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.

/ET. 41.] LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 235
CHAPTER X.
General Washington's Proclamation. —His Preparations for the next
Campaign. - Exchange of Prisoners. - Condition of the American
Prisoners in New York.- Military Operations in New Jersey. -The
Army crosses the Delaware and encamps near Germantown. - Washington's first Interview with Lafayette. -Sir William Howe lands at
the Head of Elk. - Battle of the Brandywine. — New Powers conferred
on Washington by Congress. - Battle of Germantown. — Skirmishes
at Whitemarsh. - Sufferings of the Army. — Winter Encampment at
Valley Forge. -Spurious Letters written and circulated in the Name
of Washington. -Conway's Cabal. - Persons concerned in it. -Honorable and generous Conduct of Lafayette in Relation to this Affair.
HEAD-QUARTERS being at Morristown, the central
or main division of the army was encamped for the
winter near that place in huts temporarily constructed for the purpose. Cantonments were likewise established at various points from Princeton on the right,
where General Putnam commanded, to the Highlands
on the left, which post continued under the charge
of General Heath. Skirmishes often happened between the American advanced troops and the enemy's
foraging parties. For six months, however, no enter"
prise of magnitude was undertaken on either side.
Sir William Howe's proclamation, as we have seen, had
produced considerable effect in the Jerseys. Not only
-the disaffected, but many well-disposed citizens, finding themselves in the power of the enemy, had sought
protection for their families and their property by taking
an oath of allegiance to the King. Their hopes had
been fatally disappointed. With such license had the
British and Hessian troops overrun the country, that
they plundered, burnt, and destroyed whatever came in
their way, and in some instances committed the greatest