 Complete the following phrase:  In early September 1776, after the British victory at the Battle of Long Island, Admiral Lord Howe, having been appointed Acting Peace Commissioner by King George III, met with John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Edward Rutledge to hold discussions. Lord Howe initially sought to meet the men as private citizens he had known Franklin prior to the war, but he agreed to the Americans demand that he recognize them as the official representatives of Congress. The Americans insisted for any negotiations to require British recognition of their independence. Lord Howe stated that he did not have the authority to meet their demand. The British resumed the campaign at the 