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.

ZET. 33.] LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 115
the- obvious principles of reason and justice. The
argument, thus confirmed by ocular demonstration,
was conclusive, and the church was erected on the
new site.
At the close of the French war, he had an arduous
service to perform, as one of the commissioners for
settling the military accounts of the colony, which: were
complicated, and of large extent. His intimate knowledge of the subject, and the sympathy he felt for
his companions in arms, and all who had aided the
cause of their country, were motives for throwing this
task chiefly upon him, and he executed it faithfully.
British writers have asserted, and perhaps believed,
that Washington's sentiments did not harmonize with
those of the leaders, who resisted the aggressions of
the mother country at the beginning of the great struggle for independence, and that he was brought tardily
into the measures of opposition. This opinion probably arose from the, circumstance of his name not
being mentioned among the conspicuous actors, and
was strengthened by the spurious letters ascribed to
him in the first part of the war, of which more will
be said hereafter. These letters were first published
in England, and so artfully written, that they might
easily mislead those, who were willing to be deceived on the side of their prejudices and wishes. It is
nevertheless true, that no man in America took a more
early, open, and decided part in asserting anid defending the rights of the colonies, and opposing the
pretensions set up by the British government. In the
Virginia legislature he went heart and hand with Henry, Randolph, Lee, Wythe, and the other prominent
leaders of the time. His opinions and his principles
were consistent throughout. That he looked for a
conciliation, till the convening of the first Congress, and