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HOW THE NEWS WAS RECEIVED.

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Notwithstanding the excesses of which Cornwallis and many of his officers had been guilty, they were treated with great consideration by their conquerors. The British leader, however, could not forget his humiliation. On one occasion, when he was standing before Washington with his hat off, the latter remarked, "My lord, you had better be covered from the cold." "It matters not, sir," replied Cornwallis, raising his hand to his brow, "it matters not what becomes of this head now."

403. On the very day of the surrender, Clinton set out from New York for the relief of Cornwallis, with 25 shipsof-the-line and 7,000 of his best men. Off the coast of Vir

ginia, he learned to his dismay that he was too late, and he could only retrace his course.

404. News of the success at Yorktown rapidly spread through the country. One of Washington's aids bore the glad tidings to Philadelphia. Arriving at night, he proceeded at once to the house of the president of Congress, and knocked so loudly that a watchman was on the point of arresting him for disturbing the peace. He was forgiven, however, on announcing his joyful news. The bell of the old state-house soon pealed forth in exulting tones. Some were speechless with delight, while others wept; and the aged door-keeper of Congress died from excessive joy. Congress voted the highest honors to all who had aided in gaining this important victory. Washington celebrated the occasion by releasing those who were under military arrest. Religious services were performed in the several brigades, and the troops were invited to unite in returning thanks to that Divine Power who had crowned their labors and sufferings with success.

prisoners eventually taken? How were the officers treated? What story is told of Cornwallis? 403. Give an account of Clinton's unsuccessful attempt to relieve Cornwallis. 404. How was the news of the surrender conveyed to Philadelphia? How was it received? To whom were the thanks of Congress rendered? How did Washington telebrate the occasion ?

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CHAPTER XX.

END OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.

405. SHORTLY after the surrender of Cornwallis, Washington, accompanied by a number of officers, paid a visit to his mother at Fredericksburg, Va. For six years she had not seen him, and now he returned loaded with honors. A ball was given by the citizens in honor of their visitors, which the venerable lady attended. As she entered the room, leaning on the

arm of her illustrious son, her dignity of mien deeply impressed all who were present; and La Fayette, on the ter mination of the war, would not leave the country without bidding a last adieu to the mother of Washington.

406. The days of trouble were not yet over. Notwithstanding their losses in America, the British ministry showed no disposition to give up the war; and it was indispensable for Congress, if it would maintain the advantages already gained, to raise and support an army. How could this be done with an empty treasury? It was only by unceasing exertions that Mr. Morris had thus far maintained the credit of the nation and met the expenses of the last southern campaigns. To eke out his scanty means, he had employed an

405. Describe Washington's visit to his mother. 406. By what difficulties was Congress beset? By whose exertions had the credit of Congress been sustained? Tell the

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1782] THE ENGLISH PEOPLE OPPOSE THE WAR.

299

agent to accompany Greene's army, without the general's knowledge. Aware of the sufferings of the soldiers from want of food and clothing, he knew that Greene would at once spend in their behalf whatever was placed in his hands, without retaining aught for future emergencies. He directed his agent, therefore, to relieve Greene only in small amounts and when his difficulties seemed insurmountable. Several times was the army thus saved from dissolution, the mysterious agent disappearing as soon as he had placed the money on the table. At the commencement of 1782, not a dollar remained in the treasury. The states were called upon by Congress to contribute $2,000,000, but made no response. Mr. Morris had exhausted all the means at his command, and was so discouraged that he was tempted to resign his office. 407. Lord North, George Third's prime minister, received the news of Cornwallis' surrender “as he would have received a cannon-ball in his breast"; yet both he and the king obstinately determined to continue the war. The English people, however, heavily taxed for its support, felt differently. Burke, Fox, and other Parliamentary leaders vehemently opposed any further efforts to reduce America; and early in March, 1782, the House of Commons passed strong resolutions against the war. Lord North resigned, and a ministry favorable to peace succeeded. Sir Guy Carleton was sent to take command of the British forces. He reached New York in May, and made propositions to the American authorities; but Washington, finding that he would not recognize the independence of the United States and was prepared to treat with them only as revolted colonies, warned the people against listening to his offers. Not till Grenville was sent to Paris with full powers to treat with France and America, was any well-grounded hope of peace entertained.

story about Robert Morris' secret agent. What was the condition of the treasury at the commencement of 1782? What response did the states make to the demands of Congress? What was Mr. Morris tempted to do? 407. How did Lord North receive the news of Cornwallis' surrender? How did he and the king feel? How, the people! What resolutions were passed in March, 1782? What followed? Who was sent over to command the British army? What propositions did he make? How were they met by Washington? When, at length, was a well-grounded hope of peace entertained f

408. As soon as the people of the United States thought that the war was likely to end, they began to relax their exertions and to demand of Congress the pay justly due them for past services. While Washington did all he could to soothe their discontent, he urged upon Congress the necessity of meeting their engagements to those who had served them faithfully in the hour of need. The British, to be sure, had ceased offensive operations; but they might resume them at any moment, and with an army on the point of mutiny there could be little hope of successful resistance. The discontent rose to its greatest height in the spring of 1782, in the camp at Newburg. Nothing but their love of Washington restrained the army from asserting their rights by violence; and never did Washington display more judgment than in dealing with the disaffected at this critical period.

In May, 1782, Washington received from Col. Nic'-o-la, through whom the discontented troops generally made their complaints, a letter setting forth the belief of the army that Congress was neither willing nor able to redress their wrongs, and expressing a desire to place their beloved chief, as king, at the head of the nation. This offer filled Washington with grief and alarm. He rejected it without hesitation; solemnly declaring that the reëstablishment of royalty would be fatal to those liberties which were more precious than life.

Winter found the American army still unemployed at Newburg and New Windsor. In February, 1783, they again sent a petition to Congress, which had as yet done nothing for their relief. An indefinite answer was returned. Goaded by poverty, the officers, who were almost as great sufferers as their men, authorized one of their number to prepare an address, advising bolder measures and calling an assembly of the soldiers to decide upon the proper course of Before the appointed day, Washington convened

action.

408. When it seemed likely that the war would terminate, what demands were made of Congress? What advice did Washington give Congress? Describe the disaffection In the camp at Newburg. What took place in May, 1782? Where did the army spend the winter of 1782-3? What dangerous measure was resorted to by some of the officers?

his officers. In vivid colors he depicted the impropriety and danger of the steps they proposed, and called upon them to forbear from involving him, themselves, and their country, in one common ruin. The sympathizing leader who had shared all their hardships, spoke with deep feeling and was listened to in silence. At the close of his remarks he retired; and the assembled officers, after a short consultation, decided to follow his advice.

409. Meanwhile the negotiations for peace were progressing at Paris. John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and Henry Laurens, acted in behalf of the United States. They obtained from Great Britain an acknowledgment of the independence of their country, and articles of peace were signed on the 20th of January, 1783. Intelligence of the fact was received by Congress in March, and was hailed with rejoicings. The sufferings of self-denying patriots during eight years of hardship were thus at last rewarded with that price. less freedom for which they had sighed, struggled, and bled.

410. Washington still labored to relieve the immediate necessities of the troops, and discharged all who could find the means of returning home. Many thus left without tumult, although their claims were unsettled and they had not a penny in their pockets. Only one company, formed of recent levies from Pennsylvania, created any serious difficulty. Entering Philadelphia, they marched to the state-house, and threatened summary vengeance if they were not immediately paid. After a few hours they retired, and Washington prevented a repetition of the violence by promptly sending a detachment to disperse the mutineers and arrest their ringleaders. Notwithstanding this warning, Congress left Mr. Morris almost entirely to his own resources. Four months' pay for the army was all that his utmost exertions could raise.

411. In August, 1783, Sir Guy Carleton received orders to evacuate New York. The loyalists, fearing to stay after the How did Washington avert the danger? 409. Meanwhile, what was going on at Paris? Who acted for the United States? What did they obtain from Great Britain? When were articles of peace signed? How was the news received? 410. Give an account of the disbanding of the troops. What was done by one company? How much pay was taised for the army? 411. What orders were received by Carleton, in August, 1783