A con

ployment of Simcoe were for a special reason. siderable body of loyalists near the Chesapeake had associated themselves for the purpose of restoring the royal government. A correspondence with their leaders was had by Major André, to which Simcoe was privy. Soon after his execution, Simcoe was assured, if he should be detached there with a thousand men," they, to the amount of some thousands, would instantly join and declare for government."*

This detachment, which Hamilton had announced to Rochambeau as probable, embarked at New York the twentieth of December, but dispersed by a storm, the fleet did not reunite in the Chesapeake until the thirtieth, when they sailed up the James. Greene, apprised of their arrival by Steuben, wrote to Washington: "We have nothing to oppose them there, except the militia and about four hundred eighteen-months' men, as ragged and naked as the Virginia blacks."

The news of their approach reached Richmond the last day of December. Notwithstanding the long notice, no efficient preparations for its defence were made. The total force under Arnold did not amount to eight hundred men. Simcoe and Dundas urged an immediate advance. Within seven miles of Richmond a patrol appeared, who, being discovered, fled at full speed. Only two hundred militia had been collected for the defence of the capital of Virginia. Even this force, posted on the succession of strong, wooded hills, which, separated by obstructing creeks, there pierce the river, with a resolute leader, under cover of the trees, by the aid of a few field-pieces, might have repulsed the enemy flanked with only thirty cavalry, and without a single piece of artillery. But no resistance was offered, not a gun was fired, not a life was lost.

*Simcoe's Journal.

Simcoe relates, that "he mounted the hill in small bodies, stretching away to the right, so as to threaten the Americans with being outflanked; and as they filed off, in appearance to secure their flank, he directly ascended with his cavalry, where it was so steep that they were obliged to dismount and lead their horses. Luckily the enemy made no resistance, nor did they fire; but on the cavalry's arrival on the summit, retreated to the woods in great confusion." A similar scene was presented after he had passed through the lower town. The militia had ascended another hill. He followed them, "using such conversation and words as might prevent their inclination to retreat. When he had arrived within twenty yards of the summit, though greatly superior in numbers, the Virginians, some with, some without arms, galloped off." They were pursued several miles, but were not overtaken.* The governor and legislature fled before the traitor Arnold, who, on the fifth of January, took possession of Richmond, where he halted with about five hundred men, seizing a part of the archives, burning a part of the magazines, and retired the next day unmolested.

Jefferson " never faced the enemy nor even observed him, and, until he ascertained that Arnold had retreated to his ships, kept himself behind the current of a broad and unfordable river, flitting from place to place, hiding his guns, to protect them from the "heavy rains." †

Five days after, Jefferson communicated to Washington these occurrences, dwelling chiefly on the efforts to save "the arms, and stores, and records," and admitting "that no opposition was in readiness." Hamilton answered on the sixth of February, in the name of Washington: "It is mortifying to see so inconsiderable a party com

* Simcoe's Journal, 161–165.

"Observations by Henry Lee, of Virginia," 133.

mitting such extensive depredations with impunity, but considering the situation of your State, it is to be wondered you have hitherto suffered so little molestation. I am apprehensive you will suffer more in future; nor should I be surprised, if the enemy were to establish a post in Virginia till the season for opening a campaign here. But as the evils you have to apprehend from these predatory incursions are not to be compared with the injury to the common cause, and with the danger to your State in particular, from the conquest of the States to the southward of you, I am persuaded the attention to your immediate safety will not divert you from the measures intended to reinforce the southern army, and put it into a condition to stop the progress of the enemy in that quarter. The late accession of force makes them very formidable in Carolina -too formidable to be resisted without powerful succors from Virginia; and it is certainly her policy, as well as the interest of America, to keep the weight of the war at a distance from her. There is no doubt, that a principal object of Arnold's operations is to make a diversion in favor of Cornwallis; and to remove this motive by disappointing the intention, will be one of the surest ways to remove the enemy." The next day Hamilton announced to Rochambeau, that, "Arnold had re-embarked from Westover," whither he had returned from Richmond, "descended as far as Smithfield, relanded there, and marched to Portsmouth. Here, it was expected, he would fortify."

CHAPTER XXV.

NEARLY four years had elapsed since Hamilton was appointed to the staff of the commander-in-chief. During this long period of duty he enjoyed his chief confidence, and rendered important services. A week after the date of this letter to Rochambeau, this relation was abruptly terminated.

A communication made by him to General Schuyler, two days after the occurrence, exhibits him at an interesting moment of his life.

"MY DEAR SIR,

"Head Quarters, New-Windsor, February 18th, 1781.

"Since I had the pleasure of writing you last, an unexpected change has taken place in my situation. I am no longer a member of the general's family. This information will surprise you, and the manner of the change will surprise you more. Two days ago, the general and I passed each other on the stairs;-he told me he wanted to speak to me,-I answered that I would wait upon him immediately. I went below, and delivered Mr. Tilghman a letter to be sent to the commissary, containing an order of a pressing and interesting nature.

"Returning to the general, I was stopped on the way by the Marquis de La Fayette, and we conversed together about a minute on a matter of business. He can testify

how impatient I was to get back, and that I left him in a manner which, but for our intimacy, would have been more than abrupt. Instead of finding the general, as is usual, in his room, I met him at the head of the stairs, where accosting me in an angry tone, Colonel Hamilton, (said he,) you have kept me waiting at the head of the stairs these ten minutes;-I must tell you, sir, you treat me with disrespect.' I replied, without petulancy, but with decision, I am not conscious of it, sir, but since you have thought it necessary to tell me so, we part.' 'Very well, sir, (said he,) if it be your choice,' or something to this effect, and we separated. I sincerely believe my absence, which gave so much umbrage, did not last two minutes.

"In less than an hour after, Tilghman came to me in the general's name, assuring me of his great confidence in my abilities, integrity, usefulness, &c., and of his desire, in a candid conversation, to heal a difference which could not have happened but in a moment of passion. I requested Mr. Tilghman to tell him,-1st. That I had taken my resolution in a manner not to be revoked. 2d. That as a conversation could serve no other purpose than to produce explanations, mutually disagreeable, though I certainly would not refuse an interview, if he desired it, yet I would be happy, if he would permit me to decline it. 3d. That though determined to leave the family, the same principles which had kept me so long in it, would continue to direct my conduct towards him when out of it. 4th. That, however, I did not wish to distress him or the public business, by quitting him before he could derive other assistance by the return of some of the gentlemen who were absent. 5th. And that in the mean time, it depended on him, to let our behavior to each other be the same as if nothing had happened. He consented to de