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. 19
fatigue, and that you are now perfectly well. That
successes equal to your merits and wishes may attend
you, is the ardent desire of, dear Sir, &c.
TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE.
Head-Quarters, 21 April, 1781.
MY DEAR MARQUIS,
Though the situation of southern affairs would not
permit me to recall your corps to this army, yet it was
with great reluctance I could resolve upon seeing you
separated from head-quarters. My friendship for you
makes me desirous of having you near me, and there
will occur frequent occasions in cooperative measures,
in which it would be of the.greatest utility I should
have it in my power to consult you. These motives
would have induced me to propose to you to return
personally to head-quarters, had I not believed you
would not choose to quit your corps, and had I not
foreseen a difficulty in giving you a command in the
remaining troops. A select corps you could not have,
and there are so many major-generals, who conceive
themselves in a manner wedded to the different lines,
and who are to be provided for, that it would not be
easy at present to accommodate matters to your having a command in the line. But this difficulty might
be overcome, and I cannot forbear, late as it is, leaving it at your option to proceed with your corps or
return personally to head-quarters. If the last should
be your choice, you will give orders to the officer you
leave in command to march with all the necessary
precaution, and take the orders of Baron Steuben.
You will at the same time write to the Baron, communicating to him your instructions, and to General
Greene informing him of your return.