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.

INTRODUCTION
TO THE FIRST PART.
INr the method, which has been adopted for the present publication, the First Part consists of letters and papers written before the American Revolution. They
relate chiefly to the French War, in which Washington
was actively engaged for five years. During a large
portion of that time he was commander-in-chief of the
Virginia forces, and his correspondence in that capacity,
both as furnishing historical materials and manifesting
the characteristics and resources of his own mind, is
curious and valuable. The importance attached to this
correspondence by himself may be understood from the
fact, that, many years after the letters were written, he
revised the first drafts, and caused them to be carefully
recorded in volumes. They have been preserved in
this condition. Several of the originals still exist in his
own handwriting. The same letter-books also contain
military orders and reports of courts-martial, with connecting and explanatory remarks, which appear to have
been added at a later date. These records form a complete narrative of the events in which Washington was
concerned, from the time he joined General Braddock
till he retired from the army.
VOL. II. b