The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799 Volume 14

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1779 Excerpt: ...Head Quarters, Middlebrook, March 21,1779. Dr. Sir: I have been favored with yours of the 13th. Inst. The papers you inclosed I herewith return. In my letter of the 9th. I gave my opinion on the measures to be pursued in Captn. Scudder's88 and Doctor Anthony's84 case, so that the papers are of no further use to me and may be communicated to the Court of Admiralty, if they throw any light on the affair. You will be pleased to forwarded Col. Hazens Letter. I am, etc.85 To BRIGADIER GENERAL EDWARD HAND Head Quarters, Middlebrook, March 21,1779. Sir: Since I wrote to you on the 16th. I have been informed, tho' not in such a way that I can depend upon it, that the Country between Chemung and the Seneca Nation is great part of it so low and swampy, that it is traversed with difficulty by even a few foot. This is a matter that should be ascertained with the utmost precision, because should we endeavour to move a Body by that Route, to co-operate with another from the northward, and they, on account of the difficulty I have mentioned, either find it impossible to proceed, or be so retarded as to fail in point of time, our whole plan would be "The draft is in the writing of Alexander Hamilton. The words in brackets are in the writing of Washington. Ford prints this letter under date of March 25. "Capt. William Scudder. He commanded an armed whaleboat in Long Island Sound. MA refugee from Long Island. "The draft is in the writing of James McHenry. ruined. I must therefore request you to endeavour as soon as possible to find out some persons well acquainted with the Country between the Waters of Susquehannah and those that fall into Lake Ontario (for that is the part which is said to be particularly low and wet) and examine them strictly upon the subjec...