North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-01-15

was Capt. Remember Baker, who had
been sent 10 reconnoitre the British works
at St. Johns. When within few miles
Of ST. Johns he ran his boat up a small
creek, secreled il, and marched down the
river on foot. All at once he discovered
that his boat had been taken possession OF
by some hostile Indians, when he mmedi.
ately hailed and demanded his boat from
them, and threatened to fire upon them il
they refused TO comply with his Just de-
mand. He took to a tree, presented his
FIRE lock and drew upon the Indians; but,
alas! his gun at this critical time missed
fire, circumstance unusual with him,
as he was particularly careful TO keep his
arms in good order. Immediately an In
dian from the boat shot him through the
head; and he instantly expired. Nor did
the Indian long survive his conquest; for
he was killed sometime in the month OF
October following, by some Of the Amer
lean army; and curious powder-horn was
taken from him, having Capt. Bakers
name cut out at large upon it,
Meanwhile the Governor of Quebec
was closely watching all the proceedings OF
the Americans; he surmised their inten-
ton Of invading his Province and to pene-
trate as far down as Quebec by the River
Richelieu, the outlet of Lake Champlain.
He thought that if he could prevent them
from entering into the river ST. Lawrence,
he could easily protect the whole Province
from their invasion. For this purpose
he ordered large brig and several small
vessels to be built Immediately and placed
at the confluence Of the Richelieu and ST.
Lawrence, near Sorel
But General Montgomery was duly in
formed OF the intentions and plans of the
English Governor, land loreseeing that now
was the time for action, (ior Sir Guy
Carleton wnnld ha rr~r---I =: -.
time to thwart all his projects and move
ments1, he made up his mind to invade
Canada without delay. He therefore or
dered his troops TO embark Immediate
ly on the RATS and battcaux he had con-
structed, and on the morning oil the 4th oil
September he came down Lake Champlain
as far as Isle la Mott, where he emcamped
for the night, and the next morning he was
overtaken by General Schuyler, to whose
command the expedition was entrusted.
They Immediately set out for isle aurNoirt
and after having encamped on this Island
which commands the waters of LakeCham-
plain and of the River Richelieu, they took
every precaution to prevent the vessels
that Sir Guy Carleton had in the harbour
of St. Johns, from entering into Lake
Champlain. and thereby annoying the for.
tresses Of Tconderoga and Crown Point
From Isle aux Noix Generals Schuyler
and Montgomery issued proclamationt &c
the Canadian people, in which they were
told that the American army did not enter
Canada with any hostile intention towards
| the Canadians, or with any desire 10 in.
jure them hut, on the contrary, that il
was with their desire 10 deliver them from
the oppression and despotism Of the Eng.
Iish Government, whose troops they haC
come TO subjug ate. In this proclamation
they guaranteed the Canadians the free
exercise Of their religion, as also the rights
of properly and personal liberty, inviting
them al the same time 10 join the Ameri
cans in the noble struggle OF liberty against
English despotism.
The brave Colonel Ethan Allen, the
hero of Ticonderoga, and Major Brown
who had joined this expedition, were The
two officers who were entrusted with the
dissemination OF these proclamations tc
the Canadian people and for that purpose
they were sent through the different pa
rishessouth of the river St. Lawrence
The proclamation, as We shall see, had the
|
syide Rural Magazine or Vermont Repository
| Isle aux Noix is about twelve miles within tn,
province Of Lower Canada.
/ We regret that we are not able to lay befor,
our readers this document; we have made all posi-
bic exertions to obtain u; but efforts have bee,
in vain. lin happens that some Of our friends