Congress feel with regard to ultimate success?

In what, were they engaged in drawing up and discussing? Meaning of confederation? Who had submitted to Congress,

to entrench themselves, without tents to shelter them, and in the midst of a population, little zealous, or rather hostile, to the republic."

"In so profound a distress, the American general could not hope to receive prompt or sufficient reinforcements. Consternation reigned in all the contiguous provinces; so that each, trembling for himself, refused to succor others. Upon the heel of so many disasters, was the imminent danger of seditions on the part of the disaffected, who in various places loudly invoked the name of England. An insurrection appeared ready to explode in the county of Monmouth in the very heart of N. J.; so that Washington found himself constrained to detach a part of his army, already a mere skeleton, to overawe the agitators. The presence of a victorious royal army had dissipated the terror, with which the patriots at first inspired the loyalists. They began to abandon themselves, without reserve, to all the fury, which animated them against their adversaries. Encouraged by this, the Howes circulated a proclamation through the country, commanding all those who had arms in their hands, to disperse and return to their habitations; and all those who exercised civil magistracies, to cease their functions, and divest themselves of their usurped authority. At the same time, a full pardon was offered to all such, as within 60 days should present themselves before the officers of the crown, and promise obedience to the laws and authority of Britain. This proclamation had the effect

articles of confederation in "757 Dr. Franklin.

Why were they not then acted upon? Most of the members were unprepared for such a measure.

When was the subject resumed?

intended. Multitudes came to implore the Royal forgiveness, and promise submission.. Nor was it merely in N. J. in the midst of the victorious royal troops, that these abrupt changes of party were observed to take place. The inhabitants of Pa. flocked, in like manner, to humble themselves at the feet of the commissioners, and to promise obedience. Every day ushered in some new calamity and the cause of America seemed hastening to ruin. The most discreet no longer dissembled, that the end of the war was at hand; and that the hour was come, in which the colonists were about to resume the yoke.

serene

"But Washington, in the midst of so much adversity, did not despair. His constancy was an object of admiration. Far from betraying any symptoms of hesitation or fear, he showed himself to his dejected soldiers, with a countenance, and radiant, as it were, with a certain hope of a better future. Adverse fortune had not been able to vanquish, nay, not even to shake, this invincible spirit." He was indeed supported and comforted by Congress.

66

Firmly resolved to pursue their object through every fortune, they manifested a similar constancy. It appeared as if the spirit of these great minds increased with adversity."

This may serve as a specimen of the trials of Washington, and of the incomparable sublimity of his stupendous mind. Other trials indeed he had, perhaps even greater, which for want of room must be passed over in comparative silence

A little before independence was declared.

Why did it then appear peculiarly needful? For mutual security, and for obtaining foreign aid.

By whom were these articles prepared? By a committee of twelve delegates, one from each state, except N. J.

When were they submitted to Congress? The next week after the declaration of Independence.

How long were they under consideration at that session? Nearly a month.

When was the subject again resumed? In the spring of $77.

What occasioned so long delay? The difficulty of agreement, and the gloomy aspect of our affairs.

When were the articles adopted by Congress? Nov. 15, 1777.

What name did the articles of confederation give to the states ? THE UNITED STATES OF AMER

ICA.

For

For what, did they enter into a firm league of friendship? their defence and mutual welfare. Against what, did they bind themselves, to assist each other? Against all force or attacks, made upon any of them.

What civil privileges was every state to retain! Its sovereignty, freedom and independence, and every right, not expressly yielded to the United States.

Mention some of the most important rights yielded. The right of making war or peace, or treaties with other nations.

When was the union completed by the acceptance of all the states? March 1, 1781.

NOTE E. E.

Battles of Trenton and Prince

ton.

These two articles are considered in the same note, because they so nearly coincided in time and place,

What states had acceded to it, more than two years before? All but Md.

Why was the assent of Md. so long delayed? The people of that state insisted, that the western and uncultivated lands, which, by the treaty of Paris, had been ceded to England, should be the general property of all the states, and not the particular property of those states, that by royal charters claimed these lands.

How was the matter finally settled? The point was in a great measure yielded to Md.

What state nobly took the lead making the concession? N. Y. Effect of this long delay? It probably conduced to protract the

war.

What if the union had been delayed several years longer? The war would probably have been protracted still farther.

Why did the confederation conduce to bring the war to a close? Our enemies had presumed, that we never could confederate. When they saw it actually done, they were confounded, and probably in a great measure discouraged from attempting to subdue the new republic.

Why did our enemies think, that the colonists could never confeder

ate? On account of their differ

ences.

In what? In origin, in religion, in manners and customs, and especially in interest.

Why are the battles of Trenton and Princeton treated of in the same note ? +

because they appear to have resulted from one amazing effort of heroism, and to have coalesced in producing vast effects upon friends and foes. Considered as one, they may doubtless be regarded as the most efficacious and beneficial of all

How may they be regarded, when considered as one?

What disaster did they counterbalance?

When did Washington retreat aeross the Delaware?

In what state was he, when he had crossed the Delaware?

Of what state, was Cornwallis then master?

our military operations -as more than counterbalancing the disaster at Brooklyn, and as furnishing the brightest jewel in the crown of Washington. No battle that has been fought within 100 years, therefore, seems to claim more attention from the friends of freedom.

Though Washington had just received a reinforcement of 2000 men, mostly Philadelphians, he was constrained to flee with his army from Trenton across the Delaware. This humiliating event took place December 8. Cornwallis was now master of N. J. and there was the greatest danger, that he would cross that river, and seize upon Philadelphia, and perhaps put an end to the war and to our liberties at once. To prevent this was the grand object of the American chief. He endeavored to secure every boat upon the river, and to place the most effectual guards along the western bank. He did not think it prudent, however, to trust to these securities for a single moment longer, than was absolutely necessary. At that season of the year, one or two days of freezing weather might give the royal troops an easy passage to the capital. Probably in expectance of this, the British had taken up their quarters in several places in N. J. for the greater convenience of plundering the inhabitants, and terrifying them into loyalty. There the roval troops felt very nearly as seeure, as though they had been at Deace with all the world. Their

What great city was in danger of being soon taken by Cornwallis? Who made it his great object to prevent this?

What great river was then between Cornwallis and Philadelphia?

What did Washington do, to prevent Cornwallis from crossing the Delaware?

contempt for the poor, ragged, naked, flying rebels was no less than their abhorrence. One of their officers tauntingly said, that with a corporal's guard, he would engage to repel every attack, that the rebels would dare to make. This very security of the enemy probably suggested to Washington, a thought, which no one could have cherished but himself, and led him to form the design of striking a blow, that should be as terrible to the enemy, as it would be sudden. In other circumstances, it might have been criminal rashness; but now it was as prudent, as it was daring. Though by several reinforcements, his army was augmented to 7000 heterogeneous troops, yet there was the greatest reason to fear, that this army would be soon dispersed and annihilated, and that the cause of liberty would sink.

"The present aspect of their affairs," says Marshall, "was extremely unfavorable to the U. S. The existing army, except a few regiments from Va. Pa. Md. and N. Y. affording an effective force of about 1500 men, would dissolve in a few days. New Jersey had in a great measure, submitted, and the militia of Pa. had not displayed the alacrity expected from them. Gen. Howe would, most probably, avail himself of the ice, which was to be expected, and of the dissolution of the American army, to pass the Delaware, and seize Philadelphia. This event was dreaded, not only on account of its intrinsic impor

tance at any time, but on account of its peculiar importance at this, when that army was to be recruited, on which the future hopes of America were to rest. It was feared, and with reason, that this event would make so unfavorable an impression on the public mind, as to deter the American youth from engaging in a contest, becoming desperate."

At this awful crisis, Washington formed the plan of passing the river, and attacking several British posts at the same time. This was intended to be done by three divisions of his army crossing the river in different places. The night of Dec. 25th was wisely chosen for the commencement of this expedition, as the excesses of Christmas would, doubtless, render the enemy less vigilant and active the next morning, than any other morning in the year.

This great design, however, was executed but in part. Two divisions of the army under Generals Cadwallader and Irvine, toiled and toiled and toiled in vain, in attempting to cross the Delaware. The piercing cold, the storm and tempest of mingled rain and hail and snow, together with the floating ice, with which the river was deeply loaded, baffled all their efforts, and drove them most reluctantly to their camps.

Not so with the other division, which consisted of Washington

Of what advantages would Howe be likely to avail himself, to seize Philadelphia?

Why would such an event be then peculiarly disastrous ?

What plan did Washington then form ?

By how many divisions of his army?

What night was chosen to commence the expedition ? - Why? How many divisions were unable to cross the river?

himself, with 24 hundred of his choicest spirits. In spite of the war of elements, in spite of every obstacle, they were enabled by the good hand of their God upon them, to cross the river; though much more time was requisite, than had been anticipated. At 4 in the morning, they were ready to commence their march of nine miles down to Trenton. This they did in two columns, by two roads, in order to attack the enemy at different points. Washington, at the head of his column, took the eastern road; and at 8 o'clock, attacked and drove in the guard upon that road. In three minutes, he had the satisfaction to hear the guns of. the column, that had taken the river road. Their arriving so nearly at the same time, was a most wonderful smile of Providence. Had there been one half hour's difference, the expedition might have ended in defeat and destruction to the American cause.

At so late an hour in the morning, Col. Rawle was prepared with his Hessians, to give our men a warm reception. Though attacked in two places almost at the same moment, the defence might have been obstinate, and the contest tremendous, if that gallant officer had not been cut down by a death-blow, at the very commencement of the action. This instantly threw his troops into confusion; and very soon nearly 1000 laid down their