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. 113
either from Europe, or respecting our Continental affairs. Your situation will put it particularly in your.
power to oblige me in this respect, and be assured,
Sir, that a greater obligation cannot be conferred;
since, for want of communication in this way, I have
often been left in the dark in matters, which essentially concern the public welfare, and which, if known,
might be very influential in the government of my
conduct in the military line.
I am very happy to be informed, by accounts from
all parts of the continent, of the agreeable prospect
of a very plentiful supply of almost all the productions of the earth. Blessed as we are with the bounties of Providence, necessary for our support and defence, the fault must surely be our own, and great
indeed will it be, if we do not by a proper use of
them obtain the noble prize for which we have so
long been contending, the establishment of liberty,
peace, and independence. I am, dear Sir, &c.
TO COUNT DE BARRAS.
Head-Quarters, Dobbs's Ferry, 21 July, 1781.
SIR,
I have been honored with your Excellency's favor
of the 15th instant. I have no doubt but the reasons
which induce you to decline the removal of the squadron under your command to the Chesapeake at this
time are founded in propriety; but I am certain, that,
could the measure have taken place, it would have
been attended with most valuable consequences, more
especially as, from reports and appearances, the enemy are about to bring part of their troops from Virginia to New York. Although the detachments from
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