Before Congress adjourned to meet at Baltimore, they clothed Washington with unusual powers. They voted: "Until Congress orders otherwise, General Washington shall be possessed of all power to order and direct all things relative to the department and to the operations of war." In the days of ancient Rome, such power would have constituted him a military dictator. It was conferred in answer to a remarkable communication from Washington himself, one of the most able, practical, and faithful public documents extant, in which he said: "It may be thought that I am going a good deal out of the line of my duty to adopt these measures or advise thus freely. A character to lose, an estate to forfeit, the inestimable blessings of liberty at stake, and a life devoted, must be my excuse." Washington immediately recruited three battalions of artillery. He promised those whose time of enlistment had expired an increase of twenty-five per cent to their pay if they would remain, and ten dollars bounty for six weeks' service. "It is no time to stand upon expense," he said. On the 20th of December, General Sullivan arrived with Lee's army. The men were in a bad plight, many of them sick and exhausted, others ragged and desponding. On the same day, also, General Gates arrived with the remnants of four regiments from the Northern army. "Now is our time to strike a blow that shall put heart into the friends of our cause," said Washington to General Greene. "I am at your service in any enterprise that will do that," answered Greene. "Explain." "I propose an immediate attack upon the enemy," said Washington. "Well, there is no cowardice in that proposition," remarked Greene. "To recross the Delaware that is filled with ice, and attack the enemy in his own camp, this wintry weather, is worthy of the commander-in-chief of the American army." "Howe has gone into winter quarters in New York," continued Washington. "His troops are scattered about loosely, because he thinks the rebel army is powerless. Cornwallis has left our front, and returned to New York. The Hessians are stationed along the Delaware, facing us, and are thinking more of a good time, probably, in this Christmas season, than they are of us. It is a good time to surprise them." "Perhaps so," answered Greene. "How about crossing the river with so much floating ice in it?" "That is not an insuperable barrier," replied Washington. "Besides, if we wait until the river is frozen over, the enemy will surprise us." "You are resolved to attack them?" added Greene. "Yes, on the 25th, which is close by." General Greene and the other officers entered into the plan with all their hearts, as soon as they fully comprehended it. The night of the 25th was the earliest moment the army could move. The intervening time would be required for preparation.