Yorktown, 15 October, 1777.
I have not been able of late to keep up my correspondence with you so
constantly as my heart inclined me to do. But I hope now to write you
oftener; but I don't incline to write very particularly, lest my letters
should be intercepted. I am in tolerable health, but oppressed with a
load of public cares. I have long foreseen that we should be brought
down to a great degree of depression before the people of America would
be convinced of their real danger, of the true causes of it, and be
stimulated to take the necessary steps for a reformation. Government and
law in the States, large taxation, and strict discipline in our armies
are the only things wanting as human means. These with the blessing of
Heaven will certainly produce glory, triumph, liberty and safety, and
peace, and nothing but these will do.
I long with the utmost impatience to come home. Don't send a servant for
me. The expense is so enormous that I cannot bear the thought of it. I
will crawl home upon my little pony, and wait upon myself as well as I
can. I think you had better sell my horse.
The people are universally calling for fighting and for blood.
Washington is getting into the humor of fighting, and Howe begins to
dread it. And well he may. Fighting will certainly answer the end,
although we may be beaten every time for a great while. We have been
heretofore greatly deceived concerning the numbers of militia. But there
are numbers enough, if they knew how to fight, which as soon as their
Generals will let them, they will learn.