will hold them, and I doubt whether Philadelphia itself will stop their
career. The Congress have lost their authority.... They are in such
consternation that they know not what to do. The two Adamses are in New
England; Franklin gone to France; Lynch has lost his senses; Rutledge
has gone home disgusted; Dana is persecuting at Albany; and Jay is in
the country, playing as bad a part, so that the fools have lost the
assistance of the knaves."

"This," says Sparks, "was the gloomiest period of the war. The campaign
had been little else than a series of disasters and retreats. The enemy
had gained possession of Rhode Island, Long Island, the city of New
York, Staten Island, and nearly the whole of the Jerseys, and seemed on
the point of extending their conquests into Pennsylvania. By the fatal
scheme of short enlistments, and by sickness, the effective force with
General Washington had dwindled away, till it hardly deserved the name
of an army."

Still Washington was hopeful, and expected that the cause of right would
triumph. When and how he could not tell; but he continued to say, "That
Providence which has brought us out of many difficulties will yet crown
our righteous cause with success."

"I expected substantial aid from the Jerseys," he said to General
Mercer. "I am disappointed that the people have not flocked to our
standard."

"I am more than disappointed," replied Mercer; "I am shocked and vexed
at the cowardice of the people."

"What think you," continued Washington, "if we should retreat to the
back part of Pennsylvania, would the Pennsylvanians support us?"

The mountainous regions of Pennsylvania were the field of his early
exploits against the French and Indians, and Mercer was with him there.

"If the lower counties give up, the back counties will do the same,"
Mercer answered in a desponding way.

"We must then retire to Augusta County, Virginia," responded Washington,
his indomitable spirit rising superior to all discouragements. "Numbers
will repair to us for safety, and we will try a predatory war. If
overpowered, we must cross the Alleghanies."

Before this time, Colonel Reed said to him one day, "When shall we stop
this everlasting retreating and make a stand?"

Washington answered, without the least show of resentment:

"If it becomes necessary, we will retreat over every river and mountain
in America."

Such an unconquerable spirit receives its reward at last.

Lee did not leave No