[263] Washington to John Augustine Washington, Sept. 22, 1776; ib., 429.

[264] Washington to Lund Washington, Sept. 30, 1776; Writings: Ford, iv, 457-59.

[265] Washington to John Augustine Washington, Feb. 24, 1777; ib., v, 252. The militia officers were elected "without respect either to service or experience." (Chastellux, 235.)

[266] Kapp, 115.

[267] The Crisis: Paine; Writings: Conway, i, 175.

[268] Marshall (1st ed.), iii, 66.

[269] The militia were worse than wasteful and unmanageable; they deserted by companies. (Hatch, 72-73.)

[270] Washington to Wharton, Oct. 17, 1777: Writings: Ford, vi, 118-19.

[271] Ib.

[272] Washington to John Augustine Washington, Oct. 18, 1777; ib., 126-29.