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. 19
I flatter myself, that the presence of Generals Lincoln
and Arnold, in the northern department, \rill have a
happy effect upon them. Those gentlemen possess
much of their confidence, particularly the former, than
whom there is perhaps no man from the State of Massachusetts, who enjoys more universal esteem and
popularity; and, in addition to that, they may both be
considered as very valuable officers.
You intimate a wish, that some assistance could be
drawn from the southern States at this time. But,
while things remain in their present posture, and appearances, however illusory they may prove, afford the
strongest reason to keep their force at home, to counteract the seeming intentions of General Howe, I could
neither ask nor expect them to detach any part of it to
the succour of the northern States, which are so well
able to defend themselves against the force they now
have to oppose.
I hope that an exaggerated idea of the enemy's force
may have no injurious influence on our measures.
There is no circumstance, with which I am acquainted,
that induces me to believe General Burgoyne can have
more than six or seven thousand men; and, if the force
left in Canada is so considerable, as the information
you send me makes it, he cannot have even so many.
The representations of prisoners and deserters, in this
respect, are of little validity. Their knowledge is always
very limited, and their intention, particularly the former,
is very often bad. Beyond what regards the state of
their own respective companies, no attention is due to
what they say. The number of regiments, which your
informant mentions, agrees with other accounts. But
as to the number of men in each company, which he
gives the establishment, I am persuaded it is not the
actual state. The British army in Canada last cam