ng arms and ammunition, murdered the whites in possession of
it, and, after choosing a captain, directed their march south
westward, with drums beating and colours flying. On their march, they
massacred the whites, seized all the arms they could find, and forced
such blacks as did not voluntarily join them, to follow their party.
Intoxicated with ardent spirits, and with their short lived success,
they considered their work as already achieved, and halted in an open
field, where the time which might have been employed in promoting
their design, was devoted to dancing and exultation. Fortunately, the
people of the neighbourhood had assembled on the same day, to attend
divine service; and, as was then directed by law, all the men came
armed. They marched immediately against the blacks, whom they
completely surprised. Many were killed, and the residue dispersed or
taken. Thus the insurrection was suppressed on the day of its
commencement; and such of its leaders as survived the battle were
immediately executed.

During the long repose, which the pacific temper of the duke of
Orleans, Regent of France during the minority of Louis XV. and the
equally pacific temper of sir Robert Walpole, minister of England,
gave to their respective countries, the British colonies in America
had increased rapidly in population and in wealth. Lands were cheap,
and subsistence easily acquired. From New York to Virginia inclusive,
no enemy existed to restrain new settlements, and no fears of
inability to maintain a family, checked the natural propensity to
early marriages. The people were employed in cultivating the earth,
and in spreading themselves over the vast regions which were open to
them; and, during this period, their history furnishes none of those
remarkable events which interest posterity.

CHAPTER X.

War declared against Spain.... Expedition against St.
Augustine.... Georgia invaded.... Spaniards land on an
island in the Alatamaha.... Appearance of a fleet from
Charleston.... Spanish army re-embarks.... Hostilities with
France.... Expedition against Louisbourg.... Louisbourg
surrenders.... Great plans of the belligerent powers....
Misfortunes of the armament under the duke D'Anville.... The
French fleet dispersed by a storm.... Expedition against
Nova Scotia.... Treaty of Aix la Chapelle.... Paper money of
Massachusetts redeemed.... Contests between the French and
E