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. 191
tance I was brought to relinquish a further prosecution
of favorite views. In addition to these two communications, Congress will scarcely need to be informed,
that, having no means of water conveyance, the transportation, by land, of the army, with all their baggage,
artillery, ordnance stores, and every apparatus necessary for the siege of Charleston, would be impracticable, and attended with such immense trouble, expense,
and delay, as would (exclusive of the necessity of
naval cooperation) be sufficient to deter me from the
undertaking; especially as the enemy, after regaining
the naval superiority on this coast, could reinforce or
withdraw the garrison at pleasure.
The prosecution, therefore, of the southern war, upon
that broad scale which I had wished, being as I judge
to be relinquished, nothing remained in my opinion
more eligible, than to reinforce General Greene's army
to such a state of respectability, as that he might be
able to command the country of South Carolina, and
at the same time, if possible, by that reinforcement to
effect an accomplishment of the smaller object mentioned; and to march myself, with the remainder of
the army, to the North River, where they would be
ready at the ensuing campaign to commence such
operations against New York, as may be hereafter
concerted, or to effect any other purposes that may
be judged practicable or eligible. Add to these reasons, that Count de Rochambeau, from the exhausted
state of his stores and other considerations, seemed
inclined to take his resolution to remain in this State
with his troops for the winter, at any rate six weeks
to refresh them. Upon a full consideration of the
reasons offered, I flatter myself, that my conduct will
stand approved in the judgment of Congress, whose
approbation I shall ever be solicitous to obtain.