HORATIO GATES

I am confident ... that it is the determin'd purpose of that dark designing sordid ambitious vain proud arrogant and vindictive knave [George Washington]; to remove me from the face of the earth by assassination direct or indirect, and to ruin your fame and fortunes forever.

I don't know whether the appointment be a matter of condolement or congratulation

I have heard several officers who have served under General Gates compare his army to a well regulated family. The same gentlemen have compared General Washington's imitation of an army to an unformed mob. Look at the characters of both! The one on the pinnacle of military glory--exulting in the success of schemes planned with wisdom, & executed with vigor and bravery--and above all see a country saved by their exertions. See the other outgeneraled and twice beaten--obliged to witness the march of a body of men only half their number thro' 140 miles of a thick settled country--forced to give up a city the capitol of a state & after all outwitted by the same army in a retreat.

Let the Land rejoice, for you have bought Louisiana for a Song.

The deplorable state of the Commisary and Quarter Master's Departments, and the entire Deficiency of Magazines, to supply the Southern Army, obliges me to request General Huger to be the Bearer of this Letter. His Zeal for the Public Service, anticipates my Wish, that he would be my Advocate with your Excellency and the Executive Power of the State, to supply our wants, by immediately establishing Magazines of Provisions and Forage, and properly organizing the Quarter Master General's Departments. Without these Things done, our Army is like a dead whale upon the Sea Shore — a monstrous Carcass without Life or Motion.

Let the Land rejoice, for you have bought Louisiana for a Song.

The deplorable state of the Commisary and Quarter Master's Departments, and the entire Deficiency of Magazines, to supply the Southern Army, obliges me to request General Huger to be the Bearer of this Letter. His Zeal for the Public Service, anticipates my Wish, that he would be my Advocate with your Excellency and the Executive Power of the State, to supply our wants, by immediately establishing Magazines of Provisions and Forage, and properly organizing the Quarter Master General's Departments. Without these Things done, our Army is like a dead whale upon the Sea Shore — a monstrous Carcass without Life or Motion.