As the inhabitants of Staten Island, and those of Queens, Westchester, and Duchess-counties were supposed to have been especially conservative and, consequently, had been most terribly outraged by the dominant faction, it was reasonably supposed, by those who were familiar with the facts, that retaliation if not loyalty would induce these, especially, to declare against those who had oppressed and outraged them ; but the peaceful disposition of the farmers of lower Orange and Duchess and Westchester-counties, their simple domestic habits and controlling love of home, and their almost universal contentment with their old-time prosperity and comfort and happiness, were not taken into consideration ; and, aa the expedition of the PliwiiU and the Rose ascertained and as General Howe subsequently learned, these were more powerful than any other consideration -- the farmers referred to, preferred to endure the hardships to which they might be subjected, at home, instead of abandoning their homes and wives and children, of throwing themselves into what would have been new and untried associations and methods and experiences, and of being subjected to other hardships, m Oie field or in garrisons, as severe, if not more severe, as those from which they would have thus escaped.

General Howe very well said, after experience had taught him the facts, "Much might be said upon the state of loyalty and the principles "of loyalty, in America. Some are loyal from principle ; mam/ from in- "terest ; many from resentment; many wish for peace, but are indiffor- " out which side prevails ; and there are others who wish success to Great "Britain, from a recollection of the happiness they enjoyed under her "government.' 1 (Observations upon a pampldet entitled Letters to a Nobleman, 39.)