25 of this kind in his “ Life of Washington,” although omissions frequently occur. The following selections are taken at random from various parts of the work. The passages in italics are supplied from the Letter-Books, and they were omitted by him without any mark denoting the fact. I believe the same will be found true in all other cases, so that, if he had any rule at all, it must have been not to mark the places where passages were left out. LETTER TO GENERAL SCHUYLER. July 15th, 1777. “ The evacuation of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence is an event of chagrin and surprise, not apprehended nor within the compass of my reasoning. I know not upon what principle it was founded, and I should suppose it still more difficult to reconcile, if the garrison amounted to five thousand men, in high spirits, healthy, well supplied with provision and ammunition, and the Eastern militia marching to their succor, as you mention in your letter of the 9th to the Council of Safety of New York. This stroke is severe indeed, and has distressed us much. But, notwithstanding things at present wear a dark and gloomy aspect, I hope a spirited opposition will check the progress of General Burgoyne’s arms, and that the confidence derived from success will hurry him into measures, that will in their consequences be favorable to us. We should never despair. Our situation has before been unpromising, and has changed for the better. So, I trust, it will again. If new difficulties arise, we must only put forth new exertions, and proportion our efforts to the exigency of the times.”—Vol. III. p. 254. 4
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