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.

APrrENDI.] CLINTON'S INSTRUCTIONS. 549
two to St. Augustine and Pensacola. When these detachments are
made, seven Scotch regiments, of one thousand men each, will remain in the army under your command.
"Should you not succeed in bringing Washington to a general
and decisive action early in the season, it is recommended not to
pursue an offensive warfare against the interior, but leave men enough
to defend the posts, and embark a detachment on board the King's
ships, and attack the harbours along the coast between New York
and Halifax. Meantime the troops at Rhode Island may be employed in destroying the shipping in Providence River, and other
inlets and creeks in that vicinity. If this service cannot be executed,
without detaching so many men from Philadelphia as to leave that
place insecure, then such a post may be taken on the Delaware River
and fortified, as may be defended by a small number of men, the
shipping thereby protected, and the navigation of the river obstructed.
Philadelphia may then be evacuated, leaving only a garrison at the
above post, and taking the remaining troops to New York, except
such as are wanted for the expedition against the northern sea-ports.
Not that the retaining of Philadelphia is not thought a very important
object, and it is to be abandoned only on the condition, that the
northern service cannot be effected without it.
" This maritime expedition against the northern sea-ports will
probably be completed by the month of October, and it is the King's
intention, that an attack shall be made on the southern colonies in
the winter, with a view to the conquest and possession of Georgia
and South Carolina. The various accounts received from those provinces concur in representing the people generally disposed to return
to their allegiance. Arms will therefore be sent out for the well
affected. Georgia should be first taken, and the passage into South
Carolina will then be comparatively easy. A communication may
also be opened with the loyal inhabitants of North Carolina. While
these operations are going on, every opportunity should be embraced
for malking diversions in Virginia and Maryland. Such are the
general views of the ministers, but these hints are not meant as
positive orders; on the contrary, it is expected the Commander will
exercise his discretion according to circumstances."
Five days after the date of the above despatch, that is, on the 13th
of March, the Marquis de Noailles communicated an official paper to
the English government, stating that a treaty of amity and commerce
with the United States had been signed by the King of France. This
intelligence caused the ministry immediately to change the plan of
conducting the war, which had previously been concerted. On the