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. 49.] LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 373
CHAPTER XIV.
Preparations for another Campaign recommended and enforced by General Washington and approved by Congress. —Lafayette returns to
France. - The Affair of Captain Asgill. - Backwardness of the States
in recruiting the Army. - Proposal to General Washington to assume
Supreme Power, and his Reply. - Sir Guy Carleton gives Notice, that
Negotiations for Peace had begun. -The French Troops march from
Virginia, join General Washington, and afterwards embark at Boston.
Dissatisfaction of the Army. - The Officers send a Memorial to Congress. -The anonymous Addresses at Newburg. — Intelligence arrives, that a Treaty of Peace had been signed at Paris. - General
Washington's Sentiments concerning the civil Government of the
Union.- His Circular Letter to the States. - He makes a Tour to the
North. -Repairs to Congress at the Request of that Body. — His
Farewell Address to the Army. —The British evacuate New York.
-Washington resigns his Commission, and retires to private Life at
Mount Vernon.
FROM the state of affairs at this time, both in Europe
and America, it was evident that the war could not
be of much longer duration. Considering the temper
hitherto manifested by the British cabinet, however,
and the spirit with which a large majority of the nation
had sustained the ministerial measures, it was generally
supposed that another campaign would be tried. This
was Washington's belief; and, in his communications to
Congress and to persons of influence in various parts
of the country, he urged the importance of being fully
prepared. This he regarded as the wisest policy in
any event. If the war continued, the preparations
would be necessary; if it ceased, they would have a
favorable effect on the negotiations for peace.
He was apprehensive, that the people, from a mistaken idea of the magnitude of the late success
in Virginia, would deceive themselves with delusive
hopes, and grow remiss in their efforts. " To prevent
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