seems satisfied with the measure, and I wish it may prove agreeable to you, as I am, with the warmest wishes for your honor and glory, and with the sincerest esteem and affection, Yours, &c."

Lafayette submitted with all the good-nature that Washington had counted upon, and this was not the only opportunity he had of doing so.

After Lafayette had been sent to Rhode Island in command of a body of regulars and militia, July, 1778, Washington concluded to employ General Greene, who was a native of that State; and in order to do this, it was necessary to divide the troops, thus giving Lafayette only half as many as he had at first commanded.

Lafayette replies to the letter announcing this unwelcome change:

"I have received your Excellency's favor by General Greene, and have been much pleased with the arrival of a gentleman who, not only on account of his merit and the justness of his views, but by his knowledge of the country and his popularity in this State, may be very serviceable to the expedition. I willingly part with half my detachment, since you find it for the good of the service, though I had great dependence on them. Any thing, my dear general, which you shall order, or can wish, will always be infinitely agreeable to me; and I shall always be happy in doing any thing that may please you, or forward the public good."

1779.]

THE COMFORTS OF A FRIEND.

359

What a relief amid the cares and trials and eternal disputes and jealousies that wore out Washington's strength and patience, must have been the friendship and support of a soul like this! The sweetness of Lafayette's temper, his inexhaustible vivacity and freshness of interest in public affairs, and the warm affection he manifested, form, altogether, one of the most delightful of characters. Much as his name is revered among us he has never been overrated.

CHAPTER XXXI.

Washington at Philadelphia with Congress-Then in the country hunting squirrelsDevastations of the enemy on Long Island-Capture of Stony Point by General Wayne-Generous conduct of Washington-General Lee's questions-Dinner at West Point-Depreciation of the currency-Kindness of the ladies of Philadelphia.

WASHINGTON remained through the winter and spring of 1779 at head-quarters at Middlebrook, with the exception of five weeks passed in Philadelphia in conference with Congress, of which he says:-"Were I to give way to private conveniency and amusement, I should not be able to resist the invitation of my friends to make Philadelphia, instead of a squeezed up room or two, my quarters for the winter.

"But the affairs of the army require my constant attention and presence, and circumstanced as matters are at this time, call for some degree of care and address to keep it from crumbling. As peace and retirement are my ultimate aim, and the most pleasing and flattering hope of my soul, every thing promotive of this end contributes to my satisfaction, however difficult and inconvenient in the attainment, and will re

1779.]

SQUIRREL-SHOOTING.

361

concile any place and all circumstances to my feelings, whilst I continue in service."

Tradition says he did not confine himself so strictly to" a squeezed up room or two," as not to find a little time for his favorite amusement of hunting.

"Come, Cornelius," he would say to a boy of fif teen that used to wait on him, a son of the owner of a house he had occupied, "come, the day is so fine-suppose we see if we can't find some squirrels this morning?" And taking his long rifle, says Cornelius, who is still living to tell the story, the general, with his young companion and guide, would travel off miles in search of a kind of game that would hardly have tempted him far in the fox-hunting days of Mount Vernon.

General Sir Henry Clinton showing every disposition to get command of the Hudson, and having already obtained possession of Stony Point and Verplank's Point, Washington removed to New Windsor, a few miles above West Point, whence the enemy endeavored to seduce him, by devastations on the coast of Long Island Sound, but in vain. "The system of devastation and plunder," says Mr. Sparks, "was vigorously pursued. Dwelling-houses, shops, churches, school-houses, and the shipping in the harbors were destroyed. The soldiers pillaged without restraint, committing acts of violence, and exhibiting the horrors of war in some of their most revolting forms." Washington meanwhile was only watching for an op

* * *

portunity to retake Stony Point, on the Hudson, which was accomplished, under his orders, by General Wayne, on the night of the 15th of July, 1779. Washington, with his usual generosity, in writing to Congress in praise of General Wayne, says:—

"He improved upon the plan suggested by me, and executed it in a manner that does signal honor to his judgment and to his bravery. Every officer and man of the corps deserves great credit; but there were particular ones whose situation placed them foremost in danger, and made their conduct more conspicuous.”

The ordnance and other stores taken on this occasion, were estimated at $158,640; which amount was divided among the troops in proportion to the pay of the officers and men.

Three different medals, emblematical of the action, were struck by order of Congress, bearing the names respectively of Wayne, Fleury and Stewart.

General Washington's share was a vote of thanks from Congress, "for the vigilance, wisdom and magnanimity with which he had conducted the military operations of the States, particularly on the occasion of the late attack."

The commander-in-chief now removed to West Point for the remainder of the season.

There was but little of a military nature to enliven his stay there, but he was provided with excitement of a different sort by General Lee, who published anonymously twenty-five "Queries Political and Military,"