cates for freedom; but its capital had so long been the headquarters of the British army in America, that many of the principal inhabitants, having contracted intimate relations with British officers, had become devoted to the royal cause. The assembly,

acting under their influence, declined to choose delegates to the continental congress held in May, 1775; but the people, a majority of whom were actuated by different feelings, elected a provincial congress, by whom those delegates were chosen.

70. When intelligence of the battle of Lexington reached the city, captain Sears, an active and intrepid leader of the "sons of liberty," took effectual measures to prevent vessels bound to ports in America, where the royal cause prevailed, from sailing. An association was also formed, consisting of one thousand of the principal inhabitants, who bound themselves to assist in carrying into execution whatever measure might be recommended, by the continental congress, to prevent the execution of the oppressive acts of the British parliament.

71. The ministry, desirous of retaining in obedience this im portant colony, appointed Mr. Tryon, to be governor over it. He had before filled the same office; was a man of address, and greatly beloved by the people. He came fully empowered to gain adherents by dispensing promises and money at his discretion. The success of his intrigues alarmed congress, who, having particular reference to him, recommended that "all persons whose going at large might endanger the liberties of America, should be arrested and secured." Gaining early intelligence of this, he also sought refuge on board a ship in the harbor.

72. Although the autumn of 1775 was not distinguished by any brilliant exploit, yet the time of congress and of the commander-in-chief, was not unprofitably employed. Constant attention was paid to the discipline of the troops; arrangements were made to obtain a supply of military stores; the building and equipment of a naval force was commenced; two expeditions were organized and despatched against Canada, one by the way of lake Champlain, the other of the river Kennebeck; and general Lee, with twelve hundred volunteers from Connecticut, was directed to proceed to New-York, and, with the aid of the inhabitants, fortify the city and the highlands.

73. The abolition of all legal authority in the colonies was an evil for which, though less than had been anticipated, it was yet expedient to provide a remedy. New-Hampshire applied to congress for advice on this subject. A favorable opportunity was thus presented to the zealous patriots in congress, to propose a remedy for the evil, which should, at the saine time, exhibit in practice the fundamental principle of their political creci

that all legitimate authority must be derived from the people; and should also prepare the way for their darling object, a declaration of independence.

74. A resolution was introduced, recommending that a convention of representatives, freely elected by the people of that colony, should be called, for the purpose of establishing such a form of government as they might deem proper. It was warmly opposed by those members who were yet desirous of an accommodation with the mother country. An amendment being made, providing that the government established should continue in force no longer than the existing contest with Great. Britain, the resolution passed. Representatives were accordingly chosen, who, on the 5th of January, 1776, adopted a written constitution, acknowledging no source of power but the people. In other colonies, the same course was soon afterwards pursued.

75. A transaction, displaying the vindictive feelings of the British, occurred in October. The ministry had issued orders to the officers of the navy to proceed, as in the case of actual rebellion, against all the colonial seaports accessible to ships of war, which should discover symptoms of attachment to the cause of liberty. Falmouth, a flourishing town in Massachusetts, having given some particular offence, its destruction, under color of these orders, was resolved on, and captain Mowatt, with four ships, was despatched on that service.

76. The citizens made an effort, by negotiation, to avert their ruin; but as the terms which were offered could not be accepted without dishonor, they were at once rejected. The bombardment immediately commenced, the town was set on fire, and four hundred buildings reduced to ashes. This wanton act of devastation was strongly reprobated throughout America, and served to inflame, rather than to intimidate, the people. The town has since been rebuilt, its name changed to Portland, and it is now the capital of Maine.

77. As the year 1775 drew near to a close, the condition of the army, employed in the blockade of Boston, engaged the attention of congress. A speedy adjustment of the dispute being at first expected, the men had been enlisted to serve only until the first of January. No prospect now appeared of an immediate accommodation. It was therefore resolved to form a new army, to consist of twenty thousand men, and to be raised, as far as practicable, from the troops then in service. Unfortunately it was determined, that the enlistments should be made for one year only, an error the consequences of which were af terwards very severely felt.

78. It was supposed that most of those whom patriotism had impelled to join the army, would continue in the service of their country; but when the experiment was made, it was found that their ardor had considerably abated. The blockade of Boston presented no opportunity of acquiring glory, by deeds of noble daring; the fatiguing duties of the camp wore upon their spirits, affected their health, and produced an unconquerable longing to revisit their homes. Notwithstanding the great exertions of general Washington, no more than half the estimated number had been enlisted at the close of the

year.

79. The people and the troops, supposing the army to be stronger than it was, expressed great dissatisfaction at the inactivity of the commander-in-chief, which some imputed to dis honorable motives. An attack upon Boston was loudly de manded. Washington three times proposed it to a council of war; but in every instance the decision was unanimous against it. At the last time, however, the council recommended that the town should be more closely invested. On the evening of the fourth of March, 1776, the attention of the enemy being diverted, by a brisk cannonade, to a different quarter, a party of troops, under the command of general Thomas, took possession, in silence, of Dorchester heights, and with almost incredible in dustry, erected, before morning, a line of fortifications which commanded the harbor and the town.

80. The view of these works, raised like an exhalation from the earth, excited the astonishment of general Howe, who, on the resignation of general Gage, had been appointed commander-in-chief. He saw that he must immediately dislodge the Americans or evacuate the town. The next day he ordered 3000 men to embark in boats and proceeded, by way of Castle Island, to attack the works on the heights. A furious storm dispersed them; the fortifications, in the mean time, were rendered too strong to be forced; and general Howe was compelled to seek safety in an immediate departure from Boston."

81. Of the determination of the enemy to evacuate the town, general Washington was soon apprized. The event being cer tain, he did not wish by an attack to hasten it, as the fortifications at New-York, to which place he presumed they would repair, were not in sufficient forwardness to protect it. The embarkation was made on the 17th of March; a few days after, the whole fleet set sail, and the American army hastened, by divisions, to New-York.

82. The acquision of this important town occasioned great and general rejoicing. The thanks of congress were voted to general Washington and his troops, for their wise and spirited

conduct, and a medal of gold was ordered to be struck in cominemoration of the event. The British fleet, instead of conveying the troops to New-York, steered for Halifax, having on board a large number of tories and their baggage.

CHAPTER XVII.

EXPEDITION AGAINST CANADA.

IT has been already stated, that two expeditions were despatched against Canada. The command of that, which was to proceed by way of lake Champlain, was given to general Schuyler of New-York. The number of troops to be employed was fixed at three thousand, and they were to be drawn from NewYork and New-England. Governor Carleton, gaining intelligence of the project, despatched about eight hundred men to strengthen the works at St. Johns, on the river Sorel, a position commanding the usual entrance into Canada.

2. Brigadier general Montgomery, a young officer of brilliant talents, and ambitious of glory, was ordered to proceed in advance, with the troops, then in readiness, and attack this important position, before it had been made too strong to be taken. When commencing his career, the glory and fate of Wolfe were present to his thoughts, and to his wife his parting words were, you shall never blush for your Montgomery." General

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Schuyler soon followed, and on arriving at Isle aux Noix, in the vicinity of the British works, he addressed a proclamation to the Canadians, exhorting them to join their brethren in the cause of freedom, and declaring that the American army came as friends of the inhabitants, and as enemies only of the British garrisons. 3. The fortification at St. Johns being found stronger than was anticipated, general Schuyler returned to Albany to hasten the departure of the remaining troops, artillery, and munitions of war. He was prevented, by a severe illness, from again joining the army, and the chief command devolved upon Montgomery. On receiving a reinforcement, he invested St. Johns: but being yet almost destitute of battering cannon and of powder, he made no progress in the siege. And the soldiers, carrying with them into the field that attachment to liberty and equality which gave

birth to the contest, displayed such utter aversion to discipline and subordination as increased, in a great degree, his difficulties and vexations.

4. Colonel Allen, the hero of Ticonderoga, had a command under Montgomery. Having been despatched, with major Brown, into the interior of Canada, he was, on his return, persuaded by the latter to undertake the rash project of attacking Montreal. He divided his detachment, consisting of less than three hundred men, into two parties, intending to assail the city at opposite points. Major Brown was prevented from executing his part of the enterprise. Colonel Allen and his small party, opposed by the whole force of the enemy under governor Carleton, fought with desperate valor. Many were killed; the survivers, overpowered by numbers, were compelled to surrender. The governor, viewing Allen, not as the intrepid soldier, but as a factious rebel, loaded him with irons and sent him to England for trial.

5. On the 18th of October, a fortunate event brightened the prospects of the Americans. Fort Chamblee, situated several miles north of St. Johns, was supposed to be beyond their reach, and was but slightly guarded. A detachment under majors Brown and Livingston, attacking it unexpectedly, gained possession of it with little loss. Several pieces of cannon, and 120 parrels of powder, were the fruits of the victory. The Americans, encouraged by success, immediately, in defiance of the continual fire of the enemy, erected a battery near fort St. John's, and made preparations for a severe cannonade, and an assault, if necessary.

6. At this juncture, Montgomery received intelligence of an action between governor Carleton and a body of Green Mountain boys commanded by colonel Warner. The former, elated by his victory over Allen, collected about eight hundred regulars, militia and Indians, with the view of raising the siege of St. John's. In full confidence of success, they left Montreal, embarked in boats, and proceeded towards the southern shore of the St. Lawrence. In the bushes at the water's edge colonel Warner, having received information of their purpose, concealed three hundred men, who, when the enemy approached the shore, poured upon them a fire so unexpected and destructive, that the flotilla returned, in confusion, to Montreal.

7. On the first of November, Montgomery commenced a heavy cannonade of the enemy's works, which was continued through the day. In the evening, he sent to the British commander, by one of governor Carleton's men, who had been made prisoner by colonel Warner, intelligence of the governor's de