In a word, when they are at a distance, they think it is but to say, _Presto, begone_, and everything is done.
They seem not to have any conception of the difficulty and perplexity attending those who are to execute." It was so easy to see what they would like to have done, and so simple to pass a resolve to that effect, that Congress never could appreciate the reality of the difficulty and the danger until the hand of the enemy was almost at their throats.

They were not even content with delay and neglect, but interfered actively at times, as in the matter of the exchange of prisoners, where they made unending trouble for Washington, and showed themselves unable to learn or to keep their hands off after any amount of instruction.
In January Washington issued a proclamation requiring those inhabitants who had subscribed to Howe's declaration to come in within thirty days and take the oath of allegiance to the United States.

If they failed to do so they were to be treated as enemies.

The measure was an eminently proper one, and the proclamation was couched in the most moderate language.

It was impossible to permit a large class of persons to exist on the theory that they were peaceful American citizens and also subjects of King George.