hundred men were posted opposite the ford of Saratoga; two thousand in the rear, to prevent a retreat to Fort Edward; and fifteen hundred at a ford higher up. Burgoyne, apprehensive of being hemmed in, retired to Saratoga. The Americans, in the mean time, possessed themselves of Fort Edward, and a detachment of five hundred, under Col. Brown, surprised all the outposts of the enemy, from the north end of Lake George to the body of the fortress at Ticonderoga. SEC. XVI. After several ineffectual attempts to retreat, Gen. Burgoyne found himself completely surrounded, without a possibility of escaping. In this extremity, he entered into a convention with Gen. Gates, and, on the 17th of October, the royal army, amounting to above five thousand seven hundred men, were surrendered prisoners of war. Soon after the surrender of Burgoyne, the garrison at Ticonderoga abandoned the fortress, and returned to Canada, The capture of an entire army was justly viewed as an event that must essentially affect the contest between Britain and America; and was received by the people with the highest demonstrations of joy. The intelligence of this event, probably, gave a favorable issue to the negotiations then carried on with the French court, and which resulted, the following year, in obtaining from that government powerful aid, in the prosecution of the war. SEC. XVII. During the operations at Saratoga, Sir Henry Clinton, with three thousand men, What disposition did he make of his troops? Of what fortress did the Americans possess themselves ?— What was affected by the detachment under Col. Brown? XVI. What is said of the condition of Burgoyne?-When did he surrender? How was the capture of Burgoyne's army viewed?- -What influence did this event have on the negotiations with the French? convoyed by several ships of war, proceeded up the Hudson, with the view of effecting a diversion in favor of Burgoyne. On the 6th of October he made an attack upon Forts Montgomery and Clinton. The attack was obstinately resisted during the day; but on the following evening, the works were carried at the point of the bayonet. Most of the garrison escaped. Forts Independence, and Constitution, were the next day evacuated, and Gen. Putnam, who had the command on the Hudson, retreated to Fishkill. Gen. Tryon, the day following, burned Continental Village, where considerable stores were deposited. Gen. Vaughan, with a strong detachment, proceeding up the river, devastated the settlements along its banks, burned the village of Kingston, and then embarked for New York. Misfortune still continued to attend the operations of the southern department of the army. The Americans were defeated at Brandywine, on the 11th of September, and Philadelphia fell into the hands of the British. On the 4th of October, Washington attacked a body of the British troops at Germantown, but was repulsed with a loss of double that of the enemy. SEC. XVIII. On the 9th of September, the first legislature under the new constitution, assembled at Kingston, and proceeded to organize the government. After making some arrangements for the defence of the country, and XVII. What was attempted, during these operations, by Sir Henry Clinton ?- -Give some account of the enterprise. What is said of the operations of the southern department? XVIII. When and at what place was the government organized? What is said of the proceedings of the legislature ? appointing delegates to the General Congress, they adjourned on the 7th of October, having received intelligence of the approach of the enemy. The members present, at the opening of the first session of the senate, at Kingston, were Pierre Van Cortlandt, John Morris Scott, Philip Livingston, Abraham Yates, Jr., William Floyd, William Smith, Alexander Webster, Dirick W. Ten Broeck, Levi Pawling, Jesse Woodhull, Zephaniah Platt, Jonathan Loudon, and Arthur Parks. Pierre Van Cortlandt, Esq. was elected President. The delegates appointed to the General Congress, were Philip Livingston, James Duane, Francis Lewis, William Duer, and Gouveneur Morris. The time appointed for this session to commence was the first of September; but on account of the disturbances occasioned by the military operations in the country, a number sufficient to transact business did not assemble until the ninth. During their deliberations, members were frequently called off to assist the military in defending the country, or attend to removing their families from the scene of action. On what account did they adjourn? Mention some of the members present at the opening of the first session.- Who were appointed delegates to the General Congress?-What prevented the session from opening at the time appointed?For what were the members called off? CHAP. XIII. REVOLUTIONARY WAR, CONTINUED TO ITS TERMINATION. Legislative proceedings. Revival of Controversy relative to the Grants. Treaty of Alliance with France. British Army concentrated at New York. French fleet arrives. Campaign of '79. Operations at Stoney Point and Verplank's. Expedition against the Indians. Campaign of 1780. Depredations of the Royal Army. Arnold's Treachery. Campaign of '81. Capture of Cornwallis. Independence acknowledged. SEC. I. 1778. The legislature was again assembled,* by proclamation of the governor on the 15th of January, and the "articles of confederation and perpetual union between the United States of America," which had been drawn up by Congress the preceding year, presented for their consideration. An act was passed, by which these articles were unanimously approved, and the delegates from the state of New York authorized to ratify the same. They then proceeded to make provision for the better organization of the militia for the defence of the country, and to enact such laws, as the general or local interests of the community were supposed to require. * At Poughkeepsie. 1. When, and in what manner was the legislature assembled ? -Give some account of their proceedings. The termination of hostilities in the northern part of the state was attended by a revival of the controversy relative to the New Hampshire Grants. Delegates from the inhabitants of the Grants having assembled at Westminster in January, 1777, passed a resolution absolving all allegiance to the government of New York, and declaring that district an independent state, to be distinguished by the name of Vermont.. They then enclosed a copy of the declaration to Congress with a petition that it might be received, that the district therein described might be ranked among the free and independent American States, and their delegates be admitted to a seat in Congress. Application was also made, by the New York Committee of safety, to Congress; stating that by the influence of certain designing men, a part of the state had been prevailed on to revolt, and disavow the authority of its legislature, and requesting that body to discountenance these disorderly proceedings. In another communication to Congress, March 1st, they represent, "that they depend upon the justice of that honorable house, to adopt every wise and salutary expedient, to suppress the mischiefs that must ensue that state and to the general confederacy from the unjust and pernicious projects of such of the inhabitants of New York, as merely from selfish and interested motives, have fomented this dangerous insurrection. Congress proceeded to act on these communications in June, and, after several adjournments, passed resolutions, disapproving of the proceedings of the inhabitants of the Grants; and their petition to be received as an independent state, and their delegates admitted to a seat in Congress, was dismissed. The inhabitants of the Grants, however, still persisted in their opposition to the govern What is said of the controversy relative to the Grants? |