AID FROM FRANCE; TRAITORS This month of July, 1778, marked two vital changes in the war.

The first was the transfer by the British of the field of operations to the South.

The second was the introduction of naval warfare through the coming of the French.

The British seemed to desire, from the day of Concord and Lexington on, to blast every part of the Colonies with military occupation and battles.

After Washington drove them out of Boston in March, 1776, they left the seaboard, except Newport, entirely free.