The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

2ET. 44.] LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 179
that moment, therefore, he believed the Colonies ought
to stand on the broad ground of independence. They
could lose nothing by assuming such a position; they
had been driven to it by their adversaries; whether from
weak counsels, obstinacy, or wilful oppression, it was
useless to inquire; and, if they must yield at last, it was
better to fall nobly contending for freedom and justice,
than to sink back into servitude, branded with the
reproach of degrading concessions. Such being his
sentiments, he was rejoiced at the spirit manifested in
so powerful a colony as Virginia, setting an example
which others were ready to follow, and leading to a
union, which would fix the thoughts and hearts of the
people on a single object, encourage the desponding,
strengthen the military arm, and give a new impulse to
the whole country.
Notwithstanding the hesitancy of' some of the members of Congress, there was still a large majority for
vigorous action; and, while he was there, they resolved
to reinforce the army at New York with thirteen thousand eight hundred militia, drawn from Massachusetts,
Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey; and a flying
camp of ten thousand more, from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware.
On his return to New York, he lost no time in making
preparations to receive the enemy, whose fleet was
now expected soon to approach the coast. Besides the
burden of his command, he was harassed with other
difficulties. Long Island, Staten Island, many parts of
the interior, and even the city itself, swarmed with disaffected persons, or Tories, who were plotting clandestine
and dangerous schemes. Governor Tryon, the centre
of motion to this fraternity, continued on board a vessel
at the Hook, and had his emissaries abroad in every
direction. The Provincial Congress, either distrustful