"Little I thought, when I made that offer last night, I was setting so desperate a business in train.

There was a good Providence in that.

For now we can give out that you are gone on a madcap ploy, and there will be no sleepless nights in the Tidewater.

I must keep their souls easy, for once they are scared there will be such a spate of letters to New York as will weaken the courage of our Northern brethren.

For the militia I will give the excuse of the French menace.