"Colonel Fitzgerald, celebrated as one of the finest horsemen in the American army, now dashed his rowels in his charger's flank, and, heedless of the dead and dying in his way, flew to the side of his Chief, exclaiming, 'thank God! your Excellency is safe,' while the favorite aid, a gallant and warm-hearted son of Erin, a man of thews and sinews, and 'albeit unused to the melting mood,' gave loose to his feelings, and wept like a child for joy.

"Washington, ever calm amid scenes of the greatest excitement, affectionately grasped the hand of his aid and friend, and then ordered, 'away, my dear Colonel, and bring up the troops. The day is our own!" "

Having rescued New Jersey from the enemy, Washington at last went into winter-quarters at Morristown, thus closing the second campaign of the war. In three weeks of brilliant adventure and successful daring, he had recovered the cause from the depression it had experienced from the series of disasters and defeats which it had suffered during the whole preceding summer; and when, a few days after the battle of Princeton, he rested from his labors at Morristown, he had the satisfaction of feeling that his losses had been made up, that the moral force of the country was revived and renewed, and that the prospects of American independence were full of promise.

The military reputation of Washington was by this time completely established. His prudence, perseverance, and wisdom had long been acknowledged and respected by his countrymen; he had now given evidence of a chivalrous courage, a personal heroism, and a spirit of bold and daring adventure, which compelled the admiration of his enemies, and made him the pride and idol of his army.

What added, in a high degree, to his satisfaction, at this time, was, that Congress had at last acceded to his views, and complied with all his wishes, in reference to the reorganization of the army upon a more durable and efficient basis. They had given evidence, too, of a confidence in his patriotism and wisdom which could not

fail of gratifying and encouraging him. On the 27th of December, 1776, before intelligence could have reached them of the battles of Trenton and Princeton, the following vote was passed by that body. It will be seen that, in effect, it made Washington Dictator for the time being.

"December 27th, 1776. This Congress, having maturely considered the present crisis; and having perfect reliance on the wisdom, vigor, and uprightness of General Washington, do hereby

"Resolve, That General Washington shall be, and he is hereby, vested with full, ample, and complete powers to raise and collect together, in the most speedy and effectual manner, from any or all of these United States, sixteen battalions of infantry, in addition to those already voted by Congress; to appoint officers for the said battalions of infantry; to raise, officer, and equip three thousand light-horse, three regiments of artillery, and a corps of engineers, and to establish their pay; to apply to any of the States for such aid of the militia as he shall judge necessary; to form such magazines of provisions, and in such places, as he shall think proper; to displace and appoint all officers under the rank of brigadier-general, and to fill up all vacancies in every other department in the American army; to take, wherever he may be, whatever he may want for the use of the army, if the inhabitants will not sell it, allowing a reasonable price for the same; to arrest and confine persons who refuse to take the Continental currency, or are otherwise disaffected to the American cause; and return to the States of which they are citizens their names, and the nature of their offences, together with the witnesses to prove them.

"That the foregoing powers be vested in General Washington for and during the term of six months from the date hereof, unless sooner determined by Congress.'

Congress at the same time, sent the following circular letter, enclosing the resolutions, to the Governor of each State:

"Baltimore, 30 December, 1776. "SIR,-Ever attentive to the security of civil liber ty, Congress would not have consented to the vesting of such powers in the military department, as those which the enclosed resolves convey to the Continental Commander-in-chief, if the situation of public affairs did not require at this crisis a decision and vigor, which distance and numbers deny to assemblies far removed from each other, and from the immediate seat of war.

"The strength and progress of the enemy, joined to prospects of considerable re-enforcements, have rendered it not only necessary that the American forces should be augmented beyond what Congress had heretofore designed, but that they should be brought into the field with all possible expedition. These considerations induce Congress to request, in the most earnest manner, that the fullest influence of your State may be exerted to aid such levies as the General shall direct, in consequence of the powers now given him; and that your quota of battalions, formerly fixed, may be completed and ordered to Head-Quarters with all the despatch, that an ardent desire to secure the public happiness can dictate.

"I have the honor to be, &c.

"JOHN HANCOCK, President."

These proceedings of Congress were forwarded to the Commander-in-chief by the hands of a committee, of which Robert Morris was chairman. In their letter accompanying the Resolve they say, "Happy it is for this country, that the General of their forces can safely be intrusted with the most unlimited power, and neither personal security, liberty, nor property, be in the least degree endangered thereby."

The following is Washington's reply:

"Yours of the 31st of last month enclosed to me sundry resolves of Congress, by which I find they have done me the honor to intrust me with powers, in my military capacity, of the highest nature and almost unlimited in

extent. Instead of thinking myself freed from all civil obligations by this mark of their confidence, I shall constantly bear in mind, that as the sword was the last resort for the preservation of our liberties, so it ought to be the first thing laid aside, when those liberties are firmly established. I shall instantly set about making the most necessary reforms in the army; but it will not be in my power to make so great a progress, as if I had a little leisure time upon my hands. Mr. Morris has my sincere thanks for the advice and assistance he promises to give Commissary Wharton, and I beg he would remind him, that all his exertions will be necessary to support an army in this exhausted country."

Some time before the battle of Trenton, General Lee had imprudently exposed himself by going too near the enemy's lines, and had been taken prisoner. The following extract of a letter from General Washington to Sir William Howe relates to his case.

"SIR,-I am directed by Congress to propose an exchange of five of the Hessian field-officers, taken at Trenton, for Major-General Lee; or, if this proposal should not be accepted, to demand his liberty upon parole, within certain bounds, as has ever been granted to your officers in our custody. I am informed, from good authority, that your reason for keeping him hitherto in stricter confinement than usual is, that you do not look upon him in the light of a common prisoner of war, but as a deserter from the British service, as his resignation was never accepted, and that you intend to try him as such by a court-martial. I will not undertake to determine how far this doctrine may be justifiable among yourselves, but I must give you warning, that Major-General Lee is looked upon as an officer belonging to, and under the protection of, the United Independent States of America, and that any violence you may commit upon his life or liberty, will be severely retaliated upon the lives or liberties of the British officers, or those of their foreign allies, at present in our hands."

Although the British government had sent positive orders to Sir William Howe to have Lee carried to England for trial, it was thought best to yield to the resolute tenor of the above spirited demand, and he was put upon the same footing as other prisoners of war, and regularly exchanged.

CHAPTER XV.

Campaign of 1777.

DURING the winter, the Commander-in-chief was incessantly occupied, each year of the war, in corresponding with Congress, the governors and legislatures of States, and distinguished public men in various parts of the country, encouraging and stimulating them to contribute their influence and co-operation in promoting the efficiency of the army, and in providing the means of carrying on the contest. The labor and care, incident to such correspondence, were continually pressing upon him, even during the most active campaigns, but in the winter season they engrossed a much larger share of his time.

Some skirmishes took place between detached parties of the two armies, but no very extensive enterprises were attempted for several months. The British forces were, for the most part, in New York, Long Island, and the adjacent parts of New Jersey. A powerful naval armament was attached to them, and large re-enforcements were expected early in the coming season. The Ameri

can army was stationed in such a manner as to protect the highlands on the Hudson, and prevent the British opening a communication through the interior with Canada, and so disposed as to be removed readily to any point along the sea-coast, where the enemy might see fit to make a descent. By their command of the sea the British were able, at any time, to transport large forces from New York, to the north or south, along the whole