ists, at the same time they exerted themselves to support these with suitable reinforcements. Gen. Moore's num. bers at first were inferior to Macdonald's, which induced the latter to hope that he might intimidate him to join the king's standard: with this intention he summoned bim under the pain of being treated as a rebel if he refu sed. But Moore being well provided with cannon, and conscious that nothing could be attempted against him, returned the compliment, by acquainting Macdonald, that if he, and his party would lay down their arms, and subscribe an oath of fidelity to Congress, they should be treated as friends, but if they persisted in an undertaking for which it was evident they had not sufficient strength, - they could not but expect the severest treatment.

In a few days general Moore found himself at the head of 8,000 men, by reason of the continual supplies which daily arrived from all parts. The royal party only amounted to 2000, and as they were destitute of artillery, they were prevented from attacking the enemy with success, when they had the advantage of numbers. Nothing now remained but to have recourse to a desperate exertion of their own personal valour; by dint of which they effected a retreat for eighty miles to Moore's Creek, within sixteen miles of Wilmington. Could they have gained this place, they expected to have been joined by governor Martin, and general Clinton, who had lately arrived with a considerable detachment. But Moore with his army pursued them so close, that they were obliged to attempt the passage of the creek, on the opposite side of which was colonel Caswell with a considerable body of provin cials posted to oppose his passage, with fortifications well planted with cannon. On attempting the creek it was found not to be fordable. They were obliged therefore, to cross over a wooden bridge, which the provincials had not time entirely to destroy. They had, however, by pulling up part of the planks, and greasing the remainder, made the passage so difficult, that the royalists could not attempt it.

In this situation they were on the 27th of February, 1776, attacked by Moore and his superior army, and totally defeated, with the loss of their general and most of their leaders, as well as the best and bravest of their men. Thus was the power of the provincials established

in North Carolina. Nor were they less successful in Virginia, where Lord Dunmore having long continued a predatory war, was at last driven from every creek and road in the province. The people he had on board were distressed to the highest degree, by confinement in small vessels. The heat of the season and the numbers crowded together produced a pestilential fever, which made great havock, especially among the blacks. At last finding themselves in the utmost hazard of perishing by famine, as well as disease, they set fire to the least valuable vessels, reserving only about fifty for themselves, in which they bid a final adieu to Virginia, some sailing for Florida, some to Bermuda, and the rest to the West Indies.

In South Carolina the provincials had a more fermida ble enemy to deal with. A squadron, whose object was the reduction of Charlestown had been fitted out in December 1775, but by reason of unfavourable weather did not reach Cape Fear in North Carolina till the month of May 1776 and here it met with further obstacles to the end of the month. Thus the Americans had time to strengthen the works of Charlestown in such a manner as rendered it extremely difficult to be attacked.

The British squadron consisted of two fifty gun ships, four of thirty guns, two of twenty, and an armed schooner and bomb-ketchy all under the command of sir Peter Parker. The land forces were commanded by lord Cornwallis, with generals Clinton and Vaughan. As they had yet no intelligence of the evacuation of Boston, general Howe dispatched a vessel to Cape Fear with some instructions; but it was too late; and in the beginning of June, the squadron anchored off Charlestown bar. Here they met with some difficulty in crossing, being obliged to take out the guns from the two largest ships, which were notwithstanding, several times in danger of sticking fast. The next obstacle was a strong fort on Sullivan's island, six miles east of Charlestown, which, though not compleatly finished, was very strong. However, the British generals resolved without hesitation to attack it ; but though an attack was easy from sea, it was difficult to obtain a co-operation of the land forces.

This was, however, attempted by landing them on Long island adjacent to Sullivan's island on the east, from which

it is separated by a very narrow creek, not above two feet deep at low water. Opposite to this ford, the provincials had posted a strong body of troops, with cannon and intrenchments; while general Lee was posted on the main land, with a bridge of boats betwixt that and Sullivan's island, so that he could at pleasure, send reinforcements to the troops in the fort on Sullivan's island.

There were so many delays occurred on the part of the British, that it was the 24th of June, 1776, before matters were in readiness for an attack; and by this time the provincials had abundantly provided for their reception. On the morning of that day, the bomb-ketch began to throw shells into fort Sullivan, and about mid-day the two fifty gun ships, and thirty gun frigates came up and be gan a severe fire. Three other frigates were ordered to take their station between Charlestown, and the fort, in order to enfilade the batteries, and cut off the communication with the main land; but through the ignorance of the pilots, they all stuck fast; and though two of them were disentangled they were found to be totally unfit for service; the third was burnt, that she might not fall into the hands of the enemy.

The attack was therefore confined to the five armed vessels, and bomb-ketch, between whom and the fort, a dreadful fire ensued. The Bristol suffered excessively, the springs on her cable being shot away, she was for a time, entirely exposed to the enemy's fire. As the provincials poured in great quantities of red hot balls, she was twice in flames. Captain Morris, her commander, after receiving five wounds, was obliged to go below deck in order to have his arm amputated: after undergoing this operation, he returned to his station, where he received another wound, but still refused to quit his place; at last he received a red hot ball in his belly, which instantly put an end to his life. Of all the officers and seamen, who stood on the quarter deck of this vessel, not one escaped without a wound, except sir Peter Par ker alone; whose intrepidity and presence of mind on this occasion, was very remarkable.

The engagement lasted until the darkness put an end to it. Little damage was done by the British, as the works of the enemy lay so low, that many of the shot flew over; and the fortifications, being composed of palm trees, mix

ed with earth, were well calculated to resist the impression of cannon. During the height of the attack, the batteries of the provincials were silent, so that it was concluded that they had been abandoned; but this was found to proceed from want of powder; for, as soon as a supply of this article was obtained, the firing was resumed as brisk as before. During the whole of this desperate engagement, it was found impossible for the land forces to render any assistance to the fleet.

The enemy's works were found to be much stronger than had been imagined, and the depth of water effectually prevented them from making any attempt. In this unsuccessful attempt, the loss of the British in killed and wounded was two hundred. The Bristol and Experiment, were so much damaged, it was thought they could not get over the bar; this they accomplished, however, by great exertion of naval skill, to the surprize of the provincials, who had expected to have made them both prizes. It was said the Americans lost considerably in this engagement.

In the beginning of March, commodore Hopkins, was dispatched by Congress, with five frigates to the Bahama Islands, where he made himself master of the ordnance and military stores; but the gunpowder which had been the principal object, was removed. On his return he captured several vessels; but was foiled in his attempt on the Glasgow frigate, which found means to escape, notwithstanding the efforts of the whole squadron.

Hitherto the Americans had been generally successful, they had now to experience misfortune, misery and disappointment; the enemy overrunning the country, and their own armies not able to face them in the field. The province of New York, being the most accessible by sea, was made the object for the main attack. The force sent against it, consisted of six ships of the line, thirty frigates, besides other armed vessels, and a vast number of transports. The fleet was commanded by lord Howe, and the land forces by his brother, general Sir William Howe, who was now at Halifax. The latter, however, had setsail a considerable time before his brother arrived, and lay before New York, but without attempting to commence hostilities, until he should be joined by his brother.

The Americans had, according to custom, fortified New York, and the adjacent islands in an extraordinary manner. General Howe, notwithstanding was suffered to Fand his troops on Staten island, where he was soon joined by a number of inhabitants. About the middle of July, lord Howe arrived with the grand armament, and being one of the commissioners appointed to receive the submission of the colonists, he published a circular letter to the several governors, who had lately been expelled from their provinces, desiring them to nrake the extent of his commission, and the powers he was invested with by parliament, as public as possible.

Here, however, the Congress saved him trouble, by ordering his letter and declaration to be published in all the newspapers, "That every one might see the insidiousness of the British ministry, and that they had nothing to trust to, besides the exertion of their own valour.”

Lord Howe next sent a letter to general Washington; but as it was directed "To George Washington, Esq." the general refused to accept it, as not being in a style suited to his station. To obviate this objection, adjutant general Patterson, was sent with another letter, directed "To George Washington, &c. &c. &c." but though a very polite reception was given to the bearer, general Washington utterly refused the letter, nor could any explana. tion of the adjutant induce him to accept of it. The only interesting part was that relating to the powers of the commissioners, of whom lord Howe was one.

The adjutant told him, that these powers were very extensive; that the commissioners were determined to exert themselves to the utmost in order to bring about a reconciliation; and, that he hoped the general would consider this visit a step towards it. General Washington replied, that it did not appear that these powers consisted in any thing else than granting pardons; and as America had committed no offence, she asked no forgiveness; and, was only defending her unquestionable rights.

The decision being now left to the sword, no time was lost, and hostilities commenced as soon as the Britishtroops could be collected. This was not done before the month of August, when they landed without opposition on