Sidebilder
PDF
ePub

sufficient to manage the affairs of a rising state, and regulate and controul all their essential concerns, for the best interest of the whole; but when peace had removed the pressure of the common danger, and private interest began to claim precedence of the public good, and corrupt intrigue began to trample upon the public virtue, and public rights, then it became necessary to revise this compact, and raise in its place that stupendous monument of wisdom and virtue, the Federal Constitution. This will be noticed in its place.

Congress next resolved, "that the commissioners at the courts of France and Spain, be directed to exert their utmost endeavours to obtain a loan of two millions sterling, on the faith of the United States."

Congress next proceeded to resolve, "that it be recommended to the legislatures of the several states, to appoint persons to seize such clothing as may be necessary for the army, wherever it may be found, within their respective states, and when the value of the same has been duly estimated, that it be applied accordingly."

Lt. Col. Barton, who took Gen. Prescot prisoner at Rhode-Island, as has been noticed, was now recommended to Congress, upon which they resolved, "that he be promoted to the rank and pay of a colonel in the service of the United States, in consideration of his merits, and that he be recommended to Gen. Washington, to be employed in such services as he may deem best adapted to his genius."

Congress next resolved, "that one month's extra pay be given to each officer and soldier under the immediate command of his excellency Gen. Washington, in testimony of their approbation, of their great patience, fidelity, and zeal in the service of their country."

Congress next proceeded to resolve, "that the embarkation of Gen. Burgoyne and his army, agreeable to the convention of Saratoga, be delayed until the same should be

properly ratified by the court of Great Britain, in conse quence of an unguarded expression of the general in one of his letters, in which he declared "the convention to have been broken on the part of the Americans."

Gen. Burgoyne met this resolve by such explanations, together with a proposed renewal of the convention of Saratoga, in such manner, as should be approved by Congress, but without effect.

On the first of December the ship Alamand arrived from Marseilles, with 48 pieces of brass cannon, 4 pounders, with carriages complete; 19 9 inch mortars; 2500 9 inch bombs; 2000 4 pound balls; a quantity of intrenching tools; 3000 fusees; 1110 for dragoons; 18,000 pounds of gun-powder; and 61,051 pounds of brimstone, from the house of de Beaumarchais, in France.

On the 16th of December, Mr. Gerard delivered the prelimenaries of a treaty to the American Commissioners, for the two nations of France and America.

On the 16th of February the treaty was signed, and in 48 hours it was known in London; and produced great excitement in the councils of Great Britain.

On the 21st of March the American commissioners, Messrs. Franklin, Deane, and Lee, were admitted to a public audience at the court of Versailles, and were presented to the king by Mr. Vergennes, the French minister, in character of the ministers plenipotentiary of the United States of America. The French ambassador had left London the 15th, agreeable to order; having first announced the signing of this treaty to the British minister.

On the 13th of April, the London fleet, consisting of 12 ships of the line and four frigates, sailed for America, under the command of the Count De Estain, bearing Mr. Deane and Mr. Gerard; the latter was to act as minister of France to the United States.

The same day Gen. Burgoyne arrived in London; not as a conqueror, but in such disgrace as to be refused admission into the presence of his royal master.

On the 5th of June Admiral Byron was dispatched to America, with a formidable squadron, to take the command on that station, and relieve Sir William Howe.

At this time the illustrious Earl of Chatham, the glory of Old England, was borne away in the arms of death, no longer to witness the tarnished honour of that country, which under God he had raised to the summit of renown, and on the 9th his remains were honourably interred at the public expence, in Westminster Abbey. Well might Old England say in the bitterness of her soul, "That sun is set; O rise some other such, or all is talk of old achievements, and despair of new."

As soon as the court of Versailles had learnt the determination of Admiral Byron, and that the British fleet was ordered to sail, the Count De Orvilliers immediately put to sea with a fleet of 32 ships of the line, and a cloud of frigates, to enforce the ordinance of the king, of the 28th of March, for making reprisals on the ships of Britain.

Great Britain pursued the same measures, and the British fleet put to sea under the command of Admiral Keppel. On the 23d of July both fleets appeared to approach each other for action; but a scene of manoeuvering commenced, in which the skill of the commanders in naval tactics, was displayed for three days, and on the 27th a sharp action commenced, that continued about three hours, in which both fleets suffered severely, and both claimed the victory. Both fleets withdrew and returned into port to repair the damages they had sustained.

This opened the war between England and France.

[blocks in formation]

CHAPTER XIV.

REVOLUTION CONTINUED.--COMMISSIONERS ARRIVE FROM ENGLAND. THE BRITISH ARMY RETREAT FROM PHILADELPHIA TO NEW-YORK.-FRENCH FLEET ARRIVES.-ATTEMPT ON

NEWPORT.

On the 14th of May, 1778, Lieut. Col. Ethan Allen was restored to his country by an exchange, and Congress honoured him with a colonel's commission in the service of the United States, as a testimony of their respect for his firmness and zeal, in the service of his country.

[ocr errors]

At this time an expedition was planned against Rhode. Island, and Gen. Sullivan was detached by Gen. Washington to take the command; but the vigilance of Gen. Pigot defeated the enterprise, by detaching Lieut. Col. Campbell, with about 500 men, to destroy the American gallies, and boats, destined for the service. Lieut. Col. Campbell executed his commission promptly, on the night of the 24th and 25th, and destroyed all the flat-bottomed boats, near the town of Warren, with a quantity of naval stores, &c. together with the meeting-house, and seven dwelling houses, at Warren, and retired to Bristol, where they burnt 22 houses, and the church, (through mistake) and after plundering the inhabitants, and committing the most licentious depredations, they carried off a state galley, and returned to Newport. Shortly after, Gen. Pigot detached another party, to burn and destroy the town of Tiverton ; but the Americans were in force, and defended the bridge leading to the town, and the enemy were compelled to abandon the enterprise, and return, after having destroyed some old mills, &c. near their place of landing.

At this time a French frigate of 50 guns, with a schooner from Rochfort, laden with arms and dry goods, arrived in

James River, Virginia, and were joyfully received by the nation.

During these events, Gen. Howe kept the country in a perpetual state of alarm, by his foraging parties, which were often conducted with great cruelty, and many innocent unresisting inhabitants were butchered in cold blood, while begging for mercy.

On the 7th of May, Gen. Howe detached a battalion of infantry to destroy the American stores and shipping, at Bordentown. This expedition was promptly executed, and on the 8th, they burnt four stores, containing provisions, tobacco, military stores, and camp equipage, and on the 9th, they destroyed one frigate of 32 guns-one of 28nine large ships-three privateers of 16 guns- three of 10-twenty-three brigs, with several sloops, and schooners, &c. and returned to Philadelphia.

At this eventful moment, Sir Henry Clinton arrived at Philadelphia, to succeed Gen. Howe in the command of the British army in America, and on the 18th, the British officers took leave of Sir William Howe, by honouring him with a most magnificent entertainment, which continued 12 hours, accompanied with a most splendid exhibition of fireworks, &c. and his excellency retired to England.

[ocr errors]

General Washington detached the Marquis la Fayette, from his camp at Valley-forge, with about 2500 men, to approach the city of Philadelphia, and add to the amusements of this scene of festivity: the marquis promptly obeyed, crossed the Schuylkill, and took post on Bacon-Hill, twelve miles in advance of the American army, where he posted his detachment for the night, to watch the motions of the enemy, and take advantage of such favourable circumstances as might present themselves. The British soon learnt the situation of the marquis, and on the night of the 19th, Sir Henry Clinton detached Gen. Grant with about 7000 men, with field pieces, to surprise the marquis, and cut off

« ForrigeFortsett »