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sented his sword. 'Twas his last act, he was instantly run through. No quarter was given. While some were busy in setting fire to the place, others were wearied with slaughter; but they only relieved the garrison from the more awful death of burning. In a short time nothing remained of the town but carcasses and cinders. Arnold returned to New York; but he left behind him, in the ashes of New London, the corpse of his associate in arms.

The campaign of 1781, of which this was only an incident, may be now considered as closed. The British were confined to New York, Charlestown, and Georgia, where the government of England still held tottering sway.

CHAPTER XVII.

Parliament The King-The Ministers-Rodney-Battle off the Chesapeake Peace-The Army Disbanded -Farewell of Washington-Resignation of his Command-He is appointed President The End.

EVEN the news of Cornwallis's capture, which reached England late in November, daunted not the British minister. Addressing parliament in the king's name, he said that for no consideration would he surrender "those essential rights and permanent interests, upon the maintenance and preservation of which, the future strength and security of the country must for ever depend."

Dec. 12.

But his power had nearly passed. The opposition proposed that the war should be abandoned, without condescending to say on what terms. This resolution was defeated, but by a feeble majority. Again, the same attempt was made, but in a different form. Gene- Jan. 4, ral Conway proposed that an address be 1782. presented to his Majesty, imploring him to compel his ministers to a peace with America. The resolution was lost by a majority of only one. Once more, but varied in words, the same proposition was submitted to the House of Feb. 22. Commons, and affirmed by a majority of

mouth, that he would take the measures he deemed conducive to the restoration of harmony between him and the revolted colonies.

The House deemed the answer evasive, and again resolved, that any one who counselled a continuance of the war was the enemy of England. Under this blow the ministry fell. Lord

Rockingham, a leading member of the opposition, formed the new administration, on a clear understanding with the King and his heterogeneous colleagues, that there should be a termination put to the war, even on condition of American independence.

During the ministerial struggle, the flag of England was proudly extending her conquests. over the empire of the sea. Admiral Rodney, one of the highest names in naval history, was upon the ocean, with, as it then seemed, the impracticable design of preventing the junction of Count De Grasse and the Spanish admiral at Hispaniola, where it was agreed they should begin a career of wide conquest over every one of England's rich dependencies. Had this junction taken place, there seemed no escape for her vast possessions, and no check to such formidable designs of conquest. Rodney's sole hope was in meeting De Grasse while alone. Fortune favoured that hope, and with bounding heart he de-. scried his enemy. De Grasse resolved to try chances with him alone. For three days they skirmished, and on the morning of the fourth the action became general. Every sail, every cannon, and every mariner in both fleets were engaged;" ➡cannonade and broadside-grappling and board

April 8.

ing the trumpet's voice and the cry of death filled the wide space between sea and heaven for nearly the entire day. The din of the conflict echoed from the far shores, and the carnage as well as success seemed undecided, when Rodney by a master movement bore down upon the enemy's line, managing his vessel as a rider manages a generous steed, and broke the order of battle. It was a new and fearful experiment, but decisive in its results. The strength upon which France so much relied was scattered, and her proud fleet a wreck. France and Spain together bowed before this fatal blow. The latter, too, had the mortification of being compelled to abandon the siege of Gibraltar, after expending on it vast resources and reducing the fort to the very verge of ruin.

The war on the continent was waning fast. Washington returned with his victorious army to the neighbourhood of New York, where no further operations seemed to be contemplated. General Greene, who appeared to have the fate of Charlestown in his hands, received large reinforcements, and detached General Wayne with a division of the army for the re-conquest of Georgia. Clarke, who commanded in the Savannah, hearing of the Americans' approach prepared to repel them. Colonel Brown with a large force marched out of the garrison, with the apparent intention of attacking them. Wayne, by a skilful movement, turned his rear and intercepted his retreat. An action com menced. Large bodies of Indians enlisted under the colours of England, fought desperately,

but were with their British allies completely routed. This victory confined the British in Georgia to Savannah, and the republican government was restored in that long dis

July 11.

tracted state. As the summer wore on without any decisive operation, the southern armies of England were withdrawn from Charlestown and Savannah. The English flag, for the last time, waving in retreat over these coasts, to which it had so often threatened ruin, bore off to

sea.

Sir Guy Carleton, the brave defender of Quebec, was now the envoy of England, as well as the commander of her American army. Before the formation of the new ministry, he addressed General Washington, inform

May, 1782.

ing him of the disposition of parliament, and his own anxiety to conclude a general peace. He demanded a passport for his secretary, Mr. Morgan, to wait on Congress. Washington sternly refused, on the ground that he could have no object in waiting on Congress, except the usual purposes of English intrigue. The first encroachment on their liberties was not more angrily resented by the Americans than this attempt, which they considered made with a view of engaging Congress in terms of peace apart from their allies. Congress, embodying the public will in a resolution, determined "that they would not enter into the discussion of any overtures for peace, but in confidence and concert with his Most Christian Majesty."

Recommending a similar resolution to each separate state, Congress appointed John Adams,