that he would either reinforce him, or make the most effectual diversion in his power.

489. On the 28th of August, Sir Samuel Hood, with a squadron from the West Indies, joined the squadron under admiral Graves, before New-York. They immediately proceeded to the Chesapeake; where they arrived on the 5th of September, with nineteen ships of the line, when they found count de Grasse anchored in the bay, with twenty-four ships of the line. The French admiral had previously landed a large body of troops, who immediately marched to join the American army under general Washington. On the same day the two fleets came to an engagement: on board the British fleet 90 were killed, and 246 wounded. Some of the ships were much damaged, and the Terrible, a 74-gun ship, was so much shattered, that it was found most expedient to set her on fire. The two fleets continued in sight of each other for five days.

490. At length the French fleet anchored within the Capes, so as to block up the passage. Admiral Graves then held a council of war, in which it was resolved, that the fleet should proceed to New-York, and the ships be put in the best state for service. Before the news of this action had reached New-York, a council of war was held there, in which it was resolved that 5000 men should be embarked in the king's ships, and proceed to the assistance of lord Cornwallis: but this resolution was rescinded, when it was known that the French were masters of the Chesapeake. In another council it was resolved that, as lord Cornwallis had provisions to last him to the end of October, it was most advisable to wait for the arrival of admiral Digby, who was expected with three ships of the line.

491. In the mean time, the most effectual measures were adopted by general Washington for surrounding the British army under lord Cornwallis. A large body of French troops were under the command of lieutenant-general count Rochambeau, with a large train of artillery. The American forces were, in number, about 1300, under the command of general Washington.

492. On the 29th of September, 1781, York-Town, in Virginia, was completely invested, and the British army quite block. ed up. The day following, Sir Henry Clinton wrote a letter to lord Cornwallis, containing assurances that he would do every thing that was in his power to relieve him, and some further information respecting the manner in which he intended to accomplish that relief. A duplicate of this letter was sent to lord Cornwallis by major Cochran: that gentleman went in

a vessel to the Capes, and made his way through the whole French fleet in an open boat. He got to York-Town on the 10th of October, and the next day had his head taken off by a cannon-ball, as he was walking by the side of lord Cornwallis. The fate of this gallant officer drew tears from the eyes of his lordship.

493. After the return of admiral Graves to New-York, a council of war was held, in which it was resolved, that a large body of troops should be embarked, and that exertions of both fleet and army should be made, in order to form a junction with lord Cornwallis. Sir Henry Clinton himself, with 7000 troops, went on board the fleet, on the 18th. They came abreast of Cape Charles, at the entrance of the Chesapeake, on the 24th, where they received intelligence that lord Cornwallis had been obliged to capitulate five days before. On the 19th of Oct. 1781, his lordship surrendered himself and his whole army, by capitulation, prisoners to the combined armies of America and France. He made a defence worthy his former fame for military achievements, but was compelled to submit by imperious necessity, and superior numbers.

After

494. The British prisoners amounted to upwards of 6000, but many of them, at the time of surrender, were incapable of duty. The infantry, cannon, and military stores, fell to the Americans, but the seamen and the shipping were, by the articles of capitulation, to be delivered up to the French. this event, the subjugation of the colonies was virtually given up. Some inconsiderable skirmishes took place afterwards between the Refugees and the Americans; but were not of that importance as to merit a place in history.

495. On the 5th of May, 1782, Sir Guy Carleton arrived at New-York, being appointed to the command of the British troops in North America. Soon after his arrival he wrote a letter to general Washington, informing him that admiral Digby, with himself, were appointed commissioners to treat for peace with the people of America. Another letter was sent, dated 2d of August, signed by Sir Guy Carleton and admiral Digby, in which they informed general Washington, that negotiations for a general peace had commenced at Paris. Notwithstanding these favorable appearances, the Americans were jealous it was the design of the British court to disunite them, or induce them to treat of a peace separately from their ally, the king of France.

496. Congress, therefore, passed a resolution, that any man, or body of men, who should presume to make any separate

treaty, partial convention, or agreement, with the king of Great Britain, or with any commissioner or commissioners, under the crown of Great Britain, ought to be treated as open and avowed enemies of the United States of America, and that those states could not, with propriety, hold any conference or treaty with any commissioners on the part of Great Britain, unless they should, as a preliminary, either withdraw their fleets and armies, or in express terms acknowledge the Independence of the said States.

497. On the 30th of November, 1782, the provisional articles of peace and reconciliation between Great Britain and the American States were signed at Paris; by which Great Britain acknowledged the Independence and sovereignty of the United States of America. These articles were ratified by a definitive treaty, September 3d, 1783. John Adams, John Jay, and Benjamin Franklin, were the gentlemen appointed by Congress to negotiate this peace on the part of America; and two gentlemen, Oswald and Hartly, on the part of the British.

498. Thus ended a long and unnatural contest, in which Great Britain expended many millions of pounds sterling, lost thousands of her bravest subjects, and won nothing. America obtained her Independence, at the expense of many thousands of lives, and much treasure; but has established an asylum for the persecuted friends of Liberty and the Rights of Man; and has become the admiration of all succeeding ages of men! How cheap the purchase! how rich the blessing!

499. The 18th of October, 1783, Congress issued a proclamation, in which the armies of the United States were applauded for having displayed, through the progress of an arduous and difficult war, every military and patriotic virtue, and for which the thanks of their country were given them." They also declared that such part of their armies as stood engaged to serve during the war, should, from and after the 3d day of November, be discharged from the said service. The day preceding their dismission, general Washington issued his farewell orders. The evacuation of New-York took place about three weeks after the American army was discharged. For a twelvemonth before, there had been an unrestrained communication between that city, though a British garrison, and the adjacent country; the bitterness of war had passed away, and civilities were freely exchanged between those who but lately were engaged in deadly contests, and sought for all opportunities to destroy each other.

500. As soon as the royal army was withdrawn, general

Washington and governor Clinton, with their suites, made a public entry into New-York: a general joy was manifested by the citizens on their return to their habitations, and in the evening there was a display of fire-works; which exceeded every thing of the kind that had been seen in America. General Washington soon after took leave of his officers, they having been previously assembled for that purpose. Calling for a glass of wine, he thus addressed them, "With a heart full of love and gratitude, I now take leave of you; I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honorable."

501. He afterwards took an affectionate leave of each of them; when this affecting scene was over, Washington left the room, and passed through the corps of light-infantry, to the place of embarkation; as he entered the barge, to cross the North River, he turned to his companions in glory, waved his hat, and took a silent adieu. The officers who had followed him in mute procession, answered his last signal with tears, and hung upon the barge which conveyed him from their sight, till they could no longer distinguish their beloved commanderin-chief.

502. The general proceeded to Annapolis, the seat of Congress, to resign his commission. On his way thither, he delivered to the comptroller in Philadelphia, an account of the expenditure of all the public money he had ever received. This was in his own hand-writing, and every entry made in a very exact manner. The whole sum which passed through his hands during the war, amounted only to $64,355 26 7 mills; no sum charged or retained for personal services.

503. The day on which he resigned his commission, a great number of distinguished personages attended the interesting scene, on the 23d of December, 1783: rising with great dignity, he addressed the president, Thomas Mifflin, as follows:

"MR. PRESIDENT,

"The great events on which my resignation depended, having, at length taken place, I have now the honor of offering my sincere congratulations to Congress, and of presenting myself before them to surrender into their hands the trust committed to me, and to claim the indulgence of retiring from the service of my country.

Happy in the confirmation of our independence and sovereignty, and pleased with the opportunity afforded the United States of becoming a respectable nation, I resign, with satisfaction, the appointment I accepted with diffidence ;-a diffidence in my abilities to accomplish so arduous a task, which, however, was superseded by a confidence in the rectitude of our cause, the support of the supreme power of the Union, and the patronage of Heaven.

The successful termination of the war has verified the most sanguine expectations; and my gratitude for the interposition of Providence, and the assistance I have received from my countrymen, increases with every review of the momentous contest.

"While I repeat my obligations to the army in general, I should do injustice to my own feelings not to acknowledge, in this place, the peculiar services and distinguished merits of the persons who have been attached to my person during the war. It was impossible the choice of confidential officers to compose my family should have been more fortunate. Permit me, Sir, to recommend in particular those who have continued in the service to the present moment, as worthy of the favorable notice and patronage of Congress.

"I consider it as an indispensable duty to close this last solemn act of my official life, by commending the interests of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God, and those who have the superintendence of them, to his holy keeping.

"Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great theatre of action: and bidding an affectionate farewell to this august body, under whose orders I have long acted, I here offer my commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life."

504. The president made a suitable reply. The mingled emotions that agitated the minds of the spectators during this interesting and solemn scene, were beyond description. Immediately on resigning his commission, general Washington "hastened with ineffable delight," to use his own words, to his seat at Mount Vernon, on the banks of the Potomac, in Virginia.

505. The country, now free from foreign force and domestic violence, and in the enjoyment of general tranquillity, a proposition was made by Virginia to all the other states, to meet in convention, for the purpose of digesting a form of government; which finally issued in the establishment of a new constitution. Congress, which formerly consisted of one body, was made to consist of two: one of which was to be chosen by the people, in proportion to their numbers, the other by the state legisla tures. Warm and animating debates took place on the propriety of establishing or rejecting it. The ratification of it was celebrated in most of the states with suitable processions.

CHAPTER VII.

MEETING OF CONGRESS.-ELECTION OF GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE PRESIDENCY.-HIS FAREWELL ADDRESS.-HIS DEATH.

506. The first Congress under the new constitution met at New-York, in April, 1789. Though there were a great diversity of opinions about the new constitution, all were of one