es coming together a battle was fought, in which the Americans were
defeated. Washington and his men then retreated into New Jersey.

General Howe next attacked Fort Washington, a high and rocky point on
the banks of the Hudson River (on a line with the present 178th Street).
There were 3,000 men here, all the American soldiers who were now on the
island, and they held such a high and well-fortified position that they
thought themselves quite safe. They doubtless would have been had not
one of their number, William Demont, turned traitor. He told the British
just how many men there were, and just how the fortress should be
attacked. And the British stormed the fort as the traitor directed, and
took it, and every one of the soldiers who had not been killed was made
prisoner. This ended the actual fight for liberty in New York.

[Illustration: View from the Bowling Green in the Revolution, from an
Old Print]

But outside of New York the war went bravely on. Washington in New
Jersey kept up the fight, but the winter came on and his army suffered
exceedingly. It had come to be a very small army by this time, for they
were poorly fed and ill clothed and seldom had any sort of shelter.
Nevertheless, Washington gained many victories in New Jersey and
manoeuvred his little army so well that the whole world, hearing of his
achievements, was forced to recognize him as a great general.

New York was the head-quarters of the British army in America, and the
residence of its chief officers. The city was as thoroughly British as
it had before been American, and it was as much as life was worth even
to hint of an interest in the American cause.

Early in the next year, 1777, those who had the making of the laws for
the new State of New York, met in secret, and chose George Clinton as
their first Governor. The other colonies had formed themselves into
States, and the new nation grew stronger day by day.

Commissioners were sent to the European courts to ask aid for the United
States. Many young French noblemen, thrilled at the idea of fighting for
liberty, came to America as volunteers, and by their knowledge of war
gave valuable assistance to the American officers. The name of the
Marquis de Lafayette stands out prominently as the chief of these
volunteers. He was not yet twenty years old, but fitted out a vessel at
his own expense and crossed the ocean to offer his services. He asked to
be enlisted as a volunteer and to serve wi