ur own people that the cause must
be supported, and not by a few hungry adventurers....

"I am, &c.,

"G. WASHINGTON."

[Vol. IV., p. 423.]

* * * * *

TO THE SAME.

"MIDDLEBROOK, June 1, 1777.

"You will, before this can reach you, have seen Monsieur
Ducoudray. What his real expectations are, I do not know; but I
fear, if his appointment is equal to what I have been told is
his expectation, it will be attended with unhappy consequences.
_To say nothing of the policy of intrusting a department, on
the execution of which the salvation of the army depends, to a
foreigner who has no other tie to bind him to the interests of
this country than honor_, I would beg leave to observe that by
putting Mr. D. at the head of the artillery, you will lose a
very valuable officer in General Knox, who is a man of great
military reading, sound judgment, and clear conceptions, who
will resign if any one is put over him.... I am, &c.,

"G. WASHINGTON."

[Vol. IV., p. 446.]

* * * * *

TO GOUVERNEUR MORRIS, ESQ.

"WHITE PLAINS, July 24, 1778.

"DEAR SIR:--The design of this is to touch cursorily upon a
subject of very great importance to the well-being of these
States: much more so than will appear at first view. I mean
_the appointment of so many foreigners to offices of high rank
and trust in our service_.

"The lavish manner in which rank has hitherto been bestowed on
these gentlemen, will certainly be productive of one or the
other of these two evils--_either to make us despicable in the
eyes of Europe, or become a means of pouring them in upon us
like a torrent, and adding to our present burden_.

"But it is neither the expense nor trouble of them that I
dread: there is an evil more extensive in its nature and fatal
in its consequences to be apprehended, and that is the driving
of all our own officers out of the service, and throwing not
only our army but our military councils entirely into the hands
of foreigners.

"The officers, my dear sir, on whom you must depend for the
defence of this cause, distinguished by length of