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by the congress, and in no other character would he have any intercourse with his lordship.'

The communication, however, to which these letters gave rise, afforded the British an opportunity of exerting themselves in order to effect a reconciliation. With this view, the American general was informed that Lord Howe was invested with full powers to receive the submission of the colonists, and to reinstate them in the favour of their lawful sovereign; but Washington declared that these powers appeared to consist in nothing but granting pardons; and that as the provincials, in defending their rights, had been guilty of no crime, they required no forgiveness.

Both sides, therefore, prepared to terminate their disputes by an appeal to arms; and hostilities began as soon as the English troops were collected at their appointed stations. The character of the forces which were now about to engage was very different. The British troops were numerous, regularly disciplined, and accustomed to military operations; while the Americans were inferior in numbers, and inexperienced, newly embodied, and not well provided with artillery and ammunition.

Washington marked the condition of his army with very great concern. It amounted to less than 18,000 effective men; while that of the English was nearly 30,000 strong. As the American government had no established revenue, and as the sources of their com merce were completely dried up, the difficulties which the general had to encounter were such as no human ability and perseverance could easily surmount.

Notwithstanding these difficulties, he maintained his positions, and availed himself of every circumstance which might encourage his troops or improve their discipline.

In the month of August, 1776, the English made a descent upon Long Island, with 40 pieces of cannon, and under cover of their ships. On a peninsula, formed by the East River and Gowanus Cove, and constituting a part of the same island, was General Putnam, strongly fortified, and awaiting with his detachment the approach of the king's troops. Between the armies was a range

Relate the affair of the pardons.--What aid both sides now prepare or-What was the relative character of the British and of the American troops ?-What difficulties had Washington to encounter ?What movement was made by the British in August ?-Where was General Putnam stationed ?

DEFEAT ON LONG ISLAND.

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of hills, the principal pass through which was near a place called Flatbush. At this place the Hessians, forming the centre of the royalists, took their station. The left wing, under the orders of General Grant, was close upon the shore; and the right, commanded by General Clinton, Earl Percy, and Lord Cornwallis, and comprehending the chief strength of the British forces, approached the opposite coast of Flat Land. General Putnam had directed that all the passes should be secured by strong detachments of the provincial troops. The orders to this purpose, though not disobeyed, were not complied with to the extent that the general required; and one road through the hills, of the utmost importance, was entirely neglect ed-an oversight which was speedily communicated to the British, and which they were too wise not to improve to their advantage.

On the evening of the 26th, Generals Howe and Clin ton drew off the right wing of the English army, in order to gain the heights. Nearly about daybreak, he reached the pass undiscovered by the Americans, and immediately took possession of it. The detachment under Lord Percy followed; and when the day appeared, the royalists advanced into the level country between the hills and Brooklyn, a village situated on the peninsula where the Americans were encamped.

Without loss of time, Howe and Clinton fell upon the rear of the provincials, and the Hessians attacking them in front at the same instant, neither valour nor skill could save them from a defeat. Inspirited, however, by their generals, and by the presence of Washington, they con tinued the engagement for a while, and fought with the bravery of men whom the love of freedom animates t deeds of heroism; but, pressed by superior numbers, an thrown into confusion, they gave way on every side, an fled precipitately to the woods.

Nor was this the only part of the army which suffered the right wing, which opposed General Grant, experiencer a similar fate. They fought bravely, and maintained their ground till informed of the defeat of the left wing, wher they retreated in confusion; and, in order to avoid the enemy, who where far advanced on their rear, the greater

Where were the Hessians posted?--The British left and right wings! -What orders had Putnam given?-What was the consequence of their being neglected?-What was done on the evening of the 26th? What was done by the royalists at daybreak ?-What was effected by Howe and Clinton-What was the fate of the American right wing?

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RETREAT FROM LONG ISLAND.

part of them attempted to escape along the dike of a mill-dam, and through a marsh, where many of them perished; but a remnant regained the camp. Of a regiment consisting of young gentlemen from Maryland, the greater part was cut in pieces, and not one of those who survived escaped without a wound.

The British soldiers behaved with their usual courage, nd it was with difficulty that they were restrained from instantly attacking the American camp; but General Howe, who always exercised a laudable care of the lives of his men, checked their impetuosity; believing that, without any great loss, he could compel the Americans to surrender, or to evacuate their camp.

On that disastrous day, the Americans lost 2000 men in killed, wounded, and prisoners; among the latter were Generals Sullivan, Woodhull, and Lord Stirling. They also lost 6 pieces of artillery. The acknowledged British loss was 21 officers, and 346 privates, killed, wounded, and taken.

A retreat from Long Island now became absolutely necessary; and it was effected on the 30th of August, without the loss of a man.

After the evacuation of Long Island by the Americans, proposals for an accommodation were made by Lord Howe. But as his lordship was not authorised to treat with congress as a legal assembly, he invited such of its members as were desirous of peace to a private conference. To this invitation the congress replied that, as they were the representatives of the free and independent states of America, it was not possible for them to send any of their number to confer with the English commanders, in their Individual capacity; but that, as it was exceedingly to be wished that an accommodation should take place, on reasonable terms, they would direct a committee to receive the proposals of the British government. Accordingly, they nominated for this purpose, Dr. Franklin, Mr. John Adams, and Mr. Rutledge, all zealous and faithful to the cause of liberty. But notwithstanding the disposition of Lord Howe, which was certainly towards peace, and the late misfortunes of the provincial troops, the conference was altogether ineffectual; his lordship would not acknow

What is said of a Maryland regiment?-- What is said of the British soldiers Of General Howe ?-What loss did the Americans sustain -The British-When did the Americans retreat from Long Island Who now proposed a conference?-What was the reply of congress? Who composed the committee of congress?-What was its result

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ledge the deputies as the commissioners of a free people; and the deputies wound not treat with him on any other condition. It was resolved, therefore, on both sides, to prosecute the war with all their vigour and their utmost

resources.

This conference, although ineffectual with respect to the object immediately in view, was of considerable service to the Americans. It arrested General Howe in the career of victory, and suspended, during its progress, the operations of the campaign. It afforded a pause to the dispirited Americans; and gave them time to rally their drooping spirits; a matter, in their circumstances, of no slight importance.

The provincial army, under the command of Wash ington, was now stationed in the vicinity of New York They had erected many batteries near the place, and from these they kept up an incessant fire on the British ships. Between the armies lay the East River, which the roy alists, for some days, had manifested a desire to cross Accordingly, they landed on the opposite shore, at Kipp's Bay, nearly three miles distant from New York; and marching rapidly towards the city, they obliged the Americans to abandon their works and retreat. Leaving the town itself, and their baggage, provisions, and military stores, in possession of the British, the Americans with drew to the northern part of the island, where the chief strength of their forces was collected. Here Washington determined to wait the approach of the king's troops. It was his design, at present, not to risk a general engagement, but to harass the English by continual skirmishes, by cutting off their supplies and exhausting their patience.

The fortune of the royalists was now predominant. In almost every attack the superiority of regular discipline had been shown. Washington was forced to quit his strong position at King's Bridge, on New York island, and saved his army by retiring towards the main land of Connecticut. He was followed by the English general as soon as the troops could be landed, and the proper reinforcements had arrived.

After some ineffectual skirmishing, both parties met at a place called the White Plains; the royalists began the

What was then resolved on both sides?-What were the good effects of this conference?-What is said of the provincial army?-Of the royalists? -Whither did the Americans retreat ?-What was Washington's plac of operations?-Whither was he compelled to retire ?

160

RETREAT THROUGH THE JERSEYS.

He

assault, and made such an impression on the American lines, that Washington was compelled to retreat. withdrew in good order, and occupied an advantageous post behind the river Croton.

Howe finding himself unable to bring on a general action, relinquished the pursuit, and employed his troops in reducing and taking possession of Forts Washingtou and Lee, the first on the island of New York, not far from King's Bridge; and the other on the Jersey side of North River, nearly opposite the former. This he accomplished in November; and the Americans were thus driven, with considerable loss, from New York island, and from the Jersey bank of the North River.

On the fall of Forts Washington and Lee, General Washington with his little army consisting of about 3000 men, ill armed, worse clad, and almost without tents, blankets or utensils for cooking their provisions, commenced a disastrous retreat through the Jerseys. He first retired behind the Hackensack; thence to Newark, and thence to Brunswick. While there, the term of service of many of his troops expired, and he had the mortification to see them abandon him. From Brunswick he retreated to Trenton; and there received a reinforcement of about 2000 men from Pennsylvania. He now collected and guarded all the boats on the Delaware, and sent his sick and wounded, and his heavy artillery and baggage across the Delaware. After remaining at Trenton some time, and even advancing towards Princeton, he learnt that Earl Cornwallis, strongly reinforced, was marching against him; and on the 8th of December, he passed the Delaware at Trenton ferry, the van of the British army appearing, just as his rear-guard had crossed.

While retreating through the Jerseys, Washington had earnestly desired General Lee, who had been left in command of the division of the army at North Castle, to hasten his march to the Delaware and join the main army. But for reasons of his own, Lee was in no haste to obey, and by his carelessness in getting separated from the main body of his troops he was actually made prisoner, an put in close confinement by the English. General Sul

What was the result of the battle of White Plains?-How did Ge neral Howe employ his troops -In what condition was the American army now compelled to retreat through the Jerseys?--What happened at Brunswick Where did Washington cross the Delaware ?- What is said of General Lee?