arrival of a plan of operations from England, which was that you
should proceed for Philadelphia by way of the Chesapeake, and that
Burgoyne, after reducing Ticonderoga, should take his route by
Albany, and, if necessary, join you.

The splendid laurels of the last campaign have flourished in the
north. In that quarter America has surprised the world, and laid the
foundation of this year's glory. The conquest of Ticonderoga, (if it
may be called a conquest) has, like all your other victories, led on
to ruin. Even the provisions taken in that fortress (which by General
Burgoyne's return was sufficient in bread and flour for nearly 5000
men for ten weeks, and in beef and pork for the same number of men
for one month) served only to hasten his overthrow, by enabling him
to proceed to Saratoga, the place of his destruction. A short review
of the operations of the last campaign will show the condition of
affairs on both sides.

You have taken Ticonderoga and marched into Philadelphia. These are
all the events which the year has produced on your part. A trifling
campaign indeed, compared with the expenses of England and the
conquest of the continent. On the other side, a considerable part of
your northern force has been routed by the New York militia under
General Herkemer. Fort Stanwix has bravely survived a compound attack
of soldiers and savages, and the besiegers have fled. The Battle of
Bennington has put a thousand prisoners into our hands, with all
their arms, stores, artillery and baggage. General Burgoyne, in two
engagements, has been defeated; himself, his army, and all that were
his and theirs are now ours. Ticonderoga and Independence [forts] are
retaken, and not the shadow of an enemy remains in all the northern
districts. At this instant we have upwards of eleven thousand