Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1827-05-25


nv science, than with the intricate and embarrassing
duties of providing supplies for an army Hence
II was that sixteen years afterwards, when ne look
command of the continental forces at Cambridge,
be was prepared to enter at once upon the charge
of station bese with difficulties which, 1t IS Proba-
BILE. no other man in the country had experienced
to surmount. however we'll armed he might have
been with prudence and fortitude. Regarded in
this light as afording the best history of the events
to which they refer and of the formation OF wash
ington's military character, these papers come tous
with high claims. But they have other qualities 10
their own merits, not less to be esteemed; they are
written in plain, but prosperous and energeuc
style replete with sound obsery ations, 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 princl-
pie the same perseverance in the discharge OF duty,
which marked his future years Some of the disc
nguished persons with whom ne corresponded at
this period, were mentioned in my former letter.
In making the selection for this part, regard VIII
be had to the substance and historical character of
the papers, SO as to exhibit the intellectual habits,
moral feelings, and special views OF the writer, to-
gether with as regular narrative OF occurrences
as can be attained by such method. The notes
will be designed chiefly to explain illusions IN the
text to particulars necessarily omitted, to NIL OUT
breaks in the narrative, and occasionally to trace
the connection between the proceedings on the flr-
oinia frontier and operations in other colonies, with
remarks on the colonial policy Of the English Gov
ernment then prevailing.
: PART II.
Letters and other Papcrs relating to the aaaef4caa
Iepoiution.
Here is opened IA wide field, but the papers are
! so admirably classified according to NashrStons
directions that ltle difficulty will be felt i'll explor-
ilg it, All the letters, whether private or pubic,
the Instructions addresses, and other documents,
+ which may find place under this division, VIII be
printed in strict chronological order. In some res
poets classification by subjects and campaigns,
would be preferable, but taking the whole together
A this would create confusion and transportation OF
II dates that would overbalance any advantage that
Is might be derived from such an arrangement. by
% keeping in the order of time the thread OF history
10 will be preserved entire, although sometimes obscur-
At ed by extraneous matter Letters TO the President,
IS Members and Committees of Congress, TO the Gov
T. errors of States officers of the army and private
s. individuals will be inserted collectively in the ex-
is act order Of the dates. Subjects, particular trans
lie of events distinct military operations the dolngs OF
id the States, in relation TO The army, proceedings Oh
S. Committees of Congress, while visiting the army
st defence Of Notifications and military posts, cores
pondence of the Commander IN Chief with the
ID French officers, accounts OF detachmehts anu u inc
It. army all these and similar subjects, which extend
through considerable space of time may be easiy
lg examined by the aid of index which will be ad-
to ded at the end Of the work.
Ill To make choice of the best materials, from SO
voluminous mass iorty-tour volumes OF manu-
gs scripts is the main difficulty to be encountered IN
er preparing this part. The two volumes OF w ash
gs ngon's official letters, which have been printed,
as embrace those only to the president OF congress,
ad for about three years and half Of the war. Some
of the others to the officer were also printed
wv in the newspapers Yet, all these together, con-
stitute very small part ofthe revolutionary letters
by and hardly any Of the remainder were ever made
yer public. In selecting papers under this large divi
IL sion, shall be guided by one rule only that o.
&C. choosing such as shall most worthy OF asnne
ties preservation in the shape Of historical annals These
ase will not always be the letters to persons highest IN
ts Offices on the contrary, many of the private letters
M are more valuable than the public ones, because the
c writer utters his thoughts fully and with less
reserve. Their is, for instance, a letter from ASH
ington to his BROTHER after the battle OF Ter
MS mantown which gives more satisfactory account o.
taat affair." for reader of the present day. than hs
public communication to congress. The same may
all be said of similar letter, concerning the capture
he of fort Washington His private letters to the 9th
sh- GERS of the army, particularly to Greene and La
JUS ayette and indeed to most of the major generals OF
lor ten throw light upon his official dispatches by ex
en- pressing his opinions and purposes with more Tree
,er dom and confidence No distinction will be made,
I'll therefore between official and private letters during
On the revolution but whatever Is most pertinent WILL
IT. claim the preference.
ed The notes to this division will be frequent grow
he ing out of fruitful stock OF materials. For album
us dant sources Of these exist among Washngons pa
ct pers; first the books of orders, which the daily
he proceedings of the army through the whole war
CHI are entered; secondly the results of councils OF
war; and the opinions of the general officers In writ
in ing, and important topics submitted to them by the
mt commander IN chief thirdly, the letters received
of by the commander in chief from the officers Of the
m army, which all preserved; fourthly returns OF