I could wish to know the sentiments of congress upon the business as soon as possible, as I propose to leave this city in the morning.

I have the honour to be, &c.

HIS EXCELLENCY GOVERNOR LEE.

November 10, 1780.

SIR,

The despatches which I delivered your excellency from the commander in chief of the armies of the United States, and others, which I presume have been forwarded from congress, will inform you of my appointment to the command of the southern army. The situation of which, from the force of the enemy, and the fugitive war that is now carrying on in that quarter, by the militia, is truly alarming. The efforts which the inhabitants are making to prevent the farther encroachments of the enemy, deserve the most speedy and effectual support, as well from principles of humanity as those of sound policy. Unless they are soon succoured, and countenanced by a good regular force, their distresses will inevitably break their spirits, and they will be compelled to reconcile themselves to their misfortunes; than which nothing can be more fatal to the happiness and independence of these states. It is much easier to keep up an effectual opposi tion in these states, while the tide of sentiment is in our favour, than it will be to secure the remaining states from the enemy's farther encroachments, after those are subdued.

There is no alternative but base submission, or an effectual prosecution of the war: the horrors of one, and the blessings which will result from the other, cannot admit of a moment's hesitation in our choice. But in vain shall we contend, unless we raise, clothe, and equip, a regular army. The mode to effect this is not for me to point out; but if a draft could be once accomplished, I am persuaded it would damp the hopes of the enemy more than ten victories.

Congress in order to reduce our national expense and proportion the demands for men upon the different states, to the strength of the enemy, and the present plan of the war, have made a large reduction of the regiments; unless those which

are now required, are filled up to the full establishment, no effectual opposition can be made, nor can I pretend to be responsible for consequences without it.

Nothing on my part shall be wanting to discharge the duties of my command, as far as my abilities shall extend, or the means put into my hands are competent to the end; but without support I foresee myself devoted to ruin, and the southern states to subjection: and I wish that those which now seem at a distance from the scene of operations, may not rest in the shadow of se◄ curity until the ravaging hand of war begins to spread desolation and horror within their jurisdiction.

I flatter myself, as well from the past conduct of the legislature of this state, as from the assurances of the committee of the two houses, who did me the honour of a conference this morning, that they are actuated by too just principles, and have too clear a view of their own situation, to need arguments to induce them to give all the aid in their power.

I do myself the honour to inclose your excellency a request for some supplies, which are absolutely necessary for the establishment of the southern army, and which I wish to be laid before the honourable senate, and house of delegates, and doubt not of their ready compliance. In this persuasion I shall proceed to the army, having instructed general Gist to wait upon your excellency, and take your orders from time to time, relative to the several matters contained in the requisition.

I have the honour to be, &c..

HIS EXCELLENCY GOVERNOR JEFFERSON.

Richmond, November 20, 1780.

SIR,

My appointment to the command of the southern army, with powers to call upon the southern states for supplies and support, your excellency is already acquainted with.

The present state of the southern department, and the future operations that must necessarily be carried on in that quarter, induces me to lay before you the inclosed requisition for men and supplies of different kinds.

Uninformed as I am at this time of many things necessary to explain the extent of our wants, I have confined myself in this application to some principal articles, which will be requisite under all circumstances. But as the scene of operations may change, and as the emergencies of war are numerous and various, from which new and pressing demands may arise, I hope the legislature will vest you with full and ample powers to comply with such as may happen. Without this I foresee the most fatal conseqences may attend the army for want of timely support.

It will be my province to inform you from time to time of the men and supplies necessary to the operations, and to conduct the force and direct the use when they are sent into the field. But the levying of the one, and collecting the other, must depend upon yourselves, and on your exertions hangs the freedom and independence of the southern states.

It is perfectly consistent with sound policy in all countries to carry on war rather abroad than at home, as well in matters of expense as from principles of humanity to the inhabitants; but this policy is rendered doubly necessary to Virginia, from the ease with which the enemy can penetrate the country, and the numerous blacks and other valuable property which must inevitably fall into their hands in consequence of it.

It is pretty evident that it was the enemy's original plan of operation to penetrate through North Carolina, and possess themselves of all the lower country of Virginia; and notwithstanding they may have a temporary interruption to their present plan, I make no doubt they will prosecute their design as soon as the prevailing obstacles are removed; unless they are convinced by the exertions of the southern states, that the thing has become impracticable: nor will they relinquish the project from the feeble opposition which can be given by the present force that may be opposed to them.

It affords me great satisfaction to see the enterprise and spirit with which the militia have turned out lately, in all quarters, to oppose the enemy; and this great bulwark of civil liberty, promises security and independence to this country, if they are not depended upon as a principal, but employed as an auxiliary. But if you depend upon them as a principal, the very nature of

the war must become so ruinous to the country, that though numbers for a time may give security, yet the difficulty of keeping this order of men long in the field, and the accumulated expenses attending it, must soon put it out of our power to make further opposition, and the enemy will have only to delay their operations for a few months to give success to their measures. It must be the extreme of folly to hazard our liberties upon such a precarious tenure, when we have it so much in our power to fix them upon a more solid basis. I hope therefore the most specdy and effectual measures will be taken to fill up the army agreeable to the new arrangement: and I have only to remark, that the reduction of the regiments renders it absolutely necessary, that those remaining be completed to their full establishment. It is not only necessary to furnish the numbers required, but that the men be of a proper size, perfect in their limbs, of a good sound constitution,, and not exceeding forty-five years of age. I could wish a law relative to this matter might be made, with proper directions to the county lieutenants not to receive any recruits, unless they are agreeable to the foregoing description, as the continental officers stationed at the different places of rendezvous will be instructed to this purpose.

Officers are the very soul of an army, and you may as well attempt to animate a dead body into action, as to expect to employ an army to advantage, when the officers are not perfectly easy in their circumstances, and happy in the service.

I am sorry to find that great dissatisfaction prevails among your officers. I am not fully informed of the several grievances, but would beg leave to recommend an inquiry, and that immediate and reasonable satisfaction be given to their just demands.

The late distressing accounts from the southern army, claim the immediate attention of government, both with respect to provision and clothing. It is impossible for men to continue long in the field, unless they are well furnished with both these articles; and to expose them to the wants of either, will soon transfer them from the field to the hospital, or laying them under the necessity of deserting. In either case government is burthened with the expense of raising men, without the benefit

of their services. Clothing is more important to an army, than at first view may be imagined; and to send troops into the field without it, is devoting them to sudden destruction.

The business of transportation is accompanied with so many difficulties, that I think great pains should be taken to fix upon some place for feeding the army with live stock, and I can think of none, unless it is putting up a large number of cattle to stall-feed, which may be drove to the army from time to time as the service may require. I wish that some person might be commissioned from this state to concert with North Carolina the most proper measures for carrying such a plan into execution.

There are a variety of stores of different kinds coming from the northward, which I am afraid from the present deranged state of the quarter-master's department, will meet with great difficulty in getting in. I most earnestly recommend that the most speedy and effectual support be given to the officer at the head of this business, and that he without loss of time, make the proper managements for forwarding the supplies as they arrive.

I have this moment received letters from general Washington, and from Mr. Mathews, chairman of a committee of congress appointed to correspond with the commanding officer of the southern department; which mention the enemy's preparations making for another detachment to the southward.

The distress and sufferings of the inhabitants of North and South Carolina deserve the most speedy support, to keep alive that spirit of enterprise which has prevailed among them lately, so much to their honour. And it is much easier to oppose the enemy in those states, while the tide of sentiment is in our favour, than it will be to secure Virginia, after they are overrun; a circumstance which may prove fatal to the happiness and independence of America.

I purpose to set out in the morning for Hillsborough; but shall leave major general baron Steuben to command in this state for the present, and to put things into the most proper train for forwarding reinforcements of men and supplies of every kind for the southern army. He will advise with your excellency on this business.

I have the honour to be, &c.