There was the wholly patriotic but slumberous, and for fighting purposes quite inefficient Congress still to be waked up and kept awake, and to be instructed.

With painful and plain-spoken repetition this work was grappled with and done methodically, and like all else as effectively as was possible.
Meanwhile the days slipped along, and Washington waited on the Harlem Plains, planning descents on Long Island, and determining to make a desperate stand where he was, unless the situation decidedly changed.
Then the situation did change, as neither he nor any one else apparently had anticipated.

The British warships came up the Hudson past the forts, brushing aside our boasted obstructions, destroying our little fleet, and getting command of the river.

Then General Howe landed at Frog's Point, where he was checked for the moment by the good disposition of Heath, under Washington's direction.

These two events made it evident that the situation of the American army was full of peril, and that retreat was again necessary.