to hold at least one session every year.

The governor

and members of the senate and house of assembly were to be elected by the freeholders of the State of New York.

The Council of Safety were directed by the Convention to regulate the manner in which the first elections should be held, and were invested with all the powers necessary for the safety and preservation of the state, until a meeting of the Legislature. The time appointed by the Convention for the first meeting of this body was the first of July; but on account of the embarrassment occasioned by the warlike operations in the country, the time for this meeting was postponed by several successive prorogations to the first of September.

SEC. X. A principal object of the British, in the campaign of the present year, was to open a communication between New York and Canada, and separate New England from the neighboring States.

The plan of operations consisted of two parts. Gen. Burgoyne, with the main body of the army from Canada, was to advance by way of Lake Champlain, and effect a junction, at Albany, with the royal army from New York. A detachment of British soldiers, and a large body of Indians under Col. St Leger, with a regiment of New York loyalists under Sir John Johnson, were to ascend the St Lawrence to Lake Ontario, and penetrate toward Albany by the way of the Mohawk river.

SEC. XI. Early in the spring of the present

By whom were the governor and members of the legislature to be elected ?--What directions were given to the Council of Safety? --With what powers were they vested? Why was the meeting of the legislature postponed?

x. What was a principal object of the British in the campaign of 1777?- -What was the plan of operations?

year, several enterprises were undertaken by the royal army in New York for the destruction of American stores.

A detachment of about five hundred landed at Peekskill, March 23d; but on the approach of an American force, fired the principal store houses, and retired. Another detachment, of two thousand, under Gen. Tryon, proceeded, April 26th, to Danbury, in Connecticut, and after destroying eighteen houses, with large stores of provisions, were attacked by the Americans, and retired with considerable loss.

In retaliation for these predatory excursions, an enterprise was soon after undertaken by the Americans against Long Island. Sagg Harbor was, May 23d, completely surprised, and twelve vessels, with forage for the use of the army, were destroyed. About one hundred of the enemy were killed and taken prisoners, without the loss of a single man by the Americans.

SEC. XII. On the 30th of June, Gen. Burgoyne, with an army of above seven thousand men, exclusive of a corps of artillery, and a large body of Indians, advanced to Crown Point, and proceeded to invest Ticonderoga. Gen. St Clair, the American commander, abandoned the fortress on the 6th of July, and after a laborious and distressing march, effected a junction with Gen. Schuyler at Fort Edward.

The rear guard of the American army, under Col. Warner, consisting of above, one thousand men, was overtaken and attacked at Hubbardton by a body of the enemy amounting to eight hundred and fifty, under Gen. Frazer.

XI. What enterprises were undertaken in the spring?

What is said of the one against Peekskill ?- Against Danbu-What was undertaken in retaliation?

ry?

XII. What can you say of the operations at Ticonderoga ?-Of action at Hubbardton?

The Americans made an obstinate resistance, until a reinforcement of the enemy arrived, when they were completely routed, with the loss of about four hundred men killed and taken prisoners.

The forces of Gen. Schuyler at Fort Edward, after the junction of St Clair, did not amount to over four thousand four hundred men. Considering the superior force of the enemy, it was resolved to evacuate this post; and, accordingly, on the approach of Burgoyne, Schuyler retired over the Hudson to Saratoga.

SEC. XIII. Gen. Burgoyne arrived at Fort Edward on the 30th of July. On the 3d of August, St Leger with about eighteen hundred men invested Fort Schuyler,* under the command of Gen. Gransevoort. On the approach of the royal forces, Gen. Herkimer assembled the militia for the relief of the garrison, but fell into an ambuscade, and was defeated with great slaughter.

SEC. XIV. While the British army were encamped at Fort Edward, a detachment, under Col. Baum made an attempt to surprise the American stores collected at Bennington, on the New Hampshire Grants. Gen. Stark collected the militia, and on the 26th of August, an obstinate engagement took place, in which the British were totally defeated. Their com mander was mortally wounded, and about six hundred men were killed and taken prisoners.

Formerly Fort Stanwix, at the head of the Mohawk river.

What is said of Schuyler's forces at Fort Edward?- What was resolved?

XIII. When did Burgoyne arrive at Fort Edward?Give some account of the operations at Fort Schuyler.

xv. What occurred at Bennington ?

St Leger soon after abandoned the siege of Fort Schuyler, and returned to Montreal. Gen. Burgoyne crossed the Hudson on the fourteenth of September, and encamped on the heights and plains of Saratoga. Gen. Gates, who had recently taken the command of the northern army, advanced towards the enemy, and encamped three miles above Stillwater. On the night of the 17th, Burgoyne encamped within four miles of the American army.

SEC. xv. On the 19th of September, Gen. Burgoyne advanced upon the Americans, and a severe but indecisive engagement ensued. The contest was resolutely maintained for four hours, when, on the approach of night, the Americans withdrew from the field. The loss of the Americans was about three hundred ; that of the enemy about six hundred.

A second engagement took place on the 7th of October. The Americans conducted with great bravery, and obtained a decided victory. The battle was obstinately contested till night put an end to the effusion of blood.

The British lost in killed and taken prisoners about four hundred men, amongst whom, were several of their most valuable officers. The loss of the Americans was very inconsiderable.

From the 20th of September to the 7th of October, the two armies continued so near each other, that not a night passed without some skirmishing, and several concerted attacks were made upon the British piquets. The .royal army now began to suffer severely from the want of provisions, and Burgoyne resolved, if possible, to dislodge the *This is merely an estimate of the number. The statements as to the numbers killed in this engagement are much at variance.

What were the proceedings of St Leger?

Of Gen. Gates?

-Of Burgoyne ?

XV. What can you say of the action on the 19th of September?On the 7th of October?

Americans from their posts on the left, and thus open a retreat to the lakes. For this purpose, on the 7th, fifteen hundred men were drawn out, headed by himself, and assisted by generals Phillips, Reidesel, and Frazer. The detachment had scarcely formed, when a furious attack was made on the left, which was sustained by Maj. Ackland, at the head of the British grenadiers, with great firmness. The Americans soon extended their attack along the whole front of the German troops, who were posted on the right of the grenadiers; and marched a body round their flank, to prevent their retreat. On this movement, the British light infantry, with a part of the 24th regiment, instantly formed, to cover the retreat of the troops into the camp. Their left wing, in the mean time, overpowered with numbers, was obliged to retreat, and would inevitably have been cut to pieces, but for the intervention of the same troops which had just been covering the retreat of the right. The whole detachment was now under the necessity of retiring but scarcely had the British troops entered the lines, when the Americans, led by Gen. Arnold, pressing forward under a tremendous fire of grape shot and musketry, assaulted the works throughout their whole extent from right to left. Towards the close of the day, Arnold, with a few men, forced the entrenchments, and actually entered the works; but his horse being killed, and himself badly wounded in the leg, they were forced to retire. On the left of Arnold's detachment, a regiment, under Lieut. Col. Brooks, was still more successful. It turned to the right, and carried, by storm, the works occupied by the German reserve. Lieut. Col. Breyman was killed, and Brooks maintained the ground he had gained. Among the slain of the enemy, was Gen. Frazer, an officer of distinguished merit, whose loss was particularly regretted.

:

The force under Gen. Gates was greatly augmented by the militia and volunteers, who were constantly pouring in from all quarters, and their commander vigilant in cutting off from the enemy every avenue of retreat. Fourteen

Give some further account of the action on the 7th of October.--By whom was the force of Gates augmented?- -In what was he vigilant?