and wounded three hundred, with the loss of only eight men. Darkness favoured the escape of the rest, but they lost almost the whole of their arms and baggage.

Congress, which had returned from Baltimore to Philadelphia, were now obliged to retire a second time. They went first to Lancaster, and afterwards to York-Town.

General Howe, at the head of the vanguard of his army, entered Philadelphia in triumph on the 26th of September, and the main body of the British army encamped in the vicinity of that city. The American army was posted at Skippatch Creek, sixteen miles distant. When Washington received intelligence that the British army was divided, he resolved to surprise the camp of the principal division at German-Town. Accordingly, on the 3d of October, in the evening, he marched in great silence, and about three o'clock in the morning he reached the British camp, and immediately made the requisite dispositions for an attack. The patroles discovered his approach, and the troops were called to arms.

The Americans assailed the camp with the greatest intrepidity, but they were received with such bravery, that after a very hot action, they were repulsed, and compelled to retreat with considerable loss.

When the news that Philadelphia was in the possession of the royal army reached the northern colonies, they sent a reinforcement of four thousand of their best mento Washington. On their arrival, he advamed within fourteen miles of the city, and fixed himself in a strong entrenchment at WhiteMarsh. The British general marched out of Philadelphia in the beginning of Decenber, to afford Washington an opportunity of coming to a general engagement; but he was determined to act merely on the defensive. Finding that he could not provoke the ene my to engage, General Howe returned to the city on the 8th of December, and his ar-my went into winter quarters..

Washington now removed his camp to Valley Forge, on the banks of the Schuylkill, about fifteen miles from Philadelphia. In this strong position, he could observe every motion of the British army. Huts were erected, in order to protect his army from the rigour of winter. The willingness with which the troops consented to undergo the various hardships of so uncomfortable a situation, was a proof of the warmth of their attachment to their general, and their determi nation to defend their country.

While the British army were thus successful in the middle states, more importaut and

He was afterwards sent to join General Greene, in New-Jersey, and obtained the command of a corps of militia to reconnoitre the enemy. On his march, he fell in with a detachment of Hessians, whom he defeated. Though La Fayette served as a volunteer, yet it appears from the following extract of a letter, dated November the 1st, 1777, from Washington to the President of Congress, that the young Frenchman was ambitious to obtain the command of a division. "I feel myself in a delicate situation with respect to the Marquis de la Fayette. He is extremely solicitous of having a command equal to his rank, and professes very different ideas as to the purpose of his appointment, from those Congress have mentioned to me: he certainly did not understand them. I do not know in what light they will view the ma ter; but it appears to me, from a consideration of his illustrious and important comections, the attachment he has manifested for our cause, and the consequences which his return in disgust might produce, that t will be advisable to gratify him in his wishes; and the more so, as several gentlemen from France, who came over under some assurances, have gone back disappointed heir expectations. His conduct with respect to

them, stands in a favourable point of view, having interested himself to remove their uneasiness, and urged the impropriety of their making any unfavourable representations upon their arrival at home, and in all his letters he has placed our affairs in the best situation he could. Besides, he is sensible, discreet in his manners, has made great proficiency in our language; and, from the disposition he discovered at the battle of Brandywine, possesses a large share of bravery and military ardour." This letter had the desired effect; and the subsequent conduct of La Fayette justified the recommendation of his friend.

When France acknowledged the independence of the United States, M. La Fayette returned home to procure aid for the Americans. He was received by his countrymen with applause; but as soon as he obtained the object of his voyage, he again set sail for America.

In the subsequent campaign, he distinguished himself by several brilliant atchievments, and was instrumental to the capture of the British under Lord Cornwallis. after that event he returned to France.

Soon

His

integrity and abilities were evinced in the beginning of the French revolution, and his

misfortunes since have excited the sympathy of every generous mind. During his imprisonment in the castle of Olmutz, Washington, with the munificence of a true friend, sent him £1000 as a present.

The state of Pennsylvania, as a monument of gratitude for the services of this distinguished hero, has called a particular tract of land FAYETTE; and the state of Virginia has testified a high sense of his merit by a marble bust, with appropriate inscriptions.

By the assistance of these auxiliaries, the Americans daily improved in discipline, and the successful close of the campaign on the frontiers of Canada, cheered them with the pleasing expectations respecting the issue of

the war.

On the 6th of February, 1778, a treaty of alliance between France and America was signed by the contracting parties. Washington appointed a day for the whole army to celebrate this event; and it was observed with the greatest military pomp.

In May, General Howe took his departure for England, and the chief command of the British army devolved on Sir Henry Clinton.

The English commissioners appointed by the British ministry, to attempt a reconciliation with the colonists, arrived at New-York