66

AMERICAN PRIVATEERS.

the rights of the several states, and of their citizens; the powers of congress; and the mode of raising money from he respective states for the purposes of general govern ment and defence.

These articles of confederation were adopted, after much discussion, and transmitted to the several state legis latures; and, meeting their approbation, were ratified by all the delegates on the 15th of November, 1777. They remained in force, as the constitution of the country, until the adoption of the Federal Constitution, in 1788.

The only provision which congress could at present make for the support of the army, was by the emission of bills of credit to pass at their nominal value in all payments and dealings throughout the states. This soon became depreciated, and the attempts to sustain it, by fixing the prices of commodities, were abortive, and introduced confusion and misery, involving many families in ruin. It was a serious but unavoidable hinderance to all their subsequent operations during the war.

In consequence of the hostilities with the colonies, the British West India Islands experienced a severe scarcity of provisions. When the fleet was about to return to England, an insurrection of the negroes of Jamaica was threatened. The military force of the island had been weakened by draughts to complete the army on the continent; and the ships of war were detained to assist in suppressing the disturbances of the negroes. By this delay the Americans gained time for equipping privateers, who succeeded in capturing many richly laden ships; and were permitted to sell their prizes in the ports of France, both in Europe and the West Indies.

The British cabinet remonstrated against this unfriendly conduct of France; but soon became satisfied that both France and Spain were in a state of active preparation for war. Parliament met on the 31st of October; and, notwithstanding attempts were made for adopting conciliatory measures, it was resolved to support the ministry in a vigorous prosecution of the war.

Congress was not less determined to maintain the independence of the United States at all hazards. Aware

When were these articles finally ratified?-How long did they remain in force? What is observed concerning the continental paper currency? -What had taken place in the West Indies?-How did the Americans take advantage of these events?-What was permitted by France?What is said of the British cabinet ?-Of France and Spain ?-Of the parliament ?-Of congress?

La Fayette offeri his services t Dr. Franklin.

of the covert hostility of France towards Great Britain, they had already sent commissioners to Paris, for the purpose of soliciting a loan of money, a supply of munitions of war, and an acknowledgment of the indepen dence of the states. These commissioners were Dr. Franklin, Arthur Lee, and Silas Deane. Franklin was already known to the French as a philosopher and statesnan; and he became very popular in the capital. The commissioners, however, were not yet successful in all their designs. Some arms were obtained privately, and the sale of prizes taken by the American privateers, in French ports, was still connived at; but no public recognition of independence, nor open support of the cause could be obtained.

It was at this period that the Marquis de la Fayette, a young French nobleman of the highest rank and an im mense fortune, resolved to devote himself to the cause of American liberty. Undismayed by the intelligence just received of the evacuation of New York, the loss of Fort Washington, the calamitous retreat through the Jerseys, and the other disasters of the campaign of 1776, he presented himself to Dr. Franklin, and afterwards to the other commissioners, and offered his services as a volunteer. They were so candid as to say that they could not in conscience urge him to proceed; and assured him that they possessed not the means nor the credit for procuring a vessel for his passage. "Then," exclaimed the

Who were sent as commissioners to France 2-For what purposes ? What did they effect?

gallant and generous youth, "I will provide my own," and it is a literal fact, that when our beloved country was too poor to offer him so much as a passage to her shores, he left, in his tender youth, the bosom of home, of happiness, of wealth, and of rank, to plunge in the dust and blood of our inauspicious struggle."*

He arrived in the spring of 1777; and was cordially received by Washington, and appointed by congress a major-general in the army. His example was followed by many other French officers; and he was afterwards mainly instrumental in securing the friendship and alliance of the French government.

During the disastrous campaign of 1776, a large number of American prisoners were taken and conveyed to New York, where they were confined in the most horrible of all dungeons, the British prison ships. There they endured sufferings which have seldom known a parallel in the annals of cruelty. But they bore all with the patience of martyrs, and the courage of patriots. When offered liberty and promotion, if they would join the royal party, they spurned the offer with contempt; and hundreds of them expired in captivity, rather than desert the cause to which they had devoted themselves.

The campaign of 1777 opened on both sides with a series of rapid incursions and bold predatory attack Among these were the attack on Peekskill by the B tish, their unsuccessful attempt to surprise General Lincoln at Bound Brook near Brunswick, and the incursion of General Tryon into Connecticut, where he suc ceeded in destroying some stores and provisions; but was rather severely handled by Generals Sullivan, Arnold and Wooster, on his retreat. General Wooster was killed in the early part of this affair. He was an able officer, and his loss was much lamented by the Americans.

These attacks of the British were retaliated by Generals Stevens and Parsons. The former of whom assailed the royalists at Piscataway, and was only repulsed after a furious engagement, and a heavy loss on the side of the ene. The latter detached Colonel Meigs, from Guilford to Sag Harbour on Long Island, where he succeeded in burning a large quantity of stores belonging to the Give an account of La Fayette and his generous devotion to the American cause ?-When did he arrive in this country?-What appoint ment did he receive ?-What is said of the prison ships ?-Of the Ameri an prisoners ?-How did the campaign of 1777 open ?-What was done y General Stevens ?-By General Parsons?

*Mr. Everett's Phi Beta Kappa Oration

CAPTURE OF GENERAL PRESCOTT.

169

British, and 12 of their vessels. In this affair the enemy lost 96 men, of whom six were killed and the remainder made prisoners. The Americans returned without the loss of a man to Guilford.

Another exploit of the Americans deserves notice in this place, although it did not happen till the 10th of July Colonel Barton, with 40 men, officers and volunteers passed over, by night, from Warwick Neck to Rhode Island, and succeeded in surprising the British general, Prescott, in his quarters, in bed, and, without giving him time to dress himself, hurried him on board, with one of his aides-de-camp, and conveyed him safely to Providence. This event was very mortifying to General Prescott, and to the royal army; but occasioned much exultation among the Americans. Hitherto General Howe had absolutely refused to release General Lee; but he soon agreed to exchange him for General Prescott; and General Lee again joined the American army.

Having noticed these desultory enterprises, we now turn to the two main armies under their respective cominanders in chief.

In the beginning of June, General Howe, having received reinforcements from England, left New York and passed into the Jerseys with 30,000 men. General Washington, to resist this powerful army, could muster no more than 7300 men fit for duty. He occupied a good position at Middlebrook, about nine miles from Brunswick, where Howe assembled his army on the 9th of June. He marched towards the Delaware, in order to draw Washington from his strong position; but not succeeding in this, he returned to Brunswick, committing terrible devastations in his march. On the 22d of June, he retreated to Amboy, an American detachment under General Greene, hanging upon his rear and frequently attacking it. General Washington advanced to Quibbletown, that he might still be near the British army.

Howe finding it impossible to bring Washington, with his greatly inferior force, to a pitched battle, sent off his baggage to Staten Island; and ordered a part of his troops to follow; but learning that Washington had left his strong ground, and was advancing in pursuit of him, he

What was done by Colonel Barton ?-For whom was General Prescoti exchanged?-What was done by General Howe in the beginning of June?-How was he foiled by Washington ?-How did he revenge him self? Who harassed him on his retreat ?-To what island did he com mence a retreat ?-What brought him back?

170

GENERAL HOWE SAILS TO THE SOUTH.

suddenly recalled his troops from Staten Island, and advanced from Amboy with his whole army, in hopes to accomplish his great object. Cornwallis being sent out with a strong detachment on the 26th of June, fell in with a numerous body of the Americans, under Lord Stirling and General Maxwell. After a smart engagement, the Americans retired, with some loss; and General Washington, apprised of the unexpected movement of the British army, returned towards the mountains and regained the passes which it was the intention of Cornwallis to seize

Finding himself thus baffled, General Howe, on the 30th of June, crossed to Staten Island; and on the 5th of July embarked his army, to the number of 16,000, on board of transports in order to sail to the southward. The remainder of the army was left with Sir Henry Clinton to defend New York. The fleet did not leave Sandy Hook till the 25th of July.

Howe's original intention was to sail up the Delaware to Philadelphia, but learning that the Americans had obstructed the navigation of that river, he entered Chesapeake bay and landed at the head of Elk river.

Anxious to prevent his approach to Philadelphia, Washington marched to meet him. Howe was not ready to leave the head of the Elk river before the 3d of September. On his advance, Washington retired across the Brandywine creek, and took post with his main body at Chadd's Ford, sending out General Maxwell with 1000 light troops, to skirmish with the British and retard therr progress.

On the 11th of September, the British army advanced crossed the Brandywine at different points, and attacked the main army of the Americans, who sustained the as sault with intrepidity for some time, but at length gave way. General Washington effected a retreat with his artillery and baggage to Chester, where he halted, within eight miles of the British army, till the next morning, when he retreated to Philadelphia.

The battle of the Brandywine was the first in which La Fayette drew his sword in the American cause. He received a wound in the leg, but kept his position, anu

What happened on the 26th of June ?-Whither did Washington retire 2-When did Howe abandon the Jerseys?-Who was placed in command at New York ?-What course did Howe take ?-Where did he land-What was done by Washington ?-Describe the battle of the Brandywine.--What was its result --Whither did Washington retreat, -Who was wounded in this battle?