compassion for a general and inevitable delusion? Will not they see that the dagger which opens the way to what they call a deluded heart, and lets out life, conveys no conviction to a survivor’s head? The delusion still continues, and the spirit is invincible; and although it should bend, for a moment, like an unwieldy bow, yet soon it would fly from its over-wrought tension, and, like flames smothered in a burning pit, blaze out anew. At length, fatigued with havock, and despairing of success, will not serious reflection seize their heads, and the pangs and twitchings of a wounded spirit, which stings like an adder and bites like a serpent, cool their courage, sheath their swords, and carry them back to their own homes, to demand the forfeited heads of their blood-thirsty employers?

From this summary view of the strength of Great Britain, we have no reason to think her force matchless, or that her efforts against America will prove successful. It is a good rule never to despise the power of an enemy, but to presume upon the worst, and prepare for the hardest. I shall, in my next, take a similar view of the internal strength of the United American Colonies, in the new world; that, having the whole before you in a collected point, you may make your comparisons, and draw such inferences as may be warranted by the nature of the case and the truth of fact respecting both Countries.

Worcester, November 17, 1775.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL WARD.

Cambridge, November 17, 1775.

SIR: As the season is fast approaching when the bay between us and Boston will, in all probability, be close shut up, thereby rendering any movement upon the ice as easy as if no water was there; and as it is more than probable that General Howe, when he gets the expected re-enforcements, will endeavour to relieve himself from the disgraceful confinement in which the Ministerial Troops have been all this summer, common prudence dictates the necessity of guarding our camps wherever they are most assailable. For this purpose, I wish you, General Thomas, General Spencer, and Colonel Putnam, to meet me at your quarters to-morrow, at ten o’clock, that we may examine the ground between your work at the mill and Sewall’s Point, and direct such batteries as may appear necessary, for the security of your camp on that side, to be thrown up without loss of time. I have long had it upon my mind that a successful attempt might be made, by way of surprise, on Castle William. From every account, there are not more than three hundred men in that place. The whale-boats, therefore, which you have, and such as could be sent to you, would easily transport eight hundred or one thousand which, with a very moderate share of conduct and resolution, might, I should think, bring off the garrison, if not the stores. I wish you to discuss this matter, under the rose, with officers on whose judgment and spirit you can rely. Something of this sort may show how far the men are to be depended upon.

I am, with respect, Sir, your very humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON,

To Major-General Artemas Ward.

SAMUEL FREEMAN TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Falmouth, November 17, 1775.

SIR: Being prevented, by a sudden departure from Watertown, from waiting on your Excellency, as I fully intended, I think it proper, by way of letter, to inform you that our General Court have appointed the Hon. Joseph Frye, Esq., “to take the command of the men stationed in the County of Cumberland, who were raised for the defence of the sea-coast, until their further orders; and have empowered him, upon any emergency, to alarm and call together the Militia of the said County, or such part thereof as their safety may require, and them to discharge as soon as the service will admit; and to lead and conduct them and the other forces, and with them to encounter, repel, and resist, by force of arms, all and every person or persons that shall attempt the surprise, destruction, invasion, or annoyance of this Town and County; and to cause such fortifications to be erected at Falmouth, aforesaid, and else-where, as he shall judge necessary for their [our] defence.”

This is all the Court have done at present. Something more is absolutely necessary. So excellent an harbour as that of Falmouth it is of the greatest importance to secure. On the preservation of this harbour depends, in a great measure, the safety of this whole eastern country; and should our enemies get possession of it, I humbly think the whole Continent will suffer by the loss; not only by the damage it will be to us, but by the advantages which they will thereby gain. I doubt not, therefore, a due attention will be given hereto; and I believe if a number of men were placed in a garrison here, and an armed vessel or two stationed to guard the coast, it would be an expense well applied.

I am unacquainted with military matters, but I think it a duty incumbent on me to communicate my mind; and, if your Excellency thinks it proper, I should be glad this matter might be laid before the Continental Congress. However, I would by no means pretend to dictate; but I hope some measures, wiser than I can propose, will be speedily adopted to serve the general interest.

Colonel Phinney, I suppose, will inform your Excellency of the present situation of affairs here. I will not therefore add, but that I am, with great respect, your Excellency’s most obedient and very humble servant,

SAMUEL FREEMAN.

To His Excellency General Washington.

STEPHEN MOYLAN TO WILLIAM WATSON.

Cambridge, November 17, 1775.

SIR: Captain Coit complains of the uneasiness the men are under, and as the only chance there is of taking any prize is his being out at this time, the General consents to his getting men at Plymouth, which, he says, he can readily do. If he can procure them, give him every forwardness you can. He says six weeks’ provision will be necessary, and that he must have a spare pilot, in case of a prize. For God’s sake indulge him, and if he has misinformed his Excellency about getting the men, let us know it immediately, that we may govern ourselves accordingly.

I am, Sir, your most humble servant,

STEPHEN MOYLAN, Sec’y pro tem.

To William Watson, Esq., Plymouth.

LORD GEORGE GERMAIN TO GENERAL HOWE.

Whitehall, November 18, 1775.

SIR: Lieutenant-General Gage arrived here the 14th instant, and I have had the honour to lay before the King your despatches of the 5th and 9th of October.

It was a great satisfaction to me to receive, so early after my coming into office, your ideas of the plan of operations in the ensuing spring, and of the force necessary for carrying that plan into execution.

Every effort will he used to send you, as early as possible, the re-enforcement that will be wanted; and although our negotiation for foreign auxiliaries has not succeeded according to our expectations, and our recruits come in but slowly, yet I have no doubt that if we are not deceived in the propositions which have been made for raising some new corps, and the engagements which have been entered into for procuring levies in Germany, we shall enable you to take the field with an army of twenty thousand men.

Of the five Regiments which were under orders to sail from Cork for America, in the course of last month, the Seventeenth, Twenty-Seventh, and Fifty-Fifth, have proceeded upon their voyage; but the Twenty-Eighth and Forty-Sixth having been forced, by contrary winds, to put back, the King has thought fit to add them to the armament preparing for an expedition to the Southern Colonies; and I hope that, before the end of this month, the troops destined for that service will have been embarked.

All the advices which have been received of the state of the Southern Provinces, since the first idea of that expedition was taken up, tend to show the propriety of it, and to confirm us in our hopes that it will be attended with advantage and success; and I have no doubt that the whole or the greatest part of the Regiments, employed upon that occasion, will join the Army under your command much earlier, and in a better state for service, than if they were sent from hence in the spring.

I am, &c.,

GEORGE GERMAIN.