North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-04-01

HISTORY OF CANADA.
(coNTIsUED.)

oar readers are now invited back 10 the
..efasions of the American army before
oeebec. They will remember that Major
General Thomas had been named com
nander in chief OF the Continental army
ID Canada. II was abou, the latter end
d April or the beginning Of May, that
General Thomas Joined the army. The
season. was too much advanced to do any
ding eifectual against Quebec. Rein
greemen,s from England were daily ex-
oec,ed, and the actual state Of the Amerl-
can army was such as not TO raise the
hirh expectations Of their new General.
However Major General Thomas did all
that skilfu officer; placed in such criti-
cal situation, could do. He prepared for
.~cond assault on the city before the be-
aeaed could receive any reinforcement
rom the mother country. His plan was
to send fire-ship among the vessels
which were then laying in the harbour OF
I
destroy them; these vessels were so situa-
ted that the confagratioR would extend TO
The buildings in the vicinity. During the
confusion which would necessarily attend
such circumstance, the walls OF the city
we're to be scaled on the opposite SIDE.
Accordingly one Of the vessels which had
been captured from the British the fall
preceding, was fitted out as ire-ship,
a1d during a dark night dropped down
with the tide from Silery Cove, above
Quebec, and was steered below the city
ruohServet. On the night of the 3rd OF
Nay, the Time appointed for setting fire
10 the British vessels and for attacking the
civ, between the hours Of nine and ten at
night, the iire-vessel came up with the
tide, opposite the harbour of Quebec. The
British, who were then expecting their
friends from England, ran to their Gov
emor with the glad tidings Of the arrival of
asbip from England. The Governor i'm
media,eIy ordered the artillery men to their
guns 10 welcome their friends. The yes
sci was hailed, but no answer was given.
She was hailed second and third time,
and threatened with being fred upon, If a
satisfactory answer was not Immediately
given. To the great establishment oil the
fyful Ensishmen who had believed this
vessel to be the bearer OF friends,a boat was
seen leaving the vessel and making IFS
way towards pointe Levi. A minute al
iefwards the whole vessel was in flames,
she wasthcn about 200 yards from Guide
Sac; shells, erenades, petards, pots teu,
bani very regularly. But, unfortunately,
those who had the management OF this ship
had not taken her near enough to Guide
Sac, and had set fire TO her too hastily, SO
that she did no damage whatever to the
English flotilla. Gen. Thomas seeing the
complete failure OF the fire-ship, thought
proper not TO undertake the attack upon
TIE city, consequently nothing was done
% that evening, but to give bonfire to
The English.
The American General finding himself
'aasery critical predicament, made up
hs mind TO raise the siege; and the 9th
cay Of May was the day appointed FOR that
purpose. 1t happened that on that same
cay the achievements so much wished
lot BY the besiegee, arrived from England.
ASK o'clock in the morning vessel ap-
psared rounding Poin,e Levi, which prov
e to be the Surprise frigate, having on
Se'rd part Of the ssth Regiment. The
ir'' Of fifty guns, and the Merlin sloop,
s''Fed also, the same day, with deiach-
nsats Of troops and a party of marines.
1 s soldiers were ordered Immediately TO
aad, and at twelve O'Clock Gov. Carleton,
~ao, since the arrival OF reinfotcements
Hon Great Britain, and more particularly