and concerns almost from boyhood were connected with
the history of his country. In writing his biography,
therefore, I am obliged to take glances over collateral
history, as seen from his point of view and influencing
his plans, and to narrate distant transactions apparently
disconnected with his concerns, but eventually bearing
upon the great drama in which he was the principal
I have endeavored to execute my task with candor and
fidelity; stating facts on what appeared to be good au-
thority, and avoiding as much as possible all false color-
ing and exaggeration. My work is founded on the cor-
respondence of Washington, which, in fact, affords the
amplest and surest groundwork for his biography. This
I have consulted as it exists in manuscript in the archives
of the Department of State, to which I have had full and
frequent access. I have also made frequent use of
'Washington's Writings," as published by Mr. Sparks;
a careful collation of many of them with the originals
having convinced me of the general correctness of the
collection, and of the safety with which it may be relied
upon for historical purposes; and I am happy to bear
this testimony to the essential accuracy of one whom I
consider among the greatest benefactors to our national
literature; and to whose writings and researches I ac-
knowledge myself largely indebted throughout my work.