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.

276 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [-ET. 26.
military preferment (for I have long conquered all such
inclinations, and shall serve this campaign merely for
the purpose of affording my best endeavours to bring
matters to a conclusion), but as a person, who would
gladly be distinguished in some measure from the common run of provincial officers, as I understand there will
be a motley herd of us.*
Nothing can contribute more to his Majesty's interest
in this quarter, than an early campaign, or a speedy
junction of the troops to be employed in this service.
Without this, I fear the Indians will with difficulty be
restrained from returning to their nation before we assemble, and, in that event, no words can tell how much
they will be missed. It is an affair of great importance,
and ought to claim the closest attention of the commanding officer. On the assistance of these people the
security of our march very much depends.
Great care should be taken, also, to lay in a supply
of proper goods for them. The Indians are mercenary;
every service of theirs must be purchased; and they
are easily offended, being thoroughly sensible of their
own importance. Upwards of five hundred are already
come to this place, the greater part of whom are gone
to war. Many others are daily expected, and we have
neither arms nor clothes suitable to give them. Nor,
indeed, is it reasonable to expect, that the whole expense accruing on account of these people should fall
upon this government, which has already in this particular, as well as in many others, exerted its utmost abilities for his Majesty's interest, and, in the present case,
* An expedition against Fort Duquesne had at last been decided on,
which was to be conducted by Brigadier-General Forbes. The Virginia
troops, and those of the adjoining colonies, were to be under his command.
General Stanwix was removed to a station between the MohawkRiver
and Lake Ontario, where he built a fort, that was honored with his name.