discovers and punishes a conspiracy to assassinate, 160;
insists on his title in correspondence with Howe, 161;
justice of his position, 162;
quiets sectional jealousies in army, 162;
his military inferiority to British, 163;
obliged by political considerations to attempt defense of New York, 163, 164;
assumes command on Long Island, 164;
sees defeat of his troops, 165;
sees plan of British fleet to cut off retreat, 166;
secures retreat of army, 167;