July 15th, Stony Point captured by General Wayne. August 29th, Tories and Indians defeated by Sullivan near Elmira, New York.

September 23d, Paul Jones gained a victory off the coast of England.

September and October, Seige of Savannah by Americans and French.

October 9th, Repulse of D'Estaing and Lincoln, at Savannah.

1780. April 14th, Battle of Monk's Corner.

May 12th, Lincoln surrendered Charleston to the British.

May 29th, Battle of Waxhaw Creek.

June 23d, Battle of Springfield, New York.

July 10th, Second French fleet arrived at Newport. August 6th, Battle of Hanging Rock, South Carolina. August 16th, First battle of Camden, "Sanders Creek.". August 18th, Battle of Fishing Creek, Arnold designed to deliver West Point to the British.

October 2d, Andre executed as a spy.

October 7th, Battle of King's Mountain.

1781. January 1st, Mutiny of Pennsylvania troops. January 5th, Richmond burned by Arnold. January 17th, Battle of Cowpens.

January 18th, Mutiny of New Jersey troops. January and February, General Green's celebrated retreat.

March 1st, The articles of confederation adopted by Maryland-the last vote of colonies wanting to make their adoption unanimous.

March 15th, Battle of Guilford Court-house.

April 25th, Second battle of Camden, "Hobkirk's Hill.'
June 18th, Greene repulsed at Fort Ninety-six.
September 6th, New London, Ct., burned by Arnold.
September 8th, Battle of Eutaw Springs.

October 19th, Surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown

1782. Oct. 8, Holland acknowledged the independence of the United States.

November 30th, A preliminary treaty of peace signed at Paris.

1783. July 11th, Savannah evacuated by the British.

September 3d, Permanent treaty of peace signed at Paris, by England, France, Spain, Holland and the United States.

November 3d, Disbanding of the American army.

November 25th, New York evacuated by the British. December 14th, Charleston, South Carolina, evacuated by the British.

December 23d, Washington resigned his commission to Congress as Commander-in-Chief, and retired to Mt. Vernon beloved of all the people above the common lot of man.

In twenty-four of the chief battles from Lexington to the Surrender of Cornwallis, the total loss of the British was 25,481 men; that of the Americans, 7,913. The original thirteen States contracted a debt of $40,000,000 in the prosecution of the war.

XV. THE WAR ENDED.-Peace, smiling peace, after many years of weary battle, returned to bless and cheer the wearied patriots. The war was virtually closed when Lord Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown. "Past two o'clock, and Cornwallis taken!" the joyful shout that rent the air and awakened the sleeping inhabitants of Philadelphia. The people became frantic with delight, and thronged the streets to catch the welcome story. "America is free!" the animating thought that filled every heart.

The Second Continental Congress convened at an early hour, and in the afternoon went in solemn but joyful procession to the Lutheran Church, to return devout thanks to Almighty God for this great victory.

When the startling news reached England, November 25, all hopes of subjugating America were abandoned, and by a strong vote the House of Commons declared, that whosoever

advised the King to continue the war, should be esteemed a public enemy. Lord North, the Prime Minister, when he heard of the surrender, was deeply agitated, and exclaimed, "O God! it is all over."

A final and permanent peace was concluded at Paris, September 3d, 1783. The war lasted, from the skirmish at Lexington to the surrender of Cornwallis, six years and six months, and to the treaty of peace, its definite termination, eight years, four months and fourteen days.

XVI. DISSATISFACTION IN THE ARMY.-During the progress of the war, there was a great depreciation of the currency, and at its close, it was almost worthless. There had been issued about $200,000,000 in continental notes. Forty dollars in script equalled one in specie. The prices of goods had proportionally increased; a pair of boots cost $600 in notes, and the month's wages of a soldier would scarcely pay for a dinner. And to add to the distress, the country had been flooded with counterfeit notes. Commerce had

been entirely swept from the seas. The arts of peace were almost wholly neglected. Vast amounts of property had been destroyed, and the country was generally impoverished. Besides it seemed probable that the war might be renewed at any time. Cornwallis had surrendered, but George III. was still sullen and unwilling to give up the contest. During this gloomy and despondent period, Washington was requested by the soldiers to proclaim himself King. He immediately summoned a meeting of the officers, and besought them not to tarnish the bright record of honorable service by consulting such rash and imprudent measures. He affirmed his conviction in the integrity of Congress and the people, saying, "My eyes have grown dim in the service of my country, but I have never doubted her justice.' His wise counsels prevailed and harmony was finally restored.

XVII. Framing a New ConstITUTION.—Virginia was the first State to move in this direction, and James Madison was ne of its earliest promoters.

The Legislature of Virginia, January 21, 1786, appointed a committee to meet such commissioners as may be appointed in other States, to deliberate in common upon certain measures of public importance and welfare. This meeting was held at Annapolis, the first Monday in September, 1786, and five States were represented. Alexander Hamilton, one of the delegates, prepared a very able report of its proceedings, and a second meeting was called to be held the second Monday of May, 1787, at Philadelphia. The object of this convention, was declared to be the preparation of such amendments to the Articles of Confederation, as should render them adequate to the exigencies of government, and the preservation of the Union.

The Convention was organized May 25th, by selecting George Washington as presiding officer. They sat with closed doors, and remained in session until the 17th of September, when an entirely new instrument, the present Constitution of the United States, was reported. This compact, by one of its provisions, was to become operative, when adopted by the vote of nine States. Their report was transmitted to Congress, which, on the 28th of September, 1787, "Resolved, That the said report, with the resolution and letter accompanying the same, be transmitted to the several legislatures, in order to be submitted to a convention of delegates chosen in each State by the people thereof, in conformity to the resolves of the Convention made and provided in that case." This resolution was at once acted upon by the States.

XVIII. RATIFICATION OF THE CONSTITUTION BY THE STATES.-There was much opposition to the new form of government, and the votes of adoption were tardily given, yet it received the required two-thirds ratification within the year of its submission to the people, and to New Hampshire belongs the honor of casting the vote that gave validity to the Constitution of the United States, and made it the supreme law of the land. "Thus was achieved," in the words of Judge Story, "another and still more glorious triumph in

the cause of national liberty than even that which separated us from the mother country. By it we fondly trust that our republican institutions will grow up and be nurtured into more mature strength and vigor; our independence be secured against foreign usurpation and aggression; our domestic blessings be widely diffused and generally felt; and our union, as a people, be perpetuated as our own truest glory and support, and as a proud example of a wise and beneficent government, entitled to the respect, if not the admiration, of mankind."

The States gave their adhesion to the new compact as follows:

1787, December 7th, Delaware.

December 12th, Pennsylvania.
December 18th, New Jersey.

1788, January 2d, Georgia.

January 9th, Connecticut.
February 6th, Massachusetts.
April 28th, Maryland.

แ May 23d, South Carolina.

แ June 21st, New Hampshire.
LL June 26th, Virginia.

66 July 26th, New York.

1789, November 21st, North Carolina.

1790, May 29th, Rhode Island.

XIX. POLITICAL PARTIES.-During the continuance of the Revolution, from the necessity of the case, but little attention could be given to the theory and practice of government. It was rather a question of existence, and all energies were turned in this direction. A small part of the colonists were anxious to continue the relation of dependence upon the mother country, and were extremely averse to separation. They were called "Tories," and this term was used in reproach and contempt, while on the other hand, those who fought for their liberties and defended the rights of man, were called "Rebels."

At the outset, it does not appear that there was any prev