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Rhode-Island, July 10th, consisting of two ships of 80 guns, one of 74, four of 64, two frigates of 40, a cutter of 20, an hospital ship pierced for 64, one bomb ship, and 32 transports, under the command of the Chevalier de Ternay. Also four old regiments of land forces, together with the legion. of De Lawzern, and a battalion of artillery; in the whole about 6000, under the command of Lt. Gen. Count De Rochambeau.

These illustrious allies were received with every expression of joy, and every possible mark of respect. Gen. Heath received the general at his landing, and put him and his troops in possession of the Island, 'where they were handsomely accommodated. The General Assembly, then in session at Newport, by their special committee, presented the count with a complimentary address, to which he replied, with assurances "that a much greater force would soon follow him, and that his whole powers should be devoted to the service of the United States.

"The French troops, (added the count,) are under the strictest discipline, and acting under the orders of Gen. Washington, will live with the Americans as their brethren. 1 am highly sensible of the marks of respect shewn me by the assembly, and beg leave to assure them, that as brethren, not only my life, but the lives of the troops under my command, are devoted to their service."

The same honors, and the same compliments were paid to the French Admiral, and the same respectful notice returned.

The Marquis La Fayette also met the French officers upon their arrival, and witnessed the respectful attention, as well as the general hilarity of the occasion.

Gen. Washington recommended to the officers of the American army, in general orders, to wear black and white cockades, as a compliment to their illustrious allies.

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The arrival of the French fleet gave a shock to the British fleet, then at New-York, under the, command of Admiral Arbuthnot, consisting only of four sail of the line; but he was reinforced on the 20th, by 6 ships of the line, under Admiral Graves, and felt himself secure.

Sir Henry Clinton meditated an attack upon the French at Newport, and immediately embarked 8000 troops, and moved with his fleet to Huntington-Bay, on Long-Island, to be in readiness to act according to circumstances.

Massachusetts and Connecticut took the alarm, detached a strong body of militia, and marched to Rhode-Island, to co-operate with their illustrious allies.

Gen. Washington made a diversion, and moved his whole force down to King's-Bridge, determined to act of fensively against New-York. This movement changed the views of Sir Henry, and he returned with speed to the protection of his strong-hold, July 31.

Gen. Wayne on the 20th, put himself at the head of a strong detachment, and made a descent upon Bergen-Neck, in order to bring off a large number of horses and cattle but the enemy were so strongly posted at a block-house, as to defeat the interprise with some considerable loss, in killed and wounded.

CHAPTER XVII.

REVOLUTION CONTINUED.

THE affairs of America had again become critical, and even desperate. The hard winter of 1779-80 set in immediately after the departure of the expedition under Sir Henry Clinton, and the privations and distresses under Gen. Washington, were inexpressibly severe through the winter and spring; a mutiny ensued in his army, by the revolt of two regiments, in consequence of their sufferings, and the cause of liberty was in danger of being lost forever; but by the exertions of the commander in chief seconded by his officers, the mutiny was quelled, and the soldiers returned to their duty.

At this eventful period, the Marquis La Fayette returned from France, and arrived at head-quarters; the tidings he brought gave new spirits to Gen. Washington, and to Congress. The marquis had negociated for America at the French Court, and obtained supplies adapted to her wants, and had now announced to Gen. Washington and to Congress, that a fleet and armament would soon follow him from France.

Congress immediately resolved "that bills to the amount of 25 thousand pounds be drawn on Dr. Franklin, minister at the court of France, and that bills of the same amount be immediately drawn on Mr. Jay, minister at the court of Spain, and the money be applied to the immediate benefit of the armies.

Extensive arrangements were made immediately to fill up the armies by regulars, and militia, and extensive supplies were collected, and preparations made for a vigorous campaign.

Pending these movements Sir Henry Clinton committed the southern war to the charge of Lord Cornwallis, with the command of 4000 regulars, and returned with the remainder of the army on board his fleet, to New-York.

Paper money had now become so serious, and alarming in its effects, arising from its depreciation, that Congress resolved to call in by taxes, the sum of two hundred million of dollars, and burn it, and redeem it by a new emission, at the rate of one dollar for 20. This plan succeeded, and thousands of the best patriots of the nation were ruined by the depreciated redemption of that currency they had sacrificed their estates to support at par; i. e. equal to gold, and sil

ver.

At this time Mr. Adams left the court of London, where he had been sent in 1776, to negociate a peace, and was ordered by Congress to repair to Holland, to bring to a close the plans of alliance, and commerce, which had been 2 years in agitation. Mr. Adams repaired to Holland by the way of Spain, and accomplished the objects of his mission.

Lord Cornwallis having overrun South-Carolina, and settled a system of government which reduced that colony to the obedience of the British Crown, now began to penetrate into North-Carolina.

Gen. Washington was not unmindful of the movements of Sir Henry Clinton, and sent forward the Baron De Kalb, at the head of 1400 men, consisting of the Delaware and Maryland lines, to the support of Gen. Lincoln, as early as the 16th of April. Early in May the baron arrived in Virginia, where he was promptly supported, and he moved on to North-Carolina. On the 6th of July he found himself on the banks of Deep River, wholly destitute of support, excepting such as he collected by force, and this consisted principally of lean cattle. Both the baron and his commissaries were

destitute of cash, and the sufferings of the army were great.

When Charleston fell, the command devolved upon the Baron De Kalb, who was a brave and experienced officer; but being a foreigner, unacquainted with the country, the genius of the people, and the tempers of such undisciplined militia as were to compose his army, Congress resolved to wave the merits of the baron, and appoint Gen. Gates to the command of the southern department, July 13. Gen. Gates, then in Virginia, received his appointment on the 20th, and joined the army on the 25th. The baron received the general with every mark of respect, and delivered over to his command the shadow of an army, destitute of almost every thing essential to successful service. On the 27th Gen. Gates moved across Deep River on his way to Camden, and encamped at Spinks' Farm, to watch the motions of the enemy.

On the 28th Col. Otho H. Williams, being well acquainted with the country, advised Gen. Gates to make a circuitous march to Camden, to order Gen. Caswell to join him at the mouth of Rocky-River on the Pedee, and from thence to send his baggage, women and children to Salisbury, (one day's march higher up the Pedee,) and there establish a hospital, and magazines. Next to march to Charlotte, and from thence by the way of the Waxhaws to Camden. The advantages of this route promised safety to the army, and plentiful supplies; a council of war was called by Gen. Gates upon the occasion, who set aside this advice, and recommended to march directly to Camden. Lt. Col. Porterfield joined Gen. Gates at this time with about 100 Virginians, who had been acting in South-Carolina, since the fall of Charleston.

Starvation now became the cant term of the army, such was their distress for the want of all the necessaries of life;

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