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.

A~ET. 49.] LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 355
intercourse between the two nations will more and
more cement the union, by the solid and lasting ties
of mutual affection." In short, the meeting between
the commanders of the allied armies was in all respects satisfactory to both parties; but the projects of
the enemy were so uncertain, and future operations
depended so much on contingent and unforeseen
events, that nothing more could be agreed upon, than
general arrangements for acting in concert at such
times and places as circumstances should require.
Although the design of the British general was
not then known, it appeared afterward that he aimed
to transfer the seat of war to the Chesapeake, and
if possible to Pennsylvania. This scheme was urged
by Lord Cornwallis, who was of the opinion that it
ought to be pursued even at the expense of abandoning New York. To aid in effecting it, Sir Henry
Clinton sent another detachment to Virginia, consisting of two thousand men under General Phillips, who
was ordered to cooperate with Arnold, and ultimately
with Lord Cornwallis, it being presumed that Cornwallis would make his way through North Carolina,
and be able to succour these troops in Virginia, and
probably to join them with his army.
The first object of Lafayette's expedition was to
act in conjunction with the French fleet; but, as no
part of the fleet entered the Chesapeake, he was
disappointed in that purpose. His troops advanced
no farther than Annapolis, although he went forward
himself to Williamsburg. Having ascertained that an
English squadron had entered the Chesapeake, instead
of the French, he immediately prepared to return
with his detachment to the main army near the Hudson. He proceeded by water to the Head of Elk,
where he received additional instructions from Gen