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.

164 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [AET. 45.
to receive by Monday evening next. Their sufferings
demand immediate redress; and, unless I obtain the
most satisfactory assurances on this head, duty will constrain me to retaliate instantly on the prisoners in my
possession. I am, Sir, &c.*
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Head-Quarters, Whitemarsh, 23 November, 1777.
SIR,
I have been duly honored with your favors of the
13th and 19th instant, with their enclosures. I am
well assured Congress have not been inattentive to the
necessities of the army; and that the deficiency in
our supplies, particularly in the article of clothing, has
arisen from the difficulty of importing, on account of
the numerous fleet that lines our coast. However, I am
persuaded that considerable relief might be drawn from
the different States, were they to exert themselves
properly. This I hope will be the case, as soon as
they receive the pressing recommendations of Congress
upon the subject.
It has been the unvaried custom of the enemy, from
the commencement of the present contest, to try every
artifice and device to delude the people. The message through John Brown was calculated for this end.
I am surprised Mr. Willing should suffer himself to be
imposed on by such flimsy measures. He knows that
there is a plain, obvious way for General and Lord
Howe to communicate any proposals they wish to make
to Congress, without the intervention of a second and
third hand. But this would not suit their views. I am
See APPENDIX, NO. VII.