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.

APPENDIx.] INTERCEPTED LETTERS. 521
have very extensive effects, both in reducing Washington's present
force, and preventing its being recruited by new levies; and, as I
doubt not you will avail yourself of his weakness, and your own
great superiority, to send a considerable force to, the head of the
Chesapeake as soon as the season will permit operations to be carried on in that quarter, I flatter myself the southern provinces will
be recovered to his Majesty's obedience before the long promised
succours, none of which are yet sailed, can arrive from France;
and that Mr. WTashington, unable to draw subsistence for his troops
from the west side of Hudson's River, will be compelled to cross
it and take refuge in the eastern provinces.
I am very anxious to hear of Lord Cornwallis's progress since
General Leslie joined him. I have no doubt his movements will
be rapid and decisive, for his Lordship appears to be fully impressed
with the absolute necessity of vigorous exertions in the service of
this country in its present circumstances. The success of General Arnold's enterprise up James River, which the rebel newspapers confirm, must greatly facilitate his Lordship's operations, by
cutting.off Greene's supplies and obliging the militia to return to
take care of their own property. Indeed, so very contemptible is
the rebel force now in all parts, and so vast is our superiority everywhere, that no resistance on their part is to be apprehended, that
can materially obstruct the progress of the King's arms in the speedy
suppression of the rebellion; and it is a pleasing, though at the
same time a mortifying reflection, when the duration of the rebellion is considered, which arises from a view of the returns of the
provincial forces you have transmitted, that the American levies in
the King's service are more in number, than the whole of the enlisted troops in the service of the Congress.
I am very glad to find you have commissioned a Board of Directors of the Refugees, and I hope the admiral will have been able
to spare them shipping to carry on their operations on the seacoast
of the New England provinces. Many of those within the lines,
who are unfit for military service, are desirous of being settled in
the country about Penobscot, and require only to be supplied with
provisions for the first year, some tools for husbandry, and ironwork for their buildings; and, as it is proposed to settle that country, and this appears a cheap method of disposing of these loyalists,
it is wished you would encourage them to go there under the protection of the Associated Refugees, and assure them that a civil
government will follow them in due time; for I hope, in the course
of the summer, the admiral and you will be able to spare a force
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