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.

42 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [IET. 49.
may be depended upon, and will eventually be of very
great consequence to us. Much, I apprehend, is to be
dreaded from the predatory incursions of the enemy
this campaign. To be apprized of their designs, and
guarded against them at all points, as far as possible,
will tend most essentially to disconcert their plans and
protect our frontiers. As to the disposition of the
Vermontese, I know nothing of it, but from report.
At present they are at. least a dead weight upon us.
It is greatly t, be regretted, that they are not by some
means or other added to our scale, as their numbers,
strength, and resources, would certainly aid us very
considerably, and make the enemy extremely cautious
how they advanced far in that quarter. The bulk of
the people, I am persuaded, must be well affected.
Should it be otherwise with any of the individuals, I ardently wish they may be detected in their villany, and
brought to the punishment they deserve.*
Rhode Island, the transports destined to receive the troops are to be
kept there; when, on the contrary, the army under your command shall
penetrate into the country, and the squadron abandons Rhode Island,
this squadron will proceed to Boston,*and take with it the transports,
that have been retained.
"7. If, from the different causes mentioned, you should remain in
your position at Rhode Island, and a superior naval force of the King
should withdraw the squadron which is in that port, I give you notice,
that the Count de Grasse has orders to leave with you two vessels to
defend the port, and the transports necessary for your army."
* The British had come up Lake Champlain from Canada, and threatened an invasion of the frontiers of New York in that direction. At the
same time there seemed to be an understanding of some sort between
the leaders in Vermont and the British officers, which excited a suspicion
that the former were acting under disguise, and fostering an improper
intercourse with the enemy. General Schuyler had said in his letter;
"The conduct of the Vermontese is mysterious, and if the reports
which generally prevail are well founded, their measures will certainly
be attended with dangerous consequences to this and the other United
States. I cannot however believe that the bulk of the people are in the
secret. I rather conjecture that the person whom we suspected last year
to have been in New York, and some others, are the only culpable ones,