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. 67
not been conducted as I intended and wished, and the
enemy have had an opportunity of making their advances without being attacked. I yet hope, from the
present state of the river, that I shall be down in time
to give them a meeting, and, if unfortunately they should
gain Philadelphia, that it will not be without loss.
I have the honor to be, &c.
TO LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ALEXANDER HAMILTON.
Camp, 22 September, 1777.
SIR,
The distressed situation of the army for want of
blankets, and many necessary articles of clothing, is
truly deplorable; and must inevitably be destructive to
it, unless a speedy remedy be applied. Without a
better supply than they at present have, it will be impossible for the men to support the fatigues of the
campaign in the further progress of the approaching
inclement season. This you well know to be a melancholy truth. It is equally the dictate of common sense
and the opinion of the physicians of the army, as well
as of every officer in it. No supply can be drawn from
the public magazines. We have therefore no resource
but the private stock of individuals. I feel, and I lament, the absolute necessity of requiring the inhabitants
to contribute to those wants, which we have no other
means of satisfying, and which if not removed would
involve the ruin of the army, and perhaps the ruin of
America. Painful as it is to me to order and as it will
be to you to execute the measure, I am compelled to
desire you immediately to proceed to Philadelphia,
and there procure from the inhabitants contributions
of blankets and clothing, and materials to answer the