Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-04-19

scouting party, and began the attack
with great boldness; the action soon be-
came general and was continued for
three hours with uncommon valor,
and darkness only put an end to the
contest of the hostile battalions. The
loss of the British was more than five
hundred men, killed and wounded
that of the Americans, sixty four kill
ed, two hundred and seventeen woun-
ded, thirty eight missing. Another
battle took place on the 9TH October,
in which both parties fought desper-
atcly, and the Americans, in one part
Of the scene, led by Arnold, were
forced to retire, he having been woun-
ded; but in another quarter, where the
Germans were posted, the Americans.
led on by Col Brooks, carried the en-
trenchment sword in hand: Such also
was the obstinacy Of this battle, that
each held out until the approach and
darkness of night prevented further
destruction, but it did not prevent fur
ther movements Of the AmcrIcans.-
Gen. Lincoln who had, during the ac-
ton, commanded within the works,
marched with his division, bet ween
twelve and one O'Clock at night, to re-
lieve the troops.
The British army had been worn
down by continual skirmishcs since the
battle of the 9TH. and on the l4th a
council of war was called and the
whole board agreed to receive field
officer from Burgoync sat the advanc-
cd posts of the army of the U. S. at
ten O'Clock tomorrow morning, from
which he will be conducted to the head
quarters" 1t was not difficult to
agree upon the articles of capitulation,
save one, which was that the British
army should ground their arms in their
encampments. Burgoync viewed this
as more dcrogatory than the surrender
of the whole army, and replied, soon
er than do that they will rush on their
enemies, and take no quarter" Gates,
from motives Of humanity, agreed that
Burgoyne's army should march out OF
their camp with the honors of war,and
their arms be laid down by command
of their own officers. This was con-
sidered a very humane measure, for
as certain, had it not been granted,
not man of Burgoyne's army would
have wished to live, and the destruction
of both armies must necessarily have
followed.
The capitulation Of British army
was an event unknown in America
until Oct. II, l777-and to whom did
it capItulate? TO those who had been
styled in the British Parliament traitors
and rebels: and who commanded the
vanquishcd British army? the General
who had in the Parliament of England
declared, that give him ten thousand
troops. in one year he would march
through the rebel continent. The
number of troops who laid down their
arms, by Gen. Burgoyne's own account,
was five thousand seven hundred and
nincty-onc; the sick and wounded left
in the hospitals were five hundred and
twenty eight. The loss in battles af-
ter the 9Th July, was two thousand
nine hundred and thirty-three-these
amount to nine thousand two hundred
and fhy-two. Burgoyne's army, when
it left Canada, was computed ten thou.
sand strong, with a powerful train o.
cannon.
Lord Suffolk, Secretary of State, ir
the British Parliament, highly com
mended the policy of engaging the In
dians to destroy the rebels; observing
"it was perfectly justifiable to use al
the means which God and nature hao
put into our hands,"
On hearing such an expression, the
venerable Lord Chatham rose ant
spoke &c am as:onished, shocked tc
hear such principles confessed,t to hea
them avowed in this house, or CIV
ell in this country. | did not intent
T, again to encroach on your attention
! but | cannot repress my Indignation
We are called upon as members o
this House, as men, as christians, t
:, protest against such horrible barbari t.
i "that God and nature had put int
: our hands," What idea Of God an
. nature that noble lord may entertain
: know not; but know that such dc
!, testablc principles are equally abhor
{ rent TO religion and humanity. Wha
' to attribute the sacred sanction Of Go
{ and nature to the massacres of the In
= = dian scalping knife! = to the Gambia