phia, the people went wild with delight as they heard the cry of the watchman, "Two o'clock, and Cornwallis is taken.' Congress marched in a body to the Lutheran church and listened to prayers of thanksgiving for the victory; while England's prime minister, Lord North, threw up his hands with the wail, "It's all over; it's all over."

END OF THE STRUGGLE

264. Yorktown and its Effect on the British. The effect of the Yorktown victory on the British was advantageous to the American cause. The American war had steadily grown in unpopularity among the English people. Charles Fox had referred to Howe's victory in the battle of Long Island as the "terrible news from Long Island," and on the floor of parliament had spoken of Washington's army as "our army." Burke had expressed the hope that the Americans would succeed, and the great Pitt had declared that if he were an American he would never submit.

A strong party in parliament now opposed the further prosecution of the war. Peace resolutions were introduced in the House of Commons, and though opposed by the power of the king and his ministry, were successfully passed. This movement forced Lord North to resign, and a new ministry was formed, in which the great Burke, Charles Fox, and Richard Sheridan appeared as friends of the colonies.

Hereupon Sir Guy Carleton, who had succeeded Sir.Henry Clinton, was instructed by parliament to open peace negotiations. This offer of peace, like previous offers, still referred to the American states as "revolted colonies," and sought to place the matter in such shape that the king could negotiate with each colony separately. Congress promptly refused to consider the offer and "the several states passed resolutions expressing their objection to separate negotiations, and declaring those to be enemies to America who should attempt to treat without the authority of Congress."

265. Parliament Overrules King George.-King George now insisted on carrying on the war, but the peace party in parliament set itself squarely in opposition to the king by declaring that "the House of Commons would consider as enemies to his Majesty and the country, all who would advise or attempt a further prosecution of offensive war on the continent of North America."

266. England Acknowledges the Independence of the United States-November 30, 1782.-From this defiance of the king it was but a step to the acknowledgment of the United States as a separate government among the nations of the world. This the new British ministry did, sending a representative to Paris to join with the American peace commissioners-John Jay, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Henry Laurens-in a preliminary treaty of peace.

267. Cessation of Hostilities by Proclamation-April 19, 1783.-Hostilities in America had practically ceased after the Yorktown victory. It is true, however, that in the south, as well as in some sections of New York, and on the western border, a state of desultory war had been kept up between partisan bands of Americans and the Tory element, aided by small detachments of British soldiers. All this, however, ceased as news of the peace preliminaries reached America, when both Washington and Sir Guy Carleton were directed to proclaim a cessation of hostilities on land and sea. This Carleton soon did, and Washington followed on the 19th of April, 1783—the eighth anniversary of the battle of Lexington.

268. The Treaty of Paris-September 3, 1783.-Two years had now passed since Yorktown, and yet peace had not been formally declared. France and Spain, hoping to gain the advantage over Great Britain, had been purposely prolonging the peace parley. France was also striving to fix the boundaries of the new republic to correspond to the boundaries established by the Quebec Act.

However, England having gained a decided victory over

the French fleet in the West Indies, and having defeated a combined French and Spanish assault upon Gibraltar, these two nations became alarmed, and early in January agreed to preliminaries at Versailles. This opened the way for the settlement of the whole matter, and on September 3, 1783, the formal treaty of peace between Great Britain and the United States was signed at Paris.

The treaty contained the following provisions:

(1.) Great Britain recognized the independence of the United States.

(2.) The boundaries of the new republic were to extend to the Mississippi on the west, and from Nova Scotia, the St. Lawrence River, and the Great Lakes on the north, to the Spanish province of Florida on the south-Great Britain having by separate treaty with Spain ceded Florida to that power.

(3.) The United States was accorded the right of fishing on the Canadian and Newfoundland coasts.

(4.) Congress was to recommend to the state legislatures that they restore civil rights to all Tories and make payment for all Tory property confiscated during the war.

(5.) American merchants were to pay all debts contracted with British merchants prior to the war.

(6.) So far as the two powers could control, the Mississippi River was to be forever open for free navigation to the citizens of both countries.

(7.) And, lastly, it was agreed that the king would, with all convenient speed, and without causing any destruction, or carrying away any negroes or other property of the American inhabitants, withdraw all his armies, garrisons, and fleets from the United States.

269. The American Army Disbands: the British Army Withdraws. Thus the American Revolution was accomplished. Early in November the American army was disbanded-only a remnant under General Knox remaining. The French army had embarked for France the previous year. In

accordance with the provisions of the treaty, Sir Guy Carleton, on the 25th of November, 1783, withdrew the last remnant of the British army from the shores of Americaexcepting a few troops stationed on the western border. On the same day General Knox and his veteran army entered New York amidst the firing of cannon and the ringing of bells and the rejoicing of the populace. The day was long observed in New York as "Evacuation Day."

Nine days later, Washington, in an affecting scene, bade farewell to his officers and immediately repaired to Annapolis, Maryland, where Congress was in session, and returned to that body his commission as commander-in-chief of the American armies. Three weeks later he retired to private life on his estate at Mount Vernon.

FINANCES OF THE REVOLUTION

270. Cost of the War. The independence of the United States had been gained at a heavy cost of both blood and treasure. Forty thousand American lives had been sacrificed, and an equal number of British. Over and above the amount spent by France ($90,000,000) the war had cost the United States $150,000,000, as opposed to $500,000,000 spent by England. At the close of the war the entire country was burdened with debt, and commerce and business everywhere were demoralized. Even private morals had

suffered a serious decline.

271. Congress and the Army. So heavy had its burdens become that Congress found itself at times unable to pay its soldiers, who often threatened mutiny, and on more than one occasion broke out in open revolt. At the time of the disbanding of the army, the most serious difficulties arose. Both men and officers were clamorous for their pay; mutiny was again threatened and a secret proposal to march to Philadelphia and demand satisfaction of Congress, was circulated. The whole affair threw the country into intense excitement-even threatening civil war. Congress was

unpopular with the army, which was now on the point of refusing to disband unless its pay were advanced. A crisis was averted only through the prompt action of Washington, whose great influence alone brought about a satisfactory understanding between congress and the army. The whole affair, however, greatly humiliated all patriotic Americans, and served to call attention early to the inability of congress

under the form of government then existing in the states, to conduct the financial affairs of the republic.

272. Continental Currency and Its Collapse-1780.Congress during the war issued $200,000,000 or more in paper money, with the result that the country soon became flooded with this "continental currency," which rapidly depreciated in value. In 1779 twenty dollars in paper equaled but one in specie-six months later it dropped to forty. Congress tried to stop this decline, but to no avail.