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.

234 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. [1777.
to be on the verge of annihilation, and the whole world
regarded American liberty as struggling in the last stage
of its existence, he commenced and pursued an offensive
warfare against a hitherto victorious army, strong in
numbers and confident in its strength, and, within the
brief space of three weeks, dislodged it from every post
it had taken along the Delaware River, relieved Philadelphia from danger, and recovered almost the whole
province of New Jersey. The glory of these achievements was rendered doubly conspicuous by their immediate effects. The despondency, which had weighed
heavily upon the minds of the people, was dispelled as
by a charm, the martial spirit was revived, and a new
animation infused into the public counsels.
The classical and eloquent Italian historian of the
war, Charles Botta, after describing these transactions,
adds; " Achievements so astonishing gained for the
American commander a very great reputation, and were
regarded with wonder by all nations, as well as by the
Americans. Every one applauded the prudence, the
firmness, and the daring of General Washington. All
declared him the saviour of his country; all proclaimed
him equal to the most renowned commanders of antiquity, and especially distinguished him by the name of
the AMERICAN FABIUs. His name was in the mouths
of all men, and celebrated by the pens of the most eminent writers. The greatest personages in Europe bestowed upon him praise and congratulation. Thus the
American General wanted neither a noble cause to
defend, nor an opportunity for acquiring glory, nor the
genius to avail himself of it, nor a whole generation
of men competent and well disposed to render him
homage." *
* Storia della Guerra dell' Independenza degli Stati Uniti d' America, Tom. II. Lib. 7.