In this situ- " ation we are; every man in the Army, from the General to the Pri- "vate, acquainted with our true situation, is exceedingly discouraged. "Had I known the true posture of affairs, no consideration would have "tempted me to have taken an active part of this scene ; and this sen- *'timent is univei'sal," [Adjutant-general Joseph Peed "to a Member of " Congress," "New Yoek, July 4, 177(i," quoted by Dr. Gordon, in his History of the Pise, Progress and Establishment of the Independence of the United States of America, Edition, London : 1788, ii., 278.)

6 " General Howe is sufficiently strong, considering the goodness of his "troops, to make a successful attempt upon the Americans; but being "in daily expectation of the reinforcements from Europe, he will un- "doubtedly remain inactive till their arrival," (Gordon's History, etc., London edition, ii, 278.)

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, 1774-1783.

"get up to it; and, from the minutest description, "judging an attack upon this post, so strong by " nature and so near the front of the enemy's works, "to be too hazardous an attempt, before the arrival of " the troops with Commodore Hotham," ' \_frniii Europe,'] "daily expected," the General "declined " the undertaking; " and, consequently, the day-break came and went without tlie promised debarkation of the Army ; the Fleet weighed its anchors, " passed the " Narrows," came too at the watering place, where it again cast its anchors ; the Army was landed on Staten Island, as already stated ; the first mistake of the Campaign was committed; the first disastrous delay was inaugurated ; General Washington and his feeble command were, for the time, spared; and the Rebellion was not suppressed. With an abundant naval force under his command. General Howe commanded and controlled all the waters which were near him ; and Gravesend-bay need not have been regarded as the only base which he could have occupied -- he could have turned the tiauk of any or of all the lines, either of hills or of armed rebels, and have landed his command either in front or on the rear of either of the latter, as he should have determined ; and he could have led his abundantly supplied, admirably disciplined, and thoroughly willing command to an immediate and effectual success, had not his willing ears listened to those who inclined to Peace, and had not his sympathies controlled his judgment and overcome his sense of duty witli the hope that tlie day of reconciliation -- of reconciliation to be secured through himself -- was not yet passed.