pleasure and adds strength to the bond which unites us in friendship. In this light I view the intimation respecting the conduct of Mr. Lund Washington." He had previously been informed of it, however, and written the letter to which we have referred.

Lafayette had been reluctant to go south, under a hope that his favorite expedition, an attack upon the enemy at New York, would be undertaken in the spring. In letters of the 13th and 14th of April, Gen. Washington informed him that there was little prospect of such an undertaking. "If (he said) the most distant prospect of such an operation as you speak of had been in my mind, I should have looked upon your detachment as essential to the undertaking; but I can assure you, without entering into a detail of reasons, which I cannot commit to paper, that I have not at present an idea of being able to effect such a matter." In subsequent letters, (April 21st and 22d) he expressed the desire he had of having Lafayette near him. "There would occur frequent occasions (he said) in co-operative measures, in which it would be of the greatest utility I should have the power to consult you.' But, as he could not recall the detachment, he left it to the option of Lafayette, to proceed with his corps, or return personally to Head Quarters. Lafayette, however, was too deeply and too beneficially engaged in the object of his expedition, before receiving these letters, to retrace his steps; and was gratified with receiving, during his progress, the strong assurances of the approbation of the Commander-in-chief. In a letter dated May 5, Gen. Washington congratulated Lafayette upon his success in allaying the spirit of discontent among his troops, and added: "The measures you had taken to obtain, on your own credit, a supply of clothing and necessaries for the detachment, must entitle you to all their gratitude and affection; and will, at the same time that it endears your name, if possible, still more to this country, be an everlasting monument of your ardent zeal and attachment to its cause, and the establishment of its independence. For my own part, my dear marquis, although I stood in need of no new proofs of your exertions and sacrifices in the cause of America, I will confess to you, that I shall not be able to express the pleasing sensations I have experienced at the unparalleled and repeated instances of your generosity and

zeal for the service on every occasion. Suffer me only to pursue you with my sincerest wishes, that your success and glory may always be equal to your merits."

Phillips and Arnold were ascending James River, committing depredations by the way, and approaching Richmond, where there was a quantity of tobacco and public stores. Suspecting their object, Layfayette hastened his march, and reached Richmond before them. His force consisted of nine hundred men, rank and file, while that of the enemy was about twenty-five hundred. He was joined at Richmond by a corps of militia, under Gen. Nelson, and by Baron Steuben, with a small corps of regular troops. When Gen. Phillips arrived on the morning of the 30th, and had given orders for an attack, he was astonished to discover, on reconnoitring, the corps of Lafayette and their position; he flew into a violent passion, and swore vengeance against them. The enemy burnt the warehouses at Manchester, on the opposite side of the river; landed about six hundred men on the Richmond side, but being charged by a party of dragoons under Gen. Nelson, made a precipitate retreat. After these demonstrations, the enemy returned down the river, having been defeated in their object upon Richmond, by the rapid march of Lafayette from Baltimore. Lafayette continued to watch the mo tions of the enemy, and to counteract their designs, with great skill and prudence, as far as the inferiority of his force would permit. He had been directed by Gen. Greene, who then commanded the southern department, to take command of the troops in Virginia; to conduct the campaign, and to transmit the accounts of his operations directly to Congress and to Gen. Washington. He therefore wrote to Gen. Washington from Welton, north side of James River, May 18, giving a statement of events up to that date:

"When General Phillips retreated from Richmond, his project was to stop at Williamsburg, there to collect contributions which he had imposed; this induced me to take a position between Pamunkey, and Chikahomony rivers, which equally covered Richmond, and some other interesting parts of the state, and from where I detached Gen. Nelson with some militia towards Williamsburg.

"Having got as low down as that place, General Phillips seemed to discover an intention to make a landing, but upon advices received by a vessel from Portsmouth, the enemy weighed anchor, and with

all the sail they could crowd, hastened up the river. This intelligence made me apprehensive that the enemy intended to manœuvre me out of Richmond, where I returned immediately and again collected our small force. Intelligence was the same day received that Lord Cornwallis (who I had been assured to have embarked at Wilmington) was marching through North Carolina, (this was confirmed by the landing of General Phillips at Brandon, south side of James River.) Apprehending that both armies would move to meet at a central point, I marched towards Petersburg and intended to have established a communication over Appamatox and James rivers; but on the 9th, General Phillips took possession of Petersburg, a place where his right flank being covered by James River, his front by Appamatox, on which the bridges had been destroyed in the first part of the invasion, and his left not being attackable but by a long circuit through fords, that at this season are very uncertain, I could not (even with an equal force) have got any chance of fighting him, unless I had given up this side of James River, and the country from which re-enforcements are expected. It being at the enemy's choice to force us to an action, while their own position insured them against our en terprises, I thought it proper to shift this situation, and marched the greater part of our troops to this place, about ten miles below Richmond. Letters from General Nash, General Sumner, and General Jones are positive as to the arrival of Colonel Tarleton, and announce that of Lord Cornwallis at Halifax. Having received a request from North Carolina for ammunition, I made a detachment of 500 men under General Muhlenburg to escort 20,000 cartridges over Appamatox, and to divert the enemy's attention, Colonel Gimat, with his battalion, and four field pieces, commanded their position from this side of the river. I hope our ammunition will arrive safe, as before General Muhlenburg returned he put it in a safe road, with proper directions. On the 13th, General Phillips died, and the command devolved on General Arnold. General Wayne's detachment has not yet been heard of. Before he arrives, it becomes very dangerous to risk an engagement where (as the British armies being vastly superior to us) we shall certainly be beaten, and by the loss of arms, the dispersion of militia, and the difficulty of a junction with General Wayne, we may lose a less dangerous chance of resistance."

In consequence of the death of General Phillips, the command of the British forces devolved upon the traitor Arnold. A flag was sent, with a letter from Arnold, in continuation of a correspondence relative to an exchange of prisoners commenced previously to the death of Phillips. Lafayette positively refused having any correspondence with Arnold, at the same time assuring the officer who brought the letter, that "in case any other English officer should honor him with a letter, he would always be happy to give the officers every testimony of esteem." In reference to this highly honorable circumstance, Gen. Washington wrote to La.

fayette, (May 31): "Your conduct upon every occasion meets my approbation, but in none more than in your refusing to hold a correspondence with Arnold." In the same letter, he says: "Your determination to avoid an engagement, with your present force, is certainly judicious. I hope the Pennsylvanians have begun their march before this time, but I have no information of it." Alluding to a detachment from the Pennsylvania line, under Gen. Wayne, which had been ordered to join Lafayette, but had been delayed from the great difficulty in procuring supplies.

CHAPTER XVIII.

Cornwallis arrives in Virginia-His force-That of Lafayette-Lafay ette at Richmond-Secures the valuable property-Letter to Gen. Washington-Cornwallis advances upon Richmond-Lafayette compelled to retreat-His rapid and skilful movements-Letters to Greene and Washington-Baffles Tarleton-Junction with Wayne's detachment-Outgenerals Cornwallis-Gains a strong position be. tween the enemy and the magazines at Albemarle-Cornwallis retreats-Lafayette becomes the assailant-His account of an action -Cornwallis continues his retreat-Action at Jamestown-The enemy retreat to Portsmouth-Indications of their intention to embark-Lafayette is anxious to join the northern army-Correspondence on the subject with Gen. Washington-Hints of important operations-A French squadron expected-Junction of the French and American armies-Washington announces important matters to Lafayette--Enjoins him to a vigilant watch of the ene. my-Mode of compliance-The enemy embark-Pass up the BayCommence fortifications-Lafayette becomes satisfied to remain in Virginia-Informed of the destination of the French squadronCorrespondence with Washington-Enjoined to prevent the enemy's retreat Continued vigilance-System of Espionage-Morgan, the pretended deserter.

PURSUANT to the plan of Sir Henry Clinton, Lord Cornwallis advanced with his whole forces from North Carolina, and formed a junction with Arnold at Petersburg, on the 20th of May. The active corps of Cornwallis was more than four thousand men, of which five hundred were mounted upon fleet horses, stolen from the Virginians and supplied to the enemy by runaway negroes. This was the famous flying troop of Tarleton, which became the scourge

and terror of Virginia. sented by him to have been at the time, nine hundred continentals and forty horse, and a small body (about 1500) of militia, brave, but ill-amred. Among these, however, was a corps of light horse, composed of some of the most respectable young men of Virginia and Maryland, who had joined Lafayette-as volunteers, and from their intelligence, valor, and the superiority of their horses, they were of essential service to him. Lafayette's first movement was to Richmond, where precaution was taken to remove every species of valuable property, public or private.

That under Lafayette is repre

In writing to General Washington from Richmond, May 24, Lafayette expressed an ardent wish that his conduct might meet Washington's approbation. Had he followed. the first impulse of his own temper, he should have risked something more. Had the Pennsylvania detachment arrived before Cornwallis, he had determined to attack the enemy; but their unaccountable delay was to him a source of great disappointment, and compelled him, contrary to his nature, to act upon the defensive. "Were I any ways equal to the enemy (he said,) I should be extremely happy; but I am not strong enough even to get beaten. Government in this state has no energy, and laws have no force. But I hope this assembly will put matters on a better footing. I had a great deal of trouble to put matters in a tolerable train; our expenses were enormous, and yet we can get nothing. Arrangements for the present seem to put on a better face, but for this superiority of the enemy, which will chase us wherever they please. They can overrun the country, and, until the Peunsylvanians arrive, we are next to nothing in point of opposition to so large a force. This country begins to be as familiar to me as Tappan and Bergen. Our soldiers are hitherto very healthy: 1 have turned: doctor, and regulate their diet."

Lord Cornwallis soon advanced upon Richmond, and Lafayette was compelled to retreat. It was the determined object of Cornwallis to capture Lafayette, and thus to complete the conquest of Virginia. In the mean time he endeavored to possess himself of the public stores, and to destroy every means and position of defence. To preserve his corps, to form a junction with the expected reinforcements under Wayne, and to prevent the depredations of