departure of the army, removed as rapidly as possible to Nova Scotia and elsewhere; and, the preliminary arrangements having been made, the 25th of November (still cele brated in New York 66 as evacuation day") was fixed on for the final withdrawal of the troops. The British had been in possession of the city for seven years; and during that time had made it the principal receptacle for the unfortunate Americans who fell into their hands. The prison-ships were moored chiefly in

Such a diet, added to foul air and want of exercise, brought on a variety of diseases which swept them off by hundreds. Every morning the command was heard, "Rebels, bring out your dead." The bodies of the deceased were carried ashore and buried near the bay, in graves so shallow that they were often washed bare by the waves. Twenty-five years after the close of the war, some patriotic citizens proposed to gather up the remains of the prison-ship martyrs, and have them suitably interred. The bones of 11,000 men were collected, and followed by a large procession to a vault prepared for their reception near the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

On the 25th of November, the British troops left New York; and, as they departed, the American army, with Gen. Washington and his aids, Governor Clinton, and many former citizens of the place, entered from the north. The Brit

How

What was done by the loyalists? On what day was New York evacuated? long had the British held the city? For what had they used it? How were those on board the prison-ships treated? Where were they buried? What was afterwards done with their remains? Give an account of the evacuation of New York and the raising

1783]

WASHINGTON RESIGNS HIS COMMISSION.

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ish flag had been left flying by the retreating army. It was nailed to the flag-staff of Fort George, and that it might not be taken down the steps leading to it had been removed. A boy, however, was soon seen ascending the staff. Nailing on cleat after cleat as he went up, he reached the top, and, amid the roaring of artillery and the cheers of a delighted people, the ensign of Britain gave place to the stars and stripes of the young republic.

412. On the 4th of December, Washington took leave of his officers, who assembled at his quarters to hear his parting words. It was an affecting scene. All that they had done and suffered together, all that they had hoped and feared, rushed before their minds. "With a heart full of love and gratitude," said Washington, "I now take leave of you. I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be prosperous and happy, as your former ones have been glorious and honorable. I can not come to each of you to take my leave, but shall be obliged if each of you will come and take me by the hand." Gen. Knox stood nearest, and turned to grasp the hand of his commander. Their emotions were too deep for utterance; not a word was spoken. The rest followed, with full hearts and moistened cheeks. This trying scene over, Washington crossed to the Jersey shore, and thence proceeded to Annapolis, where Congress was in session.

413. At Philadelphia Washington stopped long enough to submit to the comptroller an account of his expenses during the war. They amounted to £11,311, every item being distinctly entered by his own hand On the 19th of December [1783] he reached Annapolis, and four days afterwards, before a full meeting of Congress and in the presence of numerous spectators, he surrendered his commission. An address full of patriotic sentiments was delivered by Washington, to which Gen. Mifflin, then president of Congress, replied in a touching and affectionate manner, offering the

of the American flag. 412. What was done by Washington, December 4th? Describe the parting scene between Washington and his officers. Where did Washington then proceed? 418. What did Washington do at Philadelphia? How large a bill did he present? Where was Congress in session? When did Washington reach Annapolis? Describe what took place on his surrender of his commission to Congress.

commander-in-chief the homage of a grateful nation, and invoking on his head the blessing of the Almighty. It was a spectacle seldom witnessed-an adored chief, with royalty within his reach, voluntarily resigning his power and returning to private life.

CHAPTER XXI.

FORMATION OF A FEDERAL CONSTITUTION.

414. THE independence of the United States was now acknowledged by Great Britain, France, Russia, Sweden, Spain, and Denmark; but it was still questionable whether it could be maintained amid the formidable difficulties with which Congress was beset. The war had cost $135,000,000; and debts were still outstanding, to foreign governments and unpaid soldiers and officers, to the amount of $40,000,000, on which Congress was not even able to meet the interest. The states refused to act in concert, and no revenue could be collected without their coöperation. Unsupported, baffled, and even censured, Mr. Morris resigned the office of superintendent of finance, but was induced to continue in the discharge of its duties till November 1, 1784, when a board of three commissioners was appointed to succeed him. Seldom has an abler financier appeared for the relief of a distressed country. Under his management, the expenses of the war were reduced from eighteen to four millions of dollars a year.

415. During the war most of the states had remodelled their constitutions. Their forms of government were now strictly republican, and bore a general resemblance to each other. The privilege of voting was extended to every citizen, except, in several states, such as were not possessed of a

414. What countries had now acknowledged the independence of the United States? What difficulties environed Congress? What was done by Robert Morris? By whom was he succeeded? What is said of Mr. Morris? 415. During the war, what had been done by most of the states? What is said of their forms of government? Mention

1784]

DIFFICULTY WITH ENGLAND.

305

certain amount of property. The common law of England prevailed, except when modified by special enactments. As a general thing, religious liberty was allowed. The affairs of each state were regulated by a governor and two houses of delegates, chosen by the people. The different members of the confederacy were thus entirely independent of each other; and now, that the war was over, jealousies began unfortunately to arise between them. A want of union at home prevented the nation from being respected abroad. It was obvious that the power of Congress was but nominal.

416. Hardly had the war terminated when complaints were made in England that debts due from American citizens could not be collected. Congress, having no power to enforce their payment, could only refer the claimants to the individual states. The latter alleged that the British armies had carried off many slaves from the American people, and that not until these were restored could the debts in question be justly claimed. There were also other causes of difficulty, which threatened to lead to a renewal of the war. The whole western frontier suffered much from the incursions of Indians, instigated, it was believed, by the British, and furnished with arms and ammunition at the posts still remaining in their hands in the west.

In 1785, John Adams was appointed minister plenipotentiary to the court of Great Britain (or St. James, as it is called), and was there introduced to the king whom he had so long and successfully opposed. George III. received him kindly, and assured him that though he had been the last to agree to the separation of the United States, he would be among the first to meet their friendship as an independent power. Mr. Adams labored hard at London to obtain a fair commercial treaty for his country, but without success. The heavy duty laid by Great Britain on the productions of

Bome of their provisions. What feelings began to arise between the several states? What was the effect abroad of this want of union? 416. Soon after the conclusion of peace, what complaints were made by England? How were these claims met by Congress? How, by the individual states? What other cause of difficulty was there? Who was appointed minister to the court of St. James? How was Adams received by the king? What did he try to obtain? With what success? What kept the productions

America kept them comparatively out of market, to the great injury of its merchants and farmers.

417. Various causes combined to render the condition of the Americans distressing in the extreme. They had hoped for an immediate immigration from Europe, and a proportionate increase in the value of their lands; but in this they were disappointed. All kinds of business were in a state of depression, and the energies as well as the resources of the country seemed exhausted. In the midst of these embarrassments, the people were loaded with heavy taxes for the support of government. Open threats of rebellion were the consequence; and in Massachusetts, 1,500 men took up arms. In December, 1786, while the Supreme Court was in session at Springfield, Daniel Shays, who had been a captain in the Revolution, took command of the insurgents, seized on the court-house, and compelled the judges to retire. Gov. Bowdoin [bo'-den] called out the militia, and intrusted their command to Gen. Lincoln. By a vigorous course the rebellion was suppressed. Fourteen of the ringleaders were taken and condemned to death, but afterwards pardoned. Quiet was thus restored, but all true friends of their country were filled with gloomy apprehensions. The need of a stronger government was now more than ever apparent.

418. Even before these dangerous movements, the defects of the "articles of confederation" had been generally felt. In January, 1786, the legislature of Virginia had proposed a convention of delegates from the several states to regulate the commercial relations of the country, In the following September, delegates from five states met at Annapolis; but, feeling that in so important a work every state should be represented, they adjourned after recommending Congress to call a general convention. Their suggestion was acted on, and representatives from every state except Rhode Island assembled at the state-house in Philadelphia, in May, of America out of the English market? 417. Describe the state of affairs in America. What provoked serious discontent in the people? How was this feeling manifested in Massachusetts? Give an account of Shay's rebellion. 418. What had been felt with respect to the articles of confederation? What recommendation was made by the legis. lature of Virginia? Give an account of the convention held in September, 1786. What