Year: 1859




DEAR SIR:-Your letter of the 18th ut found me
at my winter quarters at Middlebrook, but so much
occupied in preparing to take the field, and for my
march hitherwards, as to put it out of my power to
acknowledge the receipt of it sooner. The nclosed
for your went by flag in As hours after it came
to my hands, and can assure you no letter of YOURS
to him was ever withheld from the enemv's lines
after they were in my possession much longer time.
W nat becomes of them afterwards / know not-cer-
tain | am, they contained nothing which ought to
have lmpeded their passage. | very often hear of
his welfare. The publication of the report of the
commissioners on our part, you doubtless have
seen: is unnecessary therefore, for me to trouble
you with recital of the reasons which rendered
our endeavors to settle a cartel fruitess an sor-
r LOT the dlsappointmenton account of the irksome
SITUATION OF the officers, though every means in our
bly, as we can.


1t would be unreasonable at this late bour to in
form you as piece OF news that the enemy had
moved in force to King ferry ,and possessed (them
selves ot) two strong pieces of ground-one on each
side of the river-opposite. The positions thew
have taken are, to all intents and purposes islands
Strong by nature, there being no approach by land
but over narrow and difficult (causeways,) and
which, by incessant labor they soon rendered i'm
passable


Their first movement from New York pointed so
directly to our posts in the Highlands, that l re-
paired as quick as possible to their relief, but
whether they found the garrisons in better con-
diton to receive them than they expected, or
whether they only meant to possess themselves of
the best, and indeed only, passage of the
river below the Highlands-thereby making the
communication between the East and West side
more crcutous and difficult, shall not undertake
to say, but it was certainly of the wisest meas
ures they have yet pursued, to stop at and fortiy
this place.


Nothing but my distressed situation at all times,
for want of men and means, prevented my taking
permanent hold on this ground long ago; but like
many other things which have occurred in the
course of this war, it has been the object of my
wis will tha Sofo
am now putting our Qualifications in the Highlands
which are the security of the river and the commu-
nications between the Eastern and Southern States
in the best posture of defence can till the enemy
by some further demonstrations announce their
plan of operations for the campaign.


am perfectly in sentiment with you, respecting
the pernicious effects of specializing and the neces-
sity of checking it by every human means; and
accord most fully and clearly in your ideas of the
lmpolicy of our trade by sea. The arguments ad-
duced by you in support of that opinion are sufi-
GENTLY convincing, but there are two others which
alone, to me, are absolutely conclusive. The first
is that we have actually fed the enemy in a very
great degree, with the provisions they have cap
tured from us, as well (supplied) their navy with
seamen, ana without which, am convinced they
could not have supported the war. second, by
restraining our own people and inviting foreigners
we should derive greater benefits than we do at
present, without encOuntering any of the evils of
trade; for it would then be carried on in FOREIGN
(Vessels,) and without any loss to US, and might in
its consequences far involve other powers in the
dispute, by the capture of their vessels by the Eng
lish, as to make common cause of it. To these
third reason may be added, Of equal importance
which is, that it would be the most certain and
speedest method to compleat our battalions and to
retain the men; for at present. the spirit of trade
and privateering is such that no man, especially in
the Eastern States, can be obtained for any other
purposes, while the soldiers in the army who have
been seamen, are deserting daily, with a view to
engage on board vessels.


thank you, my dear sir, for your kind intention
I'm r0I Ia
really ashamed to accept so many, as it may either
disturnish yourself put it out Of your power to
oblige some other friend. One half, | should con
ceIye might answer my purpose very we'll.


Mrs. Washington left me for Moant Vernon so
soon as began my march from Middlebrook Nv
best respects attend your lady, and with sincere re
gard and affection, am, Dear sir,


Y our most Obedient


GF WASuJNCTnN