at Camden. General Gates had a large army, drawn from both north and south. But two-thirds of the troops turned tail before the battle began. The Americans suffered a heavy loss, and a few days afterwards another detachment of 800 men had to lay down arms. But when Cornwallis began his march into North Carolina, he was met by guerilla tactics which were harassing and distressing. The enemy were encouraged by their successes and presently they signally defeated an advance guard of the British at King's Mountain. This forced Cornwallis to retreat.

In the north neither Clinton nor Washington had moved. But an incident occurred which shows how little the Americans, even in high positions, really hoped to succeed in the war. The hero of the first Canadian campaign, Benedict Arnold, had been left in command of Philadelphia. His loose manner of living and love of extravagance had laid him open to charges of bribery and dishonesty. He was condemned by a Court-Marshal and publicly reprimanded by Washington. Smarting under what he considered bad treatment and hopeless in what he felt was a losing cause, he began to intrigue with Clinton. Some months later, when in command of West Point, an important fort on the Hudson River, he agreed to deliver it over to the English. During Washington's absence, Major André was sent to Arnold by Clinton, and the final arrangements for the treachery were completed. André was returning with the plans of the fort, when it was found that his ship had been forced to leave its moorings. He therefore was given a pass through the American lines in order to return to New York. He assumed civilian dress, and was on his way when he was accidently stopped in sight of the British lines, by three Americans, probably cattle-lifters, who little expected to find on him what they did. He was condemned to death as a spy, and was hanged by Washington's orders. His youth and gallant record have won for him universal sympathy. The whole affair was more than unfortunate, and it seems justly summed up in the statement "Never perhaps did man suffer death with more justice or deserve it less.' Arnold, ever after known as the traitor Arnold," escaped and received the command he had been promised, but he did little against his countrymen.

66

Camden. (Lecky v, 22.)

King's Mountain

and retreat of Cornwallis.

(2.) North, André

and Arnold.

(Lecky v, 36.)

America.

1780.

Holland was now dragged into the war. England with a c, Holland joins wide interpretation of the term contraband of war claimed the right of searching all ships. This fell hardly on a great trading nation like the Dutch, who indeed were doing a large business with the Americans in timber for ship-building. The daring American privateer, Paul Jones, on the other hand, had taken his English prizes into the Texel. Reprisals followed and a Dutch convoy was stopped and some ships captured.

d, India: Hyder Ali.

e, Disasters at sea.

4. The year 1781.

at sea.

War was declared at the end of the year 1780, and Russia, Denmark, and Sweden, fearing their ships might be treated like those of Holland, formed the Armed Neutrality to prevent neutral vessels from being seized and searched.

In India, Hyder Ali had attacked the British after they had attacked Mahé. He seriously menaced Madras.

On the sea there were reverses. The Quebec fleet was captured by the Americans, and the East and West Indian fleets by the Spanish.

In 1781, Rodney captured the Dutch island of S. Eustatia a, English successes with £3,000,000 of merchandise and a large number of ships. The other Dutch colonies were soon reduced. An indecisive battle enabled the French to win Tobago and recapture S. Eustatia. In Europe Gibraltar was furiously attacked, and the town destroyed, and all supplies cut off. But Admiral Derby relieved it in time. In India all went in favour of the

b, Successes in India British. c, America.

In America the Colonists seemed so weak that the English Secretary of State expected a speedy settlement of the rebellion. (1) Confederation of But although Washington's troops openly mutinied for their pay, a great bond of union was formed by the Articles of Confederation.

States.

(2) Nathaniel Greene

Cowpens. (Lecky v, 103.)

House.

In the Southern States an able American General, Nathanael Greene, had taken charge. His appearance marked the beginning of final success upon the American side. His subordinate, Morgan, won a decisive victory at Cowpens, where chance converted the British from a winning to a losing side. The victory gave heart to the Americans, but it strengthened the determination of Cornwallis to recover N. Carolina and Virginia. Greene retreated before him, but the British were as usual seriously menaced by guerilla warfare. At last the Guildford Court Americans took up a strong position at Guildford Court House. In numbers they nearly doubled those of the British, yet the latter won each position in turn. But their loss of men and the distance from their base compelled Cornwallis to retreat, and he moved on Virginia. Greene at once recovered N. Carolina, and then proceeded to win back S. Carolina and Georgia. This he did, for though the English won battles, they could not hold the country. After winning the victory of (3.) Eutaw Springs. Eutaw Springs, Cornwallis recognised the hopelessness of his task. He realised, too, that the loyalists would not rise in behalf of English rule. He reached Petersburg and spent time in uselessly pursuing La Fayette and plundering the country. Being ordered to send back a large number of men to Clinton in New York, he retired into Yorktown.

Washington and the French combined in August, and feigning an attack on New York, they gradually concentrated their troops on Yorktown. De Grasse in the meantime

Yorktown.

blocked the sea approach. After some desperate sallies (4.) Capitulation at Cornwallis had to surrender with his 4,000 troops. This virtually ended the war. England had already lost all the Indies except Barbadoes and Antigua: Minorca had been taken by the French French soldiers were successfully landed in India. In England Lord North at last persuaded the King to allow him to resign.

near

(Lecky v, 117.)

elsewhere.

(Lecky v, 175.)

The war dragged on for a little longer, and the British gained d, English successes two important naval victories which enabled her to make more favourable terms than she could otherwise have hoped. Rodney and Hood won "the battle of The Saints Dominica, saving Jamaica and restoring the British naval prestige. Howe relieved Gibraltar after it had endured a 5. severe three days' bombardment. On November 30th, 1782, by the Treaty of Paris, Great Britain and America came to terms:

I.

2.

a,

Peace of Ver

sailles, 1792.

T. of Paris with

America. (Reich's Documents

74.)

The United States were recognised as free, sovereign and (Lecky v, 185-226.) independent.

British Louisiana was ceded to them.

3. The United States retained fishing rights off Newfound

land and in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

In September 1783 Great Britain made definite treaties with

all the Powers with whom she had been at war.

i.

(Lecky v, 226.)

France. The West Indies were restored to Great Britain b France.
and France regained her Indian factories and stations.
Fishing rights in Newfoundland on the French shore"
were given to France and Tobago was ceded to her.

ii. Spain retained Minorca and the Floridas, but restored the Bahamas.

iii. Holland received back her possessions, but granted

Great Britain free trading rights in the East Indies.

Spain.

Holland.

war.

The first dismemberment of an ancient and noble mon- 6. Criticism of the archy." These words of Chatham fitly sum up the material results of the war. Yet many things had pointed to a different conclusion of the war: (a) the lack of union among the States, (b) the difficulty of keeping together the soldiers of the American army, (c) the hopeless financial state of the Colonies, and (d) a fair expectation on the part of England that she would receive much colonial support. But (a) the distance from the Mother Country in days of difficult communication, (b) the enormous tract of country to be held, (c) the indifference of the so-called loyalists, (d) the reckless disregard of opportunities by British Generals, and (e) French and Spanish interference combined to deprive Great Britain of the Colonies. On the other hand the developments in manufacture which were being made were making England richer year by year, while her enemies were nearly bankrupt.

After independence had been recognised, the Americans in 7. The American

Constitution

Commonwealth.)

1787 formed their Constitution. They took as their model

that of Great Britain. It differs from this inasmuch as it is

(Reich's Documents rigid, written, ready-made, and therefore lacks the flexibility 695; Maine Popular which is the result of a gradual growth during many centuries. Government; Moreover it had to unite the differing ideas, customs and feelBryce's American ings of various States, most of which were jealous of a central authority and tenacious of their own rights. The rights which the several States retain are therefore numerous, and are often harmful. The three departments of Government are also independent of one another, and this is liable to lead to friction between them.

(a) The Executive. i. The President and Vice-President hold office for four years. They are chosen by electors appointed by each State in proportion to its population. The object of this double election was to ensure the free choice of the President on his merits. In practice, however, he is simply elected as the representative of a party.

ii. The President's powers. He can declare war or make peace issue coinage: veto bills unless they are passed by a two-thirds majority in both houses.

iii. The Secretaries or Ministers are appointed by the President.
They cannot sit in either house.

(b) The Legislature. Congress was to consist of two Houses.
i. The Senate: Its members are elected by each State
legislature, two from each. They sit for six years.
Their privileges are very much the same as those of the
Lords, and they act as Judges in cases of Impeachment.
ii. The House of Representatives: Its members are elected
by each State in proportion to population. It alone
can originate money bills and can impeach ministers.
(c) The Judicature. Judges are appointed and hold office
during life and good behaviour. They interpret the
laws according to the written constitution and this
makes them independent of the Executive and Legisla-
ture.

It is evident such a constitution is simply that of England as it was received in those days. The obstacles which were purposely placed in the way of modifications have preserved it almost unchanged,-a fossil of the 18th Century.

Act, 1773. Dominion in India.)

(Lyall, Rise of British

The King's policy of centralisation met with favour in so far i. North's Regulating as it was applied to India. In 1773 Lord North brought forward his Regulating Act for India. Since the days of Clive there had been weak administration. Many abuses had grown up, but the home Government had been too much occupied to attempt to remedy them

i. It established a Supreme Court, with Elijah Impey as
chief judge.

ii. The Governor of Bengal was to be Governor-General of
India with certain rights over the other provinces.
iii. A Council of four was appointed to assist him in the
government. Their names were Barwell, Clavering,
Monson, and Philip Francis.

The results of this Act were important. (i) It brought the East India Company under the control of the Home Government. (ii.) It did away with the system of "Nabobs."

539.)

These were men who went out from England as poorly-paid (Macaulay's Essays servants to the Company, and returned having become very wealthy by half-lawful means. With their money they bought seats in the Commons and formed a powerful party ready to oppose any reforms especially in Indian affairs which might touch their pockets. (iii.) It appointed Warren Hastings as ii. Warren Hastings. Governor-General. He was of good family and had gone to 1732-1818. India to retrieve his fortunes. Clive had drawn him into (Macaulay's Warren Hastings, Lyall's do political life, and his own ability had raised him. He was a Trotter'sdo. great organizer and administrator and his object was to con- 1. His policy. solidate the English possessions in India. He had an intimate a, Bengal & Oudh, knowledge of the Bengalese, their language and customs. He transformed the native princes of Bengal into pensioners and thus secured direct administration. He helped the Nawab of Oudh to conquer the Rohillas who were a standing danger in the north west. He formed a body of Indian Civil Servants, encouraging merit and sternly repressing corruption. He ruled well and wisely for the good of the people though certainly for the profit of the Company. One of England's greatest " viceroys," he was misunderstood and maligned by his contemporaries, but the real soundness of his work has given him his reward with posterity.

His position was not enviable under the Act. The Council had ill-defined powers over the rest of India, and its members were openly hostile to him. They increased the subsidies due from the Nawab of Oudh and at the same time forced him to