Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-08-26
QUEBEC.

llIec selgeS lie irst was IN 1850 a con-
siderable army marched from New England,
under the command of the governor Of that
province, to invest fireplace by land, whilst
an English feet sailed up the St. Lawrence
to attack 1t by water. The army was con-
Quoted by parry of Irocuois, inincal to the
French, but who abandoned their allies in
the midst OF the wilderness, in consequence
OF which, the proyincials were dispersed,
and returned home as they could. Mean
while, force was landed from the feet to
| make a diversion. but they were promptly
attacked by the French and forced to REIN
bark with great loss. This Expedition,
therefore, totally failed.
The second was more fortunate. The
great Lord Chatham, justly alarmed at the
progress the French armies were making i'm
North America, forcsaw that the north wes-
tern continent must soon obey one or other
of the rival powers. A formidable arma-
ment FOR the times, consisting of about 49,
GOO men, in $50 transports and conveyed by
20 men OF war, was fitting oat with so much
expedition, that it arrived in the river St.
Lawrence, in June 1888 It was comman-
ded by Gen. Wolf and Admiral Saunders.
Notwithstanding this promptitlide, the enc
my was prepared to meetit. He first made
a bold attempt to burn the feet in the river by
fire-ships; 1t was well conducted and would
probably have succeeded, if he had not set
ire to them too soon.
Point Levi was first taken and carried by
the English, from whence the town was bonn
oarded: The French, to prevent an invest
ment, had posted their principal force at
Montmorenci. The ground was very strong.
Wolfe attacked them with the flower of his
troops, consisting of all his flank companies
he could not, however, with the most heroic
exertions, force their strong positions, and
was compelled to retreat to his batteaur,
fleavmg- 800 OF his men on the field This
loss, together with the approach of winter,
would have justified frigid calculating
general in giving up the enterprise; but
Wolfe was resolved to conquer or die He
did both.
AS he could not gain the heights of Abra-
ham by one route, he tried another, which
| the enemy thought impracticable. He land
ed his men higher up the river, at the Ance
| de Mer, since called Wolfe's cove 1t is the
only assailable ACTIVITY on the whole coast !;
and although now there is horse road made
down the slope to the water, at that time it
was covered with brush wood, and had not
even path.
| On the morning of the 18th December, be-
| lore day break, the advanced party gained
the heights. The whole army consisting of
about 5000 men, followed; upon which.
Montcalm, the French governor, with equal
rashnesS and presumption, drew out the gar
rison and gave battle. The contest was not
long IN decidng-both commanders fell.
ihey shew rock of grey granite, rising above
the sod, in hollow (Which is rounded by
travellers knocking offfragments,) on which
| the illustrious Wolf breathed his last and
this is the only monument that exists, to
commemorate the hero in the very country
which he conquered.
| The enemy was panic struck, and capitu-
lated otherwise, ifhe had collected his scat
tered forces, which would have trebled that
| OF the victors, and held out few DAYS until
the severe weather set in, the siege must have
been raised
The last enterprise against Quebec was
planned with great Judgment and executed
with no less spirit and vigour, SO that it had
nearly proved successful.
The Canadians had as yet no time to ap-
preciatc the freedom, happiness, and securi-
| ty they enjoyed under the British government,
when the American revolution broke out,
and set them all in flame with the hopes OF
| speedy independence. The Congress. ia
king advantage of these sentiments, deter
mined on the conquest of the country: and
SO certain were they of succeeding, that they
actually made provision in their declarati-
on OF independence, to admit Canada into
| the union as fourteenth State.
On the other hand, the military force in
the province was at that time very weak. II
scarcely amounted to 1000 regulars and pro-
| vinclai militia, that could be depended on.
But 1t possessed a governor in Gen. Carlton,
who was not to be daunted with difficulties,
great as they were.
The Republicans having reduced Crown
Point and Ticonderoga, became masters of
Lake Champlain. From thence Montgo-
merry marched at the head of 5000 men to
invade Canada. Fort St. John was the kew
the province on that side. 1t was place
considerable strength and ON the 9th OF
45eptember, l7T5, Montgomery appeared be-
fore il, without either cannon or ammunition.
He marched further on, however, and sur
priced the castle of Chamblie, where he
found both. He then countermarched and
took st. Johns. The place being bravcly de-
Tended by Major Preston, this retarded the
progress Of Montgomery for near month.
and gave time for Carlton to prepare for a
defence.
That general had collected all his disposal
bic force on board some armed vessels, to de
fend Montreal; bat Montgomery succeeded
with his fotilla IN driving them up the river.
upon which Montreal capitulated. Carleton
was compelled TO effect his escape in the
night by gliding down the stream with NUT
He'd oars. He reached Quebec in safety. but