Part 19

The fact was, though, that Washington had no intention of doing anything of the sort. On the contrary, he had laid his plans to catch Cornwallis in Virginia, where he had sent Lafayette some time before. As he did not wish Clinton to suspect this plan, Washington wrote letters saying he meant to take New York, and cleverly contrived that they should accidentally fall into British hands. After reading them, Clinton felt so sure he knew all about the American plans that he did not stir.

There was no telegraph in those days, and it was a great surprise to Cornwallis when the French fleet, under De Grasse (grahss) suddenly appeared in Chesapeake Bay. Thus, even before Clinton suspected the Americans' intentions, Cornwallis was hemmed in at Yorktown between Lafayette's troops and De Grasse's fleet, and Washington was rapidly marching southward to help them.

Hoping to check Washington's advance, or even force him to come back, Clinton now sent Arnold into Connecticut, where, as we have seen, he burned New London. This base deed so angered a lady whose guest he had once been, that she tried to shoot him, we are told, and would have done so, had not her gun missed fire.

Arnold, and the British officers with him, proved very cruel all through this campaign; and when one of them seized Fort Griswold, near New London, he haughtily demanded, "Who commands here?" "I did," courteously answered the American officer, coming forward to surrender his sword, "but you do now." The British officer took the weapon, ran it through its owner, and coolly bade his men kill all the garrison in the same way.

Although the news of pillage, burning, and murder was carried to Washington as quickly as possible, he did not--as Clinton perhaps expected--turn around to defend Connecticut, but kept steadily on. As he marched by, all good Americans wildly cheered him, crying: "Long live Washington! He is going to catch Cornwallis in his mouse trap!" Indeed, such was the faith people had in him that an old patriot, coming into the room where he was dining, raised his arms to heaven and solemnly cried, like Simeon in the Bible: "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation."

On his way to Yorktown, Washington paid a flying visit to his home at Mount Vernon, which he had not seen since he left it to attend the Continental Congress six years before. There he learned that it would have been burned to the ground, had not his steward bribed some British soldiers to let it stand. When Washington heard this, he gravely said that he would rather lose all he had, than save it by making friends with his country's foes.

Reaching Yorktown,--where Cornwallis had once boasted that he would soon capture "that boy," as he scornfully termed Lafayette,--Washington found all his orders so well carried out that the bombarding of the city could begin without further delay. The French fleet and American army worked together to such good purpose that before long it became plain that Cornwallis would have to yield. During this siege a gentleman carefully pointed out his own house, advising Washington to batter it down first with his cannon; for he thought that Cornwallis must have selected it for his headquarters, because it was the best in town.

Washington, who was never wounded in any battle, stood on a height directing the movements of his troops. He was in such an exposed place that some of his aids, hoping to make him change his position, ventured to remark that they were in great danger. "If you think so," answered Washington, quietly, "you are at liberty to step back." But as he did not move, the others bravely stood their ground.

A moment later a ball struck a cannon only a few feet off, and General Knox impulsively cried, "My dear general, we can't spare you yet!" and tried to drag him away. But Washington carelessly remarked, "It's a spent ball," and stood there like a rock until he saw the redoubt taken. Then he joyfully exclaimed: "The work is done, and well done!"

Washington was right; the work was done, and the patriots' troubles nearly over. Cornwallis, finding himself unable to escape or receive help, was forced to surrender on the 19th of October, 1781. But his pride was so hurt at having to give up his sword, that he pretended illness, and sent one of his officers to carry it to Washington. The latter, remembering how the British had tried to shame General Lincoln at the surrender of Charleston, therefore bade the British officer deliver it to Lincoln.

The next day, when the British troops marched out of Yorktown between the French and American armies, their bands dolefully played: "The World Turned Upside Down." Washington, ever considerate of people's feelings, had given strict orders that his soldiers should not jeer at the enemy, or make any unkind remarks. This order was obeyed, but Lafayette, seeing that the British--who had made such unmerciful fun of him--did not even look up, suddenly bade his band strike up "Yankee Doodle." At this hated sound the British all started, and Lafayette had the boyish satisfaction of knowing that they had seen him heading part of the forces which had conquered them.

LXXXIII. THE BRITISH FLAG HAULED DOWN.

The news of the surrender of Cornwallis filled all American hearts with joy; for our people knew, as well as the British, that the war was now ended. The tidings reached Philadelphia at night, while the watchman, making his rounds as usual, was passing up and down the streets. To the customary announcement of the time, and the cry, "All's well," he therefore added, "and Cornwallis is taken!"

The joy of this event proved fatal to the old doorkeeper of Congress, while on all sides bells were rung and loud cheers were heard. On the next day the members of Congress marched in a body to church, to return thanks for the "victory of a great and good man in a great and good cause." But when the news reached England it caused great dismay. We are told that Lord North fell back as if struck by a cannon ball, and gasped: "O God, it is all over!"

Although the War of Independence was really over, and several Americans went to Europe to settle the terms of peace, British troops staid in America some time longer, and kept possession of Savannah and Charleston about a year. Washington, therefore, did not dare dismiss his army. To keep better guard over the British at New York, he collected all his forces at Newburgh. But although there was no more fighting, Washington's presence was more sorely needed than ever, for the men, having received only a small part of their long-promised pay, and unable to go home and work for their destitute families, were restless and discontented. In fact, even the officers thought Congress managed things badly, and wished to make Washington king.

Had Washington thought of himself more than of others, or been unduly ambitious, he could now have gone, at the head of the army, to overthrow Congress and take the power into his own hands, like Cæsar and Napoleon. But Washington was a real patriot, and had no thought beyond the good of his country. He therefore sent for his officers, and made them a little speech.

In reading a letter from a congressman, promising that they should receive their dues, he had to take out his glasses, and as he put them on he quietly begged them to excuse him, saying: "My eyes have grown dim in the service of my country, but I have never doubted her justice." In his address he urged them not to tarnish the glory of their past services by rash conduct, and explained that Congress would soon settle their just demands. Such was the reliance placed upon his mere word, and the good influence he had over every man in his army, that all now consented to wait patiently until their services could receive their reward.

While Washington was thus keeping the soldiers in order, Franklin was in Europe, treating for peace. In 1782 George III. formally announced that he would recognize the independence of the United States, and closed his speech by saying he hoped that the same "religion, language, interests, and affections might prove a bond of permanent union between the two countries."

The treaty, however, was signed in Paris, on the 3d of September, 1783. On this occasion Franklin donned the suit of Manchester velvet clothes which he had worn ten years before, when insulted in Parliament, and which he had vowed never to use again until his country was free. By this treaty the seacoast from Maine to Georgia was given up to the United States, together with all the land between the Great Lakes and Florida, westward as far as the Mississippi. At the same time, the British gave Florida back to Spain.

The news of this treaty was followed by the departure of the British soldiers from New York. They sailed away, leaving their flag still floating from the top of the liberty pole. Here some soldiers had nailed it fast, carefully greasing the pole so that the Americans should not haul down their colors until they were at least out of sight.

But a clever New York boy, seeing that it was useless to try to climb the greased pole in the usual way, ran into a neighboring store, and soon came back with a pocket full of nails, some cleats, and a hammer. Nailing a cleat a short distance up, he stood upon it to nail another still higher, and, climbing thus from point to point, reached the top of the pole, tore off the British flag, and replaced it by the American colors, amid the cheers of the assembled people!

LXXXIV. WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL.

Washington had already disbanded his army in Newburgh, when, on the eighth anniversary of the battle of Lexington, the war was formally declared to be over. Now, the British having gone, it remained only to bid farewell to his officers. On this occasion he said: "With a heart full of love and gratitude I now take leave of you. I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous as your former have been glorious and honorable. I cannot come to each of you to take my leave, but I shall be obliged to you if each of you will come and take me by the hand."

General Knox was the first to advance, and Washington drew him toward him and kissed him. He also embraced all the rest--in dead silence, for all hearts were too full for speech. The officers then followed him to the boat and silently watched him out of sight. From New York, where this parting took place, Washington went direct to Annapolis, where, on the 23d of December, 1783, he received the formal message: "The United States, in Congress assembled, is prepared to receive the communications of the commander in chief." Washington then appeared before that body to lay down the heavy charge which he had borne so bravely for nearly eight years. He again refused to accept any reward for his services but handed over the exact account of his expenses, proving that he had spent more than sixty-three thousand dollars of his own money for the good of his country.

Then he went back to his farm at Mount Vernon, to take up again his usual work. He had been longing to do this for some time, for farming was his chief pleasure. Knowing this, his officers formed a society of which they made him head. They called themselves the Cincin-na´ti, in honor of a Roman patriot, Cincinnatus, who left his plow to save his country from danger, but hurried back to it as soon as the war was over.

Instead of other pay, many of these officers and of the continental soldiers now received grants of land in what was then called the Northwest Territory. There they soon settled, working hard, and serving their country just as nobly by being good farmers, good citizens, good husbands, and good fathers as they had done by being good soldiers in the Revolutionary War. Before long, towns sprang up in the wilderness, and one of them was named Cincinnati, in honor of the society of which Washington was the first president.

But there were others besides the soldiers who were anxious to get back to their families. Foremost among these was the worthy Franklin, who had spent nearly nine years in France, looking after the interests of his country. He had seen the Peace of Paris signed; and when he reached Philadelphia, just sixty-two years after his first visit, he was welcomed with loud cheers and great rejoicings. He deserved all the cheering and honors he received, for he had been second only to Washington in the services he had rendered his beloved country.

As it was now decided beyond doubt that the former colonies were to be free states, independent of Great Britain, the Story of the Thirteen Colonies is ended. There is still to be told the Story of the Great Republic which was formed from these colonies, and which has grown to be one of the foremost nations in the world.

INDEX.

Key to pronunciation.--VOWELS: ā in lāte, ă in făt, â in câre, ä in fär, ȧ in lȧst, a: in fa:ll, ạ in wạs, au in author; ē in mē, ĕ in mĕt, e= in ve=il, ẽ in tẽrm; ī in fīne, ĭ in tĭn, ï in polïce, ĩ in fĩr; ō in nōte, ŏ in nŏt, ȯ in sȯn, ô in fôr, ọ in wọlf, o: in do:, oo in loop; ū in tūne, ŭ in nŭt, ṳ in rṳde, ụ in fụll, ü = French u; ȳ in mȳ, ў in hўmn. CONSONANTS: ç in çent, ¢ in ¢an; ġ in ġem, ḡ in ḡet; ñ = ny in barnyard, ṉ = ng, N = ng, but is silent; qu = kw; ş = z; -th = th in then. _Italic letters are silent._

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A´bra-ham, Plains of, Wolfe victorious at, 212

A-cā´di-a, claimed by Cartier, 174 conquered by New Englanders, 188 farmers driven out of, 209 French settlement in, 102, 105 name changed to Nova Scotia, 188

Ä´co-ma, "Sky City", 68 besieged by Spaniards, 77-79 Coronado visits, 68 Oñate visits, 76

Adams, John, draws up Declaration of Independence, 250

Adams, Samuel, advice of, 226, 227 at Lexington, 229, 234 called "Father of Revolution", 229 proposes Washington as general of army, 238 quoted, 259

Af´ri-ca, explored, 36 inhabitants of, 14 Vasco da Gama sails around, 61

Āix-lä-Çhä-pel_le_´, treaty of, 190

Al-a-bä´ma, De Soto visits, 68

A-lăs´ka, inhabited by Indians, 14

A:l´ba-ny, Congress at, 199, 206 Fort Orange built near, 105 Hudson at, 103 refuses to obey Leisler, 170 trading stations near, 104

Al-ex-an´der, son of Massasoit, 137, 138

Al-ḡŏn´quĭn Indians, aided by Champlain, 175

Al´_l_e-ḡ_h_ā-n_i_ēş, claimed by France, 181 Governor Spotswood explores, 162

Al´_l_e-ḡ_h_e=-ny River, French forts on, 196

Al´len, Ethan, takes Fort Ticonderoga, 237, 243

A-měr´ĭ-ca, civilization of, 24 known as New World, 13, 61, 62 named, 61 Northmen in, 27

A-měr´ĭ-cŭs Věs-pū´cius (shŭs), America named for, 61

Ăn´dré (drā), Major John, meets Arnold, 305 punishment of, 307, 308

An´dros, governor of New England and New York, 167

Aṉ´gli-can Church, Henry VIII. head of, 106

Anglicans leave England, 134

An-năp´o-lis, English settlement at, 152 first French settlement at, 174 Port Royal called, 188

Är´gal_l_, Captain, captures Pocahontas, 98

Ar-ĭ-zō´na, Indians in, 20

Är´kan-sa:_s_ River, Marquette and Joliet at, 179

Är´ling-ton, Lord, Virginia granted to, 156

Är´nold, Benedict, attempt to capture, 308 bravery of, 304 defeated at Valcour Island, 252 disgrace of, 310 granted command at West Point, 305 leads army to Quebec, 246 relieves Fort Stanwix, 268 reproved by Washington, 305 takes Fort Ticonderoga, 237 treason of, 305-307 victorious at Saratoga, 271

Asia (ā´shĭ-a), inhabitants of, 14

As-sěm´bly, in colonial government, 125

At-lăn´tic Ō´cean (-shan), called sea of darkness, 31, 40 coast of, explored, 25

Au-gŭs´ta, British conquer, 297

A-zōr_e_ş´ Islands, Columbus at, 51 Portuguese colony on, 36

Bā´con's Re-bel´lion, 158-160

Ba-hā´maş, discovered, 47

Bäl-bō´ä, discovers Pacific Ocean, 64 voyage of, 62, 63

Ba:l´tĭ-mor_e_, Congress withdraws to, 259 founded, 153

Baltimore, Lord, settles in Maryland, 152

Bär-çe-lō´nä, Columbus goes to, 52

Bar-thŏl´o-mew Columbus, 40, 56

Bär´ton, American officer, 258

"Battle of the Kegs", 265

"Bāy´ard of the South," Marion called, 300

Bē_a_´con Hill, signal fires on, 140

Bē´mĭs Heī_gh_ts, battle of, 269

Běn´_n_ing-ton, Gen Stark victorious at, 266

Berk_e_´ley, cruelty of, 160 flees from Jamestown, 158, 159 governor of Virginia, 155 recalled to England, 156, 160

Biar´ni, voyage of, 27, 28

Bible, translated into Indian language, 126

Bienville (be-aN-veel´), builds fort at New Orleans, 183

Bil´ling-ton, English colonist, 112 Indians rescue, 118

Bĭl-ox´ĭ, built by Iberville, 182

Bĩr´ming-ham (-ŭm), denied right to vote, 219

Black´beard, a Carolina pirate, 164

Black´stone, settles in New England, 122-124

_Bles´sing of the Bay_, lumber ship, 127

Block Island, Indian stronghold, 132

Bloody Brook, battle of, 140

Bloody massacre, 225

Blue Ridge Moun´tains, Spotswood explores, 161

_Bonhomme Richard_ (bŏ-nŏm´re-shar´), Paul Jones's vessel, 294 sinks, 296

Boon_e_, Daniel, adventures of, 291-293 settles at Boonesboro, 288, 289

Boones´bōr-o, Boone settles at, 288, 289 Indians attack, 289, 290, 292

Bŏs´ton, Andros imprisoned in, 168 British shut up in, 244, 245 British soldiers removed from, 226 evacuated, 247 fortified by British, 239

Boston, founded, 130 Gen. Gage sent to, 224 laws to punish, 228, 229 settlement in, 124

Boston massacre, 225

Boston Neck fortified, 232

Boston Tea Party, 227

Bow´er-y Lane, Stuyvesant´s farm on, 144

Bō_w_´ling Green, 223

Boyl´ston, introduces vaccination, 173

Brăd´_d_o_c_k, death of, 208 defeat of, 207 general of British army, 206

Brăd´ford, William, governor of Plymouth, 115 Indian message to, 118

Brăn´dy-wine, battle of, 264

Brănt, Indian chief routed at Oriskany, 267, leave Boston, 247 leave Philadelphia, 277 plan new campaign, 297 quartered in Boston, 224, 225 quartered in Philadelphia, 275 retreat at Concord, 235 settlements. See under _English_. shut up in Boston, 244, 245 surrender at Saratoga, 270, 271 surrender at Yorktown, 318 surrender Ticonderoga, 237 take Savannah, 297 under Clinton, bombard Fort Moultrie, 247 under Cornwallis pursue Washington, 257 victorious at Brandywine, 264 victorious at Camden, 299 victorious at Guilford Courthouse, 314

Brook, land granted to, 130

Brook´lўn Heī_gh_ts, Americans intrenched in, 254

Brṳ´tus, 221

Bŭṉ´ker Hill, battle of, 239-241

Bur´ges-ses, House of, 101, 154, 156, 211

Bur-goyn_e_´, British general, 239 cut off from Canada, 267 defeated at Stillwater, 269 surrender of, 270, 271 takes Forts Ticonderoga and Edward, 265

Burke, opposes Stamp Act, 223 speech of, 286

Bur´ling-ton, settlement near, 146

Bŭt´ler, in Wyoming Valley murders, 286

Cabeza de= Vä´cä (cah-bā´sah), explorations of, 67

Căb´ot, John, explorations of, 60

Ç_a_ē´şar, 221, 231

Căl´ĭ-cŭt, Vasco da Gama reaches, 61

Căl-ĭ-fôr´nĭ-a, Gulf of, explored, 67

Căl´u-mět, pipe of peace, 114

Cām´bridge, college at, 125 Committee of Safety at, 232 Washington´s headquarters at, 242, 246

Cambridge Elm, Washington takes command under, 242

Căm´den, Gates defeated at, 299

Cămp_e_, plans to capture Arnold, 308, 309

Căn´-a-da, Americans driven out of, 246 ceded to Great Britain, 213 explored by Cartier, 70-73 French driven into, 211 Frontenac governor of, 184 named by Cartier, 174 smuggling by way of, 216

Că-nā´dĭ-ans, under Carleton march southward, 246

Ca-nā´ry Islands, Columbus at, 44, 45 discovered, 36

Ca-nŏn´ĭ-cus, Narragansett chief, 118

Cape Brět´on Island, French fort on, 189 named, 71, 174

Cape Charles, named, 87

Cape Cod, Cabot explores, 60 named by Gosnold, 86 Northmen at, 28 Pilgrims at, 109, 111

Cape Hăt´ter-as, explored by Cabot, 60

Cape Henry named, 87

Cape Horn, Indians at, 14

Cape of Good Hope, discovered, 42

Cape of Storms, discovered, 42

Cape St, Vĭn´çěnt, sea fight at, 37

Cape Vērd_e_ Islands, Columbus sails from, 56 Portuguese at, 36

Cărĭbs, inhabitants of West Indies, 54

Cärl_e_´ton, commander of Canadians, 246 victorious at Valcour Island, 252

Căr-o-lī´nȧ, division of, 164 English settlement in, 162 French settlement in, 74 granted to lords proprietors, 162 Carolina, North, English colony at, 85 explored, 71 pirates, 164

Cär´pen-ter's Hall, First Continental Congress at, 229

Căr´rōll, Charles, signs Declaration of Independence, 251

Cär-tier´ (-tyā´), explorations of, 71-73, 174

Cär´ver, John, death of, 115 governor of Pilgrims, 110 makes treaty with Massasoit, 114, 137

Cäs-tïl_e_´, Isabella, queen of, 59

Ca-ta:_w_´ba River, Morgan crosses, 313

Ca-thā_y_´, China called, 33 new road to, sought, 35

"Căv-ȧ-l_i_ērs´," Royalists called, 155

Cen´tral A-měr´ĭ-ca, explored by Columbus, 58 Indians in, 20 Spanish colonies in, 64

Ç_e_ū´ta, Prince Henry of Portugal visits, 35

Chăaddş Ford, Washington defeated at, 264

Çhăm-plā_i_n´, discovers Lake Champlain, 175 settles at Quebec, 174 voyage of, 184

Champlain, Lake, discovered, 175

Charles, Cape, named, 87

Charles I., beheaded, 155 rebellion in England, 134

Charles II., land grants of, 142, 147, 167 recalls Berkeley, 160 restored to throne, 136, 156 revokes Massachusetts Bay colony charter, 166

Charles´ton, attacked by Spaniards, 188 British fleet at, 247 rice planted in, 163 surrender of, 298

Charles´town, burned by Howe, 242 Puritans attempt settlement at, 124

Char´ter, granted to Connecticut, 137 granted to Rhode Island, 137 Great, of Virginia, 101 of Massachusetts Bay colony revoked, 166, 229

Charter Oak, in Hartford, 168

Chěr´ry Val´ley, Indian massacre at, 286

Chěs´a-pē_a_ke Bay, Captain Smith makes map of, 92 De Grasse's fleet at, 316 explored, 87

Çhi-ca:´go River, Joliet and Marquette explore, 179

Chïl´e=, Indians in, 20

Chī´na, visited by Europeans, 33

Chŏc´ta:_w_s, plan to attack French settlers, 183

Church, Captain, defeats King Philip, 142

Çï´bo-lä, seven cities of, 67, 68

Cin-cin-nä´tï, built, 325

Cincinnati, society founded by Washington's officers, 324

Cĭ-păṉ´gō, Japan called, 35

Clans, Indian, 19

Clark, General George Rogers, march of, 287, 288

Cliff dwellings, 21

Clĭn´ton, Arnold conspires with, 305 attacks towns in Connecticut, 280 bombards Fort Moultrie, 247 British general, 239 proceeds to New York, 279 pursues Washington, 256 sends Arnold into Connecticut, 316 Washington pursues, 278

Cod, Cape, 60, 78, 86, 109, 111

Coligny (co-leen´ye), sends Huguenots to New World, 73, 74, 174

Cŏl´lege, Columbia, 252 Harvard, 125 King's, called Columbia, 252 William and Mary, 161 Williams, 209 Yale, 125

Co-lo´ni-al assemblies, dissolved, 224

Cŏl´o-nies. See _Settlements_. England's treatment of, 214-232

Cŏl-o-rä´dō, Grand Canyon of, 68

Co-lŭm´bĭ-a College, King´s College becomes, 252

Co-lŭm´bŭs, Christopher, adventures of, 37 asks aid of England, 40 at Cordova, 42 at West Indies, 54 birth of, 36 calls savages Indians, 43 coasts along Cuba, 49 death of, 59 discovers Bahamas, 47 discovers Haiti, 50 discovers Jamaica, 55 education of, 37 establishes colony at Isabella, 54 fourth expedition of, 58 Genoese refuse to aid, 39 Isabella and Ferdinand assist, 43, 44