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.

Ea T.44.] LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 197
CHAPTER IX.
New York evacuated, and the British take Possession of the City. -The
American Army posted at Haerlem Heights and Fort Washington.
Situation and Prospects of the Army. - Its new Organization. - The
British land in Westchester County, and march into the Country.Washington advances to White Plains and forms an Encampment. -
Battle of Chatterton's Hill.- Part of the American Army crosses the
Hudson. - Capture of Fort Washington and Fort Lee. - General
Washington retreats through New Jersey, and crosses the Delaware
at Trenton. - Conduct and Character of General Lee. -Reduced State
of the Army. - Reinforced by Troops from Ticonderoga. - General
Washington invested with extraordinary Powers by Congress. — His
Manner of using them. - He recrosses the Delaware. - Battle of
Trenton. - Battle of Princeton. - The Army goes into Winter Quarters at Morristown.- Remarks on these Events.
WHEN General Howe had taken possession of Long
Island, his plans began to be unfolded. The fleet came
into the harbour, and an armed vessel passed up the
East River; but there were no indications of an attack
on the city. It was obvious, indeed, that he designed
to take New York by encompassing it on the land side,
and to refrain from a cannonade and bombardment, by
which the city might be injured, and rendered less fit
for the accommodation of his troops in the winter, and
less valuable as a place to be held during the war.
Such being clearly the aim of the British commander,
the attention of Washington was next drawn to the best
mode of evacuating the city.
As a preparatory step he removed beyond Kingsbridge the stores and baggage least wanted. In a
council of general officers there was a difference of
opinion as to a total evacuation. All agreed, that the
town would not be tenable, if it should be bombarded;
and it was manifest, that this might be done at any
o O