more circumstantial information 1'6SpECting some
(important events than was furnished by the
oHicialcha11nels. I do not consider myself at
liberty, nor this a iit place, to enter upon
subjects so little in unison with the arts of
peace, or the noiseless tenour of -an artist's life;
but, among other curious matters that may be
thrown out for the investigation of the future
historian, is an opinion which prevailed among
some -of the best informed in America, that
when General Washington was appointed to the
supreme command of the army, it was with the
view and intention of effecting a reconciliation
between the two countries. A communication
"to this purpose is said to have been made by
that illustrious man, which communication was
never answered, nor ever laid Formally before
the Privy Council, at least not until more than
six weeks after it had been received, and then
it was too late. America was lost; and millions
spent, and thousands sacrificed afterwards in
vain. Whether, indeed, the King ever did
know the whole affair, may be doubted.
The
mind
of
Mr. West,
however,
had
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