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.

132 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [EmT. 45.
what they principally fear at Fort Mifflin is a surprise
by night, or a lodgment upon the upper end of the
Island, by which they may cover themselves before
morning and open a battery upon the rear of the iort,
which is only secured by palisadoes. The only method
of guarding effectually against this, is by keeping boats
stationed by night between Fort and Province Islands,
to give an immediate alarm; and when the weather is
calm, if the galleys were to lie near the Island to be
ready to begin to fire, upon the first landing of the
enemy, it would harass and retard them much in their
operations.
I am afraid that matters do not go on smoothly between the Commandant at Fort Mifflin and the Commodore, as there are every now and then complaints
of inattention in the Commodore; but I do not know
whether with just grounds. I beg you will do all in
your power to reconcile any differences, that may have
arisen, not by taking notice of them in a direct manner,
but by recommending unanimity and demonstrating the
manifest advantages of it. As the Commodore will
have a considerable reinforcement after you arrive, I
eope he will be able to afford more assistance than he
has hitherto done.
You will have an opportunity of seeing and conversing with the Baron d'Arendt, and I must beg you will
lay such plans, as will most effectually contribute to the
mutual support and defence of your posts; for you are
to consider, if one falls, the other goes of course. As
soon as you have looked about you, and taken a survey of the ground, I shall be glad to have your opinion
of matters. I am, &c.