Philadelphia, 22 September, 1776.
We have at last agreed upon a plan for forming a regular army. We have
offered twenty dollars and a hundred acres of land to every man who will
enlist during the war. And a new set of articles of war are agreed on. I
will send you, if I can, a copy of these resolutions and regulations.
I am at a loss what to write. News we have not. Congress seems to be
forgotten by the armies. We are most unfaithfully served in the
post-office, as well as many other offices, civil and military.
Unfaithfulness in public stations is deeply criminal. But there is no
encouragement to be faithful. Neither profit, nor honor, nor applause is
acquired by faithfulness. But I know by what. There is too much
corruption even in this infant age of our republic. Virtue is not in
fashion. Vice is not infamous.