” 10—The French fleet enter the Chesapeake Bay with heavy artillery for the siege of Yorktown, while De Grasse, the French Admiral, with a large squadron, guards the entrance against the British. Oct. 6—The allied army, 16,000 strong, commence the siege of Yorktown. ” 19—Cornwallis surrenders Yorktown, and 7,000 troops, prisoners of war. ” 25—Colonel Willett repulses 600 tories, at Johnstown, New York, with loss. Dec. 31—Henry Laurens, United States Minister to France, sometime a prisoner in London, England, was exchanged for Gen. Burgoyne. 1782. The war was now practically concluded. The finances of the United States, the sad condition of which had so much interfered with the collection and support of strong and well-disciplined armies, had been lately supported by loans from France and Holland. The Americans were stronger than ever, the British could not hold possession even of the Southern States, where there were more royalist inhabitants than further north; and the aid of France on the sea really made the Americans invincible. England could no longer raise the money or the troops to continue the struggle. The year 1782 was mostly spent in negotiations. The difficulties of arranging the terms were great; and the boundaries of the new Government were a subject of much dispute. Mar. 4—Resolutions were passed in the English Parliament, in favor of peace. Apr. 19—Holland acknowledges American independence. July 11—Savannah, Georgia, evacuated by the British, and occupied by General Wayne. The British carried off 5,000 negroes. Great discontent arose in the army in regard to pay, and only the great influence of Washington, and the wise moderation of American statesmen in Congress, prevented serious outbreaks. Franklin, Adams, Jay, and Laurens, were the American Commissioners who arranged terms of peace. Various Indian wars raged on the frontiers during this year. 1783. Jan. 20—The preliminary treaty, providing for the cessation of hostilities between England and the United States, was signed. Feb. 5—The Independence of the United States acknowledged by Sweden. Mar. 24—The Independence of the United States acknowledged by Denmark. The Independence of the United States acknowledged by Spain. Apr. 19—Cessation of hostilities officially proclaimed in the United States—just eight years from the beginning of the war. Estimated loss of men during the war, seventy thousand. CHAPTER IX. THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF 1787.