THE TENDENCY OF WARS TO SPREAD

Macaulay quoted on the action of Frederick the Great

Illustration from Conditions of the Turkish Empire.

Lesson from the Recent War in the Balkans, 1912-1913

The War of American Independence a striking example of the Ten-

dency of Wars to Spread

Origin and Train of Events in that War, Traced

Inference as to possible Train of Future Events in the History of the

The Monroe Doctrine Simply a Formulated Precaution against the

Tendency of Wars to Spread

National Policy as to Asiatic Immigration

Necessity of an Adequate Navy if these two National Policies are to

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Dependence on Navy Illustrated in the Two Great National Crises;
in the War of Independence and in the War of Secession

The United States not great in Population in proportion to Territory

Nor Wealthy in Proportion to exposed Coast-Line .

Special Fitness of a Navy to meet these particular conditions

The Pacific a great World Problem, dependent mainly on Naval

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Power.

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CHAPTER I

THE NAVAL CAMPAIGN ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN

1775-1776

Preponderant effect of Control of the Water upon the Struggle for

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Consequent Necessity to the Americans of a Counterpoise to British

Navy.

This obtained through Burgoyne's Surrender

.

The Surrender of Burgoyne traceable directly to the Naval Cam-

paigns on Lake Champlain, 1775, 1776

The subsequent Course of the War in all Quarters of the world due
to that decisive Campaign

The Strategic Problem of Lake Champlain familiar to Americans
from the Wars between France and Great Britain prior to 1775
Consequent prompt Initiative by Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold
Energetic Pursuit of first Successes by Arnold.

Complete Control of Lake Champlain thus secured

Invasion of Canada by Montgomery, 1775

Arnold marches through Maine Wilderness and joins Montgomery

before Quebec

Assault on Quebec. Failure, and Death of Montgomery

Arnold maintains Blockade of Quebec, 1776

Relief of the Place by British Navy

Arnold Retreats to Crown Point

Arnold's Schemes and Diligence to create a Lake Navy, 1776.

Difficulties to be overcome

Superior Advantages of the British

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The British by building acquire Superiority, but too late for effect

in 1776

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Ultimate Consequences from this Retardation.

Constitution of the Naval Force raised by Arnold

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Naval Forces of the Two at the Battle of Valcour Island.

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British Appreciation of the Importance of the Action, as shown

Criticism of the conduct of the Opposing Leaders

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Arnold's Merit and Gallantry

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End of the Naval Story of the Lakes

Effect of the Campaign upon the Decisive Events of 1777

CHAPTER II

NAVAL ACTION AT BOSTON, CHARLESTON, NEW

YORK, AND NARRAGANSETT BAY ASSOCI-

ATED LAND OPERATIONS, TO THE BATTLE OF

TRENTON

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1776

Necessity that Force, if resorted to, be from the first Adequate

Application to National Policy in peace

Failure of the British Government of 1775 in this respect

Consequences of such failure

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The Howes, Admiral and General, arrive in New York Bay

Operations about the City

Continuous and Decisive, but Inconspicuous, Part played by the

British Navy

Description of Local Conditions about New York

American Preparations for Defence .

Crucial Weakness of the Scheme

The Advance of the British

Washington withdraws his Army from the Brooklyn side

Success of this Withdrawal due to British Negligence

Subsequent Operations, and Retreat of Washington to New Jersey

Retreat continued to Pennsylvania, where he receives reinforcements

Slackness of Sir William Howe's actions

Washington suddenly takes the Offensive. Battle of Trenton

He recovers most of the State of New Jersey

The British take possession of Narragansett Bay. Importance of

that position

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CHAPTER III

THE DECISIVE PERIOD OF THE WAR. SURREN-

DER OF BURGOYNE AND CAPTURE OF PHILA-

DELPHIA BY HOWE. THE NAVAL PART IN

EACH OPERATION

1777

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British Object in Campaign of 1777 the same as that in 1776

Part assigned to Burgoyne

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Slowness of his Progress at the beginning

Sir William Howe, instead of coöperating, takes his Army to the

Chesapeake

Criticism of this Course

Howe's Progress to Philadelphia, and Capture of that City

Admiral Lord Howe takes the Fleet from the Chesapeake to the

Delaware

Surrender of Burgoyne and his Army

British Naval Operations in Delaware Bay

Brief Tenure-Nine Months- - of Philadelphia by British

The general Failure of the British Campaign determined by Howe's

move to the Chesapeake

General Results of the Campaign

Part played by the British Navy. Analogous to that in Spain, 1808-
1812, and in many other instances

CHAPTER IV

WAR

BEGINS

GREAT

BETWEEN FRANCE AND

BRITAIN. BRITISH EVACUATE PHILADELPHIA.

NAVAL OPERATIONS OF D'ESTAING AND HOWE

ABOUT NEW YORK, NARRAGANSETT BAY, AND

BOSTON. COMPLETE SUCCESS OF LORD HOWE.

AMERICAN DISAPPOINTMENT IN D'ESTAING.

LORD HOWE RETURNS TO ENGLAND

1778

France recognizes the Independence of the United States, and makes

with them a defensive Alliance

A French Fleet sails for America under Comte d'Estaing

Unprepared condition of the British Navy

Admiral Byron sails with a Reinforcement for America

Ill effect of Naval Unreadiness upon British Commerce; and espe-

Admiral Keppel puts to Sea with the British Channel Fleet

First Guns of the War with France

Extreme Length of Byron's Passage.

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He turns back to Halifax.

D'Estaing's slowness allows Howe to escape from Delaware Bay.

Howe's Celerity.

Evacuation of Philadelphia by British Army, and its precipitate

Retreat to New York

Escape of both Army and Fleet due to d'Estaing's Delays

Rapid Action of Lord Howe

D'Estaing Arrives off New York

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Howe's elaborate Dispositions for the Defence of New York Bay
Statement of British and French Naval Force.

D'Estaing decides not to attempt Passage of the Bar, and puts to Sea
Anchors off Narragansett Bay

Forces the Entrance to Newport and Anchors inside the Bay

The British garrison besieged by superior American and French
forces.

Howe appears with his Fleet and anchors off the entrance, at Point
Judith

Sustained Rapidity of his action at New York

D'Estaing Withdraws from Siege of Newport and puts to Sea.

Manoeuvres of the two Opponents

D'Estaing quits the Field, and both Fleets are scattered by a heavy

Gale.

Howe returns to New York and collects his Fleet

D'Estaing calls off Newport; but abandons the Siege finally, taking
his Fleet to Boston

Critical Condition of British garrison in Newport. D'Estaing's
withdrawal compels Americans to raise the siege

Discussion of the Conduct of the opposing Admirals
Howe gives up his Command and returns to England

CHAPTER V

THE NAVAL WAR IN EUROPE. THE BATTLE OF

USHANT

1778

Admirals Keppel and D'Orvilliers put to Sea from Portsmouth and

Brest

Instructions given to the French Admiral

Preliminary Manoeuvres after the two Fleets had sighted one another