tack on Fort Mercer, then garrisoned by less than 500 1777. men, was made by nearly 2000 Hessian grenadiers, who, after forcing an extensive outwork, were finally compelled Mercer and to retire with a loss of nearly 400 of their number. The Hessian general, Count Donop, was mortally wounded, and fell into the hands of the Americans. The attack on Fort Mifflin was at first alike unsuccessful; but after a series of attacks, the fort was at length abandoned," -the garrison retiring to Fort Mercer. In a few days Fort Mercer was abandoned, and the navigation of b Nov. 18. he Delaware was thus opened to the enemy's shipping. 47. 'Soon after these events, Washington advanced to White Marsh, where numerous unsuccessful attempts were made by Howe to draw him into an engagement; after which, the British general retired winter quarters in Philadelphia. Washington encamped at Valley Forge,† where his troops passed a rigorous winter, suffering extreme distress, from the want of suitable supplies of food and clothing. Many officers, unable to obtain their pay, and disheartened with the service, resigned their commissions; and murmurs arose in various quarters, not only in the army, but even among powerful and popular leaders in congress.

two armies are mentioned?

to c. From the

2d to the 8th of Dec.

48. The brilliant victory at Saratoga was contrasted with the reverses of Washington in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania; and a plot was originated Gen. Wash for placing General Gates at the head of the armies. Washington, however, never relaxed his exertions in the cause of his country; and the originators of the plot at length received the merited indignation of the army and the people.

49. After the colonies had thrown off their allegiance to the British crown, and had established separate governments in the states, there arose the farther necessity for some common bond of union, which would better enable them to act in concert, as one nation.

*White Marsh is situated on Wissahickon Creek, eleven miles N.W. from Philadel phia. (See Map, p. 152.)

+ Valley Forge is a deep and rugged hollow, on the S.W. side of the Schuylk twenty miles N.W. from Philadelphia. Upon the mountainous flanks of this valle/ and upon a vast plain which overlooks it and the adjoining country, the army of War ington encamped Through the valley flows Valley Creek. At its jurction with 20 Schuylkill is now the small village of Valley Forge. (See Map, p. 237.)

1. Of the

of Dr.

1777. In the summer of 1775, Benjamin Franklin had proposed to the American congress articles of confederaPrognition tion and union among the colonies; but the majority Franklin in congress not being then prepared for so decisive step, the subject was for the time dropped, but was resumed again shortly before the declaration of independence, in the following year.

a. 1776.

tion of Con gress re

pecting a

plan of con

federationi

ification of

50. On the 11th of June, congress appointed a committee to prepare a plan of confederation. A plan was reported by the committee in July following, and after various changes, was finally adopted by congress 3. Of the rat on the 15th of November, 1777. Various causes the articles prevented the immediate ratification of these articles of confederation by the by all the states; but at length those states which states? claimed the western lands having ceded them to the Union, for the common benefit of the whole, the articles of confederation were ratified by Maryland, the last remaining state, on the first of March, 1781; at which time they became the constitution of the country.

4. What was the character of the

tion?

5. What led

51. The confederation, however, amounted to little confedera- more than a mere league of friendship between the states; for although it invested congress with many of to a revision the powers of sovereignty, it was defective as a pertem ? manent government, owing to the want of all means to See p. 283. enforce its decrees. While the states were bound to

of the sys

6. What had the British

CHAPTER IV.

EVENTS OF 1778.

1. 'Previous to the defeat of Burgoyne, the Britis ministry had looked forward, with confidence, to the expected, speedy termination of the war, by the conquest of the ale. ? rebellious colonies. The minority in parliament en

confidently

deavored, in vain, to stay the course of violent meas- 1778. ures, and the warlike policy of the ministers was sustained by powerful majorities in both houses. But 1. What ef the unexpected news of the surrender of the entire c northern British army, produced a great change in the of the oth aspect of affairs, and plunged the nation into a dejection as profound as their hopes had been sanguine, and the promises of ministers magnificent.

2. Lord North, compelled by the force of public opinion, now came forward with two conciliatory bis by which England virtually conceded all that had been the cause of controversy between the two countries, and offered more than the colonies had asked or desired previous to the declaration of independence. These bills passed rapidly through parliament, and received the royal assent."

3. Commissioners were then sent to America, with proposals for an amicable adjustment of differences; but hese were promptly rejected by the congress, which refused to treat with Great Britain until she should either withdraw her fleets and armies, or, in positive and express terms, acknowledge the independence of the states. "One of the commissioners then attempted to gain the same ends by private intrigue and bribery, -which coming to the knowledge of congress, that body declared it incompatible with their honor to hold any correspondence or intercourse with him.

4. Soon after the rejection of the British terms of 5. What accommodation, congress received the news of the ac- gratifing knowledgment of American independence by the court did congress of France, and the conelusion of a treaty of alliance and commerce between the two countries. The treaty was signed the sixth of February, by Benjamin Frankfin, Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee, on the part of Amer iea, and was ratified by congress on the fourth of May following.

5. In the second part of the treaty it was stipulated, that, should war occur between France and England, the two parties should assist each other with counsel and with arms, and that neither should conclude truce or peace with Great Britain without the consent of the other. This treaty was considered equivalent to a

1778. declaration of war by France against Great Britain; and the two European powers made the most active preparations for the approaching contest.

the first

ures of France?

2. What were the moveents of Ad

a. April 18. 6. A French fleet, under the command of Count 1. What were D'Estaing, was dispatched to America, with the dehostile mess- sign of blockading the British fleet in the Delaware while Washington should hold the land forces in check in New Jersey. But Admiral Howe had already an ticipated the scheme, and, before the arrival of D'Es iral Howe taing, had sailed for New York, where all the British forces had been ordered to concentrate. General Clin ton, who had succeeded General Howe in the com mand of the land forces, evacuated Philadelphia on the 18th of June, and with about eleven thousand men, and an immense quantity of baggage and provisions, commenced his retreat towards New York.

and Gen.

Clinton

Jane 18.

8. Of Washington?

general en

7. Washington, whose numbers exceeded those of Clinton, followed cautiously with the main body of his army, while detachments were sent forward to cooperate with the Jersey militia in harassing the ene 4. What pre- my, and retarding their march. The commander-invented a chief was anxious to try a general engagement, but gagement? his opinion was overruled in a council of officers. 5. Neverthe 5Nevertheless, when the British had arrived at Monders did Lee mouth, Washington, unwilling to permit them to reach the secure heights of Middletown† without a battle, ordered General Lee, who had been previously exchanged, to attack their rear.

less, what or

receive?

6. What events occurred on

the morning

*

8. "On the morning of the 28th, the light-horse of Lafayette advanced against the enemy, but, being of the 28th briskly charged by Cornwallis and Clinton, was forced to fall back. Lee, surprised by the sudden charge of the enemy, ordered a retreat across a morass in his rear, for the purpose of gaining a more favorable position; but part of his troops, mistaking the order, contin.

* Monmouth, now the village of Freehold, in Monmouth County, is about eighteen miles S.E. from New Brunswick. The principal part of the battle was fought about a mile and a half N.W. from the village, on the road to Englishtown. (See Map; also Map. p. 226.)

† Middletown is a small village twelve miles N.E. from Monmouth, on the road to Sandy Hook. The Heights mentioned are the Nevisink Hills, bordering Sandy Hook Bay on the south. (See Map, p. 226.)

ued to retreat, and Lee was compelled to follow, briskly 1778. pursued by the enemy. At this moment, Washington, coming up, and both surprised and vexed at observing the retreat, or rather flight of the troops, addressed Lee with some warmth, and ordered him to rally his troops and oppose the enemy.

9. Stung by the reproaches of his general, Lee made extreme exertions to rally, and, having disposed his troops on more advantageous ground, opposed a powrful check to the enemy, until at length, overpowered ny numbers, he was forced to fall back, which he did, however, without any confusion. The main body soon coming up in separate detachments, the battle became general, and was continued until night put an end to the contest. Washington kept his troops under arms 2. What oc during the night, designing to renew the battle on the coming morning; but Clinton, in the mean time, silently drew off his troops, and proceeded rapidly on his route towards New York.

10. The British left upon the field of battle about 3. What loss three hundred killed; while the loss of the Americanses were us was less than seventy. On both sides many died of the intense heat of the weather, added to the fatigue of the day. General Lee, who had been deeply irritated 4. by the reprimand of Washington on the day of battle, addressed to him two haughty and offensive letters, demanding reparation. The result was the arrest of Lee, and his trial, by a court-martial, on the charges ther is said of disobedience of orders, misbehavior before the enemy, and disrespect to the commander-in-chief. He was found guilty, and was suspended from his command one year. He never rejoined the army, but died in seclusion at Philadelphia, just before the close of the war.

11. After the battle of Monmouth, the British 6. What were pro- the subseceeded without further molestation to Sandy Hook. quent move. whence. they were taken on board the British fleet, to armies? and transported to New York. Washington pro- a. July 5. ceeded to White Plains, where he remained until late b. in autumn, when he retired to winter quarters at Middlebrook, in New Jersey. On the 11th of July the fleet of Count D'Estaing appeared off Sandy Hook,