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.

376 LIFE, OF WASHINGTON. [1782.
terity, and even in the estimation of the whole world,
which will consider us as a nation unworthy of prosperity, because we know not how to make a right use
of it.
"Although we cannot, by the best-concerted plans,
absolutely command success, although the race is not
always to the swift nor the battle to the strong, yet,
without presumptuously waiting for miracles to be
wrought in our favor, it is our indispensable duty, with
the deepest gratitude to Heaven for the past, and humble confidence in its smiles on our future operations,
to make use of all the means in our power for our defence and security. This period is particularly important, because no circumstances since the commencement of the war have been so favorable to the recruiting service as the present, and because it is to be
presumed, from' the increase of population and the
brilliant prospects before us, that it is actually in our
power to complete the army before the opening of the
campaign. However flattering these prospects may be,
much still remains to be done, which cannot probably
be effected unless the army is recruited to its establishment; and consequently the -continuance or termination of the war seems principally to rest on the vigor
and decision of the States in this interesting point.
And, finally, it is our first object of policy, under every
supposable or possible case, to have a powerful army
early in the field; for we must suppose the enemy are
either disposed to prosecute the war, or to enter into a
negotiation for peace. There is no other alternative.
On the former supposition, a respectable army becomes
necessary to counteract the enemy, and to prevent
the accumulating expenses of a lingering war; on the
latter, nothing but a decidedly superior force can enable
us boldly to claim our rights and dictate the law at the