University of Virginia Library

CHAPTER XII.

October 1.—It is unnecessary to say a word of the spirit
and numbers of the people of America—of their attachment
to their liberty—of the extent and nature of their

country—of their resources—and the interest all
the powers in Europe have in maintaining the independence
of the American States, to show the absolute impracticability
of Great Britain's ever subduing this country. I should not
despair of the final success of the Americans in the present
war, if they were at this time expending their last pound of
powder, and their last ounce of ball. Desperation would supply
the want of every thing. No force can subdue the hearts
of these people; and nine-tenths of them, I am sure, are determined
in their opposition to the government of Britain. It
is inconceivable to see the exertions of these young republican
States. They have done wonders. All the force of the monarchy
of Britain in the last war with France, did not produce
from the whole continent of America, half the exertions which
we sometimes see here in a single State; and yet these republics
have as yet put forth but a small part of their strength.
I expect to see them, before the close of the war, upon a footing
with the oldest monarchies in Europe: and if I was not
sure that a love of conquest was incompatible with a love of
liberty, I should think they would make some of them tremble
from their foundations.

Every part of the conduct of Great Britain, and of her
generals and armies, shows the power of this country, and
the absolute impossibility of conquering it. Why has the
court of Britain meanly solicited all the courts of Europe to

withhold aid of all kinds from the Americans? Why has she
bought up twenty thousand foreigners to assist in the reduction
of America? Why did she send an army of forty
thousand men across the ocean for that purpose last year?
Why has the King of Britain proclaimed a fast, and called
upon the Almighty to enter into an alliance with him, to assist
in conquering his rebellious subjects? Surely all this has been
done because they dreaded the power and resources of America.

I believe in no war with the powerful monarchy of France
did Britain ever negotiate with more expense—stood more for
foreign alliances—lie more for internal support—or fast and
pray with more seeming devotion than in the present war with
America. An uninformed spectator, from a view of these
things, would suppose that the only object of Britain in the
prosecution of the war, was not to suppress a rebellion in
America, but to defend herself from being subjugated by her
American colonies.

But the conduct of her generals in America is all of a piece
with the conduct of the court. Read their letters to the British
ministry. Observe with what caution they land, how slowly
they advance and how circumspectly they march through
the country. Their modes of attack and defence in all their
battles and skirmishes with the Americans from their own
accounts of them, show that they are aware of the skill, and
fear the courage, of their generals and armies. Their stratagems
(of which they boast) confess that they are contending
with a regular army, and not with an undisciplined mob.
Even their shouts of victory and the high encomiums they
publish of the gallant behavior of their officers and soldiers,
declare that they fight with a formidable enemy. The inhumanity
of their generals, the insolence of their officers, and the
rancor of their soldiers towards the Americans, are all testimonies
of the strength of this country. They indicate hatred
which can only be exercised towards equals or superiors. The
exchange of letters and prisoners between the British and
American generals, are further acknowledgments on the behalf
of the former, of the stability of the power from whence
the latter derive their authority. In spite of all the pains the

British generals have taken to destroy the credit of the paper
money emitted by the Congress, they have given a sanction to
its validity by sending it out from New York to support their
prisoners among the Americans. The indiscriminate ravages
to which the professed royalists or Tories are exposed in common
with the republicans or Whigs, show that the British
army believe that a great majority of the people of America
are opposed to them, and that all professions of attachment to
them are hypocritical, and intended only to save property.
But the British generals have gone still farther in declaring by
their conduct, that the Americans are invincible. They have,
in some measure, thrown down their arms as useless in the
present controversy, and have attempted to subdue their enemies
by the perfidious arts of a court. They have attempted
to surprise the Congress into a negotiation, only for the purpose
of deceiving them. They have published proclamations
for the encouragement of desertions in the army, and defection
among the citizens of America. They have hired printers to
traduce the Congress and the army; and to complete all, they
have made and attempted to circulate large quantities of counterfeit
continental money among the Americans; aiming thereby,
at one blow, to cut their sinews of war. Their folly in this
manœuvre exceeded their villany; for they weekly advertised
their money for distribution, in a New York paper.

I am not so sanguine as some of my friends, as to the issue
of the present campaign. But I rest satisfied at all times, that
the loss of a battle or of a town will detract nothing, finally,
from the Americans; and that the acquisition of victories and
of territory will serve only to weaken General Howe's army,
and to accelerate the period when America shall establish
her freedom and independence, upon the permanent foundation
of public virtue and military knowledge.[2]

October 2.—A correspondent in Paris says:—"When

Doctor Franklin appears abroad, it is more like a public than
a private gentleman, and the curiosity of the people to see him
is so great, that he may be said to be followed
by a genteel mob. A friend of mine paid something
for a place at a two-pair-of-stairs window to see him pass
by in his coach, but the crowd was so great that he could but
barely say he saw him."

We are well assured that Dr. Franklin, whose knowledge
in philosophical sciences is universally allowed, and who has
carried the powers of electricity to a greater length than any
of his contemporaries, intends shortly to produce an electrical
machine, of such wonderful force that instead of giving a slight
stroke to the elbows of fifty or a hundred thousand men, who
are joined hand in hand, it will give a violent shock even to
nature herself, so as to disunite kingdoms, join islands to continents,
and render men of the same nation strangers and enemies
to each other; and that by a certain chemical preparation
from oil, he will be able to smooth the waves of the sea
in one part of the globe, and raise tempests and whirlwinds in
another, so as to be universally acknowledged for the greatest
physician, politician, mathematician, and philosopher, this day
living.[4]

October 4.—This morning, before daybreak, (the weather
being foggy,) the rebels attempted, with all their force, in six

columns, to penetrate on the outposts of our
army; they began their attack with three of them
on the second light infantry and the fortieth regiment at the
end of Germantown, where they were so warmly received
that they did not make the least impression for the space of
two hours; at length being overpowered with numbers, and
risking to be surrounded if longer opposition was made, our
two battalions thought it expedient to retire. These columns
imagining victory was about to declare in their favor, two of
them came into the village, while the third filed off obliquely
to our left. Colonel Musgrave having judiciously thrown himself
with six companies of the fortieth, into a square house of
Mr. Chew's, checked one of the two columns that had followed
him, while the other pushed into Germantown. The one at
the house immediately invested and riddled it with
musketry, grape and cannon shot for a full hour,
the colonel defending it most gallantly, killing them by dozens
from the windows of every face; but, upon the forty-fourth
regiment advancing into the village, supported by the seventeenth,
and driving all before them as far Mr. Chew's mansion,
both these columns retired precipitately, and would have been
totally demolished if the fog had not made it hazardous for so
small a body to pursue so rapidly, as it might have done had
the weather been clear; the other column, that had filed off
towards our left, being drove shortly after by the thirty-third,
forty-sixth, and sixty-fourth regiments. Two other columns,
that had attacked and obliged the pickets of our right to fall
back on their respective corps, were, in their turn, defeated,
upon the first light infantry, fourth, fifth, fifteenth, thirty-seventh,
forty-ninth, and fifty-fifth regiments attacking them;
and the Hessian Yagers repulsed and beat back the column
which attacked their post. It now began to clear up, and the
commander-in-chief having perceived a large body (that had
rallied) forming itself on Chestnut hill, (apparently to retard our
pursuit,) his excellency ordered Major-General Gray to advance
upon it with the seventeenth, thirty-third, forty-fourth, forty-sixth,
and sixty-fourth regiments, directingthe other corps to
follow as fast as possible to sustain; but the rebels did not think
proper to maintain that ground, retiring precipitately upon the
approach of this small corps; and although we pursued for nine
miles, till three in the afternoon, we were never able to come up
with any considerable body. Thus Mr. Washington's army, consisting
of upwards of twelve thousand men, was totally dispersed
by a few British battalions, and the Hessian Yagers,
(the rest of our army having never had an opportunity of
engaging,) and would not only have been cut up had the morning
been bright, but all their artillery, &c., must unavoidably
have fallen into our hands.[7]

October 5.—Died at the American camp, near Pawling's
mill, this evening, Major Edward Sherburne, aide-de-camp to

Major-General Sullivan. He received the mortal
wound, of which he died, yesterday at the battle
of Germantown, after having given the most striking evidence
of his bravery and good conduct. He was in the severest
of the fire for near two hours before he received the fatal
wound which forced him from the field; and during the whole
time behaved with such uncommon firmness, as the love of
freedom only can inspire. This promising youth sprung from
one of the most reputable families in New Hampshire, entered
the service of this country, as a volunteer, at the commencement
of the war, and served as such till the last campaign,
when he was appointed aide-de-camp to General Sullivan, with
whom he has ever since served with great credit and reputation.
He was in most of the actions since the war commenced,
and ever showed the same coolness and bravery which he discovered
in the late action. He endured with great constancy
the pains occasioned by his wound, and departed this life with
a heroic firmness, which well witnessed the satisfaction he felt
in suffering for his much injured country.[9]

October 6.—This day the fortresses Clinton and Montgomery,
on the North River, in New York, fell into the hands of

the British, under the command of Sir Henry Clinton.
A gentleman who was in Fort Montgomery
when it was taken, gives the following particulars of the
event:—On Saturday night, we had advice that a large number
of ships, brigs, armed vessels, &c., had arrived at Tarrytown,
where they had landed a considerable body of men, supposed
to be about one thousand, and had advanced towards the
plains. Colonel Lutlington being posted there with about five
hundred militia, they sent in a flag to him requiring him to lay
down his arms and surrender himself and men prisoners of
war. Whilst he was parleying with the flag they endeavored
to surround him, which he perceiving, ordered his men to retreat.
The British then returned to their shipping, and the
next morning we had advice of their being under sail, and
coming up as far as King's Ferry. In the afternoon they landed
a large body of men on the east side of the river to draw
our attention that way, but they re-embarked in the night and
next morning landed on the west side.

On Sunday night his Excellency Governor Clinton, who
then commanded at Fort Montgomery, sent out a party of one
hundred men, under the command of Major Logan, across the
Dunderburg, to watch the motions of the enemy. This party
returned in the morning, and reported they had seen about
forty boats full of men land below the Dunderburg. The governor
sent out another small party of about twenty-eight men,
under the command of Lieutenant Jackson. On the road that
leads to Haverstraw, two or three miles below Fort Clinton,
they fell in with a concealed part of the enemy, who ordered
them to club their muskets, and surrender themselves prisoners.
They made no answer, but fired on the enemy and hastily
retreated. They returned the fire and pursued our people half
a mile, but they all got back to the fort without losing a man,
though within five rods of the enemy before they were discovered.
Upon this intelligence one hundred men were immediately
sent off, under Colonel Brown, who fell in with the
enemy about two o'clock in the afternoon, when a smart engagement
ensued, but the enemy being of much superior force,
our people were forced to retreat.

At the same time it was thought proper to send some of the
artillery, with a field-piece, to occupy an eminence commanding
the road that leads to Orange Furnace, with a party
of men to defend it. They were attacked soon after, and our
field-piece did great execution; but it soon bursting, our men
retreated, and an engagement of small arms was kept up a
good while. Most of our men got within the breastworks,
when the attack became general on both forts. At the same
time the enemy's shipping came in sight, but the wind being
light, and the tide against them, none of the vessels could come
up, except the galleys and armed sloops, which fired upon us,
but did no execution; we, in return, fired upon them, and
believe did them some damage.

The enemy continued a vigorous and incessant attack upon
the forts; but notwithstanding their utmost efforts, they were
many times repulsed and beaten back from our breastworks
with great slaughter. But the smallness of our numbers,
(being in both forts but about five hundred,) which required
every man to be upon continual duty, and obliged him to unremitted
exertions, fatigued our people greatly; while the enemy,
whose number was supposed to be at least four thousand,
continued to press us with fresh troops.

About four o'clock they sent in a flag, demanding in five
minutes a surrender of the forts, and ourselves prisoners of
war; or that they would put us all to the sword. An answer
was returned by Colonel Livingston, acquainting them that
we were determined to defend the forts to the last extremity.
The action was renewed with fresh vigor on both sides, and
continued till the dusk of the evening, when they stormed our
upper redoubt, which commanded the fort, which after a severe
struggle, and overpowering us with numbers, they got possession
of; and we were obliged to give way. At the same time
they stormed and got possession of Fort Clinton, in which
were none but militia, who nobly defended it, till they, like
the garrison at Fort Montgomery, were obliged to give way to
superior force.

The darkness of the evening much favored the escape of our
people, the greatest part of whom, with almost all the officers, by
some means or other got off, and joined our army, or returned
to their places of residence. How those who were so unfortunate
as to fall into the hands of the enemy, were treated by
them, we have not heard, but have reason to think it was with
a cruelty suitable to the wickedness of the cause in which the
British are engaged.[11]

October 11.—On Tuesday last, departed this life, at his
house on Staten Island, aged seventy-two years, the Reverend
Mr. Richard Charlton, missionary from the Soci-

ety for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign
Parts. This worthy clergyman was born in Ireland, and received
his education in Trinity College, Dublin. He came over
to this country soon after he entered into holy orders; and
was the first missionary of New Windsor, on Hudson River.
From thence he moved to New York, being chosen assistant
minister of Trinity Church, and catechist; in which station he
continued several years, before his appointment as the missionary
of Staten Island, in 1747, where he remained ever since.

Sincere and steady in friendship, charitable to the distressed,
and hospitable to all, he was deservedly esteemed and respected.
Amidst the confusions of the present rebellion, his
loyalty was unshaken; his attachment to the Constitution, in
church and state, unalterably firm. The great increase of his
congregations, during his incumbency for thirty years at
Staten Island, was an evidence of the assiduity with which he
discharged the duties of his office; and the tears which were
plentifully shed over his remains at the grave, by the members
of his flock, were a sure indication that they considered themselves
as having lost, in him, a common father and friend.[14]

October 14.—Yesterday, General Vaughan, having under
his command a large body of British, who have committed

various acts of vandalism, in their passage up the
North River, landed a number of men at Esopus,
marched up to the defenceless town of Kingston, about two
miles from the river, and immediately set it on fire. The conflagration
was general in a few minutes, and in a very short
time that pleasant and wealthy town was reduced to ashes;
one house only escaped the flames. Thus by the wantonness
of power the third town in New York for size, elegance, and
wealth, is reduced to a heap of rubbish, and the once happy
inhabitants (who are chiefly of Dutch descent) obliged to
solicit for shelter among strangers; and those who lately possessed
elegant and convenient dwellings, obliged to take up
with such huts as they can find to defend them from the cold
blasts of approaching winter. We learn that the inhabitants
saved the best part of their movable property; but some lost
the greatest part of their temporal all. 'Tis said the enemy
took little plunder, being told that Governor Clinton was at
hand with fifteen hundred men, but unluckily not so near as to
save the town. They burnt several houses at Rhynbeck
Flats, and proceeded as far as Livingston Manor, where they
burnt a few more. Our troops are now up with them. It is
hoped they will be able to put a stop to these depredations.
Britain, how art thou fallen! Ages to come will not be able
to wipe away the guilt, the horrid guilt, of these and such like
deeds, lately perpetrated by thee.[16]

October 17.—General Burgoyne having been defeated in
a second trial on the field at Stillwater,[17] and finding himself
encircled without the least chance of escape, to-day surrendered
to the Americans. General Gates, in a letter to his wife, written
from Albany three days after the surrender, says:—

The voice of fame, ere this reaches you, will tell how greatly
fortunate we have been in this department. Burgoyne and his
whole army have laid down their arms, and surrendered themselves
to me and my Yankees. Thanks to the Giver of all
victory for this triumphant success. I got here the night before
last, and the army are now encamped upon the heights to
the southward of this city. Major-General Phillips, who wrote
me that saucy note last year from St. John's, is now my prisoner,
with Lord Petersham, Major Ackland, son of Sir Thomas,
and his lady, daughter of Lord Ilchester, sister to the famous
Lady Susan, and about a dozen members of Parliament, Scotch
lords, &c. I wrote to T. Boone, by Mr. Fluck, an engineer,
whom I permitted to pass to Canada, and who goes immediately
from thence to England. I could not help, in a modest manner,
putting him in mind of the fête champêtre that I three
years ago told him General Burgoyne would meet with if he
came to America. If Old England is not by this lesson taught
humility, then she is an obstinate old slut, bent upon her ruin.
I long much to see you, and have therefore sent the bearer to
conduct you to Albany by the way of Reading, where you will
be received and entertained by Mrs. Potts. Before you leave
Reading, you must take advice whether to come by Nazareth
or Bethlehem; after that your road up the country by Van
Camp's, through the Minnisinks, to Hurley and Esopus, is
plain, and well known to the bearer. Don't let Bob's zeal to
get to papa, hurry you faster than, considering the length of
your journey, you ought to come. If you come by Bethlehem,
there is a Mr. Oakley, who holds an office under Mifflin, who
will provide you with every thing you may have occasion for,
and will introduce you to Madame Langton, and the bishop,
and Mrs. Ilsley, &c. Perhaps you may get ruffles to your
apron; if they are not finished I desire you will bespeak them.

Tell my dear Bob not to be too elated at this great good
fortune of his father. He and I have seen days adverse, as
well as prosperous. Let us through life endeavor to bear
both with an equal mind. General Burgoyne has promised
me to deliver any letters I please to commit to his care in England.
I think to send a few to some principal men there.
Perhaps they may have a good effect for both countries. I
would fain have the mother reconciled to her child, and consent,
since she is big enough to be married, to let her rule and
govern her own house.

I hope Lady Harriet Ackland will be here when you arrive.
She is the most amiable, delicate little piece of quality
you ever beheld. Her husband is one of the prettiest fellows
I have seen, learned, sensible, and an Englishman to all intents
and purposes; has been a most confounded Tory, but I hope to
make him as good a Whig as myself before he and I separate.
You must expect bad and cold days up the journey, therefore
prepare against it. I thank God I am pretty well; have had
a bad cold, with loss of appetite from being continually harassed
with so much business; but I hope to find some rest in
winter and much comfort in yours and Bob's company. I will
try to get some good tea for you from some of the English officers.
Accept my tenderest wishes for your health and safety,
and assure my dear Bob how much I am interested in his welfare.
Heaven grant us a happy meeting.[18]

October 18.—On the morning of the seventh instant, General
Burgoyne invited General Frazer to breakfast with him.

In the course of their conversation, Frazer told
General Burgoyne that he expected in a day or
two to be in Albany. "Hold," said General Burgoyne, "the
owners of the land (meaning the militia) are come out against

us. We cannot proceed any farther so fast as we have done."
The same day the second battle at Stillwater was fought, in
which the militia acquitted themselves like veterans, and the
whole British army was routed.[20] The consequence of this defeat
is the glorious Convention of Saratoga, which was signed
yesterday. A French officer who has served under General
Gates during the campaign, says: "When dere be no more
militia in dis country, I be one very great Tory."[21]

October 23.—Last night, was received at Cambridge, in
Massachusetts, a confirmation of the important intelligence,
that the British Lieutenant-General, Burgoyne,

with upwards of five thousand men at his command,
submitted themselves prisoners of war to the Honorable
Major-General Gates, commander of the American army in the
northern department. In consequence of which the colleges
were beautifully illuminated; and to-night the town of Cambridge
was universally illuminated in high taste and elegance.
A bonfire was made upon the common, where were fired a
number of cannon, answered by musketry from the troops stationed
in Cambridge, in honor to General Gates.

A number of principal gentlemen, both of the town and
army, spent an agreeable evening in company, where the following
toasts were drank, with the discharge of cannon: 1.
The brave Major-General Gates, who with effect said to the
vaunting General Burgoyne, "Hitherto shalt thou come and
no farther." 2. General Washington, and his army. 3. May
every minion general intruding upon American rights and innocence,
meet with the fate of Burgoyne. 4. May tyrant
princes submit to superior American souls. 5. May the wisdom
of Congress ever be superior to the policy of Britain. 6.
Complete establishment to American independence. 7. May
American bravery and honesty rise superior to Britannic artifice
and fraud. 8. May generous harmony forever firmly
unite the States of America. 9. Freedom to the whole world.

The rejoicings were introduced by the discharge of thirteen
cannon, in honor to the thirteen United States of America.[23]

Yesterday morning, about fifteen hundred Hessians, under
the command of Count Donop, came down from Philadelphia

to Red Bank[25] in order to take the fort, under the
command of Colonel Greene, belonging to Rhode
Island. About four o'clock in the afternoon the attack was
begun by a most furious cannonade, which held a quarter of
an hour; the Hessians then rushed on to storm the fort,
and got into the old part of the works, when they thought it
was all their own, and gave three cheers, but were soon obliged
to retreat out of it in the utmost hurry. The galleys at the
same time kept up a constant fire on them, which did great
execution; and in about three-quarters of an hour's attack they
ran off with the greatest precipitation, leaving behind them,
dead, about ninety persons. Among them was a lieutenant-colonel
and four captains; and from a good authority we are
assured that the enemy buried one colonel and twenty-one privates
between the fort and Cooper's Ferry, and carried over
not less than two hundred wounded. The enemy left on the
field, wounded, Count Donop,[26] his brigade-major, a lieutenant,
and about eighty privates; the brigade-major and lieutenant
are permitted to go into Philadelphia, and most of the privates
have died of their wounds.

While the enemy was attacking the fort, the Augusta, of
sixty-four guns, the Roebuck, of forty-four, two frigates of thirty-two,
the Merlin of eighteen, and their large galleys came
through the lower chevaux-de-frize, and kept up a great firing,
in order to draw off the galleys from giving any assistance to
the fort; but they were mistaken. The Augusta, in going
down in the evening got aground. Early this morning all the
galleys and floating batteries began the attack, when an incessant
fire was kept up on both sides; so that the very elements

seemed to be on fire. At eleven o'clock the Augusta was set
on fire, and at twelve she blew up with an astonishing blast.
One of our people was killed in a galley by the fall of a piece
of timber, and we were so near that some of our powder-horns
took fire and blew up. The engagement still continued; but
the Roebuck fell lower down, and the Merlin, of eighteen guns,
ran aground, and at three o'clock the enemy set fire to her,
when the engagement ceased, the enemy falling still lower
down. Thus ended two glorious days. The commodore with
his boats went on board the wrecks, and took out much plunder,
and brought off two of their cannon, one an eighteen, the
other a twenty-four pounder.[27]

The two following advertisements lately appeared, one in
the Carolina, and the other in the Virginia newspaper, which
show the humanity and great consistency of conduct of the sons
of freedom, as the Americans are pleased, in several of their
writings, to style themselves:—"Ran away, the tenth instant,
a lusty negro, named Bob; the said fellow is outlawed, and I
will give ten pounds for his head, severed from his body, and
forty shillings if brought alive."

The second advertisement breathes the same infernal spirit,
viz.:—"Ran away from the subscriber, a negro fellow named
Zeb, aged thirty-six; as he is outlawed, I will pay twenty pounds
currency, to any person who shall produce his head, severed
from his body, and five pounds if brought home alive."[28]

By the most cruel treatment, they make these poor people
desperate, and fly from misery; then they are proclaimed, and
exposed to be murdered for a reward. The real friends to liberty
should be consistent in all their proceedings![29]

This day departed this life, at New Lots, in the township
of Flatbush, in King's county, Long Island, Elbert Hegeman.
Esq., in the ninety-first year of his age. Few men

ever possessed a more humane, benevolent, and
compassionate heart; he was no less remarkable for his piety
than his benevolence, and exhibited to us a remarkable instance
of his attention to the divine laws of his Creator, having read
the Bible through no less than three hundred and sixty-five
times.[31]

October 28.—By a gentleman from Baltimore, we learn
that last week a feu de joie was celebrated there, on account of

the rebel army having retaken possession of Philadelphia,
but that, nevertheless, the inhabitants
would not believe it, nor would the militia, as was expected,
turn out in consequence of it. Indeed, for some weeks past, the
rebel army in the country round here have been very busy in
celebrating their feux de joie on the different accounts their
leaders have pretended to receive, of victories obtained by their
northern army over General Burgoyne. These finesses, intended
to delude the country, and to keep up the sinking spirits
of their army, cannot last long, but must in the end, render
their general officers contemptible in their own army, and exasperate
the whole country against them.[33]

October 29.—This morning President Hancock took leave
of the Congress in the following speech:—"Gentlemen, Friday

last completed two years and five months since
you did me the honor of electing me to fill this
chair. As I could never flatter myself your choice proceeded
from any idea of my abilities, but rather from a partial opinion
of my attachment to the liberties of America, I felt myself
under the strongest obligations to discharge the duties of the
office, and I accepted the appointment with the firmest resolution
to go through the business annexed to it in the best manner
I was able. Every argument conspired to make me exert
myself, and I endeavored by industry and attention to make
up for every other deficiency. As to my conduct, both in and
out of Congress, in the execution of your business, it is improper
for me to say any thing. You are the best judges. But
I think I shall be forgiven, if I say I have spared no pains,
expense, or labor, to gratify your wishes, and to accomplish the
views of Congress. My health being much impaired, I find
some relaxation absolutely necessary, after such constant application;
I must therefore request your indulgence for leave
of absence for two months. But I cannot take my departure,
gentlemen, without expressing my thanks for the civility and
politeness I have experienced from you. It is impossible to
mention this without a heartfelt pleasure. If in the course of
so long a period as I have had the honor to fill this chair, any
expressions may have dropped from me that may have given
the least offence to any member, as it was not intentional, so I
hope his candor will pass it over.

"May every happiness, gentlemen, attend you both as members
of this House and as individuals; and I pray Heaven that
unanimity and perseverance may go hand in hand in this
House; and that every thing which may tend to distract or divide
your councils may be forever banished."[35]

Deacon Loudon [36] has taken upon himself to give in his extraordinary
Packet a garbled account of the late squabble among
the Congress rapscallions, which terminated in

Easy John's leaving the chair. As this production
is calculated to mislead the public, we are happy to present
to our readers a statement by an eye-witness, who has
been watching the Congress since it left Philadelphia:

"As soon as the rebels learned that the British fleet was at
the head of the Chesapeake, a motion was made in the Congress
for an adjournment to some place `at least one hundred miles
from any part of God's kingdom where the British mercenaries
can possibly land,' which, after some rapturous demonstrations,
was carried nem. con. Immediately the Congress commenced
the retreat, leaving old nosey Thomson[38] to pick up the duds
and write promises to pay (when the Congress should return)
the Congress debts. In the flight, as in the rebellion, Hancock,
having a just apprehension of the vengeance which awaits

him, took the initiative and was the first to carry out the letter
of the motion of his associates.

"In four days they met at York. At the opening of the
session, the President, having performed his journey on horseback,
and much more like an express than a lord, was unable to
take his seat, and for several days the chair was filled by a pro
tempore. On the return of Hancock, he gave many indications
of the intense fright he had experienced, and was observed to
assume the chair with more than usual care and quiet seriousness;
whether from soreness or a desire for the further remove
of the Congress, his best friends could not tell.

"Out of this silent discontent murmurs soon sprung, and one
day before the dinner hour of the Congress, he offered a motion
that `this body do adjourn until the troops under the Howes,
now pursuing the freemen of America, retire altogether from
the State of Pennsylvania.' This was not adopted. Hancock
then arose and delivered the following, which is a fair specimen
of rebel eloquence, and `much to the pint,' as the
Yankee parsons say:—

"Brethren, freemen and legislators:—It's now more'n
two years sence you done me the honor of puttin' me in this
seat, which however humbly I have filled I was determined to
carry out. It's a responsible situation, and I've been often
awaken'd of nights a hearin' them reglars a comin' for my
head. I can't bear it. It's worked on me, and already I feel as
though I was several years older than I was. My firmness,
which has made up for all my other infirmities, has been the
cause of many heartburnings, which I am sure the candor of
those among you who don't like it, will pass over. As to the
execution of business, I have spared no pains, and shall return
to my family and folks with that satisfaction. In taking leave
of you, my brethren, let me wish that we may meet soon under
the glories of a free, but British government."

After requesting the Congress to pass around his chair and
shake his hand, the afflicter of his country retired, satisfied as
usual with himself and the Congress, who, with equal satisfaction,
welcomed his departure.[39]

November 8.—At Edmonton, in England, on Wednesday
last, a gibbet was erected, under which a load of wood was laid,
and from the gibbet hung a figure, with a mask for a face, and
on its breast a label, with this inscription: "Washington,
General of the Americans:" and in the evening the gibbet,
and the general, were reduced to ashes.[40]

November 19.—This day the Hessian Lieutenant-General
Philip De Heister, died at Cassel, in Germany, in the sixty-first
year of his age. His death was occasioned by an inflammation
of his lungs, which carried him off in four days.[41]

November 20.—The martial spirit which at present shines
forth amongst the inhabitants of New York city, reflects the
highest honor upon them, and is at once a proof

of their loyalty and gratitude. Ever since the
arrival of the King's troops, the greatest harmony and most
cordial friendship have subsisted between them and the citizens,
nor has the martial law been a grievance to any. None have
been required to take arms, not even the most apostate amongst
those who have taken the benefit of the proclamation and
come to the city for protection. How different the prospect
if we look where "fraud prevails, and impious men bear sway,"
and where the wretched inhabitants have been dragged to the
field to fight against the most glorious constitution in the universe.
The indulgence of the commander-in-chief has prompted
the principal gentlemen, inhabitants of this city and refugees
from other provinces, to form themselves into independent companies,
twenty of which are nearly completed.

Last Monday, several companies of them paraded on the
fields, at the upper end of Broadway, headed by the Worshipful
David Matthews, Esq., and made a very fine

appearance. These companies, together with the
militia, will greatly add to the strength of the city, and relieve
the King's troops, who may be employed elsewhere.[44]

This day arrived at Boston, in Massachusetts, under an
escort of American light dragoons, the Honorable John Han-

cock, Esq., President of the American Congress,
and first major-general of the militia of that State.
By his coming into town sooner than was expected, he avoided
some public marks of respect which would otherwise have been
paid him; his arrival was made known by ringing the bells,
the discharge of thirteen cannon of Colonel Craft's park of
artillery on the common, the cannon on the fortress on Fort
Hill, and the shipping in the harbor. The independent and
light infantry companies paid him their military salutes. He
received the compliments of gentlemen of all orders; and
every indication was given of the sense the public has of his
important services to the American cause.[46]

November 22.—A gentleman in the American army gives
the following account of the late movements of the British
forces on and about the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers:

About the 12th of October, the British erected a battery
near the mouth of the Schuylkill, in order to prevent our boats

going into that river, and then landed a large body
of troops on Province Island opposite Fort Mifflin,
with intention to erect batteries against that fort.

In the night they threw up one battery within point blank

shot directly opposite to the fort, which was attacked the next
day by the galleys, who kept up so warm a fire on them for two
hours, that one captain, one lieutenant and ensign, with about
eighty men, came on the bank with a flag, clubbed their muskets,
and surrendered themselves prisoners; but a large body
of fresh men coming in through the meadows to rescue them,
they were fired at from the block house at Fort Mifflin, and
many of those who had submitted, thinking it was them, ran
off; that fifty-six privates with Lieutenant Finch and Ensign
Hankey were brought off. On the next day the galleys attacked
the battery again, but without any effect. The enemy
now threw up another battery on the hospital wharf, from
which they fired red hot shot, and kept up a firing every day
of shells and red hot balls, but to little purpose, having since
their first firing to the 9th November killed but two men and
wounded a few, though they had thrown some thousand shot
and shells. On Monday, the 10th of November, the enemy had
completed five batteries, one on the hospital wharf above mentioned,
one on the wharf below that, and three others, one just
above the fort, another right opposite, and the third a little below
the fort. From all these, about seven o'clock in the morning,
they began a most furious cannonade, with shot, shells, and
carcasses, not throwing less than fifteen hundred of them a day.
Tuesday morning they began in the same manner, when Captain
Treat of the artillery, a brave officer, with two others, were
killed, and several wounded; and in the evening Colonel
Smith, who commanded the fort, was brought off wounded.
Three of the enemy's ships came up the same morning a little
above Mantua Creek, where we had thrown up a small battery,
but had that day no guns in it, and kept a continual fire on it
for some hours, without the least damage to the battery. Wednesday
and Thursday the cannonade of shells, &c., was kept up
most violently, which tore the stockades, barracks, &c., all to
pieces, and dismounted and broke many of our guns. Friday
the fire was also very hot, and the Vigilant galley, which had
been cut down and carried sixteen twenty-four pounders, got
behind Hog Island designing to get up to Fort Mifflin, but
could not do it that day. Saturday the 15th we got three guns
in the battery mentioned above, and that morning the Somerset
of sixty-four guns, the Isis, and another fifty-gun ship, two
large frigates, and a galley they brought from New York came
up within reach of Fort Mifflin, when the battery began firing
on them. This drew the fire from all the men-of-war, which
was incessant; so that from the cannonade on the fort and the
fire from the enemy, there was one continual roar of cannon.
The wind was high, and directly against the galleys, which
prevented them from getting to action for some time. In the
afternoon the Vigilant got through close up to Fort Mifflin
and fired most furiously on it. The commodore sent over six
galleys to attack her; but she lay so covered by the enemy's
batteries that it could not be done to any purpose. The other
galleys with the floating batteries, were engaged with the ships;
and such a cannonade, I believe, was never seen in America.
It continued till the evening, when all the ships fell down and
the firing ceased except from the Vigilant and the batteries
on Province Island against Fort Mifflin, which was by this
time torn all to pieces, having scarce a stockade standing, the
block houses almost beat down, and every gun dismounted or
broken. It now being found impossible to defend it any longer,
Major Thayer, who for some days had so bravely defended it,
about eleven o'clock at night set fire to the remains of the barracks
and brought off his garrison. Thus fell Fort Mifflin after
a close siege of near one month, in which time we had on board
the galleys only thirty-eight men killed and wounded.

Sunday and Monday the enemy were quite still, and on
Tuesday the 18th, in the morning, a large number of transports
with troops from New York came up to Billingsport and
landed their men; and General Cornwallis came over from
Pennsylvania with a number more, in order to attack the fort
at Red Bank, where we had not men sufficient to hold a siege.
In council it was thought best that it should be evacuated, and
on Thursday evening the fort was blown up, and the garrison,
with the ammunition, went off.

Our little fleet was now to be preserved; and in consultation
with the land and sea officers, it was agreed that it should, if
possible, pass by Philadelphia and go up the river. Accordingly,

on Wednesday night, the commodore ordered the thirteen
galleys to pass close under the Jersey shore, which they all did
without a shot being fired at them. It being quite calm, the
top-sail vessels could not attempt it. Friday morning, before
day, it still being calm, the brig Convention, Captain Rice, the
schooner Delaware, Captain Eyres, with six of the shallops, set
off to get by, which they all did, through an exceeding hot fire
of shells and shot, except the Delaware and one shallop, which
were run aground and set on fire. Finding that all the troops
were gone, and that there was no wind to carry the continental
vessels by, it was thought better to set them on fire, than to let
them fall into the enemy's hands; and the same morning before
day, the brig Andria Doria, the xebecks, Repulse and Champion,
the sloops Racehorse and Champion, with the two floating
batteries and three fire-ships, were accordingly set on fire
and destroyed.[48]

December 1.—We hear from London, that a treaty is to be
concluded with Russia for taking thirty-six thousand Russians
into pay; and with the King of Prussia, but the

contents are not known. It is not for a body of
his troops; but twelve thousand more Hessians, Wurtemburgers,
Palatines, and Mecklenburgers, are agreed for. Four and
twenty new regiments are to be raised in England and Ireland
of five hundred men each, so that the army in America, next
campaign, will not be short of eighty thousand men.[50]

It is observable that at the opening of every campaign in
the spring, the British plunderers, and their Tory emissaries,
announce the total reduction of America before the

winter. In the fall they find themselves as remote
from their purpose as they were in the spring; and then we
are threatened with innumerable hosts from Russia and Germany,
who will utterly extirpate us the ensuing summer, or
reduce us to the most abject submission. They have so beat
this beaten track, that for mere sake of variety, I would advise
them to explore a new road; and not compel us to nauseate a
falsehood, not only because we know it to be one, but for its
perpetual repetition without the least variation or alternity.
According to custom, therefore, the new lie (that is the old lie
reiterated) for next summer is, that we are to be devoured,
bones and all, by thirty-six thousand Russians; besides something
or other that is to be done to us by the King of Prussia.
What this is to be, is still a profound secret; but as it will
doubtless be something very extraordinary, and it being impossible
to conceive what else he can do to us, after we are swallowed
by the Russians, he is probably, by some political
emetic or other, to bring us up again. I should think, in common
complaisance to human reason, that absurdities so gross,
and figments so destitute of probability, could only deceive
those who choose to be deceived. The Empress of Russia,
though a sovereign in petticoats, knows too well that the true
riches of a nation consist in the number of its inhabitants, to
suffer such a number of her inhabitants to be knocked in the
head in America, for the sake of facilitating the frantic project
of a more southern potentate in breeches, deluded by a blundering
ministry, and the universal derision of Europe. It is her
interest (and I shall wonder if ever princes proceed upon any
other principle, before the commencement of the millennium)
to have America dismembered from Great Britain, which must
of necessity reduce the naval power of the latter, and make
Russia a full match for her on the ocean. And as for the King
of Prussia, considering that there never was any love lost between
him and the family of Brunswick, and that he has long
been jealous of the maritime strength of Britain, these artifices
of fraud might, with equal plausibility, have introduced the
Emperor of Japan as entering into leagues and alliances with
our late master at St. James. It is nothing but an impudent
forgery from first to last, and merely fabricated to restore to
their natural shape and features, the crest-fallen countenances
of the Tories, and if possible, to intimidate the genuine sons of
America. The utmost they can do, they have already done;
and are this moment as far from any prospect of subjecting us
to the dominion of Britain, as they were in the ridiculous hour
in which General Gage first arrived in Boston. This is no
secret with those who have the management of their armies in
America, how greatly soever the nation itself may be deluded
by the pompous accounts of their progress. But whatever becomes
of Old England at last, these gentlemen are sure of accumulating
immense wealth during the war; and are therefore determined
to keep up the delusion as long as possible. Burgoyne
is the only one of any distinction, who has virtue enough to
own the truth; and I am credibly informed, that he has frankly
declared, that he was most egregiously deceived in the
Americans, that he had been led to believe they would never
come to bayoneting, that they behaved with the greatest intrepidity
in attacking intrenchments, that although a regiment
of his grenadiers and light infantry displayed, in an engagement
with Colonel Morgan's battalion of riflemen, the
most astonishing gallantry, Morgan exceeded them in dexterity
and generalship, and that it was utterly impossible ever to conquer
America.[52]

December 9.—A correspondent in London writing under
this date, says:—"The account of General Burgoyne's treaty
with Mr. Gates, arriving when the two Houses

of Parliament were sitting, and in the warmth
of high debate, the friends of government were much confounded
and staggered by such a shock; but you cannot imagine
how furiously, illiberally, and indecently opposition
triumphed on the occasion, opening and roaring like so many
bull dogs against administration. The King, God bless him,
for we never had a better one, and no other nation had ever
so good a one, who feels every calamity and misfortune of his
people, was greatly affected; but, with that magnanimity
which distinguishes his character, he soon declared that such a
cause could never be given up, that this loss must be retrieved
by greater and more vigorous exertions, and that he would
even `sell Hanover and all his private estate, before he would
desert the cause of his loyal American subjects, who had suffered
so much for him.'

"In two or three days the nation recovered from its surprise,
and now is ready to support the King and his ministers in the
proper and vigorous use of such means as are adequate to the
great end of reducing the revolted colonies to a constitutional
subordination. Many in both Houses of Parliament have
spoken to this effect with great spirit, and one member of the
Commons, Mr. Cambridge, said that he would part with reluctance
with one shilling in the pound towards raising another
army of ten thousand men for America, yet he would cheerfully
pay twelve shillings in the pound towards an additional
army of sixty thousand men."[54]

December 10.—On the night of the fourth instant, the British
army, distressed for want of "elbow room," marched from

Philadelphia with an avowed intention of obliging
the American army to quit their post at Whitemarsh,
and driving them back into the country. Early on Friday
morning, they posted themselves strongly on the heights
of Chestnut hill, about two miles in front of the right wing of
our army. While they lay here, General Irvine, with a body
of militia, attacked a party of their light troops which were a
little advanced in front of their encampment. The skirmish
was pretty warm, and the enemy being reinforced, our militia
were obliged to retreat in some confusion. Unfortunately
General Irvine was wounded in the hand and thrown from his
horse, by which means he was made prisoner. The enemy had
a number killed and wounded, among the latter was Sir James
Murray, a captain of the light infantry. Having reconnoitred
our right sufficiently, and not liking its appearance of strength,
on Saturday night they silently filed off to our left, leaving a
party behind them to keep up their fires. On Sunday morning
they took post on Edge Hill, in front of our left. In the
afternoon, Colonel Morgan with his light corps fell in with a
large body of the enemy, attacked them with spirit, and did
great execution. Burgoyne's grasshoppers[56] galled them extremely.
The next day the enemy suddenly retired, and before
we could expect such a thing from these braggadocios, they
were on full march for Philadelphia.

This expedition has only served to discover the weakness
and cruelty of the British army. Whenever they marched it
was in the night; whenever they halted they took post on the
strongest grounds; wherever they came they plundered the
miserable inhabitants without respect of persons. Those merciful
considerations which should influence us in our treatment
of our worst enemies, found no place among them. The poor,
the widow, the fatherless children were stripped of their all,
even without leaving them bread to eat, or clothes enough to
cover them. Did they who talk of British mercy and protection
but see those unhappy sufferers![57]

December 31.—The neglect of some of the people of Jersey
and Pennsylvania, to supply clothing and necessaries to the
army at Valley Forge, in accordance with the late requisition
made by General Washington, creates much comment.[58]

Among the suggestions for relief is the following by Governor
Livingston, published in this day's gazette:—"I am afraid
that while we are employed in furnishing our

battalions with clothing, we forget the county
of Bergen, which alone is sufficient amply to provide them
with winter waistcoats and breeches, from the redundance and
superfluity of certain woollen habits, which are at present applied
to no kind of use whatsoever. It is well known that the
rural ladies in that part of New Jersey, pride themselves in an
incredible number of petticoats; which, like house furniture,
are displayed by way of ostentation, for many years before
they are decreed to invest the fair bodies of the proprietors.
Till that period they are never worn, but neatly piled up on
each side of an immense escritoire, the top of which is decorated
with a most capacious brass-clasped Bible, seldom read.
What I would, therefore, humbly propose to our superiors, is
to make prize of these future female habiliments, and, after
proper transformation, immediately apply them to screen from
the inclemencies of the weather those gallant males who are
now fighting for the liberties of their country. And to clear
this measure from every imputation of injustice, I have only
to observe, that the generality of the women in that county,
having for above a century worn the breeches, it is highly
reasonable that the men should now, and especially upon so
important an occasion, make booty of the petticoats."[60]