waved over the palmetto fort. Early in the action it was cut down by a cannon-ball, and fell upon the beach. Sergeant Jasper leaped over the parapet, recovered the flag, fastened it to a staff, and again set it up, amid a shower of balls from the British fleet. Gov. Rutledge rewarded the hero by presenting him his own sword and a lieutenant's commission. The former he accepted, but modestly declined the latter, saying that since he could neither read nor write he was not fit to be an officer.

Late in the action, Admiral Parker ordered the crew of one of his vessels, which was disabled, to set her on fire and abandon her. The ship was left with guns loaded and colors flying. No sooner had her crew departed than she was boarded by the Americans, who carried off her flags and bells, fired her guns at Parker's ship, and bore away three boatloads of stores.

For more than nine hours the British kept up the attack, but without making any impression on the fort. Only ten Americans were killed, and 22 wounded. The enemy's loss in killed and wounded amounted to 225: After lying to a few days to refit, the fleet sailed for the north.

309. On the evacuation of Boston by the British, Washington set out with most of his army for New York, now threatened by the enemy. He arrived there April 14th, 1776. Feeling that nothing could be done with men whose terms of service were constantly expiring, he prevailed on Congress to provide for a three years' enlistment and to offer a bounty of $10 to each recruit. The army at New York was thus in a few months increased to 27,000 men; but nearly half of them were unfit for duty from sickness or a lack of arms. Even had this whole force consisted of effective men, it would have been insufficient for the defence of a line 15 miles long, any point of which was liable to attack. Fortifications commenced by Gen. Lee before the arrival of

ledge reward the hero? What other achievement was performed? How long did the British keep up the attack? What was the result? Mention the loss on both sides. 309. On the evacuation of Buston, where did Washington go? When did he arrive in New York? What did he induce Congress to do? How large an army was thus raised? What was its condition? How long a line had to be defended? What was

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Washington, were completed and extended. A detachment was stationed at Brooklyn, on the western extremity of Long Island, opposite New York, and there also defensive works were constructed.

310. The Virginia Legislature had recommended Congress to declare the colonies absolved from their allegiance to the crown; and similar requests were made from various quarters. On the 7th of June, 1776, Richard Henry Lee, of Va., moved that these United Colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent states. Thomas Jefferson, of Va., John Adams, of Mass., Benjamin Franklin, of Penn., Roger Sherman, of Conn., and Robert R. Livingston, of New York, were appointed a committee to draft a Declaration of Independence. Jefferson, as chairman, prepared the important document. It was reported to Congress, and after being discussed several days and slightly amended, was adopted at two o'clock on the 4th of July, 1776.

On this eventful day, the streets of Philadelphia were crowded with excited citizens, anxious to learn the decision of Congress. The bell-ringer of the old state-house had taken his post in the steeple at an early hour, that he might lose no time in announcing to the people that their independence was formally declared. The old man had grown impatient at the delay, when suddenly he heard the joyful shout Ring! Ring!" from his boy, whom he had stationed to give him notice of the anticipated event. Loudly pealed the old bell, and as loudly were its tones greeted by the delighted citizens. The glorious declaration was signed by all the members present, and the thirteen colonies were thenceforth known as "the Thirteen United States of America".

The news was everywhere hailed with joy. Washington, on receiving a copy of the document, caused the troops to be paraded and the Declaration to be read to each brigade. The citizens of New York pulled down the leaden statue of done at Brooklyn? 310. What was Congress now importuned to do? Who made the first motion on this subject? Mention the names of the committee appointed to draft a Declaration. Who prepared the document? How was it received by Congress? What is said of the people of Philadelphia? What, of the bell-ringer of the state-house? By whom was the Declaration signed? What were the thirteen colonies thenceforth styled?

George III. from its pedestal in the Bowling Green, and afterwards had it moulded into republican bullets. In Philadelphia, the people illuminated their houses, lighted bonfires, tore down the king's arms from the court-house, and burned them in the streets. In Boston, the Declaration was publicly read in Faneuil Hall, amid the acclamations of assembled thousands.

CHAPTER VII.

BATTLE OF LONG ISLAND.

311. On evacuating Boston, General Howe went to Halifax, whence he soon after set sail for New York. By the 8th of July, he had landed 9,000 men on Staten Island, and four days afterwards his brother, Admiral Howe, arrived with reinforcements from England. These, with Clinton's detachment and subsequent arrivals, swelled the British army to 30,000 men. Of these, a large part were Germans, generally known as Hessians, because most of them were furnished by the Landgrave of Hes'-se Cas'-sel. The British government paid the princes from whom they hired these mercenaries $36 for each man, and guaranteed to protect their dominions from attack.

312. Gen. Howe had been instructed to try conciliatory measures with the Americans. Accordingly he issued a proclamation, offering pardon to all who would return to their allegiance. Congress caused this document to be published in the papers of the day, to show the people that the king would still be satisfied with nothing but their absolute submission. Howe next sent an officer to the American camp with a letter addressed to George Washington, Esq. Washington would not receive it, inasmuch as it did not

What did Washington do on receiving the news? What demonstrations were made in New York? In Philadelphia? In Boston?

811. What course did Howe take, on leaving Boston? On the 8th of July, what did he do? By whom was he joined? How large an army did he soon have? From what country did a large part of them come? What were they called? On what terms did the British government procure these mercenaries? 812. What had Howe been instruct

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recognize his public position. The address was then altered to George Washington, &c., &c.; and the officer who brought the letter tried to satisfy the commander that these and-soforths bore any meaning he might wish to give them. Washington still declined. He would receive no letters, he informed the British officer, that were not directed to him as commander of the American army. He had heard that Lord Howe was empowered to grant pardons; but, as those who were guilty of no fault needed no pardon, he did not see the necessity for any communication.

313. These attempts having failed, Howe determined to assume the offensive without further delay. On the 22d of August (1776), General Clinton crossed from Staten Island to the southwest point of Long Island with 10,000 men and 40 cannon. Nine thousand Americans had been stationed in and about Brooklyn under Generals Sullivan and Stirling, and Putnam was hastily sent over from New York, to take the chief command. The British landed without opposition, and advanced in three divisions, by three different roads, crossing the thickly-wooded heights that ran across the island and separated them from the Americans. Gen. Grant took the direct left-hand route along New York Bay. The British centre, consisting of Hessians under Gen. Heister [hise'ter], advanced by the Flatbush road. Clinton, who commanded on the right, was to take a circuitous route and fall on Sullivan's rear. The attack was skilfully planned and

well carried out.

On the morning of the 27th, Grant advanced as far as the hills now embraced in Greenwood Cemetery. Here he was met by Stirling with 1,500 men, and an engagement ensued without any positive advantage on either side. Heister pushed on to within a short distance of Gen. Sullivan, and kept up a brisk cannonade on his front. It was answered with spirit by the Americans, till, to their dismay, they heard a distant

ed to do? Give an account of his efforts at negotiation. 313. On what did Howe now resolve? What was done by the British, August 22, 1776? How many Americans were stationea near Brooklyn? By whom were they commanded? How many roads crossed the heights of Long Island? Give an account of the British advance. What

firing behind them. Clinton had gained the Jamaica road, and was rapidly advancing on their rear. Almost surrounded, they could hope for safety only in a hasty retreat. This Sullivan attempted; but it was too late. The British already held the road, and drove his men back on the Hessians. Only a few forced their way through Clinton's ranks. After a desperate struggle, Sullivan, with many of his officers and men, was obliged to surrender.

Cornwallis [corn-wol'-lis] hastened on towards the Bay, to cut off Stirling's division. A sharp conflict ensued, and the Americans, driving the enemy back, reached Go-wan'-us Creek. In trying to cross this stream, a number were drowned; others feared to attempt the passage, and were

was Clinton's division to do? [See Map.-What bay east of Brooklyn? Where did the British land? What British vessels below the Narrows? What village near Gen. Sullivan's position?] Give an account of Grant's movements. Of Heister's. Of Clinton's. How was Sullivan's retreat cut off? What became of him and his men? De