Toward the end of May he broke up his cantonments, having now about seven thousand men, and took a strong position within ten miles of Brunswick.

Here he waited, keeping an anxious eye on the Hudson in case he should be mistaken in his expectations, and should find that the enemy really intended to go north to meet Burgoyne instead of south to capture Philadelphia.
Washington's doubts were soon to be resolved and his expectations fulfilled.

May 31, a fleet of a hundred sail left New York, and couriers were at once sent southward to warn the States of the possibility of a speedy invasion.

About the same time transports arrived with more German mercenaries, and Howe, thus reinforced, entered the Jerseys.

Washington determined to decline battle, and if the enemy pushed on and crossed the Delaware, to hang heavily on their rear, while the militia from the south were drawn up to Philadelphia.
He adopted this course because he felt confident that Howe would never cross the Delaware and leave the main army of the Americans behind him.