And thus we are brought to the decisive it as "a piece of metaphysical refinement, hour when a new empire sprung into being, framed with a design to impose; while the to impress, by its example, new thoughts, arguments in support of it were nothing new desires upon the astonished world; which, since this grand confederacy took rank among its nations, has known no rest from the awakened impulses of mankind for independence. The example of the thirteen United States of America infused vitality into the aspirations for liberty, which, for nearly two centuries, had been silent; and, it would seem, that such rest will return no more to the great brotherhood of nations, until, in some form or other, and by some path-it may be one traced in blood and flame-the great lessons of freedom which American liberty inculcates, have been lis tened to, and embodied in action, by every nation of the globe.

more than a string of sophisms, no less wretched in their texture than insolent in their tenor." He proceeded to say, “he was no great metaphysician; but knew enough of the sciences to be able to detect the manifest falsehoods clothed in the semblance of truth; particularly when the garment was so thin, or the disguise so gross and ill-suited, that further confidence in the minister would be madness: and remaining in error on American affairs, would be only the effect of the most senseless stupidity."

On the subject of a serious war with the American states, feelings and opinions were greatly divided in England. The great The decisive act by which such important body of the people were, at this time, results have been produced, at once put an through ignorance of the real merits of the end to expectations or even wishes for con- question, ranged on the side of the ministry, ciliation. The sword was now unsheathed in and vehemently clamoured for the reduction earnest the scabbard thrown away. Upon of the refractory colonies by force; while the opening of the parliamentary session of the king himself, with his characteristic Great Britain, on the 31st of October, the obstinacy, resolved to allow no further language of the royal speech was significant attempt at conciliation. On the other hand, of an uncompromising policy, which, by a strong party in parliament, which rallied force alone, should subdue the revolted colonies, and restore the authority of the king; who, after expressing the satisfaction he would have had in their announcing the end of troubles that had so long distracted his colonies, said-" So daring and desperate is the spirit of their leaders, whose object has always been dominion and power, that they have now openly renounced all allegiance to the crown, and all political connexion with this country: they have rejected, with circumstances of indignity and insult, the means of conciliation held out to them under the authority of our commission, and have presumed to set up their rebellious confederacies for independent states. If their treason be suffered to take root, much mischief must grow from it, to the safety of my royal colonies-to the commerce of my kingdoms, and, indeed, to the present system of all Europe. One great advantage, however, will be derived from the object of the The position of the North American colorebels being openly avowed, and clearly un-nies of Great Britain was now clearly defined. derstood-we shall have unanimity at home, founded in the general conviction of the justice and necessity of our measures. We must prepare for another campaign."

The royal speech was severely commented upon by several peers, and most strongly by the Earl of Shelburne, who characterised

under the whig leaders (giants, in those days), partly from prudence and a regard for justice, and partly, perhaps, from mere opposition to their rivals in the cabinet, were in favour of conciliatory measures. The dissenters, now a formidable body, both for numbers and intelligence, were almost unanimous on the side of the colonists, to whose cause they were inclined, as well by veneration for the honoured names of liberty and independence, as by maxims of sound policy and comprehensive wisdom. They foresaw, with some of the wisest and most eloquent of British statesmen, the inevitable result of the struggle then existing; and some of their ablest writers employed their pens in advocating the cause of freedom, and the right of every people, when oppressed by distant rulers, to establish such a government as should be best suited to their position, circumstances, and social requirements.

The bonds which had united them to the parent state, were resolutely and irreparably severed; and their people had now before them the arduous task of asserting and establishing, in the face of the world, that independence, of which the foundations were laid by the oppression and obstinacy of their

BOOK II.

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, AND THE CONFEDERATION OF 1781.

CHAPTER I.

PROGRESS OF THE WAR, TO THE CLOSE OF 1779.

*

GENERAL WASHINGTON, after compelling | Waldeckers. The royal commissioners, before the British to abandon Boston, had made they commenced military operations, atevery possible preparation for the defence of tempted to effect a reunion between the New York, where he had fixed his head- colonies and Great Britain. Lord Howe quarters. To second his exertions, the con- announced his pacific powers to the principal gress instituted a flying camp, to consist of magistrates of the several colonies. He an intermediate corps between regular sol- promised pardon to all who, in the late diers and militia; and called for 10,000 times, had deviated from their allegiance, on men from the states of Pennsylvania, Mary- condition of their speedily returning to their land, and Delaware, to be in constant service duty; and, in case of their compliance, to the first day of the ensuing December; and encouraged the expectation of the future for 13,800 of the common militia from favour of their sovereign. In this declaraMassachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and tion, he observed, "that the commissioners New Jersey. The command of the naval were authorised, in his majesty's name, to force destined to operate against New York declare any province, colony, county, district, was given to Admiral Howe; while his or town, to be at peace with his majesty ; brother, Sir William, was entrusted with that due consideration should be had to the the command of the army: and, in addition meritorious services of any who should aid to their military powers, the brothers were or assist in restoring the public tranquillity; appointed commissioners for restoring peace that their dutiful representations should be to the colonies. General Howe, after wait- received, pardons granted, and suitable ening two months at Halifax for expected rein- couragement to such as would promote the forcements from England, sailed with the measures of legal government and peace, in force which he had previously commanded pursuance of his majesty's most gracious in Boston; and, directing his course towards purposes.' New York, arrived, on the 25th of June, off The circular letters which embodied these Sandy Hook. Admiral Lord Howe, with pacific and conciliatory assurances, were part of the reinforcement from England, sent by a flag to Amboy in New Jersey, arrived at Halifax soon after his brother's with directions to the existing authorities departure, and, without dropping anchor, to give all possible circulation to them for followed, and joined him on the 12th of the information of the people. As it hapJuly, at Staten Island. General Clinton pened, they fell into hands by whom they arrived there about the same time, with the were speedily conveyed to General Washtroops brought back from the expedition ington, who forwarded them to congress to Charleston, in South Carolina; Commo- its information. That body at once took dore Hotham also appeared there with the effectual means for the publicity of the terms reinforcement under his escort; and, in a offered by the royal commissioners, that the short time, the British army amounted to people might judge for themselves of the about 24,000 men, English, Hessians, and views entertained by the British govern* General Washington, writing to General Lee, Boston. Artillery carts, cut to pieces, in one from New York, in May, 1776, says "General place-gun-carriages in another; shells broke here Howe's retreat from Boston was precipitate beyond-shot buried there; and everything carrying with anything I could have conceived. The destruction it the face of disorder and confusion, as also of of stores at Dunbar's camp, after Braddock's de- distress: and their misfortunes did not end here," feat, was but a faint image of what was seen at Archives (Fifth Series), vol. i., p. 98.

for

ment with respect to their eventual submission; and generally the proposals were regarded by the Americans as only an attempt to sow dissension among them, and were never for a moment seriously regarded by any of the patriotic party.

with the American commander, addressed him as "Your excellency," and said the "General Howe much regretted the diž culties which had arisen respecting the ad dress of the letter to General Washington: that it was deemed consistent with pro The day previous to the transmission of priety, and founded upon precedents of the the circulars to Amboy, Lord Howe dis-like nature, by ambassadors and plenipote patched a letter to the commander-in-chief tiaries, where disputes or difficulties of rack of the continental army, with the super- had arisen: that Lord Howe and Genera scription of "George Washington, Esq." Howe did not mean to derogate from the The flag was detained in the harbour until respect or rank of General Washington: the general's order was obtained as to its and that they held his person and character reception. The latter at once declined to in the highest esteem.' The colonel ther receive any communication from the British presented a letter, with the superscription d commanders that was not addressed to him"George Washington, Esq., &c., &c., &c., in conformity with his public character; suggesting that the &c.'s might imply every and Colonel Reed, the adjutant-general, was thing that could be desired. The letter wa sent down to meet the flag, with instructions of course peremptorily declined; Washing to that effect. The English officer tendered ton observing, that a letter directed to a the letter from Lord Howe, which Reed, of course, refused to take charge of. Much regret was expressed in consequence; and an attempt was made to obviate the objection, by describing it as rather of a civil than military nature; and finally it was asked in what manner Mr. Washington chose to be addressed. Colonel Reed answered, that the position of the commander-in-chief was a public fact, universally known; and that no doubt could possibly exist on that point. The interview then terminated, and the

letter was carried back to Lord Howe.

In reporting this transaction to congress, General Washington said-"I would not, upon any occasion, sacrifice essentials to punctilio; but in this instance, the opinion of others concurring with my own, I deemed it a duty to my country and my appointment, to insist upon that respect which, in any other than a public view, I would willingly have waived." The conduct of the general was approved by congress, and a resolution passed, that, in future, no correspondence should be received from the enemy by officers in the American army, which should not be addressed to them in the proper designation of their rank.

It was found necessary by General Howe to make another attempt to correspond with Washington; and a few days after the rejection of the first letter, a second was forwarded, but with the same superscription; this was of course rejected without any parley. Colonel Paterson, adjutant-general of the British army, was then sent with a flag, and on being admitted to an interview

person in a public character should have some description or indication of it, other wise it must appear as a mere private letter; and that he should absolutely decline ary letter directed to him as a private person, when it related to his public station. It is hardly necessary to state, that this firmness upon a point of etiquette led to the desired result. General Howe, finding it impossi to overcome the reasonable objections the American commander-in-chief, yielded the point; and in notifying the fact to the ministry, he said "I was induced to change the style of my superscription for the attai ment of an object very desirable; and in this view, I flatter myself it will not be disapproved." From that time all communications addressed by the British com mander to General Washington, bore proper titles.

The British forces had waited so long to receive accessions from Halifax, the Carolinas, the West Indies, and Europe, tha the month of August was far advanced before they commenced the campaign. T first and second divisions of German troops under General Heister, amounting to about 9,000 men, arrived at New York on the 12th of August; and, about the same time, a hundred of the English guards joined the army of General Howe. The commanders having resolved to make their first attempt on Long Island, landed their troops, estimated at about 24,000 men, at Gravesend Bay, the right of the Narrows. The Americans, to the number of 15,000, under Major-gener Sullivan, were posted on a peninsula betwee *Negotiation for the exchange of prisoners

Mill Creek, a little above Red Hook, and an opportunity to gain the rear of the Amerielbow of East River, called Whaaleboght can troops stationed on the heights. GenBay. Here they had erected strong fortifications, which were separated from New York by East River, at the distance of a mile. A line of intrenchments from the Mill Creek enclosed a large space of ground, on which stood the American camp, near the village of Brooklyn. This line was secured by abatis, and flanked by strong redoubts. The armies were separated by a range of hills covered with a thick wood, which intersects the country from west to east, terminating on the east near Jamaica. Through these hills there were three roads: one near the Narrows; a second by the Flatbush-road; and a third by the Bedford-road. These were the only passes from the south side of the hills to the American lines, excepting a road which led to Jamaica round the eastern end of the hills; and General Putnam, agreeably to the instructions of General Washington, had detached a considerable part of his men to occupy them.

eral Putnam, in the apprehension that the serious attack would be made by De Heister and Grant, sent detachments to reinforce General Sullivan and Lord Stirling at the defiles, through which those divisions of the enemy were approaching. When General Clinton had passed the left flank of the Americans, about eight o'clock in the morning of the 27th, De Heister and Grant rapidly ascended the hill; the troops opposed to them bravely maintaining their ground, until they learned their perilous situation from the British columns which were gaining their rear. As soon as the American left had discovered the intentions of General Clinton, they attempted to return to the camp at Brooklyn; but their flight was stopped by the front of the British column. In the meantime, the Hessians pushed forward from Flatbush; and the troops in the American centre, under the command of General Sullivan, having By the 26th, the main body of the British also discovered that their flank was turned, troops, with a large detachment of Hessians, and that the enemy was moving on had landed, under cover of the ships, on the their rear, in haste retreated towards Brooksouth-western extremity of Long Island; lyn. Clinton's columns continuing to adand, advancing in three divisions, took post vance, intercepted them; they were attacked upon the south skirt of the wood-General in front and rear, and alternately driven by Grant upon the left, near the coast; the the British on the Hessians, and by the Hessians, led by De Heister, in the centre, Hessians on the British. Desperate as their at Flatbush; and General Clinton upon situation was, some regiments broke through the right at Flatland. Only the range of the enemy's columns, and regained the fortihills now separated the two armies; and the fied camp; but most of the detachments different posts of the British were distant upon the American left and centre were from the American camp from four to six either killed or taken prisoners. The demiles.-The position of the American army tachment on the American right, under Lord having been carefully reconnoitred, Sir Stirling, maintained a severe conflict with William Howe was induced, by the intelli- General Grant for six hours, until the van gence brought to him, to attempt to turn of General Clinton's division, having crossed its left flank; and, with this intent, a strong the whole island, menaced their rear. advanced corps, led by General Clinton, and Stirling then perceived his danger, and found supported by a brigade under Lord Percy, that his troops could be saved only by an and several pieces of artillery, was directed immediate retreat over a creek near the to take possession of a defile on the Jamaica- cove. He gave orders for this purpose; and, road. During the advance a patrol was sur- to facilitate their execution, he in person prised, without giving any alarm, and the attacked Lord Cornwallis, who, by this time pass was secured. At daybreak Clinton having gained the coast, had posted a small crossed the heights, and descended into the corps in a house, just above the place where plain on the side of Brooklyn. Early in the the American troops must pass the creek. morning, Generals de Heister, at Flatbush, The attack was bravely made with 400 men; and Grant, upon the west coast, opened a but Cornwallis being reinforced from his cannonade upon the American troops, and own column, and General Grant attacking began to ascend the hill; but they moved Lord Stirling in the rear, this brave band very slowly, as their object was to draw was overpowered by numbers; and those the attention of the American commander who survived were compelled to surrender from his left, and give General Clinton themselves prisoners of war: but this spirited

Lord