of their movements as they were advancing, and was therefore disappointed in the most important part of the plan he had formed for meeting them. When they drew near, he used great efforts to encourage his troops, and on the 11th of September an action commenced, which was very severe. Sir William Howe was successful in driving the Americans from the ground, but they were not too much discouraged to risk another action for the safety of Philadelphia.

Washington allowed them one day for rest, and then marched on the Lancaster road, to a spot near the Warren Tavern, about twentythree miles from Philadelphia. In a few hours he heard that the enemy were approaching, and he prepared to meet them. The dreadful work of destruction was commencing, when a powerful rain began to fall, and became so violent that the arms of the Americans were soon unfit for use; a retreat was absolutely necessary, and as Washington was convinced that his army was not in a state to gain success in an action, he determined to avoid being attacked. He directed that all the military stores in the city should be removed to a place of safety, so that very little public property might fall into the hands of the enemy, who, headed by Cornwallis, entered Philadelphia on the 26th of September.

Congress separated on the 18th September, and met at Lancaster, in Pennsylvania,

on the 27th. Washington took a position beyond Germantown, that he might attack the British troops posted at that village. On the 30th October an assault was made, but a heavy fog and darkness caused mistakes in the movements of the troops, and a skilful retreat was all that the commander could effect, and for his management of this, he received the thanks of Congress. The chief point of contest was at Chew's house, in the upper part of Germantown, which still bears the marks of the battle.

The news of this attack on the enemy, although unsuccessful, made a great impression. in our favour in Europe, and military men began to believe that such skill and valour would be finally successful. The loss of American soldiers and officers was much greater than that of the British, but they lost also some valuable officers. One of these was attended in a house in Germantown, by a female, who endeavoured to give some relief to his sufferings; but he felt that all human aid was vain, and said, "Woman pray for me." Thus in that hour, when the soul feels what it truly is, and that soon it must be in the presence of its holy Creator and just Judge, the duty and the value of prayer is owned; and on almost every bed of death is fulfilled the words of Scripture, "O Thou that hearest prayer, unto Thee shall all flesh come."

Soon after the battle of Germantown, Sir

William Howe drew all his troops into Philadelphia, to employ them in removing the obstructions which had been placed in the Delaware river, to prevent his ships from passing up to the city. Washington had placed troops in Fort Mifflin, on Mud Island, and in a redoubt a few miles from Philadelphia, at Red Bank, a high bluff, so called from the colour of the sand on it. Count Donop, a German officer, was sent with a detachment of Hessians of about twelve hundred men, to attack the fort at Red Bank, which was commanded by Colonel Greene. On the evening of the 22d of October, Donop appeared before the fort; Greene, with his garrison of five hundred men, received him bravely; and the assault and defence were both spirited and obstinate. Donop was killed, and the second in command, Colonel Wingerode, fell at the same time; the oldest remaining officer then drew off his troops, and returned to Philadelphia. The loss of the assailants was four hundred, and of the defenders, thirty-two killed and wounded. A continued struggle was kept up for more than six weeks, to prevent the English in Philadelphia having free communication with their fleet, but at length they succeeded.

Several officers had been wounded at the battle of Brandywine, and among these was the marquis Lafayette. This generous stranger was early called to bleed in that cause for

which he had ventured his all. He had left France, his native land, and come to America, to risk his life and spend his fortune in the cause of liberty. He was only nineteen years of age, when he gave up a gay scene of youthful pleasures to enter on one of dangerous toils. The American commissioners who were in France honestly told him of the depressed state of the American army, and of the sufferings that he would be exposed to. This did not change, but fixed his generous intention, and he hastened his preparations to cross the ocean, and make known to Congress his purpose, and arrived in Charleston early in the year 1777. They welcomed with respect this brave friend of their country, and gave him the commission of a major-general in their army; a title which he has ever since preferred to that of marquis. His disinterested conduct, and amiable character, made Washington his friend; and he could not know and be near to Washington without becoming attached to him. Their friendship was sincere, warm, and steady.

Thus, in his first visit to our country, Lafayette was welcomed as a friend to the cause of liberty; and his determination to share in the toils and dangers of the Americans, in their struggle to obtain it, was as lasting as it was ardent, and not like the bright morning cloud which soon passes away. And when, in August of the year 1824, he again visited I

ou country, to behold the prosperity with which the God of nations has blessed it, the joyful and grateful manner in which he was received throughout the United States, proved that Americans had not forgotten his generous services. Old soldiers grasped his friendly hand with a welcome of affectionate gladness; children, in thousands, pressed around him to share the kind notice of his eye; and all the people were of one mind in desiring to show him some mark of grateful respect. In accordance with this general feeling, Congress bestowed on him a tract of land of several thousand acres, and a large sum of money. They invited him to make the United States his home, but his own country was still under an oppressive government, and he returned to promote the cause of liberty there. His conduct in the revolution of 1830, when the king was obliged to leave the throne and the country, greatly contributed to restrain the violence of the people.

CHAPTER IV.

1777.

WHILE Washington kept up the contest in the middle states, very interesting events were passing in the northern states.

A plan had been formed by the British go