George Washington

Chapter 4

ASHINGTON had urged the notion ofan American union, in the context ofthe Revolution, as early as I775· The progress of the war made his appeals ever more insistent and strident. In the final two years ofthe war, when enormous labors were required to maintain his position in the face of a determined enemy, his appeals attained the status of virtual demands. Even as the Articles ofConfederation, drafted and sent out to the states in I777, werefinally being ratifzed in I78I (Maryland acceding and producing ratification March I), Washington was urging upon legislators and others the necessity for a stronger national union. The struggle ofthe war years and the ongoing problem ofmaintaining a cohesive policy in theface ofboth afactious Congress and a populace that did not possess a clear national vision caused Washington to observe that human nature must receive its due consideration: "we must take the passions ofmen as nature has given them, and those principles as a guide which are generally the rule of action." ThoughJew could know it, the war was swiftly approaching its end. Throughout the entire effort, or nearly so, there existed no formal apparatus ofgovernment to direct the effort. When finally in early I78I "The United States in Congress Assembled" was born, there was no placefor celebration; a dangerous enemy,from Washington's perspective, still loomed before them, while inadequate provisionfor sustaining American forces had been made. In fact, the end of the severe trials of the war was but another step toward securing the ultimate triumph---'l'tationhood. Siege of Yorktown. Washington and Rochambeau pressed General Clinton so closely in late August I78I that Clinton believed their feints toward New York were real movements; on August 25 he ordered Cornwallis to send troops from the South to resist a threatened siege of New York. The American and French armies moved toward Yorktown, where Lafayette was checking Cornwallis's movements. On September 8, Washington received long-awaited news that Count de Grasse had arrived offthe coast ofVirginia. The combined strength of the allied forces was then I6,4oo; the British forces stood at 8soo. On September 25, the army concentrated at Williamsburg took a position within two miles of the British; Jour days later they had environed Yorktown. The linesfought on October 6, 9, and II. On October I9, the British army surrendered. 57 TO GEORGE MASON Head Qyarters, Passaic Falls, October 22, 1780 Dear Sir: In consequence of a resolve of Congress directing an enquiry into the conduct of Genl. Gates, and authorising me to appoint some other Officer in his place during this enquiry, I have made choice of Majr. Genl. Greene who will, I expect, Appointment of have the honor of presenting you with this Letter. General Greene I can venture to introduce this Gentn. to you as a man of abilities bravery and coolness. He has a comprehensive knowledge of our affairs, and is a man of fortitude and resources. I have not the smallest doubt therefore, of his employing all the means which may be put into his hands to the best advantage; nor of his assisting in pointing out the most likely ones to answer the purposes of his command. With this character, I take the liberty of recommending him to your civilities and support; for I have no doubt, from the embarrassed situation of Southern affairs; of his standing much in need of the latter from every Gentn. of Influence in the Assemblies of those States. As General Greene can give you the most perfect information , in detail of our present distresses, and future prospects, I shall content myself with giving the agregate acct. of them; and with respect to the first, they are so great and complicated, that it is scarcely within the powers of description to give an adequate idea of them; with regard to the second, unless there 1 75 Call for a new plan to conduct war General Greene to command Southern Anny is a material change both in our military, and civil policy, it will be in vain to contend much longer. We are without money, and have been so for a great length of time, without provision and forage except what is taken by Impress; without Cloathing; and shortly shall be (in a manner) without Men. In a word, we have lived upon expedients till we can live no longer, and it may truly be said that, the history of...