Letter to Martha
by George Washington
It has been determined in Congress, that the
whole army raised for the defence of the
American cause shall be put under my care,
and that it is necessary for me to proceed
immediately to Boston to take upon me the
command of it.
You may believe me, my dear Patsy, when I
assure you in the most solemn manner that,
so far from seeking this appointment, I have
used every endeavor in my power to avoid it,
not only from my unwillingness to part with
you and the family, but from a consciousness
of its being a trust too great for my capacity,
and that I should enjoy more real happiness in one month with you at home than I
have the most distant prospect of finding
abroad....
It was utterly out of my power to refuse this
appointment, without exposing my character
to such censure as would have reflected dishonor upon myself, and have given pain to
my friends....
I shall rely, therefore, confidently on that
Providence which has heretofore preserved
and been bountiful to me, not doubting but
that I shall return safe to you in the fall.
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