regarded as the only door which will lead to safety and prosperity," says a newspaper report of the time, "some gentlemen made a handsome collection for the purpose of treating the soldiery, who next day were paraded in Waller's grove, before Brigadier-General Lewis, attended by the Committee of Safety, members of the General Convention, the inhabitants of this city, &c. &c. The resolution read aloud to the army, the following toasts were given, each of them accompanied by a discharge of the artillery and small arms, and the acclamations of all present. 1. The American independent states. 2. The Grand Congress of the United States, and their respective legislatures. 3. General Washington, and victory to the American arms. The UNION FLAG of the American states waived upon the Capitol during the whole of this ceremony, which being ended, the soldiers partook of the refreshment prepared for them by the affection of their countrymen, and the evening concluded with illuminations 84 and other demonstrations of joy; every one seemed pleased that the domination of Great Britain was now at an end.

85

Nelson immediately left for Philadelphia to lay the resolution before Congress 86, which was done, May 27th. Washington was in Philadelphia at the time—having arrived at 2 o'clock on the afternoon of the 23d-— and was delighted.87

The progress

less interesting.

of events in North Carolina is scarcely

Hooper writes, to James Iredell from Philadelphia, January 6th: " [I] Yes, Britain, it is the criterion of

thy existence; thy greatness totters. Luxury and wealth, with every vice in their train, are hurrying thee down the precipice, and liberty shuddering at thy fate is seeking an asylum westward. Oh heaven! still check her approaching ruin; restore her to the affection of her American subjects. May she long flourish the guardian of freedom, and when that change comes, and come it must, that America must become the seat of empire, may Britain gently verge down the decline of life, and sink away in the arms of American sons."

Hewes writes, to Samuel Johnston from the same city, February 11th (and 13th) and 20th and March 1st: "[NC] Our friend Hooper has taken an opportunity when he could be best spared from Congress to fly to the Camp at Cambridge to see his Mother, who has lately got out of Boston, he has been gone about Ten days... Late last night I received a Letter from him dated New York the 6th; he seems greatly alarmed at the intelligence he had received there . The anxiety of my worthy friend for the safety, honour & happiness of our province and for his dearest connections. there I imagine has induced him to paint things in the strongest colours to me . . . I have furnished myself with a good musket & Bayonet, and when I can no longer be usefull in Council I hope I shall be willing to take the field . . ... The The 13th The only pamphlet 88 that has been published here for a long time I now send you; it is a Curiosity; we have not put up any to go by the Waggon, not knowing how you might relish independency. The author is not known; some say Doctor Franklin had a hand in it, he denies it." "[N] This

will be delivered to you by James Thompson and John Crowley who have charge of the Waggon, Horses and sundry Articles that make up the Load . . . I mentioned to you in my last express that we had not sent any copies of the Pamphlet entitled Common Sense but finding Brother Penn had a fondness for them have agreed some should be sent, the Council can Judge of the propriety of distributing them, let me know your opinion on that head, the Roads being very bad I was advised to put five horses to the Waggon I hope they will all be delivered safe to you . . . John Crowley who is the driver is recommended to me as a man very carefull of Horses and used to the business of driving a Waggon, he can neither read or write and his old master says should not be trusted with money, both the men are to have 3 s day and all expenses born, if they return here, pay them no more money than Just to bear their expenses, they are to be in pay till they arive here provided they come directly back [.]" "[NC] We shall send off another Waggon in a day or two with what Powder the new Waggon left, also drums & Colours for your third Regiment. N. B. The new Waggon went off eight days ago. I hear it is now no further than Wilmington. That one of the best Horses cut one of his hind feet very much with his shoe and cannot proceed. I have this day sent a carefull person down to purchase another Horse and bring the lame one back if it should be found necessary.'

On the day following the postscript to the first letter, Penn writes, also from Philadelphia, to Thomas Person: "[NC] The consequence of making alliances is perhaps