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.

210 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. - [AET. 49.
will, in all probability, procure us what we have so
long wished to secure, an establishment of peace, liberty, and independence. A relaxation of our exertions
at this moment may cost us many more toilsome campaigns, and be attended with the most unhappy consequences.
Your condolence for the loss of that amiable youth,
Mr. Custis, affects me most tenderly. The loss, I
trust, will be compensated to you in some other worthy representative.*
Amidst all the vicissitudes of time or fortune, be
assured, Gentlemen, that I shall ever regard with particular affection the citizens and inhabitants of Alexandria. I am, Gentlemen, &c.
TO GEORGE PLATER, PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE,
AND THOMAS COCKEY DEY, SPEAKER OF THE
HOUSE OF DELEGATES, OF MARYLAND.
Annapolis, 22 November, 1781.
GENTLEMEN,
I very sensibly feel the honor, which has this day
been conferred upon me by the vote of thanks of so
respectable a body, as that of the General Assembly of
the State of Maryland. The regard, which they have
been pleased to express for me personally, the delicate
manner in which they have recalled to view those distant events, which in some degree led to our present
happy situation, and the general approbation, which
they have generously bestowed upon the whole of my
conduct, must ever secure to them my warmest esteem, and mutt at the same time operate as fresh incentives to merit their future good opinion.
* Mr. Custis was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates.