The noble generosity of the French officers, to those of the British, after the capitulation, called forth this acknowledgment from his lordship. "The deliberate sensibility of the officers of his most christian majesty towards our situation; their generous, and pressing offers of money, both public and private, to any amount, has really gone beyond what I can possibly describe."

His excellency Gen. Washington closed this glorious scene at York-Town, by publishing in general orders, the grateful effusions of his heart, to the army, both officers and soldiers, and ordered the whole army to be assembled in divisions and brigades, to attend divine service, and render thanks to that God who had given them the victory.

Congress received the letter of Gen. Washington on the 24th, announcing the capture of the British army at York-Town, with the most heartfelt satisfaction, and immediately resolved to move in procession, at 2 o'clock, to the Lutheran Church, and return public thanks to Almighty God, for crowning with success the allied arms of the United States and France, by the capture of the whole British army under the command of Earl Cornwallis. Congress next proceeded to issue a proclamation for the religious observance of the 13th day of December next, as a day of public Thanksgiving and Prayer, throughout the United States. Thus joy, gratitute, and praise to God, were united, and became universal, and swelled with transports every patriotic breast throughout United America.

On the 29th Congress resolved, "that thanks be prepresented to Gen. Washington, Count De Rochambeau, Count De Grasse, and the officers of the different corps, and the men under their command, for their services in the reduction of Lord Cornwalliss." They next resolved, "that a marble column be erected at York-Town, adorned with emblems of the alliance between the United

States, and his most christian majesty; and inscribed with a succint account of the surrendery of the British army.

Congress next resolved that two stands of colours, taken at York-Town, be presented to his excellency Gen. Washington, in the name of the United States, in Congress asssmbled; and that two pieces of ordnance thus taken, be presented by his excellency Gen. Washington, to Count Rochambeau, with an inscription thereon," that Congress were induced to present them from considerations of the illustrious part which he bore in effectuating the surrender." Congress further resolved, "that the Chevalier De La Luzerne be requested to inform his most christian majesty, that it was the wish of Congress that Count De Grasse might be permitted to accept a testimony of their approbation, similar to that to be presented to Count De Rochambeau."

The troops under the command of the Marquis De St. Simon were embarked for the West-Indies, and the American troops repaired to their former stations; excepting such cavalry, and infantry, as were necessary to the service of General Greene; these were sent forward about the first of November, under the command of General St. Clair, to co-operate in the southern war.

The French fleet under Count De Grasse, sailed at the same time for the West-Indies, and the operations of the season were generally closed.

His excellency General Washington, repaired to Philadelphia, to give repose to his mind, and at the same time to confer with Congress upon the future exigencies of the nation. Congress pursued the plan of loans from France and Holland, and through their ministers, liberal-supplies were obtained.

A spirit of gratitude and mutual congratulation blazed throughout America; addresses from all public bodies, as well as many societies flowed spontaneously to his excel

lency General Washington, accompanied with the warmest and most grateful acknowledgments to Count De Rochambeau, Count De Grasse, with all the officers in the service of his most christian majesty. Ministers at the altar, of all denominations, caught the sacred flame, and the temples of Almighty God resounded with gratitude and praise to his great name, throughout United America.

On the 4th of November Congress honoured the Chevalier De La Luzerne with their attendance at the Roman Catholic chapel, where the following address was delivered by Monsieur De Bandole, chaplain to the French embassy.

"Gentlemen--A numerous people, assembled to render thanks to Almighty God for his mercies, is one of the most affecting objects, and worthy the attention of the Supreme Being. While camps resound with triumphal actions; whole nations rejoice in victory and glory, the most honourable office the minister of the altar can fill, is to be the organ by which public gratitude is conveyed to the Omnipotent. Those miracles which he once sought for his chosen people, are renewed in our favour, and it would be equally ungrateful, and impious not to acknowledge that the event which lately confounded our enemies, and frustrated their designs, was the wonderful work of that God, who guards our liberties. And who but He could so combine the events that led to such success? We have seen our enemies push forward amidst perils almost innumerable, amidst objects almost insurmountable, to the spot which was designed to witness their disgrace; yet they eagerly sought it as the theatre of their triumph! Blind as they were, they bore hunger, thirst, and inclement skies; poured out their blood in battle against brave republicans, and crossed immense regions to confine themselves in another Jericho; whose walls were fated to fall

down before another Joshua. It is He whose voice commands the winds, the seas, and the seasons; who formed a junction on the same day, and the same hour, between a formidable fleet from the south, and an army rushing from the north like an impetuous torrent. Who but He, in whose hands are the hearts of men, could have inspired the allied troops with the friendship, the confidence, the tenderness of brothers! How is it that two nations, once divided, jealous, inimical, and nursed in reciprocal prejudices, are now become so cordially united as to form but one! Worldlings would say it is the wisdom, the virtue, and moderation of our chiefs; it is a great national interest that has performed this prodigy. They will say, that to the skill of the generals, to the courage of the troops, to the activity of the whole army, we must attribute this splendid success. Ah! they are ignorant that the combining of so many fortunate circumstances, is an emanation from the All-perfect Mind; that courage, that skill, that activity bear the sacred impression of Him who is divine. For how many favours have we not to thank Him during the present year?

"Your union, which was at first supported by justice alone, has been consolidated by your courage, and the knot which ties you has become indissoluble, by the accession of all the states, and the unanimous voice of all the confederates. You present to the universe the noble sight of a society, which, founded in equality and justice, secures to the individuals who compose it, the utmost happiness that can be derived from human institutions. This advantage, which so many other nations have been unable to procure, even after ages of effort and misery, is granted by Divine Providence to the United States; and His adorable decrees have marked the present moment for the completion of that memorable happy revolution, which has taken place in this extensive continent. These large states are at once wrested

from the foe. The rapacious soldier has been compelled to take refuge behind his ramparts, and oppression has vanished like those phantoms which are dispelled by the morning ray. On this solemn occasion we might renew our thanks to the God of battles, for the success he has granted to your allies, and your friends, by land and sea, through the other parts of the globe. But let us not recall those events which too clearly prove how much the hearts of our enemies have been obdurated. Let us prostrate ourselves at the altar, and implore the God of mercy to suspend his vengeance, to spare them in his wrath, to inspire them with sentiments of justice and moderation, to terminate their obstinacy and 'error, and to ordain that your victories be followed with peace and tranquillity. Let us intreat Him to continue to shed on the councils of the king, your ally, that spirit of wisdom, of justice, and of courage, which has rendered his reign so glorious. Let us beseech Him to maintain in each of the states.that intelligence, by which the United States are inspired. Let us return Him thanks that a faction, whose rebellion he has corrected, and now deprived of support, is annihilated. Let us offer Him pure hearts, unsoiled by private hatred, or public dissension; and let us with one voice pour forth to the Lord that hymn of praise, by which christians celebrate their gratitude and His glory."

I have given this extract at large, because it is the pureest expression of that civil and religious gratitude that glowed in the American breast at that most eventful period, that has appeared.