his command. These unwonted ceremonies sufficiently attest the deep sense which was then felt, both in Congress and by the nation, of the supreme importance of closing, on the eve of the decisive crisis of the great contest, the articles of plighted faith by which the States were held together in a common and vital struggle.

CHAPTER IX.

Plan of Military Operations discussed in Congress - Critical Situation of the Southern States - Colonel Benjamin Harrison sent by Virginia to represent to Congress the Necessity of more liberal Arrangements for the Defence of the South-Mr. Madison gives his zealous Aid to the Mission of Colonel Harrison-Measures adopted by Congress on the Occasion - Virginia becomes the principal Theatre of the War, by the Invasion of Cornwallis - Reduced to great Exhaustion by her Exertions in Aid of the Southern States -Long-continued Inattention of Congress, and apparent Indifference of Northern States, give Rise to strong Feelings of Dissatisfaction Energetic Remonstrance prepared for Adoption of the Legislature Withdrawn on Intelligence of the Result of Colonel Harrison's Mission - General Lafayette sent to Virginia - Legislature dispersed by Tarlton - Proposition for a Dictator-General Nelson elected Governor- Able and skilful Conduct of Lafayette

Washington and Rochambeau march with the Allied Army to the Aid of Virginia-Letter of Mr. Madison describing their Passage through Philadelphia - Count De Grasse, with the French Fleet, arrives in the Chesapeake -Siege of York-Surrender of Cornwallis.

As the period approached for the opening of another campaign, the attention of the States, as well as of Congress, was anxiously turned to the plan of military operations to be adopted. The

Southern States had now become the principal theatre of the war, and naturally expected, therefore, that arrangements of suitable efficiency would be made for their protection and defence. The commander-in-chief, while his presence and that of the main body of the army were still required at the North by considerations of general and overruling importance, was keenly alive to the necessity of vigorous and enlarged provisions for the safety of the South. In a confidential letter to his friend and military companion, Colonel John Laurens, even as early as the spring of the last year, when the fate of Charleston was trembling in the balance, he intimated how agreeable it would be to him to go in person to the South, if the exigencies of the common service should, in the view of Congress, permit it, though obvious scruples forbade such a suggestion emanating from himself.1

In Congress, on the 5th of August, 1780, at the instance of the delegates of South Carolina and Georgia, a resolution was adopted, but in very guarded terms, communicating to the commander-in-chief, as the sense of that body, that a portion of the land and naval forces, both of our ally and of the United States, should be employed, when it shall appear to him most convenient, for the expulsion of the enemy from those two States; . "so, however, as not to interfere with any plan of operation already

1 See Sparks's Washington, vol. VII. p. 23, 24.

DANGERS OF SOUTHERN STATES.

269

formed, as the more immediate object of the campaign." This restriction evidently referred to the combined movement then contemplated against the British army occupying the city and environs of New York, and rendered inoperative the rest of the resolution.

Virginia was the pivot State on which the preparations for the defence of the South mainly turned. As such, on the 24th of May, 1780, she addressed an earnest representation to Congress, calling their attention to the systematic and concentrated efforts then made by the enemy for the conquest of the Southern States, the inadequacy of the local means of defence, and the necessity of speedy and powerful reinforcements of continental troops, as well as of additional supplies of arms and munitions. The tempest of war, driven on by a victorious general who had overrun both of the Carolinas, soon approached her own borders; and, on the 2d of December, 1780, the Assembly adopted the following resolution :

"Resolved, That the General Assembly will appoint some proper person to lay before Congress a clear state of the war in this quarter, the resources of this State in men, money, provisions, clothing, and other necessaries, and to solicit the necessary aids either from our sister States or European allies, and to concert with Congress, the minister of France, and General Washington,

1 See Journal of House of Delegates, May session, 1780, p. 20.

the proceedings necessary in the present conjuncture of affairs in the South."1

The matters embraced by this resolution were most proper subjects of representation to the central authority charged with the common defence; but the unusual expedient of appointing a special envoy, for the purpose of making the representation, does not appear to have been conceived with a very scrupulous delicacy and regard to the delegates of the State in Congress, by whom the duty would doubtless have been discharged with equal fidelity and effect. The proposition originated with Mr. Henry. On the choice of the envoy, there was an equal vote between Mr. Benjamin Harrison, Speaker of the House of Delegates, and Mr. Richard Henry Lee. The latter withdrawing his name, Mr. Harrison was declared elected.

Letters of Mr. Madison to his colleague Mr. Jones, and to his friend Judge Pendleton, written at the time, show that he was not insensible to the apparent slight implied, if not intended, by this proceeding. No personal susceptibility, however, was permitted to derogate from the conscientious zeal and manly dignity with which he discharged his representative trust. The secret journals of Congress show that, on the 1st of January, 1781, he brought to the notice of 1 See Journal of House of Del- Joseph Jones to Mr. Madison, dategates, October session, 1780, p. ed the 2d of January, 1781. 35.

3 See Madison Debates and Cor

2 See manuscript letter of Mr. respondence, vol. 1. pp. 72 and 81.