I have thus taken the liberty of representing to you the facts and the reasons, which seem to militate against the separation or removal of these troops.  I am sensible, however, that the same subject may appear to different persons in very different lights.  What I have urged as reasons, may, to sounder minds, be apparent fallacies.  I hope they will appear, at least, so plausible, as to excuse the interposition of

your Excellency’s

most obedient

and most humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER VI.—­TO JOHN PAGE, January 22, 1779

TO JOHN PAGE.

Williamsburg,

January 22, 1779.

Dear Page,

I received your letter by Mr. Jamieson.  It had given me much pain, that the zeal of our respective friends should ever have placed you and me in the situation of competitors.  I was comforted, however, with the reflection, that it was their competition, not ours, and that the difference of the numbers which decided between us, was too insignificant to give you a pain, or me a pleasure, had our dispositions towards each other been such as to admit those sensations.  I know you too well to need an apology for any thing you do, and hope you will for ever be assured of this; and as to the constructions of the world, they would only have added one to the many sins for which they are to go to the devil.  As this is the first, I hope it will be the last, instance of ceremony between us.  A desire to see my family, which is in Charles City, carries me thither to-morrow, and I shall not return till Monday.  Be pleased to present my compliments to Mrs. Page, and add this to the assurances I have ever given you, that I am, dear Page,

your affectionate friend,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER VII.—­TO GENERAL WASHINGTON, June 23, 1779

TO HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Williamsburg,

June 23, 1779.

Sir,

I have the pleasure to enclose you the particulars of Colonel Clarke’s success against St. Vincennes, as stated in his letter but lately received; the messenger, with his first letter, having been killed.  I fear it will be impossible for Colonel Clarke to be so strengthened, as to enable him to do what he desires.  Indeed, the express who brought this letter, gives us reason to fear, St. Vincennes is in danger from a large body of Indians, collected to attack it, and said, when he came from Kaskaskias, to be within thirty leagues of the place.  I also enclose you a letter from Colonel Shelby, stating the effect of his success against the seceding Cherokees and Chuccamogga.  The damage done them, was killing half a dozen, burning eleven towns, twenty thousand bushels of corn, collected probably to forward the expeditions which were to have been planned at the council which was to meet