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.

PART I.] INTRODUCTION. xiii
left by Washington. In the first place, the mass of manuscripts, which extends to eighty volumes, consisting
chiefly of letters, is so large as to preclude the idea of
publishing more than a comparatively small portion.
Again, from the nature of the correspondence, being
mostly official, and many of the letters having been
written to different persons on the same subject, there
are necessarily frequent repetitions, and numerous particulars constantly intervening, which, though essential
at the time in the transactions to which they relate,
have no longer any interest or moment. Of this
description are the innumerable details incident to the
subordinate arrangements of an army, such as supplies,
provisions, clothing, camp equipage, arms, ammunition,
and other points of minor consideration, which engaged
the incessant care of the commander-in-chief, and
entered largely into his correspondence even with Congress and the highest officers both civil and military.
To print all the materials of this kind would not only be
useless in itself, but would add so much to the size and
expense of the work, as, at the same time to make it
cumbersome and unattractive to readers, and raise its
cost above the means of many individuals, who may
wish to possess these personal records and authentic
memorials of the acts, opinions, and character of the
father of his country.
Under these circumstances I have endeavoured to
pursue such a course, as would the most effectually attain the object to be desired, in bringing these papers
before the public; namely, to exhibit the writings of
Washington in a manner, that will render strict justice
to the imperishable name of their author, and contribute
the greatest advantage to his countrymen, both at the
present time and in future ages. For this purpose I
have laid down two rules, which I have labored to follow
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