of the Massachusetts Congress met him for the same purpose. In his replies to all the addresses that were made to him, he expressed his earnest desire that the differences with the Mother Country might be accommodated, and that our bonds of connexion might not be severed. On his arrival at Cambridge he found that the whole force which had been raised, did not amount to fifteen thousand men, and that these were employed in guarding an extent of at least twelve miles. His first duty was to deliver the commissions which had been entrusted to him by Congress, to the the eight Brigadiers, Thomas, Montgomery, Wooster, Heath, Spencer, Sullivan, Green and Pomeroy, to whom he represented in strong and eloquent terms the necessity of union and activity in raising and disciplining their respective Brigades, and in preparing for defence at all points.

As a first step towards a new arrangement the army was divided into three commands: the right wing under General Ward, at Roxbury, the left under General Lee at Prospect Hill, and the centre at Cambridge under the Commander in Chief. The whole line was well fortified by strong redoubts and entrenchments, but the supply of powder was so extremely small that they would have been able to hold out but a short time against an attack. This was soon after remedied by a supply from New-Jersey. The Rifle companies from the Southern Colonies were raised with uncommon expedition, and joined the army early in August; so that the whole force now amounted to sixteen thousand men.

Repeated skirmishes took place during the summer, in which the Americans were generally successful, in bringing off cattle, hay and other articles, of

which the British began to stand greatly in need.The Regiment of Cavalry which had arrived from Ireland, seemed to be rather a burden than otherwise to General Gage. He could make no use of them, and the addition of so many mouths to be fed from his precarious means, was seriously felt. Every thing concurred to distress and embarrass the troops who were thus cooped up in Boston. They had learned by dear experience, that the Americans were not such poltroons as they had been represented to be, and that nothing was to be obtained from them but by hard fighting. The most hazardous adventures were every day performed before their eyes, under the blaze of their artillery, by men who, it had been said, would fly at the sight of a Grenadier's cap. They thus found themselves obliged to risk their lives for means of sustenance, and they were seldom able by the most desperate enterprises to secure even a scanty pittance.

The Americans on the contrary, emboldened by the means that dispirited their enemy, grew daily more and more daring. They had, in defiance of a ship of war which lay within one mile, succeeded in destroying the Light House at the entrance of the harbour; and when the British at a subsequent time undertook to rebuild it, under the protection of a party of Marines, the Americans attacked and took the whole party prisoners.

CHAPTER XI.

Events of 1775 continued-Proceedings of Congress-declaration showing the causes of taking up arms-petition to the King the answer of Lord Dartmouth-Proceedings of the Congress-Dr. Franklin made Post Master General-Colonial convention-Lord Dunmore's conduct-Design of Connolly frustrated-Lord Dunmore on board the Foway requires the attendance of the Virginia Burgesses-they refuse to attend-They appoint Patrick Henry Commander in Chief of the Colonial force-Dunmore declares freedom to the Slaves-Battle of the Great Bridge-Rivington's Press destroyed in New YorkDestruction of several towns in New England-Expedition to Canada-Siege of Quebec-Colonel Allen made prisoner-Death of Montgomery-parallel drawn between Montgomery and Wolfe-Arnold wounded-his gallant conduct and laborious march--Licentious conduct of the British in Boston.

THE Colony of Georgia, notwithstanding their having been excepted from the operations of the restraining acts of Parliament, agreed to the Confederation of the Colonies and appointed Deputies to the Congress, early in July. On the 6th, The United Colonies" agreed to the following Declaration setting forth the causes and necessity of their taking up arms; by which it will be seen that they were still anxious to restore the original compact between the Colonies and Great Britain.

"If it were possible for men, who exercise their reason, to believe that the Divine author of our existence intended a part of the human race to hold an absolute property in, and an unbounded power over others, marked out by his infinite goodness and wisdom, as the objects of a legal domination, never right

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ly resistable, however severe and oppressive; the inhabitants of these Colonies might at least require from the Parliament of Great Britain some evidence, that this dreadful authority over them has been granted to that body. But a reverence for our great Creator, principles of humanity, and the dictates of common sense, must convince all those who reflect upon the subject, that government was instituted to promote the welfare of mankind, and ought to be administered for the attainment of that end. The Legislature of Great Britain, however, stimulated by an inordinate passion for a power not only unjustifiable, but which they know to be peculiarly reprobated by the very constitution of that Kingdom, and desperate of success in any mode of contest where regard should be had to truth, law, or right, have at length, deserting those, attempted to effect their cruel and impolitick purpose of enslaving these Colonies by violence, and have thereby rendered it necessary for us to close with their last appeal from reason to arms. Yet, however blinded that assembly may be, by their intemperate rage for unlimited domination, so as to slight justice and the opinion of mankind, we esteem ourselves bound, by obligations of respect to the rest of the world, to make known the justice of our cause.

"Our forefathers, inhabitants of the island of Great Britain, left their native land to seek on these shores a residence for civil and religious freedom. At the expense of their blood, at the hazard of their fortunes, without the least to the country from which they removed, by unceasing labour, and an unconquerable spirit, they effected settlements in the distant and in hospitable wilds of America, then filled with numerous and warlike nations of Barbarians. Societies or

Governments, vested with perfect Legislatures, were formed under charters from the Crown, and a harmonious intercourse was established between the Colonies and the Kingdom from which they derived their origin. The mutual benefits of this union became in a short time so extraordinary as to excite astonishment. It is universally confesssed that the amazing increase of the wealth, strength, and navigation of the realm, arose from this source; and the Minister who so wisely and successfully directed the measures of Great Britain in the late war, publickly declared that these Colonies enabled her to triumph over her enemies. Towards the conclusion of that war, it pleased our Sovereign to make a change in his counsels. From that fatal moment the affairs of the British empire began to fall into confusion, and, gradually sliding from the summit of glorious prosperity, to which they had been advanced by the virtues and abilities of one man, are at length distracted by the convulsions that now shake it to its deepest foundations. The new Ministry, findding the brave foes of Britain, though frequently defeated, yet still contending, took up the unfortunate idea of granting them a hasty peace, and then of subduing her faithful friends.

"These devoted Colonies were judged to be in such a state, as to present victories without bloodshed, and all the easy emoluments of statutable plunder. The uninterrupted tenour of their peaceable and respectful behaviour from the beginning of Colonization; their dutiful, zealous, and useful services during the war, though so recently and amply acknowledged in the most honourable manner by his Majesty, by the late King, and by Parliament, could not save them from the meditated innovations. Parliament was influenced