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 II.] THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 127
part of the enemy, in respect to regular troops; their
superior discipline, and the redoubts and lines which
they have thrown up between the two rivers and about
the city; the happy state of our affairs at the northward,
and the practicability of drawing succours from thence;
the consequences of a defeat;-these were all motives,
which led to a decision against an attack at this time.
I have sent Colonel Hamilton, one of my aids, to General Gates, to give him a just representation of things,
and to explain to him. thd expediency of our receiving
the reinforcements, which have been determined necessary, if they will not interfere with and frustrate any
important plans he may have formed. Indeed I cannot
conceive that there is any object now remaining, that
demands our attention and most vigorous efforts so
much, as' the destrudtion of the army in this quarter.
Should we be able to effect this, we shall have little
to fear in future.
General Howe's force, according to the statement
now made, is more considerable than it was generally
supposed to be. I did not think it quite so great myself,
but always imagined the common estimate much too
low,; nor can I positively say what it really is. However, there are strong reasons to believe that it is not
overratedo After the evacuation of Germantown, an
almost infinite number of scraps and bits of paper were
found, which, being separated and arranged with great
industry and care, bear the marks of genuine and authentic returns at different periods. The manner in
which they were destroyed and disposed of gives no
room to suspect that it was the effect of design. In
addition to this, I am informed by General Putnam that
he had heard a reinforcement of four regiments was
coming round to Delaware from New York. The enclosed return will give Congress a general view of the