what major point was thomas paine trying to make using the evidence in this passage?

the crisis, no. 1

by thomas paine (excerpt)

while our army was collected, howe dared not risk a battle; and it is no credit to him that he decamped from the white plains, and waited a mean opportunity to ravage the defenceless jerseys; but it is great credit to us, that, with a handful of men, we sustained an orderly retreat for near an hundred miles, brought off our ammunition, all our field pieces, the greatest part of our stores, and had four rivers to pass. none can say that our retreat was precipitate, for we were near three weeks in performing it, that the country might have time to come in. twice we marched back to meet the enemy, and remained out till dark. the sign of fear was not seen in our camp, and had not some of the cowardly and disaffected inhabitants spread false alarms through the country, the jerseys had never been ravaged. once more we are again collected and collecting; our new army at both ends of the continent is recruiting fast, and we shall be able to open the next campaign with sixty thousand men, well armed and clothed. this is our situation, and who will may know it. by perseverance and fortitude we have the prospect of a glorious issue; by cowardice and submission, the sad choice of a variety of evils . .

the british army was thoroughly unprepared to take on the american colonists.

the continental army had a realistic chance of winning against the british.

the continental army was not likely to defeat the british, but it could still compel the british to negotiate.

it was necessary to remain vigilant against cowardly people who were willing to spread rumors of defeat.