while they would only consider
themselves in the character given them by congress. The admiral then
said that he and his brother, as commissioners, had delegated power to
grant pardons for the past, and that every favour might be expected from
the British crown if the colonists would return to their allegiance. He
also remarked that the king, ministry, and parliament were disposed
to make government easy to them, and that the obnoxious acts would be
revised in order to put an end to their grievances. These offers and
assurances, however, were despised. The committee replied that if he had
nothing else to propose he had come too late: the petitions of congress
had been despised, independence was now proclaimed, and the new
government formed. Lord Howe then simply expressed his regret at the
evils which must be let loose upon the land, and the trio returned to
Philadelphia.

CAPTURE OF NEW YORK, ETC.

After the victory on Long Island, and while the conference was going
forward on Staten Island, General Howe was engaged in slowly enclosing
Washington on all sides. Apprehensive of the consequences, therefore,
the American general resolved to evacuate the city of New York, and
retire on Kingsbridge, where some strong works had been erected. The
British army had already effected a landing on New York Island without
any loss or difficulty, and Washington retired so precipitately that he
had not sufficient time to carry off all his artillery and stores. By
his retreat General Howe not only took possession of New York, but also
the best part of the island. He had scarcely, however, taken possession
of New York when a dreadful fire broke out in several quarters of the
town. Washington had previously proposed to congress that the city should
be burned, rather than left in the hands of the English, which proposal
had been negatived, but notwithstanding incendiaries were employed to
execute the design. On the night of the 20th, therefore, when most of
the citizens and troops were buried in sleep, these desperadoes began
their work, and, despite the exertions of the soldiers and the
citizens, nearly a third part of the city was consumed to ashes. A few
incendiaries fell a sacrifice to the rage of the soldiers, and many
individuals were arrested on suspicion, but no clue was found to
unravel the mystery, though no doubt can exist that the fearful deed was
committed by order of the American general. The act has been applauded
a