"But the voice of moderation is seldom heard amidst the
turbulence of civil dissention. Violent counsels prevailed. The
decisive and irrevocable step was made on the 4th of July 1776.
It remains with posterity to decide upon its merits. Since that
time it has indeed received the sanction of military success;
but whatever consequences it may produce to America, the fatal
day must ever be regretted by every sincere friend to the
British empire."
The other extract we shall select is from the story of Lord Cornwallis's
surrender in Virginia, and the consequent termination of the American
war.
"The loss of these redoubts may be considered as deciding the
fate of the British troops. The post was indeed originally so
weak and insufficient to resist the force that attacked it, that
nothing but the assured expectation of relief from the garrison
of New York, could have induced the commander to undertake its
defence, and calmly to wait the approaches of the enemy. An
officer of so unquestionable gallantry would, rather have
hazarded an encounter in the field, and trusted his adventure to
the decision of fortune, than by cooping his army in so
inadequate a fortress, to have prepared for them inevitable
misfortune and disgrace.
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