The decisive blow must be given at once, and before the slow political movements could come to a head.

On July 14, Washington had his plan mapped out.

He wrote in his diary:-- "Matters having now come to a crisis, and a decided plan to be determined on, I was obliged--from the shortness of Count De Grasse's promised stay on this coast, the apparent disinclination of their naval officers to force the harbor of New York, and the feeble compliance of the States with my requisitions for men hitherto, and the little prospect of greater exertions in future--to give up all ideas of attacking New York, and instead thereof to remove the French troops and a detachment from the American army to the Head of Elk, to be transported to Virginia for the purpose of cooeperating with the force from the West Indies against the troops in that State." Like most of Washington's plans, this one was clear-cut and direct, and looks now simple enough, but at the moment it was hedged with almost inconceivable difficulties at every step.

The ever-present and ever-growing obstacles at home were there as usual.

Appeals to Morris for money were met by the most discouraging responses, and the States seemed more lethargic than ever.