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.

PART II.] THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 201
ment, that it is not in my power to give you that satisfactory reply, which your fond hopes would lead you
to expect. I can assure you, that every argument has
been used with the Count de Grasse to induce him to
continue his stay on these coasts, and to aid with his
fleet the combined army in an operation against Charleston; but without success. The advanced season, the
orders of his court, and his own engagements to be
punctual to a certain time fixed upon for his ulterior
operations, forbid a compliance on his part, and I am
obliged to submit.
An attempt to besiege Charleston, without the aid
of a superior naval force, being utterly impracticable, a
very respectable reinforcement of Continental troops is
ordered for the support of General Greene; with which
I flatter myself he will be able to command the country of South Carolina, and confine the enemy to the
town of Charleston; and I fancy to myself a future
day, not far distant, when they will be obliged to abandon that place. As you will, before this can reach you,
be fully informed of our success against Earl Cornwallis, I omit to add any thing on that subject, but beg
your Excellency to accept my sincere congratulations
on that favorable event. I am, dear Sir, &c.*
* The Virginia militia at the siege of Yorktown were commanded by
General Nelson, at that time governor of the State. The following anecdotes were related to me by General Lafayette.
When the cannon were prepared for bombarding the town, Governor
Nelson was requested to direct the pointing of them to those parts where
they would do the greatest execution. He showed to the officers a
large house, which was a conspicuous object, and which he said was
probably the head-quarters. He advised them to aim at that house. It
proved to be his own. This evidence of patriotism was regarded with
high admiration by the French officers.
Before the siege of Yorktown commenced, the public treasury of Virginia was without money, and there was danger that the militia would
disband for the want of pay. Governor Nelson applied to a wealthy person to borrow money on the credit of the State. But the public affairs
VOL. VIII. 26