tish Parliament could
secure to the people the practice of the Protestant faith.

"Now we come to the real purpose of this organization. We are about to
pledge ourselves to the restoration of our faith through the ultimate
triumph of the British arms. Nobody outside of America believes that she
can ever make good her claims of independence. No one has ever taken
seriously her attempt at self-government. France, alone, actuated by
that ancient hatred for England, inspired by the lust of conquest and
the greed of spoliation, has sent her ships to our aid. But has she
furnished the Colonies with a superior force of arms? Has she rendered
herself liable for any indebtedness? Your mother country alone has made
this benign offer to you, and it is to her alone that you can look and
be assured of any reconciliation and peace.

"Victory, once assured, will establish peace and everlasting happiness.
Victory, now made possible only by the force of arms, will assure us
toleration in religious matters. And why not? This fratricidal strife
should not occasion any personal hatred. England is not our foe, but our
mother in arms against whom we have conceived an unjust grievance. Let
us lay aside our guns for the olive. Since our fellow-citizens will not
accept just terms of conciliation let us compel them to do so by the
strength of our arms.

"Tomorrow we embark for New York at the place of landing indicated on
the papers of enlistment. There we shall be incorporated into a regiment
of a thousand men. The recruiting there has met with unlooked-for
success. Colonel Clifton reports that the ranks already are filled. Your
admission alone is required, and the ship, which will bear you down the
waters of the Susquehanna tomorrow, will carry a message of cheer to
them who have already entrusted themselves, their destinies, their all
to the realization of our common hope.

"You will now take the oath of allegiance to the government of His
Majesty, which I shall administer to you in a body. Tomorrow at the hour
of eight I shall meet you at the pier of embarkation. I shall be glad to
accompany you to reveal to you my interest in your behalf. Only with a
united front can we hope for success and to this purpose we have
dedicated our lives and our fortunes. I shall ask you to rise to a man,
with your right arm upraised, to take the oath of allegiance to your
king."

III

The spell that held them broke, and the bustle began. A mumble fill