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.

zhT. 43.] LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 151
moment threatened disagreeable consequences. The
enemy's armed vessels were hovering on the coast,
seizing small craft, and menacing towns on the seaboard. The inhabitants were alarmed, and claimed
protection. The legislature of Massachusetts and the
Governor of Connecticut applied to Washington with a
formal request, that he would detach troops from the
army for that purpose. To refuse this request was
delicate; to grant it, dangerous. In the former case, it
would excite the clamors of the people and the dissatisfaction of their rulers; in the latter, it would weaken
the army so much, as to leave the camp exposed-to a
successful assault, and the country around Boston to
insult and ravage. The army itself might be dispersed,
and the hopes of the continent blighted in the bud.
He did not hesitate. He declined, and stated his reasons in language so judicious and forcible, as to avoid
giving offence, and to blunt the edge of disappointment. This precedent was followed throughout the
war. It was established as a rule, that attacks of the
enemy at isolated points along the coast must be
repelled by the militia in the vicinity, except when the
Continental army was in a condition to make detachments without jeoparding the general cause.
There was a project on foot for an expedition from
Maine against Nova Scotia, which some members of the
Massachusetts legislature were disposed to aid. Washington discouraged it as inexpedient, if not improper.
He said the inhabitants of Nova Scotia had committed
no hostilities, and that such an enterprise would be a
measure of conquest rather than defence, which he conceived to be contrary to the principles upon which the
colonies had hitherto acted. They had taken up arms
to defend their liberties, and not to disturb the quiet of
their neighbours. In such a step, also, there would be