CHAP. XV.

News of American disorders arrives in England-Proceedings
in parliament on the subject-Boston port bill-Debates on it,
&c.-Is carried, and receives the royal assent-Bill for better
regulating the government of Massachussetts-bay-Discussion
on the policy of repealing the tea duty-Mr. Burke's speech-
Massachussetts-bay bill read a second and third time, and passed
-Bill for the impartial administration of justice in the province
of Massachussetts-Debates on it-Is passed-Lord Chatham
reappears in the house of lords-His speech on a bill for quartering
troops in America-Advises conciliatory measures-Reflections
on the subject, and the approaching contest-Bill for settling
the administration of Canada-Debates thereon-Is passed-Law
respecting copyright of books-Foreign events-Birth of prince
Adolphus Frederic-End of the session of parliament-King's
speech-Proceedings in Massachussetts-General Gage appointed
governor-Assembly meets-General Gage announces the ne-
cessity of removing it to Salem-Turbulent proceedings of the
assembly-Appointment of a committee-Assembly dissolved-
Spirited conduct of the people of Salem, &c.-Proceedings of
other colonies-Solemn league and covenant at Boston- General
Gage fortifies Boston-neck-The new council appointed-Most
of its members resign-Colonists begin to make military prepara-
tions-General Gage seizes on the stores, &c.-Meeting of dele-
gates from the towns of Suffolk county-Acts and proclamations
of the same-Remonstrance to the governor, and his answer-
He dissolves the new assembly-Opposition to this resolution-
Provincial congress appointed-Remonstrance to the governor-
His reply-Proceedings of the congress-Assembling of the great
national congress at Philadelphia - Declarations, resolutions,
and addresses-Congress breaks up, after appointing another
meeting in the ensuing year-Effects of its decrees-Dissolution
of parliament-New one assembles-Debates on the address, &c.
-Reports from America during the recess-Determination of
government-Business after the recess-His majesty refuses to
receive the petition of congress; so also does the parliament
-Lord Chatham's speech proposing an address to the king-
His provisional act, and debates thereon: thrown out-Lord

North's coercion bill-Debates on it-Augmentation of forces-

Bill for restraining the commerce of New England-Debates, &c.

-Lord North's conciliatory motion; and debates, &c.—Mr.

Burke's plan of reconciliation-His speech on it-Plan rejected

-He publishes it-Dr. Johnson's publication on the subject-

Mr. Hartley's motion-Remonstrance of the city to the king,

&c.-Attempts to repeal the Canadian act-Other parliamentary

business-The king prorogues parliament-Dr. Franklin leaves

England-Considerations with regard to European states p. 148

CHAP. XVI.

Spirit of the colonies, especially that of Massachussetts-Ex-

pedition to seize stores at Salem-Affair of Lexington-Formation

of an army by the provincials, and other measures-Arrival of

lord North's conciliatory propositions-Conduct of Pennsylvania

and other states-Meeting of the general congress, and measures

adopted-Reinforcements sent from England-General Gage's

proclamation-Preparations for hostilities-Battle of Bunker's-

hill-Appointment of Washington as commander in chief-His

arrival at Boston, and disposition of the army-General Gage's

inactivity he is recalled, and the command devolves on general

Howe-Armed cruisers fitted out by the provincials; capture

of British store-ships, &c.-Successful expedition against Ticon-

deroga and Crown Point- Resolution of congress thereon-

Colonel Arnold's proposals adopted by congress-General Mont-

gomery's expedition to Canada; capture of Fort St. John and

Montreal-Contemporaneous expedition of colonel Arnold, who

arrives opposite Quebec - His first operations unsuccessful-

Junction of Arnold and Montgomery-Siege and unsuccessful

assault of Quebec-Montgomery's death-Disposition and revolt

of the southern provinces-Falmouth in Massachussetts burnt—

Americans issue letters of marque, and build ships-Conduct and

prospects of the colonists considered-Opinions in England-

Proceedings of the democrats-Rev. John Horne-His libel,

trial, and sentence-Affair of Mr. Sayre-Parliament meets-

King's speech-Amendments proposed, and debates-Duke of

Grafton differs from his colleagues-Lord Barrington averse to

coercive measures-Debates on the introduction of foreign troops

into Gibraltar and Minorca-Militia bill-Number of forces to

be raised-Duke of Grafton resigns the privy-seal-Other changes

-Lord George Germaine made secretary for the American de-

partment-Nova Scotia petition-Petition of congress-Governor

Penn examined at the bar of the lords-Motion of the duke of

Richmond respecting it negatived-Mr. Burke's conciliatory mo-

tion-Lord North's prohibitory bill-Debates on it-Sentiments of

the ministry-Treaties with German princes for troops page 196

CHAP. XVII.

Affairs of the Irish parliament-Motion of Mr. T. Townshend

regarding the lord lieutenant's message-Debates on it-Mr. Fox's

motion to inquire into the ill success of his majesty's arms in

America -Copies of the treaties with German potentates for

troops laid before the house-Debates thereon-Duke of Grafton's

motion for an address to his majesty-Mr. Hartley's in the com-

mons--Mr. Sawbridge's motion-Motion for a militia in Scotland

rejected-Mr. Wilkes's project of parliamentary reform-Duchess

of Kingston's trial-Unseasonable motions by general Conway and

Mr. Hartley-Supplies, &c.-Prorogation of parliament-King's

speech-Sentiments of foreign powers-Favorers of the American

cause in England-Dr. Price's publication-Dr. Johnson's Tax-

ation no Tyranny'-Alderman Wilkes's philippic against the

corporation of London-Domestic events-Retirement of Garrick

from the stage-State of the British and Americans at Boston-

Difficulties of Washington's situation-Fortification of Dorchester

heights-Evacuation of Boston by the British-Important advan-

tages resulting from it to the insurgents-Mission of Indian

chiefs-Affairs of Canada-Franklin's letter to M. Dumas-Ar-

nold's unsuccessful attack on Quebec-Retreat of the Americans

-Affair of captain Forster, and bad conduct of the Americans-

Vigorous measures taken by general Carleton to expel them from

his province-Failure of an attack on the British by general

Thompson-Arnold's retreat to Crown Point, and command of

lake Champlain-Pursued by the British under general Carleton

-Preparation of a flotilla by this latter officer-Naval operations

on the lake-Arnold defeated, and Crown Point abandoned-Affairs

in the southern states-Operations of general Clinton and Sir

Peter Parker-Attempted conquest of Charlestown-Attack on

Sullivan's Island, which fails-Expedition under general Howe

and admiral lord Howe against New York-Manifesto of congress

to prepare the public mind for independence-Thomas Paine's

pamphlet, &c.-Question of independence proposed and carried

in the congress-Declaration published-Lord Howe's declaration

-His address to Washington, and correspondence with Franklin

--Defeat of the Americans on Long Island-Their retreat to New

York-General Sullivan's mission to congress-Conference on

Staten Island-Diplomatic agency of the United States-Views of

France-First measures in 1775 for the organisation of American

diplomacy-Dr. Franklin, Arthur Lee, and M. Dumas-M. de

Beaumarchais-Silas Deane's mission to France-Three commis-

sioners sent in 1776-Mr. Lee's mission to Spain-Proceedings of

the commissioners in France-British attack and capture of New

York-Washington's retreat-Action at White Plains-Capture

of Fort Washington-Washington retreats behind the Delaware

-Capture of general Lee-Acts of the congress-State of the

American army-Washington recrosses the Delaware -His brilliant

success at Trenton and Princetown-His winter campaign in the

Jerseys Meeting of the British parliament-King's speech-

Address and debates thereon-Lord John Cavendish's motion

for revising the acts of which the colonists complained-Seces-

sion of a party of opposition members from parliament-Rope-

yard at Portsmouth burnt by John the painter--Projected ex-

pedition for the discovery of a north-west passage.

page 227

CHAP. XVIII.

Meeting of parliament - Letters of marque granted - Lord

North's bill for detaining in prison persons charged with high

treason-Debates on it-Carried, with certain amendments -

Warm debates on the accounts of last year-Additional demands

of the landgrave of Hesse-Augmentation of the revenue of the

civil list-Debates on it-Protest, &c. in the house of lords-

Speech of Sir Fletcher Norton to the king-Thanks of the house

to him-Subsequent discussion thereon-Lord Chatham's motion

for an address to the king-Rejected-Supplies for 1777-King's

reply to the speaker when he presented the bills for royal assent

-Lord North's exertion of patronage-Memorial presented to the

States General-Views of the house of Bourbon not generally

suspected-Trial, &c. of Dr. Dodd-Affairs of the East Indies--

Mr. Hastings's administration in Bengal-Embarks for England-

Affairs at the presidencies of Bombay and Madras- Extraordinary

conduct of the latter in the case of lord Pigot-Parliamentary

proceedings on it-Trial of the conspirators before lord Mans-

field

page 280

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CHAP. XIX.

American campaign-Expedition of the British up the Hudson

-Of the Americans to Long Island-Operations of general Howe

against Washington in the Jerseys-Seizure of general Prescot

on Rhode Island-Expedition of the British army against Phila-

delphia Battle of the Brandywine-March of the British to-

wards Philadelphia-Surprise of general Wayne-Lord Cornwallis

takes possession of Philadelphia-Two American frigates burnt

in the Delaware-Action at German Town - Opening of the

Delaware-Washington takes up a position at White Marsh-

Removes to Valley Forge for winter-quarters-Suffering of the

army Representations of Washington to congress - Plan of

general Burgoyne's expedition from Canada-His advance and

proclamation. Ticonderoga fort falls into the hands of the

English-Difficulties in the way of general Burgoyne-Failure of

the British against Fort Stanwix and at Benington-Americans

retire to Saratoga-Reinforced by Arnold-General Gates takes

the command-The British advance-Attacked by general Arnold

-Repulse the enemy, but lose 600 men-Ill effects of this action

-Burgoyne fortifies his position-Sir H. Clinton's expedition up

the Hudson-Putnam retires-Capture of Forts Clinton and

Montgomery - American vessels, and Kingston burnt-Sir H.

Clinton returns to New York-Arnold attacks his antagonists,

but suffers loss-Burgoyne is surrounded on all sides--Capitu-

lates to general Gates-Terms of convention, &c.-Conduct of

the American congress regarding the troops-American privateers

-Meeting of parliament-King's speech-Address, and debates on

it in both houses-Duke of Richmond's motion for a committee

to inquire into the state of the nation, and for the production of

papers-Mr. Fox makes a similar one in the lower house-Army

and navy estimates - Intelligence of Burgoyne's defeat Lord

Chatham's motions for addresses to his majesty-Debates thereon

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