The war between England and her American colonies
lasted seven years. During most of that time, the final success
of the rebels seemed very doubtful. A great number of
the people, especially in the cities, had remained loyal to their
king. They were in favour of a compromise, and would have
been willing to sue for peace. But the great figure of Washington
stood guard over the cause of the colonists.
Ably assisted by a handful of brave men, he used his steadfast
but badly equipped armies to weaken the forces of the king.
Time and again when defeat seemed unavoidable, his strategy
turned the tide of battle. Often his men were ill-fed. During
the winter they lacked shoes and coats and were forced to live
in unhealthy dug-outs. But their trust in their great leader
was absolute and they stuck it out until the final hour of victory.
But more interesting than the campaigns of Washington
or the diplomatic triumphs of Benjamin Franklin who was
in Europe getting money from the French government and
the Amsterdam bankers, was an event which occurred early in
the revolution. The representatives of the different colonies
had gathered in Philadelphia to discuss matters of common
importance. It was the first year of the Revolution. Most
of the big towns of the sea coast were still in the hands of the
British. Reinforcements from England were arriving by the
ship load.
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