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.

PART I.1 THE FRENCH WAR. 249
tive to his office. But, with regard to the accounts,
when he would have nothing to do with them, and
when I was hourly importuned for the paymerit, and
knew I had not the means, what could I do less than
promise the people, that I would recommend their cases
to your Honor, in hopes that you would appoint a perpon, in whom you could confide, to take in and pay off
their accounts, as I always looked upon it to be a duty
distinct from mine, and therefore was unwilling to intermeddle in the affair?
I really thought it unnecessary to say more, than that
"the detachment destined for Augusta had marched,"
because your Honor gave me a copy of the result of the
council held at Philadelphia, which directed one hundred and fifty men to be posted at Dickinson's, and one
hundred.at Vass's, which direction I observed, and I
thought it would be sufficiently understood when I
wrote as above.
I should have acknowledged the receipt of the arms,
had they come to hand, but they were not arrived when
my last was written; which obliged me to disarm the
men remaining here, in order to supply those who
marched, rather than detain them, as I had sent wagons
to Falmouth to bring the arms from thence. However,
if I have erred in these points, I am sorry for it, and
shall endeavour for the future to be as particular and
satisfactory, in my accounts of these things, as possible.
I am, with due respect,
Your Honor's most obedient, humble servant.
VOL. II. 32