THE RISE, PROGRESS, &c. OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. CHAPTER XXI. A fhort View of the Forces of the contending Parties.The Generals Washington and Rochambeau meet at Weathersfield.-Attack on New York contemplatedThe Defign relinquished.-Combined Armies march toward Virginia.-Count de Graffe arrives in the Chefapeake. Sir Samuel Hood arrives at New York-Sails to the Chesapeake.-Naval Action.-Lord Cornwallis attempts a Retreat-Difappointed-Offers Terms of Capitulation. Terms of Surrender agreed on.-Lord Digby and Sir Henry Clinton arrive too late.-Comparative View of the British Commanders.-General Exchange of Prisoners. THE additional weight of maritime force that CHAP. XXL appeared in the American feas in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty-one, was 1781. CHAP. XXI. 1781. ferious and eventful. In the view of every fagacious eye, this appearance portended events of magnitude, that might hasten to a decifion, the long difputed point between Great Britain and the United States. The European nations confidered the prefent period a crisis of expectation, and that the exertions of this year would either extinguish American hopes, or establish their claims as an independent nation. Before the arrival of admiral Barras, the naval power of Britain in the American waters was much fuperior to any thing that had yet arrived from abroad, that could give affistance to the United States. The acquifition of ftrength, by the arrival of a fquadron under the command of fir Samuel Hood, might have given an irresistible preponderance to the British flag, had not the count de Graffe fortunately reached the Chesapeake a few days before him. There was now juft reafon to expect the moft violent naval concuffions would take place, between the Bourbon fleets and the ftill more powerful fquadrons of Britain. They were foon to meet near the American fhores, where they were destined to difpute the decifion of an object, that, from the emulation of power, the long existing jealoufies between two potent fovereigns, and the profpect of a new face of affairs from the refiftance of America, equally interested the kings of England and France. On the part of Britain, their armies were bold, their troops well appointed, and the pride of conqueft urged to prompt execution to insure fuccefs. The Americans, inured to fatigue, became difciplined from neceflity: naturally fanguine and brave, confcious of the juftice of their cause, and perfuaded of the favor of Heaven, they were ready to engage in defence of their country and their lives, which they were fure would be the certain forfeit if defeated. Both, determined and valorous, and perhaps both equally weary of the conteft, they might equally wish for fome capital ftroke of military prowefs, fome honorable action, which might lead to equitable and amicable decision. In this attitude of expectation, hope, and uncertainty, of the two original parties, now combined with the strangers and aliens of different nations, who had adopted the ardor of conqueft equal to their employers, nothing lefs could be anticipated than new fcenes of carnage. The auxiliaries on the part of Britain, were the feudal vaffals of defpotic lords, the mere automatons of German princes, who held them as their hereditary property. The allies of America were Frenchmen, who had long felt the weight of the chains of Le Grand Monarque: they were commanded by polite and erudite officers, who just beheld the dawn of freedom rising on their native land. CHAP. XXI. 1781. CHAP. XXI. 1781. Thus the two armies finally met in the Virginian fields, the germ of the new world, the first British plantation in America; a state dignified for its uniform adherence to, and its early and firm defence of, the natural rights of mankind. Here they were to decide the last ftake for the freedom of nations, a game which had been beheld with interest and expectation, by many of the officers before they left Europe, and which might eventually have an extensive influence, to enlighten and free the more enthralled parts of the world. Previous to the junction of the French and the American armies, general Washington, the count de Rochambeau, and several other diftinguifhed officers, had met and held a conference at Weathersfield, in Connecticut. In confequence of this interview, it was reported and believed for a time, that the combined armies would immediately attempt the reduction of New York. This was a favorite object with the Americans, who generally viewed the diflodgement of the British forces from that stand, as a measure that would expedite relief to every other quarter invested or oppreffed by their fleets and armies. Accordingly, great preparations were made, and high expectations indulged through most of the fummer, that the army under the immediate command of fir 1781. Henry Clinton, weakened by detachments for CHAP. XXL the fouthern fervice, and no reinforcements yet arriving from England, would foon be driven from the important poft of New York. General Washington had neglected no argument to imprefs the neceffity of immediate and vigorous exertions in all the states, to enable him to act with decifion. He urged the expectation of the allied army, commanded by officers of the first abilities, of the highest military character, fome of them of the prime nobility of France, and all ambitious of glory and eager for action. The disappointment they would feel if any languor appeared in the United States, was obvious; and every confideration was urged and enforced, that might induce the whole body of the people to aid in facilitating the measures adopted by the military commanders, which could not be executed without union and prompt decifion in all the legislatures. Preparations were accordingly made, and on the fixth of July, the junction of the French and American armies took place at White Plains. They foon after took a nearer pofition, with every preparation for, and all the appearance of, a formidable attack on the city. But notwithstanding the fanguine hopes of the Americans on this occafion, and the well founded ap |