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.

AET. 48.] LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 345
enforced. They decreed that all the troops, thenceforward to be raised, should be enlisted to serve during
the war; and that all the officers, who continued in the
service to the end of the war, should be entitled to
half-pay for life. Washington ever believed, that, if
this system had been pursued from the beginning, it
would have shortened the war, or at least have caused
a great diminution in the expense. Unfortunately the
States did not comply with the former part of the requisition, but adhered to the old method of filling up their
quotas with men raised for three years and for shorter
terms. The extreme difficulty of procuring recruits
was the reason assigned for persevering in this practice.
Lafayette commanded six battalions of light infantry,
stationed in advance of the main army. He projected
a descent upon Staten Island, but was prevented from
executing it by the want of boats. A plan was likewise
formed for a general attack on the north part of New
York Island. The enemy's posts were reconnoitred,
extensive preparations were made, and a large foraging
party was sent into Westchester County to mask the
design, and draw the attention of the enemy that way.
But the sudden appearance. of several armed vessels in
the river caused the enterprise to be deferred and finally abandoned. The foraging expedition, conducted by
General Stark, was successful.
The army went into winter-quarters at the end of
November; the Pennsylvania line near Morristown, the
New Jersey regiments at Pompton, and the eastern
troops in the Highlands. The head-quarters of the Commander-in-chief were at New Windsor. The French
army remained at Newport, except the Duke de Lauzun's legion, which was cantoned at Lebanon in Connecticut.
VOL. I. 44