more
favorable than we had considered them a few days ago;
nevertheless, the country is greatly distressed, and will be
more so unless further reinforcements are sent to its
relief. Had we arms for three thousand such black men as I
could select in Carolina, I should have no doubt of success
in driving the British out of Georgia, and subduing East
Florida, before the end of July."[561]

Gen. Washington sent the following conservative reply:--

"The policy of our arming slaves is in my opinion a moot
point, unless the enemy set the example. For, should we
begin to form battalions of them, I have not the smallest
doubt, if the war is to be prosecuted, of their following us
in it, and justifying the measure upon our own ground. The
contest then must be, who can arm fastest. And where are our
arms? Besides, I am not clear that a discrimination will not
render slavery more irksome to those who remain in it. Most
of the good and evil things in this life are judged of by
comparison; and I fear a comparison in this case will be
productive of much discontent in those, who are held in
servitude. But, as this is a subject that has never employed
much of my thoughts, these are no more than the first crude
ideas that have struck me upon the occasion."[562]

The gifted and accomplished Alexander Hamilton, a member of
Washington's military family, was deeply interested in the plan
suggested by the Hon. Henry Laurens, whose son was on Washington's
staff. Col. John Laurens was the bearer of the following remarkable
letter from Hamilton to John Jay, President of Congress.

"HEADQUARTERS, March 14, 1779.

"To JOHN JAY.

"DEAR SIR,--Col. Laurens who will have the honor of
delivering you this letter, is on his way to South Carolina,
on a project which I think, in the present situation of
affairs there, is a very good one, and deserves every kind
of support and encouragement. This is, to raise two, three,
or four battalions of negroes, with the assistance of the
government of the State, by contributions from the owners in
proportion to the number they possess. If you should think
proper to enter upon the subject with him, he will give you
a detail of his plan. He wishes to have it recommended by
Congress to the State: and, as an inducement, that they
should e