nent. The sword being once drawn, the Ame ricans feemed determined to throw away the scabbard. In a few days after the engagement at Lexington, the Provincial Congress of Maffachusetts refolved, that 30,000 men be forthwith raised, of which Generals Ward, Putnam *, Heath, and Thomas, were appointed to the command: and a great military force collecting in the vicinity of Boston formed the complete blockade of that important town.

On the 10th of May 1775, the General Congress, regardless of the circular letter of Lord Dartmouth, forbidding in the King's name the election of Delegates, met at Philadelphia; and among their first acts were, Resolutions for raising a Continental Army, and establishing a Paper Currency; also a Declaration,. That, by the late violation of the Charter of Maffachusetts Bay, the compact between the Crown and that Colony was diffolved. The Colonies of New York and North Carolina now declared their fixed resolution to unite with the other Provinces in every effort to retain their juft rights and liberties. The conciliatory propofition of Lord North being taken into confideration, it was unanimously rejected; and for this rejection the Congrefs affigned their reasons at large and in a very masterly manner. "If," say they in their public declaration, "we accede to this proposal, we declare without refervation, we will purchase the favor of Parliament, not knowing at what price they will please to estimate it. We think the at tempt urineceffary to raise upon us by force or threats our proportional contributions for the common defence; when all know, and themselves acknowledge, we have fully contributed whenever called upon to do so in the character of freemen. We are of opinion, it is not just that the Colonies should be required to oblige themselves to other contributions, while Great Britain possesses a monopoly of their trade; this of itself lays them under heavy contributions. To demand therefore additional aids in the form of a tax, is to demand the double of their equal proportion. If we are to contribute equally with the other parts of the empire, let us equally with them enjoy free commerce with all the world."

At the latter end of May, the Generals Howe, Burgoyne, and Clinton, arrived at Boston, with large reirforcements of troops; so that the entire VOL. II. force

I

force stationed in that place or its vicinity was now become very confiderable, not less than 10,000 men. A Proclamation was also issued by General Gage, offering a pardon, in the King's name, to all who should forthwith lay down their arms; excepting only from the benefit of this amnesty, Samuel Adams and John Hancock, who were destined to condign punishment. All those who did not accept of the proffered mercy were declared rebels and traitors, and martial law established till the Colony was reftored to the King's peace. No other notice was taken by the Congress, of this Proclamation, than to choose Mr. Hancock Prefident of that Affembly. At the same time GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esq. was unanimoufly chofen General and Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. This gentleman had diftinguished himself early in life by his gallant exertions in the late war, particularly on the memorable day of the defeat of General Braddock; when, at the head of the Provincial militia, he covered the retreat of the regular forces, and prevented the total ruin of the Royal army. Since the termination of the war, he had refided upon his estate at Mount Vernon, on the banks of the Potowmac, a beautiful and romantic spot fituated in the interior parts of Virginia, folely occupied in the arts of agricultural improvement and cultivation. His character for understanding, probity,

and

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and patriotism, stood in the highest degree of estimation. His personal accomplishments correfponded with those of his mind; and his countenance and figure were fingularly noble and engaging. No choice ever met with more general and zealous approbation, nor ever reflected in the event more honor on the judgment and sagacity of those by whom it was made. The new General fignified his acceptance of this high and arduous appointment in a very handsome speech, in which he modestly declared his incompetency to the command, which he styled " a field too boundless for his abilities, and far, very far beyond his experience: but in obedience to the call of his country, he would, without hesitation, enter upon this momentous duty, and exert every power he poffefsed, in support of fo glorious a cause ; at the same time informing the Assembly, that he would receive no pecuniary emoluments in compenfation of his services." Horatio Gates, Esq. was appointed by the Congress Adjutant-General; and Artemas Ward and Charles Lee, Esqrs. first and second Major-Generals. The last of these officers was a man of extraordinary and eccentric genius, who had ferved with great reputation in Portugal and elfewhere during the last war. Paffionately attached to the principles of Democratic Liberty, rather from a proud disdain of fuperiority than from the pure and genuine ardor of benevolence, on the prospect of a war with the Colonies, he had refigned his commission in the British army, and immediately offered his services to Congress, by whom they were gladly accepted; and on his military talents, skill, and experience, they justly placed very great dependence.

The English Generals, weary of their confined fituation, and feeling no doubt the disgrace of being with fo great a force blockaded by an enemy they had affected to despise, had formed a plan to poffefs themselves of the heights of Dorchester, fouthward of the town: but on the morning of the 16th of June 1775, they were greatly furprised at the appearance of a redoubt breaft-work and entrenchment thrown up in the night on an eminence called Bunker's Hill, to the north of Boston, on a peninsula divided by a narrow channel from that on which the town of Boston itself is fituated. A resolution was immediately taken to attack this post, from which they were liable to be so much annoyed; and a detachment of 3000 chosen troops was immediately ordered on the fervice, under the command of General Howe. The troops afcended the hill with great resolution, but with flow and deliberate step. The Americans, under the direction of the old veteran Putnam, referving themselves till the British forces were within ten or twelve rods, then poured in an unexpected and furious fire, which suddenly arrested