North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-03-11

HISTORY OF CANADA.
(coNTIKuEp.l

TIE want Of specie was one oil the great
"a, obstacles in the way of successful ope-
,,,ions in Canada, and according TO the
Instructions given to the Commissioners,
Who had been named by Congress TO pro-
,.ed northward, notice had been given
IN the Canadian people that they would
N, he forced TO take the Continental bills
AGAINST their will. Nothing was more
Eaeult al that critical juncture than 10
orocure hard money;-yet Congress con-
rived an expedlcnt, which, it was thought
xoud answer in the present circums.an-
,,. which was to encourage suffers TO
allow the American army into Canada,
who should engage to give the commissa-
rs all the specie they should receive Tor
their articles, and in return the commisa-
~ was 10 give them drafts TO be counter
signed by the General, and which were to
h. Maid BY the President Of Congress.
On the 18Th Feb. Congress gave an or
der 10 the secret committee to deliver TO
Col Maxwell $50 stands Of arms for the
u,e of such companies Of his battalion as
nigh, be in want Of them, in order thai.
they might proceed without any further
d.Isy towards Canada, where they were
very much needed.
Such was the condition Of the American
army in Canada, that there was but little
prospect Of maintaining themselves. II they
were not speedily reinforced. In their re-
tpective letters, General Schuyler, Woos-
le, and Arnold, had tried to impress upon
ID. members OF Congress the absolute ne
cessity OF being less tardy in their proceed
iugs, and more particularly in sending
new troops TO Canada. But uniortunaie'
", with that body as with all other dellb-
eative bodies, time passed in discussion,
these orders had to be Transmitted often
10 distant parts Of the United Colonies;
,hnsc who received these orders were toi
The most part totally unprepared for carry
ing them into execution; this had to be re-
presented 10 Congress, and agar
taken into consideration; and in adj
dition to this, orders were frequently
eOuniermanded. These delays Of course
proved ruinous to the American cause il
Canada, where every thing depended upor
the efficacy and promptness of the mean'
pu, into the hands Of the Commander
Congress on the 18th Feb, passed the
allowing resolution:
"Rs,olred, That the secret committee
Re directed 10 furnish colonel ST. Clar''
battalion with arms, and that the presi
cent write 10 colonel ST. Clair, and direc
hun 10 use the utmost diligence in getting
his battalion ready, and to march thu
companies, one at time, as fast as the.
aa Be got ready, to Canada, with oil pos
tSs expedition"
asssrs. Duane, Nelson, Gerry, Smitl
'n Willing were chosen committee I,
e'as'der what were the best ways an,
0sahs for supplying gold and silver for tn
"ppoft Of the Provincial army in Canada
aR was totally impossible for the Amer
an 'OFees TO support themselves in tina
i'0'laee with Continental bills, which tn
'saAdaa peasantsv would not take il
s'eaange for their produce. We shal
ave 10 speak in the course of this history
" NE arbitrary conduct OF Gen. Arnol
sSo tired 10 force these bills on tn
v'nadian people, declaring by procIama
S'a That all those who had refused to TAX
V'Aunental money, should be treated q
pea enemies Of the American cause. N
e.aaSet could be more impoli,ic than tina
ssn. Arnold on this occasion.
congress finding the expedition wa
nom being prosperous in Canada, an
great deal Of the misfortunes not
saadiag that campaign, was TO be trace
As conduct Of the officers at the hes