“Just” & “Noble” Cause
Washington made an understanding that those that gave their allegiance to the Crown could come back to the American "cause" without punishment. The patriots in New Jersey were outraged that these traitors were going to get off so easy.
He also stated that those that conspired with the British would be escorted to British lines and be released with their possessions that would not help the British.
George Washington was a diplomate and a general. He felt that the acts of kindness would help encourage an honorable image of the patriots. The British were hoping that the patriots would loose faith for their cause and quickly run back to their farms and give up their desire for independence.
George Washington was trying to make a plea to his 13 colonies and to the world that his army was "just" and "noble" and would fight for the liberties and inalienable rights that the British were taking from them. The Americans were fighting for "common sense". The rights that God gave free men and women should be something to take sides and fight for.
Did not ravish the countryside
Washington did not ravage the countryside for clothes and food like the British and Hessians did. He treated the colonialists with respect and made his army go without. Washington felt that if the army were to invade the "peoples" homes and take what they wanted they would be no different than the British and Hessians. The Continental Congress kept encouraging Washington to take from the colonists what the army needed for food and basic necessities but George Washington felt that this was what they were fighting for. A free and independent nation, not a military state. He felt that the army and navy was there to protect "the people" not harm them. He felt that it was important to win the hearts and minds of the nation instead of abuse them.
George Washington stood for principles of engagement. He made his army go without and put the responsibility on the congress and the states to step forward and provide for their needs. Due to his philosophy and the lack of support from the Continental Congress the soldiers were usually starving and typically without proper supplies throughout the war. Washington regularly was outraged at the lack of commitment the Continental Congress gave to the men and women that were fighting for "their" freedoms and liberty.
The French were so important in shipping gun power to the Continental Army. The war would not have succeeded without their help. Benjamin Franklin was so important in this endeavor. His ability to turn the hatred of the French for the British into support of the Americans was epic. It wouldn't be until the battle of Saratoga until the French were "all in" to help beat the British.
An “Oath”
Washington made the people swear an oath when they switched back to their American alliance. The oath used the words: "The United States of America," not the state of New Jersey. This was a controversial issue at the time. This shows historians that Washington had a clear view of the "end game". He wanted a cohesive plan of united states, not separate them.
“Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death”
The phrase "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" was a bold sentiment of the colonists. Patrick Henry was the first to use this phrase during the Virginia House of Burgesses convention to pass a resolution delivering the Virginia troops to the Revolutionary War. That day George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were there to hear this strong plea for action against the British Monarchy.
The French lost both the "French and Indian War" and the "Battle of Canada" to the British. The French wanted to get even. This gave fuel to their support for the 13 colonies. This war in America was eventually going to create a world recession which would throw France into their own Revolution in 1789. The British were already beginning to feel the pinch of their economic problems at home caused by the battles across the Atlantic.
Becoming “The United States of America”
The English hope was that the colonists would change their allegiance back to the crown and again pay taxes to cover the expense of the army and navy protecting them. The feeling of providence was growing and this fledgling ragtag farming community in America was becoming "The United States of America", just as George Washington and his fellow patriots had envisioned it.
George Washington moved his army to Morristown to cut off the supply lines of the British and to block their advance to Philadelphia.