do so would result in the greatest humiliation of her history.

THE FRENCH ALLIANCE

The essential and direct end of the French-American alliance was "to maintain the liberty, sovereignty, and independence, absolute and unlimited, of the United States, as well in matters of government as of commerce."

To this treaty there was annexed a secret article, that the King of Spain (who was the uncle of Louis XVI, and had already secretly contributed supplies to America) might join the alliance at such time as he should judge it proper to do so.

Great Britain was greatly alarmed by the alliance between her ancient enemy France and the revolted colonies. Charles James Fox took this occasion to advocate coming to terms with America.

FOLLY OF THE AMERICAN WAR

CHARLES JAMES FOX

You have now two wars before you, of which you must choose one, for both you cannot support. The war against America has hitherto been carried on against her alone, unassisted by any ally whatever. Notwithstanding she stood alone, you have been obliged, uniformly, to increase your exertions and to push your efforts to the extent of your power without being able to bring it to an issue. You have exerted all your force hitherto without effect, and you cannot now divide a force found already inadequate to its object.

My opinion is for withdrawing your forces from America entirely, for a defensive war you can never think of there. A defensive war would ruin this nation at any time, and, in any circumstances, offensive war is pointed out as proper for this country. Our situation points it out, and the spirit of the nation impels us to attack rather than defend. Attack France, then, for she is our object. The nature of these wars is different. The war against America is against our own countrymen; you have stopped me from saying against your fellow-subjects. That against France is against an inveterate foe and rival. Every blow you strike in America is against yourselves. It is

against all idea of reconciliation, and against your own interest, even though you should be able, as you never will be, to force them to submit. Every stroke against France is of advantage to you. America must be conquered in France. France never can be conquered in America.

The war of the Americans is a war of passion. It is of such a nature as to be supported by the most powerful virtues-love of liberty and love of country-and at the same time by those passions in the human heart which give courage, strength, and perseverance to man-the spirit of revenge for the injuries you have done them, of retaliation for the hardships you have inflicted on them, and of opposition to the unjust powers you have exercised over them. Everything combines to animate them to this war; and such a war is without end. Whether it be called obstinacy or enthusiasm, under the name of religion or liberty, the effects are the same. It inspires a spirit which is unconquerable, solicitous to undergo difficulty, danger, and hardship. So long as there is a man in America-a being formed as we are so long will he present himself against you in the field.

What has become of the ancient spirit of this people? Where is the national spirit that ever did honor to this country?

In accordance with Fox's appeal, or perhaps notwithstanding it, for he had the faculty of arousing antagonism to his propositions, Parliament, on February 17, 1778, passed acts removing the tax on tea, restoring the charter of Massachusetts, and appointing a commission to "treat, consult, and agree upon the means of quieting the disorders" in the colonies, and to declare an armistice pending negotiations. These acts were transmitted to General Washington in April, and by him submitted to Congress. Congress referred them to a committee, and, in pursuance of its report, refused to consider them unless Great Britain either withdrew her fleets and armies, or recognized the independence of the United States.

At last the common people of Great Britain became thoroughly aroused against the further prosecution of the war with America. Their tribune, John Wilkes, voiced their sentiments in a speech on the King's Address at the opening of Parliament in 1780.

REVOLUTION, NOT REBELLION

SPEECH OF JOHN WILKES ON THE AMERICAN WAR

MR. SPEAKER-It ill becomes the duty and dignity of Parliament to lose itself in such a fulsome adulatory address to the throne as that now proposed. We ought rather to approach it with sound and wholesome advice, and even with remonstrances against the ministers who have precipitated the British nation into an unjust, ruinous, murderous, and felonious war. I call the war with our brethren in America an unjust and felonious war, because the primary cause and confessed origin of it is to attempt to take their money from them without their consent, contrary to the common rights of all mankind and to those great fundamental principles of the English constitution for which Hampden bled. I assert that it is a murderous war, because it is an effort to deprive men of their lives for standing up in the defence of their property and their clear rights. Such a war, I fear, will draw down the vengeance of heaven upon this kingdom.

Sir, is any minister weak enough to flatter himself with the conquest of America? You cannot, with all your allies, with all the mercenary ruffians of the North, you cannot effect so wicked a purpose! The Americans will dispute every inch of territory with you, every narrow pass, every strong defile, every - Thermopylæ, every Bunker Hill! More than half the empire is already lost, and almost all the rest is in confusion and anarchy. We have appealed to the sword, and what have we gained? Are we to pay as dear for the rest of America? The idea of the conquest of that immense country is as romantic as it is unjust.

But "the Americans have been treated with lenity!" Will facts justify the assertion? Was your Boston "Port Bill" a measure of lenity? Was your Fishery Bill a measure of lenity? Was your bill for taking away the charter of Massachusetts a measure of lenity? I omit your many other gross provocations and insults by which the brave Americans have been driven to their present state. Whether that state is one of rebellion or of fit resistance to unlawful acts of power I shall not declare. This I know a successful resistance is revolution, not a rebellion. Rebellion, indeed, appears on the back of a flying enemy, but revolution flames on the breastplate of the victorious warrior.

Who can tell whether, in consequence of this day's action, the scabbard may not be thrown away by them as well as by us, and, should success attend them, whether in a few years the in

dependent American may not celebrate the glorious era of the Revolution of 1775 as we do that of 1688 ?

REJECTION OF BRITISH PROPOSALS

Congress presented an inspiriting address to the country, instancing the peace proposals of Great Britain as evidence of her despair, though also of her rage, and warning the people not to relax their efforts for independence. It was written by Samuel Chase:

"BE NOT DECEIVED"

Be not deceived. You have still to expect one severe conflict. Your foreign alliances, though they secure your independence, cannot secure your country from desolation, your habitations from plunder, your wives from insult or violation, nor your children from butchery. Foiled in their principal design, you must expect to feel the rage of disappointed ambition. Arise, then! to your tents! and gird you for battle. It is time to turn the headlong current of vengeance upon the head of the destroyer. They have filled up the measure of their abominations, and like ripe fruit must soon drop from the tree. Although much is done, yet much remains to do. Expect not peace, while any corner of America is in possession of your foes. You must drive them away from this land of promise, a land flowing indeed with milk and honey. For surely there

is no man so absurd as to suppose that the least shadow of liberty can be preserved in a dependent connection with Great Britain. From the nature of the thing it is evident that the only security you could obtain would be the justice and moderation of a Parliament who have sold the rights of their own constituents. And this slender security is still farther weakened by the consideration that it was pledged to rebels (as they unjustly call the good people of these States) with whom they think they are not bound to keep faith by any law whatsoever. Thus would you be cast bound among men, whose minds, by your virtuous resistance, have been sharpened to the keenest edge of revenge. Thus would your children and your children's children be by you forced to a participation of all their debts, their wars, their luxuries, and their crimes. And this mad, this impious system they would lead you to adopt, because of the derangement of your finances.

It becomes you deeply to reflect on this subject. Is there