A complete history of the Marquis de Lafayette, major-general in the American army in the war of the revolution. Embracing an account of his tour through the United States, to the time of his departure, September, 1825. By an officer in the late army.

1.6 IHISTORY OF THE
goodness of their cause, their early and habitual use of firearms, had been carefully inculcated and nourished by all
their preceding experience. But when, by a course of evolitions, in which they imagined they perceived a great superiority of military skill, they found themselves encircled
with unexpected dangers, fiom which no exertion could extricate them, their confidence in themselves and their leaders
was greatly diminished, and the approach of the enemy insp-ired them with the apprehension that some stratagem was
concealed, from which immediate flight could alone preserve them." The subsequent negotiations, however fruitless, with Lord Howe, had also an evil effect in France, by
demonstrating the desire of reconciliation still existing in
the colonies.
The evacuation and capture of New-York greatly dispirited the American troops, and almost drove them to despair. The militia were impatient to return home, and
almost totally disobedient to orders, deserting by half and
even whole regiments. The battle of White-plains-the
surrender of Fort Washington-the evacuation of Fort Lee
-the gradual dissolution of the American army-the ineffectual attempts to raise the militia-the indisposition of
the inhabitants to further resistance-the retreat of General Washington through New-Jersey at the head of less
than three thousand men, one thousand of whom were militia, badly armed and clad, and almost without tents, blankets,
or utensils for dressing their provisions; dispirited by losses
and fatigue-retreating almost naked and barefooted, in the
cold of November and December, before a numerous, well
appointed, and victorious army, through a desponding
country-the immense numbers that daily flocked to the
British standard, for the purpose of making their peace and
obtaining protection-the universal idea that the contest
was approaching its termination, greatly supported by the
contrast between the splendid appearance of the pursuing
u Marsh's Life of VWashington, vol. ii. ch. 7, p. 453.