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which, though proper in itself, under other circumstances, was now totally inadmissible, as the army, without this reinforcement, was not strong enough to stop the march of the enemy to Philadelphia, and pressing him to come on, he still declared an opinion in favour of his own proposition, and proceeded reluctantly towards the Delaware. While on this march through Morris county, and at the distance of about twenty miles from the enemy, he very indiscreetly quartered, .under a slight guard, in a house about three miles from his army. Information of this circumstance was given by a countryman to Colonel Harcourt, at that time detached with a body of cavalry, for the purpose of gaining intelligence concerning his movements, who immediately formed and executed the design of seizing him. By a rapid march, this corps cavalry, very early in the morning, reached the house where the General had lodged, who received no intimation of its approach till the house was surrounded, and he found himself a prisoner to Colonel Harcourt, who bore him off in triumph to the British army, where he was for some time treated, not as a prisoner of war, but as a deserter from the Dritish service.

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This misfortune made a very serious impression on all America. The confidence originally placed in General Lee, created by his experience and real talents, had been very greatly increased by the success

which had attended him while commanding in the southern department. In addition to this, it was generally believed that his opinions, during the military operations in New York, had contributed to the adoption of those judicious movements which had, in a great measure, defeated the plans of the enemy in that quarter. It was also believed, but without any certain knowledge of the fact, that he had opposed the majority, in the council of war, which determined to maintain the Forts Washington and Lee. No officer, except the Commander in Chief, possessed at that time so large a portion of the confidence either of the army or of the country; and this loss was almost universally bewailed as the greatest calamity which had befallen the American arms. It was regretted by no person more than by General Washington himself, who highly esteemed his merit as a soldier, and sincerely lamented his captivity, both on account of his personal feelings, and of the public interest.

General Sullivan, on whom the command of that division of the army devolved, after the capture of Lee, promptly obeyed the orders which had been directed to that officer, and, crossing the Delaware at Philipsburg, joined the Commander in Chief about the twentieth, whose effective force was now increased to nearly seven thousand men. He was also joined on the same day by General Gates, with a part of the northern army.

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All attempts of the British General to get possession of boats, for the purpose of transporting his army over the Delaware, having failed, he appeared to have determined to close the campaign, and to retire into winter quarters. About four thousand men were cantoned on the Delaware, at Trenton, Bordentown, the White Horse, and Burlington; and the remaining part of the army of Jersey was distributed from that river to the Hackensac. Strong corps were posted at Princeton, Brunswick, and Elizabeth Town; but General Washington apprehended that the intention of taking Philadelphia, in the course of the winter, was only postponed till the ice should become sufficiently firm to bear the army.

To intimidate as much as possible, and thereby impede the recruiting business, was believed to have been no inconsiderable inducement with General Howe for covering with his army so large a portion of Jersey. To counteract his views in this respect, was an object of real importance. For that purpose General Washington ordered three regiments, who were marching from Peckskill, to halt at Morristown, and to unite with about eight hundred Jersey militia, who had collected under Colonel Ford, at the same place. General Maxwell was detached to take the command of these troops, with orders to watch the motions of the enemy, and to endeavour to harass them in their marches; to give intelligence

telligence of all their movements, and especially of such as might be made from Brunswick towards Princeton or Trenton; to keep up the spirits of the militia, and, as much as possible, prevent the inhabitants from going within the British lines, making their submission, and taking protections.

The short interval between the enemy's going into winter quarters and the re-commencement of active operations, was employed by General Washington in repeating the representations he had so often made to Congress, respecting the army for the ensuing campaign. The extreme dangers resulting from short enlistments, and of relying on militia, had now been fully exemplified; and his remonstrances on that subject were supported by that severe experience which improves while it chastises. He had sensibly felt, in the course of the campaign, his want of cavalry, of artillery, and of engineers; he had before stated to Congress his ideas on these important subjects, and he now reurged them to that body. He was likewise earnest with them to increase the number of continental regiments. It was admitted, that those already voted would most probably not be completed; but he contended, that, by directing an additional number, and appointing other officers, more men would be enlisted, as every officer would recruit a few. With respect to the additional expense to be incurred by the measures he recommended, it was observed,

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served, "that our funds were not the only object now to be taken into consideration. The enemy, it was found, were daily gathering strength from the disaffected. This strength, like a snow ball, would increase by rolling, unless some means could be devised to check effectually the progress of their arms. Militia might possibly do it for a short time, but in a short time also the militia of those states which were frequently called upon, would not turn out at all, or would turn out with so much reluctance and sloth, as to amount to the same thing. Instance New Jersey! Witness Pennsylvania! Could any thing but the River Delaware have saved Philadelphia?"

"Could any thing," he asked, " be more destructive of the recruiting business, than giving ten dollars bounty for six weeks' service in the militia, who come in you cannot tell how, go you cannot tell when, and act you cannot tell where; who consume your provisions, exhaust your stores, and you at last in a critical moment?"

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These, Sir," he added, "are the men I am to depend upon ten days hence. This is the basis upon which your cause will rest, and must for ever depend, till you obtain a large standing army, sufficient of itself to oppose the enemy."

He also hinted the idea, extremely delicate in itself, of enlarging his powers, so as to enable him to act without constant applications to Congress for

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