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.

PARTII.] THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 285
pendent on the general command of the posts in that
quarter; but only to designate the rank of the officer,
who should have the immediate charge of them. There
is such an intimate connexion between the forts and
the other posts and passes in the Highlands and their
vicinity, that it is necessary for one officer to have the
superintendency and control of the whole, and to be
answerable for all. If this were not to be the case,
but the command were to be divided, there might be
wanting that cooperation between the garrisons and the
troops- without, which might be essential to their preservation and to the common purposes of defence. The
assigning of a fixed number of men to the garrisons
would not remove this inconvenience; for the codperation would still be necessary. But if it were otherwise,
I should not think the measure advisable, because we
do not know what number of men we may have in the
field next campaign; and the number for the defence
of the Highlands must be proportioned to the general
strength, and the force of the garrisons to that number.
On these considerations, having ordered General
McDougall to repair to the Highlands to assume the
chief command there, I have comprehended the forts
among the other objects of his trust; in the discharge
of which I am persuaded he will manifest adequate
zeal and ability. But as the resolve in question affords
room for doubt, it will be proper to have it explained,
so as more explicitly to ascertain the intention of Congress. I am'perfectly in sentiment with Governor
Clinton, on the propriety of drawing the troops from
the northward to reinforce and carry on the works in
the Highlands. From every thing I can learn, there
seems to be no prospect of prosecuting the intended
expedition into Canada. If so, I apprehend it can an