had been killed. Their strength was exhausted by incessant exertion; they were almost encircled by their enemy, and were greatly annoyed by a continual and destructive cannonade.

From this forlorn condition but one mode of escape remained, a forced march in the night to fort George. This expedient was resolved on, and preparations were made; but the scouts sent out returned with intelligence that all the passes were guarded by strong bodies of militia.

It is said that ball crossed the

An account of provisions was then taken, and a supply for no more than three days was found on hand. No hope of rescue within that time could be indulged. Burgoyne summoned his principal officers to a council. while deliberating a cannon table around which they sat. mous advice, he opened a negociation with the American general, and on the 17th of October, surrendered his whole army prisoners of war.

By their unani

Great were the rejoicings occasioned by this glorious victory. Many supposed it would terminate the contest. In the joy of success, all feelings of resentment were forgotten. From regard to the feelings of the vanquished, General Gates, while they were piling their arms, kept the victorious troops within his camp. The British officers in social converse with the Americans, were led to forget their misfortune, and the troops, when on their march to Massachusetts, did not receive from the people that vindictive treatment which their distressing depredations, and those of their

fellow soldiers under Vaughan, would have excused, if not justified.

Against this band of marauders, General Gates marched soon after the capitulation was signed; but on learning the fate of Burgoyne, they retired to New York. About the same time, the garrison left at Ticonderoga, having rendered their cannon useless, returned to Canada, and the northern department was restored to perfect tranquillity.

While the exertions of the northern army were rewarded by brilliant success, that of the south, equally brave and meritorious, but enfeebled by the detachments which Washington generously spared to Gates, sustained distressing reverses. The greatest was at Germantown, in the vicinity of Philadelphia, where the main body of the enemy was stationed.

Upon this body, at sunrise, on the fourth of October, the American general made a bold and vigorous attack. So sudden and spirited was the onset, that the enemy, unable to sustain it, fled, and a complete victory appeared in prospect. But six British companies, while retreating, threw themselves into a large stone house, from which, in entire safety, they poured a destructive fire upon the American troops. The pursuit was arrested, and much time consumed in a vain attempt to demolish this fortress.

The fugitives rallied, and turned upon the assailants. Confusion followed, and a thick fog, which at that moment arose, increased it. The

different divisions ignorant of the positions and success of the others, uncertain even as to their own, acted with indecision and timidity. A retreat was therefore directed, and the troops withdrew in good order.

In this action, in which fortune snatched victory from the grasp of the Americans, they sustained a loss of twelve hundred men; that of the British was less than six hundred. But the vanquished sustained no loss of reputation nor confidence. Their country applauded the boldness of the attempt, and the enemy felt higher respect for their courage and discipline.

The British army soon after left Germantown, and marched to attack the American posts on the river Delaware below Philadelphia. On the 22d of October, a body of twelve hundred Hessians, commanded by Count Donop, made an intrepid assault upon the fortifications at Red Bank. They were repulsed with great loss, and their gallant leader killed.

Fort Miffin, on Mud island, was next attacked. For six days it was bravely defended. It was then evacuated, the works having been almost demolished by the enemy's artillery. Preparations being made for a second assault, with a much larger force, upon the post at Red Bank, that was also evacuated, and thus was opened a free communication between the British army and their fleet, which had sailed round to the mouth of the Delaware.

After several movements of the respective armies, which had no important result, General

U

Washington withdrew to winter-quarters in the woods of Valley Forge. His troops were destitute of shoes, and might have been tracked by the blood of their feet. They passed the winter in huts, suffered extreme distress from want of clothing and of food, but endured their privations without a murmur. How strong must have been their love of liberty! With what lively gratitude ought a prosperous country, indebted to them for the most valuable blessings, to remember their sufferings and services!

WHILE the American armies were contending in the field, or suffering in the camp, congress were occupied in the performance of duties important to the cause of independence. At first this body possessed no powers, but such as were conferred by the credentials and instructions given by the state legislatures to their respective delegates. Early in 1776, a confederation of the states was proposed; but until the 15th of November, 1777, all the obstacles to the measure could not be surmounted.

The "Articles of the Confederation" then adopted by congress, and subsequently ratified by the several assemblies, bound the states in a firm league of friendship with each other, for their

common defence and the security of their liberties. Delegates were to be annually appointed, who, when assembled in congress, were authorised to carry on war, to make peace, and to exercise all the powers of sovereignty in relation to foreign nations. They were also authorised to determine the number of men, and the amount of money to be raised, and to assign to each state its just proportion.

But so unwilling were the states to relinquish their recently assumed independence, that they withheld from congress the authority to make laws which should operate directly upon the people; and reserved to themselves the sole right of raising their proportions of money, in such manner as each might deem most expedient.

Congress also effected a thorough reform of the commissary department, in which scandalous frauds had been committed. And in order to introduce a uniform system of tactics and discipline, they resolved that an inspector-general should be appointed. Subsequently they elected to that office the Baron Steuben, a native of Prussia, who had served in a high station in the army of Frederic the Great, and was well versed in the system of manoeuvres introduced by that celebrated commander.

The signal victory at Saratoga exalted the reputation of the confederated states, in every part of Europe. The French ministry no longer hesitated to acknowledge their independence. On the sixth of February, they concluded with the American commissioners treaties of commerce