We should never despair; our situation has before been unpromising, and has changed for the better; so I trust it will again.
If new difficulties arise we must only put forth new exertions, and proportion our efforts to the exigency of the times." Even after this seemingly crushing defeat he still felt sure of Burgoyne, so long as he was unsupported.

Suiting the action to the word, he again bent every nerve to rouse New England and get out her militia.

When he was satisfied that Howe was landing below Philadelphia, the first thing he did was to send forth the same cry in the same quarter, to bring out more men against Burgoyne.

He showed, too, the utmost generosity toward the northern army, sending thither all the troops he could possibly spare, and even parting with his favorite corps of Morgan's riflemen.

Despite his liberality, the commanders in the north were unreasonable in their demands, and when they asked too much, Washington flatly declined to send more men, for he would not weaken himself unduly, and he knew what they did not see, that the fate of the northern invasion turned largely on his own ability to cope with Howe.
The blame for the loss of the forts fell of course upon Schuyler, who was none too popular in Congress, and who with St.Clair was accordingly made a scape-goat.