He had so little contempt for his foe that he practised a blighting caution.

On April 12, 1777, Washington, in view of his own depleted force, in a state of half famine, wrote: "If Howe does not take advantage of our weak state he is very unfit for his trust." Howe remained inactive and time, thus despised, worked its due revenge.

Later Howe did move, and with skill, but he missed the rapid combination in action which was the first condition of final success.

He could have captured Philadelphia in May.

He took the city, but not until September, when to hold it had become a liability and not an asset.