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. 31
ments, throughout the country and in the army; and
to take pains to communicate them to the enemy. It
would not be amiss, among other things, to magnify
their numbers. I am of opinion, with the Council of
Safety, that your presence to the northward might have
a very happy influence, and, if it were compatible with
the many other calls there are and twill be upon you,
I could wish to see you with the northern army at the
head of the militia of your State.
From some expressions in a letter, which I have
seen, written by General Lincoln to General Schuyler,
I am led to infer, that it is in contemplation to unite
all the militia and Continental troops in one body, and
make an opposition wholly in front. If this be really
the intention, I should think it a very ineligible plan.
An enemy can always act with more vigor and effect,
when they have nothing to apprehend for their flanks
and rear, than when they have; and it is one of the
most approved and most universally practised manceuvres of war, to keep their fears continually awake
on these accounts, and, when circumstances permit, to
be actually in condition to give them serious annoyance
in those parts. Independent of the inconveniences, that
attend a situation, where the rear and flanks are constantly exposed to the insults of light parties, which
may at every moment be harassing them; the necessity of never losing sight of the means of a secure
retreat, which ought to be the first object of an officer's
care, must be exceedingly embarrassing, where there
is a force in such a position as to endanger it. If a
respectable body of men were to be stationed on the
Grants, it would undoubtedly have the effects intimated
above, and would render it not a little difficult for General Burgoyne to keep the necessary communication
open; and they would frequently afford opportunities