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.

188 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [LET.:24.
I believe I might also add, that no person, who regards his character, will undertake a command without
the means of preserving it; since his conduct is culpable
for all misfortunes, and never right but when successful.
I cannot think any number under two thousand men
sufficient to cover our extensive frontiers, and with that,
number it would be impossible to prevent misfortunes,
however easy the world may think it. What means can
be used to raise these men, I know not, unless the enlisting of servants is thought expedient; and that alone
will prove ineffectual. Some determination should be
had about the ranging companies. Under what regulations'those are in Augusta, and what service they have
done the country, I know not. Those in this quarter
have done little, and both companies amount to about
thirty men.only at this time. I apprehend it will be
thought advisable to keep a garrison always at Fort
Loudoun; for which reason I would. beg leave to represent the number of tippling-houses in Winchester as a
great nuisance to the soldiers, who, by this means, in
despite of'the utmost care and vigilance, are, so long as
their pay holds out, incessantly drunk, and unfit for
service.
The rates of their liquor are immoderately high, and
the publicans throughout the country charge one shilling
a meal, currency, for soldier's diet; and the country
only allows the recruiting officer eight pence a day for
the maintenance of a soldier, by which means he loses
in proportion as he obtains' men, which is much complained of, and is in reality a discouraging circumstance
demanding redress. The want of a chaplain, I humbly
conceive, reflects dishonor on the regiment, as all other
officers are allowed. The gentlemen of the corps are
sensible of this, and proposed to support one at their
private expense. But I think it would have a more