Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-06-02
FROM THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENcER.
WASfING TON'S PAPERS.
LETTER ii.
From Mr.. Jared Sparks to the Hon. Joseph Story
MOUNT VERNON, May 7, 1927.


From Mr.. Jared Sparks to the Hon. Joseph Story.
MoUNr VERNON, May Z, 1927.
DEAR SIR Having in former letter pre-
sen,ed you with brief account of the charac-
ter and importance Of General Washing on .
papers, as hey a.e preser, ed a. Noun Vernon,
now proceed 10 explain the manner IN winch u
is contemplated to prepare them for the press,
and send hem ou' to the public. You will re-
collec, hat It vas stated to have been his cus-
tom from early life TO retain copies Of his let
ters and other papers These copies amount 20
more than sixty manuscript folio volumes, be-
sides others on tile, which we're never transcrib
ed, the whole embracing his public and private
letters, nearly all be wrote, in fact, military,
political, civil, agricultural, and miscellaneous
subjects.
dent to print in detail, such a mass Of papers,
which the public can neither spare money to
purchase, nor time to read yet, every Ameri-
can will desire 10 have preserved, IN dun able
form, such portions OF the vfilngs OF Washing
ton, as illustrate his own great deeds and chir-
acter, and reflect honor on the country whose
national exist ience and prosperity his services
contributed so much to create and establish. A
jUdcious selection from the whole, here ore, is
all that can, With propreiy, be attempted
Limits shoul be fixed inch will not be so mar.
nor yet so broad 10 incumber the work with
materials that will add more TO ITS bulk and ex-
pense, than to its interest and utility. Al this
medium il is my intention 10 aim. Amidst such
4 multitude OF papers, treating on topics SO varl-
Gus, and relating to eNenis of the first magni.
tude, as we'll as TO the innumerable incidents of
private life. he task OF selection aud Lusslfica-
ton HilI not be withou, is embarrassments.-
How far these may be edectually overcome,
nust remain be proved by the experiment.
Notes and historical additions will be insert
ed throughout the work, tending TO elucidate
the text, aud to place in he clearest view the
motives, opinions, and actions, OF Washington.
In dischargIng this duty, however, special care
will be taken to avoid prollxity, and to intro
duce nothing which shall not have a direct
bearing on The subject in hand for it is not my
purpose TO connect with the writings of Wash
ington a history of the lines, any further than
that history may be developed by the writings
themselves, and by the introduction Of such
facts as have an intimate alliance with them.
But, to lead you to a moro evact understanding
oT my plan, shall descend some what 10 par
t;culars, and draw out'th scheme which, upon
natdrc election, | have concluded TO follow.
A general method, by which the materials may
be thrown into proper classes, is the frs: requs
ite and the next is skful arrangement Of
those materials in their respective divisions, ac-
cOmpaned by appropriate notes and historical
publications. To compass both these ends, the
work will be divided into six parts, in each Of
which, papers Of similar description will be
included, according 10 the order now to be
specified.
Letters and other Papers relating to Wash-
ington's early military career, IN the French
Wars, and Commander of the pTgtntd
forces.
This period will occupy a comparatively
small portion of the work, yet it will by no
means be the least valuable. When it is recol-
lected, that Washington was then mere youth,
engaged in hazardous enterprises, to which he
was led by his native ardor and spirit /; that
from the age Of twenty two to twenty -sevon, he
held very responsible command over the uni
ted forces Of the largest colony on the contin-
cnt, and was required to defend a dangerous
frontier, where he was exposed to the perpetual
incursions Of the French and Indians that he
acquitted himself honorably on all occasions,
and received the public thanks Of his Govern
ment, and the unanimous applause OF his iel-
low-citzcns, for his good conduct when these
circumstances are brought to mind, the convc-
tion cannot be resisted, that an account of such
a train Of occurrences, written by his own hand,
while these were taking place, must have much
in it worthy to be treasured up among the per-
manent records ofhis country, for the inspection
Of present and future generations. Neither
should 1t bo forgotten, that this was tho thea
tire in which he gained the knowledge and ex-
perience that carried him successfully through
the great revolut onary contest In conducting
these early campaigns, he rested mainly on the
resources fhis own mind, and was driven by
necessity, as well as inclination, to familiarze
himself, not more with the tactics and skill of
military science, than with the intricate and en-
barrassing duties Of providing supplies for an
army Hence it was, that, sixteen years after
wards, when he took command Of the conti-
mental forces at Cambridge, he was prepared to
enter at once upon The charge of a station bcset
with difficulties w.ich, it is probable, no other
man in the country had experience to snrm punt,
however well armed he might have been with
prudence and fortitudc. Regarded in this light,
as aiordmg the bos' history Of the events 20
which they rcfcr, and ofthc formation OF WASH
iDgton's military character, these papers come
to us with high claims. But they have other
qualities in their own merits, not less TO be es-
tecmed they are written in, plain, but per-
spicuous and energetic style, repletc with
sound obscrva ons, and every were showing
the same elevation of mind, the same undeva-
ting sense of justice, and stern regard for moral
principle, the same perseverance IN the dis
charge of duty, which marked his future years
Some of the distinguished persons with whom
he correspondel 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 char
.acter Of the papers, 50 as TO exhibit the intel
lectuul habits, moral feelings, and special views,
ofthe writer, together with as regular narrative
Of occurrences ma can be attained by such a