our army, and thinned its ranks, or . 
withheld its supplies ; that, shielded by the guardianship of heaven, our weakness was our strength. 
If this had been substantive comfort, and not consolation derived from necessity, I should haye 
been more and oftner satisfied under it, than I reallyavas. Our weakness and necessities were, 
very frequently, seriously dangerous and alarming ; and the more so, when they were not gene 
rally known, or believed. Sap eh in the people, as well aS their representatives, was often 
the perilous consequence, 
Many estimable men, both in and out of the army, were uneasy under jnactivity ; and thought 
the contest should be brought to a close, by general battles, or more frequent offensive operations. 
Such anxieties pressed on his patience, but he resisted them firmly ; without passing by opportu- 
nities, in smaller combats often, and in important enterprises, when necessity, or the magnitude 
of the object, justified. Hannibal and Fabius were cast in different moulds. Although the hereism 
and military skill of the one were indisputable; the patience, wisdom, and forbearance, of the other, 
saved his country. 
