In October, 1777, General Burgoyne surrendered his army, at Saratoga, to the American general, Gates.  The captured troops were sent to Massachusetts.  Not long afterwards, Doctor Franklin and other American commissioners made a treaty at Paris, by which France bound herself to assist our countrymen.  The gallant Lafayette was already fighting for our freedom, by the side of Washington.  In 1778, a French fleet, commanded by Count d’Estaing, spent a considerable time in Boston Harbor.  It marks the vicissitudes of human affairs, that the French, our ancient enemies, should come hither as comrades and brethren, and that kindred England should be our foe.

“While the war was raging in the Middle and Southern States,” proceeded Grandfather, “Massachusetts had leisure to settle a new constitution of government, instead of the royal charter.  This was done in 1780.  In the same year, John Hancock, who had been president of Congress, was chosen governor of the state.  He was the first whom the people had elected, since the days of old Simon Bradstreet.”

“But, Grandfather, who had been governor since the British were driven away?” inquired Laurence.  “General Gage and Sir William Howe were the last whom you have told us of.”

“There had been no governor for the last four years,” replied Grandfather.  “Massachusetts had been ruled by the legislature, to whom the people paid obedience of their own accord.  It is one of the most remarkable circumstances in our history, that, when the charter government was overthrown by the war, no anarchy, nor the slightest confusion ensued.  This was a great honor to the people.  But now, Hancock was proclaimed governor by sound of trumpet; and there was again a settled government.”

Grandfather again adverted to the progress of the war.  In 1781, General Greene drove the British from the Southern States.  In October, of the same year, General Washington compelled Lord Cornwallis to surrender his army, at Yorktown, in Virginia.  This was the last great event of the revolutionary contest.  King George and his ministers perceived, that all the might of England could not compel America to renew her allegiance to the crown.  After a great deal of discussion, a treaty of peace was signed, in September, 1783.

“Now, at last,” said Grandfather, “after weary years of war, the regiments of Massachusetts returned in peace to their families.  Now, the stately and dignified leaders, such as General Lincoln and General Knox, with their pondered hair and their uniforms of blue and buff, were seen moving about the streets.”

“And little boys ran after them, I suppose,” remarked Charley; “and the grown people bowed respectfully.”

“They deserved respect, for they were good men, as well as brave,” answered Grandfather.  “Now, too, the inferior officers and privates came home, to seek some peaceful occupation.  Their friends remembered them as slender and smooth-cheeked young men; but they returned with the erect and rigid mien of disciplined soldiers.  Some hobbled on crutches and wooden legs; others had received wounds, which were still rankling in their breasts.  Many, alas! had fallen in battle, and perhaps were left unburied on the bloody field.”