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. 59
ed state of our affairs, on account of supplies, with
which you are well acquainted, the languid efforts of the
States to procure men, and the insuperable difficulties
in the way of transportation, would, I apprehend, have
rendered the scheme abortive in the first instance.
And I must inform you, that there is yet another obstacle, which makes the attempt you have suggested
absolutely impracticable by the means you propose, but
which I am not at liberty to commit to paper for fear
of the same misfortune, which has already happened
to some of my letters.
You will have seen before the receipt of this, by my
public letter to Congress of the 27th instant, the result of the deliberations of the Count de Rochambeau
and myself at Weathersfield. That plan, upon the maturest consideration, and after combining all the present
circumstances and future prospects, appeared, though
precarious, far the most eligible of any we could possibly devise, whilst we are inferior at sea. The object was considered to be of greater magnitude, and
more within our reach, than any other. The weakness
of the garrison at New York, the central position for
drawing together men and supplies, and the spur, which
an attempt against that place, would give to every exertion, were among the reasons, which prompted to that
undertaking, and promised the fairest prospect of success, unless the enemy should recall a considerable part
of their force from the southward. And even in this
case, the same measure, which might produce disappointment in one quarter, would certainly in the event
afford the greatest relief in another. While an opportunity presents itself of striking the enemy a fatal blow,
I will persuade myself, that the concurring exertions of
Congress, of the several States immediately concerned,
and of every individual in them, who is well affected