12 THE ROYAL INSTITUTION. [CHAP. I. 



wrote in September 1775 : 'No room was left for any 

 other consideration but that of proceeding against 

 the twelve associated Colonies in all respects with the 

 utmost vigour as the open and avowed enemies of the 

 State,' and he spoke of the great risk and little advantage 

 that are to be expected from the continuance of the army 

 at Boston during the winter, and on the advantages of 

 recovering possession of New York. He tells the general 

 that 'the Empress of Kussia, in the fullness of her 

 affection for the British nation, and of gratitude for 

 the benefits she had received under her late difficulties, 

 had made the most explicit declaration and given the 

 most ample assurance of any number of infantry that 

 might be wanted.' When, ' in consequence of this 

 generous and magnanimous offer,' a requisition was 

 made to her for 20,000 men for Canada, objections 

 arose, and ' much embarrassment and disappointment 

 were the only results.' 



The Cape Fear expedition failed from ignorance of 

 the depth of the river. 



When Lord George Germain became one of his 

 Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, November 10, 

 a commission was issued under the great seal ' for the 

 restoration of public tranquillity among his Majesty's 

 deluded subjects in the affected colonies.' A proclama- 

 tion said : c Apprised of the fatal consequence of the con- 

 duct they had adopted, and seeing the determined spirit 

 of the nation to maintain its constitutional rights, they 

 will avail themselves of the means which the justice 

 and benevolence of the supreme legislature have held 

 out to them of being restored to the King's grace and 



