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.

PARTII.] THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 3
I think it my duty to inform Congress, that there is
great dissatisfaction at this time in the New York line
for want of pay. Near sixteen months' pay, I am told,
is due. If it were practicable to give this and the
Jersey troops, if they are in the same predicament, a
small portion of their pay, it might stop desertion,
which is frequent, and avert greater evils, which are
otherwise to be apprehended. The four eastern States
have given a temporary relief to their troops, which
makes the case of others, those of New York particularly, appear more distressing and grievous to them.
I have the honor to be, &c.
TO MAJOR BENJAMIN TALLMADGE.
New Windsor, 8 April, 1781.
SIR,
The success of the proposed enterprise, must depend on the absence of the British fleet, the secrecy
of the attempt, and a knowledge of the exact situation of the enemy. If, after you have been at the
westward, the circumstances, from your intelligence,
shall still appear favorable, you will be at liberty to
be the bearer of the enclosed letter to the Count de
Rochambeau, to whose determination I have referred
the matter; as any cooperation on our part, by moving
troops towards the Sound, would give such indications
of the design, as would effectually frustrate the success. Should you not proceed to the Count, you may
destroy that letter. If, on the contrary; you should
go to Newport, by keeping an account of the expenses,
they will be repaid by the public.
In the mean time, I wish you to be as particular as
possible, in obtaining from your friend an accurate