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 a while, 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 decrepid and improper men or boys upon us, as soldiers."

CHAPTER XX.

Remainder of the War.

In the spring of 1782, the firmness of Washington's character was illustrated, and his feelings tried, by the circumstances connected with the murder of Captain Huddy, by a party of loyalists, and with the proceedings upon which it was necessary to enter, for the purpose of retaliation. This affair is one of the most interesting incidents of the war, and will be best presented to the reader by selections from Washington's correspondence relating to it. It appears that Captain Huddy, who commanded a small body of troops, at a post on Tom's River, in Monmouth county, New Jersey, had been attacked by a party of refugees from New York, and, after a gallant defence, was taken prisoner by them. He was conveyed to New York, and there put in close confinement. "On the 12th

of April, he was sent out of the city, in the charge of a number of refugees, commanded by Captain Lippencot, and hanged on the heights near Middletown. The people in the neighborhood were extremely exasperated at this act of wanton barbarity; and, at their solicitation, General Forman, who resided at Monmouth, obtained affidavits, and a proper statement of facts, with which he first went to Elizabethtown, where the American commissioners, General Knox and Gouverneur Morris, were then attempting to negotiate an exchange of prisoners, and laid the matter before them. By their advice, he proceeded to General Washington's Head-Quarters, and his statement, and the papers of which he was the bearer, were submitted to the consideration of the general and field officers," in the following letter.

"To the General and Field Officers of the Army.

"Head-Quarters, 19 April, 1782. "The Commander-in-chief submits the papers accompanying this, containing the case of Captain Joshua Hud

dy, lately hanged within the county of Monmouth, in New Jersey State, by a party of the enemy, to the consideration of the general officers of brigades and regiments, and thereupon requests from them, separately and in writing, a direct and laconic reply to the following queries.

"1. Upon the state of facts, in the above case, is retaliation justifiable and expedient ?

"2. If justifiable, ought it to take place immediately, or should a previous representation be made to Sir Henry Clinton, and satisfaction demanded from him?

"3. In case of representation and demand, who should be the person or persons to be required?

"4. In case of refusal, and retaliation becoming necessary, of what description shall the officer be, on whom it is to take place; and how shall he be designated for the purpose?"

The officers, to whom these questions were addressed, assembled at the quarters of General Heath; they were twenty-five in number. Colonel Humphries and Colonel Trumbull, of the military family of the Commander-inchief, also attended. Upon communicating to the officers the questions, they were forbidden to hold any conversation in reference to them, but to prepare answers in writing, and each one was to seal up his reply, and send it, forthwith, to the Commander-in-chief. They were found to be unanimous in the opinion, that retaliation ought to take place, and that it should be inflicted on an officer of the same rank as Captain Huddy, and that he should be selected by lot from the British officers of that rank, then in their possession, as prisoners of war. Twenty-three were of opinion, that satisfaction ought, in the first place, to be demanded of Sir Henry Clinton. Three thought that the circumstances required immediate execution.

"To Brigadier-General Knox, and Gouverneur Morris, at Elizabethtown.

Newburgh, 20 April, 1782. "GENTLEMEN,-I have been favored with your letter of the 16th of April, by General Forman. Convinced, from the state of facts, which has been exhibited to me,

that justice, expediency, and necessity require, that satisfaction should be obtained for the murder of Captain Huddy, I have in the first instance made a representation to Sir Henry Clinton, and demanded that the officer, whe commanded the party, or, if he was not a captain, suca a number of agents in the execution, as are equal by tariff to that rank, should be delivered up to condign punishment. In case of refusal, I have formed the resolution, that retaliation shall take place upon a British officer of equal rank. It therefore remains with the enemy alone to prevent this distressing alternative; for, having formed my opinion upon the most mature reflection and deliberation, I can never recede from it.

"I have the honor to be, &c."

"To Sir Henry Clinton.

"Head-Quarters, 21 April, 1782. "SIR,-The enclosed representation from the inhabitants of the county of Monmouth, with testimonials to the facts, which can be corroborated by other unquestionable evidence, will bring before your Excellency the most wanton, unprecedented, and inhuman murder, that ever disgraced the arms of a civilized people.

"I shall not, because I believe it to be altogether unnecessary, trouble your Excellency with any animadversions upon this transaction. Candor obliges me to be explicit. To save the innocent, I demand the guilty. Captain Lippencot, therefore, or the officer who commanded at the execution of Captain Huddy, must be given up; or, if that officer was of inferior rank to him, so many of the perpetrators as will, according to the tariff of exchange, be an equivalent. To do this, will mark the justice of your Excellency's character. In failure of it, I shall hold myself justifiable, in the eyes of God and man, for the measure to which I shall resort.

"I beg your Excellency to be persuaded, that it cannot be more disagreeable to you to be addressed in this language, than it is to me to offer it; but the subject requires frankness and decision. I have to request your

"To Brigadier-General Hazen.

"Head-Quarters, 3 May, 1782.

"SIR, The enemy, persisting in that barbarous line of conduct, which they have pursued during the course of this war, have lately most inhumanly executed Captain Joshua Huddy, of the Jersey State troops, taken prisoner by them at a post on Tom's River; and in consequence I have written to the British Commander-in-chief, that, unless the perpetrators of that horrid deed were delivered up, I should be under the disagreeable necessity of retaliating, as the only means left to put a stop to such inhuman proceedings.

"You will, therefore, immediately on receipt of this, designate by lot for the above purpose a British captain, who is an unconditional prisoner, if such a one is in your possession; if not, a lieutenant under the same circumstances from among the prisoners at any of the posts, either in Pennsylvania or Maryland. So soon as you have fixed on the person, you will send him under a safeguard to Philadelphia, where the Minister of War will order a proper guard to receive and conduct him to the place of his destination.

"For your information respecting the officers, who are prisoners in our possession, I have ordered the commissary of prisoners to furnish you with a list of them. It will be forwarded with this. I need not mention to you, that every possible tenderness, that is consistent with the security of him, should be shown to the person whose unfortunate lot it may be to suffer.

"I am, dear sir, &c."

"To the Secretary at War.

"Newburg, 4 May, 1782.

"DEAR SIR,-By the letter to Brigadier-General Hazen, which I have enclosed to you under a flying seal for your inspection, you will observe the distressing alternative to which we are at last reduced. I must request you will give that letter a safe and speedy conveyance.