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.

104 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [.ET. 23.
quantity of paper, bought at extravagant prices, for cartridges, I expect from below.
Six or eight smiths are now at work, repairing the
firearms that are here, which are all that we have to depend upon. A man was hired, on the 24th of last
month, to do the whole, but neglected it, and was just
moving off to Pennsylvania in wagons. I impressed his
wagons, and compelled him by force to assist in this
work. In all things I meet with the greatest opposition.
No orders are obeyed, but such as a party of soldiers,
or my own drawn sword, enforces. Without this, not
a single horse, for the most earnest occasion, can be
had, - to such a pitch has the insolence of these people
arrived, by having every point hitherto submitted to
them. However, I have given up none, where his Majesty's service requires the contrary, and where my proceedings are justified by my instructions; nor will I,
unless they execute what they threaten, that is, "blow
out our brains."
I have invited the poor distressed people, who were
driven from their habitations, to lodge their families in
some place of security, and to join our parties in scouring the woods, where the enemy lie; and I believe
some will cheerfully assist. I have also taken, and shall
continue to take, every previous step to forward the
march of the recruits, as soon as they arrive here. Your
Honor may depend, that nothing in my power shall be
wanting for the good of the service. I would again hint
the necessity of putting the militia under a better regulation, had I not mentioned it twice before, and a third
time may seem impertinent. But I must once more
beg leave to declare, for here I am more immediately
concerned, that, unless the Assembly will pass an act to
enforce the military law in all its parts, I must, with
great regret, decline the honor that has been so gener