CHAPTER XI.

REIGN OF GEORGE III. (_continued_).

Meeting of Parliament--Lord Chatham's Amendment to the Address--The News of Saratoga--Treaty between France and America--Washington in Valley Forge--Intrigues against him--Violation of Burgoyne's Convention--Debates in Parliament--Attempt to bring Chatham into the Ministry--Lord North's Conciliation Bills--The French Note--Patriotism of the Nation--The King refuses to send for Chatham--His last Speech and Death--Honours to his Memory--Burke's Measure of Irish Relief--Repeal of Laws against Roman Catholics--Explosion of Scottish Bigotry--Turgot's Warnings--Naval Engagement off Ushant--Failure of Lafayette's Canadian Expedition--Clinton compelled to evacuate Philadelphia--Failure of Lord North's Commissioners--D'Estaing and Sullivan attempt to take Rhode Island--Subsequent Proceedings of D'Estaing--Courts martial of Keppel and Palliser--The Irish Volunteers--Spain declares War--Military Preparations--Junction of the French and Spanish Fleets--They retire from the Channel--D'Estaing in the West Indies--His Attempt on Savannah--Weakness of Lord North's Ministry--Meeting of Parliament--Lord North's Irish Bill--Richmond, Shelburne, and Burke attempt Economic Reforms--The Meeting at York petitions for Reform of Parliament--Burke's Economic Scheme--North's Manœuvre--Further Attempts at Reform--The Westminster Meeting--Dunning's Motion--Defeat of his later Resolutions--"No Popery" in Scotland--Lord George Gordon's Agitation--The Riots and their Progress--Their Suppression--Trial of the Prisoners--Rodney relieves Gibraltar--Destruction of English Merchantmen--Disputes with Holland--The Armed Neutrality of the North--Capture of Charleston--Declaration of South Carolina--Battle of Camden--Expedition into North Carolina--Arrival of the French Squadron--Rodney in the West Indies--Arnold's Treachery--Trial and Death of André--Breach with Holland--Attacks on Jersey and Gibraltar--Mutiny in the Army of Washington--Arnold's Raids in Virginia--Cornwallis in North Canada--His Engagements with Greene--His March into Virginia--Rawdon and Greene--Battle of Eutaw Springs--Siege of York Town--The American Armies close round him--Cornwallis compelled to Surrender 246