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.

556 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [APPENDIX,
of those dirty earwigs, who will for ever insinuate themselves near
persons in high office; for I really am convinced, that when General
Washington acts from himself, no man in his army will have reason
to complain of injustice or indecorum. I am, Sir, and hope I ever
shall have reason to continue, your most sincerely devoted humble
servant.
" CHARLES LEE."
GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL LEE.
"Head-Quarters, English Town, 30 June, 1778.
~~ SIR,
" I received your letter (dated through mistake the 1st of July),
expressed as I conceive in terms highly improper. I am not conscious of having made use of any very singular expressions at the
time of meeting you, as you intimate. What I recollect to have
said was dictated by duty, and warranted by the occasion. As soon
as circumstances will permit, you shall have an opportunity of justifying yourself to the army, to Congress, to America, and to the world
in general, or of convincing them that you were guilty of a breach of
orders, and of misbehaviour before the enemy, on the 28th instant, in
not attacking them as you had been directed, and in making an
unnecessary, disorderly, and shameful retreat. I am, Sir, your most
obedient servant.
" GEORGE WASIIINGTON."
GENERAL LEE TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
"Camp, 28 [30?] June, 1778.*
" SIR,
" I beg your Excellency's pardon for the inaccuracy in misdating
my letter. You cannot afford me greater pleasure, than in giving me
the opportunity of showing to America the sufficiency of her respective servants. I trust that temporary power of office, and the tinsel
dignity attending it, will not be able, by all the mists they can raise, to
offuscate the bright rays of truth. In the mean time your Excellency
can have no objection to my retiring from the army. I am, Sir, your
most obedient humble servant.'C CHARLES LEE."
* This letter in the original is dated June 28th, which is evidently a mistake, because that was the day of the battle; and moreover it must have been
written after the preceding one from General Washington, to which it is an
answer. Hence both of General Lee's offensive letters were erroneously
dated.