iv Sketches of Gen, Washington's Private Character. 



*' friends, to make Philadelphia (instead of a confined room 

 '^ or two) my quarters tor the winter. But the affairs of the 

 "<2rm2/ requ:re my constant attention and presence; and, 

 '* circumstanced as matt;ers 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 difficult and inconvenient in the attainment : and will 

 " reconcile any place, and all circumstances, to my feelmgs, 

 "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 privately, or openly, censure (among other imjustifiable charges) his Fabian 

 policy. I was continually, during all the active years of the war, in a situation to know the exact 

 state ofour army, and its strength, deficiencies, wants, or supplies; which I could not, at any time (un- 

 officially) or any purpose, reveal. Without pi-etensions to military talents, or skill, I was always satis- 

 ficfi, that this policy was our salvation. Although rejoiced when our aimy M'as strong in its effectives, 

 and redundant ir. its supplies; yet I sometimes feared, that zealous patriotism, and professional pride 

 (honourable and approprifite to soldiers, and sufficiently prevalent among our militaiy eharactei*s) 

 would urge to pitched battles. Under this idea, I had frequent occasion to draw comfort from mis- 

 fortune. I thought, when impolitic measures had * crumbled" our army, and thinnetl its ranks, or 

 withheld its supplies ; that, shielded by the guardianship of heaven, our weakness was our strengfth. 

 Ifthis had been substantive comfort, and not consolation derived from necessity, I should have 

 been more and oftner satisfied under it, than I i-oally was. Our weakness and necessities were, 

 very frequently, seriously dai^gerous and alanning ; and the more so, when they were not gene- 

 rally known, or believed. Supiaeness in the people, as well as in their representatives, was often 

 the perilous consequence. 



Many estimable men, both in and out of the army, were imeasy under inactivity ; 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 ; witliout passing by opportu- 

 nities, in smaller combats often, and in important enterprises, when necessity, or the magnitude 

 of the object, justified. Hannibal and J-V/fin/j wt^re cast in diifereiit moulds. Although the heroism 

 and military skill of the one were indisputable; the patience, Avisdom, and forbearance, of the other, 

 szveA his country. 



