North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-01-15
sWANTON, VT. JANUARY Is, 1910.

could join them and unfurl The standard ol
rebellion in the Province of Quebec.
Alter very animated debate the Amer.
lean Congress came TO the full determine
ton OF conqueriDg Canada, or rather TO
aid by men, arms and munitions of war,
the Nends Of the American cause in Cana
da, who wished to repel, by physical force,
the Entertainments Of Great Britain.
Every thing seemed to invite Congress to
adopt this bold measure. The weakness
of the English government in Canada and
in the Province of Massachusetts, where
their best troops were shut up in the city
oil Boston, busy in defending themselves
from The attacks OF the American army
under General Washington. was undoubt-
edly one OF the many causes that prompt
ed the adoption of the grand scheme OF
depriving England Of the only Colony
which had not yet entered into the great
confederation against British tyranny.
This vastly important question did not
pass without the most mature consideration
We herewith give an extract from the
speech of member who was in favor OF
the expedition to Canada
"Does any one imagine say the par
tisans of this system, 'that England is
about 10 perplex herself with this distinc-
tinction Of operations defensive, and oper-
atoms ofiensiven Her hand will visit ven
geance upon US, wherever it can reach US.
With arms alone, and used too with vigor
and gaantry, not by timorous counsels,
can we hope 10 avert the impending tenn
pest Of perdition. The enterprise propos-
ed offers all the probabilities Of success;
when we shall have obtained it, those who
still hesitate, even those perhaps who
blame, will have vanquished all their
doubts. In whatever man undertakes,
there is always grain Of uncertainty, a
particle OF danger; but generous minds are
not to finch at this. The ancient sdage
should not be forgotten, he that acts not
when he can, acts not when he would"
Z" Let us be persuaded, finaiiy, Jnat the
eloquent orators OF the two houses OF par
lament, either from love Of liberty, as
they pretend, or at least from ambition and
the desire to thwart the ministers, will not
abstain from defending land even extoling,
our cause, when we shall have done much
more than attack the province OF Canada !"
After having debated the matter in con-
sideration in the fullest and ablest manner,
Congress came to the following resolution,
after receiving some new information
from Gen. Schuyler;--
&c The dispatches from Gen. Schuyler
being taken into consideration
Resolred, That Gen. Schuyler be en-
powered to dispose of and employ all the
troops in the New-Tork department, in
such manner as he may think best for the
protection and defence Of these colonies,
The tribes of Indians in friendship and am
ty with us, and most effectually 10 pro-
mote the general interest, still pursuing, il
in his power, the former orders from this
Congress, and subject to the future or
ders of the commander in chief"
Gen. Schuyler was appointed by Con-
gress to be the Commander in Chief OF
the expedition, and Brigadier General
Montgomery was ordered TO act under him.
At that time Gen. Schuyler was busy at
Albany, n. Y, cultivating the friendship
of the Indian tribe inhabiting the borders
OF the river Mohawk which empties itself
into the Hudson river.
On the 25th July. Congress passed the
following resolution for the purpose oil
collecting troops in the Northern Depart
nent.
"The Congress then, resuming the report
Of the committee Of the whole, came TO the
following resolution:
Resolred, That body Of forces, not ex-
eeeding five thousand, be kept up in The
New York department, for the purpose Of
defending that part Of America, and for
securing the lakes, and protecting the from
tiers from incursions or invasions.'
On the 2lst of August Brigradier Gen.
Montgomery left for Crown Point, ac-
cording TO the orders TO that effect
which he had received from the Con-
tinental Congress. He ordered a great
number of RATS and batteau1 TO be imme.
diately constructed, to transport his troops
| by Lake Champain TO Canada.
During the time that Gen. Montgomery