A few arrivals from Europe tended to alleviate the wants of the garrison, who often beheld the humiliating sight of the triumphs of little rebel privateers, in capturing their most important aids, without our ships of war having in their power either to retaliate or to prevent them. Some Parliamentary decrees, which left but little hope of the renewal of friendship, having reached America, its Congress strongly urged General Washington to push the siege of Boston with vigour, in order that their forces might be enabled to oppose those dangers, which they anticipated in other quarters of the Continent. Accordingly a cannonade and bombardment began from Phipp's Farm on the evening of the 2d of March, that continued during some successive nights, and, on the morning of the 5th, another battery from the heights of Dorchester Point, on the other side of the town, which had been constructed with unexampled secrecy and dispatch, also opened. These fired some houses, and occasioned other losses. General Howe felt indignant in being thus cooped up. His communication with the other part of his Army, at Boston Neck, becoming endangered, and foreseeing that the rebels would still extend their works to those heights which command the town and harbour, he resolved upon dislodging them from such as they held. Hazardous was the attempt, and it was only prevented by an intervening storm on the night of the 5th of March, when the troops destined for the attack were on the eve of embarkation. All who know how to appreciate the military character of that gallant officer, will readily sympathize with him in his feelings upon so degrading an occasion, when his high talents could avail nothing, and the energies of as fine a body as ever entered the field were stayed by the hand of prudence. Thus situated, he lamented in common with the meanest Soldier, a total suspension of their services. An instant alternative of engaging a very superior Army strongly entrenched, or evacuating the place, became hourly more and more imperiously urgent. The former expedient held out but little hope of surmounting their difficulties, in balance with many disastrous consequences in the event of defeat; while the latter let loose an inactive corps against a more vulnerable, or in co-operation with a more loyal Province of America. This the Commander in Chief adopted, but it teemed with many obstacles and dangers, calculated to try the strongest soul. He had not the safety of his Army alone to consider, in this retreat, but the lives and property of numerous followers, whose allegiance to their King no misfortunes could subdue. The duty was sacred, and it was discharged with that humane care which characterizes our nation, and him who performed it. Upon the 17th of March the rear-guard of the British troops embarked without molestation, when General Washington marched in proud triumph into the town of Boston.