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.

10 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [AET. 45.
tions no longer remain a secret. At half after nine
o'clock this morning, I received an express from Congress, advising that the enemy's fleet, consisting of two
hundred and twenty-eight sail, were at the Capes of
Delaware yesterday in the forenoon. This being the
case, there can be no doubt but he will make a vigorous
push to possess Philadelphia, and we should collect all
the force we can to oppose him.
Fearing from report and from the event itself (the
abandonment of the northern posts), that distrust, jealousy, and suspicion of the conduct of the officers might
arise in the militia, and that degree of confidence in
them wanted, which would be necessary to success, and
to give a more promising aspect to our affairs in that
quarter, I sent Generals Lincoln and Arnold to assist
in that command. These two gentlemen are esteemed
good officers, and I think very deservedly. I am persuaded, that nothing their judgments shall direct will
be omitted to stop the progress of General Burgoyne's
arms, so far as in them lies; and I am equally sure, that
their personal exertions and bravery will not be wanting
in any instance. Their presence I trust will remove
every ground of diffidence and backwardness in the
militia, and that they will go on, when and where their
services are demanded, with a spirit and resolution becoming freemen and the sacred cause in which they are
engaged. As the troops are on their march from hence,
I shall not add more, than that I have the most entire
confidence in your exertions upon every occasion to
advance the common interest; and that I have the
honor to be, with great respect, Sir, &c.*
a The appointment of the Marquis de Lafayette as a major-general
in the service of the United States, one of the most important events of
the revolution, took place on the 31st of July, and is thus recorded in
the Journals of Congress.' "Whereas the Marquis de Lafayette, out of his great zeal to the cause