strictly forbidden his men to fire a pistol that day, he could not resolve to break his own orders. However there was one of his men who broke them. At one time Washington was 30 or 40 yards ahead of his men. Tarleton observing this, suddenly wheeled with a couple of his dragoons to cut him off. Washington, with more courage than prudence perhaps, dashed on, and rising on his stirrups, made a blow at Tarleton, with such force, that it beat down his guard and mutilated one or two of his fingers. In this unprotected state, one of the British dragoons was aiming a stroke which must have killed him. But, the good genii, who guard the name of Washington, prevailed: for in that critical moment a mere dwarf of a Frenchman rushed up, and with a pistel ball shivered the arm of the Briton. The other dragoon attempted to wheel off; but was cut down. Tarleton made his escape. TARLETON was brave, but not generous. He could not bear to hear another's praise. When some ladies in Charleston were speaking very handsomely of Washington, he replied with a scornful air, that, "He would be very glad to get a sight of Col. Washington. He had heard much talk of him," he said, " but had never seen him yet." "Why, sir," rejoined one of the ladies, " if you had looked behind you at the battle of the Cowpens, you might easily have enjoyed that pleasure." > WHILE in the neighbourhood of Halifax, NorthCarolina, Tarleton dined in a large company. The elegant and witty Mrs. Wiley Jones happened to be of the party. The ladies, who were chiefly whigs, were frequently praising the brave Col. Washington. Tarleton with looks considerably angry, replied, "that he was very much surprised that the " Americans should think so highly of Col. Wash" ington; for, from what he could learn, he was quite " an illiterate fellow, and could hardly write his own " name." "That may be very true (replied Mrs. Jones) " but I believe, sir, you can testify that he "knows how to make his mark." Poor Tarleton looked at his crippled finger, and bit his lips with rage. Genera WASHINGTON continued the war against the Briti till 781; when Cornwallis pushed into Virginia, and ted himself at York-Town. But the eye of Washington was upon him; and with an address, which, the British historians say, was never equalled, he concerted a plan that ended in the total destruction of Cornwallis. He artfully wrote letters to Greene, informing, that, " in order to relieve Virginia, he was determined immediately to attack New-York." These letters were so disposed as to fall into the right hands. Clinton took the alarm. But while the British general was in daily expectation of a visit from him, Washington and his army, were now across the Delaware, with full stretch to the south, darkening the day with their clouds of rolling dust. Cornwallis saw that the day of his fall was at hand. He had done all that a brave (would to God we could add, a humane) man could do; but all in vain. On the last day of September, Washington sat down before York, with 100 pieces of heavy artillery. On the 7th of October this dreadful train began to thunder: and the British works sunk before them. Lord Cornwallis, unwilling to expose his army to the destruction of a general assault, agreed on the 17th to surrender. This was justly considered the close of the war; which having been begun with supplication, Washington piously ordered to be finished with thanksgiving. In the siege of Yorktown, the behaviour of the Americans was, as usual, generous and noble. The amiable Col. Scammel, adjutant-general of the American army, and uncommonly beloved by them, was dangerously wounded and taken prisoner by some British dragoons, who barbarously trotted him on before them, three miles, into town, where he presently died of fever and loss of blood. Great was the mourning for Scammel. In a few nights after, : Washington gave orders to storm two of the enemy's redoubts, which were carried almost in an instant. The British called for quarters: A voice of death was heard, "Remember poor Scammel!"-" Remember, gentlemen, you are Americans!" was rejoined by the commander: and instantly the points of the American bayonets were thrown up towards heaven! THE conduct of the French also, was such as to entitle them to equal praise. For when the British marched out to lay down their arms, the French officers were seen to shed tears. They condoled with the British, and tendered them their purses! - Glorious proof, that God never intended men to be, as some wickedly term it, natural enemies. On hearing in Congress the fall of Cornwallis, the door-keeper swooned with joy-on hearing the same news announced in parliament, lord North fell back in his chair, in the deepest distress. On re ceipt of the glad tidings, Congress broke forth into songs of praise to God: Parliament into execrations against their Prime Minister-Congress hastened to the temple to pay their vows to the Most High; the Parliament went to St. James's with a petition to the King for a change of men and measures. The King was graciously pleased to hear the voice of their prayer. Men and measures were changed; and a decree was passed that whoever should advise war and a farther widening of the breach between Britain and America, should be denounced an equal enemy to both. Then full leafed and green the olive branch of peace was held out to the nations: and the eyes of millions, on both sides of the water, were lifted in transport to the lovely sign. The stern features of war were relaxed; and gladdening smiles began again to brighten over the • human face divine" But Washington beheld the ovely sight with doubt. Long accustomed uneringly to predict what Britain would do, from what e knew she had power to do, he had nothing to hope, but every thing to fear. America, without mo |