great man, congress came to the resolution, "That they would maintain and assist him and adhere to him, with their lives and fortunes in the cause of American liberty." His instructions were general, entreating him "to make it his special care, in discharge of the great trust reposed in him, that the liberties of America received no detriment." Immediately afterwards, generals Ward, Lee, Schuyler, Putnam, and Gates, were appointed in subordination to him, and eight brigadiers, viz. Pomeroy, Montgomery, Wooster, Heath, Spencer, Thomas, Sullivan, and Green. Twelve companies of riflemen were raised in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia; and bills of credit were given for two millions of dollars, for the redemption of whichthe colonies were pledged.

In his way to the camp at Cambridge, general Washington was received with the greatest honours; and from this time the affairs of the American army began to assume the appearance of a regular and general opposition to the forces of Great Britain. In the autumn, a body of troops under general Montgomery besieged and took the garrison of St. John's, which commands the entrance into Canada. The prisoners amounted to seven hundred. He pursued his success, and took Montreal, and designed to push his victories to Quebec.

"As to pay, sir, I beg leave to assure the congress, that as no pecuniary consideration could have tempted me to accept this arduous employment, at the expense of my domestic ease and happiness, I do not wish to make any profit from it. I will keep an exact account of my expenses. Those, I doubt not, they will discharge, and that is all I desire."

A body

A body of troops commanded by general Arnold was ordered to march to Canada: after suf fering, in their passage through the wilderness, every hardship, as well as the most distressing hunger, they arrived, and were joined by Montgomery before Quebec. This city, which was commanded by governor Carleton, was besieged: but there being little hope of taking the town by siege, they resolved to storm it. In this attack they proved unsuccessful; and what was considered as a severe misfortune, general Montgomery was killed. Few men have ever fallen in battle, so generally regretted by both sides as this excellent man. In America he was celebrated as a martyr to the cause of freedom :-in Great Britain, as a misguided good man, sacrificed to what he supposed to be the rights of mankind. His name was mentioned by parliament with singular respect: some of the most powerful speakers in that assembly displayed their eloquence in sounding his praise and lamenting his fate. Even the minister acknowledged his worth, while he reprobated the cause for which he fell.

After this defeat general Arnold, who now commanded the troops, continued some months before Quebec and although his troops suffered incredibly by cold and sickness, they intercepted the provisions that were intended for the town and garrison. About the same time, the large and flourishing town of Norfolk in Virginia was wantonly burnt by order of lord Dunmore, the then royal governor of that province. Falmouth, a considerable town in Massachussetts, shared the fate of Norfolk; being laid in ashes by the British admiral.

The royal government still existed in name and

form; but the real power which the people obeyed and firmly supported, was exercised by a provin-` cial congress, a council of safety, and subordinate committees. To conciliate the friendship of the Indians, the popular leaders sent a small supply of powder into the country. They who were opposed to congress, embodied, and robbed the waggons which were employed in its transportation. The inhabitants took arms, some to support the government, but others to defend the American measures. The former acted feebly, and were easily overpowered. They were dispirited by the superior numbers that opposed them; they every where gave way, and were obliged to fly, or feign submission. Solicitations had been made about this time for the king's forces to awe the southern provinces, but without effect, till the proper season was over. One scheme for this purpose was frustrated by a singular device. Private intelligence had been received of an express being sent from sir James Wright, governor of Georgia, to general Gage, to urge immediate assistance in the south. The express was waylaid, and the letters seized. One to Gage was kept back, and another forwarded in its room. The seal and hand-writing were so exactly imitated, that the deception was not suspected. The forged letter was acted upon. This led to a conclusion that every thing was quiet, and that there was no need of troops to the southward. While these states were left to themselves, they had time to prepare for extremities, and in the mean while the friends of the sovereign were severally crushed. A series of disasters followed the royal cause in the year 1775. General Gage's ariny was cooped up in Boston, and rendered useless. The people of America generally took the

side of congress; and so did the great mass of the wealth, learning, and influence, in all the southern colonies, and in most of the northern. Some aged persons were exceptions to the contrary. A few who basked in the sun shine of court favour were restrained by honour, principle, and interest, from forsaking the fountain of their enjoyments. Some feared the power of Britain, others doubted the perseverance of America; but a great majority resolved to hazard every thing in defence of their rights. In the beginning of the year, the colonists were farmers, merchants, and mechanics, but in its close they had assumed the profession of soldiers. So sudden a transformation cf so numerous and so dispersed a people is without a parallel.

This year is also remarkable for the termination of the royal government, which was effected without any violence to its executive officers. The new system was introduced through necessity, and the imperceptible agency of a common danger operating uniformly on the mind of the public. The governors, for the most part, voluntarily abdicated their charge, and retired on board ships of war; and their withdrawing from the exercise of their official duties, furnished an apology, and induced a necessity for organizing a system of government independent of royal authority.

CHAP.

CHAP. X.

Proceedings of Parliament. Boston evacuated by the British. American Independence declared. Lord Howe arrives. Americans defeated. Refuse Howe's Offers. Washington's Attacks. Trenton. Burgoyne captured. France joins the Americans. Terms offered to America. Rejected. Conduct of the Indians. Distresses of the Americans. Arnold's Treachery. Major Andre's Death. General Green's Conduct. Captures Lord Cornwallis's Army. Peace. Washington's Resignation. and Departure.

A.D.

1776.

THE obstinate resistance which the British unexpectedly met with in America, led the king and parliament to think of more vigorous measures, in hopes thereby of bringing the contest to a speedy issue. For this purpose seventeen thousand Germans were subsidized, in order to be sent to assist in subduing the colonies. An act of parliament was also passed, prohibiting all intercourse with America; and while the Boston port-bill wss repealed, all American property taken on the high seas was declared to be forfeited to the captors. These acts induced congress to change the mode of carrying on the war, and measures were taken to annoy the ariny in Boston, which was then under general Howe, Gage having set out for England the preceding September. Batteries were opened, and a regular siege commenced; which induced general Howe to abandon the town

but