But the bright designs of God, concerning America, were widely different from those of men ; the future of those thirteen new-born members of the community of nations, in His purposes, was not dependent on the result of an assault on the improvised lines of defense, on the high grounds, in the vicinity of the AVhite Plains ; and the powerful arm which was already uplifted and ready to strike a crushing blow on that which God had predestinated for other ends, was restrained by an unseen power, a power before which the King of Great Britain and all his Armies were as nothing, by the same power which had restrained the same arm, uplifted, at Gravesend and before Brooklyn, at Kip's-bay and on Throgg's-neck -- the handful of American troops, on the summit of Chatterton's-hill, a phantom which seemed to augur ill for the left flank and rear of the Eoyal Army, was seen by General Howe ; the further advance of the main body, toward the American lines, was stayed: the uplifted arm fell, without having struck the blow which was intended ; the right and center of the American line remained, unharmed ; and another opportunity for the determination of the great dispute, between Great Britain and America, was lost, never to be be regained.

♦ Colonel Robert H. Harrison to the President of the Congress, " White- " Plains, '29 October, 1776."

6 Speech of General Howe before a Commiilee of the House of Commons, April 29, 1779-- Almon's Parliamentari/ Register, Fifth Session, Fourteenth Parliament, xii., 324 ; Narrative of Lieutenuntrgeneral Sir Willi<im Hoive, 6.