Howe had offered easy terms to those in New Jersey who should
declare their loyalty and to meet this Washington advised the
stern policy of outlawing every one who would not take the oath
of allegiance to the United States. There was much fluttering of
heart on the New Jersey farms, much anxious trimming in order, in
any event, to be safe. Howe's Hessians had plundered ruthlessly
causing deep resentment against the British. Now Washington found
his own people doing the same thing. Militia officers,
themselves, "generally" as he said, "of the lowest class of the
people," not only stole but incited their men to steal. It was
easy to plunder under the plea that the owner of the property was
a Tory, whether open or concealed, and Washington wrote that the
waste and theft were "beyond all conception." There were shirkers
claiming exemption from military service on the ground that they
were doing necessary service as civilians. Washington needed maps
to plan his intricate movements and could not get them. Smallpox
was devastating his army and causing losses heavier than those
from the enemy. When pay day came there was usually no money. It
is little wonder that in this spring of 1777 he feared that his
army might suddenly dissolve and leave him without a command. In
that case he would not have yielded. Rather, so stern and bitter
was he against England, would he have plunged into the western
wilderness to be lost in its vast spaces.

Howe had his own perplexities. He knew that a great expedition
under Burgoyne was to advance from Canada southward to the
Hudson. Was he to remain with his whole force at New York until
the time should come to push up the river to meet Burgoyne? He
had a copy of the instructions given in England to Burgoyne by