A strong detachment, sent against fort Mifflin and fort Mercer, on the Delaware-the one commanded by Colonel Smith, the other by Colonel Greene-was repulsed with a loss of 400 or 500 men, among whom was Colonel Donop, their commander, who was mortally wounded and taken prisoner. The vanquished retreated to Philadelphia. An unsuccessful attack was also made by water. But considering the importance of success, very extensive operations were commenced and carried on vigorously, when the Americans, after a fierce struggle, were obliged to abandon their forts. They destroyed their shipping, amounting to seventeen of different kinds, including two floating batteries and four fire-ships. Several ships had escaped up the river in the night. At the end of the campaign of 1777, Washington retired to Valley Forge, on the west side of the Schuylkill, about twenty miles from Philadelphia, where he concluded to establish his winter-quarters. On their march to Valley Forge, the soldiers, being ill clothed, suffered indescribable hardships from the severity of the weather. Some dropped dead with the cold; others, without shoes, left tracks of blood upon the ice, which cut their feet. In this deplorable condition they required something more than mere tents to shelter them from the inclement season; and when they reached their place of destination, they commenced the construction of a sufficient number of log-huts, and finished them with mortar. Into these they crept, while cold and chilling blasts howled fiercely around them, and piles of drifted snow raised their summits proudly above their little habitations. Here they ponder deeply upon their country's wrongs, and their own sufferings and privations. Their thoughts go back to the quiet, peaceful, and happy scenes of home, and these reflections make them almost frantic. Before this, their minds were employed with the campaign; but now they have time to think of parents, brothers and sisters, or wives and children. Are they well-are they sheltered from the winterare their wants supplied-are they not now pronouncing our names in the agony of despair? These are feelings that sink deep into the soul, and draw tears from the eyes of the stern warrior, who would not yield to mortal man, while in the defence of his own dear native home. And these were our fathers, who first opened the forest to the genial rays of the sun, and then hallowed the soil with freedom, dearly purchased with their toil, their treasure and their blood. May their souls rest in peace! While the army of Washington was suffering not only from want of clothes and blankets, but actually from hunger, "a certain number, seduced by the royalists, deserted their colours and slunk off to the British army in Philadelphia; but these were mostly Europeans, who had entered the continental service. The true-born Americans, supported by their patriotism, as well as by their love and veneration for the commander-in-chief, manifested an unshaken perseverance; they chose rather to suffer all the extremes of famine and of frost, than to violate, in this perilous hour, the faith they had pledged to their country."—Botta. About the same time a plot was formed to supersede the commander-in-chief. "As for us, that respect for truth which ought to be our only guide, compels us to declare that the leaders of this combination, very little concerned for the public good, were immoderately so for their own, and that the aim of all their efforts was, to advance themselves and their friends at the expense of others. Among them, and of the first rank, was General Conway, one of the most wily and restless intriguers that passed in those times from Europe into America. Declaiming and vociferating, incessantly besieging all the members of Congress with his complaints; he pretended that there existed no sort of discipline in the American army; that there were no two regiments which manœuvred alike, and not two officers in any regiment who could execute or command the military exercises; in a word, he had said and done so much, that the Congress appointed him inspector and major-general. This appointment excited loud murmurs in the camp, and the brigadier-generals remonstrated. But this man, bent on attaining his purpose, and whose audacity knew no bounds, openly spoke of the commander-in-chief in the most derogatory terms; and, as it always happens in times of adversity, he readily found those who believed them." This plot of foreign officers, of whom Gates himself was probably not guiltless, opened the eyes of Congress as to the motives by which most of these men were actuated; and they sustained WASHINGTON. And so did the people, who threatened vengeance to Conway and others. As every American must feel a pride to know that his countrymen suffered for American freedom, while foreigners, with a few exceptions, were governed by different motives, we give a letter from Washington to Governor Morris, written some time after the period of which we are speaking, in which the dangerous influence of foreigners is powerfully set forth, by a man whose station and abilities amply qualified him to form a correct opinion of affairs relating to the army. White Plains, 24th July, 1778. DEAR SIR,-Whether you are indebted to me, or I to you, for a letter, I know not, nor is it a matter of much moment. The design of this is to touch, cursorily, upon the subject of very great importance to the well-being of these states; much more so than will appear at first view. I mean the appointment of so many foreigners to offices of high rank and trust in our service. The lavish manner in which rank has hitherto been bestowed on these gentlemen, will certainly be productive of one or the other of these two evils :—either to make it despicable in the eyes of Europe, or become a means of pouring them in upon us like a torrent, and adding to our present burden. But it is neither the expense nor trouble of them that I most dread. There is an evil more extensive in its nature, and fatal in its consequences, to be apprehended, and that is, the driving of all our own officers out of the service, and throwing, not only our army, but our military councils, entirely into the hands of foreigners. The officers, my dear sir, on whom you must depend for the defence of this cause, distinguished by length of service, their connections, property, and, in behalf of many, I may add, military merit, will not submit much, if any longer, to the unnatural promotion of men over them, who have nothing more than a little plausibility, unbounded pride and ambition, and a perseverance in application not to be resisted, but by uncommon firmness, to support their pretensions; men who, in the first instance, tell you they wish for nothing more than the honour of serving in so glorious a cause as volunteers; the next day solicit rank without pay; the day following want money advanced to them; and, in the course of a week, want further promotion, and are not satisfied with any thing you can do for them. When I speak of officers not submitting to these appointments, let me be understood to mean, that they have no more doubt of their right to resign, when they think themselves aggrieved, than they have of a power in Congress to appoint. Both being granted, then, the expediency and the policy of the measure remain to be considered, and whether it is justice or prudence to promote these military fortune-hunters, at the hazard of your army. They may be divided into three classes; namely, mere adventurers without recommendations, or recommended by persons who do not know how else to dispose of or provide for them; men of great ambition, who would sacrifice every thing to promote their own personal glory; or mere spies, who are sent here to obtain a thorough knowledge of our situation and circumstances; in the execution of which, I am persuaded, some of them are faithful emissaries, as I do not believe a single matter escapes unnoticed, or unadvised at a foreign court. I could say a great deal on this subject, but will add no more at present. I am led to give you this trouble, at this time, by a very handsome certificate, shown to me yesterday, in favour of M. Neuville, written (I believe) by himself, and subscribed by General Parsons, designed, as I am informed, for a foundation of the superstructure of a brigadiership. Baron Steuben, I now find, is also wanting to quit his inspectorship for a command in the line. This will be productive of much discontent to the brigadiers. In a word, although I think the baron an excellent officer, I do most devoutly wish we had not a single foreigner among us, except the Marquis de Lafayette, who acts upon very different principles from those which govern the rest. Adieu. I am most sincerely yours, &c. This letter, although it was addressed to Mr. Morris, in his private capacity, was intended to produce an impression in Congress; and we have every reason to believe that its effect was of the most beneficial character. Those few foreigners who fought in our revolution for the love of freedom, are the more to be admired and praised, from the fact, that it requires men of the most exalted minds to throw off the impressions which a foreign education and foreign habits produce, however erroneous; and to adopt opinions, and support principles diametrically opposite to those advocated in their own country. CHAPTER XV. Campaign of 1778-Operations of the British-Massacre of American TroopsDaring Exploits of American armed Vessels-Howe resigns-Succeeded by Sir Henry Clinton-Alliance of America with France-Plan of Operations of British Ministry-British evacuate Philadelphia-Pursued by Washington-Battle at Free hold-British retreat to New York. "Now I behold the chiefs, in the pride of their former deeds! Their souls are kindled at the battles of old; at the actions of other times. Their eyes are flames of fire. They roll in search of the foes of the land. Their mighty hands are on their swords. Lightning pours from their sides of steel. They come like streams from the mountains; each rushes roaring from his hill. "Thin thongs, bright-studded with gems, bend on the stately necks of the steeds. The steeds that like wreaths of mist fly over the streamy vales! The wildness of deer is in their course, the strength of eagles descending on their prey. Their noise is like the blasts of winter. * 66 'Morning rose. The foe were fled, like the departure of mist." THE spring of 1778 having returned, the British began to scour the country with their light troops, who, falling in with a party of Americans, one day, at the bridges of Quinton and Hancock, barbarously murdered them while crying for quar |