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.

306 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. [1778.
desolation, and ruin. The ministry approved and encouraged these atrocities, flattering themselves that the
people would sink under their sufferings, bewail their
unhappy condition, become tired of the war, and compel
their leaders to seek an accommodation. The effect
was directly the contrary in every instance. The people knew their rights, and had the common feelings
of humanity; and, when the former were wantonly invaded and the latter outraged, it was natural that
their passions should be inflamed, and that they who
were at first pacifically inclined should be roused to
resistance and retaliation. If the British cabinet had
aimed to defeat its own objects, and to consolidate the
American people into a united phalanx of opposition,
it could not have chosen or pursued more effectual
methods.
The campaign being closed, General Washington
prepared to put the army into winter-quarters. Nine
brigades were stationed on the west side of Hudson's
River, exclusive of the garrison at West Point. One
of these was near Smith's Clove, where it could serve
as a reinforcement to West Point, should this be necessary; one at Elizabethtown; and the other seven at
Middlebrook, which place was likewise selected for
head-quarters. Six brigades were cantoned on the
east side of the Hudson and at West Point, as follows; one at West Point, two at the Continental Village, a post between Fishkill and West Point, and three
in the vicinity of Danbury in Connecticut. The artillery was at Pluckemin. A line of cantonments was
thus formed around New York from Long Island Sound;to the Delaware, so disposed as to afford security to
the country, and to reinforce each other in case of an
excursion of the enemy to any particular point. The
other important objects intended by this disposition