their arms, or cease the long and loud cry for
independence. It was certainly now too late to offer any concession,
and so the majority of the peers seems to have considered; for, on
a division, the bill was lost by a majority of ninety-nine against
twenty-eight.

{GEORGE III. 1777-1778}

PARLIAMENT PROROGUED.

During this session the other debates which took place related almost
exclusively to East Indian affairs. These will be noticed hereafter in
a continuous narrative. At the close of the session, the speaker, in
presenting the bills relating to the supplies, again stated to his
majesty the hope of the house that speedy means would be discovered
to terminate the war, which otherwise might be attended with ruinous
consequences to the prosperity, and perhaps dangerous to the safety, of
the country. His majesty himself seems to have entertained a hope that
the war would soon be ended; for on the 6th of June, when he prorogued
parliament, after thanking the commons for the zeal and public spirit
they had displayed in granting large and extraordinary supplies,--the
whole amounted to L12,895,543,--he said, that he trusted Divine
Providence would so bless the efforts of his forces that the war might
be ended in the present campaign; that the constitutional obedience to
the laws, which is due from all the subjects of a free state, would be
speedily re-established.

SUCCESSES OF WASHINGTON.

Long before parliament was prorogued events had transpired which, if
known, would have almost precluded the hope that the war in America
would soon be successfully terminated. Notwithstanding his reverses,
encouraged by congress, Washington exerted himself to raise a standing
army. He met with great difficulties; and as the militia could not be
stimulated to exertion, he had reason to fear that in a short time he
should be left without any forces. In this emergency, Washington
decided that something must be done to raise the drooping spirits of
his followers. Circumstances favoured his decision. After the detachment
which Lord Cornwallis had led through the Jerseys was put into
winter-quarters, many of the officers had obtained leave of absence, and
had repaired to New York, to enjoy themselves at head-quarters. The men
who were left behind, also seem to have indulged themselves in Christmas
festivities; being the more induced to lead a jovial life from their
recent victories, and from the supposition that Washington's