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.

PARTII.] THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 333
The only proceedings of Congress, for drafting, that
I have seen, were passed on the 26th of February,
and are a recommendation to the several States, C6 to
fill up their respective regiments by drafts from the
militia, to serve nine months after they appear at the
places appointed for their rendezvous, dischargeable
before the end of that period, in proportion as recruits,
enlisted for three years or during the war, may join
the regiments in which they are." What a contrast
between these proceedings and the forgery! I shall
transmit the paper to Congress immediately, that they
may pursue proper steps for counteracting this wicked
publication.
TO MAJOR-GENERAL MCDOUGALL.
Valley Forge, 22 April, 1778.
DEAR SiR,
I am perfectly satisfied with your delay of the enterprise proposed by you, as I am certain it has been
founded upon substantial reasons. Congress having,
by their resolve of the 15th instant, directed General
Gates to resume the command of the northern department, and to repair forthwith to Fishkill for that
purpose, I imagine he will proceed immediately thither.
Upon his arrival there, I must desire you to return to
the numbers of the army and want of discipline, it was resolved that all
the troops then in the army, and such as must afterwards be enlisted
or drafted, should be deemed troops of the United States during the
war, and that General Washington and other commanding officers were
required to apprehend and punish as deserters all, who should leave the
aimy under pretence of their terms of service being expired. These spurious resolves were dated February 20th. They may be found in Hugh
Gaine's 3New York Gazette, of the 9th of March.