Dunkers, and Mennonites refused to take this, and instructions were given that it should not be offered them unless they showed some signs of disaffection. The Quakers, who were numerous in and around Philadelphia, in accordance with their notions of the illegality of the new government and their intentions of neutrality, also refused, and were fined and imprisoned. Many moderate and hesitating people were brought to a sharp decision, and some went over to the British. These tests were not repealed at the close of the war. They disfranchised a large number of the best educated and most wealthy citizens, leaving the suffrage in some districts in the hands of less able men. The result was that in efficiency and moderation the government was distinctly inferior to former times and to the years following 1789; there were many honest and patriotic men, but they could not always control the violent and mercenary element. So, rent with internal dissensions, the war closed in upon Pennsylvania.

The British late in 1776 made a determined effort to take Philadelphia. This city was the home of the Continental Congress, and its capture might be supposed to discourage the Americans, and thwart any hopes of an alliance with the French. In complete command of New York and vicinity, they set out across New Jersey. Washington's little army of three thousand ragged soldiers retreated before them and placed the Delaware between themselves and the invaders. Mifflin was sent to Philadelphia to stir up some aid. The Continental Congress appealed in all directions, but were powerless to direct anything. The Council of Safety urged the Associators who had been so long drilling to turn out. The new assembly offered rewards for enlisted men, and fifteen hundred of the Pennsylvania militia were soon on the march to re-enforce Washington. The situation seemed almost desperate. The American army, made up of men enlisted for short periods, was continually changing. The congress could only appeal to the States, and the hearts of many people, discouraged by the apparently hopeless task of fighting the forces of a great empire, were already

repentant and faint-hearted. The genius of Washington turned the day.

An advance detachment of Hessians had encamped at Trenton. On the night of Christmas, a night of intense cold and a blinding snow-storm, which deterred some of his generals, Washington led his troops through the floating ice of the Delaware above, the town, and at daybreak attacked the Hessian camp. The victory was complete. Not an American was killed, but about one thousand prisoners and much arms and ammunition rewarded the courageous Americans. Washington recrossed the Delaware, Philadelphia was for a time saved, and the friends of independence felt renewed hope. Congress returned from Baltimore, whither it had fled on the approach of the enemy, and Washington had the satisfaction, after a little rest, of again leading his army over the Delaware, chasing the British across New Jersey, and seeing them embark for New York.

Robert Morris went from house to house in Philadelphia borrowing money for the army, and Washington was granted the power he long had desired to enlist men himself and appoint the officers. While the Americans were desperately poor, they had lost no courage when the next attack of the British on Philadelphia was made. They could afford to celebrate the first anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with bonfires and rejoicing.

It was for a long time doubtful how this attack would proceed, and Washington remained in northern New Jersey in anxious expectation through the early months of 1777. Howe showed his purpose later by evacuating North Jersey and collecting a fleet of transports in New York harbor. On July 23 they sailed, and after beating about the mouths of the Delaware and Chesapeake, on August 25 they landed at the head of Elk River, a branch of the latter bay, fiftyfour miles southwest of Philadelphia. It was a well appointed and thoroughly disciplined army of over seventeen thousand men which followed Sir William Howe on this expedition to the seat of what little central power the united

colonies possessed. Against this, Washington, even when re-enforced by all the militia the power of the Congress or of the States could call in by appeal and promises, could not command more than eleven thousand five hundred men, inferior in every respect in drill and equipment.

By this time Burgoyne had surrendered at Saratoga, and under the impulse of this success many Frenchmen had volunteered in the American army. Among these was the Marquis Lafayette, who became one of Washington's most efficient and trusted generals. The State government, though disliked by a majority of the citizens, did its best, and through its Board of War offered bounties for volunteers and equipped its troops as it could. With all the forces he could command, Washington, to encourage the friends of the cause, marched southward through the streets of Philadelphia with sprigs of green to conceal the lack of uniform, and, after some skirmishing, posted his army on the east side of Brandywine Creek, at Chadd's Ford, and awaited the approach of the British.

Howe marched to Kennett Square, where his force divided. Sending on a small detachment to engage the Americans at Chadd's Ford, the main body turned northward and crossed the Brandywine, about four miles above. Washington had an idea of this, and wished to attack the enemy opposite him, a project which might have changed the fortunes of the day. But deceived by conflicting rumors he remained stationary until the main body was approaching his flank. Then hastily swinging about some of his troops to the Birmingham Meeting-House, the main battle was here fought from behind the grave-yard walls and on the hills to the south. The Americans were defeated with a loss of about one thousand men in killed, wounded, and prisoners, while the British lost half as many. Lafayette was wounded ; Washington retreated in good order to Chester, and thence to Philadelphia.

To take Philadelphia Howe must cross the Schuylkill. This he could not do at the city. The floating bridges were removed, all boats were moved to the city side, and

He must strike higher up,

the river could not be forded. and march across Chester County towards Swedes Ford, now Norristown. Anthony Wayne, one of Washington's most daring and efficient generals, was encamped near Paoli, his native place, and on the night of September 20, he was surprised, the British killing with their bayonets three hundred of his men, the rest mostly escaping. This is called in history the Paoli massacre.

Washington was ready for a new battle, but a heavy rainstorm wet the ammunition of both armies, and the fight did not come off. A few days' manœuvring enabled Howe to cross the Schuylkill at Swedes Ford, and Philadelphia was taken. Howe marched leisurely in through Germantown, and entered the city on the 26th.

In the mean time there was great excitement in Philadelphia. The Congress fled northward, and by a circuitous route reached Lancaster, where they set up their government. The State authorities followed them, and this little inland town became for a time the capital of the United States, and of the State. Before leaving, the Congress had advised the arrest of leading royalists and of any who would be likely to obstruct the American cause. The out-and-out Tories, like Galloway and the Allens, had already joined the British army. Those arrested under order of Congress were mostly lukewarm and neutral people, about half of whom, including Provost Smith, gave the required promises of allegiance, and were released. The rest, mostly Friends, were arbitrarily sentenced to banishment, all the while stoutly protesting their civil rights. They were carried to Winchester, Virginia, and kept till spring, when they were released and treated with courtesy and some approach to apology, for no act which would aid the British could be justly charged upon them.

The British retained their occupancy of the city till the following summer. The first step was to obtain provisions. Washington's troops commanded the country, and, save for an occasional foray and the secret admission of farmers' wagons, not much could be gained from this side.