as my letter meet with such kind reception from you, I still continue writing & hope that the desire I have of improving, added to the pleasure, I take in hearing often from so good a friend, will sufficiently excuse me for writing so often--I Recd your kind letter Sr pr the post & cant deny but your approbation, of my writing, gives me the greatest pleasure, & should be afraid of its raisg my pride; did I not consider that your intention in praising my poor performance, must be with a design, of raising in me an ambition, to endeavour to deserve your praise--& I hope that instructions convey'd in such an agreeable manner, will not, be thrown away upon me--You write Sr that you have got another Fifer, & a very good one too, as I hear. Which I am very Glad to hear, tho' I sincerely wish I was in his Place-- Have not any News. So will Conclude--I am Sr with Respect Yr friend & S't, ROBERT LATIMER P. S. My Mammy & Aunt Present Compts &c-- CAPT. HALE. Only one thought dims the pleasure with which we read these two letters,--the consciousness of the depth of distress that must have filled that loyal boy's heart to overflowing when he learned of the tragic death of his hero friend. Two notable records from Captain Hale's diary are these: November 6. It is of the utmost importance that an officer should be anxious to know his duty, but of greater that he should carefully perform what he does know. The present irregular state of the army is owing to a capital neglect in both of these. November 7. Studied ye best method of forming a Reg't for a review, of arraying the Companies, also of marching round ye reviewing Officer. A man ought never to lose a moment's time. If he put off a thing from one minute to the next, his reluctance is but increased. Later in November, when the men in his company were unwilling to reënlist, this notable entry was made, signed with his full name: 28, Tuesday. Promised the men if they would tarry another month, they should have my wages for that time. NATHAN HALE. These brief quotations, proving as they do Hale's intense devotion to duty, and his practical efforts to hold his men to their duty, show how clearly he understood the tremendous responsibility resting upon the commander-in-chief as given in Washington's own words in letters to friends and to Congress, soon to be quoted; and that, known or unknown to Washington, there were men among his officers fully aware of the condition of the army, and as anxious to serve it as was their magnificent leader. We here quote from Washington's letters; the first one was written to a friend: