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. 225
General Lincoln has accepted his appointment of
secretary of war. Proper plans of economy are adopting in every department, and I do not despair of seeing
ere long our affairs under much better management
than they have been; which will open a new field productive, it is to be hoped, of a fruitful harvest. As you
will have received, in a more direct channel than from
hence, the news of the surprise and recapture of St.
Eustatia by the arms of France, I shall only congratulate you on that event, and add, that it marks in a
striking point of view the genius of the Marquis de
Boullie for enterprise, and for intrepidity and resources
in difficult circumstances. His conduct upon this occasion does him infinite honor.
I shall be impatient to hear of your safe arrival in
France, and to receive such communications as you
know will be interesting to the cause we espouse, and
in which we are actors. Though unknown to Madame
de Lafayette, I beg you to present me to her as one of
her greatest admirers. Be so good also as to make a
tender of my best wishes to the Duke de Lauzun, and
other gentlemen of the army of Count de Rochambeau,
who may be in the circle of your friends, and with
whom I have the honor of an acquaintance. With
sentiments of purest affection and most perfect regard,
I am, my dear Marquis, your assured friend, &c.
P. S. -January 5th. Since writing the foregoing, I
have had the letter and resolves, herewith sent, put into
my hands by the delegates from Virginia in Congress.
I have a peculiar pleasure in becoming the channel,
through which the just and grateful plaudits of my
native State are communicated to the,man I love. By
advices just received from South Carolina, the enemy
have evacuated all their posts in that State, and have
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