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.

202 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [LET. 49.
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Head-Quarters, near York, 31 October, 1781.
SIR,
I do myself the honor of transmitting to your Excellency a letter from General Duportail, in which he
explains the motives of an intended application to Congress for permission to go to France, and for the promotion of himself and other officers of his corps. I
should conceal sentiments, with which I am very strongly impressed, and do injustice to very conspicuous
merit, if I did not upon the present occasion offer my
testimony to the distinguished abilities and services,
both of General Duportail and Colonel Gouvion. Their
claim to the particular attention of Congress at this
juncture is founded upon the practice of Europe;
sieges being considered as the particular province of
the corps of engineers, and as entitling them, when
attended with a success important in itself and its
consequences, to the great military rewards. These
officers, besides, are supported by a series of conduct
in the line of their department, which makes them not
depend merely upon the present circumstances.
For these reasons, I am induced to recommend General Duportail's memorial to Congress for the promotions which he specifies, and the leave of absence; the
latter being by no means incompatible with the good
of the service at the present period, as I am reduced,
notwithstanding all my efforts, to the necessity of retiring into winter-quarters. The same principles as
those above mentioned forbid me to be silent on the
subject of General Knox, who is closely united with
were then in so precarious a condition, and the prospects so uncertain,
that the money-holder refused to lend on such security. Governor Nelson then offered his own property as a pledge, which was accepted, and
the loan was obtained.