ontiers of Canada, and by a conference which the governor, Lord
Dorchester, held with some Indian tribes. By way of retaliation, the
American government laid an embargo of thirty days on the British
shipping in their ports, and appointed Mr. Jay, its minister, to compose
the difference between the two countries. Mr. Jay delivered a memorial
on the subject, and Pitt having tendered a conciliatory answer, and both
parties being inclined to peace, the dispute was, for the time being,
compromised. But on a future day it was productive of serious effects.

MILITARY OPERATIONS ON THE CONTINENT.

While the English were in general victorious on the sea during this
year, on land, they, in common with their allies, were generally
unsuccessful. This arose from two causes: from the division of sentiment
which existed among the officers of the coalition, and from the
continued extraordinary efforts of the French republicans. Resolved to
extend their sway over the neighbouring countries, to enlarge their
own boundaries, and to obtain by plunder the means of supporting their
gigantic efforts, at the close of the year 1783 the French had nearly
one million armed men in the field, three hundred thousand of whom were
on the northern frontier of the republic. To oppose these masses, the
allies had not more than 140,000 men. And what rendered the immense
force of the French particularly formidable, was the ability, as well as
the unanimity, with which it was managed, aad the military talent which
was rising up among its ranks. On the other hand, the allies, composed
of different nations, were commanded by leaders who were jealous of each
other, and were far from acting with that cordial co-operation which
was necessary, not merely to ensure success, but to prevent defeat.
The rivalry of Austria and Prussia, and the jealousy which each had
conceived of the other, became so visible, that, early in January, the
Duke of Brunswick addressed a letter to the king of Prussia, in which
he announced the resignation of his command; stating, as his motive,
the unhappy experience that want of connexion, distrust, and cabal had
disconcerted the measures adopted during the two last campaigns. After
alluding to the unanimity which existed among the French republicans,
he said: "If, instead of co-operating with similar principles, each army
acts separately and without concert with the others, without fixed plans
and without concord, the consequences