American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1827-06-08

defend dangerous frontier, where he was expos
Ell to the perpetual incuisons of the French and
Indians that he acquitted himself honorably on
all occasions, and received the public thanks of his
Government, and the unanimous applause Of his
fellow-citizens, for his good conduct: when these
circumstances are brought to mind, the conviction
cannot be resisted, that account of such train
OF occurrences, written By his own hand, while
these were taking place, must have much in 1t
thy to be treasured up among the permanent re-
cords OF the country, for the inspection of the pres
cnt and of future generations. Neither should it
be forgotten, that this the theatre in which be
gained the knowledge and experience that carried
him successfully through the great revolutionary
contest. In conducting these early campaigns, he
rested mainly on the resources OF his own mind,
& was driven by necessity, well as inclination, to
famlarize himself, not more with the tactics and
skill OF military science, than with the intricate and
embarrassing duties OF providing supplies for an
army. Hence it was, that, sixteen years after
wards, when he took command Of the continental
forces at Cambridge, he was prepared to enter at
once upon the charge of station beset with diff
culties which. it is probable. other man in the
| country had experience to surmount however well
armed he might have been with prudence and for
titude. Regarded in this light, as aifording the
best history of the events to which they refer, and
of the formation of Washington's military charac.
ter, these papers come to US with high claims. But
! they have other qualities in their own merits, not
less to be esteemed they are written in plain
but perspicuOus and energetic style, replete with
sound observations, and every where showing the
same elevation OF mind the same insight into human
nature, the same undertaking sense Of justice, and
stern regard for moral principle. the same perseve
rance in the discharge of duty, which marked his
| future years Some OF the distinguished persons
. it'll whom he correspondent at this period, were
mentioned in my former letter.
! In making the selection for this part, regard
will be had to the substance and historical cha ac
ter of the papers, as to exhibit the inteilectu-
al habits, moral feelings. and special views, Of the
writer, together with as regular narrative ol &C
currences. as can be attained bv such method
The notes will be designed chiefly to explain allu-
sons in the text to particulars necessarily omitted,
to fill out breaks in the narrative. and occasionally
to trace the connexion between the proceedings Of
| the Virginia frontier, and operations in other col
onles, with remarks on the colonial policy of the
English Government then prevailing.
PART II.
Letters and other Papers relating to the american
Revolution.
Here is opened wide field, but the papers are
so admirably classified according to ashington's
directions, that little difficulty will be felt in ex-
plorng it. All the letters, whether private or
public, the orders, instructions, addresses, and
this division, will be printed in strict Chronological
ORDER In some respects a classification by sub
\ ects and campaigns, would be preferable, but ia
king the whole together, this would create a con-
| fusion and transpositlon OF dates, that would
overbaance any advantage that might be derived
from such an arrangement. BY keeping in the
order of time, the thread of history will be pre-
served entire, although sometimes obscured by
4 extraneous matter. Letters to the President,
Members and Committees OF Congress, to the
Governors of States. officers of the army, and
private individuals will be inserted collectively
in the exact order of their dates Subjects. par
ticuar trains of events. distinct military opera
tons, the doings Of the States in relation to the
army, proceedings Of Committees of Congress.
while visiting the army, defence Of iortlicatlons
and military posts, corr espondence OF the C0mInan-
der in Chief with the French officers. accounts OF
Ietachments and of the separate lines OF the army
all these and similar objects, which extend through
| a considerable space of time may be easily exam
ined BY the aid of an index which will be added al
the end of the work.
, To make choice OF the best materials, from SC
, volumnous as forty-four volumes OF manu-
SCRIPTS is the man difficulty to be encountered in
+: preparing this part. The two volumes of Wash
ngton's official letters, which have been printed
embrace those only to the President of Congress
for about three years and half of the war. Some
of the others to the same officer also printed
/, in the newspapers. Yet all these together, con
stitute very small part of the revolutionary let
tiers, and hardly any Of the remainder were evei
made public. In selecting papers under this large
/, DIVISION shall be guided by one rule only that
r of choosing such as shall seem most worthy of las
ting preservation in the shape of historical annals
: These will not always be the letters to persons
highest in office; the contrary, many of the pri
yate letters are more valuable than the public ones
/, because the writer uttcrs his thoughts more fully
il and with less reserve. There is. for instance,
letter from Washington to his brother, soon attei
fhe tie of Germantown, which givcs more sat