Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-09-14

In the mean while, the new batteries of the
oeselgers bad been opened, and acted with great
force and effect. The British ,dciences were
rapidly sinking under their FIRE and a few
hours more evidently would render the place
untcnable Sickness and fatigue had consider
aoiy weakened the garrison no hope of timely
succour remained; and an assault, the success
vi which was not doubtful in the present posture
OF things, must be hourly expected, unless anti
cipated by prompt surrender. Lord Corn
wallis, accordingly beat parley, about ten in
the iorenoon,f and proposed cessation of hos.
tiiities for "a hours. Commissioners appointed
oy each side were TO meet at Moore's house, in
lie rear ofthe first parallel, and settle terms for
Tue surrender of the posts of York and Glouces-
ter. TO tins proposal the Commander in Chief
Immediately answered that tsan ardent desire
10 save the effuson of human blood, would readi-
~ incline hn 10 listen to such terms for the
proposed surrender, as were admissible Gene
| raj reflections on the contingencies OF war, and
inc obvious policy of prOmptitude and decision
| IN The present crisis, induced Washington 10
grant only :" a suspension Of hostiities for two
hours, previous to the meeting of the commits
sioners, during which the proposals of his Lord
ship might be transmitted in writng.n In his
reply, CORVALLIS proposed a basis which did not
appear calculated to create much difficulty, or
delay and the suspension of hostilities was pro-
! ionged for the night. Washngton, the next
morning, proposed such terms as ne was willinr
to grant--Commissioner were immediately APP
pointed 10 throw them into the usual form
These were, on the part of the allies, the VS.
count De NoalIes and Lieutenant Colonel
IIaurens;t and on the side of the British Colonel
Dundas and Major Ross. The Commissioners
met but could not agree defnitively on the terms
of the capitulation. "A rough dra,ght only was
therefore prepared, TO be submitted to the res
Pectve Generals. Impatient of delay which
might prove fatal, Washington caused this
draught to be fairly Transcribed, and. early in
the morning of the 10th, sent it 10 Lord Corn
wallis, with letter expressing his expectation
that the articles, such as they stood, should be
signed by eleven, and that the troops to be sur
rendered would lay down their arms at two
IN the afternoon. Sensible that further conten
| ton would be fruitless, Lord Cornwalis imn,cdi
ateiy signified his ultimate assent.
| The whole surrender was made to the COM
bined forces of America and France. The land
troops, the artillery, arms, aCcontrernents mill
tary chest, and public stores of every denomina
ton, were surrendered to General W ashington;
the ships, seamcn, and marines 10 Admiral Dc
Grasse. The soldiers, accompanied by n duc
proportion of their officers, were TO remain in
Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania The
general staff and other officers not appointed to
| remain with the troops, were permitted TO 90 on
parole to Europe, to New York or any other
British maritime port. Strenuous were the Of
| forts ofLord CORVALLIS to obtain that the B,i
l.
ton OF not serving either against Franco or
America, until unchanged. This was pcrcrnp-
| torily refused. Another point for which The
British General warmly contendcd, but i'm con-
tending for which ne was unsuccessfuI was
the security of such Americans as had Joined
the British Standard. With this subject, pro-
| perry belonging to the civil authority the Gem
,nander in Chief forbore to interfere. stinu.
laton was, however, made, which enabled ord
Cornwaliis to extricate those loyalists who were
most obnoxious TO their countryincn, and would
| have been exposed TO imminent danger. 1t was
agreed that the Bonnetta sloop of war, which
was to carry dispatches TO New York, should be
allowed to pass uneXamircd, and asylum " as
thus Providedfor those culpable, but unfortunate
persons.
! BESIDE numerous captive army, large
train of artillery, mostly of brass, together with
an immense quantity OF arms. ammunition. war
like stores, and provisions, fell into the hands Of
the conqucrers. To the French, one frigate
two ships OF war OF twenty guns, several trans
ports and other vessels, we're surrendered. OH
GERS were allowed to retain their side arms
Both officers and soldiers remained in pos
session OF their baggage and effects; but all
property taken IN the country, and found in the
hands of the garrison, was liable TO be reclaimed
With a retrospective eye to the capitulation
OF Charleston the Commander in Chief dernan
ded that the garrison should advance from the
town with colours unceased, and drums beating
Gather British German march: and Gene
raj Lincoln was selected to preside over the cere-
mony oil the British troops, grounding their arms
This was performed at two o'clock, on the 10Th.
CORVALLIS, though he had forfeited no part of
his character as an able and brave commander
felt too deeply humbled and mortified, to appear
| before his coDqucrors. He secretcd himself
| from their view and the captive army came
out of York, led by General O'Hara On one
side of the road, was General Washington. sur
| rounded by his staff; on the other, Count De
Rochambeau, with similar retnue. O,IIara
mistook the Count for the american Commander
IN Chief; but soon perceivine his error, repecs-
pectfully turned to Washington, apologized for
| his mistake and for The absence of Cornw as &
| requested bis further orders. With soldier like
courtesy, the American Chefrelieyed his embar
rassmcnt and referred him TO General lincoln. 70
whom the rest of the ceremony had been as
| signed.
| The post on the Gloucester side was surren
dered nearly at the same time. Lieutenant
| Colonel Taileton had lately assumed the com
mand of that post, Dundas having been found
necessary ON the South side of the river. Wbe-
ther an accusing consciousness of the sanguina-
~ enormiiies of his corps, enorrnites in which
he had himself but too conspicuously participa-
! ted, secretly agitatcd Tarlcton's mind; whether
| his alarms had been excited by information
which the general temper of the country did not
authorize; the commander of the British Legi-
on, before the surrender, waited on General
De Choisy, and impaired to linn the apprehen.
sons which he had been ta1tpbt TO entertain far