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.

.ET. 23.] LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 73
system of military regulations, more promptness in paying the troops, and a thorough reform, inducing activity and method, in all the departments for procuring
-supplies.
No one, probably, was more surprised than himself,
that all his requisitions should be complied with. The
appointment was confirmed in the fullest latitude of
his demands, with the additional privilege of an aidde-camp and secretary. He had been at home but
four weeks, when he was called to Williamsburg to
receive his instructions and make arrangements for organizing the new army. Public opinion had -subdued
the governor's partiality for another candidate, and he
acquiesced with apparent satisfaction. In a letter to
the ministry, he spoke of Colonel Washington as "a
man of great merit and resolution," adding, "I am convinced, if General Braddock had survived, he would
have recommended him to the royal favor, which I
beg your interest' in recommending." How far the
minister's interest was effectual is uncertain; but no
royal favor to Washington ever crossed the Atlantic.
Being now established in a command of high responsibility, he applied himself to the discharge of its duties
with his accustomed energy and circumspection. Lieutenant-Colonel Adam Stephen and Major Andrew
Lewis were the field-officers next in rank. His headquarters were fixed at Winchester. After putting affairs in train, sending out recruiting officers, and reporting to the governor the state of the old regiment
and estimates for the new, he performed a tour of
inspection among the mountains, visiting all the outposts along the frontier from Fort Cumberland to Fort
Dinwiddie on Jackson's River, giving the necessary
orders, and obtaining, from personal observation, a
knowledge of every thing within the compass of his
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