tablished here with his partizan corps of horse, and about 100 regular infantry. On the 19th, they heard of Sumpter's defeat, and it was deemed adviseable by a council of officers to make a further retreat to Salisbury, which was effected under an accumulation of wretchedness and suffering never exceeded. Smallwood commanded the retreat to Salisbury, where he had halted only a few days before he received orders from General Gates to continue his march to Hillsborough, at which place this wretched army arrived on the 6th of September. At this place, being 180 miles distant from Camden, General Gates determined to collect his scattered forces, and wait such reinforcements as should enable him again to face his adversary. Thus was the conqueror of Burgoyne, whose appearance in the south was hailed with universal gratulations, and who fancied that his name alone, would compel Cornwallis to hide his head in terrour, who pressed on, regardless alike of the strength or comforts of his army, in the false expectation of driving the enemy before him without resistance, most cruelly disappointed-his army, elate with the hopes of victory under his guidance, cut to piecesthe friends of liberty, who had every where raised their drooping heads at his approach, sunk in utter despair. Military reputation is even a more delicate commodity than female chastity. It is often acquired without merit, and as often lost without justice a breath gives it, and a whisper takes it away. That the conduct of General Gates previous to the fatal battle of the 16th, was full of blame, will hardly be denied. He trusted too much to himself, and too easily spurned the advice of those who merited his attention; but here the blame stops, his conduct in

the battle was worthy the hero of Saratoga, and his efforts to retrieve his original errours were unceasing; but it was too late, and hard as was his fate in the result, it was perhaps not worse than his unadvised rashness merited. This defeat was the death-blow to the confidence which the people of the south had reposed in General Gates, and measures were immediately taken by those who had not lost all hopes of recovering their conquered country, to represent their wishes to Congress and the commander in Chief for his removal from the command. For the present, however, we must leave the General and his crippled army at Hillsborough, and attend to the affairs of the north.

CHAPTER XIV.

Events of 1780 continued.-Proceedings of Congress-their reply to the communications of the French minister.-Second communication from the Minister.--Congress resolve to issue a new species of paper bills.—They fix the value of loan certificates.— Situation of the American army at Morristown.-Their distresses relieved by the people of Jersey-Severity of the win ter-Lord Stirling makes an unsuccesssful attempt on Staten Island. Mutiny in the American army.-Expedition of the royal army into Jersey-Destruction committed at Connecticut Farms. Murder of Mrs. Caldwell-The enemy move towards Springfield-but retire to Elizabeth Town without an attack.Sir Henry Clinton arrives from Charleston, sends over reinforcements, and the army a second time move upon Springfield, which they destroy.-Brave conduct of the American troops→ The enemy evacuate New-Jersey, and return to Staten IslandArrival of the Count De Rochambeau, and a French fleet at Newport.-Joy of the citizens.-Washington orders the white and black cockade to be united.-Admiral Graves arrives at New-York with reinforcements to the fleet and army.—The enemy project an attack against Rhode Island.-General Wayne is detached to Bergen Neck-Washington's situation at Orange town-his letters to Governour Reed-Treachery of ArnoldCapture, trial and execution of Major Andre, a British spy.Arnold arrives at New-York, and recieves the reward of his treachery. Makes an insolent address to the Americans.-Resolution of Congress in favour of the three New-York militia men.-Proposition of Washington for an exchange of prisoners-Congress resolve to erect a monument to the memory of the Baron de Kalb.-Sir Henry Clinton sends reinforcements to the south.-Congress order a Court Martial on General Gates.-General Greene appointed to the command of the south. -Death of the Chevalier de Ternay.

AFTER what we have seen, the following answer of Congress to the communications of the Chevalier

de la Luzerne, will appear somewhat extraordinary. It was resolved on the 31st of January, "that Congress entertain the most grateful sense of the unremitting attention given to the interests of the United States by their illustrious ally, and consider the communications made to them by his minister, as equally wise and interesting-that the confidence which they repose in his Majesty, in consequence of his so generously interesting himself in the affairs of these United States, and of the wisdom and magnanimity of his councils, determines them to give the most perfect information in their power, of their resources, views, and expectations-that to this end they state as follows: that the United States have expectations on which they can rely with confidence, of bringing into the field next campaign, an army of 25,000 effective men, exclusive of commissioned officers; that this army can be reinforced by militia, so as to be in force sufficient for any enterprise against the posts occupied by the enemy within the United States; that supplies of provision for the army in its greatest number, can certainly be obtained within the United States, and the Congress with the cooperation of the several states, can take effectual measures for procuring them in such manner, as that no operation will be impeded; that provisions also for such of the forces of his most Christian Majesty, as may be employed in conjunction or cooperation with those of the United States, can be procured under the direction of Congress, and such provisions shall be laid up in magazines, agreeably to such instructions as his Majesty's Minister Plenipotentiary shall give, and the magazines shall be put under the direction of the agent of the marine of France; that Congress rely on the

contributions of the states by taxes, and on monies to be raised by internal loans for the pay of the army; that supplies of clothing, tents, arms and warlike stores, must be principally obtained from foreign nations; and the United States must rely principally on the assistance of their ally for them; but every other mean for procuring them is already taken, and will be prosecuted with the greatest diligence; that the United States with the assistance of a competent naval force would willingly, during the next campaign, carry on the most vigorous offensive operations against the enemy, in all the posts occupied by them within the United States-that without such naval force, little more can be attempted by them than straightening the quarters of the enemy, and covering the interiour parts of the country; that their forces must be disposed in such manner as to oppose the enemy with the greatest effect, wherever their most considerable operations may be directed; that at present the southern states seem to be their object, and their design to establish themselves in one or more of them, but their superiority at sea over the United States, enables them to change their object and operations with great facility, while those of the United States are rendered difficult by the great extent of country they have to defend. That Congress are happy to find that his most Christian Majesty gives no credit to the suggestions of the British cabinet, relative to the dispositions of the United States, or any of them, to enter into treaties of accommodation with Great Britain, and wish his Majesty and all the powers of Europe to be assured, that such suggestions are insidious and without foundation.-That it will appear by the constitutions and other publick acts of the se