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CONTAINING, A Review of the Cuftoms and Manners OF THE Original Inhabitants ; The firft Settlement of the BRITISH COLONIES, THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS, FROM The earliefl Period to the Time of their becoming United, free and independent States. By thh Rev. Mr. COOPER. Embellifhed with Copper-Plate Cjjts. LONDON: PrinfcJ for K. X v. w b e r y , the Corner of St. Paul's Church- Yard. 1 7 89. t^' /'•i/^ .'n nhm I <\ »,•■ mm 'vl^/1 r^rM mm ■1,1- •••l-:' -iJ i'.'ivi- \*( rut- ^''M d:^ ^n'E 237788 C7e3 P R E F A C E. FUTURE generations will per- haps view the late revolution in North America, as the nioft fingular phoenomenon that ever appeared in the political heiTiifphere of any nation. To point out the gradual (leps by which America finally obtained her in- dependence, to defcribe thofe terrible fccnes of rapine, blood, and flaughter, which accompanied thofc ftrugglcs, (o fatal to thoufands of brave officers anvi men on both fides, and fo ruinous to the finances of the mother-country, are principally the objects of this epitome. In the execution of this bufinefs, we have endeavoured to diveft ourfelves of every fpark of national prejudice, and have therefore contented ourfelves with tarely relating fafts, without prefum- A 2 ins P R E F A C r. ing to give our opinion thereon, wifhing to leave our readers the fole power of judging for themfelvcs. Bcfides the detail of thefe important events, we have giv^en an account of the cuftoms and manners of the original Ij inhabitants of North America, and fuch as they nearly are at this day. We have alfo fhewn at what time, and by I |l what caufes, the Britifh colonies in North America were firft fettled, and have marked their rife from their origi- nal infignificance, till they became thirteen United and Independent States. CON- CONTENTS. C H A P. I. DESCRIPTION of the pnfim, maimer-, and ciifiofn: Cjf the original inhabitants cf Korih America* — Their drep^ education ^ and employ ^ ?nents, — Their h^if vitality and r< fentments, — Li- berty the darling pajjion of the orirrifjal natives, — heajls on niohat occafuis appointrd. — Method of atoning for murdcr,-^Mourni//g f^' their dead,-^ T^he feafi of fouls, — Method cf preparing for njuar, "^Miferable Jlate of their prifoners^ Page 1 3 CHAP. II. Account of the firfi fettle rs of North America, — Set- tlement at Neiv Plymouth, — The Puritans pur- chafe and fettle the Majfachufetts Ray. — Conne^i- cut and Neiv Ha'ven colo?iies f tiled, — Prouidencc and Rhode Ifland* — AVtu Hampjhire and the Main. — Ne^w York, — Nenxj ferfty, — Virginia,^-- Maryland, — Carolina, — Pcnnfyhjauia and Dela^ ^warc* — Georgia^ ■ » ^z CHAP. III. Expedition againji Louijhurgh, — Gen, Braddnck de- feated, — Maffachufeils afpmhly declare againji parliami-ntary taxes, — The Jiamp a.1, — Riits at Bfion on account of that afl. — The flam p aCi re- pealed, — Mr, Charles To'junJ/.^i'nd's hill for taxing the cohnies afrejh. — Troops ordered to Rijion,—' Soldiers at Bojion fire on the inhabitants, — Eaft India company empoivered to export their o-iun teas, —^Tea thrO'ivn into the fea at Piojijn, — Meafures purfucd relative to the Bofion port Bill, — Majfa- chufetts people prepare to defend their rights by arms, — Gage fortifies the entrance into Bofion,— Proceedings in the Britijh houjes of parliament,-^ Gen, Gage fends troops to Salem. — He fends troops tQ Concord and Lexington, ^wln arc defeated,'^- '?! ^iT-^r:; 1i !'' 1 CONTENTS. The rfjlrahnng hills, ^^llrwey Clinton , and 7?//;'- goyne fail for Bofloti, - 47 CHAP. IV. Tlye txpeditio?t againji 1 icondcroga, — George Wifh- iugton^ Efq, eleded commander in chief of thf continental forces, — The hnitle at Breed's-hill^ commonly called Bunker s-hilL — Georgia accecds to th- wih:i. — The Thirteen United Colonies, — I he Afin man of ivar fires nf>on Ne'W York. — CoL Arnold's expedition into Canada, — Falmouth dc^ firnyedf and on %vhat account, — Col Allen y an American officer y taken fr if oner ^ and put in irons. — ^en^ Montgomery appears before ^cheCy and is killed there y 66 CHAP. V. Gen, Hoive e*z}acuates Boffon, — Norfolk in Virginia burnt, — Sir Peter Parker and Earl Corniuallis fail fir America, — The blockade of ^ehec conti- nued. — T'he Americans retreat from before it, — A number of Highlanders and Col, Campbell taken at Bofhn, — Declaration of Amefi^an independence, \ Gen. HoiL'e lands the rryal army on Lon^\ IjJatid, 8 5 CHAP. VI. Wretched fiate of the American armies under WaJhA ington and Gates, — Ne^w York taken by the Eng- lijb. — The battle of the White Plains, — A body H(Jfians defeated at T'rentm, — Gen, Hoi.vc rc-\ moves his army from Stater? Ifland, — Gc7i, Bur- gcyne proceeds to CrO'i.vn Point, — T icondcroga aui^ Fort Independence evacuated by the Americans^ — I Defcription of the flag of the United States, — Bat- •tie at the Brandy^juine. — Philadelphia taken h\ the my al forces, — Account of Mifs M'Rea's crun death hy the Indians. — Americans engage the Brii tifh under Gen„ Burgoyne* — Di/irefs and c-ahinut CONTENTS. Qf the royal ar7ny\ — Gen, Burgoyne baffled in all hii dejignsy and reduced to the lafi extremity, — //«• Jigm the ccn'vention, 104. C M A P VII. Count Donop repul/td in the attack upon Red Bank.— » Mud I/land reduced by the Briti/h,- — Congnfs re-' ceitch and Spanij/j Jlcet form a jioitiion in the It'ejl Indies. — Mr, Lanrens taken in his paffage to Holland, — Sir 'Jojcph Vorkc leagues the ilagne, — Lieut, Col, Tarhton detached after Gen, Morgan t by njohom Tarleton is defeated,^^ Cornn^valUs attacks Greene^ and defeats him, — Sir George Rodiiey and Gen, Vaughan take 6V. En^aliay St, Martin, and Saba, — '•J he French troops join the Americans under Wajkington, — Sir Samuel Hood an i Couftt de Grajffe engage, — Lord ■ Cor7i-jcallis repairs to York Toavn and Gloucejier, — A capitulation fettle dy and Corn^valliifnrrenders . the forts of York lo'wn and, Ghmcejler* — The Ihi- tijh fleet and ar?ny, dfftined for the relief of Lord Cornijuallis, arri've off Chej apeak after his fur" render y and confequently return to h'eiv Tork,'^ De Graffe fails for the Weft Indies* 16 1 CHAP. X. IMr, Laurens difcharged from his confinement in the T'onjoer of London, — Sir George Rodney comes up - xy^ THE '^ H £ HISTORY ^\m Q f NORTH AMERICA^ i CHAP. I. BEFORE we proceed to defcribe what America is at prefent, or by what means (he became independent of the Mo* ther Country, it cannot be difagreeable to our readers, to be informed of the perfons, cuftoms, and manners, of the original in* habitants of North America. The native American Indians are tall and ftraight in their limbs, beyond the pro- portion of moft nations. Their bodies are flrong, but more fitted to endure much hard&ip, than to continue long at any fer<» vile work, which they cannot fupport. Their . bodies and heads are flattifh ; B their I 5i! f ft V 1 ? i I, ,» H The History of their features are even and regular, but their countenances fierce ; their hair long, black, lank, and very ftrong, but without beards. The colour of their (kin is a red- difh brown, which moft of them admire, and take proper methods to improve. Th^ Europeans, on their firft arrival in America, found the Indians quite naked, except thofe parts, which it is common for the moft uncivilized people to conceal. Since that time, they have generally a coarle blanket to cover them, which they buv from their neisihbours. The whole tenor of their lives is of a piece *- they are hardy, poor, and fqualid ; and their educa- tion, from their infancy, is folcly directed to fit their bodies for the mode of life they pur- fue, and to form their minds to inflift and endure the greateft evils. Their only oc- cupations are hunting and war, for agri- culture is left to their women. As foon as their hunting feafon is over, which they go through with much patience, and in which they exert great ingenuity, they pafs the reft of their lives in en- tire indolence. They fleep half the day in their huts, and obferve no bounds of de- cency in their eating and drinking. Be- fore the Europeans difcovered them, they had no fpirituous liquors j but now, the acquire- North America, IS acquirement of thefe is the principal ob- jc\ if *f m P rum 'h ■1 , 1 7 '•»»'^ ■f t ■d ' ;■ J» uu -Rjasai- : ii Mil . ; t6 The History or have privately offended him, he is imph- Ccible. He conceals his refentments, he appears reconciled, till, by fome treachery or furprife, he has an opportunity of exe- cuting an horrible revenge. No length of time is fufficient to allay his refentment, no diftance of place great enough to pro- ted: the object ; he croffes the fteepeft mountains, he pierces the moft i'.npervious forefts, and traverfes the moft hideous bogs and deferts for fome hundreds of miles, bearing the inclemency of the feafons, the fatigue of the expedition, the extremes of hunger and thirft, with patience and cheerfulncfs, in hopes of iurprifrng his enemy, on whom he exercifcs the moft (hocking barbarities. The Americans have fcarce any tem- ples J for, as they live by hunting, inhabit mean cottages, and are given to change their habitation, they are feldom very reli- gious. Some appear to have little ideas of God y others entertain better notions, and hold the exiftence of the Supreme Being, eternal and uncorruptible, who has power over all. Satisfied with owning this, which is traditionary among them, they pay hjm no fort of worfliip. The darling pafBon of the Americans is liberty, and that in its fuUeft extent : to liberty the native Indians facrificc every thing. North America. *7 thini^. This is what makes a life of un- certainty and want fupportable to them, and their education is directed in fuch a manner as to cherilh this difpofition to the utmoft. They are indulged in all manner of liberty ; they are never, upon any ac- count, chaftifed v/ith blows, and very rarely even chidden. Though fome tribes are found in Ame- rica with a king at their head, yet his power is rather perfuafive than coercive, and he is reverenced as a father, more than feared as a monarch. He has no guards, no prifons, no officers of juitice. In fome tribes, there are a kind of nobility, who, when they come to years of difcretion, are entitled to a place and vote in the councils of the nation. But among the Five Na- tions, or Iroquois, the mofi: celebrated commonwealth of North America, and in fome other nations, there is no other qua- lification abfolutely necefliry for the head- men, but age, with ability and experience in their affairs. Whenever any affair of confequencc is to be tranfiAcled, they appoint a fcall-, of which alnioit the whole nation partakes. There are fmaJler feafts on matters of lefs general concern, to which none are invited but thofe who are engaged in that particular buiinefs. At thefe fcads it Is ajainft all B ^ rule .'it 't^ Mi '•fi .:f^ m ] \h 8' ii ll t !i I! ii II 1 i!i;: 'it I : 18 The History of rule to leave any thing ; fo that, if they cannot eat all, what remains is thrown into the fire. They look upon fire as a thing facred, and in all probability their feafts were anciently facrifices. Before the entertainment is ready, the principal perfon begins a fong, the fubjeft of which is the fabulous or real hiftory of their na- tion, the remarkable events which have happened,nnd whatever matters may conduce to their honour or inftruftion. The others fing in their turn. They have dances too, with which they accompany their fongs, chiefly of a martial kind j and no folem* nity or public bufinefs is carried on with- out fuch fongs and dances. The charge of the internal peace and order is likewife committed to the fame council of their ciders, which regulates whatever regards the external policy of the ftate. 1 heir fuits are few, and quickly decided, having neither property nor art enough to render them perplexed or te-^ dious. The lofs of any of their people, whe-p thcr by v/ar or a natural death, is lamented by the whole town he belongs to. In fuch circumftances no bufinefs is taken in hand, however important, nor any rejoicings permitted, however interefting the occa- iion, until all the pious ceremonies due to the North America. 19 the dead are performed, which are always difcharged with the greateft folemnity. The dead body is warned- anointed, and painted, fo as in fome meafure to abate the horrors of death. Then the women la-^ ment the lofs with the moft bitter cries, and the moft hideous bowlings, intermixed with fongs, which celebrate the great ac- tions of the deceafed, and thofe of his an- ceflors. The men mourn in a lefs ex- travagant manner. The whole village at- tends the body to the grave, which is then interred, habited in their moft fumptuous ornaments. With the body of the deceafed are placed his bow and arrows, with what he valued moft in his life, and provifions for the long journey he is to take. Feaft- ing attends this, as it does every folem- nity. No inftances of regard to their deceafed friends are fo ftriking as what they call the Feaft of the Dead, or the Feaft of Souls, The day of this ceremony is appointed in the council of their chiefs, who give or- ders for every thing that may enable them to celebrate it with pomp and magnificence. The neighbouring people are invited to partake of the feaft, and to be witnefTes of the fol.?mnity. At this time, all who have died fmce the !aft folemn feaft of that kind iire taken out of their graves j thofe who have ■■ ' M ■ ' ♦•'i'i! •ill i! \\m • 'I' 20 The History or have been interred at the greateft diftance from the villages are diligently lought after, and brought to this great rendezvous of fepulchral relidls. The opening of thefc tombs dlfplays one of the mod ftriking fcenes that can be con- ceived. This humiliating portrait of human ;| mifery, exhibited in fo many images of death, wherein a thoufand various fhapes of horror are depidled, according to the different ra- vages that time has made, forms altogether a fcene too indelicate to be here defcribed. I know not which ought to affedt us moft, the horror of fo itriking a fight, or the tender piety and affection of thofe poor people towards their departed friends. This flrange feftival is the moll magni- ficent and folemn of any they have, not only on account of the great concourfe of natives and ftrangers, and of the pompous re-interment they give to the dead, whom they drefs in the fineft fkins they can get, after having expofcd them for fome time in this pomp, but for the games of all kinds which they celebrate upon the occafion, in the fpirit of thofc, which the ancient Greeks and Romans celebrated upon fimi- lar occafions. In this manner do they en- deavour to footh the calamities of this life, by the honours they pay to the dead. Though among North America. 2f among thefe favage nations '"his cuftom is impreffed with ftrong marks of* the ferocity of their nature ; yet an honour to the dead, a tender feeling of their abfencc, and a revival of their memory, are fome of the moft excellent means of foftenijig our rugged nature into humanity. Though the women in America have generally the laborious part of ceco- nomy upon themfelves, yet they are far from being the flaves they appear, and are not at all fabjedt to the great fubordina- tion, in which they are placed in countries where they feem to be more refpedled. On the contrary, they hold their councils, and have their (hare in all deliberations that concern the ftate ; nor are they found in- ferior to the part they a6l. Polygamy is pracSifed by iome nations, but it is not general. In moft places, they content themfelves with one wife ; but a divorce is admitted, and for the fame caufes that it was allowed among the Jews, Greeks, and Romans. No nation of the Americans is without a regular marriage, in which there are many ceremonies. Incontinent before marriage, after wedlock the chaftity of their women is remarkable. The punifli- ment of the adultrefs, as well as that of the adulterer, is in the hands of the huf- band himfelf, and it is often fevere, being inaiaed '•°B mm I'.^w" ■):• \ M •■ i' it f ♦ ,< ;t; ^2 The History of infliSed by him who is at once the party and the judge. Their marriages are not fruitful, feldom producing above two or three children ; and from hence we may derive the principal caufc of the depopula- tion of America. The manner of their preparing for war, and their mode of carrying it on, feem pe- culiar to themfelves. Almoft the fole oc- cupation of the American Indian is war, or fuch an exercife as qualifies him for it. His whole glory confifts in this, and no li.an is at all confidered until he has en- creafed the ftrength of his country with a captive, or adorned his hat with the fcalp of one of his enemies. When the an- cients refolve upon war, they do not al- ways declare what nation it is they are de- termined to attack, that the enemy, upon whom they really intend to fall, may be ofF | their guard ; and they fometimes even let whole years pafs over without committing any aft of hoftility, that the vigilance of all may be unbent by the long continuance of the watch, and the uncertainty of the danger. In the mean time, they are not idle at | home. The principal captain fummonfes the youths of the town to which he be- longs, the war-kettle is fet on the fire, thq war fongs ^nd dances commence, the hatchet North America. 23 "hatchet is fent to the villages and allies of the fame nation, and the moft hideous howlings continue, without intermiflion, day and night, over the whole tradt of country. 'I'he women add their cries to thofc of the men, lamenting thofe whom they have either loft in war or by natural death, and de^ianding their places to be fupplied by their enemies. I'he fury of the nation being thus railed to the greateft height, and all longing to em- brue their hands in blood, the war captain prepares the feaft, which confifts of dog's flefh. All that partake of this feaft re- ceive little billets, which are fo many en- gagements they take to be faithful to each other, and obedient to their commander. None are forced to the war ; but, when they have accepted this billet, they are looked upon as enlifted, and it is then death to recede. All the warriors in this afiem- bly have their faces blackened with char- coal, intermixed with dafties and ftreaks of Vermillion, which give them a moft horrid appearance. Their hair is drefted up in an odd manner, with feathers of va- rious kinds. In this aflembly, which is preparatory to their military expedition, the chief be- gins the war-fong, which having conti- nued for fome time, he raifes his voice to the W i r-^ i w 1 » iNlit ■( fi !i: i 1 :H» t i I'; i!;; hi ' !!!:. ili' 24 The History of the highcft pitch,, and turnins; off fudJenly J in a Tort of prayer, he adJreiTes himfelf to the god of war, whom they cull Arefkoni. " I invoke thee (fays he) to be favourable j to my enterprife ! I invoice thy care of me' and my family! I invoke ye llkewife, all yc fpirits and daemons good and evil ! all ye that are in the fkies, or on the earth, or under the earth, to pour deft:ru6lion on our: enemies, and to return me and niy compa- nions (afely to my country 1" All the war- 1| riors join him in this prayer with fhouts j and acclamations. The captain renews ^ his fong, ftrikes his club againll the Hakes of the cottage, and begins the war- dance, accompanied with the fliouts of all his companions, which continue as long as he dances. On the day appointed for their departure,! they take leave of their friends, and change their clothes, or .vhat moveables they have, in token of friendfhip. Their wives and female relations go out before them, and attend at forr.^ diftance from the town. The warriors march out all drefled in their iineft apparel and moft fliowy ornaments, regularly one after another, for they never march in rank. Their chief walks flowly on before them, fmging the death-fong, while the reft preferve the moft profound filcnccc When they come up to the wo- men. North America. 25 men, they deliver to them all their iinery, put on their vvorft clothes, and then proceed as their commander directs. Tiie Indians feldom engage in a war upon motives common to Europe : they have no other end but the glory ot' vicSory, or the benefit of their flaves, which it ena- bles them to add to their nation, or facri- fice to their brutal fury ; an4 it is very fel- dom, that they take any pains to give their wars even a colour of juftice. They fall fometimes on one nation, and fometimes on another, and furprife fome of their hunters, whom tht^y fcalp and bring home as prifoners. Their fcnators wink at this, or rather encourage it, as it tends to keep up the martial fpirit of the people, enures them to watchfulnefs and hardfhips, and gives them an early tafte for blood. The qualities of an Indian war are vigilance and attention, and to give and avoid a fur- prife ; and patience and ftrength to endure the intolerable fatigues and hardfliips which always attend it. They often enter a village, while the ftrength of the nation is employed in hunt- ing, and maflacre all the helplefs old men, women, and children, or make prifoners of as many as ihcy can manage, or have ftrength enough to be ufeful to their na- ion. They often cut oiF fmall parties of C men ^) c li I r y I I a6 The History or 'II It } '■ ► iti' ,'•' ,l'!l ill- 1 i j i 1 M i ! 1 1 *^i i| 1' ■ !i !■ tr 1 i M r ,(M "■;; mftn in their huntings ; but when they dif-i cover an army of their enemies, their way] is to throw themfelves flat on their faces among the withered leaves, the colour of which their bodies are ^^aintcd exaftly to] refemble. They generaJly let a part pafs unmolcfted, and then, rihng a little, theyj take aim, being excellent markfmen, and fetting up a tremendous fhout, which they call the war-cry, they pour a ftorm of mufketj bullets on the enemy, having long fmce laid' afide the ufe of arrows. The party attacked; returns the fame cry. Every man in hafte retires behind a tree, returns the fire of the adverfe party, as foon as they raife themfelves| from the ground togivethefecond difchargc* Having fought fome time in this man-| ner, the party which thinks it has the ad- vantage rufhes out of its cover, with fmalll axes in their hands, which they dart withj great addrefs and dexterity. They redou- ble their cry, intimidate their enemies with! menaces, and encourage each other with a boaftful difplay of their own brave ac-i lions. Thus, being come hand to handj the couteft is foon decided, and the con- querors fatiate their favage fury with the! moft fhocking infults and barbarities to! the dead, biting their flefh, tearing their fc^lps from their heads, and wallowing in their blood, like the wilJbcaftsoftheforefts. The North America. 27 C. The fate of their prifoncrs is indeed liferable. During the greater part of leir journey homewards they fufter no in- jury ; but when they arrive at the territo- 'ies of the conquering ftate^ or at thole of heir allies, tlie people from every village icet them, and think they fliew their at- tachment to their friends by the barbarous [treatment of the unhappy victims ; who on leir arrival at their deftined ftation, gene- Ijally bring with them marks of the moft Icrucl and mercilefs treatment. The conquerors enter the town in tri- lumph ; the war-captain waits upori the head-men, and in a low voice gives them a circumftantial account of every particu- lar of the expedition, of the damages the enemy has fulFered, and his own lofs in it. This being done, the public orator relates the whole to the people. Before they yield I to the joy which the victory occafions, they |lament the friends they have loft in the Ipurfuit of it. The parties moft nearly I concerned are apparently aiflidted with a deep and real for row ; but, by one of thofe. ftrange turns of the human mind, fafliion- cd to any thing by cuftom, as if they were difciplined in their grief, upon the fignal for rejoicing, in a moment the tears are wiped from their eyes, and they rufli into aa C Z extra* f^l tM '> Ill; 'tit i'll 1 ' I' * 1 1 1 if ( ,; 11.1 •"I •■'' » ,' ll!" 1. ' 1 kii I.I : r ., ti 28 The History of vagance and phrenzy of joy for their vie* tory. All this time, the fate of the pri- foners remains undecided, until the old men meet, and determine concerning their dif- tribution. It is ufual to ofFer a flave to each houfe that has loft a friend, giving the preference according to the greatnefs of the lofs. The perfon who has taken the captive at- tends him to the door of the party's cot- tage, where he delivers him, and with him gives a belt of wampum, to fhew that he has fulfilled the purpofe of the expedition, in fupplying the lofs of a citizen. They for fome time view the prefent that is made them, and a<;cording as they think him or her, for the fex matters not, pro- per or improper for the bufmefs of the fa- mily, or as they take a capricious liking or difpleafure to the countenance of the vic- tim, or in proportion to their natural bar- barity, or their refentment for their lofies, I they decide whether they will receive him into the family, or fentence him to deathr if they be received into the fami- ly, happy is their lot, as they are then ac- cepted into the place of the father, fon, or hufband that is loft ; and they have no other mark of their captivity, but that of not being fufFered to return to their ovvn fountry, to attempt which would be cer- tain North America. 2() tain death. On the contrary, if they dif- like the captive, they throw away the belt with indignation. Then it is no longer ia the power of any one to fave him, the nation is allemblcd as upon fome great folcmnity, a fcaffjld is raifcd, and the prifoner tied to the ftake. He indantlv bei»;ins his death- fong, and prepares for the eniUing fcene of cruelty with the moft undaunted courage. On the other fide, they prepare to put it to the utmoft proof, with every torment tha»: the mind of man ingenious in iiiifchief can devife. It would be too fhockinp* for the car of our youthful reader to be told what inhu- man tortures are inflided on him, till at laft, one of the chiefs, out of companion, or weary with cruelty, generally puts an end to his life with a club or a dafo-er. The body is then put into the kettle, ainl this barbarous employment is fucccedcd by a feaft equally inhuman. On this occafion, the women, forget- ting tlie female nature, and transferring themfelves into fonieliiing worfe than fu- ries, atSi: their parts, and even outdo the nien in this fcene of horror. I'hc prin- cipal perfons of tiie country fet round the iUke fmoaking, and looking on without the Icait emotion. What is moll cxtraor- ilinary, the fuitcrer himfcif, in the little C 3 intervals / V ni •»■ n it.' i'' l'«i •'»' n- i ■ V Th e History op intervals of his torments, fmoaks alfo, ap- pears unconcerned, and converfes with his torturers about indifferent matters. In- deed, during the whole time of his exe- cution there feems a conteft between him and them, which (hall exceed, they in in- fliiling the moft horrid pains, or he in en- during them with a iirmiefs and conftancy almoft above human. Not a groan, not a figh, not a diftortion of countenance, efcapes him ; he poffeffes his mind entirely | in the midft of his torments ; he recounts his own exploits, informs them what cruel- ties he had inflicSed upon their country- men, and threatens them with the revenge that will attend his death ; and though his reproaches exafperate them to a perfect ftate of madnefs, rage, and fury, he con- tinues his reproaches even of their igno- rance in the aft of tormenting, pointing out himfelf more exquifite methods, and more fenfible p^rts of the body to be af- flidled. We do not dwell upon thefe circum- ftances of cruelty, which fo much degrade human nature, out of choice ; but as all, who mention the cuftoms of this people, have very particularly infifted upon their behaviour in this refpecl, and as it feems neceflary, in order to give a true idea of their charadler, we do not choofc wholl/ to . It North America. 3f to omit it. It ferves to flievv, in the jtroa-eft light, to what an inconceivable degree of barbarity the paffions of men let loofe will carry them. It will point out to us the advantages of a religion that teaches a companion to our enemies, which is nei- ther known nor pradifed in other reli- gions ; and it will make us more fenfible, than fome appear to be, of the value of commerce, the benefits of a civilized life, and the lights derived from literature, which, if they have abated the force of fome of the natural virtues by the luxuries which attend them, have taken out likewife the fting of our national vices, and foftcned the ferocity * of the human race, without enervating their courage. On the other hand, the con- Ibncy of the fufferers in this trying fcene, fiiews ihe wonderful powers of an early inftitution, and a ferocious thirft of glory, which makes men im.itate and exceed what philofophy, and even religion, do not produce. Having thus taken a curfory review of the cuftoms and manners of" the original na- tives of North Amefic;i,wx» fhall now pro- ceed to give an account of the firft fettle- meat of the Britiih colonies, and fliew from what fmall beginnings time has rai fed them to one immenle republic, under the title of the U*>kcd and Independent States ' ■,* * •'> 'ill Ml Ml' "I 3« The History of of America, In order to accomplifli this matter, we {hall give a general hiftory of the late war, which ended in the lofs of thirteen Britifh American colonies. The ditierent fieges and battles that took place durino; that period, we (hall deibribe as copioufly as our narrov/ limits will per- mit us. I iii'Mi! I' ! • 1 1 .. 1^ .'■ i I i;i!i)(, :. '* CHAP. II. CEVERAL of the moft zealous and *^ eminent proteftants, in the reign of Edward VI. oppofed the popifh ceremo- nies and habits, though otherwife united to their brethren in religious tenets. Hun- dreds of them fled into foreign parts to avoid perfecutions, where they connected themfelves with proteftants of other na- tions, who were equally arduous for a re- formation. Upon the accefHon of Queen Elizabeth, in 1558, the refugees returned to Eng- land, loaded with experience and learning, but in the utmoft diftrefs and poverty. Thofe of the clergy, who could comply with the queen's eftabliihment, were quickly preferred 5 but the reft, after be- ing permitted to preach awhile, were fuf- pended, and reduced to their former indi- gence. The (I iri: North A m eric a. 33 The clergy and laity, who wifhed for Igre'iter ccclefiailical purity, llrugglcd hard for the aholifhment of popi(h ce- Iremonies and habits, or at leaft, leaving [the ufc of them indifFerent in divine fer- vicc, by which, they obtained nothing [but the honourable nick-name of PURl- ITANS. Queen Elizabeth had enough of [the blood of Henry the Eighth, to make [her impatient of any oppofition to her will, cfpecially in matters of religion, in which ihe had an high opinion of her own know- ledge; and, during her whole reign, (he kept down the puritans with an uniform and inflexible feverity. The merits, however, of their fufFerings, the afFedted plainnefs of their drefs, the gravity of their deportment, and the ufc of fcripture phrafes on the moft ordinary occafions, and even their names, which had in them fomething ftriking and venerable, as being borrowed from the Old Teftament, gained them a general cfteem among fober people of ordinary underftandings. When King James came to the throne, he had a very fair opportunity of pacifying matters, or, at leaft, he might have left them in the condition he found them. On the contrary^ he fuftered them to be per- fecuted, but not deftroyed ; they were cx- jifperatedj and yet left powerful j and the thcv. 3 t M ' W' ^ H* 'it ) *t^ 'm'^^ ■\ 'A ,,.,. M '.'If, :!U II I , r: I Mft ,1 I'- ll 'Mill It. i: m i'kJl; I i'S: MM ■:t! "'. ti 34 The History of then miniftry, like thofe who lately loft us our colonies, expofcd their own weakncfs, ignorance, and bal'enefs, by an ill-timed fe- verity. In this ftate matters remained, until the! acceflion of Charles the Firft, when theyi were far from being mended. This prince, endowed with fome virtues, had very fcwj amiable qualities. As grave as the puri-j tans theinfelves, he could never engage I the licentious part of the world in his fa-i vour; and that gravity being turned againftj the puritans, made him more odious to| them. He gave himfelf up entirely to tlic| church and churchmen, and he finiflied his ill-conducl, in this refpefl, by conferring! the firft ecclefiaftical dignity of the king-! dom, and a great fway in temporal affairs,! upon Dr, Laud, who, hardly fit to diredj a college, was entrufted with the govern-' ment of an empire. The puritans confidered the moft dreary! realms, and the moft unfrequented regions,] where they could enjoy liberty of con- fcience, as fuperior to the moft fplendid' palaces, where they were to be governed by Laud, In confequence of thefe difaf- fecftions, a little colony failed from Eng- land, and eftablifhed itfelf at a place called New Plymouth, on the continent of Ame^ fica. Thi.s happened in lozc^ Thcj North America. 35 They were but few in number, they landed in a bad feafon, and were fupplied [only from their private funds, l^he winter [was premature, and extremely cold. The ^country was every where covered with jwood, and afforded very litt.e for the re- ifrefhment of perfons lickly with fuch a I'voyage, or even for the fuftenance of an in- ^fant people. Nearly half of them periihed •by the fcurvy, by want, and the feverity ['of the climate ; but thofe who furvived, not difpirited with their lofies, nor with the hardfhips they were ftill to endure, fupported by the vigour which was then the character of Engliflimen, and by the fatisfadlion of finding themfelves out of the reac h of the fpiritual arm, were enabled to procure in this favage country a tolerable livelihood^ and by degrees a comfortable fubfiftence for themfelves and their fa- milies. The people of New Plymouth, having cleared the way for other fufferers to fettle in America, with lefs difficulty and danger than what they had experienced j the fame ©f their plantation fpreading through the weftern part of England, and the govern- ment in church and ftate growing every day more oppreffive, the territory of the Maflachufett's Bay was purchafed of the Plymouth council, in 1628, and a com- pany '*.»/ ■' '■■■■■*- i IP 1 1 p If,!' V If' 1 ;r 1 , it : ft n n 36 The History of pany foon formed, vrho confulted on kt- tling a plantation, to which non-conform- ing puritans might emigrate, in order to enjoy their ov^n principles in full fecurity. In 1630, a large company arrived at Salern, confifting of mare than fifteen hundred perfons, from different counties J in England, From the beginning of thc?j colony, until the emigration ceafed, in 1640, through a change of affairs in Eng- land, there arrived, in 298 velTels, about 21,200 lettlers, men, w^omen, and chil- 5] dren, or four thoufand families. They did not, however, all confine; themfelves to this colony : feveral families! removed to Connefticut River, by mutualj agreement with their fellow emigrants,", who remained behind. Plantations wercj formed at Hartford, Windfor, and Wea-j thersfield. The inhabitants beine foon! after fully fatisfied, that they were, out of the Maffachufett's limits, and of courfej its jurifdi6tion, entered into a combination among themfelves, became a body politic, without reftraining the freedom of their civil government to the memberfbip of their churches, and proceeded to the choice [ of magiflrates and reprefenti?tives. Two large fhips arrived at Maffachufett's Bay, in 1637, with paffengers from Lon- don, Great pains were taken to prevail upon North America. 37 inon ihcm to remain in the colony ; bi»t llujv hoped, by removing to a confiderablc lilliince, to be out of the reach of* a ge- jcr.il governor, with whom the country vas then threatened. They lent to their friends in Connecticut to purchafe of the latlver. the lands lying between them ar^d [udfon's River. They then laid the foun- lation of a flourilhing colony, of which [ew Haven was the capital. Connedti- :ut and New Haven continued two diftinci: :olonies for many years. At length, the rcneral court of Connedlicut determined prefer an addrefs and petition to Charles le Second, profeffing their fubjciSlion and loyalty to his majefty, and foliciting a royal :harter; and John Winthrop, Efq. who lad been chofen governor, was appointed ko negociate the affair with the king. He tucceeded, and a royal charter was ob- tained, conftituting the tv/o colonics for !ver one body corporate and politic. Mr. Roger Williams, a paftor of the :hurch of Salem, being banifhed from the i'laflachufetts, on account of fome reli- gious difputes, went to the Narragarifet rountry, accompanied with twelve com- )anions, and had land given him by the Indian Sachem Canonicus ; of whom he ifterwards purchafed the large traft, lyln^ between Pawtuchet and Pawturat rivers, D (the .;■*..! ^'y,n ■ r," ''r -c" J- "•■-■■'•* ^mmm i.t' ,iM 1 ' |:;.. '" , {!lr J_ r \\ \ \ .1 < \ 1 i' •• [1 j' - ■■■i *t ^'^? '1 ilii!''' *'. 1 ,, ' M w 1 •t • a, .'u i ■ " 1 ■ ' ' J ■ ■ . ' ■ (■ 4\ 1 < !i 1 1 I i1 h 38 The History of (the great falls and the little falls, as the| Indian name fignifies) and ftiled it Provi* dence^ from a fcnfe of God's merciful pro. vidence to him in his diftrefs. The authority and power of MiantonoJ my, another fachem, and his uncle Cano.| nicus, awed all the Indians round to afTiftf him and his few aflbciates. When the deJ terminations of the Mailachufett's general court, occafioned by what they called an^ tinomian difputes, baniflaed many, and iri| duced others to leave the colony, the headi of the party were entertained in a friendh manner by Mr. Williams, who advife them to fcelc a fettlement on Rhode Iflani in the year 1638, and was very inftruj mental in procuring it of the Indian faj chems. New Hampfliire and the Main were fetj tied about the fame time with the Maflaj chufetts, by different proprietors, who haj obtained patents, and whofe views were tj enrich themfelves by the fifhing trade sj fea, and the beaver trade afliore. The colony of New York demands 01 next attention. The Dutch had fettlel it, and named it the New* Netherlands Charles the Second refolved upon its con] queft in 1664J and in March granted ll his brother, the Duke of York, the rcj gion extending from the weftern banks tk North America. 3^ the Conne<5licut to the eaftcrn fhore of the iDelaware, together with Long Ifland, con- ferring on him the civil and military powers of government. Col. Nichols was fent [with four frigates and three hundred fol- diers, to efFe£l the bufmel's. The Dutch governor being unable to make refiftancc, the New Netherlands fubmitted to the Englifh crown, in September, without any other change than of rulers. Few of the Dutch removed, and Nichols inftantly en- tered upon the excrcife of his power, as deputy-governor for the Duke of York, the proprietary. About the fame time, 1664, New Jer- fey, which was alfo taken from the Dutch, who were confidered as having no right to any of their fettlements in thefe parts of America, were included in the grant to the Duke of York. The Duke difpofed of it to Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret, who, beipg folc proprietors, for the better fettlement of it, agreed upon certain conftitutions of government, fo well liked, that the eaftern parts were foon confidcrably peopled. Virginia was the original name of all the Englifh North American continental claims, given in honour to the virgin Queen Eliza- beth, King James, being applied to, granted letters patent to a body of gentlemen, on D z the ^; V. .'i. I X '*■ %. f' /t •Vvi -ml •*> '>«.^ ■ ■ ♦» 'A' \ 'y. SM^i 40 The History of Ml 'III i :IM H,. the 6th of April, i6o5, with power? to di- vide themfclvcs into two diiUnC^t compa- nies, the one conriftiriL*^ of London adven- turers, called the fiiii, or fouthern colony oF V^irginia ; the fecond, or northern co- lony, compofcd of merchants, beloHgin;:; to Briltol, i*ly mouth, and Kxeter. 'I'hc territory granted to the hrll',or fouthern co- lony, was generally called f''irc;in!a^ without any diftinguifhing epithet, aiul retained that name after the fecond, or northern colony, obtained the name of New England in 1614. We come next to fpeak of Maryland. The firft emigration to this part of America conlifted of two hundred gentlemen of confiderable fortune and rank, with their adherents, chiefly Roman Catholics, who hoped to enjoy liberty of confcience un- der a proprietary of their own profeffion. They failed from England in November, and landed in Maryland the beginning of 1633. Gov. Calvert, brother to Lord Baltimore, very wifely and juftly purchafed, by prefents of various goods, the rights of the Indians, and with their free confent took polleflion of their town, which he called St. Mary's. The country was fet- tled with fo much eafe, and furnifhed with lb many conveniences, that emigrants re- paired thither in fuch numbers as foon to render North America. 41 render the colony populous and flourilh- iiig. Carolina follows Maryland in the order of exiftcncc. A few adventurers emi- grated from the MafTachufetts, arid fettled round Cape Fear, about the time of tlie Rcftoration. They confidered mere oc- cupancy, with a transfer from the natives, without any grant from the king, as a good tiile to the lands they poll e fled. They deemed themfelves entitled to the fame civil privileges as thofe of the country from whence they had emigrated. For years they experienced the complicated mi- icries of want. They folicited the aid of I their countrymen, and the general court of MaflachufcttSj with an attention and hu- mnnitv which did it the fn*eateft honour, ordered an extenfive contribution for their relief. The final fettlement of the province was efFedted equally through the rapacity of the courtiers of Charles the Second, and his ov/n facility in rewarding thofe, to v/hom he was 2;rcatly indebted, with a li- berality that coll him little. The pretence, which had been ufed on former occafions, of a pious zeal for the propagation of the gofpel among the Indians, was fucceffively employed to procure a grant of the im- menfe region, lying between the 36th de* D 3 grec I . '^ 1 J •••4 '*. .* ■ • ■ ' ^i? ^^mmmmm lit FT :ri ' ' t |i ! ', !i d fr, I" I '' ii. ntt i ^-^ Mil tl 42 The History of gree of North latitude, and the river of St. Matheo, under the 31ft degree. In March, 1663, this territory was erefted into a province by the name of Carolina^ and conferred on Lord Clarendon, the Duke of Albemarle, Lord Craven, Lord Berkeley, Lord Alhley, Sir George Car< teret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William' Berkeley, as ablblute lord proprietaries, for ever, faving the allegiance due to tlie crown. , Pennfylvania and the Delaware counties next demand our attention, Mr. William Penn, one of the joint purchafers of the] weftern part of the Jerfeys, having re- ceived the moft exa£l information of the! country to the weftward of the Delaware,L while engaged in the adminiftration of thej joint purchafe, became defirous of acquir. ing a feparate eltate. He prefented a petition to Charles thej Second in June, 1680, Itating not only hiJ relationftiip to the late admiral, but tha^ he was deprived of a debt due from thej crown, when the Exchequer was fhutJ He prayed for a grant of lands, lying to| the northward of Maryland, and weftward of the Delaware ; and added, that by his intereftj he fhould be able to fettle a pro- vince, which might, in time, repay his claims. Having a profpect of fuccefs, he copid North America. 43 copied from the charter of Maryland the fketch of a patent, which in November was laid before the attorney-general for his opinion. Penn had the fame objeft in view as Lord Baltimore had, the guarding againft the exertions of prerogative, which expe- rience had taught both were very incon- venient. The attorney-general declared the claufe of exemption from taxation il- legal ; and chief juftice North being of the fame opinion, and obferving its ten- dency, added the faving of the authority of the Englifli parliament ; fo that it was ftipulated by the king, for himfclf and his fucceflbrs, that " no cuftom or other con- tribution fliall be laid on the inhabitants or their ellates, unlcfs by the confent of the proprietary, or governor and aflernbly, or by a(5t of parliament in England," The next year, 1681, the patent was granted, in confidcration of " the merits of the father, and the ^ood purpofes of the fon, in order to extend the £ngli(h empire, and to promote ufeful commodi- ties." It was provided by fit rlaufes, that the fovereignty of the king fhould be pre- ferved, and that afts of parliament, con- cerning trade, navigation, and the cuftoms, be duly obferved. Penn was empowered to aflemble the freemen, or their deligates, in mi ':<<-] I* /•'' ' •I *'■ . . . • • j» ■-««'. ~, si ^'{:%^ , ti- ~ I - ■ ♦*■ "t. «; f ■< i ■/ ■ ■■■'I -.1'. '1 ,' 1^ , C :' '•ll it," '. 44 The History or in fuch form as he fliould think proper for raifing money for the ufe of the colony, and for making ufefiil laws, not contrary to thofe cf England, or the rights of the kingdom, A duplicate of the afls of the aflembly was to be tranfmitted, within five years, to the king in council, and the a6ls might be declared void within fix months, if not approved. It now remains only to give a concifc account of the fettlemcnt of Georgia. In 1732, a number of genrlemen con- fidering the vafl: benefit that might arife from the trail of land, lying between the Savannah and the river Alatamaha, peti- tioned the king for a charter, which was accordingly granted in June. They meant, that the country fliould be made a bulwark for the fouthern co'onies againil; the Spainards, and fliould give employment to numbers of people, who v/crc burdenfome at home to their friends and pariflies. Towards the end of Augull, Sir Gil- bert Hcathcote recommended, in the flrongeii terms, to the directors of the Bank, the intcrett of the colony. I lis fpeech had the defired elrea, and the mem- bers of the court, after his example, con- tributed largely towards the undertaking, lis did great numbers of the nobiiity, gen- try, clergy and others ; and the parliament granted io,oooL By the bcgiriuing of November • ll!,!. \ rr ' North America. 45 ovcmber, about one hundred and ilxteeii [colonifts prefented thcmiclvcs, inoft cf :hem labouring people, and were furniihed [with working tools of all kinds, ftorcs, land frnall arms. Mr. Oglethorpe, one of the trufteef, jgeneroufly attended the firfl: fet of emi- grants to Carolina, v/herc t'ncy arrived in good health in January, 1733. The Ca- Irolinians made them a prefent of one [hundred breeding cattle, befides hogs, and I twenty barrels of rice ; and furnifhed them with a party of horfe, and with fcout boats, by the help of which they reached the Savannah, where Mr. Oglethorpe, ten miles up the river, pitched upon a fpot for a town, and in February the building of the firfl houfe commenced. Mr. Oglethorpe was waited upon by a numerous deputation from the Lower Creek nation, with whom he concluded a treaty, and foon after fet out for Charles- town on his return to England, bringing with him feveral chiefs and a war captain. Before the end of march, 1734, more emigrants, to the mount of fix hundred, were either fent over by charity, or went ?f. their own expence. In Oftober, the Indians embarked for their own country, having had an allow- ance, while in London, of tv/enty pounds a v/cck, f' I ( * . '■\. "i X<' '^ . . t; ft *,,''. ."•I' ' iM $i- r lit h ^:.')l I '.? -:( 14 ■4 < ■. t i' ' ! I. 46 The History of a week, of which they fpent little, as they •commonly eat and drank at the table of| perfons of the higheft diftinftion. They embarked at Gravefend, in a (hip which carried over a number of Saltz-burghers, being German proteftants, who, with others of their countrymen that followed, fettled on the Savannah, a town they called Ebe^ nezcr, and which, by their habits of in- duftry and fobriety, foon became confw derable. The Georgians made a furprifing pro- grefs in clearing their land<^, and building heir houfesj and, as an encouragement, he Britifti parliament granted them a fup- ply of 26,0001. which, with very great private donations, were expended upon ftrengthening the fouthern part of Georgia, Thus have we given a fuccin£l account of the firft eftablifhment of the Britifh colonies in North Am.erica. By what unhappy means they at laft became fepa- ratcd from the mother-country, will be clearly fliewn in the fubfequcnt part of this hiftory. Memorable Events recorded in this Chapter. iHiai nil Anno 1606 Firft fettlement made at Virginia, 1620 Settlement at New Plymouth. 1628 ;>' ,;h North America. 47 1628 New Hampfhire and the Main fet- tled. 162P Puritans purchafe and fettle Mafia- chufetts Bay. 1633 Settlement at Maryland. 1635 Connefticut and Providence. 1637 New Haven fettled. 1638 Settlement of Rhode Ifland* 1663 Carolina fettled. 1664 New York and New Jerfey. 1681 Pennfylvania and Delaware countic«t J 733 Georgia fettled. CHAP. III. 'Tp HE narrow limits prefcribed to us lA '*' this epitome, will not permt us to enter into a copioUs detail of all the mi- nute concerns 6{ the colonies, which may be found in more voluminous works, and there read by thofe, who have leifure and inclination to purfue fo dry a ftudy. We (hall therefore proceed to defcribe only events of fome confequence. News being received in the Maflachu- fetts of war being declared againft France and Spain, the general court, then fitting, made immediate provifion for raifing forces for AnapQlis in Nova Scotia* T«ward# ■Mm v'^fyi^., ■ \i{ 'J*' H ;■ -m ■c:». \« t k «'! '^:^iMl 1 111 :* 'JIH L)i'i»l I' iM.^ ij'rt' 'ii: 48 The History of Towards the end of the aicnth of AprilJ 1745, Commodore Warren arrived from the Weft Indies, with a fixty-gun fhip, and two of forty. He was loon after | joined by another of forty, which had reached Canfo a fliort time before. The I men of war failed immediately to cruife before Louifbourg. The forces foon fol- lowed, and landed at Chapeaurouge Bay the laft day of April. The tranfports were -difcovered from the town early in thci morning, which gave the inhabitants the fir ft knowledo;e of the defii^n. n'he fecond day after landing, four hun- dred men marched round, behind the hills, to the north-eaft harbour, where they got about midnight, and fct fire to all the dwellings and ftorehoufes, till they came within a mile of the grand battery. The clouds of thick fmoke, proceeding from the pitch, tar, and other combuftibles, prevented the garrifon's difcovering the enemy, though they were but at a fliort diftance. They expeded the body of the army upon them, and therefore deferted the fort, having thrown their powder into a well ; , but the cannon and ihot were left, which proved of great fervice to the befiegers. The army had near two miles to transport , tlieir cannon, mortars, &c, through a mo- rafs, "II; North America. 49 rafs, which required great labour to accom- plifh. The men were yoked together, and, during the night, made great advances. While the Forces were bufily employed on {here, the men of war, and other veflels were cruifing off the harbour, as often as the weather would permit. On the i8th of May, they captured a French fixty-four gun (hip, having 560 men on board, and ftores of all forts for the garrifon. It was given out, that an attack would be made by fea with the fhips, on the eighteenth, while the army did the like by land. Whe- ther a general ftorm was really intended or not, the French appeared to expedl it, from the preparations making on board the men of war, and feemed not inclined to attempt to withftand it. On the fifteenth, a flag of truce was fent to the general, deliring a ceflation of hofti- jjities, that they might confider of articles I for a capitulation. Time was allowed, but their articles were rejecSted by the general I and commodore, and others offered, which I were accepted by the French, and hoftagcs Jgi/en on both fides. The town was in con- sequence delivered up on the feventeenth. I As this was a time, when veffels were ex- pefted from all parts at Loulibourg, the t'rench flag was kept flying as a decoy. Two [Eaft-Indianien, and one South-fea (hip, of the value of 6oo,ocol. fterling, were taken E by fi*^ '.* iK':- w ', * f,:,' h I 50 T H E H I S T O R Y O F by the fquadron, at the mouth of the har-l bour, into which they failed as ulual, not knowing that the phice had been taken by the Enirlifh. The French having been very troublefome in the back fettlcments of our colonies, it was concluded to take effeftual methods to drive them from the Ohio. The reduclioii of Niagara, Crown Point, and their forts in Nova Scotia, was alfo refolved on. General Braddock was accordingly fent from Ireland to Virginia, with two regiments of foot; and on his arrival, when joined by the reft of the forces deftined for that fervice, he found himfelf at the head of 2200 men. He had bravery, but wanted other qualifications to render him fit for the fervice to which he was appointed. The feverity of his difcipline made him unpopular among the regulars, and his haughtinefs deprived him of the efteem of the Americans. His pride difgufted the Indians, and led him to defpife the country militia, and| to flight the advice of the Virginian officers. Colonel Wafhington earneftly begged o{ him, when the army was marching for fortl Du Quefne, to admit of his going before/ and fcouring the woods with his rangers,! which was contemptuoufly refufed. ThiJ general had been cautioned by the Duke oil Cumberland to guard againft a furprife, anc yet he pulhed on heedlcfsly with the firft di- vilion, confiiling of 1400 men> till h« fel| int« North America. 51 [into an ambufcade of 400, chiefly Indians, Iby whom he was defeated and mortally [wounded, on the ninth of July, 1 755. The regulars were put into the grcatclT: [panic, and fled in the utmoft confufion ; but |the militia had been ufed to Indian fighting, and were not fo terrified. The general had Iciifdainfully turned them into the rear, where they continued in a body unbroken, and fcrved under Colonel Walliin2:ton as a mofl: ufcful rear-guard, which covered the retreat of the regulars, and prevented their being [entirely cut to pieces. Previous to this, and agreeable t^ the views of the Britifli miniflry, the Maflachufitts alTcmbly raifed a body of troops, which v/ere fent to Nova Scotia, to affift Lieutenant Go- vernor Lawrence in driving the l rench from their feveral encroachments within that pro- vince. The expedition againft Niasiara was en- trufl:ed to Governor Shirley, but failed through various caufes. Sir William, then Colonel, Johnfon, was appointed to go againfl: Crown Point. The delays, fiowncfs, and deficiency of prepara- tion, prevented the feveral colonies joininj their troops till about Auguft, In the mean time, the active enemy had tranfported forces from France to Canada, marched them down %o meet the provincials, and attacked them ; but^ meeting with a repulfe, loft fix hundred ^ Z mei]. >f t'l t' '''4 ^*. '^^:::^'{y • ^ :^ '■■■ ■ ^ m 4"-" 52 The History of men, bcfidcs having their general Baroni Dicfkau wounded and made prifoncr. The next year, the Maffachufetts raifed a| great armament to go againfl: Crown Point; but Lord Loudon, on his arrival, did notl think it proper that the forces fliould proceed, owing to a temporary mifunderftanding be- tween his Lordfliip and the general court. Li the year 1758, happily for the Britifh nation, the great Mr. Pitt was placed at the head of the miniftry, when the face of affairs was foon changed, the war was profecutedj with unexampled fuccefs, and the enemy was sit length driven out of America. Mr.Ifrael Mauduit,the MafTachufetts agent, | in 1763, gave early notice of the minifterial intentions to tax the colonies ; but the gene- ral-court not being called together till the latter end of the year, inftruftions to the agent, though folicited by him, could not be fent in proper time. The next year however, 1764, the houfe of reprefentatives came to the following re- folutions : " That the fole right of giving and granting the money of the people of that province, was vefted in them as their legal reprefentatives ; and that the impofition of duties and taxes by the parliament of Great Britain, upon a people who are not repre- fented in the H'oufe of Commons, is abfo- Jutely irreconcileable with their rights." — *' That no man can juftly take the property of 'if North America. 53 of another without his confcnt ; upon which original principle, the right of reprefcntation in the fame body, which exerc'fcs the power of making laws for levying taxes, one of the main pillars of the Britilh conftitution, is evidently founded." Thelc refolutions were occafioncd by in- telligence of what had been done in the Bri- ti(h Houfe of Commons. It had been there debated in March, whether they had a right to tax the Americans, they not being repre- fentcd, and determined unanimoufly in the affirmative. Not a fingle perfon prefent . ventured to controvert the right. After various propofitions for taxing the colonies, Mr. Grenviile's intended ftamp av5t was communicated to the American agents. Many of them did not oppofe it, half their number being placemen or dependents on the miniftry. Mr. Jofeph Sherwood, an honeft quaker, agent for Rhode Ifland, refufed his confent to America's being taxed by a Bri- tifh parliament. Mr. Mauduit, the Mafla- chufetts agent, favoured tiie raifmg of the wanted money by a ftamp duty, as it would occafion lefs expence of officers, and would include the Weft-India iflands. The fcheme, however, was poftponed, and the agents au- thorifed to inform the American aii'emblies, that they were at liberty to fuggeft any other ways of railing monies, and that Mr. Gren- ville was ready to receive propofals for any E 3 other '1 .» ..I ' , V>jfVii '4 54 The History of ■'^i ?.' I' H: • "1 ., »: .^''H ,|ii|(!"'':' :';iii'i olhcr tax, that might be equivalent lii its produce to the flamp-tax. The colonlci leeined to confidcr it as an aftront, rath'jr than as a compliment. The minifter wouid not be content with any thing fhort of a cer- tain fpccirtc ilim, and proper funds for the payment of it. Had not the fums been an- iwerable to his wifhes, he would have re- jedled them ; and he would fcarcely have been fatisfied with lefs than 300,000!. per annum, which was judged abfolutely nccefTary to de- fray the whole expence of the army propofcd| for the defence of America. No fatisfaftory propofals being made on I the fide of the Americans, Mr. Grenville adhered to his purpofe of bringing forward the ftamp-bill, though repeatedly prelled by Ibme of his friends to dcfiii:. Richard Jack- ion, Efq. had been chofcn agent for the Mallachufetts, who, with Mr. Kranklin, and others, lately come from [Philadelphia, wait'jdl on Mr. Grenville, in February, 1765, to rc- inonltrate againft the ftamp-bill, and to pro-l pofe, that, in cafe any tax mult be laid upon America, the feveral colonies might be per- mitted to lay the tax themfclvcs. Mr. Gren- ville, however, adhered to his own opinioni,| and faidjthat he had pledged his word for offer- ing the Ilamp-bill to the houfc, and that thc| houfe would hear their objccStiuns. T\\Q bill was accordingly brought in, andl in March, the fame year, received the royal allcmJ iti N J'. T a A r.i erica. 55 a/Tent. The framcrs of the ft:amp-a6l flat- tered thcnifclvcs, that the confiilioii which woulJ arifc from the difiifc of writings, would compel the colonics to ufc ilamp-paper, and therefore to pay the taxes impofed. Thus they were led to pronounce it to be a law which would execute itfelf. Mr. Grenville, however, was not without his apprehenfions, that it might occafion dif- ordcrs ; to prevent or fuppfels which, he pro- jected another bill, which was brought in the iame feflions, whereby it was made Liwfid for military oflicers in the colonies to quarter their foldiers in private houfes. This feemed intended to awe the people into a compliance with the other act. Great oppofition being made to it, as under fuch a power in the army, no one could look on his houfe as his own, that part of the bill was dropt ; but there ftill remained a claufe, when it pafled into a law, to oblige the feveral affemblics to provide quarters for the foldiers, and to furniih them with firing, bedding, candles, fmall beer, rum, and fundry other articles, at the expence of the feveral provinces. This claufe conti- nued in force after the ftamp-adl was re- pealed. Thefe proceedings of the mother- country gave rife to ^reat difturbances in America, Some perfons of confequence at Boflon, to manifeft their abhorrence and deteflation of a party in England,, w'ho they fuppofed were cndea- ■ 4 >, ij, ' .V i i,-':"^ ••■ ^?'"^ '/4'*' r -A- is t:*^ ,(■ i>.. ' .• ■/♦■-J , v'v- * ■ $,"' •■■4 I t. ' ■', ) (L 1 "* («" •I ♦^^ ! #) \4 ■ Its ,»■. V-.' 3; :* ! »,''!1>: 56 The History of endeavouring to fubvert the Britiih conftitu- tion, to enflave the colonies, and to alienate the afFedtions of his niajefty's moft faithful fubjefts in America, early in the morning of the 14th of Augufl, hung upon the limb of a large dead elm, near the entrance of Bofton, in one of the moft public ftreets, two effigies. One of them, as appeared by the labels af- fixed thereto, was intended to reprefent the Itamp-officer; the other was a jack-boot, with a head and horn;:; peeping out of the top. The report of this novelty drew great numbers from every part of the town and the neighbouring country. This aftair was left to take its own courfe, fo that an enthufiaftic Ipirit difFufed itfelf into the minds of the fpec- tators. In the evening, the figures were cut down, and carried in funeral proceflion, the populace fliouting, Liberty and p'operty for ever! Nojlamps^ ^c. They then went to a new building, erefted by Mr. Oliver, vi^hich they pulled down, falfely fuppofing it to be defigned for the ftamp-ofHce. As foon as they approached Mr. Oliver's houfe, they beheaded the effigy, at the fame time breaking all his windows, and demolifhed his gardens, fences, barns, and every thing elfe that came in their way. The next day, Mr. Oliver, fearful of what might happen, declared that he had written to England and rcfigned. The mob affern- bled North America. 57 bled again at night ; and, after fome cxpref^ fions of joy for the refignation, proceeded to the lieutenant governor's, Mr, Hutchinfon's houfe, which they befieged for an hour, but in vain ; infilling repeatedly upon knowing, whether he had not written in fiavour of the ftamp-aft. Thefe diforders grew every day more enor- mous and alarming. Mobs once raifed, foon become ungovernable by new and large ac- ceflions, and extend their intentions far be- yond thofe of the original inftigators. Crafty men may intermix with them, when they are much heated, and direft their operations very differently from what was at firft defigned. People in England were differently afFefted by the difturbances in the colonies. Some were for fupporting the authority of parlia- ment at all events, and for enforcing the ftamp^afit, if needful, with the point of the fword J while others were for quieting the colonies by the repeal of it. Happily for them, Mr. Grenville and his party weic thrown out of place, and were fucceeded by the Marquis of Rockingham, when, on the 22d of February, 1766, this obnoxious aft was repealed. In May, 1767, Mr. Charles Townfend, then chancellor of the Exchequer, moved the Houfe of Commons for leave to bring in bills for granting 2 duty upon paper, glafs, painters colours, &c. in the Britifh American colo^ nics^ ':**«■ ' ' ' . V. J, Ci ^ % I i' ■ 1 . v^vj .fife ■.'?,' :•».•' am ,' ' > • -'^ ,' .if* ,'! '■■>., ■ .^ ^» i y "^1 ' ^tC ^^ -^^l .'< J^t7 f,:". w t . ' -\ ' *|v ir I 1 I J it I ' , I ' I. I ♦ 58 The History of nies ; for fettling falaries on the governors, judges, &c. in North America ; and for tak- ing ofF the duties on teas exported to Ame- rica, and granting a duty of three-pence a pound on the importation in America. Two bills were at length framed, and in June and July received the royal adent. Thefe a6ls occafioned frcfh didurbances in America, where matters were carried to a much greater height than before. In con- feqnence of this, Lord Flillfborough wrote to General Gage, in June, 1768, to fend troops jto IJofton, in order to preferve the peace of that town. The introduction of troops into Boftor) was attended with very ferious confcquences, The inhabitants became exceedingly riotous, ^nd fome of the rabble pufiicd their ill con- duit fo far, as to oblige the foldiers to fire on them in their own defence. This happened on the 5th of March, 1770, when three per- fons were killed, five dangeroufly wounded, and a few flightly. This was far from removing the evil, and only tended to widen the breach. Under the notion of zeal for libertv, the rabble ran into the moft exceflive licentioufnefs, and were every where guilty of the moft lawlefs, un- juft, and tyrannical proceedings, pulling downhoufes, deftroying the property of every OUC that had fallen under their difpleafure anu! i3 North America, 59 land delivering prifoners out of the hands of juftice. Let us now turn our attention to fee what was doing, in the mean time, at home. I'he fupporting the authority of parliament was the only caufe afligncd by the minifter him- felf for retaining the tea-duty, at the very time when he acknowledp-ed it to be as anti- commercial a tax, as any of thofe that had been repealed upon that principle. The Eaft-India company, feeling the bad cfFedts of the colonial fmuggling trade, in the large quantities of tea, which remained in their warehoufes unfold, requefted the repeal of the three-pence per pound in America, and offered that, on its being complied with, government (hould retain lix-pence in the pound on the exportation. Thus the com- pany prefented the happieft opportunity that could have been offered for honourably re- moving the caufe of difference with America. This afforded an opening for doing juftice, without infringing the claims on either fide. The minifter was requefted and entreated, by a gentleman of great weight in the com- pany, and a member of parliament, to em* brace the opportunity j but it was obftinately rejcded. New contrivances were fet on foot to in- troduce the tea, attended with the three-penny duty, into all the colonies. Various intrigues ind folicitations were ufed to induce the Eaft- India ^^-'^ < 'ft r % ■ > ■ •• , ■ 'IV, ' ■ M ■> il% ■r-t-M- :•::/..' -qw. ' '», ' • < . > *. ■'. A ,.>v 4 , |,H. .,'.'1 , ,"■ \\ ' I," ' ! ^^'^■ ■ 4 f ■ v^3 ,;».> . ■> ■! . I 1 V- < ■( The Hi story of India company to undertake this rafli and! fooHih bufmefs. It was protefted againft, asj contrary to the principle of the company's monopoly ; but the power of the miniflry prevailed, and the infignificant three-penny duty on tea was doomed to be the fatal bone of contention between Great Britain and her colonies. The company at laft adopted the iyftem, and became their own fav^tors. They fent 600 chefts of tea to Philadelphia, the like quantity to New York and Bolton, be- fides what was configned to other places. Several (hips were alfo freighted for different colonies, and agents appointed for the dif- pofal of the commodity. In the mean time, the colonifts, who well knew what had pafled in the mother country, 1 were concerting meafures to counteract: the views of the Britifh miniftry. Soon after the arrival of the tea-fliips at Bofton, a num- ber of pqrfons, chiefly matters of veflels and fliip-builders from the north end of the town, about feventeen in number, drefled as In- dians, went on board the (hips, and in about two hours hoifted out of them, and broke open 342 chefts of tea, the contents of which they emptied into the fea. They were not in the leaft moleftedj for the multitude of I fpeilatbrs on the wharf ferved as a covering | party. The whole bufinefs was eondufled with very little tumult, and no damage was done to the veflels or any other property. When ^^£ WR^ M hI !^^/^^^ pfc^^mB pHH ^;N/*sr>vy ^^i ^ Mx^^^^K^HniuHniL i . 1. mSkwKM ^. 'If J' V.-'V,.i« ':^' s; ■i ,>*/;r .hf »'/ TO ^ !^ " wi ''W, 1»« Y"" WA '4^?'^"" ^^m •r. » .^•H '■■/*; fc ^ ^ ^ N s 5: -? H A.'. >•; '••y :t JJ^ ">«^ .« ' 1 ; « .■» ii * c l> "ik, V'^ .x<, ir.t'; [» \i ^h'»i «* yii : (Si *'!}»' (.HJi When returnc bitatioi The the Bo! to brin] imniedi in the and to < and me harbour 17741 t Othe hamentj ing to tonians haviour Americj [houfes r jproceedi to the ( the mi-K niftry, a [were de [Cans of )bedienc lother ha 'Pporte< lies, we )ared to f'AU f»il3. Ii'''l North America* 6i When the bufinefs was finiftied, the people returned quietly to their own towns and ha- bitations. Thefe and other decifive proceedings of the Boftonians, induced the Britifh miniftry to bring in a bill into parliament, " for the immediate removal of the officers concerned in the colledion of the cuftoms at Bofton, and to difcontinue the landing and difcharg- ing, lading and {hipping of goods, wares, and merchandifes, at Bofton, or within the harbour thereof." On the 31ft of March, 1774, the bill received the royal affent. Other bills were pafled by the Britifli par- liament, brought in by Lord North, all tend- ing to punifli the Americans, and the Bof- tonians in particular, for their refraftory be- haviour. Petitions were fent over from America, and feveral of the members of both Ihoufes reprobated thefe fevere and dangerous [proceedings ; but no regard was paid either to the petitions, or to the remonftrances of the mLiority in both houfes. The then mi- niftry, at the head of which was Lord North^ were determined to accept from the Ameri- pns of nothing fhort of abfolute and implicit )bedience to the laws of taxation. On the [other hand, the people of Maffachufetts Bay, fupported and fpurred on by the other colo- nes, were determined not to fubmlt, and pre- )ared to repel force by force. They col- F * ledtcd • '' ' * .$t: %i '■■■?'(■• n i' ^ If . ¥, ,«.*■■ ' *, . i r T- 5 V'-A ^ 'i I'i t II f. ffi'! L' : I' ;l fit = s '^■(i I V f'^' i'*' !• 6a Th e History o? levied all the arms they could, and fpentl iTiiich of their time in the exercile of them. ^rhefe proceedings of the people, and their manifefl: difpofition to refiftance, alarmed the| general, who thought it neceflary, for the fafety of the troops, as well as to fccure the important poft of Bolton, to fortify the en^ trance at the neck, which afforded the onljl communication, except by water, betwetjn| the town and the continent. In England, petitions were prefentcd froral the merchants of London, and almoft all the] trading towns in the kingdom ; and Mr. Bol« Ian, Dr. Franklin, and Mr. Lee, alfo pre-l fented petitions from the American congrefs;| but government treated them with indiffer- ence and contempt. Lord Chatham perfevered in the profecu-l tn;on of his conciliatory fcheme with Ame- rica, and accordingly brought into the Houfcl of Lords the outlines of a bill, which hcl hoped would anfwer that falutary purpoie;! but the miniftry rejected it. At the farac| time. Lord North gave a (ketch of the mea- fures he intended to purfue, which were tol fend a greater force to America, and to brinjl in a temporary aft to put a flop to all the! foreign trade of the different colonies of New] England, particularly their fifliery on th^ banks of Newfoundland, till they returned t^ tbcir duty. WhiH North America, While matters were thus going 6j matters were thus going on at home. General Gage, at Bofton, received intelligence thfit cannon and carriages wer^j depofitcd in the neighbourhood of Salem, He accordingly fent a body of troops from the caftle to feize them ; but the Americans found time to get ther*i away, and the troops returned without euL*-ting any thing. A fkirmifli having happened at Lexington, betw^een the king's troops and a party ot the militia. General Gage no fooner received this intelligence, than he detached Lord Percy to Concord, with fixteen companies of foot, and a number of marines, goo men in the vhole, and two pieces of cannon, to fupporfc Colonel Smith. The junction of the brigade under Lord Percy, with the detachment under Colonel Smith, gave the laft a breathing time, efpe- cially as they now had cannon, which awed the provincials from prefSng upon the rear in a diredt line ; but the whole force did not venture to halt long, as the minute men and militia were every where collecting, in order to cut off their retreat to Bofton. They foon renewed their march, conftant (kirmifh- ing fucceeded, and a continual fire, though often irregular and fcattering on their fide, as well as on the part of the provincials. The clofe firing from behind the walls, by good markfmen, for fuch were almoft all the provincials, put the troops into no fmall ; . * '•It 1 r - (.' I'll I If M. 64 The History cf confufion, and made it fo dangerous for the officers, that they were more attentive to their fafety than common. The regulars, when near Cambridge, were upon the point of taking a wrong road, which would have led them into the moft imminent danger; but were prevented by the direflion of a young gentleman refiding at the college. They made good their retreat a little after fun-fet over Charles-town neck to Bunker's* hill, but fpent and worn down by the exceflivc fatigues they had undergone, having march- ed that day between thirty ^nd forty miles. Here they remained fecure till the next day, when they crofled at Charles- town ferry and returned to Bofton. In this (kirmifli, the regulars had 65 killed, 180 wounded, and 28 made prifoners. The provincials had 50 men killed, 34 wounded, and four miffing. Let us now return to the mother country, where the reftraining and fifliery bill met with great oppofition in both houfes of par- liament. The fifhery bill had fcarcely cleared the Houfe of Commons, when Lord North brought in another, to reftrain the trade and commerce of the colonies of New Jerfey, Pennfylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and South Carolina, to Great Britain, Ireland, and the Britifh iflands in the Weft-Indies, under cer- tain conditions and limitations. The Britifh miniftry did not confine them- felves to the making of laws 5 they alfo fcnt out KoiiTH America. 65 out againft the Americans Generals Howe, Clinton, and Burgoyne, who left England on the 28ih of May ; and, in about a week afterwards, tranfports ladjn with troops failed from Cork, to reinforce General Gage. Mimorahle Events recorded in this Chapter, 1745 1755 1764 1765 1766 J767 17&8 1770 »773 1774 '775 Expedition againft Louifbourg. General Braddoclc defeated. MafTachul'etts aflembly declare againft parliamentary taxes. The ftarnp- adt paflcd. — Riots at Boftou on account of that ac^h The ftamp-aft repealed, Mr. Charles Townfend taxes the co- lonies again. Troops ordered to Bofton. Soldiers at Bofton fire on the inhabi- tants. The Eaft-India company empowered to export their own teas. — The tea thrown into the fea at Bofton. The Maflachufctts people prepare to defend their rights by arms. — General Gage fortifies the entrance into Bof-* ton. General Gage fends troops to Salem. -^Skirmifties at Concord and Lexing- ton.— The reftraining bills pafTed in England. — The Generals Howe, Clin- ton, and Burgoyne, fail for Bofton. F 3 CHAP. - > ^ t 'd' ,.4. •.*•'«*; ./» 'vi^.il- • A ¥ ^'^r^i^ Iv ;.; ^t^ •• 66 The History oy CHAP. IV, M 'T'HE neceflity of fecuring Ticonderoga "*• was early attended to by many in New Enpiland. General Ciage had fet the exam- ple of attempting to feize upon military ftores, and by fo doing had commenced hoitilities, To that retaliation appeared warrantable. Colonel Allen was at Caltleton, with about 270 men ; 230 of which were Green MouH' tain Boys^ fo called froni their refiding within the limits of the Green Mountains, the Hampfhire Grants being fo denominated from the range of green mountains that run through them. Sentinels were placed im- mediately on all the roads, to prevent any intelligence being carried to Ticonderoga. Colonel Arnold, who now joined Colonel Allen, reported, that there were at Ticon- deroga, 80 pieces of heavy cannon, 20 of brafs, from four to eighteen pounders, ten or a dozen mortars, a number of fmall arms, and coniiderable ftores ; that the fort was in a ruinous condition, and, as he fuppofed, gar- rifoned by about forty men. It was then fet- tled, that Colonel Allen (hould have the fu- preme command, and Colonel Arnold was to be his affiftant. Colonel Allen, with his 230 Green Moun- tain Boys, arrived at Lake Champlain, oppofite .*. >,' North America. 67 oppofite to I'iconderooja, on the ninth of May, at night. Boats were with diificulty procured, wiien he and Colonel Arnold croffed over with 83 men, and landed near the garrifon. The two coloiicls advanced along fide each other, and entered the port, leading to the fort, in the grey of the morn- ing. A fentry fnapped his tufce at Colonel Allen, and then retreated through the co- vered way to the parade. The main body of the Americans then followed, and drew up. Capt. de la Place, die commander, was fur- prifed in bed. Thus was the place takers )vithout any bloodOied. On the 15th of June, 1775, the congrefs proceeded to choofe by ballot a general tQ command all the continental forces, and George Wafhington, Efq. was unanimoufly cledied, T|ie next day, orders were iflued by the Americans, for a detachment of a thoufand men, to march at evening, and entrench upon |5unicer's-hill. Byfome miftalce. Breed's hill, high and large like the other, but fituated on the furtheft part of the peninfula, next to Bofton, was marked out for the intrenchment inftead of Bunker's. The provincials proceeded therefore to Breed's hill ; but were prevented going to work till near twelve o'clock at rii^ht, when they purfued their bufinefs with the utmoft diligence and alacrity j fo that, by the dawn of tbs day, they had throv/n up a fmall ■.r■■:.M^I^n:•J .Ml Wf ^i\J:<^ .1' u ■ V;.;' 68 Th e History of 'l'^ :l ^■t'^'i ■' ^ I n i k .1 fmall redoubt, about eight rods fquare. Suci was the extraordinary filence that reigned I among them, that they were not heard by the Britifh on board their veffels in the neigh- bouring waters. The fight of the works was the firft notice that the Lively man of| war had of them, when the captain began firing upon them about four in the morning. The guns called the town of Bofton, the camp, and the fleet, to behold a novelty, which v/as little expefted. The profpeci obliged the Britifh generals to alter the plan they intended to have purfued the next day: They grevvr weary of being cooped up In Bofton, and had refolved upon making them- felves mafters of Dorchefter heights ; but the prefent provincial movement prevented the expedition. They were now called to at- tempt poflefTing themfelves of Breed's hill, on which the provincials continued working, notwi^hfianding a heavy fire from the ene- my's {hips, a number of floating batteries, and a fortification upon Cop's-hill in Bofton, dire6Hy oppofite to the little American re- doubt. An inceflant fiiower of (hot and bombs was poured by the batteries upon the American works, and yet but one man vvas killed. The Americans continued labouring inde- fatigably till they had thrown up a fmall breaft-work, extending from the eaft fide of the redoubt to the bottom of the hill ; but thev North America. 69 they were prevented completing it from the intolerable fire of the enemy. By fome un- accountable error, the detachment, which had been working for hours, was neither re- lieved, nor fupplied with refrefhments, but were left to engage under thefe difadvan- tages. Between twelve and one o'clock, and the day exceedingly hot, a number of boats and barges, filled Vv'ith regular troops from Bofton, approaclved Charleftown, when the men were landed at Moreton's Point. They conlifted of four battalions, two companies of grena- diers, and ten of light infantry, with a pro- portion of field artillery ; but, by fome over- fight, their fpare cartridges were much too big for them : fo that, when the Americans were at length forced from their lines, there was not a round of artillery cartridges rs- maining. Major Gen. Howe and Brigadier Gen. Pigot had the command. The troops formed, 2nd remained in th^t pofition, till joined by a fecond detachment of light infantry and gre- nadier companies, a battalion of the land forces, and a battalion of marines, amount- ing in the whole to about 3000 men. The Generals Clinton and Burgoyne took their ftandupon Cop's-hill, to obferve and contem- plate the hloody and deftru£tive operations th;;t were now commencing. The regulars formed in two linesj and advanced delibe- rately^ *' ■•If 4, I ii' , V ■\-'' .'V ■■ ^. r ♦♦,' '.* '1'., ■'"%■■* -"l.-AP^^ ;/• ' '■■ ■ ' . ■ ,\ i%n :h ' f»'ii lYCi* »»;«'/ f/^^.b ■*!'.••*»' *t '• v.?;- >t- ^- f ai iL.» .*,*' '.♦ r'iK f^,e '^fr"^. *J ,V .,;•<,, w'V Is '•'i 'r. .1 ^#^/ » '.i ^' ♦;*.' :4, '),? .1^1' !->'i "tr>» •■ ,'< I ;r ' / i* .!•. rl' H' <<«'■ 'i^ 1 1. >'¥ n in*. Bii :'.i )ft^ K'. .; Mm |:tr " l«l!l 1^' ■fi-, ..» 80! r: ■ 1)1'! -J i Kut'l iij^'f North America. 71 e fouthward ; nor had they any other guns ban common mufkets, and even thole were ot furniflied with bayonets. However, they ere ahnoft all marklmen, being accuftomed to fporting of one kind or other from their youth. A number of Maflkchufetts people were in the redoubt, and the part of the Ireaft-work neareft it. The left of the breaft-work, and the open ground ftretching beyond its point to the water-fide, through which there was not an opportunity of carry- ing the work, was occupied partly by the Maflachufetts forces, and partly by the peo- ple of Connecticut, The Britifli moved on flowly to the at- tack, inftead of ufmg a quick ftep; which gave the piovincials the advantage of taking lurer and cooler aim. Thefe referved their fire, till the regulars came within ten or twelve rods, when they began a furious dif* charge of fmall arms, which flopped the re- gulars, who kept up the firing without ad- vancing. The difcharge from the Ameri- cans was fo inceflant, and did fuch execution, that the regulars retreated in diforder, and "with great precipitation towards the place of landing. Their officers ufed every effort to make them return to the charge, with which they at length complied j but the Americans again referved their fire till the regulars came within five or fix rods, when the enemy was a fecond time put to flight. General *»'*) -.fin ■ ■'■ 'l#J t '■■ ' *'{■'' ' '^ ■'% \ ii .1 • .;., rf*-^if, V»tl •Vi •J .*! 'i I'ii^^^l '>.;*?! • ■ ^J^A w f.M\ iHf>' ;^;'.1' „, Nil ,,p ■ . IHi ■ f ,^ '■■■ V1' I 72 The History of General Howe and the officers redoubled' their exertions; and General Clinton, per- ceiving how the army was ftaggered, palled over, without waiting for orders, and joined them in time to be of fervice. The Ameri- cans being in want of powder, fcnt for a fupply, but could procure none; for there was but a barrel and a half in the magazine. This deficiency difabled them from making the fame defence as before ; while the Bri- tilh reaped a further advantage by bringing fome cannon to bear, fo as to rake the iniide of the breaft-work from end to <;nd. The regular army now made a decifive pufh, and the fire from the (hips and batteries was re- doubled. The provincials were of neceiEtjf ordered to retreat. It was feared by the Americans, that the Britifh troops would pufh the advantage they had gained, and march immediately to the head quarters at Cambridge, about two miles diftant, and in no ftate of defence. But chey advanced no further than to JBunker's- hill, where they threw up works for their own fecurity. The provincials did the fame upon Profpecl-hill, iji front of them, about half way to Cambridge, The lofs of the Britilh, according to Ge« neral Gage, amounted to 1054, of whom 226 were killed ; of thefe 19 were commilfioncd officers, including a lieutenant colonel, two majorsj and (even captains. Seventy other officers North America. 73 officers were wounded. Among thofe more generally regretted, were Lieutenant Colonel Abcrcromby, and Major Pitcairn. j The provincials had 139 killed, 278 [wounded, and 36 were miffing, in all 453. In the opinion of many, General Howe jwas chargeable with a capital error in land- ling, and attacking as he did. It might ori- ginate from too great a confidence in the I forces he commanded, and in too contcmp- |tuous an opinion of the enemy he had to en- counter. He certainly might have entrapped [the provincials, by landing on the narroweft part of Charleftown neck, under the fire of the floating batteries and fhips of war. Here I he might have ftationed and fortified his army, and kept up an open communication with Bofton by a water-carriage, which he would have commanded through the aid of I the navy, on each fide of the peninfula. Had he made this manoeuvre, the provincials muft have made a rapid retreat from Breed's-hill, to efcape having his troops in their rear, and •being enclofed. It was faid, that General Clinton propofed it. The rejeftion of that propofal greatly weakened the Britifh army, [and probably prevented the ruin of the Ame- iricans. In July, the congrefs received a letter from the convention of Georgia, fetting forth, that the colony had acceded to the general G afTociation 4..- vS*^'-' ^' ".t^ *\ • .'..ni ■ , •■ifV ' !.^ P .<■ * •■<('. try ■ '- 'C^'ii it. 'i-V ' ''■ ' •'<• \' "J ■, ..1-'>s»i 11 f I ^1^' •It. I . ■t:| hM fr ij; I;. r :<* I'H : K. •' , ■! ,ti K-f >if .i,> '!>' . ,|': ?« 74 The History of aflbciation, and appointed delegates to attenj] the congrefs. The acceflion of Georgia to the colonics] occalioned their being afterwards called % Thirteen United Colonics. The firft hoftllitiesl that happened in this part between the oppoJ fite parties, commenced about the middle of November, when a number of royalifts atJ tacked the Americans, and obliged themJ after three days, to furrender a fort they \ni\ taken pofl'eflion of, in which they expected tc make an efFedual refiftance. In the month of November, the Ne\ York convention having refolvc^d upon thel removal of the cannon from the battery oil the city. Captain Sears was appointed to thel bufinefs. Captain Vandeput, of the Alia man of war, was privately informed of thel defign, and prepared to oppofe its execution! Learning when it was to be attempted, hel appointed a boat to watch the motion of the people affembled for the purpofe about thel dead of night. The failors in the boat giv- ing the fignal, with a flafli of powder, oi| what was going forwards, the perfons Ihore miftook it for an attempt to fire a muf-l ket at them, and immediately aimed a volljl of fliot at the boat, by which a man was| killed. Captain Vandeput foon after com- menced a firing from the Afia with grapel (hot, fwivel fhot, 1 8 and 24 pounders, with-j out aJUing a fingle perfon, and wounded cm!' 4 North America. 75 only three, two flightly, the other loft the calF of his leg. He then tealed tor a con- fiderable time, fuppofing that the people had deliited from their purpofe, while they were only changing their mode of operation, Capt. Sears provided a deceiving party, intended to draw the Afia's fire from the line of the working party. He fent the former behind a breaft-work, by which they were iecured by dodging down upon obferving the flafh of the Aiia's guns. When all was in readinefs, they huzzaed, and fung out their notes as though tugging in unifon, and fired from the walls j while the working party fi- lently got off twenty-one eighteen pounders, with carriages, empty cartridges, rammers, &c. Upon hearing the noife, and feeing the fire of the mufketry, the captain ordered the Afia to fire a whole broadfide towards that art of the fort, where the deceiving party ad fecured themfelves, without intending any particular injury to the city. However, foine of the {hot flew into the city, and did damage. This affair happened at a very late hotir, between twelve and two, and threw the ci- tizens into the utmoft confternation. Th^ diftrefs of the New Yorkers was very much cncreafed by a painful apprehenfion, that Capt. Vandeput would renew his firing upon the city. A removal of men, women, chiU G 2 dren. I • ■• I'll I ■ I /*■ i <\ ■■ ! ■ ■ • it ■■"»1 IK ■ W '.T m r I "V;''' i{ < U',i H€:,\'' 1* : ' 1 1 "■ , 1 '/ k- . ' 76 The History of dren, and goods inftantly commenced, andi continued for fome time. Matters weiel however fo far adjufted, as to quiet the ap- prehcnfions of the people, in reference to I their fufFerIng further from the fire of the Alia. To prevent it, the convention per. mitted Abraham Lott, Efq. to fupply all his| majcfty's fliips, ftatloned at New York, with all neceflaries, as well frefli as falted, fori the ufe of thofe {hips. In the month of November, the general! afl'embly of Rhode Ifland pafl'ed an act for the capital punifhment of pcrfons, who fhouldl be found guilty of holding a traitcrous cor- refpondence with the miniftry of Great Bri-i tain, or any of their oHicers or agents, or| of fupplying the minifterial army or navy, employed againfl: the United Colonies, withl provifions, arms, &c. or of afting as pilots on board any of their velTels. They alfo pafled an a6t for fequeftering the eftates of feveral perfons, whom they confidercd as avowed enemies to the liberties of America. On the night of the 26th of Auguft, about 2000 American troops entrenched on Plow-] ed-hill, within point blank {hot of the Bri- tifh on Bunker's-hill ; and notwithftading a| continual fire almoft all the day following, they had only two killed and tv/o wounded. The Briti{h finding that their firing did not anfwcr, relaxed, and after a while defiftcul entifely,| North Am^p^ica. 77 entirely, and the Americans remained quiet in their new port. In the beginning of September, General Wafhington received a very acceptable re- mittance of 7000 pounds weight of powder, which had been very fcarce in the American army. Gen. Wafhington, having received pleaf- ing accounts from Canada, being afl'ured that neither Indians nor Canadians could be prevailed upon to a6t againit: the Americans, concerted the plan of detaching a body of troops from the head quarters, acrofs the country to Quebec. He communicated the fame to Gen. Schuyler, who approved it, and all things were got in readinefs. They fet out on the expedition on the 13th of Sep- tember, under the command of Col. Arnold, ailiPced by the Colonels Green and Enos, and Majors Megis and Bigelaw, the whole force lamounting to about eleven hundred men. On the 1 8th of October, Capt. Morvat jdeftroycd 139 houfes, 278 ftores and other |buildings, the far greater and better part of Ithc town of Falmouth, in the northern part of the Maifachufetts. The inhabitants, in compliance with a refolve of the provincial congrefs, to prevent tories carrying out their iLrFcctSj gave feme violent obftru(^tion to the loading of a mafl fhip, which drew upon th^m the indignation of the Britilh admiral, G 3 In V. *'•* , .. ' .*' it* > ' ' '■'■m ■.w*. •t;! ■.; r v- ^ •i^•^^h -i ••« ■'Si if'i'- 78 The History OF. In the mean time, Gen. Montgomerr was fent forward to Ticonderoga with a body of troops ; and being arrived at the Ille aux Noix, he drew up a declaration, which he fent among the Canadians by C( 1. Allen and Major Brown, afiliring them, tha: the army was dcligned oidy againft the Englilh gariions, and not againll the country, their liberties, or religion. Col. Allen and Major Brown being on their return, after executing the commilHon, With which the general had cntrufted them, the latter advifed Col. Allen to halt, and propofed, that the colonel fhould return to Longueil, procure canoes and crofs the river St. Lawrence, a little north of Montreal, while he, the major, crofit-d a little to the iouth of the town, with near 200 men, as he had boats fufHcient. The plan was ap- proved, and Col. Allen paflcd the river in the night. The major, by fome means, fuled on his part, and Col. Allen found hi:n- fclf, the next morning, in a critical iituation, but concluded on defending himfelf. Cien, Carleton, learning how weak Col. Allen was, marched out againft him with about forty regulars, together with Canadians Englifh, and Indians, amountins: to fonic hundreds. The colonel defended himlcit with much bravery; hut being deferted by feveral, chiefly Caiiauians, and having had fifteen of hiS men killed, was uiider the nc- ceiiity North America. 79 c .1 .' »' '1 % w It M*iy> ^.'^||l. ;lf ; •^': tA' m) nrc s i l'>fi;^ », . " .|. «v iif J,? ^%r'^i 1 < 80 The History or down the artillery, pad the fort of St. John's. After a fliort demur, it furrendcrcd to the majors Brown and Livingflon. The greatcft acquiution was about fix tons of powder, which gave great encouragement to the provincials. On the 1 2th of November, Gen. Mont- gomery prelled on to Montreal, which, not being capable of making any defence, Gov. Carleton quitted it one day, and the Ameri- can general entered it the next. Notwithllanding the advanced fcafon of the year, Gen. Montgomery marched on for the capital, and on the 5th of December appeared before Quebec. The garrifon con- fifted of about fifteen hundred, while the be- fiegers were faid to confifl; of little more than half that number. L pon his appear- ing before the city, he fent forward a fla^; of truce, which was fired upon by order of Sir Guy Carleton. At this Gen, Montgomery was {(} provoked, that the next day he wTots to Sir Guy, and in }ns letter departed from the common modt of conveying his fenti- nients 5 he made ufe of threats and language, which in his cooler moments he would have declined. In fpite of the inclemency of the fcafon, he fet about erecting v/orks. His batteries were compofed of fnow and water, wifich foon became folid ice. Me plaiUcd on them five piece:> of ordnance, twelve and nine pcurvdcrs. pounderi l'::fy was In wh( the con detachm- fformina were pre and han the garr iMontgci held on pradical: clear and moufly a had the i ncral wa haved fc that Sir figiit, wl On th fenibled to make mond, at of Abrah himfelf. tltrough fton and attack u Stjohn' to the g for that ] jlve the 1 North America. 8r pounders, with one howitzer ; but the artil- hry was inadequate, and made no impreilicnc In ;;he evening, a council was held by all the commanding officers of Col. Arnold's detachment, and a large majority were for ftormiiig the garrifon, as foon as the men were provided with bayonets, fpears, hatchets, and hand-granades. The plan of ilorming the garrifon was wholly the work of Gen. Montgcmery, who, in the council of war held on the occafion, fliewed the neceffity, piadicability, :xiid importance of it, in fuch a clear and convincing manner, that they unani- moufly agreed to the meafure. The attempt had the appearance of rafhnefs ; but the ge- neral was perfuaded that men, who had be- haved fo bravely, would follow him, and that Sir Guy Carleton's forces would not fight, when actual fervice commenced. On the 31ft of December, the troops af- feaiblcd at the hour appointed. They were to make the attack by the way of Cape Dia- mond, at the general's quarters on the heights of Abraham, and were headed by the general himfelf. Col. Arnold was to make the attack through the fuburbs of St. Roe. Col. Living- fton and Major Brown were to make a falfe attack upon the walls, to the fouthward of St. John's gate, and in the mean time to fet fire to the gate with the combuftibles prepared for that purpofe. The colonel w^as alfo to jive the fignals for the combinatiorA of the at- tacks* ' * i ' '■ ■■■''■ i^ * . .'» ■*•' i'. ;•. • * '/ . '■■, t 'f- ( »' 4 ' 9 i ■»'* . f 'f •j ' •. t" ■ t ' M ,c • ' ■ . ■>■ ? .' ^1 > 'I s>l •>*". I' li ' .u . ■! . t 'tli li * ^. . , if 1 1 1 1 ' t '' 1 St The History of tacks, which were to begin exactly at .five o'clock. It is laid that Capt. Fraler, of the regi'lars, who v/as then on piquet, going his lounds, law the rockets fired oft' as fignals, and, torming a conjedture of wliat was go- ing forwards, beat to arms without orders, and fo prepared the garrifon for defence. The different routs the afTaiiing bodies had to make, the depth of the Inow, and other obftacles, prevented the execution of Living- fton's command. The general moved with his divifion, attended by a number of carpentersJ to the piquets at Cape Diamond. Thefe were foon cut with the laws, and the general | pulled them down himfelf. He then entered, gittended by the carpenters and fome of his I officers. On their entrance, their guides forfookl them, which alarmed the general and other officers, who were unacquainted v/ith the pafs and fituation of the enemy's artillery. However, they prefTed on, and the general, obferving that the troops did not follow with] fpirit, called out, " Fie, for fhame ! will the New York troops defert the caufe in this cri- tical moment ? Will you not follow whenl your general leads? Pulh on, brave bo;,d Quebec is ours." A few acled with refohi^ tion, advanced, and attacked the guard-houfe,! when the enemy gave a difcharge of gnipc- fliot from their cannon, and alfo of fmaiij arms, which proved fatal to the general, hu ai^-l hve the go. - <3 t.*. 1^ ■• i ^;, p. 8-:. ill with] [ the is en- vi'henl )i be louie, ;rapc- ll, hui fiffiaE ;xr; :- *« '^^'^ ".^A -4 1 ^ ^v^ bok P»1 I her I^^J^^ the ery. era, Vnr-^. A-^ *'^S '4lj^. d^r / L'^'k Ml -rz:-:t2L\t rx '■^ -^r p ll,^ M; '\,^ I r(. 2'de c ' 'i he i the er portui vvaid y maltei u cole retreat were c Th( ly un] wound and W2 men in when, were al war. v^ards gomery his hear day, an was Too neral vi eafy, gr the Jove army; ] and hac war wi and dilp fharc of public e: North America. 83 aide de camp, Capt. Cheefemai), and others, "j he tiring from the guard-hoiilc ceafcd, by the enemy's quitting their poll, and the op- portunity offered for the aflailants to puih for- waid with fucccfs ; but the Deputy Quarter- i malter General, Campbell, with the rank of a colonel, afiumed the command, ordered a retreat, which took placcj and the wounded were carried off to the camp. The diviilon uncjer Col. Arnold was equal- ly unfuccefsful. The colonel received a wound in one of his legs from a mufket ball, and was carried to the general hofpital. His men maintained their grour^d till ten o'clock, when, all hopes of relief being over, they were at laft obliged to furrender prifoners of war. In this attack the provincials loft up- v/ards of an hundred nien. Gen. Mont- gomery 'vas fliot through both his thighs and his head. His body was taken up the next (lay, an elegant coffin was prepared, and h^ was foon after decently interred. The ge- neral w^as tall and ilender, well limbed, of eafy, graceful, and manly addrefs. He had the love, efteem, and confidence of the whole army ; he was of a good family in Ireland, and had fervid with reputation in the late war with France, His excellent qualities and difpofition procured hirn an uncommon fharc of private afFedlion, and his abilities of public efteem. His death was confidered as a greater <*• ■' .i %'' v;.,-f ' •mi » * S4 The History of a greater lofs to the American caufc, than a' the others with which it was accompanied. \Vhcn the continental troops had conncfl. ed after the unfuccefsful attack on Qiicbec, there arofe a difoute who {hould command, and v/hether it was advifeable to raife the liCgc, or wait till a reinforcement (hould ar* rive. A council of war agreed, that Col Arnold fhould command, and fliould continue the fiege, or rather the blockade, which was accordingly done, apparently at no fmall rifn, as they had not more than four himdred men fit for duty; but they retired about three miles from the city, and pofted themfelvci advantageoully. » Me7norable Events recorded in this Chapter, Anno 1775. The expedition againft Ticonderoga. Geo. Wafhington, Efq. ^]QSicA comman(lt::| in chief of the continental forces. The battle of iJunker's-hill. Geo''gia acceeds to the Union. The Thirteen United Colonies. The Alia man of war fires upon New York.] Col. Arnold's expedition into Canada. Falmouth deftroyed^ and on what account. Col. Allen taken prifoner, and put in irons. Gen. Montgomery appears before QiiebcC|| and is killed there. C H A ?| North America. 8s '^ CHAP. V. LET us now return to Bofton and its envi- rons, and fee what was tranfacling there. In the 15th of February, 1776, theilrength )t the ice having been tried in one place, md the froft continuing, Gen. Wafhingtoa wixs dcfirous of embracing the feafon for [in|^ over it, from Cambridge fide into ixifton. He laid before the council of war the following queflion : ^' A firoke well iiined at this critical juncture may put a inal period to the war, and reftore peace and tranquillity fo much to bewifhedforj and therefore, whether part of Cambridge and loxborough bays being frozen over, a ge- leral alTault fhould not be made on Bofton ?'* Gen. Ward oppofed the idea, faying, Y The attack muft be made with a view of Hinging on an engagement, or of driving [he enemy out of Bofton, and either end will )e anfwered much better by poflefTing Dor- :hefter heights." When the votes were :alled for, the majority were againft the at-- lack. It was however determined to pollbfs pemfelves of Dorchefter heights, which was iccordingly afterwards accomplifhed. On the 5th of March, the Britifh admiral Informed Gen. Howe, that if the Americans jofieflcd thofe heights, he could not keep H Qn« .^> 1 ♦, I * > IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT.3) y ^0 A i z © o o LO 1.1 1.25 1^ 1^ ^ 12.2 i Ui Kb - u f**- • o o V] y] ^;j y >^ Photographic Sciences Corporation \ A ,v iP ^\ 'es'^^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716)872-4503 ^v 90 The History of -4, appointed to be at Three Rivers, half way between Quebec and Montreal, The Ame- ricans now formed a plan to furpriib the Bri. tifti troops, and for that purpofe marched un- der cover of the night, on the 8th of June, in order to attack them a little before day- break. Gen. Thompfon, who commanded in this expedition, had procured a Canadian guide, who was either ignorant or unfaith^ ful 5 for, a little before fun-rife, he found his forces were out of the proper road. They returned, but lofing their way by the fide of I the river, they were foon in view of fome of | the enemy's boats, between which and the flanking party feveral balls were exchanged, They then quickened their pace, and con- tinued advancing in fight of the fhipping, with drums beating and fifes playing, as they knew they were difcovered. The general, judging there was no poflibility of paffing the fhips, without being expofed to all their fire, and yet determining to perfift in the expedi- tion, filed off at a right angle from the river. He meant to take a circuitous route, and enter the town on the back fide. A bad morafs interpofed, the troops entered ir, and the men were almott mired. About nine o'clock, they came to a cleared fpot, formed, and got into fome order about ten. They advanced, but before the rear had got off ihel place of formation, the front received a heavy lire from the enem}', which ftruck them witli| terror, North America. 91 terror. The fire was inftantly repeated, and though the balls flew over the heads of the troops, without doing any materjal execu- tion, they gave way, and crowded back, in the utmoft confufion, which left them with- out a leader, fo that every one did as he plcafcd. They turned their faces up the river, and haftcned through the fwamp as fad as poflible. About eleven they began to colled):, and fooi learned from the Canadians, that the enemy had fent a detachment, with feveral field-pieces by land, to cut off their retreat, and a party by water to feize their boats. About four they were told, that the enemy had fecured the bridge before them, which it was fuppofed they muft pafs. They wcic alfo foon convinced, that a large body was clofely in their rear. Col. Maxwell or- dered all who had collefted together to halt, called the officers to him, and faid, " What (hall we do ? Shall we fight thofe in the front or in the rear ? Shall we tamely fubmit ? or fhall we turn off into the woods, and each man fhift for himfelf?" The laft propofal was preferred ; but the enemy was fo near, that the rear of the Americans was expofed to another tremendous fire, while going down the hill into the woods, but the balls flew over them without injuring aiiy. T'he per- fon, who was entrufted with the care of the boats, had removed them in time to a fecure place 'i fo that the lofs of the Aiiiericans, which ,; 'itj '^t.'i '-■ hi ' . 1*1 'ii -h "V. . vkj i 92 The History of which muft otherwife have been much greater, amounted only to about 200 prifoners. The troops that elbaped began to collecl about ten the next day, and oy noon were confiderably numerous. They got afong by degrees, and by fun-fet the day following ar- rived oppofite Sorel. Gen. Thompfon and Col. Irwin, the fecond in command, with fome other officers, were taken. The killed and wounded ef the king's troops were tri- fling. The king's forces having joined at Three Rivers, proceeded by Vvnd and water to Sord, off which the fleet arrived in the evening, a few hours after the rear of the Americans had left it. A confiderable body was landed, and the command of the column given to Gen. Burgoyne, with inflruflions to purfiie the continental army up the river to St, John's, but without hazarding any thing till another column on his right (hould be able to co-operate with him. Sir GuyCarle ton's extra- ordinary precaution to put nothing to hazard, when not abfolutely necefiary, gave the Ame- ricans the opportunity of efcaping. Had Burgoyne been inftrufted to prefs on with the utmoft expedition, great numbers of the provincials muft have been made prifoners, and but few would have croffed Lake Cham- plain. Thus ended the expedition againft Quebec. To North America. 93 To return to Pofton. The Jiritifh Com- modore i3ank » '•• tS i ^r- >»i W4 ■^■- i ') ,i .''i». ^'C^\) ?•• l>4 •» ;V, 96 The History or moft likely to cffcit their fafety and happi, nefs. Prudence, indeed, will di£late, that governments long eftabliflied, {hoiild not be changed for light and tranficnt caufes ; and accordingly all experience hath fliown, that mankind arc more difpofed to fufFer, while evils are fufFerable, than to right themfclves by abolifhing the forms to which they are accuftomed. But when a long train of abufes and ufurpations, purfuing invariably the fame objecS, evinces a defign to reduce them under abfolute defpotifm, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw ofF fuch go- vernment, and to provide new guards for their future fecurity. Such has been the pa- tient fufferance of thefe colonies, and fuch is now the neceflity that conftrains them to alter their former fyftcms of government." The declaration proceeds to give a hiftory of repeated injuries and ufurpations, all hav- ing in diredl object the eftablilliment of an abfolute tyranny over thofe ftates. On the 8th of July, at twelve o'clock, the declaration of independence was pro- claimed at the ftate-houfe in Philadelphia, amidft the greateft acclamations. The next day, in confequence of general orders, it was read at tlje head of each brigade of the continental army at New York, and every where received with loud huzzas, and the utmoft demonftrations of joy. The fame evening, the equeftrian ftatue of the king was i-^'* North America. 97 vras laid proftrate on the ground, and the \cA of which it was made was doomed to be run into bullets. On the 14th of Auguft, Lord Dunmore (quitted Virginia, and joined the Britilh forces. He arrived with Lord Campbell and Sir Peter Parker ofF Staten Ifland. His lordQiip continued on the coafts, and in the fivers of Virginia, till the clofenefs and filth of the fmall veflels, in which the fugitives were crowded, together with the heat of the weather, the badnefs and Icarcity of water and prcvifions, produced a peftilential fever, which made great havock, efpecially among the negroes, many of whom were fwept away. When at length every place was {hut againft him, and neither water nor provifions were to be obtained, but at the expencc of blood, it was found neceffary to burn feveral of the fmaller and leaft valuable vclFels, to prevent their falling into the hands of the Ameri- cans, and to fend the remainder, with the exiled friends of government, to feek (belter in Florida, Bermudas, and the Weft Indies, iiord Howe arrived off Halifax towards the end of June, and from thence proceeded to New York, and reached Staten Ifland by the 1 2th of July. From thence he fent ort (bore by a flag to Amboy, a circular let- t r, together with a declaration to feveral of the late governors of the colonies, ac- quainting them with his powers, and de- I firing ••.'4' .' • . 1 »V- I? I'" r '[ k- 98 , The History of firing them to publifti the fame as generally as polfible, for the information of the people. But it was now too late to bring thcin bacic to the obedience of the mother country, fmce the declaration of independence had been every where folemnly read. In the month of Auguft, Gen. Howe finding himfelf fufficiently ftrong to attempt fomething, refolved on making a defcent on Long ifland. The neceffary meafures being taken by the fleet for covering the defcent, the army was landed, without oppofition, between two fmall towns, Utrecht and Gravefend, not far from the Narrows, on the neareft ftiore to Staten Ifland. On this ifland are feveral pafles through the mountains or hills, which are eafily de- fenfible, being very narrow, and the lands high and mountainous on each fide. Thefe were the only roads that could be paflTed from the fouth fide of the hills to the American lines, except a road leading round the eafterly end of the hills to Jamaica. An early at- tention had been given to the importance of | thefe pafles. To the fecond of them, the fmall American parties, patroling on the coafts, re- tired upon the approach of the Briti(h boats with the troops. Lord Cornwallis puflied on immediately with the reierve and fomel other forces; but finding the American? in pofl'eflion of the pafs, in compliance with| orders, be riiked no attack* Thcl NoRTK America. gg The Americans had on each of the three pail'cs or roads a guard of 800 men ; and to the ealt of them in the wood, Col. Miles was placed with his battalion to guard the road from the fouth of the hills to Jamaica, and to watch the motion of the enemy on that fide, with orders to keep a party con- ftantly reconnoitring to and acrofs the Ja- maica road. The ccntinels were fo placed as to keep a continual communication be- tween the three guards on the three roads. On the 26th of Auguft, Gen. Howe, having fully fettled a plan of furprize, Gen.^ de Heiftcr, with his Heffians, took poft at jFlatbufli in the evening, and compofed the I centre. About nine o'clock the fame night, [the principal army, containing much the greater part of the Britifli forces, under the commands of Gen. Clinton, Earl Percy, and Lord Cornwallis, marched in order to gain the road leading round the eatterly end )f the hills to Jamaica, and fo to turn the left of the Amerjcans. Col. Miles, whofc iuty it was to guard this road, fufFered the Iritifh to march not lefs than iix miles, till ley were near two miles in the rear of the [uards, before he difcovered and gave notice ' their approach. The next day, before day-break. Gen. Ilintoil arrived within half a mile of the [oad, when he halted, and fettled his difpofr- fion for the attack. One of his patroles fell la in ,'■"» 100 The History of ill with a patrol of American officers odI horfeback, who were trepanned anJ iiLdcl prifoners. Gen. Sullivan, though in expuJ ration that they would bring him intclli. gcnce, neglefted fending out a frelh patrol on finding himfelf difappointed. CliiUoiJ learning from the captured officers, that the Americans had not occupied the road, de- tached a battalion of light infantry to iccuie if, and advancing with his troops upon the firft appearance of day, poffefl'ed himfelf o[| the heights that commanded the road. About midnight, the guard, confiding ai| of New Yorkers and rennfylvanians, per. ceiving that there was danger at hand, flell without firing a gun, and carried to GenJ Parfons, who commanded them, the accounrl of the enemy's advancing in great numbers by that road. Gen. Grant's movements were to divert the attention of the Ameri- cans from the left, where the main attack was to be made by Gen. Clinton. By day-light, Gen. Parfons perceived, that the Britii were got through the wood, and were deJ fcending on the north fide. He took tweiitjf of his fugitive guard, being all he couii colled, and ported them on a height infroat of the Britifh, about half a mile diftanU which halted their column, and gave timt for Lord Stirling to come up with his forces, ^mpuntinij to about 1500, who pofleffd * liimCi North A n? e r i c a. lor liimlcU' of a hill about two miles iVom the camp. The engagement began foon after day- break, by the Heffians from Flatbufh, under Gen. Hcifter, and by Gen. Grant on the coafti and a warm cannonade, with a briik fire of fmall arms, were eagerly fupported oa both fides for fome confiderable time. The Americans oppofing Gen. Heiftcr were the firft who were apprifed of the march of the Britifh troops under Gen. Clinton, 1 iiey accordingly retreated in large bodies, and in tolerable order, to recover their camp; but they were foon interrupted by the right wing under Gen. Clinton, who, having halted and refrefhed his forces after pafling the heights, continued his march, and getting into the rear of the left of the Americans, about half paft eight o'clock, attacked them with his light infantry and light dragoons, while quitting the heights to return to their lines. They were driven back, and again met the Heflians, and thus were they alter- nately chaced and intercepted. In thefe defperate circumftances, fome of their regi- ments, overpowered and out-numbered as they were, forced tlicir way to the camp, through all the dangers with which they weje prefied. The Americans under Lord Stirling, who were engaged with Gen. Grant, behaved with great bravery and refolutionj but were I 3 fo * ' , ? \ .-.. •/• 'A 1.' •>. • ',.• M|t*-n, Mill ' ■ml ,•1 i * I i \^^A m if;'?*'' ""■ ft ■ i^!i;?';i if J 'ft , I ,> -?)(*!* i'^#': ^;|: M in' I. ... iK'iri 102 The History of fo late in their knowledge of what pafled elfewhere, that their retreat was intercepted by feme of the BritiHi troops, who, befides turnino; the hills and the American left, had traverfed the whole extent of country in their rear. Several broke through the enemy's line, and got into the woods. Gen. ParfonSj with a fniall party, efcaped by doing the fame; numbers threw themfelves into the marfh at Gorvan's Cove, fome were drowned, and others perifhed in the mud. However, a confiderable body efcaped to the lines. Tiic nature of the country, and the variety of the ground, occanoncd a jonti nuance and exten- fion of fmall engagements, purfuits and (laughter, which lafted for many hours before the Icene clofed. The Britilh troops difplayed great valour and activity on this occafion. So impetuous v^as their ardour, that it was with difficulty they could be reftrained, by Gen. Howe's orders, from attacking the American lines. They would probably have entered them, had not the works been completed the night be- fore the action, by clofmg an opening on the right, and placing an abbatis before it. The Americans were moft completely furprifed and ctFedlually entrapped. Col. Smallwood's Maryland regiment fufFered extremely, and was almoft cut to pieces, lofing 259 men. The lofs was much regretted, on account of their being young men of the beft families in the North America, 103 the country. All who were engaged in the actions of this day did not difplay the fame courage; nor was it to be expefted from foch raw troops. Many efcaped from the want of difcipline ; for they broke at the fight of danger, and faved themfelves by flight, whereas otherwife they muft have been killed or taken. Large bodies however were cap- tured. Gen. Sullivan, Lord Stirling, and Gen. Udell, befides three colonels, four lieutenant-colonels, three majors, 18 cap- tains, 43 lieutenants, 11 enfigns, an adju- tant, three furgeons, and two volunteers, were made prifoners, together with 1006 privates in all 1097. As among the pri- foners the wounded were included, an allow- ance of between four and five hundred for killed, drowned, periftied in the woods, the mud, and the like, may be reckoned about the mark. The lofs of the Britifh, in killed and wounded, did not exceed 318, of whom only 61 were killed. After the battle, the Americans retreated to New York, to which place they crofled over under the favour of a fog, taking with them all their military {lores, and leaving nothing behind them but a few pieces of cannon, and fome trifling matters. Mt^mcrabh \ ?* r '•^'' ■'^^' • 'Kyi -■'" •••tt ■"4k'-' ■■' i • ^f;^•. ■■.,...',' ;-.v^V'V ^V t f:-:!,,*) ^^ii^ri .'■ -J ,*4i;J ^^w^ '■ J04 The History of Memorable Events recorded in this Chapter, Anno 1776. Gen. Howe evacuates Bofton* Norfolk in Virginia burnt. Sir Peter Parker and Earl Cornwallis fail for America. The blockade of Quebec continued. The Americans raife the blockade and retreat. A number of Highlanders taken in Boilou bay. Declaration of American independence. Gen. Howe lands the royal army on Long Ifland, and drives the Americans off it. i* -r •.'i.f CHAP. VL A FTER the afFair of Long Ifland, cn- ^^ deavours were ufed by the Americans to keep up the fpirits oi the people, by puf. fing accounts of the extraordinary bravery of their troops, and the deftrudion they made of the enemy. But that matters were not very promifing appears from a letter of Gen. Mercer, who commanded the flying carLp, dated Sept. the 4th, wherein he writes. " Gen. Wafhington has not, fo far as I have feen, 5000 men to be depended on for the fervice of a campaign s and I have not looo. Both our North Aivierica. 105 oar armies are compofcd of raw militia, perpetually fluduating between the camp and their farms j poorly armed, and ftill worfe difciplined. Thefe are not a match /or, were their numbers equal to, veteran troops, well fitted and urged on by able offi- cers. Numbers and difcipline muft at lall prevail. (Jiving foldicrs, or even the lower orders of mankind, the choice of officers, wiil for ever mar the difcipline of armies," . Gen. Howe, having fully prepared for a defcent on New York Ifland, embarked a ftrong divifion of the army under the com- mand of Gen. Clinton aha others, in boats, at the head of Newtown inlet, and at ano- ther place higher up, where they could not be obferved by the Americans, who expefted the attack would be made on the fide next to the Eaft river, and had therefore thrown up lines and works to defend themfelves. On the 15th of September, about eleven o'clock;, Gen. Howe's troops landed, under the cover of five fhips of war, in two divi- fions, the Heflians in one place, and the Bri- tifh in another. As foon as Gen. Wafhing- jton heard the firing of the men of war> he rode with all difpatch towards the lines j but to his great mortification, found the troops polled: in them retreating with the utmoft precipitation ; and thofe ordered to fupport tbem, Parfons's and Fellows's brigade, fly- ing in every dire(Slion^ and in the grcatefi coiii'ufion. '4. '.'i-s n 1:'^*^.: ,r If ' ' • l'-^' Til »! ^: ■'. "'v, ■ • '. .-■'.'"■ft. '"*^:^ f It mh I, ■ )i^ iM vM hi "M-J J ', I I, ■ , ':'■ ■'■■,.% I c8 7' H E History of can lines early the next iporning ; but an ex-l treme wet night and morning prevented the execution at the time appointed, and it vaj' not attempted afterwards, though the davl proved fair. Gen. Wa(tiin2ton cr^iined in- telligence of his danger from a dcferter,when he drew ofF moft of his troops at night, toJ tally evacuated his camp early in the morn* ing of the firft of November, and took higher' ground towards the North Caftle diitrict; leaving a flrong rear-guard on the heights and in the woods of White Plains. Ordersl were given by Gen. Howe to attack this corps 'y but the execution of it was prevented by a .violent rain. Though this affair at White Plains maJe fo much nolle at the time in which it hap- pened, no general aftion took place, and the Americans retreated, leaving the Engiifh in pofleflion of New York and the Jerfeys. Gen. Wafhington, however, foon after made a defcent on Jerfey, and at Trenton furprifed and took prifoners 23 Heflian offi- cers, and 886 men of the fame nation. In the evening. Gen. Wafliington repafl'ed the Delaware, and retired to Pennfylvariia. 1* rom this period to the month of June, 1777, nothing paffed in Jerfey out one con- tinued fcene of blood and flaughter among detached parties, without any decifive advan- tages being gained by either fide. On the 30th of June, at ten o'clock in the morninii tliC North America, 109 the Englifh troops began to crofs over to Staten Ifland, and the rear-guard pafled at two ill the afternoon, without the leaft ap- pearance of an enemy. Thus they evacuated the Jcrfeys, to enter upon new conquefts, in hopes of reducing the United States to uncon- ditional fubmiflion. Let us now turn to the Britifli operations in the North, which were taken out of the hands of Sir Guy Carleton, and committed to the charge of Gen. Burgoyne. The forces allotted to them, confifting; of Britifli and German troops, amounted to more than 7000 men, exclufive of the artillery corps. A powerful brafs train of artillery was fur- niftied, probably the fineft, and the moll: ex- cellently fupplied as to oflicers and private men, that had ever been dcftincd to fecond the operations of an army not exceeding the prefent number. The army was, in every refpedt, in the beft condition, the troops were in the higheft fpirits, admirably difci- plined, and uncommonly healthy. The main body, under Gen. Burgoyne, proceeded up Lake Champlain, landed and encamped at no great diftance from Crown Point, where he met the Indians in congrefs, and afterwards, in compliance with their cuf- toms, gave them a war-feaft. He made a fpeech to them, calculated to excite their ar- dour in the common caufe, and at the fame time to reprefi) their barbarity. He conjured K them, ftt '4 '.^ •■I t . X'i' m , V . •; -^^ mm .(• .4< A, .» i, > \%, \ i ■ t \ * 0<'. • 4*. .'Vial li IN no The History of r« U . > ' -.'■■jit' .'("'^ (> W' ( ,.', '1 >■ ;N't%ii W\i K IM' .V ^ i mm 112 The History of gade, confifting of the lighl: troops, grena. dicrs, and fome other corps. Gcii. RciJclcl, with moft of the Brunfwickers, was oidcrd by Gen. Burgoyne to join in the puiiuit, either to fupport Frazer, or to act fcparately. The latter continued the purfuit through the day, and receiving intelligence, that Sr. Clair's rear was at no great dillance, he or- dered his troops to lie that night on thdr arms. In the morning, he came up with the Americans, commanded by Col. War- ner, who had, befides his own, the regiments of Colonels Francis and Hale. The IJiitiin advanced boldly, and the two bodies formed within about fixty yards of each other. Fra- zer began the attack about feven o'clock, cx- pedling every moment to be joined by Reide- fel, and apprehending, that if he delayed, the enemy would efcape. Hale being ap- prized of the danger, never brought his re- giment to the charge, but fled j fo that Warner could bring into aftion no more than about 700 men. 'I'he ronfli£l was bloody: Francis fell fighting with great bravery, and Warner, his officers\and fold iers, behaved with much refolution and gallantry ; fo that the Britifh broke and gave way, but foon formcii again, and running on the Arpericans witli their bayonets, the latter were put into no fmall confufion, which was encreafed by the critical arrival of Gen. Reidefel with the foremoft of his column, confifting of the Chafieur North America. iij Chafieiir coiripany, and eighty grenadiers and light infaiiu y, who were immediately led into adion. Tlie Americans now fled on all fides. Gen. St. Clair heard when the firing began, and would have fupported Warner j but the troops that were neareft, two militia regi- ments, would not obey orders, and the others were at too great a diftance. Hale, who had attempted to get ofF by flight, fell in with an inconfiderable party of Britifh* and furren- dered himfelf and a number of his men pri- foners. llic Americans loft 324 in killed, wounded, and prifoners, and among the laft were 12 officers. The royal troops, includ- ing Britifli and German, had not lefs than 1 83 killed and wounded. The evacuation of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence furprifed Gen. Wafh- ington, and fpread aftonifhment and terror through the New England ftates. The ge- neral was led to believe that the garrifon was much ftronger. The Maflfachufetts general- court were faulty, in not having feafonably forwarded their quota of troops, agreeable ta the requifition of congrefs. Let us now return to fee what vi^as doing iGen. Howe. The Eritifh fleet and army jwhich lay at Sandy Hook, were deftined for the reduction of Philadelphia, in purfuance of a plan which had been fettled between Sir William Howe and Lord George Germain., but did not fail till the 23d of July. The K 3 laud '.'1 'j'^ . • T y ' t '! ;: •'';■;'.. -Ail ■><;f ■ «.*■ ^^ s 'Ay ■' *',(». >iS 114 The History of land forces confifted of thirty-fix Britifli and Heflian battalions, including the light infantry and grenadiers, with a powerful artillery, \ New York corps, called Qi^ieen's Ranges, and a regiment of light hori'e, eltimnted all together at about 16,000 men. The fleet confifted of 267 fail. Gen. Howe's thus abandoning Burgoyne equally excited the aftonifhmcnt of friends and enemies. On the 14th of June, the congrefs rtPjlvd, that the flag of the Tiiirteen United States be thirteen flripes, alternate red and white ; that the union be thirteen ftars, white in a blue field, reprefenting a new conftellation. It was not till the third of September that the royal army began to move forwards. On its advancing near to the Americans, tkie abandoned their ground, perceiving that it would not anfwer their firft expedation. They croffed Brandy wine at Chad's ford, and took poileflion of the heights on the ealt iide of it, with an evident intention of difputing the paflage of the river; but the fuperior numbcrrs of the regular forces at laft obliged them to retire, A little after fun-rife on the nth of Sep- tember, a warm engagement commenced, which lafted till the approach of night. On this occafion, the Americans ftiewed great refolution and courage ; but a few hours niore of day-light might havefo animated the conquering regulars, fatigued as they were, as North America. US as to have produced thofe exertions, which would have been produdlivc of a total and ruinous defeat to the Americans. It was faid, by the Americans thcmfelves, that in this aftion, their lofs in killed, wounded, and piifoners, was about twelve or thirteen hun- dred ; and that the royal army did not fufter, on their part, (hort of feven or eight hundred, in killed and wounded. The Americans alio loft ten fmall field pieces, and a howitzer, of which all but one were brafs. The evening after the battle, a party of regulars was fent^ to Wilmington, who took the governor of the Delaware ftate, Mr. M'Kenley, out of his ted, and poflefled themfelcs of a fhallop lying in the creek, loaded with the rich effefts of fome of the inhabitants, together with the public records of the county, and a large quantity of public and private money, befides articles of plate, and other things. After various motions of the regular army, on the 26th of September, Gen. Howe made his triumphal entry into Philadelphia, with a fmall part of his army, where he was moft cordially received by the generality of the quakers, and a few other royalifts. The bulk of his troops were left in and about German town, a village forming one conti- nued ftreet for near two miles. Gen. VVafli- ington's army was encamped near Shippach- creek, about eighteen miles from thence. The 'i f i ■ ft 1'^ ' '•''■'•■^'xM ^.i.r-*: ■ .• n-- Via ■:■■'■■' >u^ 1 , ' •'' il" ' «■ -cX i < J nil I' ■?!•'■ ;!! ' ; 7 m >><■■ ii6 The Hi story of The congreis, on the lofs of Philadelphia, removed to York-town. To return to the northern army, under the command of Gen, Burgoyne. Several a(SHons took place, between the Americans and regulars, in the intended march of the I Britifli towards Albany. In thefe different fkirmifhes, the regulars fulFered very conli- derably, as well as the Indians in their in- tcreft. The principal action happened at Bennmgton, in which the Americans took from the Englifli four brafs field pieces, twelve drums, 250 dragoon fwords, four ammunition waggons, and about 700 priu oners, among whooi w^as Lieut. Col. Baum. On the 30th of Auguft, the Englifli com- mander had occalion to write to Gen. Gates, and in his letter complained of inhumanity exercifed towards the provincial foldiers in the king's fervice after the aflFair of Ben- nington, and then hinted at relaliation, Gen. Gates, in his anfwer of Sept. the 2d, invalidated the charge, and then retorted the Indian cruelties, which he imputed to Bur- goyne, faying, " xMifs M^Rea, a young lady, lovely to the fight, of virtuous character, and a- miabledlfpofition, engaged wO an officer in you: army, was, with other women and children, taken out of a houfe near Fort Edward, car- ried into the woods, and there murdered anJ mangled in a moft fhocking manner. Two parcnu m I North America, 117 [parents, with their fix children, were all fcalpeJ and treated with the fame inhuma- Initv, while quietly refiding in their once happy and peaceful dwellings, 7^he mifer- able fate of Mifs M4lea was particularly ijiogravated, by her being dreiTed to receive her promifed hufband, when fhe met her j murderer employed by you. Upwards of one hundred, men, women, and children, have periflied by the hands of the ruffians, to whom, it is aflerted, you have paid the price of blood." Gen. Burgoyne, in his reply of the 6th of the fame month, vindi- jcated his own character; flicwed that Mifs M'Rea's death was no premeditated barba- rity, and declared, that every other charge, exhibited by Gen. Gates, was ill-founded and erroneous. The murder of Mifs M'Rea exafperated the Americans, and from that and other cru- elties occafion was taken to blacken the royal party and army. The people detefted that army which accepted of fuch Indian aid, and loudly reprobated that government which could call in fuch auxiliaries. Gen. Gates was not deficient in aggravating, by feveral publications, the exceffes that had taken place, and with no fmall advanta2:e to his own mi- iitary operations. : On the 18th of September, Gen. Bur- goyne, having been very fliort of provifions, leiiigth received a fupply for about thirty days, >»«!| 'f*! ^- Jl 4 1 %^ '■ ^ f„ ■ i-WM >• ;' » 'ri ■■■. ^ -tX'-^^'^ ■ ■ . ' ,-'f' « ■ ■■ ■' ;:,'f;- . ,«* ^ .1. ■.i::T>L „ .h .ils' ■M-lr- •P i^V **> ^™k;w. Il'fl; W^^^ „|i"K»-,, ii8 The History of days, together with other neceflary ftores, He then reldved upon pafling the Hudfon's river with the army, which having executed, J he encamped on the heights and on the plain of Saratoga. The Americans, obferving the motions of the royal army, marched out 3000 ftrong, in order to attack him, but found that to be prudentially impradticab^e. However, they drew up in full view of him, and there remained till dark. The next day, fome of the American fcout- ing parties fell in w^ith thofe of the Britifli, and with great boldnefs began the attack about one o'clock at noon. The firing was no fooner heard by Gen. Philips, than he made his way, with a part of the artillery, through the woods, and rendered eflential fervices. Each commander fupported, re- inforced, and ordered different regiments to engage. The battle was hot and obftinate on both fides, till about half paft two o'clock, when it ceafed for half an hour. The Ame- rican and Britifli lines being fully formed, the aflion was renewed, ^ind became general at three. Both armies appeared determined to conquer or die, and there was one continual blaze of fire for three hours without inter- mifSon ; the report of the mufkets refembled an inceflant roll-beating on a number of drums. The Americans and Britifli alter- nately drove and were driven by each other. Three Britifli regiments, the 20th, the 21ft, aiiu North America. 119 and the 6 2d, were in conftant and clofe fire for near four hours. All fuffered confiderable loi's: the 626^ which was 500 ftrong when it left Canada, was now reduced to lefs than 60 men, and to four or five officers. Few ac- tions have been charafterifed, by more obfti- nacy in attack or defence, than was the pre- fent. Both parties claimed the victory, though neither had much advantage to boaft of. From this time till near the middle of Oc- tober, battles and fkirmifhes continually took place between the two armies, and the Britifli were fadly reduced and weakened. On the 13th Gen. Burgoyne, finding that the troops bad only three days provifions in ft ore, on {hort allowance, and no apparent means of retreat remaining, called into council all the generals, field officers, and captains com- manding troops. There was not a fpot of ^^Tound in the whole camp for holding the council of war, but what was expofed to cannon or rifle (hot 5 and while the council was deliberating, an eighteen-pound ball crofled the table. By the unanimous advice of the council, the general was induced to open a treaty with Gen. Gates. The firfl: propofals of the latter were rejefted, and the fixth article with difdain, wherein if was re- quired, that the Britiih army fbould lay down their arms in their intrenchments. Bur- goyne's counter-propofals were unanimoully approved, and being fent to Gates were agr€e4 r. « •d. I ■ .'V^A" .:'^''-^ip.:'-' ' *■ / V:t,» lA^^'M 1^"'/, \ 1 I'.f ?•' :^^ i< ■ '*< '^^ I> ■■■n^ ■X: K;!r:.'i 1 III *?"*"' *'■ '■'^r':t;,f 120 The History of agreed to, on the 15th, without any matcib! alteration. Gen. Gates being fearful of the confc quences that might follow, ihould Gcii. Vaughan with his troops come up in time to Burgoyne's affillance, determined upon brinr. ing the matter to an immediate illlie. On the morning of the 17th, he got every thin'^ in rcadinefs for attacking the royal army, This done, he took out his watch, the time agreed foi figning being come. He then feiit Col. Greaton on norfeback to Burgoyne with a mefl'age, requiring the general to iign, and allowed him no more than ten minutes to go and return. He was back in time, the treaty was figned, all hoftile appearances ceafed, and the Americans marched into the Britilh lines to the tune of Yankee Doodle. They were kept there until the royal army had marched out of their lines, and depofitcd their arms at the place appointed by the treaty. The delicacy with which this bufinefs was conducted reflects the higheft honour upon the American general. It intimated, that he was fcnfible of the mortification attending a reverfe of fortune, and that he was unwil- ling to aggravate the painful feelings of the royal troops, by admitting the American foldiers to be e5^e-witnefies to the degrading fpectacle of piling their arms. When the arms were depofited agreeable to treaty, the rov:;: North America, izi royal troops were ferved with bread by the Americans, as they had not any left, nor iiour to make it. They had only one day's fait meat remaining. rhe treaty was ftiled, " A convention between Lieut. Gen. Burgoyne and xVIajor Gen. Gates." Among other articles it was ftipulated, *' That the troops under Lieut. Gen. Burgoyne fiiall march out of their camp with the honours of war, and the artillery of the entrenchments, to the verge of the river, where the arms and artillery are to be left.-— The arms to be piled by word of command from their own officers. — A free pallage to be granted to the royal army to Great Bri- tain, upon condition of not ferving again in North America during the prefent conteft; and the port of Bofton to be affigned for the entry of tranfports to receive the troops, whenever Gen. Howe fliall fo order. — The ofScers baggage not to be molefted or fearch- ed. — During the ftay of the troops in the Maffachufetts bay, the officers are to be ad- mitted on parole, and be allowed to wear their fide-arms," The return figned by Gen. Burgoyne, at the time of the convention, made the Britifli army, including Germans, amount to 5791, which was very (hort of the number they had on fetting out from Canada. The train of brjJs artillery, confiding of 42 pieces, was a fiijc acquiiition to the AraericanSt There (»/ /».' -I ■ " JL^' • ,s I ■ ■• ■ ' " '» ' .> *. /irk ■ , , „■■>• V ■■■■•' .'.'V-il 'I'. -* i•'^\^ ■•■■■'■ ■. ' *<'f*, »-|A ♦'..'<• ■ "■'' -:*•■ i'l ■ » 122 The H I «: t o r y of were alfo 4647 mufkets, 6000 dozen of car. tridges, bciides fliot, carcafcs, (hells, &c. Had Clinton advanced in time, Burgoyne would have been laved; but the troops he difpatched under Gen. Vaughan amufei themfelves with burning i^fopus, a fine vil. lage in the neighbourhood of Still-water. Gen. Vaughan, with a flood tide, might have reached Albany in four hours, as there was no force to hinder him. Had he pro- ceeded thither, and burnt the ftores, Gates, as he himfelf afterwards declared, muft have retreated into New England. JM[e}?iorab!c Events recorded in this Chapter t n Anno 1776. Wretched Ttate of the armies under the Ge-| nprals Wafhineton and Gates. New York taken by the royal forces. The battle of the White Plains. A body of Hcffians defeated at Trenton. r.:ilJ?S^^ ■iSi I' "II. WX^i m Anno 1777. Gen. Howe embarks his army from Staten| Ifland. Gen. Burgoyne proceeds to Crown Point. Tyconderoga and Mount Independence ev:i'| cuated. Flag of the United States erefted, "" Batti? m North America. 123 Battle at the Brandywine. Account of Mils M'Rea's death. Americans engage the Britifli under Gen. Burgoyne. Diftrefs and Calamity of the Royal army. Gen. Burgoyne baffled in all his defigns. Signs the Convention, u^fopus burnt by the troops under General Vaughan. CHAP. VIL npOWARDS the end of Oaober, 1777, * the royal army, under the command of Sir William Howe, removed to Philadelphia. Meafures being concerted between the gene- ral and admiral for clearing the Deleware of its obftructions, the former ordered batteries to be erefted on the weftern or Pennfylvanian fiiorc, to affift in diflodging the Americans from Mud Ifland. He alfo detached a ftrong body of Heflians crofs the river, who were to reduce the fort at Red-bank, while the lliips and batteries on the other fide were to attack Mud Ifland. Count Donop, in the fervice of the Englifli, was intrufted with the expedition againft Red-bank ; but he failed in the attempt. He was mortally wounded and taken prifoner, feveral of his beft officers were killed or difabled, and the Heffians, after a defperate engagement, were ju 2 repulfec} H 4\ :_[ it'? o^y] ' r' Jt i ■■ 'i ♦ ) t- . ,. If 'v. ■ '■'' ^' ''?'"' '•Si • "1," '»:•'. . 'j». ' ■' ■', M'. i°- *iV-*1 * •• 1 -if-f! .*r.'. ' ^•tt. • m i Bl l^ a3« ,.:i^,'?^' •»■*■ I .y,::iviil!.f m [l-'Jf, ■ »■*"'' lit -f- if' ■ill ''-'■■<' vl ,,l.„ 'i^' ■;;. -,'.1!^;* . feir.; '-■'■■ Bestnu'tion oft/ieJlandolphFriivc the Yarmouth her broad- Jidc, which was returned, and in about a quarter of an hour (he blew up. Four mca faved themfelves upon a piece of her wreck, and fubfified for five days upon nothing more than rain water, w^hich they fucked from a piece of blanls-et they had picked up. On ! the fiftlv tlie ^'armouth beinp* in chace of a ihip, happily difcovcred them waving. The captain humanely fufpended the chace, hauled up to the wreck, got a boat cut, and brought them on board. On the 7th of May, the fecond battah'oa of Britifli light infantry, in flat boats, at- tended by three gallies and other armed boats, proceeded up the Delaware, in order to deitroy all the American (hips and vefleJs lying in the river between Philadelphia and IVenton. They landed the next morning, advanced towards Bordentown, drove the Americans that oppofed them, entered the town, and burnt four ftore-houfcs, contain** ing provifions, tobacco, fome military (lores, and camp equipage. The country being alarmed, and a ilrong body colledled, the bat* tallion crolled to the Pennfylvanian (hore. The next day they refumed their operations, and at fun-fet embarked and returned to Phi- iadelphia. While upon the expedition, they tarnt two frigates, one of 32, the other of 28 guns ; nine large fliips, three privateer floops 'f, • / i I v a i ■1 i ■ « ' < t < *, ' ::" <• I. '"A " ' ■ 1 1 ff 'r ^>. " !' ■ 1 f 1 j' t t ■ ■ \v,.''' ■ ' •"J 4 ■ ,'l ' ^i ' ■ .*;.. ■-,m .; . " 4 ' t if , ' ' " M , ^ , I. ■M ' ' ■ Sv; i' 'I .' »•', i.l, -/I. " \ m I 1 1? ." li ,1 f ir:-i* 'i ^: » ^Sf 1^ 128 The History of Hoops of 16 guns each, three of ten gui.? twenty-three brigs, with a number of floops and ichooners. Two of the fliips were loaded with tobacco, rum, and military ftores. Gen. «Howc was fuccceded in the com. mand of the army by Sir Henry Clinton, who arrived at Philadelphia on the 8th of May. On the 6th of Fcbruar)', the treaties be twecn France and the LUiited States were llgncd. 'i he alliance between thefe two powers was known to the Britifh miiiiihy ibon after they were figned, Mr. Foxj m a debate in the Houfe of Commons five days afterwards, afTerted, that the number of men loft to the army, in killed, difablcd, defeited, and from various other caufcs, from the com- mencement of hoflilities with America to that period, amounted to above twenty thoii- fand. On the 17th Lord North introduced his confdiatory propofitions. His plan was to enable the crown to appoint commiiTioncrs to treat with the colonies concerning the means of putting an end to thofe uniiappy contefts ; for which five perfons were inveitiJ v^ith ample powers. His lordihip faid in his ipeech, tliat Cien. Howe liad been, in the Lie actions, and in the whole courfe of the cani- paiy;n, not only in the goodnefs of troops, and in all maimer of fupplies, but alh in o point North America. 129 poi nt of numbers, much fuperior to th American army that oppofecl him in the field; that Gen, Burgoyne had been in num- bers, until the affair at Bennington, nearly twice as ftrong as the army of the enemy ; that he promil'ed a great army ihould be fent out, and that a great army had accordingly been fent out, to the amount of 60,000 men and upwards. The fpeech was long, able, and eloquent, and kept him up two full hours. A dull melancholy filence for fome time fucceeded. It was heard with profound attention, but without a fingle mark of approbation. Afto- nifhment, dejecSlion, and fear, over clouded the whole aflembly. It was conjectured, that fome powerful motive had induced miniflry to adopt fuch an alteration of meafures. This idea was confirmed by the pofitive affertion of Mr. Fox, that a treaty had been figned at Paris between the colonies and France, by which flie recognized her independence. On the J 3th of Marcii, the French am- balFador delivered a refcript to Lord Wey- mouth, in which he informed the court of London, that the king had figned a treaty of friendlhip and commerce with the United States of America. The knowledge of this tranfa6tion was communicated under the pa-» rade of cultivating the good underftanding between France and Great Britain. On ' * • v 1$ 1 I' • * '■ >* ' i.;''- ■■'■i '• i /-t'Vf,« \J!''Wy0m \ .■■ I m i'mm iii il* ■m, 130 The History of On the 2ith of March, a public audicnc; and reception were given to the American commifiioners, Meff. franklin, Deanc, and Lee, by the French monarch. They were introduced by A4onf. Vergennes, and re- ceived by the king with the ufual formalities and ceremonies. The llrikinii; acknowled^. ment of the plenipotentiaries from the United States mortilied the miniftry and crown of Cjreat Britain, and may be pronounced the political phenomenon of Europe. The day before it was exhibited, the P'rench embaffa- dor, in confequence of orders to quit Lon- don, fet out for Paris. From this time, the courts of London and Verfailles were bufied in fitting out their fleets, which met each other in the month of July. The Englifh fleet was commanded by the Admirals Keppel, Pallifer, nnd Har- land. But, as the action of that day is a;:i- ply related in our Hiftory of England, we ftiall not introduce in thel'e annah of Ame- rica, an account of fo foul a tarnilh to the Britlfti flag. In the beginning of June, the Trident Britifh man of war arrived in the Delaware, with the Earl of Carlifle, Mr. Eden, and Gov. Johnftone, three of the commiffioners for relloring peace between Great Britain and America. On the 1 8th of June, at three o'clock in the morning, the Britifl^ evacuated Philadel- phia} North America. 13^ phia, Mr. Eden having brought with him fe- cret Inftruftions from England for that pur- pofe. They proceeded to Gloucefter Point, three miles down the river, and before ten the whole had pafled in fafety crofs the De- laware into New Jerfcy. When intelligence of Sir Henry Clinton's having evacuated Philadelphia reached the American head-quarters, Gen. Wafhington took his meafures accordingly. Several Ikir- mifties happened between the Americans and the regulars with various fuccefs, till on the 30th of June the royal army arrived in the neighbourhood of Sandy Hook. During the courfe of the march from Philadelphia, the royal army was much reduced, upwards of 800 having deferted, a great nuniber of whom were Heflians. On the 5th of July, the army pafled over a bridge of boats crofs a narrow channel to Sandy Hook, and were afterwards carried up to New York. On the yth. Lord Howe re- ceived advice, that the i'quadron from Tou- lon was arrived at Virginia. Count d'Eftaing anchored on the 8th at night at the entrance of the Delaware. The next morning, he weighed and failed towards the Hook, and on the evening of the nth anchored with- out it. Had not bad weather and unexpeded impediments prevented, the count mult have furprized Howe's fleet in the Delaware, as the latter would not have had time to efcape after • c ■■'■.: \i '■'•}' ^vT v^^l ■1 4i' 'it'. "'1 ♦.jii J fi'>i n i * H 1') h m MM 132 The History of after being apprifed of his danger. The it} ttrut;tion of the fleet nuirt have been the con.l fecjucnce of fuch a furprifal, and that iiiail have occafioned the inevitable lofs of the royal army, which would have been fo en- clofed by the French fquadron on the one' iide, and the American forces on the other, that the Saratoga cataftrophe muft have been repeated. Lord Howe's fleet confiftcd onlv of fix fixty-four gun fhips, three of life, and two of forty, with fome frigates and floops. Count d'Eftaing had twelve ftiipsol the line, fome of which were of great force and weight. On the 2 2d of July, the count failed from Sandy Hook, when about twenty fail of vel- iels bound to New York fell into his poffei- fion. They were chiefly prizes taken froin the Americans ; but, had he ftayed a few days longer. Admiral Byron's fleet muft have fallen a defencelefs prey into their hands. That fquadron had met with unufual bad weather, and being feparated in different florms, and lingering through a tedious piii- I'age, arrived fcatterea, broken, fickly, dil- niafted, or otherwife damaged in various de- grees of diftrefs, upon different and remote parts of the American coaft. Between tk departure of d'Eftaing and the 3Gth of July, the Renown of 50 guns from the Weft In- dies, the Raifonable and Centurion ot 64, and the Cornwall of 74 guns, all arrivd fmgiy North America. 13'^ fingly at fandy Hook. By d'Eftaing's fj>eedy departure a nuinber of provifion fhips from jCork cfcapcd alio, toi/etlier with their con- voy. They went up the Delaware within I fifty miles of Philadelphia after Lord Howe had quitted the river, not having obtained any information of what had happened. The Britifli miniftry had neglected countermand- ing their deftination, though orders for the evacuation of Philadelphia had been fent off ff) early, as to have admitted of their receiv- ing freih inftruftions where to have fteered before failing. Great rejoicings were made at New York upon their fafe arrival, efpeci- ally as provifions were much wanted both by the fleet and armv. Let us now quit the military operations for the prefent, and take a view of the pending negociations. Gov. Johnltone, mt.aning to avail himfelf of former connections, endea- voured to commence or renew a private cor- refpondence with feveral members of con- greft, and other perfoiis of confideration. In his letters to them he ufed a freedom with the authority under which he acted, not cuf- tomary with thofe entrufted v/ith delegated power, and afforded fuch a degree of appro- bation to the Americans in the paft refiftance they had made, as is feldom granted by ne- gocintors to their opponents. In a letter to Joil^ph Reed, YX(\, of April the nth, he faid, *^ J he man, who q^w be inftrumental in M brins:- .f:^,i^A ^ .?: I. ■ M . ' ■ '' '■', ' -% r-*.. „.■. \ ... .'-J ¥ if',. '^^^ ,/ -a 1.1™*''*'! M ,'l ';*)■ ■f,- a ;■,. f-TJ ^ ^^% 134 The History of bringing us all to a6t once more in harnionv, and to unite topiether the various powers which this contelt has brought I'orth, will de- ferve more from the king and people, from patriotifm, humanity, and all the tender ties that are affedled by the quarrel and reconci- liation, than ever was yet bellovvcd on hu- man kind." On the 1 6th of June, he wrote to Robert Morris, Efq. " 1 believe the men, who have condu(iled the aftairs of Am.crica, in- capable of being influenced by improper mo- tives i but in all fuch tranfadlions there is rifK, and 1 think that whoever ventures fliould befe- cured ; at the fame time that honour and emo- lument fhould naturally follow the fortune of thofe, who have tteered the vefl'el in the liorm, and brought her fafcly to port. I think VVafhington and the prefident have a right to every favour that a grateful natiofl can bellow, if they could once more uiiit3 our intereft, and fpare the mifcries and de- vaftations of war." On Sunday the 21ft of June, Mr. Reed received a written mefl'age from Mrs. Fer- gufon, exprefling a defire to fee him onbu-l linefs, which could not be committed to writing. On his attending in the evening) | agreeable to her appointment, after fome pre- vious converfation, flie enlarged upon the great talents and amiable qualities of G^'^'l Johnftone, and added, that in feveral conver- fatioiiJ North America. 135 fations with her, he had exprelicd the moft- favourable lentimeius of Mr. Reed ; that it was particuhirly wiflied to engage his in- terelt to promote the objet^t of the Britifh commiflioncrs, viz. a re-union of the two countries, if confident with his principles and jude^ment ; and that in fuch cafe it could not be deemed unbecommg or improper in the Eritifli government to take a favourable notice of fuch conduit ; and that, in this in- ftance, Mr. Reed might have ten thoufand pounds fterling, and any office'in the colonies in his majefty's gift. Mr. Reed, finding an anfwer was expeft- ed, replied, " I am not worth purchafmg ; but, fuch as I am, the king of Great Britain is not rich enough to do it." However light the principles might be, on v»^hich this infi- nuating fcheme of conciliation w^as adopted, its effeils were inimical. On the 9th of July, congrefs ordered, ** That all letters received by members of conjrrefs from anv of the Britifh com mi f- fioners, or their agents, or from any fubjcdl of the king of Great Britain, of a public nature, be laid before congrefs." The pre- ceding letters being communicated, and Mr. Reed making a declaration of what had pafl'ed within his knowledi^-e, congrefs refblved, " That the fame cannot be confidered but as tiireft attempts to corrupt and bribe the cor*^ grefs y that as congrefs feel, io they ought to ' '"'Mm '4 ! 't^l'i •• ;V"\' j. iksT'^^ri'j^l^ .\ AV> demoA- > 1 -, '.H ^- ,)^. (H^'-^'"* wkW' iM si, •■" ' '' 136^ The History of dcmonftrarc, the higheft and moll pointcj iiulignation agiiinft i'uch daring and atrocious attempts to corrupt their integrity ; and that it is incompatible with the honour of con- grefs to hold any manner of coirefpondciice or intercourfe with the faid George John. ftone, Efq. efpeciall/ to negociate with him upon affairs, in which the cauie of liberty is concerned." The proceedings in this bufinefs were ex- preffed in the form of a declaration, a copy of which was ordered to be figned by the prefident, nnd fent by a flag to the commif- iioners at New York. Thefc proceedings produced a very angrj and violent declaration from Gov. Johnftone, in which the immediate operations of palTioa and difappointment were too confpicuous. The language of his publication but poorly agreed with the high and flattering compli- ments he had fo lately laviflied on the Ame- ricans, in thofe very letters, which were the fubje£t of the prefent conteft. It was dated the 26th of Augufl:, and tranfmitted to con- grefs ; together with a declaration of the lame date from Lord Carlifle, Sir Henry Clinton, and Mr. Eden, which went to a folemi? and total difavowal, fo far as related to the prefent fubje6l:, of their having had any knowledge, directly or indire6Uy, of tbofe matters fpecified by congrefs. 4^' JUi-S ¥t North A u eric a. 137 Thus were all hopes of further ncgocia- tiou wiih coiiL^rcIs at an end. Had Lord iNorlh, and the reft of the miniftry then in king) ^i^^opted theie corruptuig nieafures in the more early part of the American dilputes, it is polEble they might have fucceedcd ; but to attempt it at a time, when the fpirits of the Americans were railed to tljc hlgheil pitch by their new alliance with Trance, was lurcly little ihort of folly and madnefs. On the 6th of Augult, the Hon. Sieur Gerard was introduced to the congrefs, in quality of minifter plenipotentiary, who pro- duced a letter from his matter the king of France to his very dear great friends and allies ; and the compliments Monf. Gerard recc ived on this occafion were very different froni thofe fentiments the Americans lately enter- tained of their now faithful allies ! On the 14th of September, congrefs pro- ceeded to the eledion of a minifter plenipo- tentiary to the court of France, when L)r. Benjamin Franklin was clefted by ballot. His inftrudtions were dated the 26th of Oc- tober, and by them he was direiled to ob- tain, if pofTible, the French king's confent to expunge two of the articles in the treaty |0i commerce. The dodor was to inculcate the certainty of ruining the Britifh filliery on the banks of Newfoundland, and confe- quently the Britifh marine, by reducing Ha- piiax and Quebec, M ^ Memorable :i i ■& , i' 1i:.,rl>- ,:•''';» :/*^%, ^ 1. I y -.f.i . '",;"■ '"f • S I -I ']' -l^^i* .11 ii*.*^ . n lltri. 140 The History op S:iv;iniiali, nivJ 0:1 lI\o 29111 of l^cccnibcr, ti^e troops tticctcd a L^iiCing. They wore rn looHv r L;r»Jjc!, than they were led to attach the lore, w:/iMi tiic llriu/h peiliilcd in with fo mueh ipini and rapiv.:tv, ihat the Amcri- cans retreated with prcc. Mtioii and diforder. No vidtory was ever more complete : thirty- eippofition. Diredly com mu lpl( niihed a flrong fort, which was defended by # four .■•.,v A h\ ^ '' ■^ "i '.". I Wl *. ■ » «; ' ■ '■■■ '■;■ vf Vl^'f^'X J,''-i (, t. <*; i.'i , * !.-:n «• <* ■U:^. M,:'V > 1. mm^' .•,Vl)lj - .'I «■ t' 144 The History of four pieces of artillery, and a garrifon of about fevent;' men. ])ut it was commanded by Stoncy l^oint ; to the funimit of whole rocks cannon and mortars were dragged up durinix the nio;ht. By five in the morniii(>. 6) a battery was opened, which poured a llorm of fire on the fort, while Vaughan with his divifion, making a long circuit by the fides of the hills, arrived, and clofely invefteditby land. The garrifon, finding themfelves totally overpowered, furrendered themfelves prifon- ers of war. By the lofs of thefe pofts, the Jerfcy people were obliged to make a circuit of aboi't ninety miles under the mountains, to communicate with the ftates eaft of Hud- fon's river. After the French had taken Grenada, and Count d'Eftaino; was Ivino; with his fleet at Cape Francois, he received letters from Cjov. Rutlege, Gen. Lincoln, the French conful at Charleftown, and others, urging hirn to vifit the American coaft, and propol- ing an attack upon Savannah. The general engaged to join him with a thoufand men certain, and promifed that every exertion fhould be made to encreafe the number. The application coinciding with the king's in- Itrudlions, to a6l in concert with the forces of the United States, whenever an occalion prefented itfelf, he foiled for the American continent within a few days after it was re- ceived. On t t North America, 145 On the ift of September, Count d'Eftaing arrived with a fleet oi' twenty fail of the 'ine, two of fifty guns, and eleven frigates. The appearance of the French fleet on the coalls of South-Carolina and Georgia was fo u;.i- expefted by the Britifli, that the Experiment man of war, of fifty guns, Sir James Wal- lace, commander, and three frigates, were •aptured. No fooner Vv^as it known at Charleftown, that the Count was on the coafl-, than Lincoln marched with all expedition for Savannah, with the troops under his com- mand j and orders were alfo given for the South-Carolina and Georgia militia to ren- Idezvous immediately near the fame place. he Britifh were equally diligent in prepar-' ins; for their defence. The Erench and Americans, after having pent fome time m making regular approaches, t laft determined to take the place by florm. ccordingly, the morning of the 9th of Oc- ober was fixed for the attack, and neither the rench nor the Americans bad the leaft oubts of fuccefs. Two feints were made with the coimtry iilitia, and a real attack, a little before day- ight, on the Spring-hill battery, with 3,500 rench troops, 600 continentals, and 350 of e Charleftown militia, headed by Count Kfiaing and Gen. Lincoln. They marched P to the lines w^ith great boldnefs ; but a wvyand well-directed fire from the batteries, N and . J. .'.■'I n- K < ■■< ■ •'! ' ■"': '■',','■ ' ' V/i* I, ■•.'SI', ■1 ;. ',-,.v J / 1 ■ :( ^' ^Hi !■ i.,'' ■'1 . I ,• ' ,' r-'SJifj^ .-1- WW 'Smmtm^i ^^■''s^'wiJ|-"-iw' !!^;«»s» :'*?$^ ' «i. %iii^«"*' ii^>i;,*i ik t ! 46 1' H K History of and a crofs fire from the ^allies, threw front of the column into confufion. Two ftandards, however, one an American, were phintcd on the Britlfh redoubts, — Count Pq. lalki, at the head of 200 horfemcn, was in full gallop, riding into town between the re- doubts, with an intention of charging in thj rear, when he received a mortal wound. A general retreat of the afl'ailants took place, after they had flood the enemy's fire for fifty. five minutes. D'Eflaing received two Pugk wounds; 637 of his troops, and 234 of the continentals, were killed or wounded. Ol the 350 Charleflown militia, who vi^ere ii the hottefl of the fire, only fix were wound ed, and a captain killed. Gen. Prevoftaiil| Major Moncrieff defervedly acquired greai reputation by their fuccefsful defence. Therel were not ten guns mounted on the lines wiie the enemy firfl appeared, and in a few da the number exceeded eighty. The garriloi was between two and three thoufand, iiicid ing 150 militia. The damage it fiiftaiiiei was trifling, as the men fired under covcrj and few of the aflailants fired at all. Let us now fee what the northern armj was doing. In the middle of December, part of Gen. Wafbington's army was witi out bread ; and for the refl he had not,eithe on the fpot or within reach, a fupply lullicitfl for four days. Both oiBcers and men we| alinoll perilhing through want for a iormm North America. 147 [The dcficieacy proceeded from the abfoluto emptinefs of the American mngaziiies in levery place, and the total want of money bud credit to repleniih them. So that thj [general was obliged to call upon the niagii- Itrates of the Jerfey ftate, to exprefs his fitua- Ition to them, and to declare in plain term?, Ithat he and his army were reduced to the al- [ternative of difbanding or catering for them- felves, unlefs the inhabitants would afford them aid. He allotted to each county a cer- tain proportion of flour or grain, and a cer- tain number of cattle to be delivered on cer- tain days. To the honour of the magiftrates, md the good difpofitions of the people, be it idded, that thefe requintions were pundually :omplied with, and in many counties ex- reeded. But to return to the fouthern armies. On ^he 20th of March, 1780, Admiral Arbuth- lot, with, a fmall fleet, crofled the bar, in front of Rebellion road, and anchored in ivc Fathom Hole. The American fleet re- treated to Charleftown, and the crews and juns of all the vefl^els, except the Ranger, ^ere put on fliore to reinforce the batteries. Sefore the Americans had taken this ftep, ley fliould have confidered, whether the lips were able to defend the bar, and fhould lave lent them off, when they found it im^ )radlicable, N 2 On ^i'., i'-t .'■ !'■ , y A iVt:*.; *■; (to ■■ '4 ■1; ^ 1 It •■■*, ''i\ Tal wfJ:''^' mmamM-^!^.- ■■■■liiiiV; iBSa-'"!*,-':,, tm 148 The History of On the 12th of April, the Britilh opened their batteries againlt Charleltown, and a coiiftant fire was kept up betv/een both par. ties until the 20tho On the i8th of April, Sir Henry Clinton received a reinforcement of 3000 men from New York ; and on the 12th of May, Gen. Lincohi, after having made the molt vigorous defence he was ca- pable of, was obliged to capitulate. It was Itipulated, that the continental troops and I'ailors lliould remain prifoners of war until exchanged, and be provided with good and wholefome provifions, in fuch quantities as were fcrvcd out to the Britilh troops. The militia were to return home as prifoners on parole, which, as long as they obferved, was to fecure them from being molcfied in their property by the Britifti troops. The oilicers of the army and navy were to keep their fwords, piftols, and baggage, which 1 ail was not to be fearched y but their horfes were nut to go out of town, but might be difpoi'cd of by a perfon left for the purpofe. Tiie gar- rifon, at an hour appointed, was to march out of the town to the ground between the works of the place and the canal, where thej were to depofit their arms. The drums were not to beat a Britifh march, nor the cdouis to be uncafed. All civil officers and citizens, who had born arms during the ficge, were to be prifoners on parole ; and with rclp to their property in the city, they were to have North Am t.kic a. 149 the fame terrns as the militia; and all other pcrlbns in the tov/n, hot defcribed in any ar- ticle, were notwlthftanding to be prifoncrs upon parole. The capital having furrendered, the next object of the Britilli was to fecure the gene- ral fubmiflion of the" inhabitants. With this yiew they pofced garrifons in difFerent parts of the country, and inarched a large body of troops over the Santce, towards the extre- mity of the ftate, which borders on the moft populous parts of North Carolina. This occafioned the retreat of fome American parties, who had advanced into the upper part of South Carolina, in expefl:ation of re- lieving Charleftown. Among the corps which had come forward with that view, there was one confifting of about 300 conti- nentals, the rear of the Virginia line, com- manded by Col. Buford. Tarleton, with about 700 horfc and foot, was fent in queil of this party. Having mounted his infantry, he n*arched 105 miles in fifteen hours, came up with them at the Waxhaws, and demand- ed their furrender on terms fimilar to thofe granted to the continentals at Charleflown, While the flags were pafHng and repailing on this bufniefs, Tarleton kept his men in motion, and, when the truce was ended, had iiearly furrounded his adverfaries. An action linftantly enfued, when the continental party, pving partaken of the general confternatioii N 3 occafioned '.1 ■■ "'J,^ . ,, » , • f. .lit HI"- mm m-r: IC 5! 1!, m. ■ '-1 ft 1 50 The History of occafioned by the Critifh fiicceflcs, made but a feeble rcliltancc, and begged for quarter. A few, however, continued to fire. The Briti(h cavahy advanced, but were not op- pofed by the main body of the continentals, "who conceived thcmfelves precluded by their fubmiiTion. The accidental firing of the few was nn argument, however, for direct- ing the Britifh legion to charge thole who had laid down their arms. In confequence of this order, the unreuitinit Americans, praying for quarters, were cut in pieces. By l\irleton's official account of tliis bloody fcene, 113 were killed, 50 ba^ly wounded, unable to tr?.vel, and left on pa- role, and 53 made prifoners, v/hile they made fuch ineftcdlual oppofition as only to kilt fcvcn and v/ound twelve of the Britiih. Lord Cornwallis beflowed on Tarlelon the higheft encomiums for this enterprizc, and recommended him in a fpecial manner to royal favour and patronage. The expected fuccours at length arrivcJ from France, on the evening of the lothei July, at Rhode Ifland. The CHevaiier cj Ternav commanded the fleet, which coa- fifted of two {hips of 80 gnns, one of ^4, four of 64, a bomb vcfTel, and 32 tranlpom. The land forces con^lfied of four eld regi- ments, beiides the legion ^le L aizun, and '^ battalion of artilierv, amouniing to aboiic 6oca 4k The 6 North America. 151 6000 men, under the command of Lieut, Gcii. Count de Rochambeau. About the time that Charlcftown fuircn- dered, Sir H. Clinton received intelligence, that a large number of forces and a French fleet, commanded by Monf. Ternay, might foon be expecled on the American coaft. This induced h:r.i to rcimbark for New York, leaving Lord Cornwall is with about 4000 men, which were deemed fully fuffi- cicnt for his purpofes. On the 4th of September, was figned the plan of a treaty of commerce between thq ftates of Holland and the United States of America. Monf. de Neufville, being pro- perly authorized by the regency of Amlier- dam, engaged, that as long as America fiiould not ad: contrary to the intereft of the ftates of Holland, the city of Amfterdam would never adopt any meafurc that might tend to oppofe the intereft of America ; bat would, on the contrary, ufe all its influence upon the ftates of the Seven United l-^ro- vinces of Holland, to efiedt the defired con- nection. I'his bufinefs was conducted by Mr. Adams, on the pi^rt of America. Lord Cornwallis went on fuccefsfully in South Carolina. On the i6th of Auguil he engaged the forces under Gen. Gates, and conipletcly routed them after a long and cbltinate conteft. Gen, Gates was borne off the field by a torrent of difmayed militia. They .%: ■ "' • «•• '*A i I ',1' ' '■• ''. < 1' ' • I ■ 1' ,-, V" ; ■■■■•)► i r'^ I , ,, • -i. )* . \ .■'■ , ■M 152 The History of They conftituted {o great a part of his armv that when he faw thcni break and run vv^ith fuch precipitation, he loft every hope of vie- tory ; and his only care was, if pofliblc, to rally a fuflicient -number to cover the reueat of the other troops. He retired with Gen. Cafwell to Clermont, in hope of haltiivi- them in their late encampment ; but the fur. ther they fled, the more they difperfud, and the generals giving up all as loft, retired vvlih a few attendants to Charlotte. I'he Americans loft eight field pieces, the whole of their artillery, with all their am- munition waggons, bt^fides 150 oth^^rs, and a confidcrablc quantity of military ftor.;;, and the greateft part of their baggage. The numbers flain cannot be precifcly afcertained, no returns of the militia ever being m-ide after the adion ; but it is fuppofed, that the Americans loft about 700 on this occafion. Though Cornwallis's viilorv was complete, yet, from the account the l;ritifh gave ci the action, it mav be inferred, that it v/as !«#! • :' dearly boua:ht, upwards of s^o of their own |;;l^|t;,i , .; troops being killed or wounded. A minute reprefentation of the retreat of the Americans from Charlotte to SaUftury, would be the image of coiii plicated wrctcn- ednefs. Care, anxiety, pain, humiliation and dejeclion, poverty, hurry and confulion, ijjl promifcuoufly marked the (hocking fcenc. i Painful objects prefeuted themfelves to view; fevcral i '{i . K^kA" '■■■■ .,1 r'lM' H"" ' 1 1 !H,\ .|, North America. 153 fcveral men without an arm, feme with but one, and many ftandin^^ in need of the moft kind and powerful afliltance. Lord Cornwallis, notv/ithftanding his vic- tory, was reftrained for fome time from pur- iuing his conquefts, by the lofs he had fuf- tained in the battle, the extreme heat of the weather, the ficklinefs of the fcafon, and the want of necefTary fupplies : he therefore re- mained at Cambden. In the month of September, a difcovery of the utmoft importance was made, which was a fcheme for deliverino; Weft Point into the hands, of Sir Henry Clinton. Gen. Ar- nold, who had the command of that poft, was brave but mercenary, fond of parade, and extremely defirous of acquiring money to defray the expcnces of it. When he en- tered Philadelphia after the evacuation, he nuclc Gov. Penn's, the beft houfe in it, his head quarters. This he furnifhed in a very coftly manner, and lived in a ftile far beyond his income. He continued his extravagant courfe of living, was unfuccefsful in trade and privateering, his funds were exhautted, and his creditors importunate, while his luft for high life was not in the leaft abated. He had exhibited heavy accounts and demands againft the public ; and the commiflioners, upon examination, rejected about one half of the amount. He appealed to congrefs, and a committee was appointed, who were of % ^ » 'a /*? 4 ..„..( \ ' i ' 1." 1 J. ■,■■'*, ,■•1 - , t. ; ' -^-W I. ■ ■ ,f^ . ' ''. ' . '/ ' in; 4.1 i » \ < \ . I' 1 : "1 \f ■ ■ if ■'■■ . ■? 'V' "Mil' ilii Mr' 154 The H i s t o p. y o f of opinion, that the commiflioncrs had aU lowed more than the ;^cncral had a ri^^iit to expect or demand. This provoked hini to outrageous expreiHons and proceedings, Dif, gufted at the treatment he had met with, embarrafled in his circumilances, and having a growing expenfive family, he turned his thoughts towards bettering his circumftances by new means. In 1779, a correfpondcnce commenced between Gen. Arnold and Major Andre, adjutant-general to the Britilh army, a rifing young officer of great hope and merit. For the fpeedy completion of the nc?:ocia- tion that was carrying on between Sir Henry and Gen. Arnold, the Vulture floop of war was ftationed in the North River, at fuch a tliftance from the American pofis, as, with* out exciting fufpicion, would ferve for the nccefl'ary communication. Before this, a written correfpondcnce, through other CLa:!- iiels, had been maintained between Arnold and Andre at New York, under the names of Guflavus and Andeifon. On the 21ft of September, the neceflary arrangements being made, a boat was feiit at night from the /hore to the Vulture to fetch Major Andre, which brought him to the beach without the pofts of either army, where he met Arnold. The major continued with him during the following day., and at night, the boatmen rcfufing to conduvS: him back North Americ A, tS5 back to the Vulture, which had fhiftcd her politioii, as (he lay cxpoicd to the fir^ of a cannon lent to annoy her, he was obliged to j concert his efcape by land. He quitted his utiiform, which he had hitherto worn under his furtout, for a common coat. He was furniflied with a horfe, and under the name of John Anderfon, with a pallport from Ar- nold, to go through the lines at White Plainr, or lower if he tiiought proper, he being on public bufinefs. He purfued his journey alone to New York, pafled all the guards and ports on the road without fufpicion, and was much elated. The next day he travelled without any alarm, and began to confider himfelf out of danger; but, unhappily for him, three of the New York militia were with others out on a fcout- ing party between the out-pofts of the two armies. One of them fprung from his co- vert, and feized Andre's horfe by the bridle* The major, inftead of inftantly producing his pafs, afked the man where he belonged to, who anfwered, " Ti below.'" Andre, fuipefting no deceit, faid, " So do /,'' Then declared himfelf a Britifli officer, and prefTcd that he might not be detained, for that he was upon urgent bufinefs. Upon the other two coming up, and joining their comrade, he difcovered his miftake. Tht; confufioa that followed v/as apparent, and they pro- ceeded to fcarch him till they found his pa- perSf I '1 ' if:'- jt< H i \ ' < • ! '• .'S '' » '• i, ■■■ ':''}% , ',\*M Af. J- H 1 t .ti U: ■■•.ta'€';i' ■!■'' Wei ffiPlvIt', '^'»5?" ''•ilh "I* . . _jT-'"/ffiSiM;4k- ►! •it, '.•..*, V»J* *'• 156 The History of pcrs. He offered the captors a confiderablc purfe of gold, and a very valuable watch, to let hipn pafs ; but they nobly difdained the temptation, befidcs the fafcinating ofFers of permanent provinon, and even of future promotion, on condition of their conveying and accompanying him to New York. They conducted him to Lieut. Col. Jamcfon^ the continental officer, who had the command of the fcouting parties, amounting to 800 men, chiefl) mditia. Arnold's conduft with regard to this body of men, and in other re- fpeds, had excited fuch fufpicions in the brcaft of the lieutenant-colonel, and the reft of thf^ officers, that they had determined upon feizir^; the general at all events, had he come down and ordered them nearer the enemy. Jamcfon, notwiuhflanding his ftrong jeaicufy of Arnold, was in the illUc the means oi his efcapc. Major Andre, m order to give Arnold time to efcape, requeflcd that a line might be fent to accuaint him with the detention of Anderfon, t!ie name Andre had afilinidj which Jamei'on through an ill-judged deli- cacy granted. The papers, which were found in the major's boots, were^in Arnold's hand- writing, and contained exadt returns of the flate of the forces, ordnances and defences at Weft- Point and its dependencies, with the artillery orders, critical remarks on the works, an eftimate of the number of men that jy.'V\ North America. 157 that were ordinarily on duty to man them, and the copy of a ilate of matters that had been laid before a council of war by the commander in chief. Thefe papers were enclofed in a packet to Gen. Wafhington, accompanied with a letter from the prifoner, avowing himfelf to be Major Andre, adju- tant-general to the Britilh army, relatmg the manner of his capture, and endeavouring to {how, that he did not come under the de- fcription of a fpy. Thefe papers were for- warded by Jamefon. No fooner had Arnold received the Major's letter, than he hailened on board the Vul- ture, which lay fome miles below Stoney and Verplank's Points ; and Arnold had not been long gone, when Wafliington arrived at his quarters. Had the plot fucceeded, the con- fequences muft have been ruinous to the Americans. The forces under Arnold's command muft have either laid down their arms, or have been cut to pieces. Their lofs, and the immediate pofleflion of Weft Point, and all its neighbouring dependencies, muft have expofed tiie remainder of Wafti- ington's army fo to the joint exertion of the Britifl> forces, by land and water, that no- thing but ruin could have been the refult with refpecl to the Americans. On the 29th of September, Gen. Wafli- ington appointed a board of fourteen general officers, with the affiftance of the judge-ad- O vocate ^^i^' ':.■:' v;!^ 1 ■ ' ■ •■ ^^^.. .■X : ■i': -ft , -•''■■■if '■ ' r ■■ ■ i ■ . ' "toJ ,;, J. .■»■*' L-i t If^"^^. ' '1. 4' *►'■« H'. \;. ".J •■:' ; "- r-''^4 <•■ ^■■^■ 5;,)-. K < ' :' 'a !5K' i ' ■ 4 1 ' • ',• I V' i 1' 1 1, k 1 . It-' IkVi l'fr.TEr'^''Pi * '■' '■ {ilR - .. 158 The History of vocate general, to examine Major Andre's cafe, and to determine in what light it ought to be confidered. Andre, difdaining allfub- terfuge and evafion, and ftudying only to place his charaftcr in fo fair a light, as miirht prevent its being fhaded by prefent circum- ftances, voluntarily confefTed more than he was afked, and fought not to palliate any thing relating to himfelf, while he concealed, WMth the moil: guarded and fcrupulous nicety, whatever might involve others. The board (hev/ed him every poffible mark of indul- gence, and fufficiently witnell'ed how much they felt for his fituation. However, public juftice obliged them to declare, " that Major Andre ought to be confidered as a fpy from the enemy ; and that agreeable to the law and ufage of nations, it is their opinion k ought to fufFer death." Several letters palled between the Gene- rals Clinton and Walhington relative to this unhappy affair ; but nothing was capa- ble of faving the unfortunate major. On the ad of October, the tragedy was doled. The major was i'uperior to the terrors of death i but the difgraceful mode of dying, which the ufage of war had annexed to his unhappy fituation, was infinitely dreadful to him. He was defirous of being indulged with aprofeflional death, and had accordingly { written, the day before, a pathetic letter,, fraught with all the feelings of a man of fen- » timcnt North America. 159 timent and honour, in which he requefted of Gen. Waftiington, that he might not die on a gibbet. The general confultcd his officers on the fubjedl. Pity and efteem wrought fo powerfully? that they were all for {hooting him, till Greene iniifted on it, that his crime was that of a common fpy ; that the public aood required his being hanged ; and that, were he fliot, the generality would think there were favourable cicumftances entitling him to notice and lenity. His obfervations convinced them, that there would be an im- propriety in granting the major's reque(t, while tendernefs prevented its being divulged. When Major Andre was led out to the place of execution, as he went along he bowed himfelf familiarly to all thole with jwhom he had been acquainted in his confine- ment. A fmile of complacency exprefled the ferene fortitude of his mind. Upon fee- ing the preparations at the fatal fpot, he alked with foiiie emotion, " Muft 1 die in this manner?" He was told it was unavoid- able. He replied, '' I am reconciled to my fate, but not to the mode." Soon after, re- |ccl!e:ting himfelf, he added, " It will be mt a momentary pang ;" and fpringing upon [the cart, he performed the laft offices to him- felf, with a compofure that excited the ad- miration, and melted the hearts of all the fpeclators. Being told the final moment was it hand, and afked if he had any thing to fay, O 2 he 4- v.'>^ ».. •■]• ^'*- L'* ^,i'^' > >.■■■ ) 1- I -.-I. «'f #ii t Hi: 1.13 w'.' t;,','/'i' ■ ' ,i mm Hl''iiili'*''|p"'"'''' i:? 'II,. ' Sii, "■:F'»t..:' 'i 1 ■^•. 'I ■ I* ''Mrs*) >; !^ Ji:' • ^f' '*■ 160 The History of he anfwered, " Nothing but to requeft you will witnefs to the world, that I die like a brave man." He died univerfally efteemed and regretted. Memorable Events recorded in this CbapUr, Anno 1778. The Britifh operations againfl: Georgia. The affairs of the United ftates in a dcplor- able condition. Gen. Lincoln fent to South Carolina. Anno 1779. I Gen. Aflie furprifed and defeated. Sir Henry Clinton takes Stoney Point. Count d'Eftaing fails from the Welt Indies for the American coafts. The French and Americans repulfed at Sa- vannah. Wafhington's army in diftrefs for want of bread. Charleftown taken by the Britifli forces. Anno 1780. Tarleton defeats Col. Buford. A French fleet vv^ith troops arrive at New- 1 port. Treaty figned between Holland and Ame-I rica. Earl Cornwall is defeats Gen. Gates. Major Andre taken and executed as a fpy. Gen. Arnold makes his efcape on board the Vulture Britifli floop of war. CHAP.I .. >:■ North America. CHAP. IX. i6i s IR Henry Clinton, on the 15th of OcSo- ber, 1780, in obedience to the orders fent him, to profecute the war with vigour in North Carolina and Virginia, difpatched Gen. Leflie from New York to the bay of Chefapcak, with near 3000 choice troops. He was toco-operate with Lord Cornwallis, who was expe£led to be far advanced to- wards, if not to have reached Virginia, In a few days, the fleet arrived in the bay, and the troops were landed in different parts of Virginia. On the 20th of June, the French and Spanifti fleets formed a jun6tion in the Weft Indies. They amounted to 36 fail of the line, which, with their united land forces, formed fuch an apparent fuperiority, as no- thing in thofe feas or- iflands feemed capable of reliiting ; but the Spaniih troops, being too much crowded on board their tranfports, together with the length of the voyage, the chanoe of climate and diet, and other cir- cumllances, a mofl mortal and contagious difoidcr was generated, which firli infeiled their own feamen, and at length fpread, though not with fo fatal an eftect, through the French fleet and land forces. Befidcs the great moitality on the pallage, the Spa- iiiards landed 1200 fick on their firft arrival O 3 at ■■-») Tl f ■ ■«!}••■'"' 1/ 'lit ••■■ '*; ' •( I' ■ . ,;■■'. 'I'ii I . I ..» i ^, at i ■<-4 "' Y'it m I-'' hi iii Ill W'': y ^il€f'''''l? ''^■ it- ^«^^- *n!; ,..!: r,,,'r;,^^> •» 1^ ^'i '*!,'i. ^?>d *'! "'"'4 N.' ]62 The History of at Dominique, and a much greater number afterwards at Guadaloupe and Martinico. Thus the fpirit of enterprize was dampedj and fome part of their rtrength diminlihed. In the month of September, Mr. Laurens was taken on his way from congrefs to Hol- land, on the banks of Newfoundland. A packet of papers being thrown over board, and not finking fuddenly, was favcd by the boldnefs and dexterity of an Englifti failor, and moft of them were recovered from the efFedls of the water. On his arrival in England, he was committed, upon a charge of high treafon, as a ftate prifoner to the Tower, under an order figned by the three fecretaries of ftate. By the medium of his papers, adminiftration came to the know- ledge of the eventual treaty of amity and commerce between America and Holland. In confequence of this difcovery, ftrong remonftrances were made to the States Gene- ral ; but, as no fatisfaclory anfwer was re - turned. Sir Jofeph Yorke received orders to withdraw from the Hague ; and, on the 20th of December, general reprifals were iffued againft the fliips, goods, and fubjects, oi the States General. On the 1 2th of January, 1 781, Gen. Greene's troops confifted of about 11 10. The next day, Col. Lee's partizan legion arrived from the northward, confining oi about 100 horfemen, well mounted, an J 120 infantry j North America. 163 infantry; and on the 13th the legion was detached on a fecret expedition. They pufhed on for George-town, where they fur- prifed feveral officers, and took them pri- loners. Major Irwin, and many more of the garrifon, were killed ; but the principal part fled to the fort, which Lee was not in a condition to befiege. While this enterprize was carrying on, the enemy aimed a blow at Morgan, who was advifed by Greene not to rifque too much. Gen. Leflie, in compliance with his or- ders, left Virginia, and arrived at Charlef- town, and joined Lord Cornwallis, who wifhed to drive -Cjen. Morgan from his fta- tion, and to deter the inhabitants from join- ing him. The execution of this buiinefs was entrufted to Lieut. Col. Tarleton, who was detached with about 11 CO men for that purpofe. On the 17th of January, Tarleton came up with Morgan, when an action com- menced, which terminated much to the dif- ad vantage of Tarleton. 1 arleton was very much cenfured for his cond jcl in this battle, which he was fuppofed to have loft by his un-officer like impetuo- sity. Lord Cornwallis, with the expecta- tions of regaining the prifoners, and demo- lifhing Morgan's corps, inftantly concluded on a purfuit, which Morgan was aware of, and took his meafures accordingly, . On fit- r-ir ' ■ ■ ''■ '^k , ■ .•'> I .'■'V. '■ .-'^ ' ■ ,«■ ' J*'^ - '■ ■ 4. v«"■ ■ Ml ■i •!.Vl^i||||:9", •I w> ']K'*-4* 1 64 The pi I s t o r y of On the the 31(1 of January, Greene fuc- ceeded Morgan in the command of the Ibuthcrn army, when a kind of military race commenced between the purfuing Britilh and the fleeing Americans ; but Greene t^ot olF before Cornwallis could overtake him. Lord Cornwallis, being afterwards con- vinced, from Greene's movements, that he intended to venture an engagement, on the 14th of May fent off his baggage under a proper efcort, and the next morning at day- break, marched with the remainder of his army, amounting to about 2400 men, chief- ly troops grov/n veterans in victory, either to meet Greene on the way, or attack him in his encampment. The battle took place near Guildford court- houfe ; and, after a hard ftruggle of near two hour?, the Americans retreated in good or- der to the Reedy Fork, and crofTed the river, about three miles from the field of action. Greene loft his artillery, and two ammuni- tion waggons, the greateft part of the horfes being killed before the retreat began. In the month of February, reprifals hav- ing been commenced againft the Dutch, Rodney and Vaughan received inftruitioiis from Great Britain, to dircdt their views to the redudion of the Dutch ifland of St. Euftatia. The Britifli fleet and army in- ftant:y appeared there, and furroundcJ it with "a great force. Rodney and Vaughan fciit ^«#- 1 i\H -1 North America, 165 fent a peremptory fummons to the governor, to llirrender the ifland and its dependencies within an hour, accompanied with a threat, that if any refiftance was made, he muft abide the confequences. Monf. de GraafF, totally ignorant of the rupture between Great Britain and Holland, could fcarcely believe the officer, who delivered the fum- mons, to be ferious. He returned for an- fwer, that being utterly incapable of making any defence, he muli of neceffity furrender, only recommending the town and inhabitants to the clemency of the Britifti commanders. The wealth of the place excited the aftonifli- ment of the conquerors, the whole ifland Teeming to be one great magazine. All the ftorehoufes were filled with various com- modities, and the very beach was covered with hogftieads of fugar and tobacco.- The value was eftimated confiderably above three millions fterling. But this was only a part ; for above 150 vefTels of all denominations, many of them richly laden, were captured in the bay, cxclufive of a Dutch frigate of 38 gun?, and five fmaller. The neighbouring fmall ifies of St. Martin and Saba were re- duced in the fame manner. Rodney being informed, that a fleet of about 30 large fhips, all richly laden, with fugar and other Weft India commodities, had failed from Euftatia for Holland juft be- fore his arrival, under convoy of a flag (hip of ^ 60 t , i. ,"..V '^' } 1 f h ''•1 )m ,1 '.,* }t iti .'■-' f\^ It.,-*, ',^i\ t-> > ' f y>:i ■m \r, iii^i,*' ^'li<'^V' v".' * V ■ A 'i ■^h^'i fl li' i-^-l;. ;'^; * r^' ciiv'ff ■■'1' ■ WW--''' ..-. j * ;■■!!; l: i-. m'0 y?. 'VJ ■n 1 i66 The History of 6o guns, he difpatched the Monarch and Panther, with the Sybil frigate, in purfuitof tiiem. Thefe foon overtook the convoy, when the Dutch admiral refufing to ftrike his co- lours, and all remonftrances proviiiir ineffec- tual, a (hort engagement took place between his (hip, the Mars and the Monarque. Ht; died bravely in defence of his (hip, when (he inftantly ihuck, and the whole convoy was taken. The keeping of Dutch colours flying at Euftatia, rendered it for fome time a decoy to French, Dutch, and American veffels, a confiderable number of which fell accord- ingly into the hands of the conquerors with- out trouble. Preparations began to be made, on the 2lth of June, for the army under Gen. Wafliington to take the Held. The Ame- ricans marched towards White Plains, where they were joined by the French troops under Rochambeau. Sir George Rodney, in confequence of information concerning the French fleet un- der the Count de Grailc, detached the Ad- mirals Sir Samuel Hood and Drake, with feventeen fail of the line, to cruife oft' Fort Royal for the purpofe of intercepting him. On the 28th of April, fome of Sir Samuci's headmoft fnips returjied haftily in fight, and with fignals announced the appearance of a fuperior fleet, and a numerous convoy, to the tj"' North America. 167 the windward of Point Salines. The ad- miral made a fignal for a general chafe to windward, and at night it was determined by the admirals to continue the line a-head, fo that getting as much as poflible to wind- ward, they might clofe in with Fort Royal at day-light, and cut ofF the enemy from the harbour. In the morning the French appeared, their convoy keeping clofe in with the land, while Count de Graffe drew up his fleet in a line of battle for their protedion. Admiral Hood iifed every manoeuvre to bring him to action; but he being to windward, and fo having the choice, preferred a long-fliot diftance. A partial engagement enfued. The van and the ncarelt fhips, in the centre of the Bri- tifti, were cxpofed to a long and heavy weight of fire, in their ftruggles to clofe the French, and get to the windward ; but fuf- fered principally in their mafts, hulls, and r'gb'"S* ^^^^ aftion lafted about three hours, when Admiral Hood perceiving, that not one (hot in ten of the French reached, and that his attempts to gain the wind were fruitlefs, ceafed firing, and the Britifh fleet bore away for Antigua. Let us now return to the tranfaftions un- der Lord Cornwallis. One great objeft of the Britifh force was the eftabliftiment of a ftrong port and place of arms, and fuch as "light render them perfectly matters of Che- fapeak- ^ .ft ¥'T<'^^^ ^k. H ' ♦ • -^ d ' ' 'J. .,,« ",»< „!• 1,, l"'kii'i!'' ^^•/ •"" ' " -W'^^ -■ ■ Utt 1 »':. i68 The History of fapcak-bay, and therefore they repaired to York Town and Gloucefter. The French and American armies coini. nucd their march from the northward, till they arrived at the head of Elk ; and within an hour after, they received an exprefs from Count de Gralle, with the joyful account of his arrival and fituation. By the i5th of September, all the troops were arrived nnj landed at VVi!liam{burgh, and preparations were made with all poflible difpatch for put- ting the army in a fituation to move down towards York town. On the 30th of September, Lord Corn- wallis was clofely invefted in York Town. The trenches were opened by the combiid armies on the 6th of October, at 600 yards diftance from Conwallis's works. On the 9th they opened their batteries, and conti- nued firing all night without intermifiion. The next morning, the French opened their 1 batteries on the left, and a tremendous roar of cannon and mortars was continued for] fix or eight hours without ceafing. The French and Americans continued to| carry on the fiege with great fuccefs. Or the 1 6th their feveral batteries were coveredl with near 100 pieces of heavy ordnance; while the Britifh works were fo dcftroye(l| that they could fcarcely {how a fingle g^nj Thus was Lord Cornwallis reduced toth| neceflity of preparing for a furrender, oroj attemptinj^ North America. 169 attempting an elcapc. He determined upon the latter. Boats were prepared under dit- Icrcnt pretences, for the reception of the troops by ten at night, in order to pafs them over to Gloucefter Point. The arrange- ments were made with tfic utmoft fccrccy. The intention was to abandon the baggage, and to leave a detachment behind to capitu- late tor the town's people, and for the ficlc and wounded, his lordfhip having already prepared a letter on the fubjcft, to be deli- vered to Gen. Waftiington after his depar- ture. The finl embarkation had arrived at Gloucefter Point, and the greater part of the troops were already landed, when the wea- ther, which was before moderate and calm, inllantly changed to a moft violent ftorm of ^\'ind and rain. The boats with the remain- ing troops were all driven down the river, and the Jefign of palling over was not only en- tirely frullrated, but the abfence of the boats rendered it impoflible to bring back the troop? from Gloucefter. Thus weakened and divided, the army was in no fmall dan- ger. However, the boats returned, and the troops were brought back in the courfe of the forenoon with very little lofs. Thijigs were now haftening to a period, fWhich could be no longer protradted ; for the jEritiili works were linking under the weight oF the French and American artillery. All [hopes of relief from New York were over, P and > U A ■i .;i J ,i^' •1 n I ■ - •'■'1 '*< » I,. ','■■■ "I'M'.' Jj ' " ■ 1 . ■ m0 tV;'-'.'''' ''''I'"''' U< i^': .it, • . ■'■'Jltl'I't' »...- fu !Hr^!'^'^ 170 The History or and the ftrcngth and fpirits of the royal army were broken down and exhaufted by their conftant and unremitting fatigue. Matters being in this ntuation, on the 17th of Oc- tober, Lord Cornwallis feiit out a flag with a letter to Gen. Wafhington, requelting a cefTation of arms for twenty-four hours, and that commiffioners might be appointed for digefting the terms of capitulation. Com- miffioners were accordingly appointed ; and on the fide of the allies, were Vifc. dc Noailles, and Lieut. Col. Laurens, ivhr.fe father was in clofe confinement in the Tower of London, while the fon was drawing up articles, by which an Englifh nobleman and a Britifh army became prifoners. On the 19th of Odlober, the pofts of York Town and Gloucefter were furrcn- dercd. The honour of m;irching out vith colours flying, which had been denied tQ Gen. Lincoln, was now refufed to Lord Cornwallis, and Lincoln was appointed to receive the fubmiffion of the royal army at York Town, precifcly in the fame way his own had been conducted about eighcee!) months before. The troops that furrciidcred prifoners exceeded 7000 ; but fo great was the number of fick and wounded, that there were only 3800 capable of doing duty, ^il'^ officers and fo-diers retained their bagg.'L'e and tfFcdls. Fifteen hundrca fcanien IhareJ the fame fat^ as thj: garrifon- \l^l\c Gur^a* * ici';:'; 1 army J their latters )f Oc g with fting a rs, and ted for Corn- el ; and ifc. (Ic Tower ■ing up ►blemaa )ofts of lurren- ut witii riied to Lord nted to irinv '«it wav his ■eiidcred cat was at there y. l"he North America. i-t loupe frigate of 24 guns, and a nutnber of tranfports, were furrendcred to the conquer- ors. About twenty trnnfports h,id been funk vor burnt during tlie fiege. The land forces bev':anis prifoners to congrefs , but the fca- mea and ihips v/erc afligned to the French admiral. The Americans obtained a fine train of artillery, confiliing of 75 brafs ord- nance, and 69 iron cannon, hov/itzers, and mortars. On the 24th of OiSi:ober, a fleet deftined for the relief of Lord Cornwallis arrived oiF the Chefapeak ; but, on receiving the news of his furrender, they returned to New York. The fleet confifled of 25 fliips of the line, two fifties, and eight frigates. When they appeared off the Ciiefapeak, the French made no manner of movement, though they had 36 fliips of the line, being perhaps fatisfied with their prefent fuccefs. Every argument and perfuafion was ufed with the Count dc Cjraiie to induce him to aid the combined army in an operation againft Charleflovvrj ; but the advanced fea- fon, the orders of his court, and his ov/n engagements to be punctual to a certain time hxed for his future operations, prevented his compliance. His i nil ructions had fixed his departure to the i5Lh of Gc^lober, and he had already exceeded that time. On the '27th, the troops under the Marfjuis St. Simon began to embark for the Wcit Indies, and P 2 about; rf % 'n y 1: 1 Hi I \ ' , 1' * 1 is*!'' "'■ ?" 3'ri ■ -1 -i '■'v^''" "if v. ;j0 ^'■m- ' ■■'■ .. -.1 ■ •■ ^m.-^p, ? /I 'i* ';a* ' If .4' 172 The History of about the 5th of November de Graffe fuikd from the Chciapeak. Memorable Events recorded in this Chapter. Anno 1780. Sir Henry Clinton fends 3000 troops to the bay of Chefapeak. The French and Spanlfli fleet form a con- junction in the Weft Indies, IVlr. Laurens t\icen in his paiTage to Hol- land. Sir Jofeph York leaves the Hague. Anno 1 78 1. detached after Gen. his defeated. Lieut. Col. Tarleton Morgan by whom he Sir George Rodney and Gen. Vaughan take St. Euftatia, St. Martin, and Saba. The French troops join the Americans der Wafhington, Sir Samuel Hood and Count de Grafic en- eaiie. Lord Connvallls repairs to York Town ana un Gl OUCJ :fte Is obliged to capitulate, and furrender \ork Town and Gloucefl: er Dc Grafle fliils for the Weft Indies. CHAP. ® North America, 73 4 > C H A P. X. r\ N the 27th of November, the King of ^ England went to the houfe of peers, 2nd opened the feffions of parliament. Warm debates took place, on account of the ruin- ous manner in which the American wai- was continued; but Lord North and his party, who thought they had not yet carried things far enough, maintained a confiderable ma- jority in the houfe of commons. Mr. Burke liad made feveral motions, relative to the re- leafe of Mr. Laurens from the Tower. However, at length, Mr. Laurens was brought before Lord Mansfield, on the lait day of the year, in confequence of an order from the fecretary of ftate, and was dif- charged upon certain conditions. The naval force of France and Spain in the Weft Indies, in the month of February, 1782, amounted to 60 fhips of the line, and their land forces when joined would have formed a confiderable army. Jamaica had no more than fix incomplete battalions of regi'lar troops and the mihtia of the illand to detend it ; and therefore, in cafe of an at- tack, muft have been foon conquered. The arrival of Sir George Rodney with twelve lail of the line at Barbadoes, and his fubfe- quent jundion with Sir Samuel Hood*s P 3 fquadron, i.S ^Vth V ' iiil .,1;;. . ,.■ -.(5 h f ■ ..ji . , ,. ■■ y'Mi. ■ h ■ 'H^' ■ It!'"'"'' k I; , I- hi: m ^74 The History of fquadron, together with the arrival of three Ihips of the line from Engldiid a few days alLciwards, perhaps providentially faved Ja- maica noiii tailing into the hands of the ene- my. I'he Englifh Ocet at St. Lucia amount- ed to 36 falps of the line, and the force un- der de Gralle at Martinico to 34. The metal of the French is always heavier than that of the Engliih, in equal rates, fo that in this point the French had the advantage. The van of the Britilh fleet v/as com- marded by Sir Samuel Hood, the centre by Sir George Rodney, and tlie rear by Admi- ral S'rtrancis Drake. The three divihons of the Frciich fleet were under Count de Graflfc, Monf. de Vaudreuil, and Monf. dj Bo- gainville. On the 8th of April, the French fleet be- gan to tr.rn out of Fort Royal harbour eirly in the morning, with a great convoy under their protecticjn, all bound to the French or Spanifii ports in Hifpaniola. De Graile, in order to avoid any encounter on his pafikge, meant to keep clofe in under the iflandf, till he had eluded the purfuit of the Englitli. However, their departure from the bay was fo fpeedily communicated by lignals from tne frigates, and the Englifli fleet was in fuch excellent preparation, that all the (hips were clear of Grofs Iflet Bay by noon, and pur^ iucd with the utmofl: expedition ; fo that the frtnch iafed only a f«v/ hours, by being * I mailers North A m e r i c A. 17s maftcrs <^)f the time of departure. The Eiigliili gained fight of them under Domi- nique at night, and afterwards regulated the puiiuit by lignals. Early the next morning. Count de GrafTe formed the line of battle, and thereby af- forded an opportunity to his convoy for pro- ceeding? on their courfe, while he remained to abide the confequences. The van of the Englifn fleet nrft clofed with the French centre, while the Engl'ih centre and rear were becalmed. I'he aftion commenced about nine o'clock on the ninth. The JBar- fleur, Sir Samuel Hood's own fliip, had at times fevcn and generally three fhips firing upon her, and none of the divifion efcapcd encountering; a difprouortionate force. The firm and effedtual refiitance, with which they fupportid all the efforts of the enemy's fu- periority, was to the higheft degree glorious. At length, the leading diips of the centre were enabled to come up to their affiflance. Thefe were foon followed by Sir George Rodney in the Formidable, with his feconds, the Namur and the Duke, all of 90 guns : they made and fupported a mofl tremendous fire. De Grafle now changed the nature of the adion, and kept at fuch a diftance dur- ing the remainder of the engagement, as might prevent any thing decifive happening. The reft of the EngliPa fleet coming up, de Grafle withdrew his fnips from the aition^ i, A" 1, " If-.; Pi'/ I !' If id "': ll'ii;,, iir N't IS' ' l('*' ■; 1 ' ,« 1 -k 1 4 •»!? IM l-! 176 The History of and evaded all the efforts of the Englifl\ commanders for its renewal. Two of the French fhips were fo damaged, that they were obliged to quit the fleet, and put into Guadaloupe. On the fule of the Kno;li{h, the Royal Oak and the Montague flittered extremely ; but they were capable of bcino* repaired at fea, fo as not to be under the ne- ceffity of quitting the fleet. On the nth the French fleet weathered Guadaloupe, and gained fuch a dillancc, that the body of their fleet could only be defcricd from the maft-heads of the Britifh centre, and all hopes of Sir George Rodney's com- ing up with them feemed to be at an end. In this critical fituation, oiic of the French {hips, which had fuiFercd in the adion, was perceived, about noon, to fall ofi-' confidcr- ably from the reft of the fleet to leeward. 'I'his produced fignals from the Englifti ad- miral for a general chafe, which was fo vi- gorous, that the Agamemnon, and feme otiiers of the headmoit of the Englifn line, wxre corriing up fo f^ift with this Jhip, that fhe would alluredly have been cut ofi:' before evening, had not her fignals and eminent danger induced de Graffc to bear down with his whole fleet to her aflillance. lliis movement put it out of the pov^er of the French to avoid fighting. ll)c purfuing Englifli fell back into their flaiion, and a clofe line was formed. The French alio prepared the they into ered o ) DC- This North America. 177 prepared for battle with the greatcft refolu- tion, and the night pafled in preparations on both fides. About feven o'clock in the morning, of the 1 2th of April, the battle commenced, and was continued with unremitting fury until near the fame hour in the evening. As the Englifh came up, they ranged flowly along the French line, and clofe under their lee. Being fo near, every fhot took eftbdT:, and the French fhips being fo full of men, the carnage in them was prodigious. The Formidable Admiral Rodney's fliip, fired near eighty broadfides, and it may be fup- pofed the reft were not idle. The French flood and returned this dreadful fire with the utmoft firmncfs, each fide fighting, as if the honour and fate of their country were that day to be decided. Sir George Rodney in the Formidable, with his feconds the Namur and the Duke, and immediately fupportcd by the Canada, between twelve and one o'clock, bore di- reitly and with full fail athwart the French line, and fuccef^fully broke through, about three jQiips ihort of the centre, where Count c!e Gralle commanded in the V^ille de Paris of no guns. Being followed and fupported by the remiainder of his divifion, and wear- ing round clofe upon the enemy, he cftec- taally feparated their line. This bold ad* venture proved decifivc. The battle laiied till y.^ ' ■ ■'.'I 1 •; \ ■ -+,. ■•■"■•»l '-I*.; ,),M '111 ., ip 'III I ,. f' .1 ,,^ I ■ .*" n hi: i 1 ,' ,» I "8 Thk History of ill] fun-fet, for the French fought with the grcateft bravery. The Britifh Hect having now gained the wind of the French, their general confufion was completed. Hood's divifion had been long becalmed and kept out of iiclion ; but his head friips and part of his centre, as far at Icall: as the Ijarfieur, which he hlmlelf commanded, came up at this juncture, and contributed to render the victory more deci- live. The Cxlhr, Glorieux, and Hector, foon ftruck their colours, but not till after they had made the moft noble defence. Count de Gralle was nobly fupported, even after the line was broken ; and the Diadem, a French 74, went down by a fmgle broad- fide, in a generous exertion to fave him. The Ville de Paris was almofl: reduced to a wreck, but de Grafle flill held out. At lenoth. Hood in the l>arfleur approached hira juft at fua-fet, and poured in a moll defhuc- tive fire. The Ville de Paris fupported all thc.fe (hocks for a quarter of an hour after, when ftie ftruck to Sir Samuel Hood. It was faid, that, at the time (he ftruck, thei-B WTre but three men left alive and unhurt on the upper deck, and that the Count was one of them, The Ca.*far was unfortunately fet on fire, and blew up in the night of the aiiion. A licHitenant ?md fifry Englifh feamen periihed, with about 400 prilbners. The number of the ^«v^ t«U«4«^ ■••^=S?^,.:;ia*SEJ==*i, «' I 'l M 4 f 1 ',''' 1 ■ . 1 ■ ■ ' 1 !.. Ih'f'eal v/' f)c Ora/.W . m^w I <•.<« '., m i ',: I il ■I It ■* •• '.:^? Ui'A'ty^ •W.i'.", ■'> ''li V -I* m ,r.t mii mm BE ,". f«jT,i ^ ^K N?1i.^ ri \\i 1 1 ^'? ^,* ■ ; ) fi , , ■ ' ^ % North America. i^g the French flain in this engagement, and that of the ninth, was computed at 3000, and near double that number wounded. The fniall fuperiority of Britifh (hips, in point of number, contributed nothing to the fuccefs of the day, as more of Hood's divifion than that difference amounted to, were prevented coming into aftion through the want of wind. The whole lofs of the Englifli, in killed and wounded in the two aclions, was ftated only at 1050, of which 253 were killed on the fpot. In the Ville de Paris were found thirty-fix chefts of money, deftined to the pay and fub- fiftencc of the troop*: in the defigned attack on Jamaica. Sir Samuel Hood being fent in purfuit of the fcattered enemy, on the 19th he came up and took the Jafon and Caton, of 64 guns each, and two frigates. Thus the French loft eight fhips of the line : fix were in pofl^ffion of the Englifli, one had been funk, and the Caefar blew up after her capture. The Englilh having join- ed off Cape Tiberoon, and the French hav- ing no force to the windward, Sir George Rodney proceeded with the difabled fliips and prizes to Jamaica, as well for theif' repair, as the greater fecurity of the ifland, fhould the combined fleet ftill venture upon the profecu- tio:7 of their former dcfign. Sir Samuel Hood was left with about 25 (hips of the line, ^■^^■r'^^U' ,.i .V u "J ' 4 'V M ■ '- ^ * ^ ^^^^*^< o IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // ^/ -^-^ ^ o • o 1.0 1.1 I^IM |25 ■so "^^ nil Jf Bi |22 £f l£& 12.0 L25 lllll 1.4 HaE 1.6 V V Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WIST MAIN STRIfT WIBSTH.N.Y. 14SM (716)I72-4S03 'W- ■^ s A f::^.'hi .-,■» ' >_ 1 80 The History of line, to keep the lea, and watch the motions of the enemy. Let us now return to North America, where all parties feemed to be heai lily tired of the war. On the 5th of May, Sir Guy Carle ton arrived at New York, and on the 7th he wrote to Gen. Wafhington, and lent him foine public papers, that his excellency miglit learn from them, the difpofition that prevailed in the government and people of Great Britain, relative to the making of a peace with America. I'he ikitifnadniiniftration having rcfulveJ upon abandoning all otienfive operations ii\ America, the fcheme of evacuating all the weakeft ports in the United States was adopt- ed. Accordingly, on the nth of July, Sa- vannah was evacuated, and the Americans immediately took pofl'ellion of it, the works and town being left perfeft. On the 14th of December, Gen. Leflie, who commanded at Charleftown, completed the embarkation of his troops on his quitting that town. Gen. Wayne, with the legion and light infantry, had been before their works for feveral days, by order of Gen. Greene. It was hinted to him from Gen. Lcllie, through a certain medium, that if they were permitted to embark without interruption, every care (hould be taken for the prefcrva- tion of the town. Wayne was directed to accede to the propofal, the Britiih alfo agree- ing North America. i8i ing not to fire on the town after getting on board. The conditions being fully under- llood by both parties, Charleftown was eva- cuated and poilefled without the leaft confu- fion, the American advance following clofe on the Britifli rear. The governor was con- du6ted into his capital the fame day, the civil police eftablifhed the day following, and on the third the town was opened for bufmefs. On the 17th, the Britifli crofled the bar, and went to fear Every thing now feemed to announce the approach of peace. The American commiiSon- ers expedited the negociation with the utmoft aifiduity, and on the 30th of November, pro- vilional articles were agreed upon andligned,to take efFeft whenever terms of peace {hould be finally fettled with the court of France, The bufinefs was finiflied fo privately and unex- pededly that the minifters and ambafladors, as well as others in and about the court of Ver- failles, were furprifed upon hearing the news. We muft not here avoid mentioning an unfoitunate event, which happened at the clofe of the ftill more unfortunate American war. Ten men of war, including Count de Grafle's (hips, with a large fleet of merchant- men from Jamaica, fuffered exceedingly by a tremendous gale of wind off Newfound- land, on the 17th of September. The Ville de Paris and the Glorieux foundered, and only one man out of the complement of both Q^ fliips i I' ", ■ <.■■ V t I ■1 ( . 1 '< :>■ '■H J ,• ' f ■'\ ■ .:;i! ■ f -K :.V»'. *:' ■'»tt-V " "' 182 The History of fhips efcapcd to tel! the melancholy talc. The Heftor alfo funic ; but being defcried iu time by a fnow that made towards them, the crew were faved. The Ramilies went down, but her people were faved by the merchantmen in company. The Centaur was likewife loft, and all her company, except twelve, with the captain, who got into the only remainino; boat. They traverfed a fpace of near 800 miles in the Atlantic ocean, without compafs or quadrant, and with a blanket for a fail, They had only two bifcuits divided anioiig them every twenty-four hours ; and as much water during that fpace to every man, as the neck of a wine bottle broken off would hold. At the expiration of fixtcen days, when the laft divifion of bifcuit and water had been made, tc their inexprcffible joy, they difco- covered the Portuguefe ifland of Faval, where they fafely arrived at night, and received every aflilfance their melancholy fituationdc • nicinded. On the 3d of September, 1783, the defi- nitive treaties between CJreat Britain, France, and Spain, were figned at Verfailles by the Duke of Manchefter, and the plenipoten- tiaries of the faid Court. On the fame davJ the definitive treaty with Great Britain and the United States of America was alfo figned at Paris, by David Hartley, Efq. the BrltiihJ plenipotentiary, and the plenipotentiaries ofj the faid ft ate. T^ f North America. 183 By the articles of this treaty, his Britannic majeily acknowledged the independence of the United States of New Hampihirc, Maf- fachufetts Bay, Rhode Tfland and Providence Plantations, Conne£licut, New York, New Terfey, Pcnnfylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, the Carolinas, and Georgia. He alfo relinquifhed all claims to the government of them, and confented to treat with them as free and independent people. Their boun- daries were alfo fettled, and they were allow- ed the liberty of fifhing and drying filh, as ufual, on the banks of Newfoundland. The particulars of the treaty between Great Britain, France, and Spain will be found in our Hiftory of England, to which it more properly belongs. Thus ended the unhappy American war, which added to the national debt of the mo- ther-country one hundred and twenty mil- lions, bcfides the lofs of many thoufands of our braveil officers, foldiers, and fean;cn, to the eternal infamy and difgracc of thole mi- nitters, who advifed and carried it on, con- trary to tiie general voice of tke people ^ i # 1 1 '' ♦ ♦ « 1 s • if" t 1 1 ;./'■ ^ Memorabk \ i..'^ ^■'I^v - ;^s. i- - 1 ( tf' Jf 184 The History, &c. Me?norable Events recorded in this Chapter, Anno lySi, Mr. Laurens difcharged from his conKnemcnt in the Tower of London. Anno 1782. The fleets of Sir George Rodney and Count de GrafTe meet in the Weft Indies. They engage, and Count de GrafTe is de- feated and taken. Savannah evacuated by the Britifli forces. And afterwards Chariv^ftown in South Caro- lina. Provifional articles of peace figned between the Britifh and American commiffioners. Anno 1783. The definitive treaties figned between Great Britain, France, Spain, and America. THE END- ft m^^ ' It ', u ;'i'«l| cv ; ■r.y. . »• A "■*■ ^- ■"■^-^^^ ^? .-"i. i: ''V ■JIl^j •,41>*' «, I ' ^ • Tf ■ %■■ 'J *.K