success would have had a very disheartening effect upon the patriots, so, on the other, its entire failure brought hope and courage to many a despondent American.

313. Negotiation with France. The capture of Burgoyne greatly increased our chances of ultimate success in the eyes of France. In 1763 England had robbed France of Canada ( 160). For this France continued to cherish feelings of revenge against England. As early as 1776 the Continental Congress had sought an alliance. with France. She was not then ready to act openly, but secretly furnished us arms and supplies. Franklin had been sent over to Paris as our minister to the French government. Louis XVI. was upon the throne. When the news of Burgoyne's surrender reached him, he hesitated no longer.

314. France acknowledges our Independence.On the 6th of February, 1778, the government of France acknowledged the independence of the United States, and en

Benjamin Franklin.

tered into a treaty of alliance with the new republic. This was the first acknowledgment of our independence by any European power, and the first treaty of alliance. It was signed by Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee. It was ratified by Congress on the 4th of May following.

315. Its Effects. At this, America was elated; England was dejected. The British government at once sent commissioners to America for the purpose of effecting a reconciliation on any terms

possible, if the revolted colonies would again acknowledge their allegiance to the British crown. But our people now would be satisfied with nothing short of absolute independence. Congress therefore rejected the proposal.

Two months after France had

316. Arrival of a French Fleet. acknowledged our independence, she sent over a fleet, under command of Count D'Estaing, to aid America. This squadron consisted of twelve ships of the line and four frigates of superior size, having on board four thousand troops. Monsieur Conrad A. Girard, the first French ambassador to the United States, came over at this time. D'Estaing arrived in Delaware Bay in July, with the intention of capturing the entire British fleet. The British commander, Lord Howe, had already sailed away. Had the French fleet arrived in season, the destruction or capture of the entire British squadron would probably have taken place. As the British fleet had escaped, D'Estaing sailed to New York; but as his heavy ships could not cross the bar he proceeded thence to Newport, Rhode Island.

CHAPTER XLV.

VALLEY FORGE AND MONMOUTH.

317. The British in Luxury. During the autumn, several minor engagements occurred between the two armies in the vicinity of Philadelphia. The winter of 1777-78 was passed by the British army in the city. General Howe and his officers led a luxurious life; they abandoned themselves to a continuous series of balls, dances, and the social entertainments incident to life in a great city.

318. Valley Forge. The condition of the American army presented a complete contrast to all this. A little more than twenty miles northwest of Philadelphia, on the right bank of the Schuylkill, was a small village of picturesque beauty, called Valley Forge, now of little consequence except from its historical associations. On the 19th of December, 1777, Washington established his little army at this place for winter-quarters. The location was bleak

and desolate. Along the line of hills the patriots threw up breastworks, and behind them, with fence-rails and earth, erected their simple huts. One small room on the ground-floor of a stone house, owned and occupied by Isaac Potts, a plain farmer, served both for headquarters and lodgings for General Washington, the commander-in-chief.

Washington at Prayer. It is related that one day "Friend Potts" was on his way up the creek when he heard the voice of prayer. Following the direction of the sound, he soon discovered Washington upon his knees, his cheek wet with tears, pouring out his soul to God. When the good farmer arrived at his home, he said to his wife, with much emotion, "George Washington will succeed! George Washington will succeed! The Americans will secure their independence !" "What makes thee think so, Isaac?" inquired his wife. " I have heard him pray, Hannah, out in the woods, to-day, and the Lord will surely hear his prayer. He will, Hannah; thee may rest assured he will."

319. The Americans in Starvation. Here behind the breastworks and within the several redoubts were huddled together in scant quarters, largely unprotected from the inclement weather and the cold of the season, the soldiers of the American army. Their supplies came principally from Chester and Montgomery counties. Their provisions were scant; their clothing was poor in quality and insufficient in quantity. Sometimes the soldiers could be tracked by the blood from their naked feet, which crimsoned the white snow. At one time Washington wrote to Congress that he had "no less than two thousand, eight hundred and ninety-eight men now in camp unfit for duty, because they are barefoot and otherwise naked," and that for "seven days past there had been little else than a famine in the camp.”

320. Conway Cabal. As if his cup were not yet full, an intrigue was on foot, which nearly succeeded, designed to supersede Washington and place Gates in command. The intrigue received no countenance from the army. The soldiers to a man were loyal to Washington. General Conway, an intimate friend of Gates and inspector-general of the army, who was largely instrumental in instituting the cabal, dared not show himself to the army, and finally the attack recoiled on the heads of its instigators. Ah! could Washington have only foreseen with what enthusiasm the people of the whole country would flock to honor him in the first year of his presidency, twelve years later, when he made a journey which was one long series of ovations, it certainly would have encouraged his heart and nerved his hand for his daily duties; but that of course was denied him.

321. Congress adopts Measures of Relief. This was the gloomiest period of the war. During January a committee from Congress visited Washington, and obtained some idea of the condition and necessities of his army. On their return they recommended the adoption of the suggestions which Washington had made to them, for the thorough reorganization of the army in respect to all matters of enlistment and supply. Later Baron Steuben received the appointment of major-general, and entered upon the work of organizing, training, and disciplining the army. Before spring opened, courage had returned to both officers and men. In May came the inspiring news of the alliance with France.

News of the Alliance.-"On the 7th of May, 1778, at nine o'clock A.M., the American army was on parade. Drums beat and cannon were fired, as if for some victory. It was a day of jubilee, a rare occurrence for the times and place. The brigades were steady, but not brilliant in their formation. Uniforms were scarce. Many feet were bare. Many had no coats. Some wore coats made of the remnants of their winter blankets. The pomp and circumstance of war was wanting. There was no review by general officers, with a well-appointed staff. Few matrons and few maidens looked on. There stood before each brigade its chaplain. God's ambassador was made the voice to explain this occasion of their expenditure of greatly needed powder. The Treaty of Alliance was read, and in solemn silence the American army at Valley Forge united in thanksgiving to Almighty God that he had given them one friend on earth. One theme was universal, and it flutters yet in the breasts of millions, 'Praise God from whom all blessings flow.' Huzzas for the king of France, for Washington, and the Republic, with caps tossed high in air, and a rattling fire through the whole line, terminated the humble pageant."

(From Carrington's "Battles of the American Revolution.")

322. Clinton succeeds Howe.-In May General Howe returned to England, being replaced by General Clinton. Washington realized that the French alliance would compel the British to concentrate at New York. In order to hasten this movement and to free the neighborhood of Philadelphia from the ravages and depredations which the British were inflicting, Washington decided to press closely on the enemy. Lafayette was given his first command, and, with twenty-one hundred picked troops and five pieces of artillery, he successfully resisted Clinton's night attack with five thousand men. Wash

ington regarded this movement as one of the best managed in the war.

323. The Battle of Monmouth. Clinton evacuated Philadelphia, June 18th, 1778. The American army was in readiness to follow the retreating enemy. The command would naturally fall upon General Lee, but he protested against the pursuit of Clinton, and declined to engage in the movement. When Lafayette accepted and had set

out on the march, Lee begged him "for his honor's sake" to yield to him the command. Lafayette courteously granted the request, on the distinct condition that Lee should faithfully carry out the orders and attack Clinton. The pursuit continued, and on June 28th, 1778, the enemy were overtaken at Monmouth Court House, now Freehold, where a battle took place.

324. Lee disobeys. Clinton labored under the disadvantage of a heavy baggage train, and was anxious only to reach New York. He was being hard pressed by the American forces, when Lee ordered a general retreat. This encouraged the British to take the offensive, and the arrival of Washington alone saved the day. Rising in his stirrups and towering over the cringing Lee, he sternly demanded the reason for the retreat. As at Princeton, his presence in extremest peril turned the tide of battle. By his personal bearing, manner, and tone of voice, he expressed that sublime wrath which followed his conviction that the army and the country were wilfully imperilled by the disobedience of Charles Lee. 325. Washington saves the Day. By his own celerity of movement, by intelligent orders, and by a seizure of wise defensive positions, Washington restored the confidence of his troops, and before nightfall had occupied a strong advance line. Shortly after midnight, Clinton withdrew his forces, hastened to Sandy Hook, and thence to New York. Lee was tried and found guilty of " disobedience of orders in not attacking the enemy," "misbehavior before the enemy," and disrespect to the commander-in-chief. He was

Monument at Freehold, N. J., commemorating the Battle of Monmouth.