CHAPTER VI. Colonial Independence.-A. D. 1777-1799. AMERICA. DEFEAT OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN.-TREATIES WITH FRANCE DECLINED BY ALARM OF THE ENGLISH GOVERNMENT AT THE FRENCH ALLIANCE.-ATTEMPT TO CORRUPT MEMBERS OF THE CONGRESS.-EVACUATION OF PHILADELPHIA.-SUSPENSION OF GENERAL LEE.-ARRIVAL OF FRENCH SHIPS OF WAR.-ATTEMPT OF THE AMERICANS ON RHODE ISLAND.-ATTACK UPON SAVANNAH BY THE BRITISH. WYOMING. REINFORCEMENTS FROM FRANCE. IN Canada, where the command was held by general Arnold, the condition of the Americans was peculiarly unfortunate. Carleton, the British commander, finding that all his efforts were neutralized by the want of a fleet, hastily constructed a number of vessels, with which he attacked the squadron under Arnold, on Lake Champlain ; and, after a struggle of remarkable determination on both sides, so completely defeated the continentals, that they set fire to their own ships and then betook themselves to flight. The congress, anxious to strengthen their cause by PHILADELPHIA TAKEN. 71 foreign alliances, laboured incessantly for this purpose; and at length succeeded in negociating treaties with France and Spain, whose ancient hostility to England induced them to agree to the arrangements. In the meantime, Washington remained firmly encamped in his winter quarters at Morristown; and though several skirmishes ensued, he resisted all the schemes of lord Howe to provoke him to a general engagement. The arrival of two vessels from France, bringing twenty-four thousand muskets, relieved the want of arms which the Americans began to find painfully serious. During the period of uncertainty occupied by the manœuvres of the two armies, the marquis de Lafayette offered his services to congress as a volunteer, was immediately accepted, and appointed a major-general in the American army. He was shortly after introduced to Washington, who received him with great cordiality, and highly commended him for the love of freedom by which he was so strongly influenced. The battles of Brandywine Creek and Germanstown soon followed, which although they did not prevent the British from taking and occupying Philadelphia, yet were favourable in their effect on the minds of the republicans from the illustration they gave of the untired energy of the commander-in-chief, and the improving character of his army. The disaster in Canada was counterbalanced by a success which occurred shortly after, and which was one of the most serious reverses the British had to endure in the course of the war. General Burgoyne having been appointed to supersede Carleton, arrived with a considerable number of fresh and well-appointed troops. After a variety of skirmishes, in which the English were generally successful, Burgoyne crossed the Hudson and attacked. the American general Gates, who was stationed with a strong force at Stillwater. A severe but indecisive action followed; and, after a short time, another more favourable to the Americans. For some weeks the two armies remained behind their entrenchments, till Burgoyne finding his provisions gone, and no possibility of obtaining supplies appearing, attempted to retreat to Saratoga; but this being prevented, he was compelled to agree to a capitulation, by which it was specified that he and his 72 COMMISSIONERS FROM ENGLAND. troops should pile their arms, march out of their camp with all the honours of war, and depart for England from Boston, engaging not to serve again during the war. Five thousand seven hundred and ninety effective men were thus withdrawn from the British forces, and, after a time, embarked for England. General Clinton, who commanded at New York, and who was to have formed a junction with Burgoyne, had to fight his way along the banks of the Hudson. Although successful in several encounters with the continentals, he came too late to prevent the catastrophe, and was obliged to return to New York. General Howe was, in the meantime, in the occupation of Philadelphia, while Washington established a fortified encampment for winter-quarters at Valley Forge, about twenty miles from the city. The wants of the American army were many: clothes, shoes, and provisions, were very scarce, and could only be obtained with great difficulty. After Philadelphia came into the possession of the British, the inhabitants of the surrounding district were most unwilling to treat with the American contractors in some cases from fear of the enemy, and in others from affection for the royal cause; but by considerable energy and policy, Washington provided in some measure for the wants of his men, and kept them in safety until the season afforded opportunity for the next campaign. In June 1778, three commissioners, lord Carlisle, governor Johnstone, and Mr. Eden, arrived at Philadelphia, bringing fresh terms of conciliation. In these the English government went further than the Americans required at the commencement of the contest, and had they been offered then the war might have been prevented; but it was now too late. Congress would not enter into any negociation which did not recognise their independence, and the offers were declined. This movement had doubtless resulted from the alarm which the alliance between France and America had awakened. The treaty of amity and commerce, and a treaty of defensive alliance, in both of which the independence of the United States was acknowledged, had been signed at Paris on the 6th February, by M. Gérard on the part of France, and by the American commissioners, Franklin, Deane, and Lee. The news of this fact excited as much joy among the repub THEIR ATTEMPTS AT BRIBERY. 73 licans, as it had done concern in London. The English commissioners, finding all their attempts at negociation frustrated, now endeavoured to corrupt some of the members of the congress, and large bribes were offered; but the scheme being discovered, the congress sent a communication to the commissioners, commenting in severe terms on the plot to corrupt their integrity, and apprised their excellencies "that it was incompatible with the honour of congress to hold any manner of correspondence, or intercourse, with George Johnstone, esq., especially to negociate with him upon affairs in which the cause of liberty and virtue is interested." The reply of one of the members of the congress, Mr. Joseph Reed, when offered a bribe of £10,000, deserves to be recorded: "I am not worth purchasing," said he, "but if I were, the king of Great Britain is not rich enough to buy me." Washington having obtained reinforcements to his army, was planning an attack upon Philadelphia in June, when he ascertained by his spies that the enemy was about to evacuate the city. This determination was in obedience to orders received from England, which directed that the army should be concentrated at New York; and that Sir Henry Clinton should supersede general Howe as commander-in-chief, Howe being, at his own request, recalled home. Accordingly, on the 18th June, the royal troops crossed the Delaware, and commenced their march through New Jersey. Washington now resolved to obstruct the progress of the army, and dispatched general Arnold to take possession of Philadelphia, while detachments under Lee, who had been exchanged and again joined the army, and general Wayne, were to impede the enemy; Washington was to follow as soon as all arrangements were made. On the 28th, the armies came in sight of each other, and general Lee commenced an attack on the British lines, but was repulsed and forced to retire. Washington coming up at the time, addressed some strong observations to Lee, to which the general warmly retorted. The battle was renewed; and though the division under Washington was successful, Lee was again compelled to retire, and effected the retreat with great bravery and skill. The extreme heat of the weather obliged the combatants at length to cease from exhaustion. The loss on both sides 74 ASSISTANCE FROM FRANCE. was about equal; and Sir Henry Clinton resuming his march at midnight, reached New York without farther hindrance. Lee was now brought before a court-martial for disrespectful conduct towards his commander-in-chief, and supended from all military command for twelve months. He then left the army, which he never joined again, but died at Philadelphia four years afterwards. The arrival of twelve French ships of the line, and four frigates, demonstrated the purpose of France to afford the republicans substantial help. The English fleet, under lord Howe, now expected an attack; but the French remained at anchor off Sandy Hook, doing little beyond landing M. Gérard, the ambassador of Louis XVI. to the United States, during which time the British put their ships in order, and effected those repairs which they much needed to fit them for active service. Arrangements were now made for an attempt on Rhode Island, where six thousand British troops were stationed; and count d'Estaing sailed thither, while Washington dispatched two brigades from the main army, under Lafayette, to cooperate with the local militia. The enterprise might have succeeded, but for disputes which arose between the French and American officers as to the right of precedence and command. The siege however of Newport, on Rhode Island, commenced. In the meantime, the hostile fleets under lord Howe and D'Estaing met, and drew up for battle; but a furious storm arising, both fleets suffered most severely and were compelled to separate; the French admiral led his shattered vessels to Boston to refit, where he remained until November. Sullivan and Lafayette were now obliged to raise the siege of Newport, and retire to the main land. Sullivan ascribed the failure to the French, and published his charges so widely that the alliance, which had been hailed with so much joy, became for a time the source of severe quarrels. The American seamen hooted the French at Boston; and in a tumult which arose, M. de Saint Sauveur, a French officer, was killed. Washington, who dreaded the consequences to which these disputes might lead, interfered with so much judgment and earnestness, that unity was in some degree restored. |