Were an angel from Heaven
to undertake that office, all our miscarriages would be ascribed to
him. Raw troops, no troops, insubordinate militia, want of arms, want of
money, want of provisions, all will be charged to want of management in
you. I speak from experience, when I was Governor of Virginia. Without a
regular in the State, and scarcely a musket to put into the hands of
the militia, invaded by two armies, Arnold's from the sea-board, and
Cornwallis's from the southward,--when we were driven from Richmond and
Charlottesville, and every member of my council fled to their homes, it
was not the total destitution of means, but the mismanagement of them,
which, in the querulous voice of the public, caused all our misfortunes.
It ended, indeed, in the capture of the whole hostile force, but not
till means were brought us by General Washington's army, and the French
fleet and army. And although the legislature, who were personally
intimate with both the means and measures, acquitted me with justice and
thanks, yet General Lee has put all those imputations among the
romances of his historical novel, for the amusement of credulous and
uninquisitive readers. Not that I have seen the least disposition to
censure you. On the contrary, your conduct on the attack of Washington
has met the praises of every one, and your plan for regulars and
militia, their approbation. But no campaign is as yet opened.
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