George Washington Papers

To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 4 December 1777

From Brigadier General Charles Scott

White marsh [Pa.] 4th Decr 1777

Sir

I recd Your Excellencys letter of Yesterday.1 I well remember the proposition made. I then thaught there was a probability of Success in Such an attempt, but after Your Excellency returnd from Reconoitring the Enemy’s Lines and hearing Your oppinion with regard To their Strength, I lost every Idea of a Winters Campaign.2 I must confess I never Promised my self any Certainty of Success In it. But the Many Waity reasons then given for a Vigerous Exertion. Induced me To think Somthing possably might be don, but Since Your Return from the lines. as before Mentiond I have not had a Single thaught of Such a thing Ither with or without the Militia. I am Your Excellencys Obt Servt

Chs Scott

ALS, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.

2Scott is referring to the proposal for an attack on Philadelphia presented at the council of war of 24 Nov. (see the source note to General Orders, that date) and his response to GW of 25 November.

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