under the control of an officer sufficiently intelligent and patriotic to appreciate the public nature of his trust. It should be as far removed from the State Department as possible. There is no better model than the British Museum. When in London last year I made a careful examination of most of the manuscripts relating to America, and directed copies to be made of some of them for the readers of the MAGAZINE. The Haldimand papers include the official reports and correspondence of Colonel Henry Bouquet, who rendered such signal service to the colonies from 1756 to 1765. Letters of Colonel Washington-twenty-five in number, all in fine condition-addressed to Colonel Bouquet, are in this collection. Portions of eleven of these only are given by Sparks in The Writings of Washington, and these so altered and amended as to bear little likeness to the originals. The charge made by Lord Mahon and the Evening Post, that Mr. Sparks had "taken an unwarrantable liberty with the text, altering, omitting and adding, as might suit his caprice, and that for the purpose of embellishment and of conforming the work to his own standard of taste has tampered with the truth of history," is so fully confirmed by the Bouquet-Washington letters that Lord Mahon, if he had had access to them, would never have qualified the indictment, as he did, as to additions. Mr. Sparks, in defense, declared that not a line had been anywhere intentionally or knowingly added to the text, and that all he had done was "to correct obvious slips of the pen, occasional inaccuracies of expression, and manifest faults of grammar." I give below a few examples in parallel columns : As given by Sparks. Letter 34 July 1758. "My men are very bare of regimental clothing, and I have no prospect of a supply. So far from regretting this want during the present campaign, if I were left to pursue my own inclinations, I would not only order the men to adopt the Indian dress, but cause the officers to do it also, and be the first to set the example my self. Nothing but the uncertainty of obtaining the general approbation causes me to hesitate a moment to leave my regimentals at this place, and proceed as light as any Indian in the woods. It is an unbecoming dress, I own, for an officer; but convenience rather than show, I think, should be consulted." " As written by Washington. My men are very bare of cloaths (Regimentals I mean) and I have no prospect of a supply this want so far from regrett'g during this campaigne, that were I left to pursue my own Inclinations, I would not only cause the men to adopt the Indian dress but officers also, and set the example myself: Nothing but the uncertainty of its taking with the General [Forbes] causes me to hesitate a moment at leaving my Regimentals at this place, and proceeding as light as any Indian in the woods. Tis an unbecoming dress I confess for an officer, but convenience rather than shew I think should be consulted." In the quotation Mr. Sparks makes Washington hesitate because of the uncertainty of obtaining the general approbation, whereas it was the approbation of the commanding general he was in doubt about. In the following extract he makes Washington say that Colonel Byrd posted a company at Edwards's and Pearsall's, whereas in the original it is not stated how the men were placed at those posts: Sparks also misdates the letter, making it July 9th instead of the 7th: As given by Sparks. "Colonel Byrd, with eight companies of his regiment, arrived here yesterday. He left many sick men behind, and, as he posted a company at Edwards's and Pearsall's, our strength is considerably reduced." As written by Washington. 'Col. Byrd with 8 companies of his regiment, arrived here yesterday. He left many sick men behind him as may be seen by the Inclosed return. This diminution, together with the company posted at Edwards's and Pearsalls reduces our strength considerably." On the 13th of July Washington wrote two letters, both of which are omitted by Sparks, except a single paragraph of the second letter, which is changed and made a part of the letter incorrectly dated " July 9th." It will be seen that the sentence printed in italics was taken from the beginning of the paragraph and placed at the close: As given by Sparks. "It gives me great pleasure to find, that you approve the dress I put my men into. It is evident that soldiers in that trim are better able to carry their provisions, are fitter for the active service we must engage in, less liable to sink under the fatigues of a march, and we thus get rid of much baggage, which would lengthen our line of march. These, and not whim or caprice, were my reasons for ordering this dress." As given by Sparks. Letter of 16th July, 1758. “I was favored with your letter of the 14th instant, at eleven o'clock last night. The express, who brought it, informs me, that he was twice fired upon by Indians, and was obliged to abandon his horse to save himself. As written by Washington. "It gave me great pleasure to find you approv'd of the dress I have put my men into. I have really done it from a good intention. Caprice and whim had no share in causing of it; on the contrary, 'tis evident I think that soldiers in such a dress are better able to carry their provisions; are fitter for the active service we are engaged in, and less liable to sink under the fatigues of a long march, besides the advantages of contracting, by this means, our line of march, which must extend always in proportion as we are incumber'd with carriages or horses." As written by Washington. "I was favour'd with your's of the 14th Inst. at 11 o'clock last night: the Express who brought it informs me he was Fir'd at twice by 6 Indians, and obliged to abandon his horse." Camp at Fort Camberland 7 "Any 1758 Capt. Waggoner with 50. Men & 19 Waggon's wait upon you for Provisions agreeabe Yesterday's Return, Be Letter Phup I have just need from pr that the Convoy may be expected at Pearsalls the 15th and desires that and desires that the Geors Jaluady consisting of 75° Men ) may be renfored, as the Maggons and Cattle anche cover a barge space of GroundPray what with you have done with those Wagans when they when they come up, also with these now or Provisions when the sun with return from Rayo, I am not supposed to hear the Grimy are about, but your poilage greatly so to find them sole so long – I thate this moment send out a Party to way lay the Road. I Jamesi Yr most Obed. Son. Fac-simile from original in British Museum of Washington's letter to Bouquet, of August 7, 1758. In the paragraph following Colonel Washington wrote, "I.. will today or tomorrow, send an officer and some alert white men with another party of Cherokees," etc. Sparks makes this read "a greater number of white men." "I must confess," continues Washington, "that I think these scalping parties of Indians we send out will more effectually harrass the enemy (by keeping them under continual alarm) than any party of white people can do; as small partys of ours are not equal to the undertaking, and large ones must be discovr'd by their scalping partys early enough to give the Enemy time to repel them by a Superior Force." The last clause of this very clear statement is transformed by Sparks in the following remarkable manner: "For small parties of the latter are not equal to the task, not being so dexterous at skulking as Indians; and large parties will be discovered by their spies early enough to have a superior force opposed to them." Washington writes "and fatiguing many more." Sparks writes: and wearing down the rest." Again Washington says: "You are pleased to desire my opinion with regard to making an irruption into the enemy's country with a strong party. As such an enterprise at this juncture when we may suppose the enemy have or are collecting their principal force in that vicinity would require a formidable party," etc. Sparks recasts it thus: "You are pleased to ask my opinion of the propriety of making an irruption into the enemy's country with a strong party. Such an enterprise Sir, at this juncture, when we may suppose the enemy have collected, or are collecting, their whole force at Fort Duquesne, would require a formidable detachment," etc. And again as to repairing General Braddock's road, Washington says: "It is impossible for me to send out any men to repair it as Col Mercer and Cap Dagworthy got every tool for that purpose I had." Sparks attempts to improve on it thus: "It is impossible for me to send out any men to repair it, as I have no tools for that purpose." In another letter Washington says, "You make me quite happy by your coinciding in opinion with me," etc. Sparks: "You flatter me much,” etc. These will suffice as specimens of Mr. Sparks's editorial work. For the information of the reader I give below accurate copies of such of Washington's letters to Bouquet as Sparks mutilated, and of the fourteen letters which he omitted altogether, and which have not been printed heretofore. WASHINGTON TO BOUQUET. Camp near Fort Cumberland Sir 3d July 1758. Your favours of the 27th Ulto and first Ins! I have had the Hoñor to receive.* According to Order I march d from Winchester the 24th and arriv d at this place yesterday in the afternoon with five Companies of the first Virginia Regiment and a Company of Artificers of the second, as you may observe by the Inclosed return. My March by bad Teams, and bad Roads, (notwithstanding I had sent the Artificers and a covering Party on three days before me) was much delayed. I herewith send a Return of the Provisions and Forage that came up under my Escort we lost three of the Bullocks and that in driving--I cant absolutely say for what purpose the Forage is intended, or where to be lodgd-it was engagd by M Walkan at Sir Ino St Clair's request and I believe for the light Horse. The principal part of it met us at Pearsalls on the South Branch; and neither myself, nor any person else was empowerd, or even desird to receive and pay for it: I was at a loss how to act but thought it most advisable to bring it on if it is not intended for the light Horse as I apprehend, I should be glad of your directions concerning it, for Capt" Stewart who possibly may be Instructed for this purpose I left equipping his Troop at Winchester and is not yet joind me As I cant suppose you intended to order any part of my Men upon the Roads, till joind at this place by Co! Byrd; I shall decline sending any upon that service till his arrival; which I suppose may be to morrow as he was preparing to March the 26th after me. I enclose you an exact Return of the Maryland Troops in Garrison at this place-also of their Provisions-and of the Kings Stores and shoud be glad to know what strength you would have this Garrison consist of, how many days Provisions left for them and what quantity of Ammunition-I brought one half of all that was ordered from Winchester by Sir In St [sic Clair] and left the other half to follow with Colo Byrd. Powder excepted, and of that article there was only 16 Barrels in the Stores there besides 6 others that were made up into cartridges-which are also brought up between us. Mr Walker in consequence of Instructions from M Hoops (who I believe proposd to supply us from Roys Town) put a stop to a further purchase of Provisions: You will see by the Returns for what number of days I am supplied, and I desird Col! Byrd to bring as much to this place as woud serve his Men a fortnight at least. I am at a loss to Know whether Officers servants that are not Soldiers, are allowed to draw Provisions and shou'd be thankful for your directions as I have had many applications on ỳt head. There are few Tools for the services required-but before a Supply could be got to this place from Sir Ino St Clair or Governor Sharpe the work (with what few we have) I hope may be near done. Rum too I fear, will be a scarce Article with us. Pray what will be done with that Company of Byrds Regimt Ordered to take Post at Edward's and Pearsalls-shall they continue there, or Join their Regiment—I left in consequence of y! Orders an Officer & 30 men (Invalids) at Fort Loudoun for safety of the Stores &c lodged there, and also a Sergeant and 12 at Pearsalls to secure that Post, and keep open that Road for Expresses (for no more can be expected from so small a command)-Byrd I hope will leave 6 or 8 of his Invalids or bad men at Edward's for the same purpose * The first, second (except the opening sentence), fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, ninth and twelfth paragraphs omitted by Sparks. |