410 NAVAL BATTLE ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

up the lake in quest of the Americans, whom they found advantageously posted in front of the narrow passage between Valicour island and the western bank. The British army were in the transports behind their fleet, which soon commenced a warm engagement. Owing to a favourable wind, Arnold was able to continue the conflict for some hours, when, night approaching, Captain Pringle drew off his ships from the action, and anchored at a little distance, with a view to prevent the escape of the Americans. Arnold had lost his largest schooner by fire; a gondola was sunk in the action; and he felt his inability to renew the fight next day; he therefore escaped in the night, in the hope of reaching Ticonderoga, and finding shelter under the guns of the fort. Pringle pursued the party, however, and brought them to action before they reached Crown Point. Arnold fought the enemy for about two hours, during which time, such of his fleet as were furthest in advance, fled and escaped to Ticonderoga. Two galleys and five gondolas, which remained, made a most desperate resistance. One was at length compelled to strike her colours. Arnold was unable to continue the fight longer, but he disdained to surrender; in this extremity, he ran his ships ashore, landed his men, and, setting his vessels on fire, blew them up. In the face of the most active and vigorous opposition, he preserved his crews, and prevented his ships from falling into the hands of the English.

On the 15th, Carleton advanced with the fleet, and took Crown Point, the garrison retreating on his approach to Ticonderoga, which Gates and Schuyler had determined to defend to the last extremity. Carleton advanced with part of the fleet and army, and reconnoitred the works. He however thought it prudent to suspend his operations during the winter; and he accordingly retired to the Sorel and its vicinity, where he put his army into winter-quarters, Isle aux Noix being his advanced post.

HE issue of the campaign of 1775, at Boston, had been highly satisfactory to the Americans. Washington was cordially hailed as the deliverer of Massachusetts; and Congress expressed their public approbation of his conduct by a vote of thanks, and a gold medal, commemorative of the great event. Although Halifax was mentioned as the destination of the British army, Washington yet believed that New York was their object, as the situation of that place was an advantageous one for the British, affording shelter to their shipping, and a means of quick transition from place to place. General Washington doubted the possibility of his being able to maintain the place in the event of an attack; but the wish of Congress and the general expectations of the people, induced him to make the attempt. He brought all his resources into action to effect a defence, and with untiring zeal and industry, he forwarded his works to

412

MEASURES OF PARLIAMENT.

completion. Hulls were sunk in the North and East rivers, forts were built on all commanding points, and much attention was directed to defending the passage between Long and York Islands. He also fortified the passes in the highlands bordering on the Hudson, and always during the war watched the American posts on the river with a vigilant eye.

On the success of the last petition from Congress to the king, were founded all hopes of a reconcilation; and when Mr. Penn, who had carried it to England, gave information to Congress that no answer could be expected to their petition, and that additional preparations were making to subdue the "American rebels," the friends of liberty saw that the struggle must now end in the complete independence of the colonies, or their total subjugation.

The king openly stated in his speech, at the opening of parliament, that the colonists had revolted, and were carrying. on a rebellious war for the establishment of an independent empire. He announced his determination to prosecute the war against them, and his intention of employing foreign troops. Parliament now agreed to the king's measures, and soon after passed a law prohibiting all commerce with the colonies, and authorizing the capture of all vessels found trading in any port or place in the colonies, whether American or foreign. The crews of the captured vessels were made to work on board the British armed ships, as though they had voluntarily enlisted; thus, after being plundered themselves, they were made to plunder their own countrymen.

During the winter of 1775--6, many of the most able writers in America were employed in demonstrating the necessity and propriety of a total separation from the mother country, and the establishment of constitutional governments in the colonies. One of the most conspicuous of these writers was Thomas Paine, an Englishman, who had lately arrived in America, and who published a pamphlet under the signature of "Common Sense," which produced a great effect. It demonstrated the necessity, advantages, and practicability of independence, and heaped reproach and disgrace

RETALIATORY ACTS OF CONGRESS.

413

on monarchical governments, and ridicule on hereditary succession.

Although ignorant of many of the first principles of political economy, and a man of no learning, yet Paine had both shrewdness and cunning mixed with boldness, in his manner of writing; and to this, perhaps, may be ascribed the uncommon effect of his essays on the inflamed minds of the Americans. The subject had been fully and earnestly discussed in the various provinces, and nearly every member of congress had received instructions on the subject from his constituents.

In May, Congress directed reprisals to be made, both by public and private armed vessels, against the ships and goods of the mother country, found on the high seas; and they declared their ports open to all the world, except the dominions of Great Britain. This act was retaliatory to the act passed by parliament prohibiting American commerce. Intelligence was received that it was in contemplation to send forty-two thousand soldiers over to subjugate America; of these, twenty-five thousand were to be English, and seventeen thousand Hessians, hired to fight for the king. The employment of these foreign mercenaries gave great offence to the Americans, and strengthened the disposition to declare independence. This measure was brought forward, on the 7th of June, 1776, by Richard Henry Lee, one of the delegates from Virginia. He submitted a resolution, declaring the colonies free and independent. The most animated and eloquent debates followed, John Adams of Massachusetts leading the party in favour of independence, and John Dickinson of Pennsylvania the opponents. Dickinson opposed from principle the declaration, and he was therefore removed from his place as member of congress. Perceiving afterwards that his countrymen were earnestly struggling for independence, Dickinson joined with them, and was as zealous in Congress in 1780, as any of the members. On the 8th, the resolution was debated in committee of the whole house, and adopted on the 10th, in committee, by a bare majority. It was postponed in the house

414

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.

until the 1st of July, to obtain greater unanimity among the members, as the representatives from Pennsylvania and Maryland were instructed to oppose it, and many members had received no instructions on the subject. During the interval, measures were taken to procure the assent of all the colonies; and on the day appointed, all assented to the measure except Pennsylvania and Delaware.

The committee who were instructed to prepare a declaration of independence, appointed as a sub-committee, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson; the original draft was made by the latter. It was reported by the committee, without alteration, to the house, where, after several amendments, it received the sanction of Congress. This wellknown document was then signed by each of the members of Congress, and the thirteen United States were thus severed from Great Britain and her tyrannical rule, and a new and great nation was born to the world. The declaration of independence was immediately sent to the provinces and proclaimed to the army; and was everywhere received with demonstrations of joy. The colonists no longer complained and petitioned with arms in their hands, vigorously resisting an authority which they did not disavow; but were now a people, zealously asserting their independence, and repelling the aggressions of an invading foe.

While the discussions were going forward in Congress which terminated in the declaration of independence, the war was actively raging in the southern as well as the northern provinces. South Carolina, in particular, became, almost at the same moment, the theatre of internal dissensions; an invasion of the British; aud a furious attack of the savages on the frontier. From all these dangers she was destined to be delivered by the unaided gallantry of her own citizens. Though there were royalists in every part of this province, they were greatly inferior in number to the Whigs, except in the district between the Broad and Saluda rivers. Many efforts had been made to induce them to enter with their neighbours into the coming struggle, but without effect.