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.

336 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [AET. 50.
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Head-Quarters, Newburg, 19 August, 1782.
SIR,
Congress have been already furnished with copies of
all letters, which had passed between the commandersin-chief of the British forces in New York and myself,
respecting the murder of Captain Huddy previous to
the last of July. I have now the honor to enclose Sir
Guy Carleton's letter of the 1st instant, in reply to
mine of the 30th ultimo, and that of the 13th, which
accompanied the proceedings of the general courtmartial for the trial of Captain Lippencot. The proceedings, together with such other documents as relate to that unfortunate transaction, I also transmit by
this opportunity.
As Sir Guy Carleton, notwithstanding the acquittal
of Lippencot, reprobates the measure in unequivocal
terms, and has given assurance of prosecuting a further
inquiry, it has changed the ground I was proceeding
upon, and placed the matter upon an extremely delicate footing.
It would be assuming in me to ascribe causes
for actions different from those, which are ostensibly
and plausibly assigned; but, admitting that General
Carleton has no other object than to procrastinate, he
has, by disavowing the act, by declaring that it is held
in abhorrence, by not even sanctioning the motives,
which appear to have influenced Lippencot to become
the executioner of Huddy, and by giving the strongest
assurances that further inquisition shall be made, so
far manifested the appearance of an earnest desire to
bring the guilty to punishment, that I fear an act of retaliation upon an innocent person before the result of
his inquisition is known, would be considered by the