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.] THE FRENCH WAR. 49
sably necessary, for nothing clashes more with reason,
than to conceive our small bodies can act distinctly,
without having connexion with one another, and yet be
serviceable to the public. I do not doubt that Captain
Mackay is an officer of sense, and I dare say will do the
best for the service; but, Sir, two commanders are so
incompatible, that we cannot be as useful to one another,
or the public, as we ought; and I am sincerely sorry,
that he has arrived before your instructions by Colonel
Innes, who I doubt not will be fully authorized how to
act. But as we have no news of Colonel Innes, I have,
in the mean time, desired Major Carlyle to send this by
an immediate express to you, who, I hope, will satisfy
these doubts.
Captain Mackay and I have lived in the most perfect
harmony since his arrival, and have reasoned on this
calmly; and, I believe, if we should have occasion to
exert our whole force, we shall do as well as divided
authority can do. We have not had the least warmth
of' dispute. He thinks you have not a power to give
commissions, that will command him. If so, I can very
confidently say, that his absence would tend to the public advantage. I have been particularly careful in discovering no foolish desire of commanding him, neither
have I intermeddled with his company in the least, nor
given any directions concerning it, except, in general,
the countersign, and place to repair to in case of an
alarm, none of which he thinks he should receive. I
have testified to him, in the most serious manner, the
pleasure I should take in consulting and advising with
him upon all occasions, and I am satisfied that we shall
never differ after you have decided this point. I am
convinced, that your own just discernment and consideration will prove to you, that there can be no medium.
The nature of the thing will not allow of it. Before
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