September, General Lincoln joined General Gates with

2000 men.

General Burgoyne communicated to Sir Henry Clinton, at New-York, his true situation, and requested his mutual co-operation. General Gates at the same time disclosed to General Washington the privations of the American army, in provisions, ammunition, &c. General Howe at this time received a reinforcement of 2000 men from Europe, and commenced his operations on the North River, to make a diversion in favour of General Burgoyne; commenced an attack upon the Highlands, and carried the fortress at the point of the bayonet, October 6th. This enabled him to remove the obstructions in the river, and open a free passage for his shipping. This success was communicated immediately to General Burgoyne; but it arrived too late.

On the 7th of October, General Burgoyne detached a strong party to open a way for his retreat, and at the same time to cover a foraging party, which was sent out to relieve the distresses of the army. General Burgoyne made a movement in person at the head of 1500 men, supported by General Frazer and others. These movements opened the way for another action, which commenced immediately, and was supported with great zeal, by both parties, through the day. The Americans were successful at all points. General Arnold fought with desperation, and was wounded in the conflict. The British suffered severely through the day, and night again closed the scene. Gen. Frazer, and Sir James Clark, aid to General Burgoyne, were mortally wounded; and the latter taken prisoner. The British army suffered so severely in this action, that General Burgoyne was obliged to change his position in the night, from the plain onto the heights, to save his army from immediate destruction. The Americans were supplied with ammunition, in the spoils of the British camp.

On the 8th the British were under arms through the day, expecting a momentary attack; and at sunset the day was closed with the solemnity of a funeral procession, that paid the last honours to the remains of the brave General Frazer. The Americans from their camp witnessed the scene, and sympathy in obedience to nature dropt a tear. On the 7th General Burgoyne saw himself so closely invested in his camp, that it became necessary to retreat to Saratoga to save his army; this he effected by a regular movement, and without loss, excepting his hospital of sick and wounded, which he was constrained to abandon to the mercy of the Americans, and General Gates did honour to the American character, by the display of benevolence and humanity which he exhibited upon the occasion. The movements of General Gates shewed to General Burgoyne the next day, that all the passes in his rear, were strongly guarded by the Americans, and that all further retreat was impracticable. Stung with chagrin and mortification, at the forlorn situation into which he had precipitated himself, General Burgoyne had recourse to every possible expedient, that could flatter his hopes, in withdrawing his army from the toils in which he found himself taken; but all in vain. General Gates, like a vigilant, able, active officer, had availed himself of every point that could secure the victory he had gained on the 7th, and General Burgoyne found himself so closely invested in his camp at Saratoga, that all further efforts were in vain. On the 13th he called a council of war, and such was the local situation of the two armies, that an 18 pound shot crossed the table where the council were deliberating, and their result became unanimous, to make terms with Gen. Gates. Gen. Burgoyne sent out a flag to open a treaty with Gen. Gates. Gen. Gates met this treaty with his proposals, which were sent in to Gen. Burgoyne, and reject

ed. Gen. Burgoyne sent out proposals in his turn, which were accepted on the 15th.

Pending this negociation, the news of the capture of the Highlands, as before noticed, reached Gen. Burgoyne, which led him to hesitate, and decline signing the treaty, in hopes of succour from Sir Henry Clinton, from NewYork, as had been promised. Gen. Gates, alive to the sense of the danger of delay at this critical moment, drew up his army in order of battle on the morning of the 17th, and sent a flag to Gen. Burgoyne, demanding his decision in ten minutes. Burgoyne felt the responsibility, signed the treaty, and returned it to Gen. Gates in time.

The whole British army marched out of their lines, and deposited their arms, and became prisoners of war; and Gen. Gates marched his army in, under the tune of Yankee Doodle, and took quiet possession. Gen. Gates ordered supplies to be issued to the British army, who were destitute, and the solemn scene was closed.

Such, and so various are the scenes of life, and the fates of men; such, and so fickle is the fortune of war; but firm and unshaken is the providence of God; wisdom and might and strength are his.

Sir Henry Clinton detached Sir James Wallace, and Gen. Vaughan, with a flying squadron, carrying 3600 troops, to penetrate, if possible, to the camp of Gen. Burgoyne, or make such a diversion as should afford him relief. This fleet arrived at Esopus on the 13th, and there learning the fate of Burgoyne, set fire to the village, and consumed it. Had they proceeded to Albany, they might have destoyed the place, with the American stores,< and Burgoyne might have been relieved. Had Sir Henry Clinton proceeded directly to Albany, after the capture of the Highlands on the 6th, Burgoyne might have been relieved. The enquiry has often been made, Why this un

necessary delay? But no other answer can possibly be given than this. It was the special providence of God.

The captive army were marched directly to Boston, where they were detained as prisoners of war.

Gen. Gates marched with all possible expedition to support Gen. Putnam at Kingston, and guard the country. against the ravages of the enemy. The enemy, apprised of his movements, hastened back to New-York, and all was quiet.

The disastrous retreat of the American army out of Canada, and the victorious pursuit of Gen. Burgoyne, had greatly distressed the public mind. They already saw one British army in New-York, another in Philadelphia, and the third about to enter the city of Albany in triumph, and the liberties of America falling prostrate before a victorious foe. But the battles of Bennington, and Saratoga, and the fall of Burgoyne, roused the public feeling, and gave new hopes, new energies, and new efforts to the nation, and inspired confidence at home, and respectability abroad. France and Spain soon became parties in the

war.

CHAPTER XIII.

PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.

MR. HANCOCK of Massachusetts, who had been elected President of Congress, upon the resignation of Mr. Randolph of Virginia, in 1775, having served in that capacity two years to universal acceptance; now requested, and obtained leave of absence, to visit his friends, and enjoy that repose, which the state of his health required. Mr. Hancock took his leave of Congress with an affectionate, as well as dignified address, and Congress replied to this address by the following resolve.

"Resolved, That the thanks of Congress be presented to John Hancock, Esq. for the unremitted attention, and steady impartiality, which he has manifested in discharge of his various duties as president, since his election to the chair on the 24th day of May, 1775."

Congress next proceeded to the election of a president to succeed Mr. Hancock, and the Hon. Henry Laurens, of South-Carolina, was elected.-Congress next appointed General Gates President of the board of war. They then procceeded to take into consideration, the great, and important business of a national confederation.-On the 11th of June, 1777, Congress appointed a committee to prepare articles of confederation in due form, and on the 12th of July, the committee made the following report, which was ordered to be printed for the confidential information of Congress.

"Articles of confederation, and perpetual union, between the States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut,