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.

230 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGSo. [.ET. 45.
TO SIR WILLAM HOWE.
Head-Quarters, 30 J anuary, 1778.
SIR,
I have duly received your letter of the 19th ultimo.
It is unnecessary to enter minutely into its contents,
since the enclosed resolutions of Congress will show
you, that the matter is now put upon a footing different
from that mentioned by Mr. Boudinot; which, at the
same time, you will be pleased to consider as final and
decisive, and to regulate your measures accordingly.
I should be glad, as soon as possible, to be favored
with your determination in consequence, especially on
those parts numbered in the margin of the resolves;
to which I must expect a speedy and explicit answer.
There is one passage of your letter, which I cannot
forbear taking particular notice of. No expression of
personal politeness to me can be acceptable, accompanied by reflections on the representatives of a free
people, under whose authority I have the honor to act.
The delicacy I have observed, in refraining from every
thing offensive in this way, entitled me to expect a
similar treatment from you. I have not indulged myself in invective against the present rulers of Great
Britain, in the course of our correspondence, nor will I
even now avail myself of so fruitful a theme.
The quartermasters, permitted to go with the clothing,
appeared to me sufficient for the purpose; for, though
the prisoners are in different places, yet they lie chiefly
on a direct communication. If upon any future occasion you should conceive a greater number requisite,
you will inform me of it previously to their coming, and
I shall be ready to comply, as far as I think myself
justified. Whether your sending out more than one
British quartermaster was an encroachment upon the