The people he had with him were distressed by confinement in small vessels: the heat of the season, and the numbers crowded together, produced a pestilential fever, which made great havoc, especially among the blacks. At last, finding themselves in danger of perishing by famine and disease, they set fire to their vessels, reserving only about fifty for themselves, in which they bid adieu to Virginia, some sailing to Florida, some to Bermuda, and the rest to the West-Indies.

280. In South Carolina, the provincials had a more formidable enemy to deal with. A squadron, whose object was the reduction of Charleston, had been fitted out in December, 1775, but by reason of unfavorable weather did not reach Cape Fear in North Carolina till the month of May, 1776: and here it met with further obstacles to the end of the month. Thus the Americans had time to strengthen the works of Charleston in such a manner as rendered it difficult to be attacked.

281. The British squadron consisted of two fifty-gun ships, four of thirty guns, two of twenty, and an armed schooner, and bomb-ketch, all under the command of Sir Peter Parker. The land forces were commanded by lord Cornwallis, with generals Clinton and Vaughan. As they had no intelligence of the evacuation of Boston, general Howe dispatched a vessel to Cape Fear with some instructions; but it was too late; and in the beginning of June, the squadron anchored off Charleston bar. Here they met with some difficulty in crossing, being obliged to take out the guns from the two largest ships, which were several times in danger of running aground. The next obstacle was an unfinished fort on Sullivan's island, six miles east of Charleston: the British generals resolved to attack it; but though an attack was easy from the sea-board, it was difficult to obtain a co-operation of the land forces.

282. This was, however, attempted, by landing them on Long Island adjacent to Sullivan's Island on the east, from which it is separated by a very narrow creek, not above two feet deep at low water. Opposite to this ford, the provincials had posted a strong body of troops, with cannon and intrenchments; while general Lee was stationed on the main land, with a bridge of boats betwixt that and Sullivan's Island, so that he could, at pleasure, send reinforcements to the troops in the fort on Sullivan's Island.

283. So many delays occurred on the part of the British, that it was the 24th of June, 1776, before matters were in readiness for an attack; and, by this time, the provincials had provided for their reception. On the morning of that day, the

bomb-ketch began to throw shells into fort Sullivan, and about noon the two fifty-gun ships and thirty-gun frigates began a severe fire. The other frigates were ordered to take their station between Charleston and the fort, in order to enfilade the batteries, and cut off the communication with the main land; but through the ignorance of the pilots they all grounded: two were rendered unfit for service; and the third was burned, that she might not fall into the hands of their enemy.

284. The attack was therefore confined to the five armed vessels, and bomb-ketch, between which and the fort a dreadful fire ensued. The Bristol suffered excessively: the springs on her cable being shot away, she was, for a time, entirely exposed to the enemy's fire. As the provincials poured in great quantities of hot balls, she was twice in flames. Captain Morris, her commander, after receiving five wounds, was obliged to go below deck in order to have his arm amputated: after undergoing this operation, he returned to his station, where he received another wound, but still refused to quit his place; at last he received a shot, which instantly put an end to his life. Of all the officers and seamen who stood on the quarter-deck of this vessel, not one escaped without a wound, except Sir Peter Parker, whose intrepidity and presence of mind, on this occasion, were very remarkable.

285. The engagement lasted until the darkness put an end to it. Little damage was done by the British, as the works of their enemy lay so low, that many of the shot flew over; and the fortifications, being composed of palm trees, mixed with earth, were well calculated to resist the impression of cannon. At one period of the attack, the batteries of the provincials were silent, so that it was concluded they had been abandoned; but this was found to proceed from want of powder: for as soon as a supply of this article was obtained, the firing was resumed as brisk as before. During the whole of this engagement, it was found impossible for the British land forces to render any assistance to their fleet.

286. In this unsuccessful attempt, the loss of the British in killed and wounded was two hundred. The Bristol and Experiment were so much damaged, it was thought they could not get over the bar: but this they did accomplish by great exertion of naval skill, to the surprise of the provincials, who expected to have made them prizes. The Americans lost in this engagement but ten killed, and twenty-two wounded.

287. In the beginning of March, commodore Hopkins was dispatched by Congress, with five frigates, to the Bahama islands,

where he made himself master of the ordnance and military stores; but the gunpowder, which had been the principal object, was removed. On his return he captured several vessels; but was foiled in his attempt on the Glasgow frigate, which found means to escape, notwithstanding the efforts of the whole squadron.

288. Hitherto the Americans had been generally successful : they had now to experience misfortune, misery, and disappointment; the enemy overrunning the country, and their own armies not able to face them in the field. The province of NewYork, being the most accessible by sea, was made the object of the main attack. The force sent against it, consisted of six ships of the line, thirty frigates, other armed vessels, and a vast number of transports. The fleet was commanded by lord Howe; and his brother, general Sir William Howe, was to command the land forces. The latter arrived before his brother, and lay off New-York, but did not attempt hostilities, until he should be joined by him.

289. The Americans had fortified New-York, and the adjacent islands, in an extraordinary manner. General Howe, notwithstanding, was suffered to land his troops on Staten Island, where he was soon joined by a number of the inhabitants. About the middle of July, lord Howe arrived with the grand armament, and being one of the commissioners appointed to receive the submission of the colonists, he published a circular letter to the several governors, who had been expelled from their provinces, desiring them to make public the extent of the powers he was invested with by parliament.

290. In this respect, the Congress saved him trouble, by ordering his letter and declaration to be published in all the newspapers, "That every one might see the insidiousness of the British ministry; and that they had nothing to trust to, besides the exertion of their own valor."

291. Lord Howe next sent a letter to general Washington; but as it was directed "To George Washington, Esq." the general refused to accept it, as not being in a style suited to his station. To obviate this objection, adjutant-general Patterson was sent with another letter directed "To George Washington, &c. &c." but though a very polite reception was given to the bearer, general Washington refused the letter, nor could any explanation of the adjutant induce him to accept of it. The only interesting part was that relating to the powers of the commissioners, of whom lord Howe was one.

292. The adjutant told him these powers were very exten

sive; that the commissioners were determined to exert themselves to the utmost to effect a reconciliation; and he hoped the general would consider this visit as a step towards it. General Washington replied, "It did not appear that these powers consisted in any thing else than granting pardons: as America had committed no offence, she asked no forgiveness; and was only defending her unquestionable rights."

293. The decision being now left to the sword, hostilities commenced as soon as the British troops could be collected; which was not before the month of August, when they landed without opposition on Long Island, opposite to the shore of Staten Island. General Putnam, with a large body of troops, lay encamped and strongly fortified on a peninsula on the opposite shore, with a range of hills between the armies, the principal pass of which was near a place called Flat-Bush; here the centre of the British army, consisting of Hessians, took post; the left wing under general Grant, and the right under lord Percy, Cornwallis, and general Clinton. Putnam had ordered these passes to be secured by large detachments, which was executed immediately with those that were near; but one of the most importance, laying at a distance, was neglected. Through this a large body of troops under lord Percy and Clinton, passed, and attacked the Americans in the rear, while they were engaged with the Hessians in front.

294. Through this piece of negligence their defeat became inevitable. Those who were engaged with the Hessians, first perceived the mistake, and retreated towards their camp; but the passage was intercepted by the British troops, who drove them back into the woods. Here they were met by the Hessians, and were slaughtered between two parties, there being no way of escape but by forcing their way through the British troops, and thus regaining their camp.

295. In this attempt many perished; and the right wing, engaged with general Grant, shared the same fate. The victory was complete; and the Americans lost, on this fatal day, August 27th, upwards of one thousand men, and two generals; several officers of distinction were made prisoners, with a number of privates. Among the slain, a regiment, consisting of young gentlemen of fortune and family in Maryland, was almost entirely cut to pieces, and of the survivors not one escaped without a wound.

296. The ardor of the British troops was now so great, they could scarcely be restrained from attacking the lines of the provincials; but for this there was now no occasion, as it was

certain they could not be defended; but had the ardor of the soldiers been seconded, and general Howe pursued his victory, it might have given such a blow to the Americans, and such a turn to their affairs, that they would not have been able to regain that confidence in their own strength, they had hitherto maintained. Happily for us, the conquerors remained inactive.

297. Of the British and Hessians, about four hundred and fifty were lost in this engagement. As none of the American commanders thought it proper to risk another attack, it was resolved to abandon their camp as soon as possible. Accordingly, on the 29th of August, the whole of the continental troops were ferried over from Brooklyn to New-York, with the utmost secrecy and silence; so that, in the morning, the British had nothing to do but take possession of the camp and artillery which had been abandoned.

298. This victory, though complete, was far from being so decisive as the conquerors imagined. Lord Howe, supposing it would be sufficient to intimidate congress, sent general Sullivan, who had been taken prisoner in the late action, to congress, with a message, importing, "that though he could not treat with them as a legal assembly, yet he would be glad to confer with any of the members in a private capacity;" stating. at the same time, the nature and extent of his power as com missioner.

299. But the congress were not at all inclined to derogate from the dignity of character they had assumed. They replied, "that the congress of the free and independent States of America, could not, consistently, send any of its members in any other capacity than that which they had publicly assumed; but as they were extremely desirous of restoring peace to their country upon equitable conditions, they would appoint a committee of their body to wait upon him, and learn what proposals he had to make."

300. The committee, appointed by congress, was composed of Franklin, Adams, and Rutledge. They were very politely received by his lordship; but the conference proved fruitless. The final answer of the deputies was, "that they were willing to enter into any treaty with Great Britain that might conduce to the good of both nations: but they would not treat in any other character than that of Independent States." This posi tive declaration put an end to all hopes of reconciliation, and it was resolved to prosecute the war with the utmost vigor.

301. Lord Howe, after publishing a manifesto, in which he declared the refusal of congress; and that himself was willing