7435. RETALIATION, Necessary.—
I
shall give immediate orders for having in readiness
every engine which the enemy have contrived
for the destruction of our unhappy citizens,
captured by them. The presentiment of
these operations is shocking beyond expression.
I pray heaven to avert them; but nothing in
this world will do it, but a proper conduct in the
enemy. In every event, I shall resign myself
to the hard necessity under which I shall act.—
To Gen. Washington. Washington ed. i, 232.
Ford ed., ii, 261.
(Wg.
1779)
