XX. 1778. CHA P. very great and satisfactory, that all examination of accounts would be superfluous. If undue profits in some particular instances had been obtained by contractors, the treasury would oblige them to refund such sums, as soon as the necessary inquiry should be made. The inspection might be productive of great mischief, by disseminating illfounded jealousies and suspicions among the people. Although this reasoning, that it was unnecessary to investigate the management of pecuniary stewards, because they themselves and their connexions asserted that they were prudent and economical, may not convince an impartial reader, yet it convinced the majority in the house of commons, and is rejected. the desired inquiry was prevented. Dignified answer of On the 3d of June, parliament was prorogued. His majesty, in his speech on this occasion, after returning thanks to parliament for their wise delibera. tions and vigorous efforts, expressed himself respecting the interference of France, with a dignity and magnanimity worthy of the first personage in the first nation of the universe. He spoke the merited resentment of conscious justice, supported by conscious power. "My desire (said our king) to prehis majesty. serve the tranquillity of Europe, has been uniform and sincere; I reflect with great satisfaction, that I have made the faith of treaties, and the law of nations, the rule of my conduct; and that it has been my constant care to give no just cause of offence to any foreign power: let that power, by whom this tranquillity shall be disturbed, answer to their subjects, and to the world, for all the fatal consequences of war: the vigour and firmness of my parliament have enabled me to be prepared for such events and emergencies as may happen; and I trust that the experienced valour and discipline of my fleets and armies, and the loyal and united ardour of the nation, armed and animated in the defence of every 401 XX. 1778 every thing that is dear to them, will be able, under c H A P. the protection of Divine Providence, to defeat all the enterprises which the enemies of my crown may presume to undertake, and convince them how dangerous it is to provoke the spirit and strength of Great Britain." С НА Р. 1778. Campaign opens in America. CHAP. XXI. Campaign opens in America.- Operations by detachments from general Howe's army. Howe resigns the command— festival in honour of him, under the name of Mischienzadeparts for Europe- and is succeeded by sir Henry Clinton. -Arrival of commissioners from Britain.—The Americans refuse to treat, unless as an independent nation.-Evacu ation of Philadelphia-and march through the Jerseys.— Battle of Freehold Court-house-the British army is successful and arrives at New York.- D'Estaing arrives with a French fleet-maritime operations. Attempts upon Rhode Island.-Partial and detached expeditions.D'Estaing departs for the West Indies.-Farther proceedings of the commissioners-issue a proclamation without effect-return to England.--Congress publish a countermanifesto.— Hostilities in Europe.—Admiral Keppel takes the command of the channel fleet. Capture of the Licorne French frigate of the Pallas.-Keppel returns to Portsmouth for a reinforcement - sails in pursuit of the enemy -descries the French fleet off Ushant.-Battle of the 27th of July indecisive.-The French fleet retires during the night.-Apprehensive of a lee-shore, Keppel forbears pursuit.- Captures by frigates and privateers.—Balance greatly favourable to England.- Depredations by Paul Jones-plunders the seat of lord Selkirk.-Crimination and recrimination by Keppel and Palliser· are respectively tried and acquitted. HAP. FROM political proceedings we now return to military transactions. The hostile armies at Philadelphia and Valley Forge passed the severity of the winter within a few miles of each other, in great tranquillity. Spring arrived, and the commander in chief continued to repose himself at Philadelphia; he, however, sent out several occasional detachments, which displayed British intrepidity and skill in desultory operations, without any material result. XXI. 1778. Howe's army. In the beginning of March, colonel Mawhood was c HA P. sent with the 27th and 46th regiments, and the New Jersey volunteers, to make a descent on the coast of Jersey, to procure forage, and assist the Operations loyalists, who were severely oppressed by Livingston, ments from the American governor. Various creeks communi- general cate with the Delaware on the Jersey side; over the Allewas, one of these, there were three bridges; Thompson's farthest up, St. Quinton's in the middle, and Hancock's next the river. At the two last the provincials determined to make a stand. Mawhood having pretended to retreat, enticed the Americans to cross St. Quinton's bridge, and fall into an ambuscade which he had previously formed; the enemy being surrounded, most of them were either killed, taken prisoners, or drowned. Major Simcoe, being employed to attack the party posted at Hancock's Bridge, crossed the creek in boats by night with a party of soldiers; assailed, surprised, and dispersed the Americans; and secured a passage for the whole British detachment: colonel Mawhood having completed his forage, returned to Philadelphia. In the beginning of May, an American brigade, commanded by general Lacy of the Pennsylvania militia, being posted at the Crooked-billet, on one of the chief roads between the country and Philadelphia, obstructed the approaches of farmers with provisions for the city. That enterprising and intelligent officer, major Simcoe, having perceived this position and discovered its object, proposed to march round with the queen's rangers, so as to gain the rear of the enemy, while another party should lie in ambuscade to intercept their retreat to Washington's army. The scheme being approved, colonel Abercrombie was appointed to command the ambuscade, and to lie in wait till he should hear the firing of Simcoe's corps. On the 30th of May, major Simcoe set off with his detachment by the projected route, and afterwards Abercrombie departed with about four hundred light infantry, a DD 2 large 1778. CHAP. large party of light dragoons, and horses, for the XXI. sake of greater expedition, to mount his foot soldiers. The colonel could not reach the place of his destination at the appointed time during the night; eager, however, to support major Simcoe, he sent forward his cavalry and light infantry. The commander of the advanced corps having proceeded as far as Lacy's out-post, was seen and fired at by the enemy's sentinel, but did not retire. The American commander concluding a stronger force to be at hand, immediately filed up the country, and, by abandoning his baggage, escaped the pursuit. The British troops having dislodged the provincials, returned with the captured baggage to Philadelphia; and, by the success of this excursion, greatly facilitated the conveyance of provisions to the British army. An expedition being sent under majors Maitland and Simcoe, destroyed a great number of American vessels, that had escaped the preceding campaign at the capture of the forts on the Delaware. These desultory enterprises proved that British courage and conduct by land and water were equal to the efforts of former times, however little they conduced to the promotion of British in Howe resigns the command. terest. FOR several months, sir William Howe had resolved to resign his command, and intimated his intention to lord George Germaine. His alleged ground for desiring to be recalled was, that he had not received the necessary confidence and support from administration. Ministers expressed the utmost surprise at his complaint, the grounds of which they affirmed were fully confuted by the written authority with which he was entrusted, and the force with which he was furnished. The requested permission, however, was granted, and the general accordingly prepared to depart for Europe. THE easy and agreeable manners and indulgent conduct of general Howe, had gained the affection of many of his officers. Those viewing his exploits and |