New-York tribune., 1841-12-20
HIEaoN

Mr. SPARKs's CLOSING LECTUEE.-Nr. SPARKS
closed his Course Of Lectures before the Histori-
cal Society at the Tabernacle on Saturday evening
The course has been most interesting and instruc-
live The Lecturer was not who cleaned Just
knowledge enough OF his subject to serve the occa-
sion, and whose ambition TO display timely
turned sentences or rhetorical Aourshes; he has
given to the topic the best portion of his life the
archives no, only Of own but OF foreign nations
have been dill gently searched and no study or labor
has bees spared which promised to throw light
upon the varied and most thrilling scenes OF the
hmsricaa Revolution.
The subject Of his closing lecture was the com
bined operations of The French and American ar
mics after the treaty Of alliance was concluded
Aboul Two months after that event. in April, 1913,
The French Government sent GU, feet under
Cuu.t b Esiaing consisting of twelve ships OF the
line and four frisates this fleet had been prepared
with great secrecy in the hope that it might reach
the Delaware river, blockade the British army in
Philadelphia and capture the British fleet before
aid could be sent from England A long voyage
of more than eighty days frustrated this we'll laid
scheme the French feet did not arrive until TWEEN
" DAYS after the British had evacuated Philade-
phia and eleven DAYS after Lord Howe feet had
sailed for New-Yo-k. The Count then sailed
for New-York, intending attack the British
Feet in the harbor while Washington, who
was in the Hudson, should make a descent upon
1he city. This plan was defeated by the bar at
Sandy HOOK which prevented D'Estang from APP
preaching the city.
He then sailed for Newport, Il. l., which was
occupied by the British, and which he proposed 10
take in conjunction with American force of
10000 men under Gen Sullivan. Here, too, his
i'll fortune attended him; for If he had remained
ten days longer at Sandy Hook he would easily
have captured the whsle squadron sent from Eng
land to reinforce Lord Howe. Contrary TO mutual
arrangement, Sullivan took possession of the
ground occupied by the British on the day before
The concerted attack was TO be made. Thirty-six
British vessels, sent by Lord Howe, no made
their appearance OF Point Judith, and Count d.
Estaing, TO proven, being blockaded, ran out to
British fleet STORE. however, dispersed the Two
fleets before they came to engagement, and d Es-
taing, after returning 10 Newport and consulting
Greene aud La.uyette, set san for Boston with his
injured vessels The Americans in attempt up
on Newport were forced TO retreat, and the whole
enterprise entirely failed This excited great in
disuatiou, which for while WAS directed against
the French; but great pains were taken to dispel
This sentiment, and the failure was generally
acknowledged to be the result of unforeseen cir
cumStances.
D'Estang, after about two months, sailed for the
West Indies, where he remained, prosecuting the
war against the British until 70, when he Joined
Gen Lincoln With $500 men. Lincoln having
1000. in all attack upon Savannah. A surrender
was negotiated but the British obtaining delay
OF twenty.four hours, were reinforced during the
night, and the Americans after an Intellectual siege
of five days, obliged retreat. In this action
Count Pulaski received his death-wound.
AT the close OF the year l77s, Congress Termed
II plan for conquerng Canada, with the mid of the
French To this Washington was strongly opposed,
probably no; more from conviction of its imprac
1icability, than frsm a iar-seeing sagacty, which
Told him that, even if Canada should be taken, the
French would probably claim it US their own. The
French government also refused their cooperation
ON the ground that BY the treaty they bound them
selves only to the independence of the thir
Teen States and not 10 aid them in making con-
quests. At the earnest interccssions OF Lafayette
Il French army Of 5000 mcH was sent over under
Count kochnmbeau. Upon their arrival, the mill
liza OF Rhode Island were called out 10 contend
with the British forces sent TO attack them from
Newly DIRK The withdrawal of the British 10 Long
Island, however, rendered this force unnecessary,
and they were disbanded
The French Army and Fleet remained at Newpor,
during the winter. Two vessels were sent to at
lack Arnold, who Ind gone South with 900 Brit
isk troops TO Commit depredations on the Chesa-
peake Bay. But Arnold had drawn his ships ~
far up tbs river as be safe from pursuit, and the
French retured 10 Newport. making important
captures in their way. More troops were sent to
reinforce Arnold and Lafayette received orders to
take the command in Virgins. The Americans
learned that the Frensh troops under Count de
Grssse would soon return, in obedience to Rocham-
beas's desire, to the Chesapeake, and ii was then
resolved that Roc6anbeas should ioin them with
nearly all his force and attack CORVALLIS who
pursued by Lafayette, had shu, himself up in
Yorktown with 5000 men. The American force.
then commenced the siege OF Yorktown with
n,osO nea' it last twenty days. when CORVALLIS
surrendered his whole force, and Washington r,-
turned to winter quarters on the Hudson. The