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.

376 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [.AlT. 50.
the tenderest sensibility on this melancholy occasion.
With sentiments of perfect esteem and respect, I am
your Ladyship's most obedient and humble servant.
TO ELIAS BOUDINOT, PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.*
Head-Quarters, 30 January, 1783.
SIR,
I should not have undertaken at this time to address
myself through your Excellency to Congress, on the
present state of our military and political affairs, which
are so blended as scarcely to admit of separation in the
discussion, did I not apprehend that my silence might
perhaps be construed into remissness in my official
duties or inattention to the public interests, and that
some inconvenience might be experienced by the neglect or delay. Influenced by these motives, and an
ardent desire to carry the wishes of Congress into
effect, I shall hope to be excused, after suggesting a
few things, for entreating to be made acquainted, so far
as may be deemed expedient, with their sentiments and
expectations relative to our future operations.
It scarcely needs be remarked here, as it is a fact
of great notoriety, that the tranquillity, leisure, and inactivity of winter-quarters have ever been considered
by all well informed warlike nations, when in a state
of hostility, as the only proper season for taking into
contemplation the probable operations of the ensuing
campaign, and for making the best arrangements in their
* Mr. Boudinot was elected president of Congress on the 4th of November. After the departments of finance, war, and foreign affairs went
into operation, the correspondence of the Commander-in-chief with Congress passed chiefly through the hands of the secretaries, and his letters
were directed to them.