Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-12-27
CAMP At CAMN InGE Aul, ~ L.

CAMP At CAMnInGE, Aug, -, ITO
Dear SIR: As We have nov nem"iv
completed our line OF defence, We have nothing
more IL! my upliion u fear from the euenv
provided We c3n keep our inen To their duty
and make them watcntu and vigilant; but il !
among the most ifficult tasks ever undertook
IN my life to induce these people to believe tha:
there Is or can DO any danger until the havun,l
Is pushed III their breasts not that it prOcec is
from ANY uncunIInon prrwcSS but rather from
m unacc"untablc kind OF 'upidity ii the lower
class of these people, which, brlicv" me- prcy,u.-
but 100 generally among the officers of the Ma
sachuscts part OF thr army, who are nearly 1t
the same kidney with the privatcs, and add ~:
u lit 10 to my ditli ,u!tirs, II: there is no SUCH
thing rs getting Iii ,eCs ut this stamp To- exert
themselves IN carrying orders into execution
10 curry favor with tao me-! (by whom ta,y
were chosen and on who's" >ml e. they may pos.
sibiy think they msy again rely seems To be
one ot the prsnClpsl objects OF their attention.
submit H. therefore, To your considerations
whether there is or is not pr.priaty in tina,
reSo ution OF Congress Which leaves the ultmat.
appointment of all officers below tho rank OF
General u til" governments where The regiments
originated now l II: the army is become cont
nenta!2 10 me II appears improper in two points
OF view: first, it i: giving that power and weight
to HI individual colony which ought of right to
belong to the whole Then it damps the spirit
and ardor of the volunteers from all but the four
New England governments, rs none but their
people have the least chance 0! getting into OF
fees Would It not, therefore, be better to have
the warrants, which the commander in chief Is
authorized 10 give pro tompore, approved or
disappruvcd by The continental Congress or a
COMMITTEES OF their body, which l should sup
pose III any long recess must III ways set. In this
case every gent olnan vii! stand M equal chance
OF being promoted according TO his merit in the
other vii officers will be confined to the inhabit.
ants OF the four New Eng and governments.
which, IN my opinion, is lmpotic To the last
degree. l have made pretty good slam among
such kind of officers as the Massachusetts gov.
or" ment abounds in, having since l came TO this
camp broken one colonel and two captains Tor
cowardly behaviour in the action on Bunker'S
Hill, two captains for drawing more provisions
and pay than they had men in their companies,
and one for being absent from his post when The
enemy appeared there and burnt house just
by 1t Besides these | have at this time ona
Colonel, ono Captain, ono ma or and two subai-
terms under arrest for trial. In short, | spare
nor.c. and vet fear it will not all do, us the.c
people seem lo DC too inuttcntive to everytIIu.,
bat their interest There have been so many
great ana capital errors TO rectiiy, so many eX-
amplcs to make, and so little inclination in tho
officers OF inferior rank to contribute their a t.
accomplish this work that my life has been moth.
ing eise (sIncc came here) but. one continual
round OF vexation and fatigue. In short,
pes unary recompcnse could induce me t. uu-
dergo what | have, especially, rs l eApc;t, by
showing 50 hLtia countcnancc to irregularities
and public abuses, to render myself very OBJ
noIlous to u great part OF thes9 people. But ~
| hay already greatly exceeded the bounds al
Il letter. will not trouble you with matters REL
alive 10 my feelings.
Your ailectionate friend,
and obedicnt servant,
e.. WASHINGTON