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. 123
of tons of shipping could be obtained in Philadelphia
at any time between this and the 20th of this month,
and whether there could also be obtained at the same
time a few deep-waisted sloops and schooners proper
to carry horses. The number of double-decked vessels, which may be wanted, of two hundred tons and
upwards, will not exceed thirty. I shall be glad of
your answer as soon as possible; because, if it is favorable, I can direct certain preparations to be made inf
Philadelphia and at other convenient places, without
incurring any suspicions. There certainly can be no
danger of not obtaining flour in Philadelphia; and as
you seem to have doubts of procuring salt meat there,
I shall direct all that is at the eastward to be collected
at places from whence it may be shipped upon the
shortest notice. You will also oblige me by giving me
your opinion of the number of- vessels, which might
be obtained at Baltimore, or other places in the Chesapeake, in the time before mentioned or thereabouts.
I have the honor to be, &c.
TO MESHECH WEARE, PRESIDENT OF
NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Head-Quarters, Dobbs's Ferry, 2 Aigust, 1781.
SIR,
I regret being obliged to inform your Excellency,
that I find myself at this late period very little stronger
than I was when the army first moved out of their
quarters. I leave your Excellency to judge of the
delicate and embarrassed situation in which I stand at
this moment. Unable to advance with prudence beyond my present position, while perhaps in the general
opinion my force is equal to the commencement of