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.

302 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. [1778.
naval, victory to enter the harbour and ascend to the
city. These hopes were soon dissipated by the unanimous opinion of the pilots, that there was not sufficient
depth of water to admit Count d'Estaing's heavy ships
over the bar, and by their refusal to take the responsibility of attempting to conduct them through the
channel.
The only enterprise, that now remained, was an attack
on the enemy at Rhode Island, where six thousand
British troops were stationed, chiefly in garrison at
Newport, and protected by a few small vessels, batteries, and strong intrenchments. The French squadron departed for that place, without being molested by Lord Howe, whose force was not such as to
encourage him to go out and give battle. Anticipating
the French admiral's determination, Washington prepared to lend all the aid in his power to make it
effectual. General Sullivan was already in Providence,
at the head of a considerable body of Continental
troops; and he was ordered to apply to the States of
Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, for mnilitia enough to augment his force to at least five thousand
men. A detachment of two brigades marched from
the main army under Lafayette, who was followed by
General Greene. The events of this expedition do not
fall within the limits of the present narrative. Various
causes contributed -to its failure, by defeating the combined action of the land and naval forces. Count
d'Estaing's fleet, after leaving Newport, was so much
crippled by a tremendous storm, and a partial engagement at sea, that he put in to the harbour of Boston to
refit, where he remained till November.
The disagreements, which unhappily existed between
the American and French officers at Rhode Island,
gave the deepest concern to Washington. In a letter