Translation
Ordered to lead the army
You can believe me, and I solemnly assure you that I did not pursuit this appointment, but make every effort to avoid it. This is not only because I don’t want to separate from you and our family, but also I well knew the responsibility is too great to my ability to take. Furthermore, the very far reachable happiness if I spend several decades look for is not even comparable to one month real happiness with you at home. However, since destiny gives me this mission, I hope, the arrangement is to let me make some accomplishments.
I would trust God who blesses me all the time, and strongly believe that I will return to you safely in the fall. I will not feel sad to the hardness and danger that expedition would bring. What makes me sad is that I know you would be anxious and worried while you are at home alone. Therefore, I beg you to take your full courage to try to live happily. No news can make me more satisfied than hearing from you by your writing that you have a great time!
Dictation 12. Accepting the command of the army You may believe me when I assure you in the most solemn manner that so far from seeking this employment I have used every effort and my power to avoid it, not only from my unwillingness to part with you and family, but from consciousness of its being a trust too great for my capacity. And I should enjoy more real happiness in one month with you at home than I have the most distant prospect of finding abroad if my stay would be seven times seven years. But as it has been a kind of destiny that has thrown me upon the service, I shall hope that my undertaking it is designed to answer some good purpose. I shall rely confidently on that providence which has here to for preserved and been bonderful to me, not doubting, but I shall return safe to you in the fall. I shall feel no pain from the toil or danger of the campaign. My unhappiness would flow from the uneasiness I know you will feel from being left alone. I therefore beg that you will summon your whole fortitude and past your time as agreeably as possible. Nothing will give me so much sincere satisfaction as to hear this and to hear it from your own pen. From a letter to his wife, 1775, by George Washington
