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HistRevolV2_401-450.indd 13 3/16/12 11:58 AM CHAPTER X V I I I Revolt of the Pennsylvania Line-Discontents in other Parts of the Army • Paper Medium sunk • Some active Movements of Don Bernard de Galvez in America • War between Great Britain and Spain opened in Europe by the Siege of Gibraltar • Short View of Diplomatic Transactions between America and several European Powers • Empress of Russia refuses to treat with the American States [280] We have already seen the double disappointment experienced CHAP. xvm by the United States, occasioned by the capture of one army in South 1 7 s o Carolina under general Lincoln, and the defeat ofanother commanded by general Gates in North Carolina, who was sent forward with the highest expectations of retrieving affairs in that quarter. ... We have seen the complicated embarrassments of the United States, relative to raising, paying, and supporting a permanent army.... We have seen the pernicious effects of a depreciating currency, and the beginning of a spirit of peculation and regard to private interest, that was not expected from the former habits and professions of Americans .... We have seen the disappointments and delay relative to foreign negociations.... We have seen both the patient sufferings of the American army under the greatest necessity, and the rising resdessness [281] that soon pervaded nearly the whole body of the soldiery; and we have also seen the desertion of a general officer, in whom confidence had been placed as a man ofcourage: we left Arnold stigmatized as a traitor, and in all the pride and insolence of a British general, newly vested with command in reward of villany, beginning under the British standard, his career of ravage and depredation in Virginia. In addition to the alarming circumstances already recapitulated, at the close of the preceding year, the most dangerous symptoms were exhibited in the conduct of a part of the army, which broke out in 413 HistRevolV2_401-450.indd 14 3/16/12 11:58 AM 414 W A R R F N 'S H I S T 0 R Y 0 F T H E R E V 0 L U T I 0 N CHAP. xvm revolt; and the secession of the whole Pennsylvania line spread a 1 1 s 1 temporary dismay. On the first of January, one thousand seven hundred and eightyone , upwards of a thousand men belonging to that line, marched in a body from the camp; others, equally disaffected, soon followed them. They took an advantageous ground, chose for their leader a serjeant major, a British deserter, and saluted him as their major general. On the third day of their revolt, a message was sent from the officers of the American camp: this they refused to receive; but to a flag which followed, requesting to know their complaints and intentions; they [282] replied, that "they had served three years; that they had engaged to serve no longer; nor would they return, or disperse, until their grievances were redressed, and their arrearages paid." General Wayne, who commanded the line, had been greatly beloved and respected by the soldiery, nor did he at first himself doubt, but that his influence would soon bring them back to their duty. He did every thing in the power of a spirited and judicious officer, to dissipate their murmurs, and to quiet their clamors, in the beginning of the insurrection: but many of them pointed their bayonets at his breast; told him to be on his guard; that they were determined to march to congress to obtain a redress of grievances; and that, though they respected him as an officer, and loved his person, yet, if he attempted to fire on them, "he was a dead man." Sir Henry Clinton soon gained intelligence of the confusion and danger into which the Americans were plunged. He improved the advantageous moment, and made the revolters every tempting offer, to increase and fix their defection. He sent several persons to offer, in his name, a pardon for all past offences, an immediate payment of their full demands on congress, and protection from the British government. He desired them to send proper persons [283] to Amboy, to treat farther, and engaged that a body of British troops was ready for their escort.* How far the conduct of sir Henry Clinton is to be justified by the laws of war, we leave to the decision of military characters; but to the impartial spectator, though so often practised by...

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