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.

264 WASHINGTON'S WRITlINGS. [aET. 46.
is; and I must consider his being required to expose
himself to the inconveniences of a sea-voyage at this
season as altogether unnecessary. I had a right to
expect, that he would have been released as soon as
General Prescott went in; and must request, that you
will accordingly give immediate orders for it. If you
will be pleased to transmit your directions through me
for that purpose, I will carefully forward them. This
would obviate the uncertainty and possible delay of a
conveyance by water. I am, with due respect, Sir, &c.
TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE.?
Head-Quarters, 10 March, 1778.
MY DEAR MARQUIS,
I have had the pleasure of receiving your two favors
of the 19th and 23d of February, and hasten to dispel
those fears, respecting your reputation, which are excited only by an uncommon degree of sensibility. You
seem to apprehend that censure, proportioned to the
disappointed expectations of the world, will fall on you,
in consequence of the failure of the Canadian expedition. But, in the first place, it will be no disadvantage
to you to have it known in Europe, that you had received so manifest a proof of the good opinion and
confidence of Congress, as an important detached command; and I am persuaded, that every one will applaud
your prudence in renouncing a project, in pursuing
which you would vainly have attempted physical impossibilities. Indeed, unless you can be chargeable
with the invariable effects of natural causes, and be' See extracts from the letters, to which this is a reply, in the AP.
PENDIX, No. XI.