172 THE SERVICES OF IIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 
off the. mask, and in February, 1778, entered into a treaty of com¬ 
merce and a defensive alliance with the thirteen colonies of America, the 
result being the rupture of diplomatic relations between England and 
France in March, and the out-break of hostilities without declaration 
of war in June. Such were the political consequences which attended 
the capture of Burg'oyne's army. 
At the seat of war the effects were not less important. The capture 
of a whole army of their adversaries had a great effect on the moral of 
the American troops. Hitherto the superiority of the British troops 
in everything, and their almost universal success in the field had 
caused the Americans even when oil equal terms to meet them with 
reluctance, but now the latter took heart, and animated with fresh 
ardour and increased confidence in themselves renewed the conflict 
with vigour, while at the same time the Congress was further stimu¬ 
lated to use its utmost exertions to recruit its armies and supply every¬ 
thing neccessary for their efficiency. 
(To be Continued ). 
