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 267
TO MAJOR-GENERAL GREENE.
Newburg, 23 April, 1782.
DEAR SIR,
Your apprehensions, in consequence of the movement of the legion of Lauzun, need not be much alarmed; the present situation of the enemy in New York, I
am persuaded, will not afford any reinforcements to
your quarter.
The recruits raising in the States, from which your
army is drawn, are completing as far as circumstances
will admit, and, if needed, will be ready to go to you
as early as the operations of the campaign are decided;
which, at present, from a variety of circumstances,
among which a want of intelligence from Europe is not
the least, are held in uncertainty. The State of Maryland had some time ago' about three hundred men en!
listed, and waiting only for their clothes, which have
been sent on from Philadelphia. A number also is
collected in Pennsylvania. But, until our information
respecting the enemy's intentions, and their future mode
of war, is more clearly ascertained, as well as our
knowledge of the support and assistance, which we
expect from our ally, it may not be well to hasten on
the recruits to your army. You are not insensible of
the disadvantages we have ever experienced in attempts to reinforce at your distance by land; it having
hitherto proved a weakening of the main army, without
any essential augmentation to yours.
In present circumstances, without the aid of naval
forces and water conveyance, your own experience and
the general knowledge you have of the country will
readily decide upon the impracticability of transporting
by land such heavy stores and artillery, as would be
necessary for great operations. So that you have only