It was plain to his mind that the struggle was final in its character and would be decisive.

Separation from the mother country, therefore, ought to come at once, so that public opinion might be concentrated, and above all, permanency ought to be given to the army.

These ideas he had been striving to impress upon Congress, for the most part less clearsighted than he was as to facts, and as the months slipped by his letters had grown constantly more earnest and more vehement.

Still Congress hesitated, and at last Washington went himself to Philadelphia and held conferences with the principal men.

What he said is lost, but the tone of Congress certainly rose after his visit.