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.

344 WASHtINGTON'S WRITINGS. V[Ea. 46.
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Valley Forge, 27 April, 1778.
SIR,
I had the honor yesterday afternoon to receive your
letter of the 24th, continued to the 25th, with its important enclosures. Congress will be pleased to accept
my sincere thanks for the fresh instance of confidence
manifested in their resolution of the 23d, and other
proceedings; and they may rest assured, that whatever
powers are entrusted to me shall be invariably directed
to promote the interest of these States. If in any case
there should be a misapplication or a failure in the
execution, it will be the effect of mistake and not of
design. I shall take measures for distributing the report of the committee on Lord North's bills, and the
resolution of the 23d, inviting delinquents to return to
their allegiance and to the protection of these States.*
This proceeding appears to me founded in great good
the States, or adhered to, aided, or abetted the enemy, and who should
surrender themselves to any civil or military officer in any of the States,
and return to the State to which they belonged before the 10th of June."
This resolve was suggested by a hint in General Washington's letter
of the 21st of April to Mr. Banister.
* The draft of the Conciliatory Bills, communicated to Congress in
General Washington's letter of the 18th, was referred to a committee
of three, consisting of Gouverneur Morris, Drayton, and Dana. The
bills were regarded as genuine by the committee, analyzed, examined
in their various parts, and censured throughout as totally inadequate to
the expectations of the Americans, and as affording no solid basis for a
reconciliation. The report, expressing these sentiments, was discussed
by Congress, and unanimously adopted. It contains the declaration,
"that these United States cannot with propriety hold any conference or
treaty with any commissioners on the part of Great Britain, unless they
sclall, as a preliminary thereto, either withdraw their fleets and armies,
or else in positive and express terms acknowledge the independence
of the said States." This was effectually closing the door against the
commissioners long before their arrival. The report was drawn up by
Gouverneur Morris. It is ingenious and able. —Journals, dpril 22d.