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. 341
Admiral Keppel, and General Murray, are said to be
the persons appointed;* and it is likely they are vested
with both civil and military powers. The information
was through the channel of a sensible, intelligent man,
well known, and of esteemed credit. He is connected
with the British army, having two or three brothers in
it. I shall transmit the earliest accounts I receive fi'orn
time to time on this very interesting subject.
I have the honor to be, &.c.t
TO GOVERNOR LIVINGSTON.
Valley Forge, 26 April, 1778.
SIR,
Your reasoning, upon the subject of deserters attending flags, is certainly right, and not to be disputed.
Their appearing in that character is an additional crime,
and it is the practice of war, in such instances, founded; This information, in regard to the names of the commissioners, proved
to be erroneous.
J The expectations of the British ministry, in regard to what they
called the Conciliatory Propositions, may be inferred from Lord George
Germain's letter on the subject to Sir Henry Clinton, in which he says;
"' If that be true, which has been repeatedly declared by the colonial
assemblies, and is still asserted by many persons, who pretend to be well
informed of the dispositions of the inhabitants, that the generality of the
people desire nothing more, than a full security for the enjoyment of
all their rights and liberties under the British constitution, there can be
no room to doubt, that the generous terms now held out to them will
be gladly embraced, and that a negotiation will immediately take place
upon the arrival of the new commission, and be so far advanced before
the season will admit of military operations, as to supersede the necessity
of another campaign. So speedy and happy a termination of the war
could not fail to gratify the King, as the peace, prosperity, and happiness of all his subjects have ever been his most ardent wish."'- JS
Letter, Whitehall, Aiaclrch 8th.
Instructions were at the same time communicated, that, in case the
attempt at a reconciliation did not succeed, the war was to be prosecuted with vigor, and a plan for the campaign was suggested. Five
c CC