Francis Glass, Washingtonii Vita
J.N. Reynolds, Ed.

1 Hic, &c., “ this, and the following year, passed, without any thing worthy of mention being achieved; ” the years alluded to here, are 1779, and 1780.

2 Gallorum, &c., “ encouraged by the alliance of the French. ”

3 Ratœ, &c., “ supposing the enemy, despairing of success, would decline so unequal a contest. ”

4 Eam, “ it, ” that is, peace.

5 Supplementa annua, “ recruits for the year. ”

6 Summopere inslilit, “ he vehemently insisted. ”

7 Securitas, “ indifference, ” carelessness, apathy.

8 Imperatorem, &c., “ to direct the commander-in-chief, (Washington,) again to enlist soldiers. ”

9 Parata, &c., “ the preparations which were making for conducting the war, the following year, ” that is, 1780.

10 Et, &c., “ and, when the army ought to have been in the field, and in a condition to act on the offensive. ”

11 In quibus, (scilicet literis,) "in which letter." N. B. Literœ in the plural, means a single letter or epistle, written from one person to another, on any business, or occasion.

12 Dixisse, &c., “ had told their colonel, that they, unless, ” & c.

13 Præfectorum, & c., “ by the rash measures of those officers, ” (of the New-Jersey regiments.)

14 Patriam, &c., “ which would flow upon his country. ”

15 Amici, &c., “ acting in the capacity of their friend and general. ”

16 Superbiam, this noun is here taken, as in many passages in the best classic writers, for that loftiness of soul, and contempt of baseness, which should ever constitute the most prominent trait in the character of those who follow the profession of arms.

17 Virtutemque, “ valor, ” bravery.

18 Munia, “ their duties, ” or employment.

19 Constantiorne, &c., “ whether he may have been more uniform in restraining, &c., or braver in fighting, &c. ”

20 Vomerem, the ploughshare; that is, to abandon agricultural prusuits, and assume the habits and costume of a soldier; a common figure.

21 Fides publica, “ the public credit; ” alluding to the depreciation of the paper-currency.

22 Qui, &c. (scilicet manipuli) “ which (detachment) should procure. ”

23 Subsidium, “ succor, ” that is, the mode of procuring supplies, by making forcible requisitions on the citizens.

24 Ultro, “ of their own accord, ” spontaneously; that is, without any compulsion, or restraint.

25 Populares, “ his countrymen. ”

26 Exercitus, &c., “ the army called upon him for provisions, the citizens for the protection of their liberty and property. ”

27 Magistratus, &c., “ to demand, or call upon the magistrates for certain provisions, for the purpose, ” &c.

28 Liberis, &c., “ composed, in a great measure, of freemen.” It was, most assuredly, eminently difficult to restrain such an army, and reduce it to habits of military discipline.

29 Instructo, “ furnished,” provided, or equipt.

30 sQuocumque libuit, “ whithersoever they pleased,” or had a mind.

31 Præstabant, “ exceeded (the Americans) by far, in the number of men.”

32 Hœcce militum inœqualitas, “ this (numeral) disparity of the soldiers.”

33 Unum, (locum) “ into one place or body;” to unite them.

34 Incolumem, “ safe: ” this adjective has regard to the gender of the noun locus, rather than to that of propugnaculum; for, the masculine is more worthy than the feminine, and the feminine is more worthy than the neuter; but in things without life, the neuter is generally preferred; but not always: See the sentence in hand.

35 Ineunte anno, “ in the beginning of the year,” &c.

36 Ludovicus, &c. Louis the Sixteenth, king of France, having espoused the side of the Americans; the generous and seasonable aid afforded by this monarch to the Americans, ought ever to command and secure the applause and gratitude of all lovers of the rights of man.