HISTORY
OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
| CHAPTER I. |
1776.
EVENTS OF THE WAR DURING 1776.
The Declaration of Independence read to the army—How received in New York—Position of the loyalists—Course pursued by Congress—Necessity of some articles of confederation—Measures adopted—Defence of New York to be provided for—Arrival of the British forces under General and Lord Howe—Proclamation of the English Commissioners—Howe's sincerity—Attempt at communication with Washington—Account of the matter—American army and operations in Canada—Carton's vigorous efforts—Naval battle on Lake Champlain—Carleton's failure to advance southwardly—Washington's position in New York—Sectional jealousies and quarrels—Washington's dignified rebuke—Howe's's force—Exploits of Captain Talbot—The battle of Long Island—Its disastrous result—Retreat from Brooklyn—Encampment at Harlem Heights—Washington's letter to Congress—Howe's renewed attempts at negotiations fail—Depression of the Americans—Hale's self-sacrificing expedition—His death as a spy—Howe's plan of operation—Disgraceful conduct of the militia—Washington's danger—Retreat from New York—Narrow escape—Great fire in New York—Sickness in the camp, desertions, etc.—Washington's letter to Congress on the inefficiency of the force tinder his command—Army to be reorganized—Howe's change of plan—Washington's retreat—Battle of White Plains—The loss of Fort Washington—Retreat through the Jerseys begun—Howe's proclamation—Washington continues to retreat—Nearness of the armies to one another—Lee's erratic course and capture—Gloomy prospect of affairs—British movements in Rhode Island—Howe's military conduct censured by some writers—Washington's nobleness of character—Appendix to Chapter I.—Judge Drayton's remarks on Lord and General Howe's Declaration.
It had long been foreseen by Washington that the contest between England and the United States must be settled by an appeal to the sword. We may well believe, therefore, that the Declaration of Independence afforded him, as commander-in-chief of the army, the highest satisfaction; since now, the position of affairs was no longer of that anomalous and unsettled character, which had interfered with the vigorous carrying out the various plans with which he was entrusted for sustaining the rights and liberties of his country. On the 9th of July, he caused the Declaration to be
