The less the enemy's strength
is, the more subtleties of this kind will they make use of. Their
existence depends upon it, because the force of America, when
collected, is sufficient to swallow their present army up. It is
therefore our business to make short work of it, by bending our
whole attention to this one principal point, for the instant that
the main body under General Howe is defeated, all the inferior
alarms throughout the continent, like so many shadows, will follow his
downfall.
The only way to finish a war with the least possible bloodshed, or
perhaps without any, is to collect an army, against the power of which
the enemy shall have no chance. By not doing this, we prolong the war,
and double both the calamities and expenses of it. What a rich and
happy country would America be, were she, by a vigorous exertion, to
reduce Howe as she has reduced Burgoyne. Her currency would rise to
millions beyond its present value. Every man would be rich, and
every man would have it in his power to be happy. And why not do these
things? What is there to hinder? America is her own mistress and can
do what she pleases.
If we had not at this time a man in the field, we could,
nevertheless, raise an army in a few weeks sufficient to overwhelm all
the force which General Howe at present commands. Vigor and
determination will do anything and everything. We began the war with
this kind of spirit, why not end it with the same? Here, gentlemen, is
the enemy. Here is the army.
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