Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-04-03
Between Great Britain and the United
States of America, That Gave Us Our
independence in 1888.

SHIleu OtateS, against England.
The surrender of Burgoyne at Sara
toga, October II, 1777, and the al
lance between France and the United
States, l77S. prompted Lord North to
make an immediate but Intellectual
proposal of reconciliation between
Great Britain and the United States;
covering Colonial representation in
parliament, and everything short of in
dependence. To carry this into effect
Earl Carlisle, Governor tombstone,
William Eden, and General Howe, then
IN New York, were appointed by
George III. as British commissioners
to make these offers to the Congress
of the United States; they arrived in
Philadelphia in June, 177S.
June 8, 177S, General Clinton in
formed General Washington of their
arrival, and asked for a passport for
DR.. Ferguson, their private secretary,
to convey a copy Of their powers and
instructions to Congress; this was re-
fused by General Washington They
were therefore compelled to forward
them by ordinary express to Congress.
On June 13, 1878, their letter was
read by Congress as far as the words:
"Insidious interposition of power
which has from the first settlement
of the colonies been actuated with en-
nifty to us both and notwithstanding
the pretended date or present form OF
the French Offer" whereupon the read
ing was interrupted and a motion made
not to proceed further because OF the
offensive language against his most
Christian majesty, Louis XVI. or
France, their ally.
On June II, an answer was returned
TO the British commissioners declin-
ing to receive them in any capacity
and declared '"That these United States
cannot with propriety hold any confer
ence or treaty with any commissioners
on the part of Great Britain, unless
they shall as preliminary thereto,
either withdraw their fleets and armies,
or else in positive and express terms
acknowledge the independence OF the
said States"
On October 8, 1873, the British COM
missioners published their final mani
restos and proclamations, made their
last threats, and finally attempted TO
buy Mr. J. Reed, a member of Congress
from Pennsylvania. Through Mrs. Dr..
Ferguson) by offering to him if he
would carry out their programme in
Congress, ten thousand pounds and
the highest office in the new govern
ment. Mr. Reed replied: Il am not
worth purchasing, but such as | am,
the King of Great Britain is not rich
enough to do it," On the 10th of Octo-
Der Congress issued cautionary decla-
rations in answer. No overtures We're
made to the British commissioners
from any quarter
The four years following the sur
render of Burgoyne in 1717 We're very
gloomy and most dispiriting ones for
the Americans. From a military point
of view, the American army was at the
lowest ebb of their fortunes: their
troops alarmed, ill-paid, ill-fed, and
worse clothed. No success IN the
north and losing ground in the south.
Congress unable to % more than ad-
wise. Financially bankrupt, as Wash
1ngton wrote at this time: "a wagon
load of money will now scarcely buy a
wagon load of provisions"
There came one rift in the clouds
In this gloomy time the treaty with
France But still three years OF weary
waiting and war ensued before, aided
by French fleets, money and soldiers,
the colonists were enabled to conquer
peace by the capture of Cornwallls,
October 10. 1881, at Yorktown.
The news of this humiliating sur
render, instead of anticipated victories,
arriving in England March rs, 1882,
created still greater CONSERVATION ana
despondency there. On the 9th
George III. informed Parliament of the
unfortunate event, but proposed to
"nrosecute the war with vigor.". LORD
Shelbourne proposed an address to the
king that America could not be con-
olered by arms, and that England had
not a single ally on the face of the
globe" The opposition in the House
Of Commons, led by Fox, Pitt, Burke
BARRE. Dunning, Sheridan and others,
carried the following resolution offered
~ Attorney General Conway, on March
/, 1882:
"That it is the opinion Of this House
mat the further prosecution of Often
sive war on the American continent
Tor the purpose of reducing the re-
,oJting colonies to obedience by force,
Cill he the means OF weakening the
,norts of this country against her enc
oies. and tends under the present cir
smstances dangerously to increase
80 mutual enmity, so fatal to the in
tarests both of Great Britain and
america, and by preventing an I'M
nanny reconciliation with that coun-
trv TO Illustrate the earnest desire,
~raciously expressed by his majesty
p restore the blessings OF public
tranquility" Also an act. Enabling
the King. to make peace. The vote
IN the resolutions stood: For 234;
against 215.
IN March Of, 1882 the ministry was
changed. Shelbourne and Fox bscom-
TIC The two secretaries of State. Thus
was ended the infamous Oligarchy, of
George III. and Lords North and
roorge Cermaine. whose disgrace was
entered on the orderly BOOK Oh every
British regiment.
The circumstances OF the time IA
vored the designs of Shelbourne to
foment trouble between France, Spain
and tho United States by endeavoring
70 make a treaty with each OF the bel
liserents separately, as the opportunity
offered Therefore. Sir Guy Carleton,
lust appointed to the command Oh the
pritish armies in America, was in
str,,cted ~ use his best ,endeavors for
carrvinp into effect the wishes or
Great Britain for an accommodation
II N