Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-08-25
Letters Of washington and Iniay eitc,

in Pine Grove, Clark county, ny, there
| became acquainted with DIR. /. s. Lane
who had in his possession the originals
of the letters from Washington and La
fayelte given below. The letters were
addressed to the great.grandfather Of DR.
Lanes wife, and will be found interest
ing. General Washington's letter was
as follows:
MoRRIsTowx, Sd of March, LII.
DEAR SIR: By some resolves of Con-
gress just come to my hands, find, as l
hoped aud expected, your name in the
new appointments Of Brigadiers, but per-
ceive at the same time that you are
named after Muhlenberg and Weldon
the reason assigned for this your having
resigned your former rank in the service
of the continent.
You may well recollect, my dear Sir,
that / strongly advised you against this
resignation. now as strongly recon-
mend your acceptance Of the present APP
pointment. You may feel somewhat hurt
in having two officers placed before
you Though perhaps never to command
you), who once we're inferior to you in
point of rank; but remember that this is
consequence OF your own act-and con-
slider what stake we are contending Tor.
Trifling particulars should have no intiu-
ence upon mans conduct in such a
cause and at such time as this. III
smaller matters do not yield to greater
if trihes, light as air in comparison to
what we are contending tor, can with
draw or withhold gentlemen from service
when our all is at stake, and single cast
of the die may turn the tables, whet are
we to expect2 1t is not q common con-
test we are engaged in-anything valua-
BILE to us depends upon the suocess-upon
a speedy and rigorous exeriion; consider
twice, therefore, before you refuse. In
case Of acceptance, which | wish and ex-
pect, have to desire that you will repair
Immediately to headquarters, as General
Officers are exceedingly wanting to as
sist in arranging of the new army-at all
accounts, let me hear from you as speed
lily IA possible.
With great sincerity and truth,
am, Dear Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
Brigadier General Woodford, in Carolina
county, Virginia.
The above is true copy in all respects
save the spelling of one word. Gen. La
fayette wrote:
CAMP NEAR VALLEY FORGE. April IL. l7'7.
DEAR Shiny answer to your friendly
favor will go very far to Join yop, and
(asi we have been much separated by cir
cumstences since have had the pleasure
to see you. My Northern Expedition
is thrown down, and indeed don't I'M
derstand how men of note, csmng from
the spot, could think that enterprise Of
any possibility with such meapa 4s we
had collected there, oY 10 speak better,
with no means at all. now find myself
in the camp, and very impatiently ! ex.
peot the opening OF the campaign. l
hope, my dear sir, that you will write me
from time to time, and will be extremely
happy to hear that your health is in a bet
ter state. I'll feel the greater pleasure if
that health Of yours permits You to join
Us, and III enjoy very heartily the I'D
vantage of seeing you strong and healthy
in our camp.
l hope you will hurry as much as you
can the coming Of our boys; it is most
time for them to be usefully employed,
and it would do much better even if they
persisted with good clothes. You know
robberies will be committed before those
clothes kept by the States can get to
camp. | wished at least for the article
of shirts, as it is the most important
point for the health OF the soldiers, par
tieularly In summer time. With great
pleasure hear your affair is settled as
you had desired it to sc. Many good
regulations are promised by Congress,
but nothing done yet. wished the army
could be upon such footiog as to give
due dignity to the noble condition of a
soldier, wishad, at least, it would be
more honorable and advantageous than
it is for our officers to get continental
commission.
Conferences about exchange are at
tended with 30 many difficulties and aims
of deception, on the British side, that it
will be impossible to agree in anything.
nty WANT uOthlHk but W DiiuB no w
some ruinous or shameful purpose, and |
believe we have nothing to do with that
people but with arms in our hands.
I'll make myself pleasure TO let you
know any interesting event in this quar-
ter, and with the most sincere affection
and highest regard,
| have the honor to be, dear sir, your
nnnaf ohedient aarvanf
The NJ. DELAFAYETrE.
Brig Gen. Woodford, at Spottsylvania
county, Virginia.
OF the foregoing letter the correspon-
dent says;
The original letter ia written in Eng
lish, and considering his necessarily i'm
perfect knowledge Of our language it is q
good composition, and the above is a
correct copy, save in one place where
word was probably left out, and | sup
piled the deficiency TO make the sense
complete. General Woodfor5, to whom
the foregoing letters were addressed, was
gallant officer, but unfortunately he
was taken prisoner and confined on
ship, where he shared the fate of many
Andersonyillc prisoners-being starved
TO death.
English View of the Chinese.
The London Times deyotes a leading