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separation, which they at first dreaded as an evil, they soon gloried in as a national blessing.

By advice of the new American minister, lord George Germaine, the chief command of the vast naval and military force, now collected for the subjugation of America, was intrusted to the two Howes. Immediately after the declaration of independence, general Howe, with a powerful force, arrived near New-York, and landed the troops upon Staten Island. General Washington was in New-York, with about thirteen thousand men, who were encamped either in the city or the neighbouring fortifications. On the 12th of July lord Howe arrived and joined his brother, and though he was very much concerned to find that the declaration of independence had been promulgated, yet he resolved to make one effort for effecting an accommodation. His powers, however, were much too limited. He was ready to of fer pardon to persons who contended that they had been guilty of no fault. Both sides, therefore, prepared seriously for action; and the general, being joined by the far greater part of his expected reinforcements, found himself at the head of thirty thousand veteran troops, supported by a formidable fleet, composing together a force far superior to any that had ever before been seen in the New World employed in the same service.

The operations of the British began by the action on Long-Island, in the month of August. The Americans were defeated, and general Sullivan and lord Stirling, with a large body of men were made prisoners. The night after the engagement, a retreat was ordered and executed with such silence, that the Americans left the island without alarming their enemies and without loss.

Almost immediately after this transaction ge

neral Sullivan was sent, upon parole, with a verbal message from lord Howe, requesting an interview. The committee appointed for this purpose, consisting of Dr. Franklin, Mr. John Adams, and Mr. Rutledge, met lord Howe upon Staten Island, by whom they were treated with great attention; but the conference terminated without effecting any good purpose.

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In September the city of New-York was abandoned by the American army and taken by the British and in November Fort Washington, on York Island, was taken, and more than two thou. sand men made prisoners. Fort Lee, opposite to Fort Washington, on the Jersey shore, was soon after taken, but the garrison escaped. About the same time, general Clinton was sent with a body of troops to take possession of Rhode Island, and succeeded. In addition to all these losses and defeats, the American army suffered by desertion, and still more by sickness. All that now remained of it, which at the opening of the campaign amounted to at least twenty-five thousand men, did not exceed three thousand. The term of their engagements being expired, they returned in large bodies to their families and friends, and the few who continued with Washington and Lee, were too inconsiderable to appear formidable in the view of a powerful and victorious enemy.

In this alarming situation of affairs general Lee, through imprudence, was captured by a party of the British light-horse; this gave a severe shock to the remaining hopes of the little army, and rendered their situation truly distressing. In the opinion of many the affairs of the Americans were drawing to a crisis. But general Washington, always ready to improve every advantage to raise the drooping spirits of his handful of men,

had made a stand on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware. Here he collected his scattered forces, and very early on the 26th of December, a day purposely selected, on the supposition that the preceding festivity might favour the project of a surprise, he crossed the Delaware, not without extreme difficulty, from the quantity of ice in the river, nine miles above Trenton, and immediately began his march in the midst of a storm of snow and hail at the head of his troops, and reached Trenton by day-break, and so completely surprised the army that upwards of nine hundred Hessians, after a slight resistance, were made prisoners. In the evening general Washington repassed the Delaware, carrying with him his prisoners, their artillery, and colours, and entered the city of Philadelphia in triumph.

The charm was now dissolved, and it being found by experience that the Europeans were not invincible, great numbers of the Americans, who had deserted their colours, again repaired to the standard of their commander, who soon found himself at the head of a considerable army, and ready to act on the offensive. This successful expedition first gave a favourable turn to American affairs, which seemed to brighten through the whole course of the war. Soon after, general Washington attacked the British at Princeton, and obtained a complete victory. The

A. D. 1777.

great address in planning and executing these enterprises reflected the highest honour on the commander; and success revived the desponding hopes of America.

This year was distinguished by several inemorable events in favour of American liberty. On the opening of the campaign, governor Tryon was sent with a body of troops to destroy the

stores at Danbury, in Connecticut. The plan was executed; but the British suffered in their retreat, and the Americans on their part lost general Wooster, a brave and experienced officer. General Prescot was taken from his quarters, on Rhode Island, by the address of colonel Barton, and conveyed prisoner to the continent.

General Burgoyne, who commanded the British northern army, took possession of Ticonde roga; pushed his successes, crossed the lake George, and encamped upon the banks of the Hudson, near Saratoga. His progress was, however, checked near Bennington, where the undisciplined militia of Vermont displayed the most exemplary bravery. The militia now assembled from all parts of New England to stop the progress of general Burgoyne. These, with the regular troops, formed a respectable army, commanded by general Gates. After two severe actions, in which generals Lincoln and Arnold behaved with much gallantry; general Burgoyne found himself enclosed, and was obliged to surrender his whole army, amounting to several thousand men. This memorable event happened on the 17th of October, 1777; it diffused an universal joy over America, and laid the foundation for a treaty with France.

But prior to these transactions, the main body of the British forces had landed at the head of Elk river, and began their march to Philadelphia. General Washington had determined to oppose them; and for this purpose first made a stand at Red-Clay creek, and then upon the heights, near Brandy-Wine creek. Here the armies engaged; the Americans were overpowered and suffered great loss. Shortly after they again engaged at German Town, and in the beginning of

the action, the Americans had the advantage, but the fortune of the day was turned in favour of the British. Both sides suffered considerable losses, and on the side of the Americans was that of general Nash.

In an attack upon the forts at Mud-Island and Red-Bank, the Hessians were unsuccessful, and their commander killed. The British also lost a ship of the line. But the forts were afterwards taken, and the navigation of the Delaware opened. General Washington was reinforced with part of the troops which had composed the northern army, under general Gates, and both armies retired to winter-quarters.

In October, the same month in which general Burgoyne was taken at Saratoga, general Vaughan, with a small fleet, sailed up Hudson's river, and wantonly burnt Kingston, a beautiful Dutch settlement on the west side of the river.

Till the capture of general Burgoyne, the powers of Europe were only spectators of the war between Great-Britain and her late colonies; but soon after that event they were drawn in to be parties.

In every period of the controversy, the claims of the Americans were patronized by many respectable foreigners. The addresses and other public acts of congress were admired by many who had no personal interest in the contest. Liberty is 80 evidently the undoubted right of mankind, that whenever a people take up arms either to defend or recover it, they are sure of meeting with encouragement, or at least good wishes from the friends of humanity in every part of the world.

From the operation of these principles, the Americans had the esteem and prayers of multitudes in every part of Europe. They were reputed to be ill-used, and determined to resist op

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