11th, 1775: Among other measures, they came to the following resolve: "That it is the duty of the inhabitants, wholly to renounce and resist the administration of the government of New York, until such time as the lives and property of the inhabitants may be secured by it: Or until such time, as they can have opportunity to lay their grievances before his most gracious Majesty in council, together with a proper remonstrance against the unjustifiable conduct of that government, with an humble petition to be taken out of so oppressive a jurisdiction, and either annexed to some other government, or erected and incorporated into a new one, as may appear best for the inhabitants."*

BOTH parties were in this state of resentment and exasperation, when the American war broke out at Lexington, April 19th, 1775. By presenting new scenes, and greater objects, this e- vent seems to have prevented either party from proceeding to hostilities; and turned their attention from their particular contest, to the general cause of America. The attention of all orders of men was immediately engaged, local and provincial contests were at once swallowed up, by the novelty, the grandeur, and the importance of the contest that then opened between Britain and America.

WAR, which the people of the colonies supposed would have ceased, and never had any further origin or progress among them, had broke out in a new form, and with a most awful appearance. In their former calamities, war had always borne the appearance of a contest be* Proceedings of the committees met at Westminster, April 11, 1775.

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tween the crowns of England and France; and was consistent with the acknowledged duties of allegiance, civil and moral law. Now it was clothed in all the political horrors, that could be put upon slaughter and destruction. On the part of Great Britain, the Americans said it was a long concerted plan of systematic oppression and tyranny, in a British king and parliament. On the part of the Americans, the British minister and king declared it was a most insolent scheme of unprovoked treason and rebellion, which must be crushed and punished.

IN this state of irritation and mutual accusation, the sword was drawn, and from all the maxims and measures of monarchy, the Americans knew it was necessary for them to throw away the scabbard. Their business now was not to contend about boundaries, titles, grants, or the decisions of the British courts or parliaments; but to prepare for a contest, the event of which would determine not barely an abstract question about sovereignty, but every thing that concerned their rights, properties, and lives. And this contest, new and unexpected, of a duration. and issue totally unknown and incalculable, was to be carried on by a people divided into several provinces, disunited in their interests, manners, forms of religion and government, without a ship, without a magazine, and without a regiment; against one of the most wealthy, powerful, and warlike nations of Europe: A nation whom the Americans loved and revered, with whom they had been connected by the ties of blood, religion, affection, language, commerce, interest, and all the considerations which ever

can bind one nation to another. Every other object seemed to disappear, and the new and fearful scene of war with Britain became the object of universal attention and exertion. Cool calculations on the most probable issue and effect, would have carried the feelings of death into the hearts and proceedings of the Americans; but necessity and the genius of liberty, i urged and drove them on.

CHAPTER II.

AMERICAN WAR. Origin and progress of the war in the year 1775. The colonies in danger from Canada. Reduction of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, by colonel Allen. Attempt of general Carleton to engage the Canadians and Indians. Invasion of Canada by general Montgomery. Allen taken prisoner. Surrender of the forts at Chambly and St. Johns. treal taken.

Mon

General Prescot and the British vessels captured. Escape of general Carleton. Colonel Arnold appears before Quebec. Montgomery marches to that city. Attempt and defeat in storming Quebec. Arnold retires and blockades the place. Reflections on the conduct and character of general Montgomery. On Arnold's expedition. On the American character and campaign.

1775. THE dissentions which had taken place between Great Britain and her colonies, commenced soon after the peace of 1763. They originated in the claims and acts of the British parliament and king to tax the colonies, and to make laws to bind them in all cases whatsoever. No greater power ever could be claimed by the most absolute despotism. If the claim, in its own nature, was unreasonable and odious, the exercise of it could not but occasion suspicion, jealousy, and opposition. The contentions, which the British ministry introduced in this way, had for ten years been gathering strength and maturity, from various circum

stances of aggression and violence; till they ar rived to a degree, in which all confidence between the two countries was nearly lost. Neither party intended to recede, but they did not seem to believe that their differences would produce a civil war; but were flattering themselves that ways and means would be found to bring their opponents to submission.

The

events of April the 19th, 1775, put an end to these hopes and expectations; and spread terror and consternation through the whole American 'continent. The American colonies at that time neither contemplated nor desired an independence, upon what was then called the mother country; but it was easy to see that war, and not reconciliation, was to be the business of that year; and that matters had already gone so far that there could be no safety for the colonies, but by making a vigorous and effectual, defence against the attacks and arms of Great Britain.

THE year before, the British parliament had passed a bill "for making more effectual provision for the government of the province of Quebec in North America." The objects of this bill were to extend the limits of that province far beyond those which had been assigned to it, by the king's proclamation in 1763. A legislative council was formed, which was to have the whole direction of the affairs of the province, taxation only excepted. The council was to be appointed by the crown, the members removable at pleasure, and the Canadian Roman Catholics to have a place in it. The French laws were to be established, and a trial without a jury in civil causes; but after the English