224 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 
There is a gap in Captain Downmaids diary between May 19th and 
June 7th, caused apparently through some leaves of his journal book 
being missing ; as it was the time when he was sick and leaving the 
army for New York, the break in his diary is not of much importance. 
A few days after the Mischianza, General Sir W m . Howe, who had 
resigned his command, quitted the army and was succeeded by General 
Sir Henry Clinton. It must be acknowledged that on the whole Sir 
W m . Howe had been successful in the field, though it is true that his 
forces were much in excess of those of the Americans, but whether 
from political or other reasons, these successes were never followed up 
or improved. At Long Island, in the Jerseys, at Brandywine, at 
White Marsh, and at Valley Forge fortune placed the enemy in his 
power, but he failed to seize the advantage. Indeed the only result 
of his campaign in 1777 was the acquisition of good winter quarters 
for the army at Philadelphia. 
June 7th, 177S. —This morning early the Trident appeared and 
saluted the Eagle, which was returned, she soon came to; the Com¬ 
missioners 1 quitted her and got into a small armed sloop and proceeded 
into town. They were saluted by the Trident on leaving her. 
June 8th. —We left Newcastle and went down to Reedy Island and 
joined a great number of ships waiting for orders to proceed some¬ 
where. 
June 11th. —We hear that our army is still in Philadelphia, and that 
the Commissioners are gone out to treat with the rebels. A fleet of 
12 or 13 sail of ships from Cork with provisions came to anchor here 
to-day. 
June 13th. —I left the Lord Howe and went on board the Duke 
William hospital ship. The latter is under sailing orders for New 
York with a number of other ships. The former may stay much 
longer, which is the reason I quit her. 
June 14th. —Weighed anchor from Bombo Hook with a fair wind, 
with about 60 sail, and on the 17th, in the afternoon, we anchored at 
Sandy Hook. On the 18th we got up to New York. 
1 The Commissioners were Lord Carlisle, Governor Johnstone, and Mr. Eden, appointed by the 
King with full powers to treat with the Colonists under the act of Parliament of March, 1778. 
(To be Continued). 
