The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-08-15
/ From the Weekly Exchange, august 13.l
CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN GENL. WASHING
TON AND COL. WILLIAM FITZHUGI, OF CALVERT
COUNTY MARYLAND


TON AND COL. WILLIAM FITZHUGH, OF CALVERT
COUNTY, MARYLAND
mo. g.
The campaign of l779 will be remembered to have
been one Of the least eventful of the Revolution
Throughout the year general action fought
Washington in the Highlands and Sir Henry Clin-
ton in the city of New York, remained watching
each other, but neither attempting any enterprise
of moment. The principal successes on the part of
the British were the capture Of Stony and Ver-
plauck Points, on the opposite sides of the Hudson,
at the entrance to the Hghand-the ravaging of
the shores of Long Island Sound and the lower wa
ters of the Chesapeake bay, and the severe repuse
of the combined French and American attack on
Savannah, where Count Pulaski was killed. The
Americans made successful invasion of the terri
tory of the Six Nations, and amply avenged the
atrocities Of Wyoming. The storming of Stony
Point by General Wayne, and the surprise of Pau
lus Hook, by Major Lee were also splendid exam
pies of daring belonging to this campaign, which
had very inspiring effect upon the American
cause, although these actions really effected moth
ing, in stratesetcal point of view.
''Much of the winter" says Irving, "was passed
'by Washington in Philadelphia, occupied in devils
nG and discussing plans for the campaign of 1879.
''it was an anxious moment with him. Circum-
'stances which inspired others with confidence,
''iled him with solicitude. The alliance with
"France had produced baneful feeling of security
(which, it appeared to him. was paralysng the en-
"ergies of the country. England, it was thought,
"would now be too much occupied in securing her
"position in Europe to increase her force extend
Cher operations in America. Many, therefore, con-
"sidered the war as virtually at end and were
unwilling to make the sacrifices, or supply the
''means necessary for important military under
"takngs."
The feelings which the condition of public affairs
created in Washington's mind, are very plainly
manifested in his correspondence, dating at this pc
riod. In letter to James Warren, dated March
3lst l779 published in Sparks collection language
extremely similar to that addressed to Col. Fitz-
hugh under date 10th April, l779, occurs 1t is in
his private rather than his official or business cor.
respondence, that must look for his most frank
expressions the state of public and private morals
and in this particular, the two letters to Col.
Fitzhugh, which publish in this number, will be
found remarkable. The second one, especially
contains a reference to the spirit animating the
Eastern States at that time which is worth some
thing in determining the question which is often
unproftably mooted, of the relative patriotism of
the sections of the Confederation, in the Revolu-
tionary War.
1t may be interesting to state that in the publish
ed letters Of Washington, there is other of the
date of the 10th of April, l779. A very remarka-
BILE one, dated the l4th April, was addressed by
him to the President of Congress- the subject of
his relations with General Gates, &c. On the 9th
june there is letter in Sparks, addressed to Ma
Jor benjamin Talmadge, from New WINDSOR, rela-
ting to the employment of spies; and on the 2Sth,
one to Major Henry Lee, instructing him to obtain
all the information practicable about the situation
of Stony Point. The capture of that Fort was then
strongly in his contemplation. He was, in fact,
"Ptdnning' what Wayne a few days afterwards so
galanty executed-the popular tradition ascribing
to "Mad Antony" the following energetic express
sion, when the storming party was proposed to
him-"General, I'll storm h-ll, if yoW will only
rlon it."
MIDDLEBaooK, April 10th, 1879.
DEAR SIR:-I our favor of the 2nd of January did
not get to my hand till sometime in the month of
March. The enclosure for your went by flag,
in a day or two after it reached Quarters, and |
have the pleasure to inform you and Mrs. FtZhugh
that he was very well last week. and as there is
another attempt to settle general cartel it is more
than probable he will soon be at (i5erty.) Your
ideas and mine, respecting adjustment of rank,
coincide perfectly Rank undoubtedly comprehends
grade or it must have very limited and unmilita-
ry meaning. IL will now, under the late powers, be
taken into cOnsideration-butt the claims being vari-
able, and founded in different principles, have ap
pointed board of general officers, to investigate
them thoroughly, and report for final decision
under which, it is rather to be wished than expected
that all parties will acquiescc; but the high prices
OF every necessary of life rendering it almost i'm
possible for officers to live upon their pay, trihing
disappointments and slender excuses are deemed
ustciently weighty to give birth to designations
our State it is true has done Handsomely by its of
cers, but the depreciation of the money is so great
that something further is yet necessary for their
immediate support. To raise their pay, would not
only be inadequate to the end, but impotic To
supply them with clothes and other necessaries
| : to the real yet { = K : J income is the
only expedient that occurs TO likely to answer
any present good, without involving much future
evil.
My letter to Gov. johnson on the subject of Raw
lings and the German battalion, to which beg
leave to refer you, conveys my ideas fully Of the
dlhcultles attending such Incorporation, under
some resolves of Congress in existence and in
the present temper of the officers, soured by contin-
ual changes and disappointments
If it is in my power to render Captain Smith aoy
service consistently with the governing principles of
the army, l shall be happy in doing it on your re-
commentator, but at present he is far removed
from d-Quarters-the fragments of Rawlings
regiment being, hope, at Fort Pitt BIZ this time,
and the German battalion at WYOMING or Susoue-
hannah.
It's no easy matter to develop the euemy's de-
signs. One would think it scarcely possible that
tney should Keep large force in America another
campaign, merely to hold possession of New y ork
and Rhode Island, and vet should not be much
surprised if that were the case they to en-
tertain great hopes from the deprecated and depre
ciating condition of our currency, and other
towards which too many among ourselves, who wish
to be thought friends, contribute not little. 1t is
| melancholy thing to see such decay of public
| virtue, and the fairest prospects overcast and
clouded by host of infamous harpies, who, to ac-
| qure little pelf, would involve this great cont-
| nent in inextricabe ruin.
! Your suspicious that the enemy have emissaries
among to promote the business of speculation in
| the article of provisions and to engross whatever
| is found necessary to the existence our army, is
| in my opinion, true beyond doubt; for the enemy
do not scruple to acknowledge that their arms are
unequal to the conquest-what else can they substi-
tute, if they mean persist, but their money and
| their arts?
| Something important, think, must soon happen
in the West Indies, which may if favorable to our
| allies put an end to the war-and prolong it but a
little, if we act wisely, and have virtue, if they
should not (meet with success:) taxing heavily in
the meanwhile, the most natural cure for the re-
| dundance OF paper money, and the best means OF
restoring public virtue, which has yielded too much
to the temptations flowing from this source.
My best respects, in which Mrs Washington
joins, are offered to Mrs. Fitzhugh, and am with
much esteem and regard
Dear sir,
! Your most obed't and affectonate
| Humble servant,
| GE. WASHINGTON.
| To the Hon. WILLIAM FITzHUaH