the message of General Sullivan. Without entering on the particulars of the conference, it will be sufficient to say that it proved entirely abortive. The republicans refused to be pardoned, and the royalist general having nothing else to offer, expressed his regrets, and ended the discussion.

CHAPTER IV.

FTER the evacuation of New York which became indispensable in con sequence of the operations of the British, on the 15th of September, Washington withdrew to Kingsbridge, a few miles above the city, and soon after to White Plains, where a slight engagement took place, in which a portion of the Americans were driven from their station. He then changed his position for another, and Howe, thinking this too strong to be attacked with prudence, retreated down North River, with a view to invest Fort Washington, on York Island, which, being only an embankment of earth, was surrendered after a sharp but short resistance, with three thousand prisoners. Our army was thus rapidly diminishing, while that of the royalists had been increased by a reinforcement of five thousand Hessians and Waldeckers. Wash

ington marched his forces over into New Jersey, leaving the British entire masters in New York. Terror and dismay overspread the whole country. The tories every day grew more bold and insolent; the whigs began to despair of their cause; the neutrals turned partisans against their country, and the enemy became arrogant with success.

After vainly attempting to oppose the English, now commanded by Cornwallis, at Brunswick, Washington retreated to Trenton, where he determined to remain till the last moment, having first passed his stores to the other side of the Delaware, in Pennsylvania. He wished to accustom his troops to the sight of the enemy, and hoped that in the boldness of success, Cornwallis might afford him an opportunity of striking a blow. At this time his cavalry consisted of a single corps of Connecticut militia; he was almost destitute of artillery; and his army amounted to but three thousand men. One third of these were New Jersey militia, and the time of many of the others was about to expire. Supported and animated by a sense of justice, however, a handful of barefooted soldiers, marching on the frozen ground of an American winter, and tracked by their enemies by their blood on the snow, was soon to astonish the country by its achievements.

General Howe now issued a proclamation, offering pardon to all who, within sixty days, appeared before officers of his appointment, and signified their submission to the royal authority. Despairing of the cause, or perhaps secretly disaffected, many availed themselves of his amnesty, and an opinion prevailed among all classes, that a longer contest for independence was hopeless and impossible. But Washington never despaired. While in the full tide of retreat, General Reed is said to have exclaimed, "My God! General Washington, how long shall we fly?" "Why, sir," replied Washington, "we will retreat, if necessary, over every river of our country, and then over the mountains, where I will make a last stand against the enemies of my country."

Cornwallis remained inactive at Brunswick, leaving Washington a few days of leisure, which he employed with his usual industry in making preparations for the ensuing campaign. He urged congress, as well as the governors of the different states, by every motive of patriotism, to take measures for the safety of the country, and the success of its cause ; and, while stimulating others, himself set the example which he commended.

The citizens embodied themselves with alacrity, and fifteen hundred joined him at Trenton. Thus

reinforced, he moved in a direction towards the enemy, then at Brunswick. On his way, however, learning that Cornwallis was advancing by different routes with a view to gain his rear, and cut him off from the Delaware, he changed his purpose and crossed to the west side of the river, so opportunely that the enemy came in sight at the moment.

The two armies now remained opposite each other on the different banks. The object of Cornwallis was to cross over, and either force Washington to fight, or, if he retreated, to gain possession of Philadelphia; while that of Washington was to prevent the enemy from crossing the Delaware. While thus situated, General Charles Lee, who had been repeatedly urged by Washington to join him as speedily as possible, imprudently slept in a farmhouse at a distance of three miles from his command, and about twenty miles from the enemy. Information of this was given, and an English officer sent, with a company, well mounted, who reached the house and surrounded it before General Lee was awake. He was carried to the English camp, and considered as a deserter from the British service. General Sullivan, the next in command, immediately hastened the march of the troops, and soon joined General Washington. All the at