they had a proportion of field-artillery, and landed on the peninsula without opposition, and formed, as soon as landed, under the protection of some ships of war, armed vessels, and boats, by whose fire the rebels were kept within their works.' "But this action has shown the superiority of the king's troops.' Has it, indeed? How? Why, they (with a proportion of field-artillery, and with the assistance of ships, armed vessels, and boats, and with the encouragement of certain and speedy reinforcements, if necessary) attacked and defeated above three times their own numbers.' What, three times their own numbers? Of whom, pray? Of French or Spanish regulars? No, of the Americans. Of the Americans! What, of those dastardly, hypocritical cowards, who (Lord Sandwich knows) do not feel bold enough to dare to look a soldier in the face? Of those undisciplined and spiritless Yankees, who were to be driven from one end of the continent to the other, with a single regiment? What, of those skulking assassins, who can only fire at a distance, from behind stone walls and hedges? Was it necessary to defeat these fellows, that the troops should be spirited' by the example of General Howe, assisted by General Clinton? And can it be, that Lieutenant-Colonels Nesbit, Abercrombie, and Clarke; Majors Butler, Williams, Bruce, Spendlove, Smelt, Mitchell, Pitcairne, and Short, should be forced to exert themselves remarkably against such poltroons?

6

"Good God! is it come to this at last? Can the regulars, with all these exertions, only defeat three times their own number of undisciplined cowards? and that, too, at the expense of one thousand and fifty-four (that is, more than onehalf) killed and wounded, out of something above two thousand?

"Is every redoubt which the Americans can throw up in a short summer night to be demolished at this expense? How many such victories can we bear?

*

"To be serious, I am, for my own part, convinced that the event of this execrable dragooning is decided; and that before winter, there will not be a single soldier of Lord Bute's

and Lord Mansfield's mercenary troops left upon the continent of America."

*

The pathetic eulogiums pronounced on those that were slain in battle, had a powerful effect on the minds of the American people, as the reader may readily conceive on reading the following eulogium on Dr. Warren, published in a Philadelphia paper:

"What spectacle more noble than this, of a hero who has given his life for the safety of his country? Approach, cruel ministers, and contemplate the fruits of your sanguinary edicts. What reparation can you offer to his children for the loss of such a father, to the king for that of so good a subject, to the country for that of so devoted a citizen? Send hither your satellites; come, feast your vindictive rage; the most implacable enemy to tyrants is no more. We conjure you, respect these his honoured remains. Have compassion on the fate of a mother overwhelmed with despair and with age. Of him nothing is left that you can still fear. His eloquence is mute; his arms are fallen from his hand; then lay down yours; what more have you to perpetrate, barbarians that you are? But, while the name of American liberty shall live, that of Warren will fire our breasts, and animate our arms, against the pest of standing armies.

"Approach, senators of America! Come and deliberate here upon the interests of the United Colonies. Listen to the voice of this illustrious citizen; he entreats, he exhorts, he implores you not to disturb his present felicity with the doubt that he perhaps has sacrificed his life for a people of slaves. "Come hither, ye soldiers, ye champions of American liberty, and contemplate a spectacle which should inflame your generous hearts with even a new motive to glory. Remember, his shade still hovers unexpiated among us. Ten thousand ministerial soldiers would not suffice to compensate his death. Let ancient ties be no restraint, foes of liberty are no longer the brethren of freemen. Give edge to your arms, and lay them not down till tyranny be expelled from the British empire; or America, at least, become the real seat of liberty and happiness.

"Approach ye, also, American fathers and American mothers; come hither, and contemplate the first-fruits of tyranny; behold your friend, the defender of your liberty, the honour, the hope of your country; see this illustrious hero, pierced with wounds, and bathed in his own blood. But let not grief, let not your tears be steril. Go, hasten to your homes, and there teach your children to detest the deeds of tyranny; lay before them the horrid scene you have beheld; let their hair stand on end; let their eyes sparkle with fire; let resentment kindle every feature; let their lips vent threats and indignation; then-then-put arms into their hands, send them to battle, and let your last injunction be, to return victorious, or to die, like Warren, in the arms of liberty and of glory!

"And ye, generations of the future, will often look back to this memorable epoch. You will transfer the names of traitors, and of rebels, from the faithful people of America to those who have merited them. Your eyes will penetrate all the iniquity of this scheme of despotism, recently plotted by the British government. You will see good kings misled by perfidious ministers, and virtuous ministers by perfidious kings. You will perceive, that if at first the sovereigns of Great Britain shed tears in commanding their subjects to accept atrocious laws, they soon gave themselves up to joy in the midst of murder, expecting to see the whole continent drenched in the blood of freemen. Oh! save the human race from the last outrages, and render a noble justice to the American colonies. Recall to life the ancient Roman and British eloquence, and be not niggardly of merited praises towards those who have bequeathed you liberty. It costs us floods of gold and of blood; it costs us, alas! the life of Warren."

CHAPTER V.

Meeting of second Continental Congress-Washington appointed Commanderin-Chief of the American Army-Arrives at Cambridge-Reception by the Army -Other Acts of Congress to defend the Country-Expedition against CanadaDeath of Montgomery-Troubles in Virginia-Flight of the Governor-Burning of Hampton and Norfolk.

"His life was gentle; and the elements

So mix'd in him, that Nature might stand up,
And say to all the world, This was a man !"

"He was a man, take him for all in all,

We shall not look upon his like again."

"Is my face pale with fear?

Why dost thou think to darken my soul with the tales of those who fell ?" "Warrior, we can fall, but we shall fall with renown."

On the 10th of May, the second Continental Congress convened at Philadelphia. As the Americans had now fairly embarked in a war against British oppression, it became necessary for Congress to turn their attention to the condition of the army that blockaded Boston.

All the generals then in command had received their authority from the colonial Assemblies, and therefore had no power to command an army in the name of the whole country. To appoint a commander-in-chief, possessed in a pre-eminent degree of prudence, firmness, and energy, who would stand up like a mighty Colossus against the most powerful nation on the earth, in defence of a people yet in their infancy, a Hercules in the cradle; a man, whose name and influence could gain the respect, and command the obedience of a people unaccustomed to military restraint; was a matter of deep and vital importance. The illustrious sages and patriots who composed this Congress, felt the responsibility. The welfare of the present and of future generations would, in a great measure, depend upon their selection.

On the 15th of June they proceeded to an election by ballot, when it was found that GEORGE WASHINGTON, a mem

W

ber of their own body, from Virginia, was unanimously elected. Every nation and generation will always acknowledge the wisdom of this choice to insure success. The very nation against whom he contended successfully, have since graced their Encyclopedias with a faithful delineation of his illustrious qualities. The following description of the character of Washington, by Spark, is probably one of the most faithful that has been given: "It is the harmonious union of the intellectual and moral powers, rather than the splendour of any one trait, which constitutes the grandeur of his character. If the title of great man ought to be reserved for him, who cannot be charged with an indiscretion or a vice, who spent his life in establishing the independence, the glory, and durable prosperity of his country, who succeeded in all that he undertook, and whose successes were never won at the expense of honour, justice, integrity, or by the sacrifice of a single principle, this title will not be denied to Washington."

Naturally modest and reserved, when his election was announced by the president of Congress, he rose, and said that he returned his most cordial thanks to Congress, for the honour they had conferred upon him; "but," said he, "lest some unlucky event should happen, unfavourable to my reputation, I beg it may be remembered, by every gentleman in the room, that I this day declared, with the utmost sincerity, I do not think myself equal to the command I am honoured with.

"As to pay, sir, I beg leave to assure the Congress, that as no pecuniary considerations could have tempted me to accept this arduous employment, at the expense of my domestic ease and happiness, I do not wish to make any profit by it. I will keep an exact account of my expenses. Those, I doubt not, they will discharge, and that is all I desire."

On presenting his commission, Congress adopted a resolution: "that they would maintain and assist him, and adhere to him with their lives and fortunes in the cause of American liberty."

Desirous to have other experienced and distinguished