at the time of the surrender, amounted to 19,000 men, of which 13,000 or 14,000 were men actually carrying muskets.

The examination of general Burgoyne's witnesses was followed by the counter evidence of the American minister, against that brought by lord and sir William Howe. General Robertson and Mr. Galloway were the only witnesses examined. The latter had been an American lawyer, and a member of the first congress; and one of those that had come over to sir William Howe when the American cause seemed nearly ruined. The general had immediately afforded him a liberal provision, in expectation of his future services, in which, however, he had been disappointed. He had besides, advanced him to several lucrative as well as honorable civil employments:

The tendency of this new evidence was, in general, to overthrow that which had been already given in favor of the two commanders. General Robertson rated the number of those who were well affected to the British government at three fourths, and Mr. Galloway at four fifths of the whole inhabitants of the continent. They said that if a proper use had been made of this favorable disposition of the multitude, it might have been directed to such essential purposes as would have brought the war to a speedy and happy conclusion-That the force sent out from Britain was fully sufficient to have reduced the colonies-That the country of America was not in its nature particularly strong, much less impracticable, with respect to military operations-that the face of a country being covered with wood, afforded no impediment to the march of an army in as many columns as they pleased-That the British troops possessed a greater superiority over the Americans in their own favorite mode of bush-fighting, and the detached service in woods, than in any other whatever-That armies might carry 19 days provisions on their backs, and consequently need not be deterred from the undertaking of expeditions, through the want of those means, which have been hitherto reckoned indispensable, &c.

On this the opposition from time to time remarked, that the greater part of those gentlemen's testimony was founded upon hearsay intelligence, and violent assertions of facts, not only unsupported by collateral evidence, but what scarce any body could believe. It was also remarked, that the only officer produced had been very little, if at all, out of the British garrisons, since the commencement of the war, and was therefore little qualified, either to give satisfactory information

relative to the disposition of the people with whom he was so little conversant, or to give a critical opinion of military measures he had never seen. With regard to Mr. Galloway, they said, that it was very singular, that, though bred a lawyer, and habituated to busi ness, he could scarcely be brought to recollect any part of his own conduct in the most trying, signal, and possibly dangerous situation of his life, and the most conspicuous sphere of action to which he had ever been exalted, namely, when he was a member of the congress; and yet, that the same person, a total stranger to the profession, and only flying for refuge to the British army, should all at once acquire an accuracy in military details, and the complicated business of a camp, which could scarcely be expected from a quarter master general; and as suddenly become possessed, along with the minute, of that nice discernment and critical judgment in the general conduct and all the great operations of war, which the oldest and most experienced commanders do not often pretend to.

The foregoing evidence, given in at the bar of the House of Commons of Great Britain, may serve as a sample of the information sent to the British ministry, by their adherents on this side the Atlantic; upon which they were weak enough to form all their plans for the subjugation of America.

CHAP. XIV.

Alarming Situation of Britain-Discontents in IrelandArmed neutrality-Charleston besieged and taken by Gen. Clinton-New York in Danger-the Citizens armedThe Americans make an attempt on Staten Island-The Academy of Arts and Sciences instituted in Massachusetts-Clinton's rapid success in Carolina-Tarleton defeats Buford-The action variously related-Clinton's Proclamations-He returns to New York-Acquaints the British Minister that South Carolina was reduced to Allegiance-His Delusion in this respect-The Anniversary of American Independence celebrated at PhiladelphiaGen. Sumpter defeats several Royal Detachments-Lord Rawdon fixes his head Quarters at Camden-Baron Kalb arrives in North Carolina with 2000 Continentals-The South Carolina militia desert from the British, and carry off their officers-Gen. Gates defeated at Camden-Tarleton defeats Sumpter-Predatory excursions from New York-Connecticut Farms and Springfield burnt-M. Ternay arrives at Rhode Island from France-The French fleet blocked up, and the designs of the Allies frustruted-Arnold's Treason discovered-Major Andre suffors as a Spy-The Captors of Andre rewarded by Congress-Arnold's promotion in the British service-His address to the Inhabitants of America-Reasons for his defection-Col. Ferguson defeated and killed-Decline of the British affairs in South Carolina-Sumpter defeats Wymes-Tarleton's unsuccessful attack on SumpterLesslie joins Cornwallis-General Greene succeeds General Gates in the command.

THE beginning of the year 1780 presented a most alarming appearance to Britain. Advantage was ta. ken of her peculiar circumstances, by the most sagacious among the Irish, for the obtaining of those privi. leges which might otherwise never have been secured. The doctrines of taxation without representation, and of unconditional submission, which ministry applied to America, were urged as matter of apprehension to Ireland; and it was openly said that the chains forged for the former, in case of success, would afford a mode for the fetters which would soon be fitted for the latter. Being alarmed with the danger of a French invasion, it was urged, that the defence of the kingdom ought to be placed in those who had the best interest in it. Military associations were proposed and

universally adopted. In every part of the kingdom were seen to arise, as if by magic, vast bodies of citi zens, serving at their own charges, choosing their own officers, trained to great expertness, and obeying with remarkable regularity. All this business was accomplished without any sort of confusion or disorder; whilst the peace of the country, and obedience to the laws, were never more prevalent. All ranks fell in with the prevailing disposition. The volunteers were admirably appointed, and amounted to above 50,000 in number. Government saw these proceedings with astonishment. They wished to regulate this new and unexpected force, and to bring it to act under the authority of the crown; but after a few feeble attempts, it was thought best to concur in a measure that could not be prevented. In a word, within the two following years, Ireland obtained a free trade, and was acknowledged to be inseparably annexed to the crown of Great Britain but independent of its legislature.

Whilst Great Britain was endeavoring to allay the discontents of Ireland and engaged in a war, not only with her revolted colonies, but with the powerful kingdoms of France and Spain such a combination was entered into by the neutral powers, under the title of an Armed Neutrality, as indicated a general disposition to take up arms in favor of America, should the establishment of her independence yet remain doubtful. This extraordinary association originated with the court of Petersburg, whom the British ministry looked upon as one of their best allies in the present crisis.

The principles she had adopted for her conduct were, "That neutral ships should enjoy a free naviga. tion, even from port to port, and on the coasts of the belligerent powers. That all effects belonging to the belligerent powers, should be looked on as free on board such neutral ships, with an exception of places actually blocked up or besieged, and with a promise that they do not carry to the enemy contraband articles." These were limited by an explanation, so as to "comprehend only warlike stores and ammunition." Her imperial majesty declared that "she was fully resolved to maintain these principles, and that with the view of protecting the commerce and navigation of her subjects, she had given orders to fit out a considerable part of her naval force."

The declaration of the empress on this occasion would, in other circumstances, have been considered as a declaration of war. At present, however, the court of London, standing alone and unsupported, was obliged to submit. The proposals of the empress were

acceded to not only without the least hesitation, but with the utmost applause of her justice and wisdom, by all the other powers of Europe to whom they were presented, Portugal alone exepted.

Though the powerful combination in favor of the Americans, of which this armed neutrality might be considered as a principal part, rendered the contest with them ultimately hopeless on the part of Great Britain, the war was nevertheless kept up with equal spirit by her commanders, and the same delusive hopes of success were held out by her ministry.

Accordingly the conquest of the southern colonies was now looked upon as an object within reach, and for this purpose an expedition was undertaken by sir Henry Clinton and admiral Arbuthnot, for which the state of general Washington's army was peculiarly favorable. His auxiliaries had already left him; the term of enlistment of a great number of continental soldiers was expired; and the filling up of the regi ments, by waiting for recruits from their respective states, must necessarily be a work of considerable time. The expedition however, was not undertaken till the 26th of December, 1779. They had a very tedious voyage; the weather was uncommonly bad; several of the transports were lost, as were also the greater part of the horses which they carried with them, intended for cavalry or other public uses; and an ordnance ship likewise foundered at sea. Having arrived at Savannah, in the end of January 1780, they endeav

ored to repair the damages sustained on Feb. 10. their voyage, and proceeded from thence on the 10th of February, to North Edisto, the place of debarkation which had been previously appointed. They had a favorable and speedy passage thither and though it required time to have the bar explored and the channel marked, the transports all entered the harbor the next day; and the army took possession of St. John's island, about 30 miles from Charleston, without opposition. Preparations were then made for passing the squadron over Charleston bar, where the high water spring tides were only 19

feet deep but no opportunity offered of March 20. going into the harbor till the 20th of March, when it was effected without any accident, though the American gallies continually attempted to prevent the boats from sounding the chan nel. The British troops had previously removed from John's to James's island; and on the 29th of the same month they effected their landing on Charles. ton neck. On the first of April they broke ground within 800 yards of the American

April 1.