VIII.

and having hastened thither to watch the motions of CHAPTER General Clinton, who it was expected would make a descent somewhere on the coast at the south.

The British fleet lingered ten days in Nantasket Road, and Washington could not venture to leave his post, nor indeed to order away all his army, till assured that the fleet had actually put to sea. When this was ascertained, he set off for New York, passing through Providence, Norwich, and New London. At Norwich he had an interview with Governor Trumbull, who came there to meet him. On the 13th of April he arrived in New York. The divisions of the army, moving more slowly, did not unite in that place till some days later.

It was soon evident, that General Howe had gone in another direction, and that no immediate danger was to be apprehended from the enemy. The British armed vessels, hitherto remaining in the harbor, retired down to Sandy Hook, twenty-five miles from the city. The militia from Connecticut and New Jersey were discharged. The first task of the Commander was to inspect the works begun by General Lee, direct their completion, and prepare other means of defence.

Affairs in Canada became every day more gloomy. The unfortunate repulse at Quebec, the want of an efficient commander after the fall of the gallant Montgomery, the severity of the winter, and the deficiency of supplies, all contributed to dishearten the troops, diminish their strength, destroy discipline, and engender confusion. Reinforcements from England would certainly be in the River St. Lawrence, as soon as the ice should break up. Congress, justly fearing the consequences, requested Washington first to detach four regiments, and then six others, to act in the northern department. He approved this measure from the conviction, that the public interests would thus be served; since no support could be obtained in Canada, except what was sent there, whereas at New York the militia on an emergency might be summoned from the surrounding country.

1776.

Washington New York the com

proceeds to and takes

mand.

April 13.

Inspects the prepares

works and

other means

of defence.

Affairs of

Canada be

come more

gloomy.

CHAPTER

VIII.

1776.

visits Con

adelphia.

May 22.

The presence of General Washington being thought essential at Congress, for the purpose of advising with them on the state of affairs, and concerting arrangements for Washington the campaign, he repaired to Philadelphia, leaving the argress at Phil- my in the command of General Putnam. On his way he examined Staten Island, and the opposite Jersey shore, with the view of determining the proper places for works of defence. He was absent fifteen days. He seems to have been disappointed and concerned at discovering divisions in Congress, which portended no good to the common cause. It was known, from the late proceedings in Parliament, that commissioners were coming out with proposals of accommodation. In a letter to his brother, written at Philadelphia, he speaks as follows.

Approves the vote of

the Virginia

Convention

for indepen

dence.

May 31.

"I am very glad to find, that the Virginia Convention have passed so noble a vote, and with so much unanim· ity. Things have come to such a pass now, as to convince us, that we have nothing more to expect from the justice of Great Britain; also, that she is capable of the most delusive arts; for I am satisfied, that no commis sioners were ever designed, except Hessians and other foreigners; and that the idea was only to deceive and throw us off our guard. The first has been too effectually accomplished, as many members of Congress, in short, the representation of whole provinces, are still feeding themselves upon the dainty food of reconciliation; and, though they will not allow, that the expectation of it has any influence upon their judgment with respect to their preparations for defence, it is but too obvious, that it has an operation upon every part of their conduct, and is a clog to their proceedings. It is not in the nature of things to be otherwise; for no man, that entertains a hope of seeing this dispute speedily and equitably adjusted by commissioners, will go to the same expense and run the same hazards to prepare for the worst event, as he who believes, that he must conquer, or submit to unconditional terms, and the concomitants, such as confiscation, hanging, and the like."

VIII.

1776.

that the as

Convinced sumption of dence is the that the colproperly

indepen

only course

onies can

pursue.

The allusion, at the beginning of this paragraph, is to CHAPTER a recent vote of the Virginia Convention, recommending to Congress to declare the United Colonies free and independent States. The opinion, that it was time for this decisive step to be taken, had been firmly rooted in the mind of Washington ever since he first saw the King's speech at the opening of Parliament, and understood from it the temper with which the British government was determined, at all events, to push its claims upon the colonies. From that moment his last hope of reconciliation vanished. He was convinced, that submission on terms too humiliating to be admitted, or a hard struggle, was the only alternative. From that moment, therefore, he believed the colonies ought to stand on the broad ground of independence. They could lose nothing by assuming such a position; they had been driven to it by their adversaries; whether from weak counsels, obstinacy, or wilful oppression, it was useless to inquire; and, if they must yield at last, it was better to fall nobly contending for freedom and justice, than to sink back into servitude, branded with the reproach of degrading concessions. Such being his sentiments, he was rejoiced at the spirit manifested in so powerful a colony as Virginia, setting an example which others were ready to follow, and leading to a union which would fix the thoughts and hearts of the people on a single object, encourage the desponding, strengthen the military arm, and give a new impulse to the whole country.

ity of Con

gress for vig

orous action.

Notwithstanding the hesitancy of some of the members Large majorof Congress, there was still a large majority for vigorous action; and, while he was there, they resolved to reinforce the army at New York with thirteen thousand eight hundred militia, drawn from Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey; and a flying camp, of ten thousand more, from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware.

New York.

On his return to New York, he lost no time in making Returns to preparations to receive the enemy, whose fleet was now expected soon to approach the coast. Besides the burden

June 7.

VIII.

1776.

Tories.

CHAPTER of his command, he was harassed with other difficulties. Long Island, Staten Island, many parts of the interior, and even the city itself, swarmed with disaffected persons, or Tories, who were plotting clandestine and dangerous Plots of the schemes. Governor Tryon, the centre of motion to this fraternity, continued on board a vessel at the Hook, and had his emissaries abroad in every direction. The Provincial Congress, either distrustful of its powers, or too much contaminated with the leaven of disaffection in some of its members, was tardy to propose, and more tardy to execute, any plans for eradicating the mischief. Washington expostulated, reasoned, urged, till at length a secret committee was appointed to take up and examine suspected persons.

Condition of

the Tories as to their political relations.

Power of apprehending

Tories de

volves on

the civil au

thorities.

This was a wide stretch of power, defensible only from the necessity of the case. A covert enemy is the worst of all, as he forfeits honor and betrays friendship. That he is abetting what he thinks a good cause, is a poor plea for such treachery. Spies in all countries are punished with death. An enemy in disguise is a spy. Difference of opinion is not criminal, and there were doubtless many innocent Tories, who were loyalists in faith, but remained quiet. Yet, it is a question, how long such persons can be allowed to stand neuter in times of revolution. They may go away; but while their lives and property are protected by the actual government, they owe allegiance to it, and are bound to render positive service for its support. Such was the condition of the Tories. They were either criminal as enemies, tolerated as neutrals, or obliged to act as friends. At the beginning of the contest, the first class was much the most numerous, and there can be no controversy as to the kind of treatment demanded in their case.

Aware of the delicacy of this subject, Congress early passed a resolution, by which the power of apprehending Tories was put into the hands of the civil authority of each colony. This was a wise and politic regulation. Much abuse and injustice might have followed, if the