North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-05-06


81 81. Johns, which was surrounded by
the Psovineials -
=" That brave officer (Gen. Carle.on)
bad been indefatigabIe in his endeayours
Tor their relief, but such was the disafection
OF The Canadians 20 the British cause, that
with his utmost endeavours he could mol
collect more than 1000 meas
Sparks in his American Biography, vol.
LIST, page ao<, in speaking Of General
Montgomerys advance on Montreal.
says -
Some days before the last mentioned
event, the Britain general not reposing
FIRMLY IN Canadian fidelity, and fearing
much from the enterprise and vigor of his
antagonist, quilted Montreal and took re-
fuge on board Of the feet"
In the first volume OF the Encyclopedia
.amerieana, page $50, we find that Gen.
Washington projected the expedition Of
colonel Arnold, after he had been inform
ed that the Canadians were DESTROYS Of
abandoning England and of annexing
themselves TO the Union -
Washington. encouraged by secret sd-
vices that the Canadians were inclined 10
make par. of the Union, projected the sur
prise Of Qusbec."
We next refer the reader 70 the official
letters Of Gen. Washington 10 the Presi.
dent Of the Continental Congress. From the
first volume Of the edition published in
i776 by Samuel Campbell, page QS, we
make the following extract Of letter dat
ed, Camp at Cambridge, al august
iT75 -
con the first instant, q chief of the
Caughnawaga tribe, who lives about six
miles from Montreal, came in here, &C.
ccmpsnied by q colonel Bayley Of Cohoss.
His accounts Of the temper and disposition
Of the Indians are very favorable. He
says they have been strongly solicited BY
governor Carleton to engage against US |;
but his nation 10 totally averse that
threats, Is well ss entreaties, have been
used without effect that the Canadians
are weH disp0ssd tosssrds the Engiish
CoIonies."
In announcing that he had detached
Colonel Arnold to surprise Quebsc, the il.
lustrious writer, in his letter of the, 2ist
September, tpsge as) says -
81 am now 10 inform tho honorable
Congress, that, encouraged By the re-
peated declarations oftAe CANADIANS and
Indians, and urged by their requests, |
have detached colonel Arnold with thou
sand men, to penetrate into Canada by the
way Of Kennebec River, and, il possible to
make himself master Of Quebec. BY this
maneuvre, | purposed to divert Car
Teton from St. Johns, which would leave
free passage TO general Schuyler or, il
this did not take effect, Quebec, in its
present defenceless state, must fall in
to his hands IN easy prey. made all
possible enquiry, 90 to the distance, the
safety Of the route, and the danger Of the
season being too far advanced but found
nothing in either, TO deter me from pro-
ceeding, more especially - IL met with
very general appreciation from oil whom
consulted upon it."
Again, page -, the reader will find the
following extract from letter dated s0th
September, ITS -
/" cannot but congratulate the honor
able Congress on the happy temper Of the
Canadians and Indians, our accounts OF
which are now fully confirmed by some in
tercepted letters from officers in Canada to
General Gage and others in Boston, which
were found on board vessel lately taken,
going 20 Boston with donation Of cattle
and other fresh provisions for the minis
terial army"
Another letter from the same unques-
tionabIe authority, dated the Sth October.
will be found page %. We quote the fol-
lowing words -
The captain Of the brig from Quebec
to Boston, informs me, that there 10 no
suspicion Of any such expedition and
that, If Carleton 10 not driven from Saint
Johns, 90 % TO be obliged to throw
himself into Quebec, il must fell into our
hands, a. il 10 left without regular SOL
der, and many of the inhabitants ere most
fsvorably disposed TO the American cause /;
and there is the largest stock Of ammunition
ever collected in America.
4" In the above vessel some letters were
also found, from an officer at Quebec. TO
General Gage and major Sheriff at Boston,
containing such an account oil the temper
of the Canadians, as cannot but afford the