There is not, however, in human nature perhaps a more insidious, or a more dangerous ground to tread on than that of secret intelligence; nor are the faculties of the mind ever so much put to the test, as when it is necessary to listen to the report of an individual, who whilst he is betraying one side, may be equally disposed to dupe the other. A wise general will consequently hear every thing, and say nothing; and a wise man, let his secret wishes be what they may, will warily consider, whether the person who insinuates to him even the possibilities of a plot, does not at that instant endeavor to get into his confidence, for the sole purpose of acting contrary to his supposed views, and of betraying the man who has unfolded other schemes. It is certainly justifiable policy, either in the governor of a town or in a general, to affect to give into the views of any man or party of men whom he has cause to suspect, and whose ultimate object he is determined to defeat. But he should be equally cautious, how he listens to the communications of spies or informers. The veil of honesty is often assumed to cover a deep-laid scheme of villainy; and apparent candor is the surest path to unguarded confidence. When villains voluntarily unfold themselves in such a manner as to convince an able and penetrating officer, that their treachery can be depended upon, much blood may be spared by making a proper use of their intelligence. This axiom has prevailed in every civilized country; and should be well attended to by thinking men. For when a battle has been gained, it avails little to ask, whether the enemy owed his success to force or treachery? No treachery, however, is admissible, or should be sanctioned by belligerent powers, which militates against those laws of nations which are founded upon the wise basis of humanity. Private assassinations, the use of poison, or the disregard of paroles of honor, must be generally reprobated: and whatever general obtains his ends by any of these dark means, his name should be stamped with infamy, and himself exposed to all the melancholy casualties of retaliation.
INTENDANT d’Armée, Fr. under the old government of France, the intendants d’armées or superintendants of the army, were principal inspectors of all sorts of stores, &c. that were necessary for the troops. The French general officers and governors of fortified towns, held continual intercourse with the intendants or supervisors who directed every branch of the commissariat.
When the intendant d’armée was not likewise intendant de province, he was directed to accompany the troops, to visit their line of encampment or cantonment, and to require of all the subordinate intendants the regular proportion of stores and provisions, and to see that they were supplied according to contract, and with punctuality.
INTERIOUR Flanking Angle, is formed by the curtain and line of defence.
Interiour Radius, the part of an oblique radius extending from the centre of the polygon to the centre of the bastion.
Interiour Side. The line of the curtain, produced to the two oblique radii of the front; or a line drawn from the centre of one bastion to that of the next.
Interiour Slope. See [Talus].
INTERMEDIATE (intermediare, Fr.) any thing that is, or lies between. See [Intermediate Posts].
INTERSECTION, the point where two lines cross each other.
INTERVAL, (Intervalle, Fr.) any space between. A word variously applied in military dispositions and manœuvres, to denote any given distance or space.