pression. Being both pitied and applauded, sympathetic sentiments were excited in their favour. These circumstances would have operated in every case; but in the present the cause of the Americans was patronized from additional motives. An universal jealousy prevailed against Great-Britain. Her navy had long claimed a degree of homage from those of other European nations; and demanded, as a matter of right, that the ships of all other powers should strike their sails to her as mistress of the ocean. From her eagerness to prevent supplies going to the colonists, the vessels of other powers had for some time past been subjected to searches and interruptions, when steering towards America, in a manner that could not be easily borne by independent nations.

Soon after the intelligence of the capture of general Burgoyne's army, the court of France concluded a treaty of alliance and commerce with the United States. This was brought about by the interference of doctor Franklin, Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee. The terms of reciprocity on which France contracted with the United States, were no less recommended by wise policy than dictated by true magnanimity. As there was nothing exclusive in the treaty, an opening was left for Great-Britain to close the war whenever she pleased, with all the advantages of future commerce that France had stipulated for herself. This measure rendered the establishment of American independence, the common cause of all the commercial powers of Europe; for the question became, whether the trade of the United States should, by the subversion of their independence, be again monopolized by VOL. XXIV.

2 A

Great-Britain, or by the establishment of it, be laid open on equal terms to all the world?

While the ministers of Great-Britain were pleasing themselves with the flattering idea of a permanent peace in Europe, they were not less surprised than provoked by hearing of the alliance which had taken place between his most Christian Majesty and the United States: this event, though frequently foretold, was disbelieved.

The marquis de la Fayette, who had long been a patron of the American contest, and had fought in her cause, was among the first in the continental army who received the welcome tidings of the treaty. In a transport of joy, mingled with an effusion of tears, he embraced general Washington, exclaiming, "The king, my master, has acknowledged your independence, and made an alliance with you for its establishment." The heartfelt joy, which spread from breast to breast, exceeded description. Solemn thanks were offered up to heaven; a feu de joie was fired; and, on a proper signal being given, the air resounded with "Long live the king of France!" which poured forth from the lips of every soldier in the army. The Americans, having alone weathered the storms of war, now fancied the port of peace to be full in view.

As soon as this treaty was known in England, the sovereign and parliament resolved to punish the French nation for treating with their subjects, which they styled " an unprovoked aggression on the honour of the crown, and essential interests of the kingdom." At the same time conciliatory bills were brought into the house and passed; by which governor Johnstone, lord Carlisle, and Mr. Eden, were appointed to set out for America, and open

a negociation on the subject. Congress would not now accept of the proffered terms, nor would they, said Mr. Laurens, in his answer, enter into the consideration of a treaty of peace with the king of Great-Britain, without an explicit acknowledgment of the independence of the States, or the withdrawing his fleets and armies.

In our farther account of this war, which was protracted till the spring of 1783, we must necessarily be very brief; taking care, however, that

*The terms which they offered were principally as follows, To consent to a cessation of hostilities, both by sea and land.

To restore free intercourse, to revive mutual affection, and renew the common benefits of naturalization, through the several parts of this empire.

To extend every freedom to trade that our respective interests can require.

To agree that no military forces shall be kept up in the different states of North America, without the consent of the general congress or particular assemblies.

To concur in measures calculated to discharge the debts of America, and to raise the credit and value of the paper eirculation.

To perpetuate our union by a reciprocal deputation of an agent or agents from the different states, who shall have the privilege of a seat and voice in the parliament of Great-Britain; or if sent from Britain, in that case to have a seat and voice in the assemblies of the different states to which they may be deputed respectively, in order to attend the several interests of those by whom they are deputed.

In short, to establish the power of the respective legislatures in each particular state, to settle its revenue, its civil and military establishment, and to exercise a perfect freedom of legislation and internal government, so that the British states throughout North America, acting with us in peace and war under one common sovereign, may have the irrevocable enjoyment of every privilege that is short of a total separation of interests, or consistent with that union of force, on which the safety of our common religion and liberty depends.

A. D. 1778.

no material point is omitted. Early in the spring, count d'Estaing was sent with fifteen sail of the line, by the court of France, to assist America. He arrived at the entrance of the Delaware on the 9th of July, From an apprehension of this kind, or from a prospect of greater security, it was resolved that the British should evacuate Philadelphia, and concentrate their force in the city and harbour of New-York. On their march they were annoyed by the Americans, and at Monmouth a very regular action took place between part of the armies; the British were repulsed with great loss; and had general Lee obeyed his orders, a signal victory would probably have been obtained. For his ill conduct on that day, general Lee was suspended, and never after permitted to join the army. It is generally supposed that he was jealous of Washington's fame, for his courage and fidelity to his country were never called in question.

In August, general Sullivan, with a large body of troops, attempted to take possession of RhodeIsland, but did not succeed. Soon after, the stores and shipping at Bedford, in Massachusetts, were burnt by a party of the British troops. The same year, Savannah, then the capital of Georgia, was taken by the British; under the command of colonel Campbell.

A. D. 1779.

Throughout the year 1779, the British seem to have aimed at little more in the states to the northward of Carolina, than distress and depredation. Having publicly announced their resolution of making "the colonies of as little avail as possible to their new connexions;" on this principle they planned several expeditions. The command of the army had devolv

ed on sir Henry Clinton; general Howe having returned to England; and general Lincoln was appointed to the command of the American southern army.

Governor Tryon and sir George Collyer made an incursion into Connecticut, and burnt the towns of Fairfield and Norwalk; from the latter place certificates were transmitted to general Washington, in which persons of veracity bore witness on oath to various acts of brutality, rapine, and cruelty, committed on aged persons, women, and prisoners.

The elder citizens of the United States, who had grown up with habits of attachment to the British nation felt the keenest sensations of regret, when they contrasted the year 1759 with 1779. The former was their glory, when in the days of their youth they were disposed to boast of the honours of their common country, but the latter filled them with distress. The one ennobled the British name with the conquest of Montreal, Quebec, and the whole province of Canada; the other was remarkable only for burning magazines, store-houses, dock-yards, and towns, and for the distress of a defenceless peasantry.

The American arms were crowned with success in an attack upon Stoney-Point, which was surprised and taken by general Wayne, in the night of the 15th of July. Five hundred men were made prisoners, with little loss on either side.— A party of British forces attempted this summer to build a fort on Penobscot river, for the purpose of cutting timber in the neighbouring forests. A plan was laid by Massachusetts to dislodge them, and a considerable fleet collected for the purpose, but it failed of success, and the whole