XVII. 1776. but evacuated. CHAP. ton, however, thought the capture of that place might be attended with confiderable lofs, while the benefit arifing from it would be immaterial during the current campaign, because fo late in the season they could not think of entering upon lake George, and proceeding to Albany. From the difficulty of fubfiftence, a garrifon could not easily be maintained during the winter; and thus, though taken, it would be neceffary to evacuate it again, and leave it to the enemy. Though these arguments did not convince the other officers, yet they determined general Carleton to re-embark the army, and return to St. John's; whence he distributed his into winter quarters. army Thus of the three great objects of the campaign of 1776, the fouthern expedition totally failed, and the other two were but partially obtained. The Canadian armament atchieved only the reduction of Crown Point: general Howe acquired poffeffion of Long Island, and New York, with part of the Jerseys. His operations had very little impaired the resources of the enemy; on the other hand, by allowing them to gain unexpected advantages, he had animated hope, infpirited courage, promoted firmnefs and unanimity, and afforded them a fair prospect of ultimate fuccefs. General re fult of the campaign. Depredations of During this year the American privateers were American extremely active and fuccefsful. The West India privateers. iflands, as had been predicted, were in great distress by the interclufion, of commerce with America. The most effential neceffaries of life, especially Indian corn, the principal food of the negroes and of the poor and laborious whites, had rifen from three XVII. 1776. three to four times the customary price. Slaves, CHAP. next in importance and neceffity, were not to be procured in fufficient quantity for any fum; and other wants and diftreffes multiplied. In this period of calamity, a confpiracy was formed for an infurrection of negroes in Jamaica, most of the foldiers having been drafted to America. One hundred and twenty fail of merchantmen were about to depart for Europe, and the confpirators had fixed on their departure as the proper time for carrying the plot into execution, as the island would then be still more defenceless. The confpiracy was brought to light a few days before the fleet actually failed, and the fhips were retained until it was effectually crushed, and order restored. This detention was afterwards attended with very ruinous effects. The American privateers had, during the former part of the fummer, been very active and fuccessful; and as the increase of captures enlarged the capitals of the adventurers for more diftant enterprises, they extended the scene of their depredations. A confiderable part of this rich fleet fell into the hands of the provincials; and, encouraged by fuch an acquifition, they afterwards fent cruizers to the West Indies, which captured many other fhips. The planters and merchants were almost ruined by the complicated evils that refulted to them from the war. The merchants who had traded to America, continued to be great fufferers, not only by the lofs of trade, but by the detention of their property, which was no longer remitted. Towards the end of the year, Ainerican fhips infested the coafts XVII. 1776. CHAP. coafts of Europe, and feizing the British traders, diftreffed other merchants. The provincial privateers found refuge, protection, and encouragement from France, notwithstanding the profeffions of amity. CHAP. XVIII. British nation fill favourable to coercive measures-various caufes of this difpofition.-Confpiracy and trial of Joḥn the Painter.-Meeting of parliament —King's Speechdebate.-Motion for a revision of acts obnoxious to the Americans, in conformity to general Howe's proclamationrejected-feceffion of members.-Letters of marque, &c.Reprifat bill.-Bill for feizing suspected perfons; in which lord North, wishing to please both parties, satisfies neither. -Important amendments, through Mr. Dunning, passed.Affairs of India-nabob of Arcot, council of Madras, and rajah of Tanjore.-Lord Pigot fent out-conspiracy against him, executed by colonel Stuart-proceedings thereon in the India-house-in parliament-feceding members returnlord Chatham's motion for terminating the war-rejected -difference of opinion among oppofition concerning American independence.-Unexpected demand from Heffe Caffel.Prorogation of parliament. DEST XVIII. 1776. The nation is still fato the war. vourable ESTRUCTIVE as the manifold loffes which we CHA P. have been relating were to the mercantile interest, yet the nation in general continued favourable to the war. The declaration of independence separated from the cause of the Americans perfons who had before regarded them as oppreffed and fuffering fellow-fubjects: thefe now contended that the question no longer was, "Have our brethren been well or ill treated? but fhall we not reduce our declared enemies? As long as they acknowledged themselves fubjects of the British con ftitution, Various caufes of this difpofition. XVIII. 1776. CHAP. ftitution, we wished them to enjoy all the rights and privileges which our excellent polity confers and fecures; but now they have renounced connection, and declared hoftility to this country, we, as Britons, muft oppose the enemies of Britain." By this fpecies of reafoning, extended farther than the subject of the analogy juftified, they inferred, that the parental authority extended to the control of the property eventually acquired by the children through their own ability, industry, and skill. The afferted ingratitude they enhanced, by alleging, that the preceding war was commenced and carried on for the fake of thefe colonies, and that they were debtors to us for all those efforts by which we had vanquished the enemy, and fecured our American fettlements. No arguments were more frequently repeated by the cenfurers of American resistance, than this charge of ingratitude; the weight of which fo obviously depends, not on the benefit conferred, but on the motives for rendering the fervice. The hoftilities that commenced in 1755, arofe on one fide from a determination to prevent France from being aggrandized at our expence, and to reprefs encroachments upon colonies which were fo beneficial to Britain. The confideration of filial duty led to parental, dignity as well as claims; zeal for the maintenance of British authority and fupremacy induced many a loyal and patriotic fubject to reprobate the Americans; and not doubting that our demands were founded in right, and conducive to honour, they did not examine whether this affertion of our alleged rights would not be overbalanced by the expence and danger of the contest; |