When we comprehend the difficulties, then we can see plainly the greatness of the man who quietly and silently took them up and disposed of them.

Some he scotched and some he killed, but he dealt with them all after a fashion sufficient to enable him to move steadily forward.

In his presence the provincial committee suddenly stiffened and grew strong.
All correspondence with Tryon was cut off, the Tories were repressed, and on Long Island steps were taken to root out "these abominable pests of society," as the commander-in-chief called them in his plain-spoken way.

Then forts were built, soldiers energetically recruited and drilled, arrangements made for prisoners, and despite all the present cares anxious thought was given to the Canada campaign, and ideas and expeditions, orders, suggestions, and encouragement were freely furnished to the dispirited generals and broken forces of the north.
One matter, however, overshadowed all others.

Nearly a year before, Washington had seen that there was no prospect or possibility of accommodation with Great Britain.