Westchester County, New York, During the American Revolution

I must, here, " add that I found the Americans not so well-disposed to join us, and to "serve, as I had been taught to expect ; that I thought our farther " progress, for the present, precarious ; and that I saw no prospect of " finishing the War, that Campaign. These sentiments I communicated "to the Secretary of State, in the letters last mentioned." -- (General Howe's Speech before a Committee of the House of Commons, April 29, 1779.)

1 " The most essential duty I had to observe was, not wantonly to com- "mit his Majesty's troops where the object was inadequate. I knew, " well, that any considerable loss sustained by the Army could not, " speedily nor easily, be repaired. I also knew that one great point " towards gaining the confidence of an Army-- and a General without it " is upon the most dangerous ground-- is never to expose the Troops, " where, as I said before, the object is inadequate." -- (General Howe's Speech before a Committee of the Souse of Commons, April 29, 1779.)

2 "Although some persons condemn me for having endeavoured to con- "ciliate his Majesty's rebellious subjects, by taking every means to pre- " vent the destruction of the country instead of irritating them by a con- " trary mode of proceeding ; yet am I, from many reasons, satisfied, in " my own mind, that I acted, in that particular, for the benefit of the "King's service." -- (General Howe's Speech before a Committee of the Souse of Commons, April 29, 1779.)