to receive it. America is an extensive continent. It contained at that time a population more than equal to the population of Scotland; and was likely in a few generations, to contain a population exceeding that of the whole British islands. The Americans might probably, in time, therefore, have obtained the ascendency in the British parliament; they might even have ultimately removed the seat of government from the Old to the New world, and thus deprived Britain of that importance which she had long maintained among civilized nations. The Americans, on the other hand, by becoming part of the British empire, would have subjected themselves, not only to such taxes as were necessary for their own government and defence, but to their share of such taxes as were necessary for the government and defence of Britain. They would have subjected themselves not only to such taxes as were necessary to meet future exigencies, but to such as were necessary to pay the interest of past debts. By separating themselves entirely from Britain they would, for a long time at least, be free from that burden which Britain had incurred by her numerous wars; they would disentangle themselves from embarrassments with several powerful nations, which were disposed to attack them as the colonies of the mother-country; and they would free themselves from many of those restraints upon their trade, which they accounted so prejudicial to their interests. When we consider that so many circumstances of such magnitude were opposed to the amicable agreement of both parties, we may be convinced that the greatest political abilities were necessary to reconcile their jarring interests; or rather, we may with safety conclude, that whatever had been the abilities of British statesmen at that period, it was impossible that any lasting union could have been effected between Britain and her colonies. If we add to these jarring interests, the assistance that America was certain of receiving from the foes of Britain, and the difficulty with which it was to be supposed she could defend herself from those foes at home, and carry on an offensive war against America abroad, we have no reason to be surprised at the obstinacy with which the colonists refused to comply with the demands of the British. To these considerations we must also add that several European nations had, by their political intrigues, considerably alienated the affections of the colonies from the mother-country. The French in particular, on this theatre, showed themselves more successful in politics than in war; but, while they planned a revolution in America, they laid the foundation of another in France, which overturned the very court by which the former was contrived; so short-sighted are politicians with regard to the tendency of their own schemes.

War was now the avowed resolution of both parties; and both made vigorous preparations for carrying it on. The patriot army was organized, and George Washington was unanimously created commander-in-chief. Horace Gates was made adjutant-general; and Charles Lee major-general of the provincial troops. The patriot generals Montgomery and Schuyler, with 3000 men, attempted the conquest of Canada; but after undergoing innumerable fatigues, and displaying much bravery, the scheme was completely defeated. The governors of the provinces endeavoured, for some time, to maintain their places, and to reclaim the disaffected; but were all ultimately obliged to save themselves by flight. The single town of Boston was all that Britain now possessed of her American provinces: and that town was besieged by such an army as threatened to expel from it the few troops by whom it was occupied. In March, 1776, general Washing

ton opened batteries against it, and for 14 days bombarded it with the utmost fury; and, on the 17th of that month, general Howe, to whom Gage had yielded the command of the town, was permitted quietly to evacuate it, and sail with the garrison to Halifax; taking with him about 2000 of the inhabitants, who were attached to the British cause, but leaving to the Americans a considerable quantity of military stores.

Declaration of Independence.] The Americans, on the 4th of July, 1776, declared themselves independent; and formally renounced all connexion with Britain. This declaration, and the reasons for it, were circulated in all the colonies, and met the approbation of them all, except Maryland, but this state was soon induced to join the confederacy. In the mean time the British projected an expedition against Charleston in South Carolina, which failed; but another against New York was more successful. It consisted of 6 ships of the line and 30 frigates, besides a great number of armed vessels and transports. The command of this fleet was given to admiral Howe; and his brother, general Howe, was ordered to leave Halifax, with the troops under his command, and to wait at Staten island, on the coast of New York, to take the command of the land-forces, and co-operate with his brother. In July, admiral Howe arrived; and, after having, in quality of commissioner for receiving the submission of the colonists, in vain endeavoured to bring about a reconciliation, he determined to make use of the forces under his command to enforce submission. The troops were landed on Long island without opposition; the patriots, under general Putnam, lay on the opposite shore, behind a range of hills, of which the principal pass was called Flat bush. An engagement took place here on the 27th of August. Of the Americans upwards of 3000 were killed, and 1,100 were taken prisoners; while the British had only 61 killed and 257 wounded. Lord Howe, imagining that this victory would be sufficient to bring congress to the desired terms, despatched general Sullivan, one of his prisoners, to them, with a message, informing them that though he could not treat with them under the political character which they had assumed, yet, such was his desire of a reconciliation, that he was willing to consult with any of them in their private capacity, on the means most proper for bringing it about. But congress knew too well the value of the object for which they contended, to yield on the first defeat. They informed the messenger that they could not consult with the enemies of their country in any other character than that which their country had bestowed on them; but, that it might not be said that they were averse to peace, they would appoint a committee to wait on lord Howe, in order to learn his proposals. This committee, consisting of Dr Franklin, Mr Adams, and Mr Rutledge, declared, that it was necessary to lay down the independency of the states as a preliminary article; this peremptory assertion agreeing so ill with his lordship's designs, necessarily brought the consultation to a speedy conclusion, and lord Howe prepared to prosecute war.

Having published a manifesto, in which he declared the refusal of congress to accept of a reconciliation, Howe attacked New York, and, with great ease, drove the Americans from it, to the N. end of the small island on which that city stands. The American army was again attacked and defeated; but the defeat was by no means so decisive as that which they had experienced at Flat Bush. Howe then turned his arms against the forts in the neighbourhood of New York, and, in a short time, part of New York and the whole of New Jersey were in the possession of the British, whose line extended from New Brunswick to the Delaware. Sir Henry

Clinton also took possession of Rhode island, without the loss of a man ; whilst admiral Hopkins, with the American fleet, which had been fitted out with much care, was obliged to run up the river Providence, as far as the vessels would float. A second expedition to Canada terminated in a manner no less disastrous than the first. The term for which the provincial soldiers had enlisted was expired, and they daily left the army in great numbers; so that of 30,000 men who opposed general Howe at New York, scarcely 3000 could now be mustered; and Lee, one of the most expert among the American generals, was made prisoner. But, before the end of the campaign, Washington obtained a victory over a body of Hessians posted not far from Philadelphia, which, though not of great importance, tended in some measure to reanimate the courage of the dispirited Americans.

In the spring of 1776, every exertion was made to recruit the patriot army, and Washington once more saw himself at the head of a respectable force, consisting of soldiers, not enlisted for one year, but for three years, or during the continuance of the war. With this force he posted himself between the British army and Philadelphia, too strongly to be dislodged; but, on the 11th of September, the American army was attacked and entirely defeated; on the 26th general Howe took possession of Philadelphia, and laid open the navigation from Philadelphia to the sea.

Burgoyne's Expedition.] In the northern provinces, the British arms were not equally sucessful. New England had always been considered not only as the original, but the great supporter of revolutionary principles: the conquest of this part of the country, therefore, was considered as the surest method of checking what was called the American rebellion. To effect this important conquest, general Burgoyne was put at the head of 4000 British troops, and 3000 Germans. With this army he encamped, in June 1777, on the western side of Lake Champlain, where he was joined by a numerous body of Indians, and soon after captured Ticonderago, a fort of great strength, and garrisoned by 6000 men. The Americans retired from Fort George and Fort Edward, to Saratoga, where they were put under the command of general Arnold. Colonel St Leger, who had been sent on an expedition on the Mohawk river, to make a diversion in favour of the main body of the British army, had already laid siege to Fort Stanwise, and general Burgoyne wished to advance towards him, that he might either enclose the Americans between the two parties, or effect a junction with the colonel. But St Leger's Indian allies, intimidated at the report of Arnold's approach with 2000 men, deserted in such numbers as to oblige him likewise to retreat, and Burgoyne found it not only imprudent, but even impossible, to advance a step, till provisions could be procured. At the beginning of October, provisions had become so scarce in the British camp that the soldiers were put on short allowance; meanwhile American volunteers flocked together from every quarter, so that, while Burgoyne could scarcely muster 6000 men, the provincial army amounted to upwards of 16,000. Every part of the British camp was exposed, not only to the grape and rifle-shot of the enemy, but to a perpetual discharge of their artillery. In this dangerous situation, with their provisions daily decreasing, and without the possibility of acquiring more, the British army waited with fortitude till the 13th, when an inventory of provisions was made, and it was found that the whole could not subsist the army, even at short allowance, longer than three days. With much reluctance, therefore, they were obliged to capitulate; but they were to be

ton opened batteries against it, and for 14 days bombarded it with the utmost fury; and, on the 17th of that month, general Howe, to whom Gage had yielded the command of the town, was permitted quietly to evacuate it, and sail with the garrison to Halifax; taking with him about 2000 of the inhabitants, who were attached to the British cause, but leaving to the Americans a considerable quantity of military stores.

Declaration of Independence.] The Americans, on the 4th of July, 1776, declared themselves independent; and formally renounced all connexion with Britain. This declaration, and the reasons for it, were circulated in all the colonies, and met the approbation of them all, except Maryland, but this state was soon induced to join the confederacy. In the mean time the British projected an expedition against Charleston in South Carolina, which failed; but another against New York was more successful. It consisted of 6 ships of the line and 30 frigates, besides a great number of armed vessels and transports. The command of this fleet was given to admiral Howe; and his brother, general Howe, was ordered to leave Halifax, with the troops under his command, and to wait at Staten island, on the coast of New York, to take the command of the land-forces,

and co-operate with his brother. In July, admiral Howe arrived; and, after having, in quality of commissioner for receiving the submission of the colonists, in vain endeavoured to bring about a reconciliation, he determined to make use of the forces under his command to enforce submission. The troops were landed on Long island without opposition; the patriots, under general Putnam, lay on the opposite shore, behind a range of hills, of which the principal pass was called Flat bush. An engagement took place here on the 27th of August. Of the Americans upwards of 3000 were killed, and 1,100 were taken prisoners; while the British had only 61 killed and 257 wounded. Lord Howe, imagining that this victory would be sufficient to bring congress to the desired terms, despatched general Sullivan, one of his prisoners, to them, with a message, informing them that though he could not treat with them under the political character which they had assumed, yet, such was his desire of a reconciliation, that he was willing to consult with any of them in their private capacity, on the means most proper for bringing it about. But congress knew too well the value of the object for which they contended, to yield on the first defeat. They informed the messenger that they could not consult with the enemies of their country in any other character than that which their country had bestowed on them; but, that it might not be said that they were averse to peace, they would appoint a committee to wait on lord Howe, in order to learn his proposals. This committee, consisting of Dr Franklin, Mr Adams, and Mr Rutledge, declared, that it was necessary to lay down the independency of the states as a preliminary article; this peremptory assertion agreeing so ill with his lordship's designs, necessarily brought the consultation to a speedy conclusion, and lord Howe prepared to prosecute war.

Having published a manifesto, in which he declared the refusal of congress to accept of a reconciliation, Howe attacked New York, and, with great ease, drove the Americans from it, to the N. end of the small island on which that city stands. The American army was again attacked and defeated; but the defeat was by no means so decisive as that which they had experienced at Flat Bush. Howe then turned his arms against the forts in the neighbourhood of New York, and, in a short time, part of New York and the whole of New Jersey were in the possession of the British, whose line extended from New Brunswick to the Delaware. Sir Henry

Clinton also took possession of Rhode island, without the loss of a man ; whilst admiral Hopkins, with the American fleet, which had been fitted out with much care, was obliged to run up the river Providence, as far as the vessels would float. A second expedition to Canada terminated in a manner no less disastrous than the first. The term for which the provincial soldiers had enlisted was expired, and they daily left the army in great numbers; so that of 30,000 men who opposed general Howe at New York, scarcely 3000 could now be mustered; and Lee, one of the most expert among the American generals, was made prisoner. But, before the end of the campaign, Washington obtained a victory over a body of Hessians posted not far from Philadelphia, which, though not of great importance, tended in some measure to reanimate the courage of the dispirited Americans.

In the spring of 1776, every exertion was made to recruit the patriot army, and Washington once more saw himself at the head of a respectable force, consisting of soldiers, not enlisted for one year, but for three years, or during the continuance of the war. With this force he posted himself between the British army and Philadelphia, too strongly to be dislodged; but, on the 11th of September, the American army was attacked and entirely defeated; on the 26th general Howe took possession of Philadelphia, and laid open the navigation from Philadelphia to the sea.

Burgoyne's Expedition.] In the northern provinces, the British arms were not equally sucessful. New England had always been considered not only as the original, but the great supporter of revolutionary principles: the conquest of this part of the country, therefore, was considered as the surest method of checking what was called the American rebellion. To effect this important conquest, general Burgoyne was put at the head of 4000 British troops, and 3000 Germans. With this army he encamped, in June 1777, on the western side of Lake Champlain, where he was joined by a numerous body of Indians, and soon after captured Ticonderago, a fort of great strength, and garrisoned by 6000 men. The Americans retired from Fort George and Fort Edward, to Saratoga, where they were put under the command of general Arnold. Colonel St Leger, who had been sent on an expedition on the Mohawk river, to make a diversion in favour of the main body of the British army, had already laid siege to Fort Stanwise, and general Burgoyne wished to advance towards him, that he might either enclose the Americans between the two parties, or effect a junction with the colonel. But St Leger's Indian allies, intimidated at the report of Arnold's approach with 2000 men, deserted in such numbers as to oblige him likewise to retreat, and Burgoyne found it not only imprudent, but even impossible, to advance a step, till provisions could be procured. At the beginning of October, provisions had become so scarce in the British camp that the soldiers were put on short allowance; meanwhile American volunteers flocked together from every quarter, so that, while Burgoyne could scarcely muster 6000 men, the provincial army amounted to upwards of 16,000. Every part of the British camp was exposed, not only to the grape and rifle-shot of the enemy, but to a perpetual discharge of their artillery. In this dangerous situation, with their provisions daily decreasing, and without the possibility of acquiring more, the British army waited with fortitude till the 13th, when an inventory of provisions was made, and it was found that the whole could not subsist the army, even at short allowance, longer than three days. With much reluctance, therefore, they were obliged to capitulate; but they were to be