He was not satisfied, and no one should believe that he was, even if the admission seemed to justify the charge of cruelty.

If he erred at all it was in not executing some British officer at the very start, unless Lippencott had been given up within a limited time.

As it was, after delay was once permitted, it is hard to see how he could have acted otherwise than he did, but Washington was not in the habit of receding from a fixed purpose, and being obliged to do so in this case troubled him, for he knew that he did well to be angry.

But the frankness of the avowal to Vergennes is a good example of his entire honesty and absolute moral fearlessness.
The matter, however, which most filled his heart and mind during these weary days of waiting and doubt was the condition and the future of his soldiers.

To those persons who have suspected or suggested that Washington was cold-blooded and unmindful of others, the letters he wrote in regard to the soldiers may be commended.