Chapter IV: July, 1776-November, 1777

CONSEQUENCES OF THE DECLARATION OF
INDEPENDENCE.--REORGANIZATION OF THE CONTINENTAL
ARMY.--FLIGHT OF THE CONGRESS FROM PHILADELPHIA.--PLAN OF THE
CONFEDERATION PROPOSED.

Effect of the Declaration of Independence 89

More vigorous and decisive Measures adopted by the Congress 90

Mischievous Adhesion to State Interests 90

History of the Army 91

General Washington abandons the City of New York 91

Writes to the President of Congress 91

He retreats to the Heights of Haerlem, and again appeals to
Congress 92

The Congress organizes a new Army 92

Number of Battalions raised by each State 93

Inducements to enlist 93

Serious Defects in the Plan 93

Washington suggests a Remedy 94

Promotion of the Officers provided for 95

Another Defect in the Plan 95

Massachusetts and Connecticut offer further Pay to their Men 95

Washington remonstrates 96

Congress augments the Pay of the Army 96

Ill Effects of the System 96

Number of the American Forces near New York 96

Washington's Discouragement 97

His Situation and Trials 97

His Retreat through New Jersey 98

Loss of Philadelphia threatened 99

Washington asks for Extraordinary Powers from the Congress 100

Powers intrusted to him 100

Unsettled Condition of the Political System 101

The Congress apologizes to the Governors of the States 102

Inaccuracy of their Position 103

The States acquiesce in the Powers granted to Washington 104

Articles of Confederation pending in Congress 104

Eminent Men retire from Congress 104

Delegations of the States renewed 105

Striking Instance of State Jealousy 106

Washington requires an Oath of Allegiance to the United
States 107

The Requisition denounced as improper 107

Its Propriety 108

Formation of a new Army 110

Embarrassments in the Formation of the Army 110

Persistence of the States in giving Extra Bounties 110

Bounty offered by Massachusetts 111

Army greatly reduced 111

Washington hindered in his Efforts to plan and carry out a
Campaign 112

Applications for Troops to defend particular Neighborhoods 112

Battle of the Brandywine 113

The Congress leaves Philadelphia 113

Sir William Howe takes Possession of it 113

The Congress removes to Yorktown 113

They resolve to consider the Articles of Confederation 114

The Plan of a Confederacy submitted to the several
Legislatures 114

Necessity for a National Government 114

End of the Revolutionary Government approaching 115

Want of a Civil Executive 115

States engaged in forming Governments 116

Colonies accustomed to the Business of Government 116

Practice of Representation familiar 117

Previous Political Training of the People 118

Distinctions between the Departments of Government 119

Ideas not yet applied to a General Government 120

Union of the People of the United States, as distinguished
from a Union of the States, learned by a bitter Experience 122

First Stage in the Constitutional History of the Country 123