CHAPTER VII.

History of Brant resumed--Advanced to the chieftaincy of the Confederacy--Mode of appointing chiefs and sachems--Embarks for England--Arrives in London--Received with marked consideration--Becomes acquainted with James Boswell and others--Agrees to espouse the Royal cause, and returns to America--Steals through the country to Canada--Curious supposed letter to President Wheelock--Battle of the Cedars--Cowardice of Major Butterfield--Outrages of the Indians--Story of Capt. McKinstry, who was saved from the stake by Brant--Indignation of Washington, the people, and Congress--Resolutions of retaliation--Mutual complaints of treatment of prisoners--Murder of Gen. Gordon--Indignation at the outrage--Indian deputation at Philadelphia--Speech to them--Congress resolves upon the employment of an Indian force--Schuyler opposed--Review of the incidents of the war elsewhere--Destitution of the Army--Evacuation of Boston by the English--Disastrous termination of the Canadian campaign--Deplorable condition of the army--Humanity of Sir Guy Carleton--Glance at the South--Declaration of Independence--Spirit of Tryon County--Cherry Valley--Fortifications at Fort Stanwix--American army moves to New-York--Arrival of the British fleet and army--Battle of Long-Island--Washington evacuates New-York--Battle of White Plains--Retreats across New-Jersey--Followed by Cornwallis--Defeat of Arnold on Lake Champlain--Fall of Rhode Island--Battle of Trenton. Page 147