and of New Jersey, earnestly calling upon them to fill up their battalions, and to furnish their quotas of provision.

The near prospect of terminating the war animated these States to unusual exertions. The number of men indeed fell short of the requisition of Congress; but effectual measures were adopted to supply the army with provisions. Under the system of state requisition, meat, spirit and salt were drawn from New England. A convention of delegates from these states met at Providence and adopted a system of monthly supplies, through the campaign. As soon as this plan could be carried into operation, the supplies of those articles were regular and competent.

Requisitions of flour were made from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. New York and New Jersey, having been much exhausted by the depredations of the enemy, and by the necessary impressments of the American army, the chief dependence for this essential article was placed on Pennsylvania. The Legislature of the state was not vigorous in its measures, and a scarcity of flour was apprehended.

At this period, Mr. Robert Morris of Philadelphia, a member of Congress from that state, a merchant of much intelligence and enterprise, was entrusted with the management of the finances of the United States. To him the Legislature of Pennsylvania transferred the taxes appropriated to furnish the requisitions of Congress upon that state; and he in consequence contracted to supply the national requisition. By his personal agency

and credit, he established temporary funds, amply supplied the army with flour, and furnished the quarter master general with the means effectually to execute the duties of his department. Through the campaign the movements of the army were made with facility and expedition.

In June, the French troops marched from Newport to the head quarters of the American army. As they approached the North river, General Washington laid a plan to surprise the British works at King's bridge. On the night of the 2d of July, the plan was to be carried into execution. At this time it was expected Count Rochambeau would reach the scene of action, to assist in maintaining the ground, which the American troops might gain. To secure his co-operation, the Commander in Chief sent an Aid to the count requesting him to direct his route to King's bridge, and to regulate his march in such a manner as to be at that place by the specified time.

To mask the design, and to give a reason for the movement of the American army, which might not excite the suspicion of the British commander, General Washington, in orders on the 30th June mentioned that a junction with the French troops might soon be expected. He, in subsequent orders, gave information" that the French army would not come to that ground, and as the General was desirous of shewing all the respect in his power to those generous allies, who were hastening with the zeal of friends, and the ardour of soldiers, to share the fatigues and dangers of the campaign, he proposed to receive

them at some other, more convenient place; and for this purpose would march the whole line of the American army at three in the morning."

General Lincoln was appointed to command the detachment, which was to assail the works at King's bridge, and on the night of the first of July, he embarked in boats at Teller's Point, and with muffled oars passed down the North river, undiscovered, to Dobb's ferry. At this place

his boats and his men were concealed. He reconnoitred the works to be attacked, and found, that a British detachment which had been some time in New Jersey, had returned, and was encamped in force on the north end of York Island, and that an armed ship was in such a manner stationed in the river, as to render it impossible for the American boats, without discovery, to approach the landing place. The attempt upon the enemy was of course relinquished.

General Washington extended his orders to an enterprise, to be carried into effect, should the attempt on King's bridge fail. This was to bear off a corps of emigrants which, under the command of Colonel Delancy, was posted above the British, The execution of this plan was left principally with the French, and General Lincoln was directed to take a position that would prevent the retreat of Delancy, and protect the flanks of the French from the British reinforcements from the Island. But the French troops did not in season reach the scene of action, and this scheme also failed. At day light a sharp skirmish took place between General Lincoln and a party of British

light troops. These retreated to York Island as General Washington approached, who had moved the army to support his detachments, and to follow up any advantage they might gain. On the sixth of July, Count Rochambeau joined the American army at Dobb's ferry.

Early in August Count de Barrass, who had succeeded to the command of the French fleet at Rhode Island, informed General Washington, that the Count de Grasse was to have sailed from the West Indies the third of that month for the Chesapeak, with twenty-five ships of the line, and three thousand land troops.

It became necessary to determine absolutely on the plan of operation. The battalions in the army, under the immediate command of General Washington were not full, it was known that the garrison at New York had received a very considerable reinforcement; and the French marine officers appeared not ardent in the plan to attack the harbour of this city.

For these considerations General Washington determined to relinquish the attempt on New York, and to march to Virginia to lay siege to the post of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown. Having resolved on this plan, he in a private manner adopted measures for its execution.

The defence of West Point and of the other posts on the Hudson was committed to General Heath, and a large portion of the troops raised in the Northern States was for this service left under his command. General Washington resolved in person to conduct the Virginia expedition. The

troops under Count Rochambeau, and strong detachments from the American army, amounting to more than two thousand men, and consisting of the light infantry, Lamb's artillery and several other corps were destined for this expedition. By the 25th of August the whole body, American and French, had crossed the North river.

An intercepted letter of General Washington's, in which he communicated, as the result of a consultation with the French commanders, the design to attack New York, had excited the apprehensions of the British General for the safety of that city. This apprehension was kept alive, and the real object of the Americans concealed, by preparations for an encampment in New Jersey opposite to Staten Island, by the route of the American army, and other appearances indicating an intention to besiege New York; and the troops had passed the Delaware out of reach of annoyance, before Sir Henry suspected the destination.

General Washington pressed forward with the utmost expedition, and at Chester he received [SEPT. 3.] the important intelligence, that Count de Grasse had arrived with his fleet in the Chesapeak; and that the Marquis St. Simon had with a body of three thousand land forces, joined the Marquis La Fayette. Having directed the route of his army from the head of Elk, he, accompanied by Rochambeau, Chatelleux, Du Portail and Knox, proceeded to Virginia. They reached Williamsburg the 14th of September, and immediately repaired on board the Ville de Paris, to settle with Coont de Grasse the plan of operation.

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