certainty as to the strength of the expected forces. of the states. son. The plan was almost matured, when André, returning from a personal conference within the American lines, was providentially captured, with all his private notes, by three militiamen, who resisted his bribes and promises with patriotic firmness. Arnold immediately took refuge on board the British sloop of war, the Vulture. His unfortunate associate was brought before a court of general officers, where his noble conduct deeply excited the commiseration of the American public. The board, while lamenting the stern necessities of duty, felt themselves compelled to convict him as a spy, and to pronounce the sentence of death prescribed by the usages of war. On no occasion had the commander-in-chief to contend with equal reluctance, than while resolving to sanction the award of the court of inquiry. The public service left no alternative, and his country overcame all inferior con The French General reported himself to Washington as commander in chief, and requested orders with a defined plan of operations. His troops were sent as auxiliaries, which, according to military usage, left the post of honour to the Americans. These instructions, so well calculated to preserve the harmony of the allied arms, were given by the King of France at the earnest instance of Lafayette. The natural demand of a sketch of the proposed campaign, exposed Washington to a choice among many difficulties, for it was impossible to decide safely, while his means of action were yet matters of hope and conjecture. The resolution adopted was such as he considered due to the honour of our national engagements. He fixed upon the siege of New York, and designated the 25th of August for the movement of the French. This plan was after-siderations. wards suspended, because its essential basis was the possession of maritime superiority, which was wrested from Admiral de Ternay by the junction of the fleets of Arbuthnot and Graves, and the subsequent arrival of Sir George Rodney. The French fleet and army were then blockaded in Newport; while Washington was fully employed in anxious struggles against the accumulating embarrassments of the commissariat, which threatened at every moment to dissolve his forces. The remainder of the campaign passed away, without presenting any active enterprize. The Americans retired into winter quarters in the early part of December. The Pennsylvania line occupied à station near Morristown; the Jersey troops lay around Pompton; those from New England were stationed on both sides of the Hudson, at and near West Point; and the New York line continued at Albany for the purpose of resisting any movement from the side of Canada. The summer of 1780 was marked by the famous treaty of armed neutrality, in which Denmark, Sweden and Russia pledged themselves to a combined assertion of certain maritime principles, peculiarly obnoxious and dangerous to Great Britain as a naval belligerent. Holland was about to join the alliance, when a declaration of war by the English ministry compelled her to take part among the declared confederates of the United States. About the same time, the dangerous machina tions of private treason were added, in America, to the ordinary perils and difficulties of war. Bene dict Arnold, who had won by his courage and fortitude a high place in the esteem of the nation, was entrusted with the important command of West Point. Pecuniary distress, produced by thoughtless prodigality, led a mind but weakly fortified by honourable principle, into the crime of peculation; and the imminent danger of discovery next produced a traitorous correspondence with Sir Henry Clinton. Major John André, an aid-de-camp, to the British commander and adjutant-general of the army, was the instrument employed in this negotiation, the settled object of which was the surrender of the post and the capture of the American garri The chivalrous generosity of Washington's character was exhibited in a small incident connected with these transactions. Mrs Arnold was left by her husband's flight, in the most distressing agonies. Every effort was made to overtake the traitor; but as soon as his escape was ascertained, it was announced to the unfortunate lady in a respectful mes sage. It is honourable to the American character, that at this moment of excitement, Mrs Arnold was allowed to proceed to Philadelphia, to collect her husband's property, and to rejoin him in New York, not only without the least interruption or insult, but with all the assistance that her convenience could require. In the south, after the decisive victory of Camden, Lord Cornwallis directed his views to the conquest of North Carolina; but his plans were frequently retarded and frustrated by the successes of Sumpter, Marion and other distinguished partisans, and the indomitable courage of the inhabitants. Gates was removed by Congress from the command, which was then assumed by General Greene, on the special appointment of the commander-in-chief. The judicious dispositions of the new general were followed by the rout of Tarlton at the spirited and successful battle of the Cowpens. The efforts of Cornwallis to recover the prisoners and to attack the American army in detail, were foiled by Greene's celebrated retreat into Virginia, where being joined by reinforcements, he found himself strong enough to re-enter North Carolina and to fight the battle of Guilford Court-house. The heavy loss sustained in this action and the scantiness of supplies, compelled Cornwallis to abandon the upper country and finally to retreat to Wilmington on the coast. General Greene, who had hitherto preserved Virginia as the base of his operations, then formed the daring resolution of carrying the war into South Carolina; upon which, after some hesitation, Cornwallis marched upon Virginia, where the traitor Arnold had already landed and commenced his work of invasion and devastation. The winter of 1780-81, was again devoted by Washington to his regular negotiations with Congress for a better and more secure system of enlistment and subsistence. He obtained at length the vote of an army engaged for the whole war, with the important encouragement of a half pay provision for the officers during life. The sufferings of America would have been greatly abridged had these arrangements been made at the beginning of the contest; but such was the jealousy existing against military power, that no influence less than that of Washington, could have produced their adoption even at this stage of the revolution. Good measures tardily effected are rarely better than inferior substitutes. In the month of January 1781, the most disastrous consequences were apprehended from a general revolt of the Pennsylvania line and another among the troops of Jersey. The first was appeased by concessions imprudently made by Congress to armed mutineers; the second, produced by the successful impunity of the former, was quelled by the decision and vigorous severity of the commander-in-chief. Sir Henry Clinton endeavoured to turn these movements to the advantage of the royal cause; it was creditable to the soldiers that they immediately arrested the British emissaries, and scornfully rejected all proffer of assistance. The extreme distress of the army and the growing discontent of the people sprang from the same cause; it was the system of forced requisitions, without which no supplies could be obtained for the American forces. The two armies were so strongly posted, and so nearly equal in point of strength, that no important ⚫ movements could be effected on either side. The plans of Washington were therefore directed to the south, and to the possibility of striking a decisive blow against the British army in Virginia. Lafayette marched with twelve hundred men to the head of the Chesapeake, and though disappointed in the expected co-operation of the French fleet, he proceeded southward with the utmost celerity, to the seat of war. The royal troops, greatly increased by the arrival of reinforcements, were engaged in over-running the whole state, committing every where the most wanton devastation of private property. The immediate junction of Cornwallis and Arnold, formed an army not to be resisted by the power of the Americans; and Lafayette, after a bold advance, was obliged to fall back. This able retreat was conducted with judgment, and happily effected with a large proportion of his military stores, notwithstanding the exulting boast of the British general, that "the boy could not escape him." General Wayne advanced with fresh troops from the north; and after some sharp conflicts, Cornwallis suspended active operations by retreating to Portsmouth. If armies could be created by mere acts of Congress, Washington would have found himself at the head of thirty-five thousand men on the first of January; but in point of fact, the Americans were unable to take the field before the month of June, and it was then with a force not exceeding 5000 effectives. The deficiencies in clothing, subsistence, field equipage, &c. were even more distressing. The commander-in-chief fortunately possessed a mind so tempered by nature, as never to rise into extreme confidence, or to sink into the VOL. XVIII.-PART II. depths of despair. His plans were regularly formed and matured, so as to turn every posture of affairs to the best practical advantage. When an official communication was received, promising the early arrival of the Count De Grasse with a large naval armament, Washington and Rochambeau resolved to effect a junction and to operate against New York. That city was protected by a force of 11,000 men, under Sir Henry Clinton. The prospect of a decisive blow which would terminate this long and obstinate contest, excited many of the states to new exertions in order to raise the required supplies. Such, however, was the low ebb of public credit, that without the assistance and means of a private citizen, it is more than probable that the active operations of the campaign would have been totally disappointed. That citizen was Robert Morris, a princely merchant, such as few countries have ever possessed, and one who united to immense wealth and credit, the talents and foresight of a statesman. On the sixth of July, the allied armies met at Dobbs's ferry on the North River. Washington had already begun to apprehend that his great plan was not within the range of possible accomplishment; and he was combining a substitute in rapid movements directed against the southern forces of the enemy. This latter resolution was determined by the arrival at New York of large reinforcements, and the ascertained fact that the arrangements of the Count de Grasse would allow but a short time for co-operation on the coasts of America. Lafayette was ordered to assume such a position as would prevent Cornwallis from retreating to Charleston. He accordingly took post on James River, while the British general fortified himself at Yorktown and Gloucester point, with all his disposable forces. Towards the end of August, the Count De Grasse entered the Chesapeake and landed the Marquis de St. Simon with a strong body of French soldiers. The arrival of the British admiral Graves brought on an indecisive naval battle, which was followed by some movements ending in the return of the British fleet to New York. Washington's projects, upon the south, were skilfully concealed from the knowledge of Sir Henry Clinton, by a series of manoeuvres calculated to keep alive his apprehensions for New York. So dexterously were these executed, that the real design was not suspected until the allies had already approached the Delaware, and were therefore far beyond the reach of interruption. The whole French force, with more than two thousand of the continentals, marched upon this expedition, leaving the defence of the Hudson to General Heath. Sir Henry Clinton then used his utmost exertions to support Cornwallis, both by direct assistance and diversions to the north. One of these latter operations produced the capture and destruction of New London by Benedict Arnold. After an arrangement had been made for the transportation of the army down the Chesapeake, Washington proceeded to Virginia with Rochambeau, Chastellux, Knox and Du Portail. 4 C A personal interview was held with the Count de Grasse on board of the Ville de Paris, where the plan of the allies was fully adjusted. Shortly afterwards, every thing was nearly deranged by the news of reinforcements to the English fleet. The French admiral was excited by a chivalrous eager ness to present himself before the port of New York: but the influence of Washington fortunately overcame this spirit of enterprise and induced him to continue his important co-operation. On the twenty-fifth of September, the last division of the army landed in James River, soon after which the siege of the British position was commenced in form. Including militia, the besiegers numbered about sixteen thousand men. York is a small town on the southern side of a broad river of the same name, in which a ship of the line can lie in safety. On the north bank, opposite to the town, is Gloucester Point, a long neck of land running far into the river and approaching within a mile of York. These positions were both fortified by the British: the communications being preserved by batteries and several vessels of war. The works at Gloucester point were occupied by 6 or 700 men under Lieutenant Colonel Dundas, who was afterwards reinforced by Tarlton. The main British army lay encamped around York, under cover of outer redoubts and field works. The French general De Choisé was detached with the legion of Lauzun and Weedon's brigade of militia to blockade Gloucester. At their first approach, a brisk action was engaged, in which the British were worsted and compelled to retire within their fortifications. On the twenty-eighth, the allies advanced by different roads, to occupy the ground fixed upon. The British picquets and cavalry were driven in; and a further movement on the next day, induced Lord Cornwallis to abandon his outer lines. These were occupied by the allies, who now completed the investment. On the night of the sixth of October, the trenches of the first parallel were commenced within six hundred yards of the works: several redoubts and batteries were completed by the 9th and 10th. The fire of the besiegers then became so heavy that scarcely a shot was returned, and the Charon, of 44 guns, with three large transports, was destroyed by shells and red-hot balls. The high spirit of emulation and esteem that existed between the allies, produced the most beneficial effects upon the activity of all operations. On the night of the eleventh, the distance of the belligerents was reduced one half by the commencement of the second parallel; but the fire of the besieged then became destructive from several newly opened embrasures, and particularly from two advanced redoubts. The fourteenth was marked by the simultaneous storm of these two out-works-the one by the Americans under Lafayette-the other by the French troops under the Baron de Viomenil. Not a single shot was returned by the assailants: they advanced intrepidly under the enemy's fire, and entered the works at the point of the bayonet. Washington was particularly gratified with this exploit. In his private diary he observes; "the bravery exhibited by the attacking troops was emulous and praiseworthy. Few cases have exhibited greater proofs of intrepidity, coolness and firmness, than were shown on this occasion." The redoubts were immediately included in the parallel, and the cannon turned on their former masters. Lord Cornwallis now plainly saw that the fire of the new works would render his position untenable. A sally was attempted for the purpose of destroying two batteries, but the troops were compelled to return without achieving any result. The enterprising commander then formed the daring resolution of crossing the river at night with effectives only-routing De Choisé at Gloucester point— and then pushing by forced marches for New York. This movement was in full progress, when a storm dispersed the boats and returned the British general to his former desperate situation. On the morning of the seventeenth, the garrison beat a parley, and negotiations commenced for a capitulation. On the nineteenth, the posts of Yorktown and Gloucester point surrendered to General Washington, with the garrisons, exceeding 7000 men, and all the military stores. The shipping and seamen were yielded to the Count de Grasse. The loss of the British during the siege was above five hundred; that of the allies about three hundred in killed and wounded. The intelligence of this important event filled the union with joyous exultation. Public thanks were voted by congress to Washington, the Count Rochambeau, the Count de Grasse, and all the forces employed in the expedition. Trophies were presented to the three commanders as testimonials of gratitude: a marble column was ordered to be erected at Yorktown to the glory of the allied arms, and the thirteenth of December was appointed as a day of general thanksgiving to Divine Providence. State legislatures, corporations and learned institu tions presented addresses of congratulation to the commander-in-chief, in which the public veneration for his character was warmly and strongly expressed. Washington was anxious to secure the further aid of the French fleet in an expedition to be directed against Charleston or Wilmington: but the engagements of the admiral in the West Indies, prevented him from joining in any operations except the transportation to the head of Elk river of the eastern troops under General Lincoln and the cannon of the army. This division was can toned in New York and New Jersey. The French forces remained in Virginia, so as to be in readi ness the next campaign for either a northern or southern movement. The conquest of York was the crowning glory of the war, and shed its beneficial influences upon every department. General Greene was in the midst of a skilful and active campaign, marked by the sanguinary battles of Hobkirk's hill and the Eutaws, in which the fortune of America was gradually advancing to the ascendant. Wilmington was immediately evacuated by the British, who were now restricted to their posts in the neighbour hood of Charleston and the sea-coast: and civil government was thus again restored to the reconquered state of South Carolina. Great apprehensions were entertained by Washington, that the glorious achievements of the last campaign would prevent the necessary preparations for the next. His own mind was deeply impressed with the advantages to be derived from a vigorous improvement of the victory. Towards the end of November, he proceeded to Philadelphia; where conferences were held with Congress and the principal officers of the government. The usual difficulties of an empty treasury were to be contended with, and the most judicious efforts produced none but the most inadequate results. The British nation had now become wearied of a disastrous and expensive war, in which their feelings had never been engaged. The public sentiment reflected in parliament produced a change of ministry, and instructions were issued to the several commanders to desist from offensive operations. Mr. Grenville was sent to Paris for the purpose of treating on the basis of a general peace. These pacific dispositions, combined with the derangement of the American finances, produced in 1782 a campaign of inactivity so far as regarded the main armies of both belligerents. Early in 1783, the definitive treaty of peace was signed, acknowledging the independence of the United States of America. The disbanding of the army by a government unable to settle arrears, or to furnish one month's pay to transport the soldiers to their homes, was an extremely delicate operation, which could not have been executed without the aid of the high confidence reposed in the commander-in-chief. Some disturbances arose in the line of the army, and a jealous dissatisfaction at the measures of Congress was exhibited very generally among the officers; but all was at length appeased by the decisive weight of character possessed by a single citizen. On the 4th of December, in the city of New York, Washington took leave of his gallant and devoted army. His own emotions on an occasion so interesting, were too strong to be concealed. Tears stood in every eye, and not a word disturbed the solemnity of this sublime spectacle. After he had affectionately saluted all his officers, the war-worn commander embarked in a barge and waved his hat; the assembled veterans answered with the same respectful and affectionate farewell, and returned to their homes in silent melancholy. Washington then proceeded to Annapolis, in order to resign into the hands of the assembled Congress the power with which he had been invested. The 23d of December was the day fixed for his public audience. The members and an immense crowd of spectators stood uncovered, while the president announced to the American hero, that the United States in Congress assembled were prepared to receive his communications." With the dignity that belonged to his character and the occasion, Washington delivered a brief address, and returned his commission to the presiding officer. An answer was given, in which the thanks of the nation were strongly and sincerely expressed to him, "the glory of whose virtues was not to terminate with military command, but would continue to animate remotest ages." Washington retired to Mount Vernon, followed by the veneration and love of his grateful countrymen. In his own language, he felt himself eased of a load of public care, and hoped to spend the remainder of his days in cultivating the affections [of all good men, and in the practice of domestic virtues." His time was devoted to the pursuits and the study of agriculture, the pleasures. of intercourse, and the advancement of great works of internal improvement. As president of the Po-. tomac navigation company, he laboured assiduously in this important department of public welfare. The honours of the country continued to disturb the quiet of his retirement. During several months, affectionate addresses were received almost daily from all parts of the union. Unanimous votes for the erection of his statue were adopted in Congress and by the legislature of Virginia: this state also presented him with one hundred and fifty shares in a public improvement; but faithful to his fixed principles on the subject of recompense, Washington declined receiving the gift, otherwise than as a trust for purposes of general welfare. The society of the Cincinnati, formed by the officers of the late army to preserve the recollection of mutual friendship and suffering, unanimously chose as president their old commander. With the restoration of peace, the immediate return of individual prosperity and public credit was fondly anticipated. In common with all other intelligent patriots, Washington plainly saw that a closer union of the states was necessary under a federal head. The public obligations must otherwise remain without the duty of justice, and the weak government sinking into anarchy at home, could expect neither consideration nor respect abroad. It was only through the ordeal of suffering, that the states could be brought to abandon their favourite system of individual power; but when at length the calamities of the countrydomestic insurrection-high taxes-and general bankruptcy had accumulated beyond endurance, the plan of a convention was reluctantly adopted. The powerful instances of many patriots prevailed on Washington to accept the appointment of a delegate. The weight of his name was felt to be necessary to the important work of laying our national foundations. Twelve states were represented at Philadelphia at the time appointed, leaving Rhode Island as the single exception. Washington was unanimously chosen to preside over the deliberations of the convention: and in due time their labour was produced and approved as the constitution of the United States. All eyes were then turned upon the citizen of Virginia as the first president of the union, for all acknowledged that without him the national experiment had but little chance of suc"It is to little purpose," said Hamilton, cess. "to have introduced a system, if the weightiest influence is not given to its firm establishment in the outset." On the 14th of April 1789, the unanimous election of George Washington was officially announced at Mount Vernon. "I wish," said the president elect, with that innate modesty which no triumph or homage could ever conquer, "that there may not be reason for regretting the choice; for indeed all I can promise is to accomplish that which can be done by an honest zeal." In his private diary, the memorandum made is full of deep feeling. "About ten o'clock I bade adieu to Mount Vernon, to private life and to domestic felicity, with a mind oppressed with more anxious and painful sensations than I have words to express. His journey to New York which was then the seat of government, was one constant triumphal march. It was everywhere delayed by deputations, addresses, civil processions, military parades, and all the various tributes that could be paid by gratitude to the illustrious American benefactor. On the 30th of April, the ceremony of inauguration was performed in the chamber of the senate, amid the acclamations of an immense multitude. The great and responsible work was now fairly begun of laying the foundation of a great republic, and of giving action to a government that stood without precedent for its guidance. Bitter political animosities existed which deprived the federal government of that general co-operation so important to its commencement. The constitution itself was far from being secure against the attacks of its numerous enemies; and the whole western country teemed with discontent. In our foreign relations, the seeds of new wars against the Barbary powers, Spain and England, were daily grow ing more visible. The territory of the United States was actually invaded in several points by large tribes of hostile Indians. The revenue of the union, embarrassed by conflicting interests, and involved in disputed principles, was to be entirely regulated and raised. "It presents to the imagination," said Fisher Ames," a deep, dark and dreary chaos, impossible to be reduced to order, unless the mind of the architect be clear and capacious, and his power commensurate to the object." The executive departments, with the rules and system of their various operations, were all to be organized and digested. Undaunted by difficulties, Washington bent all his energies to the glorious task. The best abilities of the nation were called to his assistance. The department of foreign affairs was entrusted to Thomas Jefferson, the treasury to Alexander Hamilton; General Knox was secretary of war, and Edmund Randolph attorney-general. The supreme court was composed of distinguished jurists, with John Jay as the chief justice. These were the first officers of Washington, who raised for themselves a monument of fame inferior only to that of their incomparable chief, and who are still referred to in the grateful recollection of an admiring country. Among the first measures of the new government, were the regulation of the revenue by imports and tonnage the funding of the national debt, so as to lessen the public burthens consistently with the entire satisfaction of the creditors-and the selection of a future capital for the federal union. The foreign relations of the country, particularly with Spain and Great Britain, whose colonies rendered them immediate neighbours, were subjects of deep interest and attention. The president had soon reason to congratulate the country upon the productiveness of the revenue, the progress of public credit, and the favourable prospects of national affairs. Treaties were concluded with such of the Indian tribes as could reasonably be conciliated; while active warfare was waged against those who persisted in hostilities. The inadequate means allowed by Congress, delayed for a time that severe chastisement, of which General Wayne was at length the successful instrument. For their permanent pacification, Washington constantly recommended the humane system of gradual improvement, by changing their pursuits to those of agriculture, and by the introduction of a just and well regulated commerce. A national bank was next established, as an institution important to the prosperous administration of the finances, and of the greatest utility in operations connected with the support of public credit: an excise duty was laid on distilled spirits to meet the increased demands upon the treasury: the regular military force was increased for the protection of the frontiers, and the militia system was placed on an uniform footing. The different opinions prevailing in the country, as to the power and form of the new government, naturally produced conflicting parties: but-except in the darkest times and by the most acrimonious partisans—the character of the president was universally respected, and the purity of his motives was never questioned. The sentiments of both parties were represented in the cabinet by their respective chiefs, while Washington listened as an enlightened judge, far above the suspicion of undue partiality. 1793. As the time approached for a second election of president, Washington was induced by anxious representations, to submit his private happiness once more to the wishes and the welfare of the union. The unanimous votes of the states reinvested him with the first dignity: the vice-presidency was a subject of warm contention between the two great national parties, but John Adams was re-elected by a majority of suffrages. The troubles and wars of the French revolution, now added largely to the embarrassments of the administration. Sympathy for a gallant ally, who was supposed to be contending against the aggressions of monarchs, for the same freedom which she had aided to establish for ourselves, prevailed among the American people with a degree of ardour that can now be scarcely conceived. It was fortunate for the country, that at this crisis the president was not one to be dazzled by sudden lights or false brilliants. The right of every nation to self-gov. ernment by institutions of its own choice, to be |