The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-03-27
Summers PeOple-An Original Let.
ter from Gen. Washington.

ter from Gen. Washington.
CAMP At CAMBRIDGE, Aug. %, l775.
"DEAR SIR x s. & As we have nov
nearly completed our lines of defense
we have nothing more, in my opinion
to fear from the enemy, provided VIZ
can keep our men TO their duty, anC
make them watchful and vigilant; bu'
il is among the most difficult tasks
ever undertook in my life TO induce
these people to believe that there is Of
can be danger till the bayonet is pushed
at their breast; not that it proceedl
from any uncommon proves, but rath
er from an unaccountable kind of stu
pidity in the lower class of these PEG.
pie, which, believe me, prevails too gen.
orally among the officers of the Massa
chusett5 part of the army, who are near
ly of the same kidney with the priyates
and adds not q little to my difficulties
as there Is no such thing as getting Of
fcers of this stamp to exert themselve;
in carrying orders into execution. TC
curry favor with the men Coy whom
they we're chosen, and on whose smile.
possibly they may think they may
again rely) seems 10 be one of the prin
cipal objects of their attention. | sub
NIT it, therefore, to your consideration
whether there is, or is not, n proprie
ty in that resolution OF the Congress
which leaves the ultimate appoint
meut o. all officers below the rank o.
General 20 the Governments where
the regiments originGted2 Now the ar.
my is become continental. To me, II
appears improper in two points of
view. First it Is giving that power and
weight TO an individual Colony which
ought of right to belong to the whole.
Then it damps the spirit and ardor
of volunteers from all but the four
Few England Governments, as none
but their people have the least chance
Of getting into Office. Would it not
be better, therefore, TO have the war,
rants, which the GommandeF-in-C Chief
is authorized 10 give, pro tG13p0rc, ap>
proved or dlsapproyed by the Cont
mental Congress, or a committee of their
body, which l should suppose in any
long recess must always sit2 In this
case every gentleman will stand an
equal chance Of being promoted, &C
oording to hi5 merit in the other all
Offices Will be confined to the inhabit-
ants of the four New England Govern
meuts, which in my opinion Is impolitic
20 q degree. | have made a pretty
goGa show among such kind of officers
as the Massachusetts Government
s00uuGs in since ! came 10 this camp,
having broken one Colonel and two
Captains for cowardly behavior in the
action on Bunker's Hill two Captains
iCr drawing more provisions and pay
than they he'd men in their company,
and one Tor being absent from his post
when the enemy appeared there and
burnt a house Just by IT. Besides
these, 1 have at this time one Colonel,
q Major, ore Captain and two subal-
terms under arrest ioi trial in short.
spare none, and yet fear it will not
all do, as these people seem 10 be too
iuatlenaYs - everything by their in
terest
y
There have been so many great and
capital errors and abuses to rectify-so
many examples 70 make, and so little
inclination in the officers of inferior
rank 10 contribute their aid to accom-,
plish this work, that my life hss been
nothing else isinCe came herel but
one continual round of ~yeXatiou ana
fatigue In short no pecuniary recon-
pense could induce me TO undergo what
1 have, especially as l expect by show
mo 81 nttIa aouutauanNa ~ ir~ar,Iarf
ties and public abuses as to render my
self very obnoxious 10 8 sFeat psrt of
these people But as | have already
greatly exceeded the bounds of a let
ter, will not trouble you with matters
relative 70 my feelings
Your ahecuonate friend and obedi-
ent servant
lSIgned Gro. WASHINGTON.
hlcHAsD HESRT LCE, Esq.