Expedition

have heretofore had no rules laid down for their conduct, and that part of war had never been reduced to a system. The slow rules of a great war will not do in expeditions; the blow must be struck with surprise, and intimidation be produced in the invaded enemy, before succors can arrive. Debate is out of season, and all slow proceedings are ruin. Not to advance, is to recede; and not to be on the road to conquest, is to be already conquered. There must be that glance, which sees certainly, though instantly; that rapidity, which executes on the surest rules, when it seems least to act on any. The French have given all their campaigns the characters of expeditions. In all small expeditions, such as expeditions of surprise, or coup-de-main , the favorable side of the proposed action must ever be viewed; for if what may happen, what may arrive, what may fall out, is chiefly thought upon, it will, at the very best, greatly discourage, but in general end in a total failure. Hence the very name of an expedition implies risk, hazard, precarious warfare, and a critical operation. An expedition is governed by five principal maxims. 1st, A secrecy, if po ible, of preparation, and a concealment of design, . 2dly, That the means bear proportion to the end. In this there will ever be a difference in opinion. 3dly, A knowlege of the state and situation of the country, where the scene of action is, or the place or object that is to be attacked. 4thly, A commander who has the particular turn of mind, which is most adapted to such particular sort of warfare. Lastly, The plan of an expedition, great or small, is ever to be arranged as much as po ible before setting out, and then any appearances that may vary a little from what might have been expected, will not perplex.