The action was warm and well contested; but reinforcements arriving to the aid of the British, the Americans were compelled to give way, and the retreat soon became disorderly and precipitate. The cannon, baggage, and many of the troops fell into the hands of the British, and St. Clair with the broken remains of the army joined Schuyler on the 12th at Fort Edward.

Their united forces now amounted to no more than 4,400 men. As Fort Edward was in a ruinous condition, Schuyler, on the advance of the British, abandoned the post and retired to Saratoga and Stillwater. Burgoyne soon after took possession of it.

SEC. 7. By these disasters, the whole western frontier of New-England was left exposed to the incursions of the enemy.The northern settlements in Vermont were already broken up, and the inhabitants of these states being aroused to a sense of their danger, took measures to raise troops for their defence.

Vermont poured forth her daring Green Mountain Boys, and the rest of New-England her hardy yeomanry, and Gen. Stark, with about 1,400 men, repaired to Manchester.

SEC. 8. Burgoyne receiving information of a quantity of provisions being stored at Bennington, sent Col. Baum, with 400 regulars and a party of Canadians and Indians and 2 pieces of artillery, to capture them. Stark, learning these movements, marched his troops immediately to Bennington.

Baum on his arrival finding his force inadequate to cope with the Americans, halted on an advantageous position,

7. In what state did these disasters leave the New-England frontiers? What effect did it have? Where did Stark repair, and with how many men?

8. What did Burgoyne do on learning there were stores at Bennington? Why did not Baum immediately execute it? What measures did he take? What áid Stark? Relate the particulars of Bennington Battle. What effect did it bave!

and sent back an express to Col. Breyman, at Battenkill, for a reinforcement.

Stark had also previously sent orders to Col. Warner, who had been left at Manchester, to join him with his regiment. Expresses were also sent in every direction, and the militia and volunteers were pouring in from all quarters.

Stark now determined on attacking the enemy in his entrenchments. Accordingly, on the 16th of August, a well directed attack was made, and an obstinate action maintained for two hours. The British were, however, compelled to retire, and Col. Baum was mortally wounded.

After the battle was decided, and the militia had began to disperse, Stark received intelligence of the approach of Col. Breyman with a powerful reinforcement for the British. Fortunately, at this moment Col. Warner arrived, with his regiment from Manchester.

Stark immediately fell upon Breyman, and the militia rallying to his aid, the engagement was renewed and warmly contested till sunset, when the British gave way and were totally routed.

In these two engagements the Americans took about 700 prisoners, with their baggage and ammunition; 207 British were found dead on the field, and 30 Americans.

Thus terminated the battle of Bennington, a most decisive victory, and one which diffused confidence and joy throughout the country.

SEC. 9. About the same time, a detachment of British under St. Leger, attempted to reduce fort Schuyler, but the garrison made a most gallant attack and the expedition entirely failed.

Gen. Herkimer marching to the relief of the fort, fell into an ambuscade and was defeated and slain; but a body soon collected and were despatched under the command of Arnold, on the same service. The Indians hearing of his -approach, threatened to abandon St. Leger unless he gave up the siege, and he was forced to retreat to Montreal, with the loss of his baggage and stores.

9. What fort did the British under St. Leger attack? Were they successful? What effect did it have on the Indians?

SEC. 10. The misfortunes of the British at Bennington and fort Schuyler, deprived Burgoyne of his expected support, and retarded the progress of the royal army. The savage barbarities of the Indians under Burgoyne, instead of intimidating the Americans, seemed only to rouse their indignant feelings.

The situation of Burgoyne was extremely critical and not a little perplexing. General Gates who had succeeded Ger. Schuyler in command having controul of more abundant means, acted with more energy and efficiency. His army was constantly increasing by the militia which was pouring in from all quarters and continually surprising the outposts of the British.

To retreat was to lose the object of the expedition, and to advance was full of danger. Burgoyne however decided upon the latter; and accordingly on the 14 Sept. he passed the Hudson and advanced upon Stillwater, where the Americans were encamped.

On the 19th September the two armies met, and a most obstinate though undecisive engagement ensued. The Americans lost about three hundred and the British about six hundred men.

October the 7th the battle was renewed, by a movement of Burgoyne towards the left of the Americans, hoping to effect a retreat thereby to the lakes. The action was warmly contested, and darkness put an end to it without the British accomplishing their object.

10. What retarded the progress of Burgoyne? What is said of his situation? Relate the particulars of the battle of the 19th September. Was it decisive? What renewed it? When did the royal army surrender, and to whom? How many men were made prisoners?

Oct. 17, the royal army worn down with fatigue and finding no avenue of escape unanimously resolved in council to capitulate. They accordingly surrendered to Gen. Gates, and the army, consisting of 5,700 effective men, became prisoners of war to the Americans.

SEC. 11. The apprehensions of the people of New-England subsided with the surrender of this army. The settlements in the western part of Vermont were resumed, and most of the inhabitants who had been engaged in the recent transactions returned to the cultivation of their farms.

The news of the surrender of Burgoyne excited the highest transports of joy throughout the country. It was soon followed by an acknowledgment of the independence of the United States by France, and the conclusion of a treaty of alliance and commerce.*

The inhabitants of the New-Hampshire grants, more than those of any other part of the country, had experienced the evils resulting from the want of a regular, systematic form of government. During the present year their attention had been directed to this object, and this necessarily introduced the subject of their former controversy.

They had no regular government, but each town managed its own concerns. But the difficulties and embarrassments of conducting their publick concerns without some general government, gave rise to the project of forming an independent state.

SEC. 12. Accordingly, January 16, 1776, a Convention met at Dorset, and drew up a

11. What effect did this event have on New-England? What effect did it have on France? What evils did the people of Vermont experience? To what was their attention directed? What was the state of their government?

Holland acknowledged their independence in 1782; Sweden in February, 1783; Denmark the same; Spain in March; and Russia in July.

D

petition to Congress. They avowed themselves ready to bear their proportion of the war, and their zeal in the common cause. But they also declared, that they were not willing to put themselves under the government of New-York. That when their services were wanted, they wished not to be called upon as inhabitants of New-York, but as those of the New-Hampshire grants.

This petition was referred to a committee of Congress, who reported, "That it be recommended to the petitioners to submit to New-York, and to assist their countrymen in their struggle."

But this not being satisfactory, a Convention afterwards met at Westminster, January 16, 1777, and published the following declaration :

"This Convention, whose members are duly chosen by the free voice of their constituents in the several towns on the New-Hampshire grants, in publick meeting assembled, in our own names and in behalf of our constituents, do hereby proclaim and publickly declare,-That the district of territory comprehending and usually known by the name of the New-Hampshire grants, of right ought to be, and is hereby declared forever hereafter to be considered as a free and independent jurisdiction, or state; to be forever hereafter called, known and distinguished by the name of Vermont.

"And that the inhabitants that at present, or that may hereafter become resident within said territory, shall be entitled to the same privileges, immunities, and enfranchisements which are, or that may at any time hereafter be allowed the inhabitants of any of the free and independent States of America.

"And that such privileges and immunities shall be regula

12. When did the Convention meet at Dorset? What did they declare in their declaration to Congress? What did Congress recommend? When did the convention meet at Westminster? Give the substance of their declaration. What document was sent with the declaration to Congress? What was the substance of it? How did Congress act in relation to them? measures pursued by Vermont justifiable? Why?

Were the