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.

168 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. [1776.
General Lee was despatched, with instructions from
the Commander-in-chief to raise volunteers in Connecticut, hasten forward to New York, call to his aid
other troops from New Jersey, put the city in the best
posture of defence which his means would permit,
disarm the Tories and other persons inimical to the
rights and liberties of America, and guard the fortifications on Hudson's River.
The duty was delicate in itself, and difficult in the
execution requiring energy and firmness, tempered with
a moderation seldom conspicuous in the character of
General Lee. In this instance, however, he was judicious
and successful. A committee from Congress met him at
New York, by whose prudence his exuberant ardor was
restrained, and who, by bracing up the civil authorities
with a little more courage, brought about a cooperation
favorable to vigorous measures. The alarm for the
safety of New York was premature. The fleet from
Boston, having on board several regiments under the
command of General Clinton, sailed to North Carolina,
in the prosecution of a plan previously formed in the
British cabinet, at the recommendation of Governor
Martin, for making a descent upon that colony.
Meantime General Washington became more and
more impatient to make an attack on Boston. He
summoned a council of officers on the 16th of January,
to whom with strong arguments he urged the necessity
of such an attempt before the enemy should be reinforced, and requested their opinion. They agreed
that the attack ought not to be deferred a moment
after there should be a fair hope of its succeeding; but,
with the force then in the field, they believed it impracticable. That his feelings were keenly affected by
his situation, is apparent from the tone of a letter written
at the time. "Could I have foreseen the difficulties,"