The congress, however, not satisfied with the exer tions of the provinces in behalf of their rights, had re course to the aid of foreign powers. In the beginning of the year 1778, they entered into an alliance with the French ; who, as the rivals of the British, and smarting with the loss of their possessions in Canada, eagerly embraced the proposals of the American States. On the 6th of February, the articles of agreement be tween the two nations were ibrinally signed. It was declared in these articles, 1. That the principal end of the treaty was, to support, in an effectual manlier, the independency of the United Colonies ; '2. That if Great Britain should, in consequence of the treaty, proceed to hostilities against France, the two nations would assist each other as circumstances might require ; 3. That if those places in North America, still subject to the Bri tish crown, should be conquered by the United States, they should either be confederated with them, or sub jected to their jurisdiction; 4. That if any of the islands in the West Indies should be taken by the French, they should be considered as the property of that nation ; 5. That no formal treaty with Great Britain should be con cluded by the French or Americans, acting separately ; and that both parties would continue in arms till the independence of the United States should be acknow ledged ; 6. That such powers of Europe or America, as had received injuries from Great Britain, should be invited to engage in the common cause ; T. That the United States guaranteed to France all the possessions in the West Indies which she might be able to conquer; and that France, in her turn, guaranteed the uncondi tional independence of the United States, and their su preme authority over every country which they possess ed, or which they might acquire during the continuance of the war.
When this treaty was notified to the court of London, it produced an immediate declaration of war against the French. The English parliament, in their address to the king, expressed their resolution of adhering to him in all his endeavours to subdue the revolted colonies, and promised to assist him with the whole strength of the empire. The address, however, was not voted with out a considerable difference of opinion. The mem bers in opposition loudly affirmed, that the war was equally tyrannical and unjust ; that the ministry, by their ignorance and ill success, had forfeited the confidence of the British nation ; that the Americans were strug gling for independence, and would at last attain it ; and that every attempt to compel them to obedience would assuredly be fruitless. Of the injustice of the war, from its commencement to the present time, the minis try themselves, by their wavering and indecisive mea sures, appear to have been conscious. They now in troduced into parliament, a bill for reconciling the dif ferences between the Americans and Great Britain ; and should the terms which they offered be rejected by the United States, they declared their fixed and unal terable purpose of reducing them to compliance by force of arms. Commissioners were therefore despatched to the congress, in order to communicate to them the pro posals of the English administration ; but as they ar rived immediately after the surrender of Burgoyne, and the conclusion of the treaty with France, they were received with the utmost indifference, and, in many places, with the utmost contempt. The general an swer was, that the day of reconciliation was past ; and that Great Britain, by her tyranny and haughtiness, had extinguished all filial regard in the breasts of the Ame rican people. The congress resolved without
that, as a political body, they would nut receive the com missioners till their independence was acknowledged; that whoever mule a separate agreement with Britain, was an enemy to his country ; and that it was the duty of all the States to exert themselves to the utmost in re cruiting the army, or in adding to the number of its bat talions.
In the mean time, the season for action was approach ing. While the congress were yet deliberating on the answer which they should give to the proposals from England, sir Henry Clinton, now raised to the chief command, evacuated Philadelphia. On his march from that place, he was followed and harassed by the provin cial troops, Nvliorn Washington had directed to obstruct his progress; but Lee, the American general, having failed in an attempt to seize the baggage of the royalists, they effected their retreat, were conveyed on board the ships, and joined their countrymen at New York. For his misconduct on this occasion, as well as his insolence towards the commander in chief, Lee was afterwards tried by a court martial, and sentenced to a temporary suspension from his office, as a general in the army ; a punishment, which, though slight, operated with a pow erful effect throughout the colonial forces.
While the British ships were employed in transport ing the troops from Sandy Hook to New York, intelli gence was received that a strong fleet, under the or ders of count D'Estaign, had arrived from France. It consisted of 12 ships of the line, besides frigates, and had 6000 marines, or soldiers, on board. To oppose this force, the British had only six ships of the line, three of 50 guns, and a few vessels of smaller size; yet they posted themselves so advantageously before the entrance into New York, that the French admiral thought it would be hazardous to attack them, and pru dently declined an engagement. The arrival of foreign succours was the occasion of much joy to the inhabi tants of the United States. The congress immediately wrote to Washington, instructing him to co-operate with D'Estaign, and authorizing him to employ the militia from New Hampshire to New Jersey, as well as the militia of these provinces, for whatever undertakings he might judge to be necessary. But the success of the allied powers was not equal to the magnitude of their preparations. An expedition was agreed on, and Sullivan, the American general, landed on Rhode Island with 10,000 men, resolved to lay siege to Newport, the capital of that state. But Pigot, to whom sir Henry Clinton had entrusted the defence of the place, had for tified himself so strongly, that the Americans found it impossible to succeed without the aid of the fleet. D'Estaign, however, shattered by a storm, and dreading the approach of the English admiral, withdrew from the harbour, and sailed for Boston in order to refit. In con sequence of his departure, Sullivan was obliged to re tire, and the garrison of Newport rushing forth, and pressing hard upon him, the provincial troops were thrown into confusion, and, with no little difficulty, ac complished their retreat. The conduct of D'Estaign at Rhode Island gave the highest offence to the people of New England, who did not hesitate to express their doubts of the admiral's courage ; it produced a quarrel between him and Sullivan, which WAsnixoToN long attempted to heal; and the resentment occasioned by these differences, in the minds of the French, contribu ted greatly to diminish their exertions in behalf of the colonies.