PREPARATIONS FOR THE CAMPAIGN OF 1758. 123

with immense exertion and expense, had produced nothing but disaster and defeat. The lakes, and the whole western and northern border, were in possession of the French and Indians; who, with a vastly inferior force, had maintained their ground, and even extended their encroachments. The French had been successful every where. The British had every where experienced reverses. Not only in America, but in Europe and Asia, their arms had been unsuccessful. It was seriously apprehended that the French would make good their claim to the whole valley of the Mississippi, and thus fulfil their design of connecting Canada with Louisiana, and confining the British settlements to the Atlantic border. In the colonies, men looked forward with apprehension and dismay.

But a new era was at hand. One of those choice and master spirits,' that never fail to leave their impress on their age and nation, had risen to the direction of affairs in Britain; and summoned to his aid the best talents of the country. William Pitt, Earl of Chatham, had been placed at the head of the new administration; and, uniting a bold and masterly style of eloquence with consummate ability in the management of state affairs, he possessed the full confidence of the nation, and the complete command of its resources. His plans of operation were grand; and the means which he employed for their accomplishment were always adequate to their object. Superior to the prejudices of party, he sought out and employed merit wherever it could be found. His means and his talents were greater than had been possessed by any of his predecessors.

Pitt was highly popular in America, and the confidence inspired by his energy and decision led the colonists to make every exertion, and every sacrifice, which the occasion required. A circular letter of the minister assured tho several governors, that to repair past losses and disappointments, the cabinet was determined to send a formidable sea and land force to America; and he called upon them to raise as many men as possible, promising all the munitions of war, and a future compensation for the expenses of the soldiers' wages and clothes.

Massachusetts agreed to furnish 7000 men; Connecticut 5000; New Hampshire 3000. These troops were What gave them a new aspect?-What was the character of Lord Chatham-How was he regarded in America ?-What was promised in his letter to the governors ?-What states furnished troops, and in what numbers?

124

CAMPAIGN OF 1758.

in the field in May. Meanwhile the British fleets blocked up, in the French ports, the men and stores designed for Canada, or captured them on the sea. A powerful armament sailed from England. Twelve thousand men, under the command of General Amherst, arrived in Halifax; and, soon after, General Abercrombie, the commander in chief, found himself at the head of an army of fifty thou sand men, of whom twenty thousand were provincials.

Three expeditions were proposed; one against Louisbourg; a second against Ticonderoga and Crown Point; and a third against Fort Du Quesne. That against Louisbourg consisted of 14.000 men, 20 ships of the line, and 18 frigates. This formidable armament arrived before Louisbourg on the 2d of June; and, in less than eight weeks, the fortress was surrendered.

The expedition against Ticonderoga and Crown Point was unsuccessful. Sixteen thousand men were ordered on this service. They crossed Lake George in boats; and, landing on the western side, were soon engaged with the enemy. Lord Howe fell at the first fire. General Abercrombie proceeded; and, after an action, took possession of a post near Ticonderoga. On the 8th of

July, he attempted to carry the fortress itself, by assault. But the works were strong; and the commander was the able and courageous Montcalm. After a contest of four hours, and the loss of 1800 men, the British were compelled to retire.

Abercrombie now detached Colonel Bradstreet, with 3000 men, and eight pieces of cannon, who succeeded in capturing Fort Frontignac, an unimportant post, on the north side of Lake Ontario, garrisoned by 110 men. The fort being destroyed, Bradstreet returned to the main body; and nothing further was attempted, by this division of the forces, during the campaign.

The expedition against Fort Du Quesne was undertaken by General Forbes, with 8000 men. On arriving at the fort, they found it abandoned by the garrison, who had gone down the Ohio river in boats. The place was thenceforward called Pittsburgh, in honour of Pitt The Indians came in and entered into treaties, which gave

What was done by the British fleet -How many men were sent from England-What was the whole number mustered?-What three expeditions were proposed ?-How did the first succeed ?-The second 1 -Describe the first operations of this expedition.-The subsequent operations. What was accomplished by the third expedition?

GENERAL WOLFE BEFORE QUEBEC.

125

peace and security to the frontiers of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

Two of the three objects of the campaign of 1758 had thus been accomplished. It now remained to attempt the complete conquest of Canada. Accordingly it was agreed, that in the next year three powerful armies should enter Canada by different routes, and severally attack the strong holds of the enemy. General Wolfe, with one division, was to ascend the St. Lawrence, and lay siege to Quebec. Another division was to reduce Ticonderoga and Crown Point; and then descend the river and join General Wolfe before Quebec. The third division, under General Prideaux, was to reduce Niagara and Montreal, and then proceed to Quebec, the ultimate object of the whole force. General Amherst advanced to Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and found those places abandoned. He then made an unsuccessful attempt to gain possession of the lake but, after capturing two vessels, was obliged by storms and the advanced season of the year, to return to Crown Point and go into winter quarters. Prideaux besieged Niagara; and, being killed, the command devolved on Sir William Johnson, who succeeded in reducing the place. Neither of these armies was able to effect a union with General Wolfe. Fortunately he succeeded in accomplishing the grand object, without their co-operation.

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Embarking at Louisbourg, with 8000 men, and a formidable train of artillery, Wolfe proceeded the St. Lawrence, and landed his army on the island of Orleans, near Quebec. The difficulties which he had to encounter were sufficiently great to have deterred a less ardent commander; but it was a maxim of Wolfe's that'a victorious army finds no difficulties.' He first attacked the French entrenchments at the falls of Montmorency; but without success. He then landed his troops in the night, and ascended a steep craggy cliff, to an eminence called the Heights of Abraham, in rear of the city. Montcalm, the French general in chief, now determined to leave his camp and attack the English army.

Accordingly, on the 13th of September, he drew out

What was the plan of the next campaign?-What was done by General Amherst By Prideaux and Johnson ?-What was General Wolfe's force ?-Where did he land ?-Where did he meet with a repulse ?-How did he gain the Heights of Abraham ?-What was done then by Montcalm ?

126

FALL OF QUEBEC.

his forces, and prepared for a pitched battle. The French advanced to the charge with their usual spirit, and the action commenced with great resolution on both sides. The English reserved their fire till the French were within forty yards of them, and then gave it with effect. Wolfe, advancing at the head of the British grenadiers with charged bayonets, received a mortal wound. Monckton, who succeeded in the command, was shot through the body; and the direction of the army devolved on General Townshend. Montcalm, too, received a mortal wound; and General Senezurgus, the second in command, fell. The French were driven from the field; and a reinforcement, brought forward by Bougainville, was also compelled to retire.

It appears that, in this decisive action, the numbers on both sides were nearly equal. The English troops, however, were all veterans, while those of the French commander were but half of that description. The French regulars were almost all destroyed; while the English loss was less than 600 in killed and wounded. They had to mourn, however, the loss of their gallant commander; which was regarded as a national calamity in the mother country, as well as in the colonies. He received a ball in his wrist at the commencement of the action; but he wrapped a handkerchief round his arm, and continued to encourage his men. He soon afterwards received a ball in the body, but also concealed this wound, and was advancing at the head of the grenadiers, when a third bullet pierced his breast. In a dying state, he unwillingly suffered himself to be borne to the rear, still evincing the greatest anxiety for the fate of the day. Being informed that the enemy's ranks were breaking, he reclined his head, from extreme faintness, on the arm of an officer. He was soon roused by the cry They fly, they fly.' "Who fly ?' he exclaimed. The French,' was the reply. Then,' said the dying hero, I depart content,' and almost instantly expired. This victory was immediately followed by the surrender of Quebec, and in 1760 all Canada was subjugated by the British.

6

When and how did the battle commence ?-How did it terminate ?— What general officers were killed?-What was the loss on each side? -Describe the circumstances of General Wolfe's death.-What city now capitulated?-What was accomplished in the next campaign?

SCHEME FOR TAXING THE COLONIES.

127

CHAPTER XXIII.

THE REVOLUTION.

THE attachment of the American colonies to the mother country was never stronger than at the close of the French war, which terminated in the conquest of Canada. To the natural ties of brotherhood were superadded the strongest feelings of mutual regard, arising from a participation in common dangers, and a common victory. The colonists were proud of their descent from British ancestors, and their connection with one of the most powerful nations of Europe. They were also fully sensible of the value of English liberty, and every colonist believed himself to be equally entitled with his brethren, on the opposite side of the Atlantic, to all the essential rights of a British subject.

The habits of the early settlers, and many circumstances in the history of their descendants, had led them to study, with attention and lively interest, the principles of political liberty, and to watch, with the most jealous vigilance, against every encroachment of arbitary power. The degree of authority which might be legally exercised over the colonies, by the parent state, had never been very clearly defined. The doctrine prevailed in England, that parliament had the power of binding them in all cases whatever. In America this had been repeatedly and publicly denied.

The expenses of the recent war had rendered necessary a great addition to the usual taxes of the English nation. Apprehensive of rendering themselves unpopular, by pressing too severely on the resources of the people at home, the ministry directed their attention to the North Ame rican colonies; and determined to raise a revenue from that source. Mr. Grenville first commissioner of the treasury, (1763,) introduced a resolution, which was passed, without much debate, declaring that it would be proper to impose certain stamp duties on the colonies.

What were the dispositions of the American colonies towards the mother country?-What was their character as freemen ?-What made the British ministry desirous of raising a revenue from the colonies?-How did they determine to do it ?-What resolution was passed in parliament }