the colonies, and the inhabitants put out of the protection of the British government, afforded a favorable opportunity to take the decifive ftep of fevering the bands of connection between the parent ftate and the colonies. The motion for this purpose was made in congrefs by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia, and after full difcuffion, the question was carried by a great majority. On the memorable 4th of July 1776, the congrefs, after enumerating the caufes which impelled the colonies to the measure, made and publifhed a manifefto, or folemn declaration, by which they afferted that "Thefe United Colonies are and of right ought to be FREE and INDEPENDENT STATES." appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of their intentions and pledging to each other, for the fupport of independence, their lives, their fortunes and their facred honor.

57. Attack on Sullivan's Iland. Early in 1776, a fquadron of British fhips, under Admiral Parker, with a body of land forces on board, appeared before Charles ton, in South Carolina, with a view to take poffeffion and make an impreffion on the southern states. An attempt had been made in winter, by a party of Britifh troops and royalifts, to penetrate into North Carolina, but it was repelled with bravery by the militia. In June the Britifh fhips were brought to bear upon Sullivan's island, which commands the paffage to Charleston, and the attack commenced. But the fire was returned with great effect from the fort, which was commanded by colonel Moultrie. The ships were fhattered and obliged to abandon the attack, with a heavy lofs of men. The fquad ron foon departed for New York.

58. Retreat from Canada. After the defeat at Quebec, the Americans continued the fiege,through the winter; but the small pox broke out among them, and weakened their exertions. Early in fpring, general Carleton received large reinforcements, and the Americans were obliged to retreat. General Thompson attacked a body of troops at the Three Rivers, but was defeated and taken prifoner. After which, the troops demolished the forts at Chambles

and St Johns, and proceeded to Crownpoint. The British forces in Canada amounted to thirteen thousand men, but not having boats or fhipping, they were unable to cross the lake, and their operations were fufpended. till autumn. During the fummer, the Americans were reinforced, to the, number of fourteen thousand men, who were employed in ftrengthening the works at Ticondero-. ga, and raifing fortifications on a hill on the oppofit fide of the Lake, which they called Mount Independence. But in autumn, one half the army, was difabled by a violenɛ. ague and fever, and a malignant dyfentery. In October, the armed vessels of the parties came to action, and the Americans were defeated, but it being late, the British troops retired into Canada for the winter.

59. Operations at New York. As foon as Boston was evacuated, general Lee had been fent to New-York to repel the British forces, which general Washington sup.. pofed, would be directed to occupy that important and central pofition. The main army followed, and took up their quarters on York lfland. In June the British. fleet arrived at the Hook, a point of land at the entrance of the bay or harbor, having on board thirty-five thou fand troops, a body of cavalry, and military apparatus of every kind.. General Washington could oppofe to this. force not more than feventeen thousand men, most of them without experience or difciplin, and weakened by a. malignant dyfentery. In this fituation, a line of for.. tifications was erected on Long-Island, and fuch other preparations made to refift the enemy, as exigences would: permit. Before the commencement of hoftilities, lord: Howe, the British admiral, sent a letter to general Wath, ington, to offer terms of accommodation; but the letter being addreffed to George Washington, Efq. the commader with becoming dignity, declined receiving it or any writing, unless directed to him in his true character.

60. The Adjutant General's Interview and the Action on Long Island. General Howe, the commander of the land forces, notwithstanding the fate of his brother's letter, fent his adjutant general Patterson, with a letter directed, to

George Washington, &c. &c. &c. This indignity was alfo repelled. After fome converfation, in which general Washington obferved, that the propofed conditions of reconciliation amounted to little more than an offer of pardon, and as the Americans had committed no offenfe they wanted no pardon, the adjutant general departed, and both parties prepared for action. On the 22d of Auguft, the British troops landed on the fouth-weft fide of Long-Ifland, near Utrecht, and a party gained the rear of the American forces. On the 27th of the month, the attack commenced; but the Americans being furrounded, and expofed to the fire of the Heffians in front, and of the British regulars in rear, were totally defeated. Some regiments forced their way through the enemy with great lofs; but a large part fell in action or became prisoners. The Americans ftated their lofs at twelve hundred; the British ftated it at three thoufand. General Sullivan and lord Sterling fell into the hands of the enemy, whose lofs was not more than three or four hundred.

61. Retreat from Long-Island. After this fevere defeat, general Washington, with the advice of a council of war, ordered a retreat from Long-Ifland. On the night of the 29th, this was effected with a fuccefs that was deemed a merciful interpofition of heaven. Within a fingle night, an army of nine thousand men, with their artillery, tents and baggage, was tranfported to New-York, over a difficult ferry of a mile in breadth, while the British army was encamped within fix hundred yards, and did not discover the retreat, till too late to annoy the Americans. Soon after this event, captain Nathan Hale of Connecticut, belonging to colonel Knowlton's regiment, was employed as a fpy to gain information of the enemy's fituation and defigns. He had entered and examined their camp, but on his return, was taken, and the evidence of his employment being clear, he was executed. Thus a brave officer, and worthy citizen fell a victim to his ardent patriotism, lamenting that he had but one life to lose for his country.

62. Confequences of the Defeat on Long Island. Lord Howe, under an impreffion that the defeat on Long-Island

would induce congrefs to comply with his terms, difmiffed general Sullivan on his parole, with a meffage to congrefs, requesting a conference with some of their members. Accordingly three gentlemen were appointed, who repaired to Staten Island. But as the committe declined treating, in any other character, than that of the representatives of independent ftates, and lord Howe could not receive them in that capacity, the interview closed with mere compliments. The enemy then paffed up the east river, and landed a party at Turtle Bay, killed colonel Knowlton and difperfed his troops. A larger party proceeded and landed at Frogs Neck; and a confiderable action took place at White Plains. In danger of being. furrounded, general Washington was compelled to abandon York Island, leaving a garrifon in fort Wafhington;. but this was affaulted and taken foon after, with the lofs of more than two thousand prisoners. Fort Lee on the weft fide of the Hudfon was abandoned, and the enemy remained masters of York Ifland, Long Island and Staten Ifland. Soon after general Howe took poffeffion of New-York, the city was fet on fire, by what means is not known, and that part of it weft of Broadway, was reduced to afhes.

63. Retreat of General Washington and his vidory at: Trenton. The American army being greatly reduced by the lofs of men taken prifoners, and by the departure of men whofe inliftments had expired, general Washington was obliged to retreat towards Philadelphia; general Howe, exulting in his fucceffes, purfüed him, notwithstanding the weather was feverely cold. To add to the disasters of the Americans, general Lee was furprized and taken prifoner at Baskenridge. In this gloomy ftate of affairs, many perfons joined the British caufe and took protections. But a small band of heroes checked the tide of British fuccefs. A divifion of Heffians had advanced to Trenton, where they repofed in fecurity. General Wafhington was on the oppofit fide of the Delaware, with about three thousand men, many of whom were without fhoes or convenient clothing; and the river was covered with.

floating ice. But the general knew the importance of ftriking fome fuccefsful blow, to animate the expiring hopes of the country; and on the night of December 25th croffed the river, and fell on the enemy by furprize, and took the whole body confifting of about nine hundred men. A few were killed, among whom was colonel Rahl the

commander.

64. Vidory at Princeton. On the 2d of January 1777, lord Cornwallis appeared near Trenton, with a ftrong body of troops. Skiimifhing took place, and impeded the march of the British army, until the Americans had fecured their artillery and baggage; when they retired to the fouthward of the creek, and repulfed the enemy in their attempt to pass the bridge. As general Washington's force was not fufficient to meet the enemy, and his fituation was critical, he determined, with the advice of a council of war, to attempt a tratagem. He gave orders for the troops to light fires in their camp, (which were intended to deceive the enemy,) and be prepared to march. Accordingly at twelve o'clock at night the troops left the ground, and by a circuitous march, eluded the vigilance of the enemy, and early in the morning appeared at Princeten. A fmart action enfued, but the British troops gave way. fuge in the college, a building with but they were forced to furrender. The enemy loft in killed, wounded and prisoners, about five hundred men. The Americans loft but few men ; but among them was a most valuable officer, general Mercer.

A party took re ftrong ftone walls,

65. Clofe of the Campaign of 1776. The bold and decifive measures of the American general, furprized and confounded his enemies. The British were cantoned for the winter at Brunswick and Amboy, where they were watched by the American army and the active militia of New-Jersey. The troops in the American fervice however were few in number, not more than fifteen hundred, who kept in check, a formidable British army, during the winter. General Washington, whofe powers had before been limited, was invefted, in this critical juncture, with