duced. Greene, in an instant, from this reply, perceived the
mischief that he had done. He wrote instantly to Marion, and succeeded,
though with difficulty, in overcoming his resolution. He says: "My
reason for writing so pressingly for the dragoon horses, was from the
distress we were in. It is not my wish to take the horses from
the militia, if it will injure the public service. The effects and
consequences you can better judge of than I can. You have rendered
important services to the public with the militia under your command,
and have done great honor to yourself, and I would not wish to render
your situation less agreeable with them, unless it is to answer some
very great purpose; and this, I persuade myself, you would agree to,
from a desire to promote the common good."...

From the same letter, we make another extract: "I shall always be happy
to see you at headquarters, but cannot think you seriously mean to
solicit leave to go to Philadelphia. It is true, your task has been
disagreeable, but not more so than others. It is now going on seven
years since the commencement of this war. I have never had leave
of absence one hour, nor paid the least attention to my own private
affairs. Your State is invaded--your all is at stake. What has been done
will signify nothing, unless we persevere to the end. I left a family in
distress, and everything dear and valuable, to come and afford you all
the assistance in my power, to promote the service. It must throw a damp
upon the spirits of the army, to find that the first men in the
State are retiring from the busy scene, to indulge themselves in more
agreeable amusements. However, your reasons for wishing to decline the
command of the militia, and go to Philadelphia, may be more pressing
than I imagine; I will, therefore, add nothing more on this subject till
I see you."

The adroit mixture of reproach with commendation, was not done without
reflection. Greene seems to have understood the character of Marion. But
there was some oblique injustice in his letter. A man's patriotism
is not to be reproached, because he wishes to escape injustice and
indignity. The best of patriots will be apt to become disgusted with a
service in which their claims are neglected, their performances slurred
over, and their motives impeached; and this, too, at a period, and
after long periods, of service, in which they have watched, toiled, and
fought, without hope or prospect of reward. When Gen