Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1866-03-30
SUMMERS PEOPLE.
An Original letter from Gen. WASH
iHgtOn.

iugtOn.
In PolIard's " Southern History of the
First Year of the War, !" an original letter
from Gen. Washington 10 one of the
immortal signers and still preserved in
the family, is for the first time allowed
TO meet the public eve. 1t was written
from Washington's headquarters, near
Boston, in the midst of the struggle for
American independence. The picture
it draws of Massachusetts, people is
strangely different from what they have
sol kht with such pertinacity 10 inn
pose on the public as q true rep
resentatiOn Of their character. IL Wash
ington was not mistaken il his judgment
OF "these people, many Of them in l77j
were much the same as the present gene
ration showed themselves in seeking 10
ill their quota with negroes obtained
from distant States, and by seizing fresh
~ landed emigrsnts and forcing gthem into
the army, and who now, under the lead
OF their Summers and Wilson's, seem de-
termined to keep up a war Of strife and
bitterness, and to prevent a recOnstruc-
ton Of the Union. The letter to which
we refer will doubtless prove inter
esting TO our readers, and is given
below as it Is printed on pages 83l-2 of
the volumes referred to;
CAMP AT CAMBRrnar, August o, LIS.
Dear Hirt As we have
now nearly completed our lines of
defense, we have nothing more, in my
opinion, to fear from the enemy, provi-
ded we can keep our men 70 their duty,
and make them Yatohful and vigilant
but Il Is among the most difficult tasks
l ever undertook in my life to induce
these people to believe that there is or
can be danger till the bayOnet is pushed
at their breasts not that it proceeds
from any uncommon proves, but rather
from an unaccOuatable kind of stupidity
in the lower class of these people,
which, believe me, prevails too gen
orally among the p3liUsrs Of the Massa-
chuSGtts part Of the army, who are nearly
Of the same kidney with theprivates, aud
adds not a little 10 my difficulties, as
there is no such thing G.s getting officers
Of this stamp - exert themselves in car
rying orders into execution. To curry
favor with the men lby when they were
chosen, and on whose smiles possibly
they may think they may again rely,
seems 90 be one of the principal objects Of
their attention. I submit it, therefore, to
your consideration. whether there is, or
is not, a propriFty u that resolution Of
the Congress which leaves the ultimate
appointment Of all officers below the rank
Of general 70 the Government where the
regiments originated, now the army is
become oOnunental2
To me it appears impropes in two points
Of view. First, l. IS giving that power
and weight to an idividual colony which
ought OF right to belong 10 the whole.
Then il dampS Ine spirit and aplor Of
volunteers from al but the four New
England Governments, as none but their
people have the least chance of getting
into office, Would it not be better.
therefore, to have the warrants, which
the commandsr-in-chiefi is authorized TO
give, pro tempore, approved or disap-
proved by the Continental Congress, or
a committee Oftheir body, which should
suppose In any long yscsss must always
sit "a t,.ss ease every gentleman will
stand an equal chance Of being promoted.
according to his merit; in the other all
Offices viii be confined 70 tAe nhahi-
tants Of the fogr New England Govern
ments, which, in my opinion, is i'm
polite 10 a degree. ] have made a pretty
good show among such kind Of officers as
the Massachusetts Government abounds
In since / came 70 this camp uaylng
broken one colorel s1sa two captains for
cCSa.diy behavior iii the action on Bun
keFs Hill; two captains for drawing
more provisions and pay than they had
men in their company, and one fJr icing
absent from bis POST when the enemy ap-
peared thefe and burnt two houses Just
by It, Besides these, / have at this time
one colonel, one major, one captain, and
two subslterns under arrest for trial.
In shoEFss, ! spare none, and yet fear It
will not al do, as these people seem to
he too inattentive to everything hut tbeir
inesgesh r,. A.,..
been 80 many great aad capital errors
and abuses to geetify-so many examples
10 make, and 80 little inclination in the
officers Of inferior rank 70 contribute
their aid to accomplish this work, that
nay life has been nothing else (sinee /
came here but one continual round OF
vexation and fatigue. In short no Pc
cuniary recompense could induce me 70
undergo what / have; especially as l
expect, by showing 50 little countenance
70 Irregularities aud public abuses, as to
render myself very obnoxious % great
part Of these people. But as i have 81
ready greatly exceeded the BOUNDS OF
letter, ] viii not trouble you with mat
l9fs relative TO my feelings.
our snectionate friend and obedi ienf servant,
signed GEO. WASHINGTON.
Richard Henry Lee, ESQ.