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.

476 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [APPENDIX.
The army who attacked us, by the lowest account, consisted of three
thousand, chiefly British and Hessian troops. The garrison of both
our posts did not exceed six hundred men, and many of these unarmed' militia. The ordinary garrison was thus reduced by detaching Major Moffat with two hundred men to the post at Sydman's
Bridge, and Colonel Malcom's regiment being ordered from thence,
and sixty men on Anthony's Nose by General Putnam's orders, received the day before the action. I have only to add, that where
great losses are sustained, however unavoidable, public censure is
generally the consequence to those who are immediately concerned.
If in the present instance this should be the case, I wish, so far as
relates to Fort Montgomery and its dependencies, it may fall on
me alone; for I should be guilty of the greatest injustice, were I not
to declare, that'the officers and men under me of the different corps
behaved with the greatest spirit and bravery. I am, &c.
GEORGE CLINTON.
No. V. p. 94.
DUCHE'S LETTER.
The Reverend Jacob Duche' was an Episcopal clergyman of
Philadelphia, celebrated as an eloquent and popular preacher. He
was descended from a most respectable family, and educated at the
university in that city. So captivating was his eloquence, aided
by a harmonious voice and elegance of person, that he was considered by many to rival Whitefield. At the beginning of the revolution he took an active part on the side of the American whigs, and
opened the first Congress with a prayer at the request of that body.
He also preached the funeral sermon of Peyton Randolph, the first
President, and afterwards a sermon before Congress on the occasion
of a public fast. In these performances his sentiments were patriotic,
and so highly approved, that Congress invited him to become their
chaplain. In this station he continued for several months, and retired from it on account of ill health and his other duties.
A few weeks after Washington was appointed Commander-in-chief,
he preached a discourse to Colonel Dickinson's first battalion of city
troops, which was printed, and which was dedicated to General
Washington. In a letter, accompanying a copy of the discourse, he
wrote, "' If the manner in which I have treated the subject should