North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-04-15

port:
That the commanding officer in Canada
be assured Of the resolution of Congress,
to afford him every support, in his endea-
Yours 10 carry their views into execution
Resolved, That Mr.. r. r. Livingston
be added TO the committee OF conference,
and they be directed further 10 confer with
the generals, touching the most proper
posts, and measures TO be taken for ehec-
tuaiy preventing the enemy's communlea-
ton with the upper country from Canada,
and such other measures as shall tend 10
secure the frontiers.
Agreeable TO order, general Washington
attended in Congress, and, after some con-
ference with him,
Resolved, That he be directed TO attend
again tomorrow.
Thus it will be seen that Congress was
far from abandoning the design which that
body had so often and and so openly man
Tested, Of taking and keeping possession OF
Canada. The ostensible object was TO cut
of all communication between the Indians
and the British. But we have reason to
suspect that these sages had besides, ano-
ther object, and one Of more Importance;
and that was to gain the entire possession
of Canada, with the view Of bringing ii into
the confederacy. 1t will be recollected that
the question Of separation from the mos
Their country was at that period, strongly
argued; and that the first leaders in Con-
gress, as well as the people throughout
the United Colonies, were of opinion that
no reconciliation could take place between
them and England: is it not probable then,
that they were already watching with
anxiety the time when England, if she
retained possession Of Canada and
Of Nova Scotia, would, even though
she might acknowledge the independence
Of the Americans, annoy them by means oil
the vast strips OF land left to her on the
tanks and in the rear Of the new States.
As we shall have occasion to revert TO this
subject again, we will for the moment lay
this question aside, and proceed with oul
remarks on the report Of the conference
between the committee of Congress and
General Washington and the other Amer
lean officers.
The commanding officer was assured
that all the support in the power of Con
gress, would be afforded to him &c
carry their views into execution. But alas
all these assurances and all these measures
of precaution were no further required, 70
the prosperity of the American arms in tina
province. One more blow, and the con
tinental troops were to be finally expelled
from the Canadian territory. But before
giving an account of the last engagement
which took place between the provincial
and the British, it is proper TO say tina
Congress, faithful to its engagements L
procure as much specie as possible 70
their troops in Canada, resolved on IN
eth May, that 10000 dollars in CONT
mental bills should be Immediately for
wsrded to the Assembly of Massachusetts
Bay, to be by them exchanged for silve
and gold to be sent to Canada.
The next, and the last battle between
the Provincials g. the British troops in tn
province of Lower canada, we have to re
cord, is that of Three Rivers, which tool
place on the 18th May. The Americans
as we have already said, had been joine'
at Sorel by general Sullivan with new re
cruits from the United c oIonies. The A
merican general learning that general Fra
ser OF the British service was stationed a
Three Rivers, with ore regiment only
whilst all the other British regiments wer
scattered on the banks of the ST. Law
renee, or yet on board of transports, con
ceived the bold project Of surprising Gen
Fraser, before he could receive any rein
forcements. Accordingly he prepared a
the batteaux he had brought with hin
from Lake Champlain, and placing $50
men under the command ofgeneral Thomp
son, who had recently arrived at Sorel. sen
them on that expedition. Gen. Thomp