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.

OU) WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [LET. 45.
With respect to the wants of the militia, in the articles
of clothing, you must be well convinced, that it is not in
my power to supply them in the smallest degree, when
near one half of our own men are rendered unfit for
service for want of these things. I can add no more
at present, than that I am, dear Sir, &c.
TO BARON D 9ARENDT.
Head-Quarters, 18 October, 1777.
SIR,
Being recovered from the indisposition under which
you lately labored, you are to proceed immediately to
Fort Mifflin on Mud Island and take the command of
giving any opinion on the point, until I am favored with your sentiments,
which I shall be much obliged to you for, Sir, as soon as your time will
permit.
" It has been affirmed, that General Conway would quit the service,
if he were not made a major-general. But I have been told in confidence, that he would leave it at the end of this campaign if he was
appointed, unless his word of honor were taken to continue for any fixed
time. And it is a question with me, whether the advocates for General
Conway will not miss their aim, if he should be appointed adjutantgeneral, unless he has the rank of major-general also. My reason for
thinking so is, that I have been informed General Conway desires to
retire to his family, provided he can carry from this country home with
him a rank that will raise him in France. It is very certain that the
public good -demands a speedy erecting and the judicious filling of the
new Board of War, and I sincerely wish it may be done in the most
proper manner. I do not imagine Congress would appoint Colonel Harrison, without first knowing whether you could spare him; nor do I think
that so important an office, as that of adjutant-general, should be touched
without the maturest consideration." - JS. Letter, October 20th.
Notwithstanding the strong representations of General Washington
in the above letter to Mr. Lee, and the decided opinions expressed in
Mr. Lee's reply, General Conway was appointed by Congress a few
weeks afterwards inspector-general of the army, and raised to the rank
of major-general over several older brigadier-generals. -Journals, December 13th.