dissoluteness of the troops could not but be regarded by such people as
a contempt of them, as well as an offense against piety; and it
influenced all the representations which they made to their countrymen
respecting the British. They inferred from it, also, that the commander
could not be sufficiently intent on the plans of either conciliation or
subjugation; so that the opinions of the Philadelphians, whether
erroneous or not, materially promoted the cause of Congress. During the
whole of this long winter of riot and dissipation, General Washington
was suffered to continue with the remains of his army, not exceeding
5,000 effective men at most, undisturbed at Valley Forge, considerable
arrears of pay due to them; almost in a state of nature for want of
clothing; the Europeans in the American service disgusted and deserting
in great numbers, and indeed in companies, to the British army, and the
natives tired of the war. Yet, under all these favorable circumstances
for the British interest, no one step was taken to dislodge Washington,
whose cannon were frozen up and could not be moved. If Sir William Howe
had marched out in the night he might have brought Washington to
action, or if he had retreated, he must have left his sick, cannon,
ammunition, and heavy baggage behind. A nocturnal attack on the
Americans would have had this further good effect: it would have
depressed the spirit of revolt, confirmed the wavering, and attached
them to the British interest. It would have opened a passage for
supplies to the city, which was in great want of provisions for the
inhabitants. It would have shaken off that lethargy in which the
British soldiers had been immerged during the winter. It would have
convinced the well-affected that the British leader was in earnest. If
Washington had retreated the British could have followed. With one of
the best-appointed in every respect and finest armies (consisting of at
least 14,000 effective men) ever assembled in any country, a number of
officers of approved service, wishing only to be led to action, this