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.

.AT. 44.] LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 183
Lord Howe joined his brother at Staten Island before
the middle of July. While at sea, he had written a circular letter to the late royal governors in the colonies,
presuming them to be still in power, accompanied by a
Declaration setting forth his authority as commissioner
from the King, and the terms proposed for a reconciliation. These papers were put on shore by a flag at
Amboy, whence they came to the hands of General
Washington, who enclosed them to the President of
Congress. The terms amounted to nothing more than
a promise of pardon and favor to those, who should
return to their allegiance and assist in restoring public
tranquillity. The papers were ordered to be published
by Congress, that the people might know, as stated in
the order, what they had to expect from the court of
Great Britain, and "be convinced that the valor alone
of their country was to save its liberties." Lord Howe's
arrival at so late a day, being after the declaration of
independence, was regarded by him as a circumstance
unfavorable to the success of his mission; but the truth
is, the proposition he brought out would not at any time
have been listened to, as affording a reasonable ground
of reconciliation. It left untouched all the original
causes of complaint. To suppose the ministry had any
other hope of this measure, than what was derived from
the prowess of their formidable army and fleet, would
be a severe reflection upon their common intelligence
and wisdom. The Americans believed it to be an
attempt to amuse, deceive, and disunite them; and, by
a natural reaction, it tended to increase their efforts and
bind them more closely together.
The day before the above papers were landed at
Amboy, Lord Howe despatched a letter to General
Washington by a flag, which was detained in the harhour by the guard-boats, till the General's orders: should