sembled. Patrick Henry, the great orator of the Revolution, was a member. Believing war inevitable, he introduced resolutions providing for the organization of a republican army, and in their support delivered a memorable speech whose electrical effect can now hardly be imagined, though it will never be read without emotion. "I know not what course others may take," said he, after kindling the spirits of those who listened with his burning eloquence, "but for me, give me liberty or give me death.”

The struggle was at hand. An appeal to the God of battles alone was left.

284. Before entering on the history of the contest, it is necessary to glance at an important event in the southwest. The treaty of Paris had transferred Louisiana from France to Spain, contrary to the wishes of its people. Their repugnance to the change was heightened in 1768 by the arrival of a Spanish governor of haughty manners and arbitrary principles, who enforced the restrictive system of his country, to the great injury of their commerce. Attached to the French crown, and feeling that they ought not to be transferred from one king to another without their own consent, the people of New Orleans, supported by those of the country parishes, established an independent republic, and the Spanish governor, unable to exercise his authority, retired to Havana. The new government lasted not long. General O'Reilly [ri'-le], sent over with an army for that purpose, restored Spanish authority, and the leaders of the liberal movement expiated their offence in dungeons or on the gallows.

Gen. Gage. 283. When did the Virginia legislature again assemble? What resolutions were introduced by Patrick Henry? What is said of the speech he delivered in their support? 284. How was Louisiana affected by the treaty of Paris? How was this change liked by the people? What increased their aversion to it? What bold step did they take? What was the fate of the movement and its leaders?

PART III.

REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD,

EXTENDING FROM THE BREAKING OUT OF THE REVOLUTION, A. D. 1775, TO THE ORGANIZATION OF A GOVERNMENT UNDER THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION, 1789.

285. An act of Parliament, passed in February, 1775, declared that a rebellion existed in Massachusetts, and that an additional force should be sent over to Boston. About 3,000 British troops were already there. Boston Neck, which connected the peninsula on which the rebellious town was built with the main land, had been fortified by Gage, and a line of sentinels stationed there cut off the inhabitants from communication with the surrounding country. The patriots, however, had secretly conveyed their cannon, as well as a quantity of powder and cartridges, out of the city, concealing them in loads of manure with which they passed the guard unsuspected. Their principal depot was at Concord, about eighteen miles northwest of Boston. Of this Gage was aware; and he resolved to send a strong detachment thither, to destroy their stores and secure the persons of Hancock and Samuel Adams, whom he supposed to be in that vicinity. Arrangements were made with the greatest secrecy; and on the 18th of April, 1775, an hour before

285. What was declared by act of Parliament, February, 1775? How many British troops were already in Boston? What precautions had been taken by Gage? How had the patriots evaded them? Where was the principal depot of the Americans? What did Gage resolve to do? For what purposes? What took place, April 18, 1775 ?

midnight, 800 men under Lieutenant-colonel Smith set out for Concord.

Notwithstanding the precautions of the British general, the vigilant Warren had penetrated his designs; and hardly had the expedition started when messengers were dispatched by different routes to give the alarm. A lantern was suspended in the steeple of the North Church, which was seen by the people of Charlestown, and they also sent trusty men to alarm the country. Smith had not advanced far before he heard the sound of musketry and the ringing of bells; and, apprehending danger, he sent back for reinforcements, and threw out a detachment in advance to secure the bridges.

Before five the next morning, the British advanced guard, commanded by Major Pitcairn, reached Lexington [see Map, p. 84], ten miles from Boston, on the Concord road. On the green, a body of minute-men, hastily gathered and poorly equipped, were ready to receive them. "Disperse, ye rebels," cried the British leader. The Americans stood their ground Pitcairn discharged his pistol at them, and a volley from his men followed. A few shots were returned; but the Americans gave way, with a loss of 7 men. The main body now came up, and the march was resumed for Concord. They arrived there at seven. The inhabitants had received news of the intended movement about midnight, and had conveyed part of the arms and ammunition to a place of safety. The rest was destroyed. Meantime a large body of minutemen had assembled, and a skirmish took place, which resulted in the loss of several on both sides, and the retreat of the British from a bridge which they had seized.

286. The work of destruction having been completed, the British began to return. This was the signal for the brave yeomanry of the surrounding country. Posting themselves

Who had penetrated the designs of Gage? What means were taken for alarming the Country? Before he had advanced far, what did Smith hear? What did this lead him to do? Who commanded the advanced guard? Before five, April 19, what place did Pitcairn and his men reach? [See Map, p. 84.-Where is Lexington? In what direction from Boston? In what direction is Concord from Lexington? How far?] Whom did the British find drawn up on the green? Give an account of the battle of Lexington. Where did the British then go? What took place at Concord? 286. After destroying the stores, what was the next step of the British? Describe the retreat from

1775]

RETREAT OF THE BRITISH.

205

in houses, and behind sheds, trees, and fences on the roadside, they poured in an unremitting and deadly fire on the retreating army. Even boys and old men hastened to strike a blow for their country. Thus for miles the British marched, their officers falling and their ranks thinning under a con tinuous fire which they were unable to return with effect. Colonel Smith was severely wounded, and his men, sinking under fatigue and discouraged by their losses, were in danger of being entirely cut off, when they were met, eleven miles from Boston, by a timely reinforcement of 1,000 men under Lord Percy. Received by their comrades in a hollow square, they threw themselves on the ground, and were allowed a short rest to fit them for the balance of the march.

The patriots, notwithstanding Lord Percy's field-pieces, continued the pursuit to Charlestown. Here the disastrous retreat terminated, the British having lost 65 killed, 180 wounded, and 28 taken prisoners. On the opposite side, 59 were killed, 39 wounded, and 5 missing. The first battle of the Revolution was fought, and its result was not such as to discourage the colonists.

287. At this early period were commenced those acts of savage cruelty which too often disgraced the British troops in the course of the war. Percy allowed his men to plunder and fire a number of houses on the route. In one of these a woman was lying sick, and her child had taken refuge under the bed. The former was barbarously dragged out of the house, and one of the marauders, seeing the boy's foot protrude, wantonly pinned it to the floor with his bayonet. No groan escaped the little hero; but the merciless soldiers reduced the house to ashes and hurried on to other outrages.

Concord. What saved Smith and his men from destruction? On meeting Percy's reInforcement, what did the weary troops do? How far did the patriots continue the pursuit? What was the loss on both sides? 287. What commenced at this early period! What did Percy allow his men to do? What instance of barbarity is mentioned !

CHAPTER II.

CAPTURE OF TICONDEROGA.-WASHINGTON ELECTED COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.

288. It was felt that the war had begun in earnest, and 20,000 patriots soon assembled in the vicinity of Boston, surrounded the city, and threatened to cut off the British army from provisions. Meanwhile the legislature of Connecticut resolved to strike a blow. A committee was sent to the frontier with $1,000, to fit out an expedition against Ticonderoga. The command was given to Colonel E'-than Allen, already distinguished as a leader of the "Green Mountain Boys". The company so called had been organized three years before, to prevent New York from extending her jurisdiction over the region they occupied, now known as Vermont. Colonel Allen was assisted by Benedict Arnold, afterwards a traitor, but then a brave and esteemed patriot. An army 270 strong was soon collected on the east side of Lake Champlain [see Map, p. 169], opposite Ticonderoga. It was intended to cross in the night, but so few boats were at hand that at daylight on the 10th of May (1775) only the officers and 83 men had landed on the western shore.

Not daring to wait for more, lest he should be discovered and cut off by the garrison, Allen addressed his little band and marched directly to the fort. The surprise was complete. As Allen entered the sally-port at the head of his men, a sentinel snapped his gun at him, and ran to raise the alarm. The Americans followed, and the garrison were roused from sleep only to find themselves prisoners. Colonel Allen made his way to the commander's apartment and ordered him to surrender. "By what authority ?" demanded

288. What immediately followed the battle of Lexington? What was done by the legislature of Connecticut? To whom was the command of the expedition against Ticonderoga given? As what was Ethan Allen already distinguished? For what had the company called "the Green Mountain Boys" been organized? By whom was Allen assisted? How large a force was raised? Where did they rendezvous? What difficulty did they experience in crossing the lake? What was the consequence? What was Allen now obliged to do? Give an account of the surprise of the fort. What was sur