This was a seasonable proclamation, and produced much effect. Intimidated by the desperate aspect of American affairs, when Washington retreated into Pennsylvania, many of the inhabitants of the Jerseys, looking upon the cause of America as hopeless, had been induced to submit to the British authority; but with respect to the promised protection, they had been entirely disappointed. Instead of protection and conciliation, they had been insulted by the rude insolence of a licentious soldiery, and plundered with indiscriminate and unsparing rapacity. Their passions were exasperated; they thirsted for vengeance, and were prepared for the most vindictive hostility against the British troops. Housed by a burning sense of the wrongs to which they had been subjected, they were ready to join the standard of their country, with more alacrity and determination than they had ever before manifested.
On a review of the results of Washington's vigorous movements, it is plain that he displayed energy, fire, and consummate generalship, the effects of which were at once of the most favorable description upon the country at large. "Achievements so astonishing," as Botta finely says, "obtained an immense glory for the captain-general of the United States. All nations shared in the surprise of the Americans; all equally admired and applauded the prudence, the constancy, and the noble intrepidity of General Washington. An unanimous voice pronounced him the saviour of his country; all extolled him, as equal to the most celebrated commanders of antiquity; all proclaimed him the Fabous of America. His name was in the mouth of all; he was celebrated by the pens of the most distinguished writers. The most illustrious personages of Europe lavished upon him their praises and their congratulations. The American general, therefore, wanted neither a cause full of grandeur to defend, nor occasion for the acquisition of glory, nor genius to avail himself of it, nor the renown due to his triumphs, nor an entire generation of men perfectly well disposed to render him homage."[1]
It is one of the saddest features of war, under any circumstances, that it leads to shocking excesses, and outrageous violations of almost every thing held sacred among men. The evil and brutal passions are roused, and thousands of opportunities are offered for their unlicensed exercise. When the royal army entered the Jerseys, the inhabitants generally remained in their houses, and many thousands received printed protections, signed by order of the commander-in-chief. But neither the proclamation of the commissioners, nor protections, saved the people from plunder any more than from insult. Their property was taken or destroyed without distinction of persons. They showed their protections; Hessians
- ↑ Botta's "History of the War of Independence," vol. ii., p. 227.
act of Washington as an invasion of their state rights and sovereignty. One of the delegates from that state, in Congress, even went so far as to denounce it as improper. It is a curious illustration of the extreme jealousy and sensitiveness of many in the community on the subject of the power and authority of the federal government. See Curtis's "History of the Constitution," vol. i., pp. 107, 8.
