received with cheers and the firing of cannon.

The

Declaration was published in England and translated into European languages.

Independence was now in the minds and hearts of a majority of the American people, but it yet remained to establish it by force of arms. The struggle for the Rights of Englishmen had given place to the struggle for the Rights of Man. The people resolved to be American citizens instead of British subjects. The United Colonies became the United States.

From a photograph

THE
"LIBERTY
BELL

214. The Tories and Their Treatment. Many Americans opposed independence at first who afterward gave it hearty support. But from the beginning of the trouble some believed the king's measures to be right, and thought it wrong to oppose them. Now that war had come, and the question of independence was before the people, the king's supporters, or the Loyalists, as they liked to be called, spoke out boldly against separation from England. Many of them joined the British army. This division among the Americans was a great misfortune, because it not only made the war longer, but led to bitter feeling and many cruelties on both sides. In many neighborhoods there were murders and house-burnings. Hundreds of educated and wealthy Tory families were forced to leave their homes and flee to Nova Scotia and Canada.

THE CAMPAIGNS FOR POSSESSION OF THE MIDDLE STATES

215. The Military Objects of the British. The early American victories opened England's eyes to the size of her task. She decided to conquer the Middle States and

thus cut off New England from the South, and separate the "ringleaders," Massachusetts and Virginia. The easiest way to carry out this plan was to get possession of New York harbor and the line of the Hudson and Lake Champlain to Canada.

army to thirty thousand men. Washington had but eighteen thousand troops, mostly fresh from their farms and untrained for war. Nevertheless, he fought a battle

on Long Island with General Howe, but was defeated (August, 1776). Washington's position on Brooklyn Heights now seemed hopeless, but one night the Marblehead fishermen among his soldiers rowed his army safely over to New York. (See map, page 166.)

Although Howe was thus outwitted a second time, he succeeded in driving Washington out of the city, but failed to get in his rear, as he tried to do. The Americans checked the enemy in a fight at White Plains and took up a strong position near by. Washington sent Captain Nathan Hale to find out Howe's plans, but Hale was captured and sentenced to be hanged as a spy. As he stood ready for the signal he said: "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." General Howe turned back, stormed Fort Washington, and took possession of Fort Lee. Washington hurried across the Hudson into New Jersey to stand between the British and Philadelphia.

217. Washington's Retreat and Lee's Capture. Washington now ordered General Charles Lee, who was still on the east side of the Hudson with seven thousand troops, to join him. But Lee, a blustering adventurer who wanted to be commander-in-chief, refused, and Washington began "the retreat through the Jerseys" without him. Greatly outnumbered by the British, Washington fell back rapidly from place to place till he reached Trenton, on the Delaware. Here his little army was forced to cross the river into Pennsylvania. (See map, page 166.)

In the meantime General Lee and his troops crossed into northern New Jersey. The British captured him, but his soldiers reached Washington in safety. The loss of Lee discouraged the people still more because they believed he was a great general. The situation was dark and gloomy. Congress, alarmed at the advance of the

British, removed from Philadelphia to Baltimore. Discouraged by the long retreat and the frequent defeats, thousands of the militia returned home. The people began to give up hope, and many took the oath to obey the king. They did not yet know Washington.

218. The Victory at Trenton (1776). Lord Cornwallis, leading Howe's advance, had followed hard upon the heels of Washington to Trenton. The British could not cross the Delaware, for Washington had destroyed all the boats within reach. Cornwallis stationed his forces at different places along the river and then returned to New York to share in the Christmas festivities.

WASHINGTON AND HIS TROOPS CROSSING THE DELAWARE

From the painting by E. Leutze in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City Washington quickly saw his opportunity. It was Christmas night. The Hessian soldiers stationed in Trenton had been feasting and drinking all day, as was their custom. The weather was bitter cold, and snow and sleet were falling. "Surely," thought the half-tipsy Hessian sentinels, "it is of no use to watch. There can be no danger such a night as this."

But if they had listened they might have heard the tramp of marching feet and the rumble of. wheels. Washington and his men had crossed the Delaware amid the floating ice, and were pressing forward to Trenton. Their feet left bloodstains on the snow and their ragged clothes could not keep out the cold. Two poor fellows were frozen to death. But the little army never faltered. It was the last chance for liberty.

At daybreak the attack began. The sleepy Hessians were aroused from their beds, but it was too late. A few volleys, a wild charge, and all

was over. One thousand of the enemy surrendered with all their cannon and supplies. It was one of Washington's most famous victories. (See map, page 166.)

219. Robert Morris Helps Washington Win the Battle of Princeton. Although a victory had been won, the very soldiers who had won it were about to return to their homes. The time of their enlistment had ended, and what was worse, they had received no pay to send