‘Sketches of Gen. Washington’ s PrilteChrotr. 
Wa ‘ 
‘ 
But he would net »——unnecessarily for any public purpose, — 
develope the real state of the transaction. He bore unmerited 
reflections, patiently and silently. He had suspended his be 
ter judgment, in deference to the opinions of others (good and 
Mase 
true men) with whom his situation compelled him to advise. — 
A resolution of Congress, too, was indirectly justificatory of Ak 
the advice which produced hesitation, as to his peremptorily — 
enforcing his own opinion. This he calls “a foible.” He had 
given plain and explicit orders ; but he had left the time and 
manner of execution, in a degree, discretionary. Yet the 
_ disobedience of an able and worthy general officer (who after- 
wards became eminent, and «deservedly distinguished) was 
strictly unjustifiable. The disaster was heavy, and irretriev- 
able. The error flowed from well intentioned motives; 
and the character of the officer was unimpeachable. He thus 
writes, in the letter cited :—“ But this concern received: ad- 
“‘ ditional poignancy, from two considerations which were 
“but little known,—and one of them never will be known 
“to the world ;—because I never shall attempt to palliate 
“my own foibles, by exposing the error of another. Nor in- 
‘deed could either of them come before the public; unless 
“there had been such a charge, as must have rendered an 
inquiry into the causes of this miscarriage necessary.” 
Those only who knew his private life, had the complete 
opportunity and gratification, of admiring his private virtues ; © 
On the subject of his cautious, and finally successful conduct (mistakenly, and sometimes ma- 
levolently, turned against 4ifim) he writes, in a letter, dated from “ Middle Brook, June 23d 1777 5 
“We have some among us, who Wish to make themselves popular at the expense of others 3 or 
“ who think the cause ts not to be advanced otherwise than by fighting. The peculiar circumstances 
“under which it is to be done, and the consequences which may follow, are objects too trivial for 
“their attention. But as I have one great end int view, I shall, maugre all the strokes of this kind, 
* steadily pursue the means, which, in my juc'gment, lead to the accomplishment of it. Not doubt- 
ings but that the candid part of mankind, if they are convinced of my integrity, will make proper 
“ allowances for my inexperience and frailties. I will agrée to be loaded with all the obloquy they 
“ ean bestow, if L commit a wilful mistake.” 
It is we}l known,—and he mentions it in several of these letters—that nothing but a sense of duty, 
and the universal wishes of his country, induced him to accept his arduous, thorny, and highly re- 
sponsible appointment, 
ve 
ea 
