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 II.] THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 277
to resign his command. Waving a minute inquiry into
the causes of dissatisfaction, which may be reduced
perhaps to the disadvantages under which he labored,
as a stranger not well acquainted with the language,
genius, and manners of this country, it may be sufficient
to observe, that the degree of harmony, which is inseparable from the well-being and consequent utility of
a corps, has not subsisted in the cavalry since his appointment, and that the most effectual as well as the
easiest remedy is that, which he has generously applied.
The Count, however, far from being disgusted with
the service, is led by his thirst of glory, and zeal for
the cause of liberty, to solicit farther employment, and
waits upon Congress to make his proposals. They
are briefly, that he be allowed to raise an independent
corps, composed of sixty-eight horse and two hundred
foot, the horse to be armed with lances, and the foot
equipped in the manner of light-infantry. The former
he thinks he can readily fill with natives of good character, and worthy of the trust reposed in them. With
respect to the other, he is desirous of more latitude,
so as to have liberty of engaging prisoners and deserters from the enemy.
The original plan for the lance-men was to draft
them from the regiments of horse. But, as this
method would produce a clashing of interests, and
perhaps occasion new disturbances, the Count prefers
having a corps totally unconnected with any other.
My advice to him, therefore, is to enlist his number of
cavalry with the Continental bounty; and, if it should
be found consonant to the views of Congress to allow
his raising the number proposed over and above the
establishment for the horse, then he would have them
on the footing of. an independent corps; if not, he
VOL. V. X