HISTORICAL MAPS.—Nos. 2 and 3 this volume (Epoch Maps, Nos. 4 and 5); H. C Lodge, Colonies, frontispiece; Scribner, Statistical Atlas, Pl. 12; Rhode, Atlas, No. xxviii.; Geo. Bancroft, United States (original edition), V. 241; Labberton, Atlas, lxiv.; B. A. Hinsdale, Old Northwest, I. 176, 180 (republished from T. MacCoun, Historical Geography); List of contemporary maps in Winsor, Handbook, 302, school histories of Channing, Johnston, Scudder, Thomas.
GENERAL ACCOUNTS.—G T. Curtis, Constitutional History, I. chs. i.- iv. (History of the Constitution, I 28-123); W. E. H. Lecky, England in the Eighteenth Century, IV. ch iv.; Geo. Bancroft, United States, VII. chap. xxvii. (last revision, IV. Chs. ix.-xxvii, V.); R. Hildreth, United States, IV. 57-373, 411-425, 440-444; Edward Channing, United States, 1765-1865, ch iii.; W. M. Sloane, French War and Revolution chs. xviii.- xxiv.; H. C. Lodge, George Washington, I. chs. v.-xi.; Abiel Holmes, Annals of America, II. 199-353; Bryant and Gay, United States, III. 377-623, IV. 1-74; Justin Winsor, Narrative and Critical History, VI chs ii.-ix., VII. chs. i., ii.; J. R. Green, English People, IV. 254-271; Adolphus, England, II. 333-433, passim; Story, Commentaries, §§ 198-217; T. Pitkin, United States, I. 282-422, II. 37-153.
SPECIAL HISTORIES.—G. W. Greene, Historical View; R. Frothingham,
Rise of the Republic, 403-568; John Fiske, American Revolution; J. M.
Ludlow, War of American Independence, chs. v.-viii.; Geo. Pellew, John
Jay, 59-228; E. J. Lowell, Hessians; Charles Borgeaud, Rise of Modern
Democracy; M. C. Tyler, Literature of the Revolution, II.; L. Sabine,
American Loyalists; H. B. Carrington, Battles of the Revolution; W. B.
Weeden, New England, II. chs. xx, xxi.; W. G. Sumner, Financier and
Finances of the American Revolution.
CONTEMPORARY ACCOUNTS.—Journals of Congress, Secret Journals of
Congress, works and full biographies of the Revolutionary Statesmen;
Peter Force, American Archives; Jared Sparks, Correspondence of the
Revolution; F. Wharton, Diplomatic Correspondence; John Adams and
Abigail Adams, Familiar Letters; Tom Paine, Common Sense; Crevecoeur,
Letters from an American Farmer [1770-1781]; J. Anbury, Travels [1776-
1781]; Chastellux, Voyage de Newport [also in translation, 1780-1781];
W. B. Donne, Correspondence of George III. with Lord North [1768-1783];
Francis Hopkins, Essays and Writings; Philip Freneau, Poems; Baroness
Riedesel, Letters and Memoirs.—Reprints in Niles, Principles and Acts
of the Revolution; D. R. Goodloe, Birth of the Republic, 205-353;
Mathew Carey, Remembrancer; Frank Moore, Diary of the American
Revolution, Old South Leaflets, American History told by
Contemporaries, II.
35. THE STRENGTH OF THE COMBATANTS (1775).
[Sidenote: Power of Great Britain.]
When we compare the population and resources of the two countries, the defiance of the colonists seems almost foolhardy. In 1775 England, Ireland, and Scotland together had from eight to ten million souls; while the colonies numbered but three millions. Great Britain had a considerable system of manufactures, and the greatest foreign commerce in the world, and rich colonies in every quarter of the globe poured wealth into her lap. What she lacked she could buy. In the year 1775 the home government raised ten million pounds in taxes, and when the time came she was able to borrow hundreds of millions in all the colonies together, two million pounds in money was the utmost that could be raised in a single year by any system of taxes or loans. In 1776 one hundred and thirty cruisers and transports brought the British army to New York: the whole American navy had not more than seventeen vessels. In moral resources Great Britain was decidedly stronger than America. Parliament was divided, but the king was determined. On Oct 15, 1775, he wrote: "Every means of distressing America must meet with my concurrence." Down to 1778 the war was popular in England, and interfered little with her prosperity.
[Sidenote: Weakness of America.]
How was it in America? Canada, the Floridas, the West Indies, and Nova Scotia held off. Of the three millions of population, five hundred thousand were negro slaves, carried no muskets, and caused constant fear of revolt. John Adams has said that more than a third part of the principal men in America were throughout opposed to the Revolution; and of those who agreed with the principles of the Revolution, thousands thought them not worth fighting for. There were rivalries and jealousies between American public men and between the sections. The troops of one New England State refused to serve under officers from another State. The whole power of England could be concentrated upon the struggle, and the Revolution would have been crushed in a single year if the eyes of the English had not been so blinded to the real seriousness of the crisis that they sent small forces and inefficient commanders. England was at peace with all the world, and might naturally expect to prevent the active assistance of the colonies by any other power.
[Sidenote: The two armies.]
[Sidenote: Hessians.]
[Sidenote: Indians.]
[Sidenote: Discipline.]