The situation of the enemy was frequently reconnoitered, and every effort made to ascertain their strength. To carry their works by storm was a dangerous project, but it appeared to Washington practicable, and he determined to suggest it to his general officers. A council of war was called, and the measure proposed. It was decided that the attempt ought not to be at that time made. The original plan of continuing the blockade appeared the most advisable, and Washington acquiesced in the decision of the council,

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The scarcity of fresh provisions in Boston, induced the enemy to send small parties to forage along the shores of the continent, under the tection of their armed vessels. The defence of their property imposed such a heavy burden upon the seaboard towns, that the governors of several colonies applied to Washington to send detachments to their assistance. Repeated applications of this nature were very embarrassing, till Congress passed a resolution "that the army before Boston was designed only to oppose the enemy in that place, and ought not to be weakened by detachments for the security of other parts of the country."

In the course of the autumn, gradual approaches were made towards the British posts. The army was also reinforced by the arrival of more than fourteen hundred riflemen, from Pennsylvania and Maryland. Through the season, the most active exertions of the commander-inchief were directed to procuring arms and ammunition for his troops. A voyage was made to Africa, and every pound of gunpowder for sale in the British factories along the coast, was obtained by the exchange of New-England rum. A British ordnance ship, completely laden with military stores, was captured by a privateer under the command of Captain Manly. On the fifth of September, a committee of Congress was appointed to visit the camp at Cambridge, and confer with the chief magistrates of the northern colonies, and the Council of Massachusetts, on the continuance and regulation of the continental army. The result of their conference was, that the new army should consist of twenty thou sand three hundred seventy-two men, to serve till the last day of December, 1776. This short term of enlistment proved a very serious and almost a fatal evil.

In the execution of this resolve, Washington called upon the soldiers and officers to make their election, whether to retire or remain with the army. Great difficulties occurred in effecting the re-enlistment. Many were unwilling to continue in the army on any terms; some required leave of absence to visit their families, and others were in doubt, and uncertain what course to pursue. In his general orders, Washington appealed directly to the pride and patriotism of both officers and men "The times," he observed in the orders of October twentieth, "and the importance of the great cause we are engaged in, allow no room for hesitation and delay. When life, liberty and property are at stake; when our country is in danger of being a melancholy scene of bloodshed and desolation; when our towns are laid in ashes, innocent women and children driven from their peaceful habitations, exposed to the rigors of an inclement season, to depend, perhaps, on the hand of charity for support; when calamities like these are staring us in the face, and a brutal, savage enemy

threatens us, and every thing we hold dear, with destruction from foreign troops, it little becomes the character of a soldier to shrink from danger, and condition for new terms. It is the general's intention to indulge both officers and soldiers, who compose the new army, with furloughs for a reasonable time; but this must be done in such a manner as not to injure the service, or weaken the army too much at once."

The new regiment did not fill so rapidly as had been expected. The old troops, whose term of service had expired, were eager to return home; the new troops were slow in coming in. From this circumstance, the lines were often in a defenceless state. "It is not," says General Washington, in a communication to Congress, "in the pages of history to furnish a case like ours. To maintain a post within musket shot of the enemy, for six months together, without ammunition, and at the same time to disband one army and recruit another, within that distance of twenty odd British regiments, is more, probably, than ever was attempted."

About the middle of February, 1776, the waters about Boston had become sufficiently frozen to bear the troops. Washington was now desirous to execute his plan of attacking the enemy. A council of war was again called, and was again almost unanimous against the measure. It was therefore reluctantly abandoned. The regular force engaged for the year, now amounted to more than fourteen thousand men, and the militia to about six thousand. With these troops, Washington determined to take possession of the heights of Dorchester; a step which he thought must certainly bring on a general action. To favor the execution of this plan, a heavy bombardment on the town, and lines of the enemy, was commenced, on the evening of the second of March, and continued on the two succeeding nights. On the night of the fourth, a detachment, under the command of General Thomas, crossed the neck from Roxbury, and took possession of the heights. The ground was deeply frozen, and it was with great labor that the party were able, during the night, to raise works which nearly covered them from the shot of the enemy.

The British were very much surprised at the first view of these works, and immediately commenced a tremendous cannonade from their shipping in the harbor, and their forts in Boston. This scene has been very vividly described by Dr. Thacher. "Cannon shot are continually rolling and rebounding over the hill; and it is astonishing to observe how little our soldiers are terrified by them. During the forenoon, we were in momentary expectation of witnessing an awful scene; nothing less than the carnage of Breed's hill battle was expected. The royal troops are perceived to be in motion, as if embarking to pass the harbor, and land on Dorchester shore, to attack our works. The hills and elevations in this vicinity are covered with spectators to witness deeds of horror in the expected conflict. His Excellency, General Washington, is present, animating and encouraging the soldiers, and they, in their turn, manifest their joy, and express a warm desire for the approach of the enemy; each man knows his place, and is resolute to execute his duty." General Howe determined to attack the heights, and ordered three thousand men

on this service. These were embarked, and fell down to the Castle with the intention of proceeding up the river to the attack, but were dispersed by a tremendous storm. Before they could be in readiness to proceed, the American works were in such a state of security as to discourage any attempt against them.

The British now resolved to evacuate Boston as soon as possible. A paper signed by four of the selectmen was sent out with a flag of truce, containing a proposition, which purported to come from General Howe, that the town should be left uninjured if the troops were allowed to embark without molestation. This letter was directed to the commander-inchief, but did not bear the signature of General Howe. Washington therefore declined taking any notice of it, but at the same time he "intimated his good wishes for the security of the town." On the seventeenth, the royal army commenced their embarkation on board of the transports. They were suffered to depart without annoyance.

Immediately after their departure, Washington ordered a part of his army to New-York, to defend that town against the expected invasion of the enemy. On entering Boston, the commander-in-chief was welcomed on all sides with the warmest gratulations. Congress passed a vote of thanks, to express the public approbation of his conduct; and ordered the striking of a medal, with suitable devices, to perpetuate the remembrance of the event. The town had received much less injury than was at first anticipated. During the siege, the Old South Church, a brick building near the centre of the town, had been converted into a riding school for Burgoyne's dragoons. The pulpit and pews were removed, and the floor covered with earth, to make it suitable for exercising their horses upon. A beautiful pew, ornamented with silk and carved work, was broken up, and its pieces taken for a fence to a hog-stye. The North Church was torn down, and consumed for fuel.

After providing for the security of Boston, Washington marched with the main army to New-York, and made every preparation for the defence of this very important position. In these labors, the American army was incessantly occupied, until Lord and General Howe arrived at Sandy Hook with their naval and land forces. Before the commencement of hostilities, an attempt was made at negociation. General Howe sent a letter by a flag, directed to "George Washington, Esq." This the general refused to receive, as it did not recognise the public character with which he had been invested by Congress. His conduct on this occasion met with the approbation of this body, and they resolved, "that he had acted with the dignity becoming his character." The British general was very anxious to obtain an interview with the commander-inchief, but was unwilling to adopt his military address. He accordingly sent Colonel Patterson to the American headquarters, with a letter to "George Washington, &c. &c. &c." The general still declined receiving it. He said it was true, the etceteras implied every thing; they also implied any thing: and a letter directed to a public character should have an address descriptive of that character.

Colonel Patterson then said that General Howe would not urge his delicacy any further; repeating his assertion that not the slightest disre

spect was intended in the form of the address. Some conversation ensued in respect to the treatment of prisoners; when the colonel observed that Lord and General Howe had been appointed commissioners by the king, and were very desirous of arranging the difficulties that had so unfortunately arisen. General Washington observed that he was vested with no power of treating upon the subject. He had read the act of parliament, and found Lord and General Howe only authorized to grant pardons. The Americans, having committed no fault, desired no pardon; they were only defending their rights. Colonel Patterson seemed confused, and said this would open a wide field for argument. After some few remarks, he was invited to a small collation, and introduced to the general officers. With many polite expressions at taking leave, he observed― "Has your Excellency no commands to my Lord or General Howe?" None, Sir," replied Washington, "but my particular compliments to both of them."

On the arrival of General Howe at Staten Island, the American army did not exceed ten thousand men, but before the end of August they amounted to twenty-seven thousand. This force was distributed so judiciously, that the enemy were doubtful in what quarter to commence their operations. Every probable point of debarkation was guarded. From the arrival of the army, the Americans were in daily expectation of being attacked, and Washington was actively engaged in preparing their minds for action. In general orders he called upon the officers to be deliberate, and upon the soldiers to be firm, courageous and obedient. He directed that any soldier who deserted his ranks in time of battle should be immediately shot down. "The time," he observed, " is now at hand, which must probably determine whether Americans are to be freemen or slaves; whether they are to have any property they can call their own; whether their houses and farms are to be pillaged and destroyed, and themselves consigned to a state of wretchedness, from which no human efforts will deliver them. The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army. Our cruel and unrelenting enemy leaves us only the choice of a brave resistance, or the most abject submission. We have to resolve to conquer or die. Our own, our country's honor, call upon us for a vigorous and manly exertion; and if we now shamefully fail, we shall become infamous to the whole world. us then rely on the goodness of our cause, and on the aid of the Supreme Being, in whose hands victory is, to animate and encourage us to great and noble actions. The eyes of all our countrymen are now upon us, and we shall have their blessings and praises, if happily we are the instruments of saving them from the tyranny meditated against them. Let us therefore animate and encourage each other, and show the whole world, that a freeman, contending for liberty on his own ground, is superior to any slavish mercenary on earth."

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On the twenty-seventh of August, the enemy attacked the American forces under the command of General Sullivan, on Long Island. The variety of ground and the number of different parties engaged on both sides, occasioned a succession of small engagements, pursuits, and slaughters, which lasted for many hours. The Americans were defeated

in every quarter. They suffered exceedingly from the want of discipline, and the means of ready transmission of intelligence. The troops retired within their line, discouraged and fatigued, with a victorious army in front, and a powerful fleet about to enter East river, for the purpose of cutting off their retreat. Washington immediately determined to evacuate the island with all his forces. For this purpose, he crossed over to the island on the night of the twenty-ninth, to conduct the retreat in person. It so happened, that, about two o'clock in the morning, a heavy fog enveloped the whole of Long Island. Under this cover, an army of nine thousand men, with their baggage, provision, horses, and military stores, crossed a river more than a mile wide, and landed at New-York with no material loss. It was done in such silence, that the enemy, who were so near that they were heard at work with their pickaxes, knew nothing about the matter, till the clearing up of the fog. In conducting this difficult movement, Washington was incessantly active. For forty-eight hours he did not close his eyes, and much of that time he was on horseback. Notwithstanding the entreaties of his officers, he remained among the last upon the shore, refusing to embark till he saw his troops safely on board the transports.

The unfavorable issue of this engagement led to the most alarming consequences. Hitherto the soldiers had possessed such confidence in themselves and their officers, from being engaged in the cause of their country and liberty, that it outweighed all their apprehensions from the skill and discipline of the enemy. But on this occasion they found themselves encompassed with difficulties and dangers, from which their valor could not extricate them. They exaggerated the adroitness and military discipline of the enemy, and in every movement were apprehensive of some new surprise or skilful stratagem. "Our situation," said Washington in his letter to Congress, "is truly distressing. The check our detachment received on the twenty-seventh ultimo has dispirited too great a proportion of our troops, and filled their minds with apprehension and despair. The militia, instead of calling forth their utmost efforts to a brave and manly opposition, in order to repair our losses, are dismayed, intractable, and impatient to return."

Washington had recourse to entreaty, to persuasion, and to promises, to arrest the progress of these evils. In his communication to Congress, he urged the necessity of making enlistments for a longer period. The defence of the public liberties was to be entrusted only to a permanent army, regularly disciplined. It required time to reduce men who had been subject to no control, to the requisite military strictness. In a few days after this remonstrance, Congress resolved to raise eighty-eight battalions to serve during the war. It was important, therefore, to wear away the present campaign with as little loss as possible, in order to take the field in the ensuing year with a well organized army. The evacuation of NewYork was accordingly determined on, as soon as events might make it necessary for the preservation of the troops.

While Washington was taking measures to preserve his troops and stores by evacuating the city, the British commander was pursuing his plan of bringing about a general action. On the fourteenth of September,