Rochambeau with his army remained in
Virginia. Washington took his forces back to the lines before New
York, sparing what men he could to help Greene in the South.
Again came a long period of watching and waiting. Washington,
knowing the obstinate determination of the British character,
urged Congress to keep up the numbers of the army so as to be
prepared for any emergency. Sir Guy Carleton now commanded the
British at New York and Washington feared that this capable
Irishman might soothe the Americans into a false security. He had
to speak sharply, for the people seemed indifferent to further
effort and Congress was slack and impotent. The outlook for
Washington's allies in the war darkened, when in April, 1782,
Rodney won his crushing victory and carried De Grasse a prisoner
to England. France's ally Spain had been besieging Gibraltar for
three years, but in September, 1782, when the great battering-
ships specially built for the purpose began a furious
bombardment, which was expected to end the siege, the British
defenders destroyed every ship, and after that Gibraltar was
safe. These events naturally stiffened the backs of the British
in negotiating peace. Spain declared that she would never make
peace without the surrender of Gibraltar, and she was ready to
leave the question of American independence undecided or decided
against the colonies if she could only get for herself the terms
which she desired.
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