form; but the real power which the people obeyed and firmly supported, was exercised by a provincial congress, a council of safety, and subordinate committees. To conciliate the friendship of the Indians, the popular leaders sent a small supply of powder into the country They who were opposed to congress, embodied, and robbed the waggons which were employed in its transportation. The inhabitants took arms, some to support the government, but others to defend the American measures. The former acted feebly, and were easily overpowered. They were dispirited by the superior numbers that opposed them; they every where gave way, and were obliged to fly, or feign submission. Solicitations had been made about this time for the king's forces to awe the southern provinces, but without effect, till the proper season was over. One scheme for this purpose was frustrated by a singular device. Private intelligence had been received of an express being sent from sir James Wright, governor of Georgia, to general Gage, to urge immediate assistance in the south. The express was waylaid, and the letters seized. One to Gage was kept back, and another forwarded ́ in its room. The seal and hand-writing were so exactly imitated, that the deception was not suspected. The forged letter was acted upon. This led to a conclusion that every thing was quiet, and that there was no need of troops to the southward. While these states were left to themselves, they had time to prepare for extremities, and in the mean while the friends of the sovereign were severally crushed. A series of disasters followed the royal cause in the year 1775. General Gage's army was cooped up in Boston, and rendered useless. The people of America generally took the

side of congress; and so did the great mass of the wealth, learning and influence, in all the southern colonies, and in most of the northern. Some aged persons were exceptions to the contrary. A few who basked in the sun-shine of court favour were restrained by honour, principle and interest, from forsaking the fountain of their enjoyments. Some feared the power of Britain, others doubted the perseverance of America; but a great majority resolved to hazard every thing in defence of their rights. In the beginning of the year, the colonists were farmers, merchants, and mechanics, but in its close they had assumed the profession of soldiers. So sudden a transformation of so numerous and so dispersed a people is without a parallel.

This year is also remarkable for the termination of the royal government, which was effected without any violence to its executive officers. The new system was introduced through necessity, and the imperceptible agency of a common danger operating uniformly on the mind of the public. The governors, for the most part, voluntarily abdicated their charge, and retired on board ships of war; and their withdrawing from the exercise of their official duties furnished an apology, and induced a necessity for organizing a system of government independent of royal authority.

CHAP.

CHAP. X.

Proceedings of Parliament. Boston evacuated by the British. American Independence declared. Lord Howe arrives. Americans defeated. Refuse Howe's Offers. Washington's Attacks. Trenton. Burgoyne captured. France joins the Americans. Terms offered to America. Rejected. Conduct of the Indians. Distresses of the Americans. Arnold's Treachery. Major André's Death. General Green's Conduct. Captures Lord Cornwallis's Army. Peace. Washington's Resignation and Departure.

THE

A. D

THE obstinate resistance which the British unexpectedly met with in America, led the king and parliament to think of more vigorous measures, in hopes thereby of bringing the contest to a speedy issue. For this purpose seventeen thousand Germans were subsidized, in order to be sent to assist in subduing the colonies. An act 1776. of parliament was also passed, prohibiting all intercourse with America; and while the Boston port-bill was repealed, all American property taken on the high seas was declared to be forfeited to the captors. These acts induced congress to change the mode of carrying on the war, and measures were taken to annoy the army in Boston, which was then under general Howe, Gage having set out for England the preceding September. Batteries were opened, and a regular siege commenced; which induced general Howe to abandon the town,

3

but

but not without first plundering the inhabitants of every thing that was valuable.

The British, amounting to more than seven thousand men, evacuated Boston, leaving their barracks standing, a number of pieces of cannon spiked, and stores to the value of 30,0001.. This was attended with many circumstances of distress and embarrassment. On the departure of the army, a great number of the inhabitants attached to their sovereign, and dreading public resentment, chose to abandon their country; and from the immense multitude about to depart, there were neither purchasers for their effects, nor a sufficient number of vessels for the transportation of them.

When the fleet and army departed from Boston, several ships were left behind for the protection of vessels coming from England: but the American privateers were so alert, that they nevertheless made many prizes. Some of the vessels which they captured were laden with arms and warlike stores. Some transports with troops on board were also taken, having run into the harbour before they knew of its being evacuated. The boats employed in the embarkation of the British troops had scarcely completed their business, when general Washington with his army marched into Boston. He was received with marks of approbation more flattering than the pomp of a triumph. The inhabitants hailed him as their deliverer. Reciprocal congratulations between those who had been confined within the British lines, and those who were excluded from entering them, were exchanged with an ardour that cannot be described. General Washington was honoured by congress with a vote of thanks; they ordered also a medal

to

to be struck with suitable devices, to perpetuate the remembrance of this great event.

In Canada the Americans were completely unsuccessful. The possession of this province so eminently favoured the plans of defence adopted by congress, that it was abandoned with great reluc

tance.

The Americans were not only mortified at the disappointment of their favourite scheme, of annexing it as a fourteenth link in the chain of their confederacy, but apprehended the most serious consequences from the ascendance of British power in that quarter. Anxious to preserve a footing there, they had persevered for a long time in stemming the tide of unfavourable events.

The victorious general Carleton proved himself worthy of success by his kind and benevolent treatment of the prisoners that fell into his hands. He not only fed and clothed them, but permitted them to return home. This humane line of conduct was more injurious to the views of the leaders in the American councils, than the severity practised by other British commanders.

While the Americans were retreating, they were daily assailed by the remonstrances of the inhabitants of Canada, who had either joined or befr en led them. But the only relief they had to offer was an assurance of continued protection, if they retreated with them: this was a hard alternative to men who had families; and they generally concluded that it was the least of two evils to cast themselves on the clemency of that government against which they had offended. The distresses of the retreating army were great. The British were close on their rear, and threatening them with destruction. The state of the colonies imposed on them a necessity of preserving their can