ment to the vessels provided to convey them away, fell and expired in the streets. Yet in the midst of these unparalleled sufferings, they had exhibited fortitude more rare and more honourable to human nature than the highest display of valour in battle. To entice them to enlist in the royal army, they were promised relief from misery, and the enjoyment of abundance. They rejected the offer with disdain; thus giving to the world the noblest proof of the absence of all mercenary motive, and of the sincerity and fervour of their devotion to their country.

Near the end of May, the American army, which had been augmented by recruits, to almost ten thousand men, moved from Morristown, and took a strong position at Middlebrook. The British, soon after, left their encampment, and General Howe endeavoured, by various movements, to induce General Washington to quit his strong hold and meet him on equal ground. But the latter, adhering to his Fabian system of warfare, determined to remain in the position he had chosen.

On

General Howe, changing his purpose, transported his army to Staten Island. He there embarked sixteen thousand troops on board a large fleet, and, leaving Sir Henry Clinton in command at New York, put out to sea on the 26th of July. His destination was carefully kept secret. the 20th of August, the fleet entered Chesapeak bay, and rendered it certain that an attack upon Philadelphia was intended. The troops were landed at Elk ferry, in Maryland, fifty miles south of that city.

The American army immediately crossed the Delaware, and passing through Philadelphia, directed its march towards the enemy. The people, weary of delays and indecisive movements, demanded that a general engagement should be hazarded for the defence of the metropolis. Washington, yielding to their wishes, took a position on the eastern bank of Brandywine creek, and in the direction of the enemy's route.

On the eleventh of September, the British army appeared, and crossing the creek at several fords, commenced an attack upon the American right, which after a short resistance gave way. The other divisions, successively attacked, gave way in like manner, and the rout becoming general, a retreat was ordered to Chester.

Several portions of the American army, particularly a brigade from Virginia, exhibited in this battle great firmness and bravery. The misconduct of others rendered their bravery unavailing. The American loss amounted to twelve hundred; the British to no more than half that number. The Marquis de la Fayette took part in the engagement and was wounded. The next day, the army retired to Philadelphia, and soon after to Reading, where a quantity of stores had been deposited. The retreat was performed without a murmur, although many marched without shoes, and slept on the ground without blankets. On the 26th of September, General Howe entered Philadelphia in triumph, Congress having previously removed to Lancaster.

The transactions of the contending armies at

the north, since the termination of the expedition to Canada, now demand our attention. The Americans halted at Crownpoint, the British at St. Johns, and both employed the remainder of the summer in building vessels and making preparations to secure the command of lake Champlain.

On the 11th of October 1776, the American and British squadrons met, Colonel Arnold, who had been a sailor in his youth, commanding the former. After a short contest, the enemy not being then able to bring their whole force into action, retired. The next day, they returned to the combat, and being greatly superior, drove the American squadron before them to the head of the lake. A sharp action then took place; the officers and men fought gallantly, but Arnold losing a part of his force, and perceiving defeat to be inevitable, ran the remainder of his vessels on shore, and set them on fire.

Winter approaching, Governor Carleton returned with his troops to Canada. General Burgoyne, who had served under him during the last campaign, made a voyage to England to concert a plan for future operations. It was determined that a powerful army, departing from Montreal, should proceed by way of lake Champlain, to the Hudson, with the view of obtaining, by the cooperation of the army at New York, the entire command of that river. All communication be

tween the states of New England, and the others lying south of them, would thus be prevented.

Either section, alone and unsupported, could, it was supposed, be easily subdued; and the whole strength of the nation might then be directed against the other.

Nothing was omitted which might insure the success of this project. Seven thousand choice troops, to be sent from England, were allotted to the service. They were supplied with an excellent train of brass artillery, and with every thing which could add to their efficiency as an army. The command was given to Burgoyne, and several officers of distinguished reputation were selected to serve under him.

General Schuyler of New York, a worthy officer, whose talents were solid but not brilliant, had the chief command of the northern department. He was indefatigable in making preparations for defence; and such was his zeal in the cause of independence, and such his deserved popularity in his native state, that he doubtless accomplished more than any other person could have done. Still, at a late period in the spring, the fortifications were incomplete, and but few troops or munitions of war were collected.

Very early in the season, Burgoyne arrived at Quebec. He immediately despatched Colonel St. Leger with a party of regulars, tories, and Indians, by the way of the St. Lawrence to Oswego, directing him to proceed thence to the Mohawk, and join him at Albany, with the main army, augmented, in Canada, to ten thousand men, he hastened to Ticonderoga, before which he appeared

on the first of July. On his way, he held a conference, at the river Bouquet, with a large number of savages, whom British agents had persuaded to join the army.

The garrison of Ticonderoga, which was then commanded by General St. Clair, was insufficient to defend it against so powerful a force. It was evacuated in the night of the 5th, the troops crossing lake Champlain and retreating towards Castleton, in Vermont. The enemy pursued, and on the morning of the 7th, their van overtook and attacked the American rear under Colonels Francis and Warner. The action was warm and well contested; but other troops arriving to the aid of the British, the Americans were compelled to give way.

The retreat now became precipitate and disorderly; the pursuit rapid and persevering. At length, the republican army, diminished in number; exhausted by fatigue, and dispirited by misfortunes, arrived, by various routes, at fort Edward, on the Hudson, the head-quarters of General Schuyler. These disastrous events spread terror and dismay throughout the land. The people, ignorant of the weakness of the army, attributed its retreat to cowardice or treachery, and trembled at the dangers which menaced them from the British, Germans, and savages.

The royal forces elated by success, proceeded through the wilderness towards fort Edward. Their progress was slow and toilsome. General Schuyler, on their approach, evacuated the fort, and retired across the Hudson to Saratoga. Soon