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.

18 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [,T. 45.
will be wanted to bring your State (with the distresses
of which I am deeply affected) to every effort it is
capable of making in its present mutilated situation;
and they may rely upon it, that no means in my power
shall be unemployed to coiperate with them, in the
danger that presses upon the State, and through it
threatens the continent. If I do not give so effectual
aid as I could wish to the northern army, it is not for
want of inclination, nor from being too little impressed with the importance of doing it, but because the
state of affairs in this quarter will not possibly admit
of it. It would be the height of impolicy to weaken
ourselves too much here, in order to increase our
strength there; and it must certainly be considered
more difficult, as well as of greater moment, to control
the main army of the enemy, than an inferior and I
may say dependent one; for it is pretty obvious, that,
if General Howe can be kept at bay, and prevented
from effecting his principal purposes, the successes of
General Burgoyne, whatever they may be, must be
partial and temporary.
Nothing that I can do shall be wanting to rouse the
eastern States, and excite them to those exertions,
which the exigency of our affairs so urgently demands.
I lament that they have not yet done more; that so
few of their militia have come into the field, and that
those few have behaved so inconsistently with the duty
they owe their country, at this critical period. But I
have nevertheless great reliance upon those States.
I know they are capable of powerful efforts, and that
their attachment to the cause, notwithstanding they may
be a little tardy, will not allow them long to withhold
their aid, at a time when their own safety, that also of
a sister State, and, in a great measure, the safety of
the continent call for their greatest zeal and activity.