Gradually, however, the absolutely necessary business was brought to an end.

Then Washington issued a circular letter to the governors of the States, which was one of the ablest he ever wrote, and full of the profoundest statesmanship, and he also sent out a touching address of farewell to the army, eloquent with wisdom and with patriotism.
From Princeton he went to West Point, where the army that still remained in service was stationed.

Thence he moved to Harlem, and on November 25 the British army departed, and Washington, with his troops, accompanied by Governor Clinton and some regiments of local militia, marched in and took possession.

This was the outward sign that the war was over, and that American independence had been won.
Carleton feared that the entry of the American army might be the signal for confusion and violence, in which the Tory inhabitants would suffer; but everything passed off with perfect tranquillity and good order, and in the evening Governor Clinton gave a public dinner to the commander-in-chief and the officers of the army.
All was now over, and Washington prepared to go to Annapolis and lay down his commission.

On December 4 his officers assembled in Fraunces' Tavern to bid him farewell.