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.

242 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [.ET. 25.
to discover the enemy sooner. On the other hand, a
blazed path in the eyes of an Indian is a large road; for
he does not distinguish, without a close inspection, between a track which will admit of carriages, and a road
sufficient for Indians to march in.
These, Sir, are only my own sentiments, and I submit them to, your better judgment. We very well
know, that from Fort Duquesne to Fort Cumberland
there is a plain road already made, and bridges also. I
shall, however, continue to pursue every means in my
power to gain the earliest and best intelligence of the
approaches of the enemy, and shall transmit it forthwith to you. I have sent Major Lewis fifty miles in
advance of this place, with orders to keep out constant
spies for intelligence, and to lose no time in forwarding
it to me.
We have received nothing new from Fort Cumberland since the 16th. The Indians, who brought the
first news, imagine, that some of Spotswood's party are
yet watching the motions of the enemy. On the contrary, I apprehend they are all cut off; for a man, who
left Fort Cumberland the 16th, says, that the woods
appear to be quite alive with hostile Indians, who show
themselves openly in the day. This is unusual with
them, unless they are strong.
We work on this Fort, both night and day, intending
to make it tenable against the worst event, Mr. Croghan and others write you by this express, and will no
doubt be more explicit on Indian affairs, than I can pretend to be, and to them I refer. I am, &c.