The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

ET. 24.] LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 87
Left to act and proceed at hazard, accountable for the
consequences, and blamed without the benefit of defence, if you can think my situation capable of exciting the smallest degree of envy, or affording the
least satisfaction, the truth is yet hidden from you, and
you entertain notions very different from the reality of
the case. However, I am determined to bear up under
all these embarrassments some time longer, in hope of
a better regulation on the arrival of Lord Loudoun, to
whom I look for the future fate of Virginia." The
Speaker replied; "I am truly concerned at the uneasiness you are under in your present situation, and
the more so, as I am sensible you have too much reason for it. The present unhappy state of our country must fill the mind of every well-wisher to it with
dismal and gloomy apprehensions; and without some
speedy alteration in our counsels, which may God
send, the fate of it must soon be determined."
The year was now drawing to a close. As the Earl
of Loudoun was expected soon in Virginia, Colonel
Washington resolved to await his arrival, and lay before
him a general exposition of the state of affairs, and if
possible to have the Virginia troops put upon the regular establishment under the direction of his Lordship,
as the only mode by which the command of them
could be useful to his country, or honorable to himself.
In anticipation of this event he drew up an able and
luminous statement, which he transmitted to Lord
Loudoun, then with the armies at the north.
The paper begins with a modest apology for intruding upon his Lordship's notice, which is followed by
a brief sketch of the history of the war in Virginia,
and of the part acted in it by the author. With the
discrimination of an acute observer and an experienced
officer, he traced a narrative of events, exposed the