fectly competent to the task. The committee consisted of the following illustrious characters: Thomas Jefferson, Edmund Pendleton, George Wythe, George Mason, and Thomas Ludwell Lee, Esquires. The execution of the work however devolved on the three first named gentlemen, who afterwards were honoured with the first posts of dignity and importance their country could bestow.

While these affairs were transacting in Virginia, the war was progressing with various success in the other colonies. The Americans, after being defeated on Long Island, by general Howe, had abandoned the place. The evacuation of New York by the continental troops followed soon after, and the expedition against Canada was marked by the fall of general Montgomery and the retreat of his army from the walls of Quebec.

The skill and energy of the commander in chief was at this time far superior to his means. On his retreat towards New Jersey his force consisted of only about three thousand five hundred men. With this small army he was

closely pursued by lord Cornwallis, who arrived in Newark the very morning (November 28th) that Washington left it. The British general hoped to disperse the American army before it should cross the Delaware. In this however he was disappointed. Washington effected the passage of the Delaware without being compelled to fight, and saved by his superior skill and caution the army on which his country's hope seemed to rest. The prospects were indeed gloomy at this time, and in no other cause than that of liberty could success have been reasonably calculated upon. The fortitude of Washington, however, never forsook him, nor would his zeal in the cause of his country allow him to be long inactive. On the 25th of December he recrossed the Delaware, and the splendid achievements of Trenton and Princeton began to re-animate his distressed and dejected followers.

The bold resistance of the colonies called for greater force, or more skilful exertions on the part of the invaders. The war in the northern department had hitherto yielded but little glory

to the British commanders. The approach of general Burgoyne, an able and accomplished officer, from Canada, with a force of about seven thousand men, seemed to threaten the downfal of our power in that quarter. His success, however, was soon arrested by general Gates, at the head of an army superior in numbers, and not inferior in bravery to the opposing force.

The capture of Burgoyne spread a general joy throughout the colonies, and inspired their councils and their armies with new vigour in the yet doubtful contest. Meanwhile, Washington was watching in anxious suspense the movements of sir William Howe, who had sailed from New York with a force of eighteen thousand men, and a powerful fleet under the command of his brother, lord Howe. Fearing it should be a scheme to draw him to the south, and leave the Hudson with a force not sufficient to defend the important post of West Point, Washington proceeded no farther than Bucks county, in Pennsylvania, where he waited the destination of the enemy.

Sir William entering the Chesapeake, sailed

up

the bay and landed his army in Cecil county, Maryland, on the eastern shore of the bay. Washington discovering his movements, took a position on the Brandywine, where he waited the approach of his foe. A severe conflict ensued which terminated in the defeat of the Americans. In this engagement the Virginia brigades, under Wayne and Weedon, distinguished themselves.*

This battle was soon after followed by another at Germantown, in which the enemy were again victorious. The remissness, however, of sir William Howe, in improving his victories, rendered them of little importance to his cause. The destruction of a few hundred men could be of no serious consequence in the conquest of a country as extensive and populous as the United Colonies. Nothing but the utmost vigour in following up, as well as wisdom in planning his conquests, could render their ef fects permanent, or ensure success to the invaders. The case was very different with respect

* Marshall's Washington, &c. &c,

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to America. Her armies were improving in discipline, and every defeat taught her better how to meet the enemy in the next contest. She had already waded too far in blood to think of returning without the prize of victory in her hands.

The arrival of count D'Estaing, with a formidable fleet, in aid of the American cause, contributed to its success, and served to increase the embarrassments of the British.

On the accession of sir Henry Clinton to the chief command, the war was carried on with renewed vigour, but the plan of conquest was in some measure changed. The reduction of the southern colonies presented an object of less difficulty, but not of less value to Britain than the northern. An expedition against Georgia, under the command of lieutenant colonel Campbell, threatened the subjection of that state, while sir Henry himself was preparing to march in person to South Carolina.

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