The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 1 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and PrivateJefferson, Thomas
History
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 1 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and Private
Jefferson, Thomas
United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783; United States -- Politics and government -- 1783-1865
General Riedezel alone
laid out upwards of two hundred pounds in garden seeds for the German
troops only. Judge what an extent of ground these seeds would cover.
There is little doubt that their own gardens will furnish them a great
abundance of vegetables through the year. Their poultry, pigeons and
other preparations of that kind, present to the mind the idea of a
company of farmers, rather than a camp of soldiers. In addition to the
barracks built for them by the public, and now very comfortable, they
have built great numbers for themselves, in such messes as fancied each
other; and the whole corps, both officers and men, seem now happy and
satisfied with their situation. Having thus found the art of rendering
captivity itself comfortable, and carried it into execution, at their
own great expense and labor, their spirits sustained by the prospect
of gratifications rising before their eyes, does not every sentiment
of humanity revolt against the proposition of stripping them of all
this, and removing them into new situations, where, from the advanced
season of the year, no preparations can be made for carrying themselves
comfortably through the heats of summer; and when it is known that
the necessary advances for the conveniences already provided, have
exhausted their funds and left them unable to make the like exertions
anew. Again, review this matter, as it may regard appearances. A body
of troops, after staying a twelvemonth at Boston, are ordered to take a
march of seven hundred miles to Virginia, where, it is said, they may
be plentifully subsisted. As soon as they are there, they are ordered
on some other march, because, in Virginia, it is said, they cannot be
subsisted. Indifferent nations will charge this either to ignorance,
or to whim and caprice; the parties interested, to cruelty. They now
view the proposition in that light, and it is said, there is a general
and firm persuasion among them, that they were marched from Boston with
no other purpose than to harass and destroy them with eternal marches.
Perseverance in object, though not by the most direct way, is often
more laudable than perpetual changes, as often as the object shifts
light. A character of steadiness in our councils, is worth more than
the subsistence of four thousand people.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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