1781.

Deaths.

Major general Phillips, of the British army, died at Petersburg in Virginia, in May. Josiah Smith, minister in Charlestown, South Carolina, died at the age of 77 years.1

1782.

THE capture of a second British army in America essentially affected the measures of the ministry. It rendered the American war unpopular in Great Britain, and emboldened the minority in parliament more vigorously to oppose its continuance. After

afterward, from an " open breach of contract" on the part of the British, and
their inability to afford him the promised protection for his allegiance, he was
led to consider himself released from his engagements, and, on solicitation, took
the command of a regiment of militia in Carolina. Falling into the hands of
the British while in arms, he was thrown into a loathsome provost; and, though
he was at first promised a trial, and had counsel prepared to justify his conduct
by the laws of nations, and the usages of war; yet this privilege was finally
refused, and he was ordered for execution. The royal lieutenant governor Bull,
and a great number of the inhabitants of Charlestown, both loyalists and Ameri-
cans, interceded for his life. The ladies of that town generally signed a petition
in his behalf. His children, accompanied by some near relations, begged, on
their bended knees, for the life of their father. These intercessions "drew
tears from many a hard eye;" but the British commanders were inflexible.
Colonel Hayne submitted to his destiny with decent firmness, composure, and
dignity. "Thus fell," says Dr. Ramsay, "in the bloom of life, a brave officer,
a worthy citizen, a just and upright man; furnishing an example of heroism in
death, that extorted a confession from his enemies, that, though he did not die
in a good cause, he must at least have acted from a persuasion of its being so."
1 He was born in Charlestown in 1704, and was graduated at Harvard College
in 1725. He was the first native of Carolina who obtained a degree from a
college; and he, lieutenant governor William Bull, Dr. John Moultrie, and Rev.
John Osgood of Dorchester, were all the natives who obtained that honour for
the first 90 years after the settlement of South Carolina. Mr. Smith was a
public preacher for 50 years, and an author for 45. He was ordained in Boston
as minister for Bermuda in 1726, and afterwards became pastor of the independ-
ent congregational church in Charlestown. "He was a respectable preacher, a
learned divine, and a writer of considerable reputation." He published an
octavo volume of sermons in 1752, and at different times, several occasional
discourses; "all of which were well received, and are still highly esteemed."
In 1781, he with the family of his son Josiah Smith, then a prisoner in St. Au-
gustine, were all ordered away from Charlestown, and landed at Philadelphia,
where shortly after he died. "His venerable age, distinguished eminence in
the church as a man of learning and piety, his steady patriotism and personal
sufferings in the cause of liberty, excited a general sympathy in his behalf.
Though he died a stranger in a strange land, he was particularly honoured.
The presbyterians of Philadelphia directed that his body should be buried with-
in the walls of their Arch-street church, and between the remains of his two
friends the Rev. Gilbert Tennent and Dr. Samuel Finley, late president of
Princeton College." Ramsay, Hist. S. Carolina, ii. 524-526. Miller, ii. 363.
Allen, Biog. Dict.

General authorities for 1781: Ramsay, Amer. Revol. ii. c. 21-25, Revol. S. Carolina, ii. c. 12, 13, and Hist. S. Carolina; Gordon, iii. Lett. 6—10; Marshall, iv. c. 7-10; Heath's Memoirs; Stedman, ii; Tarleton, c. 4-6; Narrative of Sir H. Clinton; Correspondence between Sir H. Clinton and earl Comwallis; Stokes, British Colonies; Remembrancer for 1781; American and British Chronicle; Coll. Mass. Hist. Society; Annual Register; and Journals of Congress.

Resoution

repeated but unsuccessful motions against the measures of ad- 1782. ministration respecting America, it was resolved by the commons, "That the house would consider as enemies to his majesty and March 4. the country, all those who should advise or attempt the farther of the house prosecution of offensive war on the continent of North America." of commons. Sir Guy Carleton, who had lately been appointed to the command of the royal army in North America, was instructed to use his endeavours for carrying into effect the wishes of Great Britain for an accommodation with the Americans. Commissioners for negotiating peace were soon after appointed. On the part of the United States, the commissioners were John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and Henry Laurens; on the part of Great Britain, Mr. Fitzherbert, and Mr. Oswald. On the 30th Provisional of November, these commissioners agreed on provisional articles articles of of peace between Great Britain and the United States, which peace. were to be inserted in a future treaty of peace, to be finally concluded between the parties when peace should take place between Great Britain and France. By these articles, the independence of the United States was acknowledged in its fullest extent; and all that could reasonably be expected by them was obtained.

minister to

On the capture of Henry Laurens, congress had commissioned Mr. Adams John Adams to be minister plenipotentiary to the States General appointed of the United Provinces of Holland, and he was empowered to Holland. negotiate a loan of money among the Hollanders. Mr. Adams. soon after presented to their High Mightinesses a memorial, informing them, that the United States of America had sent him a commission with full power and instructions to confer with them concerning a treaty of amity and commerce, and had appointed him their minister plenipotentiary to reside near them. Similar information was communicated to the Stadtholder the Prince of Orange. It was not, however, until about a year after the presentation of this memorial, that the American minister was acknowledged and received in that character. Much pains had been taken, with great address, to convince the rulers and the people of the States General, that it would be advantageous to them to connect themselves with the, United American States. The United Provinces of Holland, perceiving their commercial U. Provininterest, and encouraged by some recent naval successes, ac- ledge Indeknowledged the Independence of America on the 19th of April. pendence of This was the second European power which made that acknow- U. States. ledgment. Mr. Adams, having obtained this point, proceeded on the negotiation of a treaty of amity and commerce, which Treaty. was concluded on the 8th of October. He was equally successful in obtaining a loan of money, furnishing a most seasonable Loan. supply to his almost exhausted country.

ces acknow

1782.

British galley taken.

British

routed near Savannah.

Creek In

ed.

The military events of this year were inconsiderable. Captain Rudolph and lieutenant Smith with 12 men, on the 19th of March, took a British galley in Ashley river, mounting 12 guns beside swivels, and manned with 43 seamen. Rudolph did not lose a man. After taking out such stores as he found on board the galley, he burned her, and returned to his place of embarkation.1 After the reduction of lord Cornwallis, the Pennsylvania line marched to South Carolina, and this increase of force enabled general Greene to detach general Wayne with a part of his army to Georgia. On the 21st of May, colonel Brown having marched out in force from Savannah, general Wayne, rapidly advancing from Ebenezer, got between him and the British garrison in Savannah; attacked him at twelve o'clock at night; and routed his whole party. This action was fought about four miles to the southwest of Savannah, on the Ogechee road. The van guard of the Americans, consisting of 60 horse and 40 infantry, was led on by colonel White of the cavalry, and captain Parker of the infantry, to a spirited charge, in which 40 of the enemy were killed or wounded, and about 20 taken prisoners. This advantage was gained by the use of the sword and bayonet. The Americans had only 5 privates killed, and 2 wounded.

On the 24th of June, general Wayne was violently attacked, dians rout at a plantation about five miles from Savannah, by a large body of Creek Indians, who at first drove his troops, and took two pieces of artillery; but they were soon charged with great spirit, and completely routed. It was a smart action, in which they fought hand to hand with tomahawks, swords, and bayonets; 14 Indians and 2 white men were killed. Emistessigo, a famous Indian chief, was among the slain. The royalists, coming out from Savannah to join the Indians, were driven back by general Wayne; who took one British standard, and 127 horses with packs. Of the continentals, five were killed, and eight wounded. In July, the British evacuated Savannah; and general Wayne soon after took possession of it.2 Peace was restored to Georgia, after having been four years in possession of the British. That state is supposed to have lost 1000 of its citizens, and 4000 slaves.3

British repelled near

Savannah.

Savannah evacuated.

1 H. Lee's Memoirs of the War, 414-416. Rudolph disguised himself in a countryman's dress, and three or four of his soldiers in the garb and colour of negroes, and pretended to be going as a market boat to Charlestown.-To the testimony of major Garden, already given to the enterprise and gallantry of captain Rudolph, may be added that of generals Moultrie and Henry Lee, in their respective Memoirs.

2 The last division of British transports sailed from Georgia 24 July. Stokes, 117, 118. Judge Stokes embarked with this division. He went to Georgia in 1769; at which time some of the first settlers were alive, from whom he learned several facts relative to the first settlement of the country.

3 Moultrie's Memoirs, ii. 340.

1782.

Combahee

A large party of the British being sent to Combahee ferry to collect provisions, brigadier general Gist was detached with about n 300 infantry and cavalry to oppose them. He captured one of Action near their schooners, and in a great measure frustrated their design. ferry. When the two parties were near each other, lieutenant colonel Laurens, who was in advance with a small party, fell in with a Aug. 27. superior force, and while engaged with it, he received a mortal Lieut. col. wound, and died in the field. Soon after, captain Wilmot made killed. an attack upon a party of British on James Island, near Fort Last blood Johnson; the captain and some of his men were killed, and the shed in the rest retreated. This was the last blood shed in the American war. war.1

Laurens

General Leslie with the loyalists evacuated South Carolina on Charlesthe 14th of December, and on the 17th general Wayne with 5000 town evacucontinental troops took possession of Charlestown.

ated.

On the departure of the British from Charlestown, upwards of Number of 800 slaves, who had been employed in the engineer department, slaves shipwere shipped off for the West Indies. It has been computed, the British. ped off by that, during the war, the state of South Carolina was deprived of

25,000 negroes.2

dies.

General Moultrie, at the conclusion of his Memoirs, pays an Patriotism honourable tribute to the ladies of South Carolina and Georgia, of the la"for their heroism in those dreadful and dangerous times whilst we were struggling for our liberties;" and says, "that their conduct, during the war, contributed much to the independence of America."3

Grasse de

The British fleet in the West Indies, under admiral Sir George Count de B. Rodney, on the 12th of April gained a complete victory over the French fleet under the count de Grasse. The count fought

1 Moultrie's Memoirs, ii. 342, 343. Lieutenant colonel Laurens was a son of Henry Laurens, president of congress. He was an accomplished officer, and an ardent patriot. "His various talents fitted him to shine in courts, or camps, or popular assemblies." This excellent young man, who was an ornament to his country and to human nature, after extreme perils in the most formidable conflicts, lost his life in an unimportant skirmish in the very last moments of the war, at the early age of 27 years. "His many virtues have been ever since the subject of eulogy, and his early fall of national lamentation." Ramsay, Hist. S. Carolina, Biographical Sketches, Art. JOHN LAURENS, ii. 494–501.

2 Moultrie, ii. 352. The computation of the number of slaves of which the state was deprived was for the period between the years 1775 and 1783. Charlestown had been in possession of the British two years and 7 months.

3 This encomium, it has already been seen, was eminently deserved by Mrs. Motte. At the taking of the fort of that name, in May, Marion and Lee informed her, "they were afraid that they should be obliged to set fire to her house, which stood in the centre of the fort. She begged them, that they would not consider her house as of any consequence in the general cause, and with great patriotism and firmness, presented them with an African bow, and requested they would burn the house as quick as they could. With the arrows and skewers with combustibles tied to them, fired from muskets, they soon put the house in a blaze." Moultrie, ii. 280. Garden, 226, 231.

feated.

1782.

Bahama
Islands.

Settlements

on board the Ville de Paris to desperation, until he and two others were the only men left standing on the upper deck, when he consented to strike. This magnificent ship was the pride and glory of the French marine. It had been presented to Louis XV. by his capital, at the time of the war of Canada, and had cost four million of livres. By this defeat and capture there fell into the hands of the English 36 chests of money, and the whole train of artillery intended for the attack on Jamaica.1

The Bahama Islands were taken by the Spaniards on the 8th of May; but they were retaken by the English on the 16th of July the following year.

M. de la Perouse, with a considerable naval and military force at Hudson's from Cape François, took Fort Prince of Wales, at Hudson's Bay deBay, on the 9th of August; and, soon after, Forts York and Severn; and destroyed the English settlements and forts, to the amount of £500,000.2

stroyed.

Cartel ships.

Ship built.

Virginia.

Mass. court

Two cartel ships arrived in August from England at Marblehead, with 583 American prisoners to be exchanged; and by the 21st of the month a third arrived with 116 more. The America, a ship of 74 guns, was built at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, by order of congress. This was the first line of battle ship ever built in America.

Virginia passed a law, authorizing the manumission of slaves.3 The court of sessions in Massachusetts was erected by a statute of sessions. of the legislature. It was impowered to hear and determine all matters relating to the conservation of the peace, and such offences as are cognizable by them at common law, or by acts of the legislature. "If these words," an annotator remarks, "im

1 Botta, Hist. American War, b. 14. "The French for near a century had not in any naval engagement been so completely worsted. Their fleet was little less than ruined." The number of their killed and wounded amounted to several thousands; the loss of the British did not much exceed 1100. Ramsay. Congress, at a subsequent period, testified their respect to the memory of the count de Grasse, by granting a pension to four of his daughters, who came to America in extreme poverty, after the ruin of their family in the French Revolution. Warren, iii. 33.

2 The humanity of M. de Perouse is worthy the imitation of the victorious. He took care when Fort York was ordered to be burnt down, to spare a considerable magazine, situated beyond the reach of the flames; where he caused to be deposited provisions, gunpowder, lead, firelocks, and a quantity of European goods, the most proper to be exchanged among the natives, that several English inhabitants, whom he knew to have fled to different parts, might, on their return, find in that magazine the means of procuring a subsistence, until the English government could be informed of their situation. Remembrancer. American and British Chronicle. Dobson, whose Account of Hudson's Bay was published in 1744, speaking of the Indians that come annually in canoes to bring their furs in traffic with the English, says: "There come down generally to Port Nelson 1000 men, some women, and about 600 canoes."

3 Walsh's Appeal, i. 392. Judge Tucker calculates that upwards of 10,000 slaves obtained freedom in that state, between this year and 1791.