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.

JAT. 49.] LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 359
not in a condition to go to sea. The difficulty and
expense of transportation, the season of the year in
which the troops would reach Virginia, being the
hottest part of summer, and the waste of men always
attending a long march, were formidable objections to
the first plan. It was believed, also, that the enemy's
force in New York had been so much weakened by
detachments, that Sir Henry Clinton would be compelled either to sacrifice that place and its dependencies, or recall part of his troops from the south to
defend them.
It was therefore agreed, that Count de Rochambeau
should march as soon as possible from Newport, and
form a junction with the American army near Hudson's
River. Before leaving Weathersfield, a circular letter
was written by General Washington to the governors
of the eastern States, acquainting them with the result
of the conference, and urging them to fill up their
quotas of Continental troops with all possible despatch,
and to hold a certain number of militia in readiness to
march at a week's notice. If men could not be obtained for three years, or during the war, he recommended that they should be enlisted for the campaign
only, deeming the exigency to be of the greatest importance, both in a military point of view and in its
political bearings; for the zeal of the Americans, and
their willingness to make sacrifices for the common
cause, would be estimated by the manner in which
they should now second the efforts of their allies, and
contribute to give effect to' their proffered services. A
body of militia was likewise to be called to Newport,
for the defence of the French fleet in the harbour after
the departure of the troops. The two commanders
returned to their respective armies, and prepared to put
their plan in execution.