USA > New York > New York City > History of the city of New York : its origin, rise, and progress. Vol. II > Part 44
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VOL. II. 13 385
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and papers with her, and that André and other British officers were dom- iciled in his house, playing with his electrical apparatus, his musical glasses, his harps and harpsichords. Ralph Izard of South Carolina, who had been sent by Congress to the Court of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, resided in Paris, and was every day in counsel with Franklin and his associates. The wife of Ralph Izard was Alice De Lancey, daughter of Peter De Lancey, and sister of Mrs. John Watts of New York, of the powerful family at that moment arrayed upon the side of Great Britain. On the evening of February 6 the treaties, having been perfected and approved, were duly signed and sealed by M. Gerard for France, and by Franklin, Arthur Lee, and Silas Deane for America.
On the 13th of March the French Minister in London, Marquis de Noailles, placed in the hands of the English Secretary of State a note an- nouncing the significant event, couched in terms almost of derision. The very next day Lord North offered his resignation to George III., and advised that Lord Chatham be appointed Prime Minister in his stead. The king vehemently refused to consent; but when advised again and again that Chatham was the only minister who might reconcile all parties, and that if Lord North retired no other administration on the same basis could be formed, and, also, that in the estimation of Lord Barrington, Secretary of War, the nation had not one general equal to the emergency should Great Britain or Ireland be invaded by the armies of Europe, he found that his aversion must yield to the overwhelming tide of cir- cumstances.
On the 20th the treaties were publicly acknowledged by France, and the American envoys presented to the king. Franklin was March 20. dressed in a suit of black velvet, with snowy ruffles at wrist and bosom, white silk stockings, and silver buckles. Nothing more elegant was ever worn by a man of seventy-two in any age or country. Yet it was only the prevailing costume of an American gentleman of that date at dinners and fêtes at home. It is said that he had ordered a wig, but when the peruke-maker came with it and tried it upon the head it was destined to disfigure, it would not fit. The man manipulated until Frank- lin ventured to hint that perhaps the wig was too small. "O no, Mon- sieur, impossible," he replied. Then after a few more vain efforts he exclaimed, throwing it down angrily, "No, Monsieur ; it is not the wig that is too small, it is your head that is too large." Franklin finally relinquished the idea of obeying arbitrary edicts of any character, and went to court without a court dress; and all Europe applauded. After the ceremony of presentation to the king, the envoys drove to the mag- nificent residence of Vergennes to partake of a dinner given in their
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honor, the guests comprising some of the most distinguished of the French nobility. In the evening they were presented to Marie Antionette, who was charmingly enthusiastic over the new relationship.
The next day Lord Stormont left Paris for London. He found Lord North pressing his conciliatory measures in the hope of averting war with France, but determined to resign. The ministerial party were in bad humor, said they had been deceived and betrayed, and talked loudly about the disgraceful capitulation with the Americans. The Opposition doubted the acceptance of the proposals offered, and without opposing made their support as disagreeable as possible ; they said that the Minis- try, having failed in their secret designs, and being baffled and beaten, were trying to excuse their unexampled barbarity and devastation by pretences that were unreal. Both parties, however, in reality acquiesced.
Meanwhile Sir Guy Carleton had resented the course pursued when Burgoyne was given the command of the Northern Army, and had written to Lord Germain with so much asperity that his removal from the government of Canada followed. General Howe had been offended by the criticisms of his superiors and the lack of attention to his call for men and means, and requested permission to relinquish his command in America, which was promptly granted, Sir Henry Clinton being appointed in his stead. And Lord Howe had taken umbrage at what he esteemed a slight from his sovereign, and retired from the service. In choosing commissioners to the American Congress, innumerable objections to the gentlemen proposed were advanced. Lord Carlisle was then only known to the public as a man of fashion and pleasure. Against his ap- pointment much was said both in and out of Parliament. The Duke of Richmond stated, in the course of an animated debate, that one of the governors in America made objection to the Congress because some of them sat in council with woolen caps on. " How inadequate must such an embassy be (referring to the fashionable lord) to men in woolen night- caps !" he cried. Indeed, the Duke of Richmond was bent on making peace upon any terms which would secure the good-will of the Americans and retain them as allies. Lord Chatham entered the House of Lords April 7, walking with feeble steps, and leaning with one arm on his son William, with the other on Lord Mahon. With the sad scene of that day the world is familiar. The noble statesman yielded up his life while in the very act of performing a service for America. Had he survived even a few days longer he would probably have been called to the helm of public affairs and invited to solve the problem which he had himself propounded.
Hardly less doubtful and divided as to the proper course to be pursued
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were another body of men, assembled in a little Pennsylvania town. The distressing condition of the army at Valley Forge, the growing depreciation of the paper-money, the ruinous loss of trade, and the augmented burdens of the war were variously discussed. A large party in Congress had become bitterly opposed to Washington through the industrious agencies at work to undermine his power. The dominant influence of Gates, and the feuds and factions and intrigues of jealous rivals, darkly clouded the whole winter sky of American interests. As Congress always sat with closed doors, the public knew no more of what passed than it was deemed expedient to disclose. But Washington was alive to the situation, and insisted upon the aid and counsel of a com- mittee of five from Congress in forming a new system for the army. Hence Reed, Folsom, Dana, Charles Carroll, and Gouverneur Morris were sent to Valley Forge in January, and remained nearly three months in camp. "The mighty Senate of America is not what you have known it; the State of Pennsylvania is sick even unto death," wrote Morris to Jay. In reply, Jay remarked : "Your enemies talk much of your Tory con- nections in Philadelphia. Take care. Do not expose yourself to calumny." As a portion of the family of Morris were loyalists, his mother's residence within the British lines during the whole war, and numerous relatives on intimate terms with the enemy, much anxiety was engendered on his account.
Mrs. Washington arrived at Valley Forge in February, and resided at headquarters until spring. A log-cabin was built for a dining-room, and numerous comforts were added to the rude establishment of her husband in consequence of her presence. Lady Stirling and her daughter Kitty, Mrs. Knox, and several other ladies also joined the little party, and two of the daughters of Governor William Livingston spent a few weeks in camp by invitation of their aunt, Lady Stirling.
Baron Steuben, the great Prussian disciplinarian, arrived at head- quarters on one of the last days of February. He was forty-eight years of age, of exceptional dignity and princely bearing, was richly dressed on all occasions, wearing a medal of gold and diamonds designating the order of "Fidelity " suspended at his breast, and from having been an officer of Frederick the Great, Grand Marshal of the Court of the Prince Hohenzollern-Hechingen, and the intimate associate of potentates and noblemen, he possessed a fascination for the half-frozen, discontented, and almost revolting army, that turned for a time the whole current of thought. Washington, advised of his approach from the seat of Congress at York, rode out with his staff to meet him on the road. Steuben was accom- panied by an imposing suite of aids, one of whom was Major L'Enfant,
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afterwards famous for planning the city of Washington. Every eye was fixed with curious interest upon the brilliant cavalcade that swept through the miserable village of huts where the half-clad soldiers were congre- gated. And a stately dinner-party assembled that evening, which, with the presence of the ladies, and the sparkle of the jewels of the new-comers, was in strange contrast with the roughness of the log-cabin where the table was spread. Steuben had left Europe in the autumn, at the sug- gestion of Count St. Germain, who desired for America the services of a thoroughly experienced military scholar. Washington asked the baron to organize an inspectorship, and erelong the whole army was under drill, and a select military school in practical operation. Officers were trained as well as the men. The baron took upon himself the humblest duty of a drill-sergeant. He marched with the men, musket in hand, to show the manual exercise he desired to introduce. He rose at daybreak, sipped his coffee and smoked his pipe while a servant dressed his hair, and by sun- rise was in the saddle, equipped at all points, and rode to the parade alone if his suite were not ready to attend him. He adapted his tactics to the nature of the army and country, and Washington found him a most intelligent and consummate officer. His greatest difficulty was his ignorance of the English language. When the men blundered in their exercises, he blundered in his explanations ; his French and German were of no avail; then he usually lost his temper and swore in all three languages at once. But his generous impulses and his personal magnet- ism soon made him a favorite with the men. His discipline extended to their comforts ; he examined the doctor's reports, visited the sick, saw that they were well lodged and attended, and inquired into their treatment by the officers, not infrequently sharing his last dollar with those who were in want and suffering.
During the spring months Long Island was in great tribulation. That portion of the inhabitants who consigned themselves to British protec- tion in 1776, were under a delusion that the troops raised among them- selves, commanded by Oliver De Lancey, John Harris Cruger, Gabriel Ludlow, and other loyalists, were for their own specific defense. They learned to their sorrow the value of foreign guardians, who were con- stantly committing depredations; an instance where Dr. Tredwell, a Long Island gentleman of fortune and position, and a well-known loyalist, riding one of his own valuable horses through a wood, was stopped by a party of British dragoons, and ordered to dismount and carry his saddle home on his back while they took his horse, was but one of the multitude of similar outrages. But the loyalists' battalions were now ordered elsewhere, the forts where they had been stationed were demolished, and to all com-
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plaints the answer came from British headquarters, " Raise militia and defend yourselves." The energetic patriots speedily communicated this condition of affairs to the forces in Connecticut, and whale-boats were at once fitted out, manned by from twenty to twenty-four men each, for purposes of retaliation, capturing Tories, and destroying the resources of the British in New York, keeping Long Island in perpetual alarm and commotion from one end to the other. These whale-boats, after crossing the Sound, were frequently dragged across the narrow point of the island, known as " the canoe place," and launched into the South Bay, where they effectually broke up a lucrative trade in which at least one hundred and fifty small vessels were engaged in supplying the New York markets, through bartering merchandise with the country people for hogs, lambs, calves, poultry, butter, cheese, shell-fish, and other produce ; the patriots ventured even to Rockaway (within fifteen miles of New York City), and captured or destroyed every boat in their way, sending those of value round Montauk Point to New London. The coasters on all sides of the island shared the same fate. In vain the loyalists begged for cutters to stop the mischief; General Howe had nothing to do with it, and Lord Howe chose to keep his cutters taking prizes at sea, along the coasts of the Delaware and Chesapeake, to one eighth of the proceeds of which he was personally entitled ; therefore the reply came again and again, "You have a militia, defend your own trade." The eastern extremity of Long Island was as a rule devoted to the American cause. Neither threats nor bribes had induced its inhabitants to resign the prin- ciples to which they had plighted their faith. Abandoned to the mercy of the foe, they had borne insults and robberies with patience. The British posts at Sagg Harbor and Southampton overawed them, but in no wise weakened their patriotism or integrity. Their carts and teams were impressed, oxen killed, and hay and grain seized, whenever the wants of the enemy demanded. Payment was sometimes made, but never in full, nor was any consideration shown by the inferior officers when the farmers protested against parting with the necessaries wanted for their own families. The beautiful manor of Gardiner's Island, the first founded of all the manors of New York, was stripped every year of its produce, and some of its finest timber cut and carried away by the British. One of its trustees, Colonel Abraham Gardiner, was arrested at his home in Easthampton and threatened with all the penalties of martial law for refusing, when ordered by Tryon, to call out the militia to defend the coasts from the whale-boats of Connecticut. His unflinching decision in the matter finally convinced the British officers of the folly of forcible measures, and they liberated him; nor did they make much effort after-
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GARDINER'S ISLAND.
wards to subdue the spirit of the people of that region, whose bitter hatred they had so thoroughly invoked. The son of Gardiner was even then an officer in Washington's army, although the fact was not known to the invaders. The manor-house upon Gardiner's Island, built in 1774, was a favorite resort for the British officers when on hunting or holiday expedi- tions, the marks left where they pitched quoits in the dining-room on rainy days being still in existence.
In the mean time Sir Henry Clinton proceeded to Philadelphia, and assumed the chief command of the British army. General Howe prepared to sail for England. The winter had been without incident of a military character, save the skirmishes which attended every foraging party who ventured a half - dozen Quaker City. David Bush- a large number in kegs, which on the Dela- design being chief upon the ing at Phila- theycreated no R.M.S. D. nation. Two in a small boat first keg that BONWILLDEL. while rolling craft it burst explosion,kill- tunate boys. consequently Gardiner's Island Manor-House, and View of Gardiner's Bay. [Built in 1774 by David Gardiner, Sixth Lord of the Manor of Gardiner's Island. See Vol. I. 696.] the city. Other miles from the The inventor, nell, contrived of machines were set adrift wareRiver, the to work mis- vessels anchor- delphia ; and little conster- boys went out to pick up the was seen, and it into their with a great ing the unfor- An alarm was spread through kegs came in sight, and the wharves and shipping were manned ; some of the ships of war poured whole broadsides into the Delaware, "as if," says a humorous writer of the day, "the kegs were filled with armed rebels, who were to issue forth in the dead of night as the Grecians did of old from their wooden horse at the siege of Troy, and take the city by surprise." The affair furnished food for an endless amount of clever sarcasm and healthful laughter, and became the subject of Francis Hop- kinson's famous satirical ballad, "The Battle of the Kegs."
Copies of Lord North's plans for conciliation were sent on a swift sailing vessel to America, immediately upon the news reaching England that the treaty had actually been concluded at Paris. The Ministry thought thus
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to forestall effects. Congress unanimously resolved, upon receiving these drafts about the middle of April, that no conference could be held with any commissioners from Great Britain, or treaties considered, until that power had withdrawn its armies and fleets, and acknowledged the in-
dependence of the United States. On the 2d of May a mes- May 2 senger arrived from France with the two treaties, which on the 4th were ratified by Congress, and at once published throughout the country. The 6th was observed as a day of public rejoicing at May 6. Valley Forge. The terms of the treaties were read by the chap- lains to the several brigades, solemn prayers were offered, and eloquent discourses delivered. Then followed a grand review, a national discharge of thirteen guns, and a banquet ; the tables were arranged in a sort of am- phitheater where all the officers of the army could be seated. Mrs. Wash- ington graced the occasion with her presence, also Lady Stirling and her daughter, Mrs. Knox, Mrs. Greene, and several other ladies. The French gentlemen of rank who had joined the army were especially gratified with the demonstrations of delight with which the tidings were welcomed that henceforward the flags of the two countries would go together into the battle-fields of America.
The noise of jubilant cannon had scarcely died away at Valley Forge, when Philadelphia was astir with revelry. Howe had May 18. been absorbed with amusements and dissipation while discreditably besieged all winter by the army he affected to despise - less than half as large as his own. His gay young officers had also been killing time with private theatricals and all manner of loose diversions. Now they thought to compliment their indulgent commander by giving a magnificent enter- tainment prior to his departure for England, which should also be a grace- ful return to the ladies of Philadelphia for their civilities and courtesies during the season. Major Andre was one of the most efficient of the twenty-two chivalrous young Britons who projected the fête, to which was given the Italian name Mischianza - medley - and with Oliver De Lancey, Jr., of New York, painted the chief of the decorations. It was a tournament on a grand scale, a brilliant mingling of regatta, naval, and military procession, knightly evolutions and feats of arms, fireworks, and a ball. This brilliant farewell was doubly dear to General Howe, from the fact that he felt wronged by the Ministry. But it called more atten- tion to his inefficiency than any other event of the war. Why had he given his officers leisure for such performances ! With twenty-four thou- sand of the best troops in the world, why had he not attacked the little shivering, half-fed army by whom he was imprisoned ! And what sort of a general must he be to peaceably allow the saucy New Jersey Legis-
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lature, with Governor Livingston at its head, to hold its sessions in Trenton, only thirty miles away! The festival was universally pro- nounced a ridiculous and untimely farce. The next afternoon it was discovered that Lafayette, with twenty-five hundred men, had taken post on Barren Hill - about half-way from Valley Forge - as if to watch the movements in and about Philadelphia. At ten in the evening Howe sent Grant with above five thousand troops by a circuitous route, to gain the rear of Lafayette; going out early the following morning him-
self, attended by Clinton and Knyphausen, with nearly six thou- May 20. sand men, to meet the Americans after their expected rout. But there were no routed Americans to meet. Lafayette, discovering the danger, threw out small parties into the woods to show themselves as the heads of attacking columns, thus bringing Grant to a halt to prepare for action, while he crossed with his main force the ford of the Schuylkill. Way- worn and crestfallen, Howe returned to Philadelphia. On the 24th he resigned the command to Clinton, and embarked for May 24. home.
A few days later, orders from the Ministry, prepared in consequence of the impending war with France, reached Clinton to evacuate the hard- won city of Philadelphia, and concentrate his forces at New York. While military quarters were in the stir and bustle of preparation, and heavy cannon and hay and horses were being shipped, the commissioners under the Conciliatory Bills, empowered to negotiate for the restoration of peace, landed, after a voyage of six weeks. Their secretary was Adam Ferguson, the celebrated Scotch philosopher and historian, They were surprised and indignant to find their plan of operations so completely dis- concerted by the lords of England. They said they should never have undertaken the mission had they known of the orders for evacuation. Lord Carlisle wrote, " Three thousand of the miserable inhabitants have embarked on board our ships, not daring to remain in the city, as they can expect no mercy from those who come after us."
There was not the shadow of an opening for the messengers of peace. Even their private letters were angrily resented. Lafayette, because of some reflections on the conduct of France in the public letter of the com- missioners to the President of Congress, challenged Lord Carlisle to meet him in single combat. The streets of Philadelphia were cumbered with heaps of furniture, and auctions were taking place daily on the sidewalks. The people were in the utmost consternation. " A more affecting spectacle of woe I never beheld," said Governor Johnstone. Becoming convinced that the commission could do no good as long as independence was tacitly acknowledged by the retreat from Philadelphia, the commissioners re-embarked, and with the retiring fleet sailed down the Delaware.
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Meanwhile Clinton and his army crossed the river and commenced a slow, tiresome journey through New Jersey by land. The wagons laden with stores and provisions were so numerous that they alone formed a line twelve miles long. The bridges were all gone, wells filled up, and every conceivable obstruction thrown in the way of their progress. The weather was excessively hot for June. Small bodies of Americans har- assed the column perpetually in the rear. Washington placed Arnold in command of Philadelphia, and followed the British. The traitorous Lee had been exchanged, and reinstated in the army, and when Washing- ton summoned a council of war to discuss the policy of an attack upon Clinton, he not only opposed the measure with spirit, but influenced the majority of the officers to do the same. Washington, however, was determined to execute his purpose, and intrusted a fit command for the oldest major-general to Lafayette, who marched towards the enemy with the utmost alacrity. The following day Lee was ordered forward with two brigades, to command the whole advance party. Just after midday on the 27th, Washington summoned his officers to headquarters and directed them to engage the enemy on the next morning, and ordered Lee to concert with his officers the mode of attack. But when Lafayette,
June 28. Wayne, and Maxwell came to Lee at the hour named, he refused to form any plan. The next morning he moved languidly, and his conduct was such that the suspicions of Lafayette were aroused, who sent a message to Washington that his presence was needed on the field. Twice were similar messages sent by John Laurens, son of the statesman. The officers were constantly receiving orders and counter- orders from Lee; Wayne was on the point of engaging the enemy in earnest, when Lee enjoined him only to make a feint. There was march- ing and counter-marching, crossing and recrossing a bridge, and a halt for an hour. Thus Clinton was given ample time for preparation ; finally he sent out a division to attack the Americans, who retreated. Washington was coming up with the main body to support the advance as he had promised, when he encountered the fugitives. He asked an officer the meaning of it all, who smiled significantly, saying he had retreated by order; another officer exclaimed with an oath that they were flying from a shadow. A suspicion flashed across Washington's mind of the treachery of Lee, and he galloped furiously forward, exclaiming in a voice of anger as he met the latter, " What is the meaning of all this, sir?" Lee stammered, at first confused, and then in an insolent tone said, " You know the attack was contrary to my advice and opinion." Washington sharply replied, " You should not have undertaken the command unless you intended to carry it through." But there was no time for words. The British were
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