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in the mean time, I have enclosed an order to the commanding officer of the New Hampshire line to furnish a guard to replace the former, while those regiments continue at the northward. I hope in the spring there may be such a provision made of State troops, or levies, that this guard may also be relieved or taken off without hazard or inconvenience.

Every information tending to prove, that the affairs respecting the Grants may be speedily and happily accommodated, gives me singular satisfaction. I will flatter myself, that both the articles of intelligence you have received are well grounded,* and that it will be the unremitting effort of every one, who is well affected to the general cause, to prevent the horrors of civil discord in any part of the United States. It has been intimated, that some of the enemy's shipping and armed vessels have been detained by the ice in Lake Champlain in such a manner, that they might be destroyed and the cannon brought off. If the fact is so, I will thank you for as early and explicit information as possible, that measures may be taken accordingly. The destruction of those vessels, would, I think, greatly impede any future incursions from that quarter.

I have the honor to be, &c.

TO MESHECH WEARE, PRESIDENT OF

NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Circular to the States.

Philadelphia, 31 January, 1782.

SIR,

I have the honor of transmitting herewith accurate returns of the number of men now actually in service

*Relating to the affairs of Vermont.

from your State, in order that measures may be taken for completing the regiments to the full establishment, agreeably to the resolution of Congress on the 10th of December. I cannot omit so favorable an occasion of expressing to your Excellency my sentiments on that subject, and of entreating, in the most earnest manner, that there may be a speedy, pointed, and effectual compliance with those requisitions.

It will, I flatter myself, be unnecessary to recapitulate all the arguments I made use of in the circular letter I had the honor to address to the governors of the several States, at the close of the campaign of 1780; in which, it must be remembered, I took the liberty to urge, from the knowledge I had of our affairs and a series of experience, the policy, the expediency, the necessity of recruiting the army, as the only probable means of bringing the war to a speedy and happy conclusion. If those arguments had any influence at that time, if the consequent exertions were crowned with any success, if the present crisis exhibits new and more forcible inducements for still greater efforts, let me point your Excellency and the legislature to those considerations; and especially let me recommend, in the warmest terms, that all the fruits of the successes, which have been obtained the last campaign, may not be thrown away by an inglorious winter of languor and inactivity.

However, at this advanced stage of the war, it might seem to be an insult to the understanding to suppose a long train of reasoning necessary to prove, that a respectable force in the field is essential to the establishment of our liberties and independence; yet, as I am apprehensive the prosperous issue of the combined operation in Virginia may have (as is too common in such cases) the pernicious tendency of lulling the coun

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try into a lethargy of inactivity and security; and as I feel my own reputation, as well as the interest, the honor, the glory, and happiness of my country, intimately connected with the event, I will ask the indulgence to speak more freely on those accounts, and to make some of the observations, which the present moment seems to suggest.

The broken and perplexed state of the enemy's affairs, and the successes of the last campaign on our part, ought to be a powerful incitement to vigorous preparations for the next. Unless we strenuously exert ourselves to profit by these successes, we shall not only lose all the solid advantages that might be derived from them, but we shall become contemptible in our own eyes, in the eyes of our enemy, in the opinion of posterity, and even in the estimation of the whole world, which will consider us as a nation unworthy of prosperity, because we know not how to make a right use of it.

Although we cannot, by the best concerted plans, absolutely command success, although the race is not always to the swift nor the battle to the strong, yet, without presumptuously waiting for miracles to be wrought in our favor, it is our indispensable duty, with the deepest gratitude to Heaven for the past, and humble confidence in its smiles on our future operations, to make use of all the means in our power for our defence and security. This period is particularly important, because no circumstances since the commencement of the war have been so favorable to the recruiting service as the present, and because it is to be presumed, from the increase of population and the brilliant prospects before us, that it is actually in our power to complete the army before the opening of the campaign. However flattering these prospects may be,

much still remains to be done, which cannot probably be effected unless the army is recruited to its establishment; and consequently the continuance or termination of the war seems principally to rest on the vigor and decision of the States in this interesting point. And, finally, it is our first object of policy, under every supposable or possible case, to have a powerful army early in the field; for we must suppose the enemy are either disposed to prosecute the war, or to enter into a negotiation for peace. There is no other alternative. On the former supposition, a respectable army becomes necessary to counteract the enemy, and to prevent the accumulating expenses of a lingering war; on the latter, nothing but a decidedly superior force can enable us boldly to claim our rights and dictate the law at the pacification. So that, whatever the disposition of the enemy may be, it is evidently our only interest and economy to act liberally, and exert ourselves greatly during the present winter to cut off at once all the expenses of the war by putting a period to it.

And soon might that day arrive, and we might hope to enjoy all the blessings of peace, if we could see again the same animation in the cause of our country inspiring every breast, the same passion for freedom and military glory impelling our youths to the field, and the same disinterested patriotism pervading every rank of men, that was conspicuous at the commencement of this glorious revolution; and I am persuaded, that only some great occasion was wanting, such as the present moment exhibits, to rekindle the latent sparks of that patriotic fire into a generous flame, to rouse again the unconquerable spirit of liberty, which has sometimes seemed to slumber for awhile, into the full vigor of action.

I cannot now conclude this letter without expressing

my full expectation, that the several States, animated with the noblest principles and convinced of the policy of complying faithfully with the requisitions, will be only emulous which shall be foremost in furnishing its quota of men; that the calculations of the numbers wanted to fill the deficiencies may be so ample as, allowing for all the casualties and deductions, will be sufficient certainly to complete the battalions; that the measures for this purpose may be so explicit, pointed, and energetic, as will inevitably furnish the recruits in season; and that such checks may be established to prevent imposition, as to the quality of the men, that no recruits may be accepted but those, who are in fact able-bodied and effective. Should any of a different description be sent to the army, they must be rejected, the expense thrown away, and the service injured, though others are required to fill their places; for it is only deceiving ourselves with having a nominal instead of a real force, and consuming the public provisions and clothing to no effect, to attempt to impose decrepit and improper men or boys upon us as soldiers.

I have the honor to be, &c.

SIR,

TO COUNT DE ROCHAMBEAU.

Philadelphia, 9 February, 1782.

I have been honored with your Excellency's favor of the 12th and 22d ultimo, the latter enclosing copies of General Greene's letter to you and your answer. After informing you that I concur with you in opinion, that it would not be politic at this moment to move a detachment from your main body to the southward, permit me to assure you, that I very sensibly feel your

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