that, with a handful of men, we sustained an orderly retreat for near
an hundred miles, brought off our ammunition, all our field pieces,
the greatest part of our stores, and had four rivers to pass. None
can say that our retreat was precipitate, for we were near three
weeks in performing it, that the country might have time to come in.
Twice we marched back to meet the enemy, and remained out till dark.
The sign of fear was not seen in our camp, and had not some of the
cowardly and disaffected inhabitants spread false alarms through the
country, the Jerseys had never been ravaged. Once more we are again
collected and collecting; our new army at both ends of the continent
is recruiting fast, and we shall be able to open the next campaign
with sixty thousand men, well armed and clothed. This is our
situation, and who will may know it. By perseverance and fortitude we
have the prospect of a glorious issue; by cowardice and submission,
the sad choice of a variety of evils- a ravaged country- a
depopulated city- habitations without safety, and slavery without
hope- our homes turned into barracks and bawdy-houses for Hessians,
and a future race to provide for, whose fathers we shall doubt of.
Look on this picture and weep over it! and if there yet remains one
thoughtless wretch who believes it not, let him suffer it unlamented.

COMMON SENSE.

December 23, 1776.

The Crisis

II.

TO LORD HOWE.