1778. victed of high treason against the commonwealth of Pennfylvania. The unaccountable operations of the war have been the occafion of a woful mistake in the general politics of that denomination. Encouraged by the reafonable profpect, that coercive measures properly planned and conducted would prove fuccessful, the body of the American quakers have fided with the miniftry, in hope of establishing their civil power in the ftate. They have difowned several worthy members for being active in the cause of their country; but not others for oppofing it. Instead of maintaining a strict neutrality in the present conteft, their partiality has been fuch, that the British officers have extolled their alacrity as fpies, guides and informers. They have fuppreffed letters of Dr. Fothergill upon the impropriety of their conduct, and because they were written decidedly in favor of liberty. Let it be remembered however, that there are many deferving individuals among them, befide gens. Greene and Mifflin, who by a uniform fteady perseverance in measures friendly to the American cause, have justly conciliated the esteem of their countrymen.

Nov. General Washington gave orders that no small parties 27. fhould by any mean be permitted to go upon Long Ifland. Under pretence of procuring intelligence, they became mere plundering parties, and carried off clothes, linens, ribbons, cafes of knives and forks, wine glaffes, and whatever they could lay their hands upon, which they brought back and fold publicly, making at the fame time a diftinction in the fale between hard money and paper. They pretended that the articles were the property of tories, new-levy officers, &c. which, if true, their conduct was unpardonable, as it was not the busines

of their incurfions. Their rapacity made no difcrimi- 1778, nation between the inhabitants, many of whom, although obliged to remain on the island, were well affected to the American cause.

Dec

The plan for reducing Canada was tranfmitted by congrefs to gen. Washington, with a request, that he would make obfervations upon it. He communicated the fame to them in a letter of November 11th; which being referred to a committee, they reported on the 5th of December, that the reasons affigned by the general against the expedition to Canada appeared to be well founded, and to merit the approbation of congrefs. After that, a committee was appointed to confer with the commander in chief on the operations of the next campaign: he therefore repaired to Philadelphia on the 22d. zz. After the conference the committee reported, "That the plan proposed by congrefs for the emancipation of Canada, in co-operation with an armament from France, was the principal fubject of the conference :-That impressed with the strong fenfe of the injury and disgrace which must attend an infraction of the propofed ftipulation on the part of thefe ftates, your committee have taken a general review of our finances, of the circumstances of the army, of the magazines, &c. &c.-That upon the most mature deliberation, your committee cannot find room for a well-grounded presumption, that these states will be able to perform their part of the proposed ftipulation:-That nothing less than the highest probability of fuccefs could justify congrefs in making the propofition-Your committee are therefore of opinion, that the negotiation in question fhould be deferred till circumstances fhall render the co-operation of these VOL. III,

1778. ftates more certain, practicable and effectual:-That the minifter of thefe ftates at the court of Versailles, the minister of France in Philadelphia, and the marquis de la Fayette, be refpectively informed, that the operations of the next campaign muft depend upon fuch a variety of contingencies, that time alone can mature and point out the plan which ought to be purfued:-That congrefs. therefore cannot decide on the practicability of their cooperating the next campaign in an enterprise for the emancipation of Canada." The report was accepted, and the Canada expedition laid aside after a full confideration of all circumftances. But it is to be fuppofed, that there were circumstances befide what appear in the report, which wrought ftrongly in the minds of fome fhrewd members of congrefs. Such might dread the introduction of a large body of French troops into Canada, and the putting of them into the poffeffion of the capital of that province, attached to them by the ties of blood, habits, manners, language, religion, and former connection of government. They might argue-" France under the idea of 5000 troops, may introduce twice the number, and having entered Quebec, may declare an intention of holding Canada as a pledge and furety for the debts due from the United States. Canada would be a folid acquifition to France on all accounts; and no nation is to be trusted further than it is bound by its intereft. Canada would be too great a temptation to be refifted by any power actuated by the common maxims of national policy. France with that in her poffeffion, may have it in her power to give laws to the United States: these will have lefs to fear from its remaining. in the hands of the British." The committee fubjoined:

29.

to their report a draught of a letter to the marquis de la 1778. Fayette, which was alfo accepted. Gen. Washington Dec. forwarded it to Bofton, where the marquis lay waiting for the determination of congrefs. It was accompanied with one from the general, expreffing a concern for his having been fo delayed. Upon the receipt of them, the marquis embarked on board the Alliance frigate, Jan. 7, 1779.

The campaign in the northern states having yielded no advantage to the British, and the winter being the proper feafon for fouthern expeditions, Sir Henry Clinton concluded upon turning his arms against Georgia. He might propofe to himself the reduction of all the fouthern states, and be strongly inclined to it, by reason that these states produced the most valuable commodities in the European market, and carried on a confiderable export trade, which feemed little otherwife affected by the war, than as it fuffered by the British cruifers: befide, their rice was devoted to the fervice of his enemies, while it was wanted for the fupport of his fovereign's fleet and army in America. A plan of operation was concerted with gen. Prevoft, who commanded in Eaft Florida; and it was intended, that Georgia fhould be invaded both on the north and fouth fide at the fame time.

While the preparations for this conjunct expedition were carrying on, two armed bodies, confifting of regulars and refugees, made a fudden and rapid incurfion into Georgia from Eaft-Florida. One of them came in boats through the inland navigation, and the other marched over land by the way of the river Alatamaha. The first demanded the furrender of Sunbury; but on receiving from lieut. col. Mackintosh the laconic refusal

P 2

1778-come and take it--they left the place. The latter pur-
fued their march toward Savannah. Gen. Screven, with
about a hundred militia, repeatedly fkirmifhed with the
party in their advance through the country. In one of
thefe engagements he received a wound from a musket
ball, and fell from his horfe, when several of the British
came up and discharged their pieces at him. He died
of his wounds much regretted for his private virtues,
and public exertions in behalf of his country. The in-
vaders pursued their march till within three miles of
Ogeechee ferry, where Mr. Savage with his own flaves,
had erected a breast work to prevent their paffing. Col.
Elbert, with about 200 continentals, took post in the
works, and prepared to difpute the paffage of the river.
Thefe obftacles, together with information that the other
party had failed in their defign upon Sunbury, deter-
mined them to retreat without attempting to crofs. On
their return, they laid waste the country for miles, burnt
St. John's church, a number of houfes, and all the rice
and other grain within their reach, and also carried off
all the negroes, horfes, cattle and plate, they could re-
move either by land or water.
When this defolating
mode of carrying on war was complained of by the
American officer to the British, the latter pofitively dif
claimed any order or even approbation of fuch proceed-
ings, but mentioned that the people under the imme-
diate command of the former had given a precedent.
The party rage which wrought on each fide, led both
into thofe cruelties, at which humanity fhudders.

The expedition againft Georgia was committed to
col. Campbell, who had been taken in Boston bay after
gen. Howe had evacuated the town. The force ap-