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.

188 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [.ET. 45.
sidered as an evil, much to be apprehended, even by
the best and most sensible among us. Under this idea,
I have been cautious, and wished to avoid as much
as possible any act that might increase it. However,
Congress may be assured, that no exertions of mine,
as far as circumstances will admit, shall be wanting to
provide our own troops with supplies on the one hand,
and to prevent the enemy from getting them on the
other. At the same time they must be apprized, that
many obstacles have arisen to render the former more
precarious and difficult than they usually were, from a
change in the commissary's department, at a very critical and interesting period. I should be happy, if the
civil authority in the several States, through the recommendations of Congress, or their own mere will, seeing
the necessity of supporting the army, would always
adopt the most spirited measures, suited to the end.
The people at large are governed much by custom.
To acts of legislation or civil authority they have ever
been taught to yield a willing obedience, without reasoning about their propriety; on those of military power,
whether immediate or derived originally from another
source, they have ever looked with a jealous and suspicious eye. I have the honor to be, &c.
TO SIR WILLIAM, HOWE.
Head-Quarters, 14 December, 17770
SIR,
The difficulty of supplying the troops of General
Burgoyne's army with wood and provisions, from the
country in the neighbourhood of Boston, induces me
to request, that you would grant passports for vessels to be employed to bring them from places on
the coast. I cannot ascertain the number of vessels,