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.

290 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [AET. 50.
your troops by water, for their greater ease, to the Head
of Elk, the route you propose for their march by land
is, I am persuaded, the best that can be. It is to be
feared, that the manceuvre your Excellency suggests
will hardly have its intended effect, as it will be performed in so short a space, as to give no time for its
operation, before the deception you propose would be
disclosed.
If your march should take place before our intended
interview, the time of its commencement Mnust be determined absolutely by your Excellency, in consequence
of the advice you may receive from your court, and of
knowing the time at which the succours may be expected on this coast. To delay it beyond this point
would waste the campaign; and to commence at an
earlier period would disclose our plans and prepare
the enemy for an approach. Every attention, consistent with my means, has been bestowed on the boats,
and I hope to be tolerably provided with them.
I shall, by this opportunity, communicate your request
for militia to Governor Harrison.* I persuade myself,
that, knowing how expensive the militia are, and with
what difficulty they are drawn out, you will be as
moderate as possible in your requisition, and, that you
will leave nothing, when it can well be avoided, to
their protection. I am, &c.
TO GOVERNOR LIVINGSTON.
Head-Quarters, 6 May, 1782.
SIR,
On receiving information, by a representation from
the inhabitants of Monmouth county, of the cruel mur* Governor of Virginia, and successor to Governor Nelson.