1781. the plans of the British ministry. They afterward landed on the 15th and marched to Smithfield; and from thence they proceeded to Portsmouth by land. Here Arnold took poft, and began to fortify by the 20th, as the militia were collecting apace, under baron Steuben, generals Nelson, Weedon and Muhlenburgh: but it was the unhappiness of the state to be deftitute of arms, and (by bad management) of almost every thing else neceffary for defence. Gen. Washington laid a plan for catching Arnold and his detachment, which was serviceable, though unsuccessful in the main point. The general was the more eager in it, having been confirmed by letters found on board captured veffels, in the intelligence he had before received of a British project, to make a lasting establishment in Virginia. Four fhips Jan. of the British fleet, which had been lying for fome time 22. in Gardener's-bay, failed on the 22d as far eastward as Narraganset-bay. A gale of wind and a very thick fnow coming on at night, the Culloden was totally loft, and the Bedford difmafted, each carrying 74 guns. No fooner did the general receive a certain account of the fame, than he put in motion, under the command of the marquis de la Fayette, 1200 light infantry, as large a part of his small force as he could, with prudence, detach to Virginia. He at the fame time intimated to count de Rochambeau the poffibility and importance of improving the opportunity in an attempt upon Arnold; and requested of him and the chevalier d'Eftouches (to whom the command of the French fleet had devolved upon the death of adm. Ternay) to fend the whole fleet, and a detachment of their land force to the Chefapeak. Inftead of the whole, a part only of the fleet

was

was fent; the Eveillie a 64 gun ship, and two frigates, 1781. under the command of Monf. Tilly. They failed from Newport on the 9th of February, with orders to go to the Chesapeak, and attempt the deftruction of the Britifh fhips there, and the frigates that protected them. They returned on the 25th without accomplishing the object of their miffion, through the precaution taken by the enemy. They however took or destroyed ten vessels, and brought to Newport the Romulus of 44 guns, which they captured at the entrance of the bay. Washington, defirous of ftopping the progrefs of the enemy in Virginia, proceeded to Newport, that he might difcourse with the French commanders on the measures proper to be purfued. He went firft on board d'Eftouches' ship in the forenoon of March the 6th, where Rochambeau met him. It was agreed that d'Eftouches should fail immediately; and that Rochambeau fhould fend on board the men of war, a detachment of the army under the baron de Viomeuil. After fpending an hour or two on board, Washington and Rochambeau landed at Newport about one o'clock. The neceffary measures were taken to expedite the fleet: but instead of failing the next day when the wind was as favorable for the French, and as adverse to the British as it could blow, they were delayed 24 hours for want of fupplies. They failed on Thursday evening the 8th 8. of March. They were followed on the Saturday by the British from Gardener's bay under adm. Arbuthnot, who made fuch expedition as to intercept them off Cape Henry on the 16th. The two fleets were well poised in 16. point of strength, the fuperiority of a few guns on the fide of the British, being counterbalanced by the greater

number

Mar.

1781, number of men on the other. The line was composed of eight ships on each fide, including the Romulus of 44 guns in the French, and the Adamant of 50 in the British. A partial engagement took place. Each fide claimed the advantage: but the French abandoned their defign of fuccouring Virginia, and returned to Newport on the 26th. Had they gained the Chesapeak before overtaken by the British, Washington is of opinion, that the plan against Arnold could not have failed of fuccefs. The return of the French difconcerted the marquis de la Fayette. On his arrival at Annapolis in Maryland, he left his troops there, and haftened down the Chesapeak to get a body of militia in readiness for co-operation: but upon hearing what had taken place, he marched back with his detachment to the Head of Elk.

Sir Henry Clinton, to fupport the southern operations and increase their fuccefs, forwarded a convoy to the Chesapeak, with about 2000 choice troops on board under gen. Phillips, whom he appointed to the chief Mar. command in Virginia, They arrived on the 25th of 25. March. Among the greatest misfortunes to the Ame

rican cause occafioned by the invasion of this state, must be reckoned the obstructions it has thrown on every preparation for the fupport of the southern army. It has kept back the raising of recruits and every supply.

Certain acts and concerns of congrefs remain to be related.

The capture of Mr. Laurens by the British made it neceffary for congrefs to appoint another gentleman to fupply his place. They therefore commiffioned Mr. John Adams, on the ift of January, to be their minifter

plenipotentiary to the States General of the Dutch 1781. United Provinces. He was alfo empowered to negotiate a loan of money among the Hollanders; and in confidence of his fuccefs they directed, on the 3d of January, bills of exchange to be drawn upon him at fix months Feb. fight. On the 3d of February they agreed-" That it 3. be recommended to the several states, as indispensably neceffary, that they veft a power in congrefs, to levy for the use of the united states, a duty of five per cent. ad valorem, at the time and place of importation, upon all goods and merchandises of foreign growth and manufactures, which may be imported into any of the said states from any foreign port, island or plantation, after the 1ft day of May, 1781, except arms, ammunition, clothing, and other articles imported on account of the united states, or any of them; and except wool cards and cotton cards, and wire for making them; and also except falt during the war-Alfo a like duty of five per cent. on all prizes and prize goods, condemned in the court of admiralty of any of these states as lawful prize :-That the money arifing from the said duties be appropriated to the difcharge of the principal and interest of the debts already contracted, or which may be contracted, on the faith of the united states, for fupporting the prefent war :That the faid duties be continued until the faid debts fhall be fully and finally discharged." Some gentlemen object to the recommendation, or at least a compliance with it, and fay-" Drawing money infenfibly from the people by imposts may be a favorite scheme in monarchies and ariftocracies; but in republican governments, fuch as are established in America, is inexpedient, if not dangerous, When money is drawn from the people infenfibly,

4

1781. fenfibly, they are less attentive to abuses in the expenditure: but when they are called upon for taxes and feel the burden of them, they are more watchful to see that they are properly applied, and to prevent the rulers from bribing the people with their own money, and fubverting the public liberty by the means put into their hands for fecuring and defending it." It will be long before the several states can be prevailed upon to vest congrefs with the defired power.

Feb.

20.

27.

Congrefs on the 6th of February, ordered that the drawing of the fourth and last class of the united states lottery fhould begin on the 2d of April. Through the amazing depreciation of the paper currency, the whole will turn out a fimple piece of business, and disappoint the original hopes both of the fortunate adventurers and of congrefs.

They proceeded by ballot to the election of a fuperintendant of finance, to examine into the state of the public debts, expenditures, and revenue: to digeft and report plans for improving and regulating the finances, and for establishing order and economy in the expenditure of the public money: and to the exercise of many other powers neceffary to complete the financier. Robert Morris efq; of Philadelphia was unanimously elected.

They paffed a commendatory refolution respecting capt. John Paul Jones; and further refolved, that Dr. Franklin fhould acquaint his most Christian majesty; that his majesty's offer of adorning capt. Jones with the cross of military merit was highly acceptable to congrefs. The finall fquadron which the captain commanded in 1779, was fitted out at the expence of his moft Chriftian majefty, who honored him with a French commiffion." Monf,