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.

330 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [aET. 46.
army, (and slaves indeed should we be, if this privilege
were denied,) on account of their proceedings in particular instances; but these will not authorize nor even
excuse a jealousy, that they are therefore aiming at
unreasonable powers, or making strides dangerous or
subversive of civil authority. Things should not be
viewed in that light, more especially as Congress in
some cases have relieved the injuries complained of,
which had flowed from their own acts.
In respect to the volunteer plan, I scarce know what
opinion to give at this time. The propriety of a requisition on this head will depend altogether on our
operations. Such kind of troops should not be called
for, but upon the spur of the occasion, and at the
moment of executing an enterprise. They will not
endure a long service; and, of all men in the military
line, they are the most impatient of restraint and necessary government.
As the propositions and the speech of Lord North
must have proceeded from despair of the nation's succeeding against us; or from a rupture in Europe, that
has actually happened, or certainly will happen; * or
from some deep political manceuvre; or from what I
think still more likely, a combination of the whole,
would it not be good policy, in this day of uncertainty
and distress to the Tories, to avail ourselves of the
" This conjecture was well founded. There is no room to doubt, that,
when the Conciliatory Bills were brought before Parliament by Lord
North, the ministry were convinced a negotiation was pending between
the French court and the American commissioners. During the debate
(February 17th), and in reply to Lord North's speech, Mr. Fox affirmed,
upon information on which reliance might be placed, that a treaty had
already been signed; and when the question was pressed by Mr. Grenville upon Lord North, he answered, "that he could not say firom authority that the treaty alluded to was signed; that, indeed, it was possible,
nay too probable, but not authenticated by the ambassador." - Almon's
Parliamentary Register, Vol. VIII. pp. 385, 389.