1775.

At Montreal he found, to his extreme morti- CHAP. V. fication, that his promise to discharge them was claimed by many of his soldiers. He offered a suit of the clothes taken with that town, to those who would engage to serve only until the 15th day of April; but they could not be, generally, prevailed on to re-inlist. These untoward circumstances only stimulated their gallant leader to more vigorous exertions. In a letter to general Schuyler of the 17th of November, he says, "I have had great difficulties about the troops. I am afraid many of them will go home; however, depending on my good fortune, I hope to keep enough to give the final blow to ministerial politics in this province; and I hope effectual measures will be taken to prevent their laying hold of it again."

It was necessary to leave a sufficient number of his small corps at Montreal, St. Johns, and. Chamblee, to garrison those places, keep open the communication between Quebec and the United Colonies, preserve the dependence of the Canadians, overawe the Indians, and hold in check the garrisons above him at Detroit and Niagara. When these essential objects were provided for with the utmost possible economy of men, they yet formed such deductions from his force, as to leave but little more than three hundred men to follow their general in the enterprise against Quebec.

CHAP. V.

General Washington, foreseeing that the

1775. whole force of Canada would be concentrated about Montreal, had projected an expedition August. against Quebec, by a detachment from his camp before Boston, which was to march by the way of Kennebec river, and passing through the dreary wilderness lying between the settled parts of Maine, and the St. Lawrence, and crossing the rugged mountains, and deep morasses, which abound in that country, to penetrate into Canada about ninety miles below Montreal.

The object proposed by this hardy enterprise was, either to compel Carleton, whose force would not admit of a division, to draw his troops from the upper country, and thereby open an easy passage to the army invading the province by the way of the river Sorel; or, if he should maintain that position, to take possession of Quebec; which, all his accounts assured him, was absolutely unable to hold out against the force which would appear before it; and if attacked by an American army before the return of Carleton, would surrender without firing a

shot.

This arduous enterprise was committed to colonel Arnold. About a thousand men, consisting of New England infantry, some volunteers, a company of artillery under a captain

*Colonel Burr, since vice president of the United States, was of this number.

Lamb, and three companies of riflemen, were CHAP. V. selected for the service.

1775.

expedition

Kennebec,

Notwithstanding the unremitting exertions Arnold's of the general, the delays in expediting them, by the way occasioned by the derangements of the were such, that they could not commence their march until about the middle of September.

army,

The success of this expedition very much depended on the friendly temper of the province, and the instructions given to Arnold inculcated, with great care, the cultivation of a good understanding with the Canadians. They even enjoined him to abandon the enterprise, if this sudden invasion of their country should threaten to irritate them, and induce them to take up arms against the United Colonies. He was also particularly directed to use the utmost possible expedition; to keep up a correspondence with the upper army, which it was hoped might be effected by means of the St, Francois Indians; and to keep the general himself regularly informed of every event of importance, which should occur, He was

furnished with about one thousand pounds in specie to defray contingent expenses, and with a cargo of manifestos to be dispersed through Canada.

The letter accompanying these orders is strongly indicative of the impressions which had been received of the dispositions of the

CHAP. V. Canadians, as well as of the importance attri1775. buted to that province in the existing war.

"You are," said the general, "'intrusted with a command of the utmost consequence to the interest and liberties of America; upon your conduct and courage, and that of the officers and soldiers detached on this expedition, not only the success of the present enterprise, and your own honour, but the safety and welfare of the whole continent, may depend. I charge you, therefore, and the officers and soldiers under your command, as you value your own safety and honour, and the favour and esteem of your country, that you consider yourselves as marching not through an enemy's. country, but that of your friends and brethren; for such the inhabitants of Canada, and the Indian nations have approved themselves, in this unhappy contest between Great Britain and America. That you check by every motive of duty and fear of punishment, every attempt to plunder and insult the inhabitants of Canada. Should any American soldier be so base and infamous, as to injure any Canadian or Indian, in his person or property, I do most earnestly enjoin you to bring him to such severe and exemplary punishment, as the enormity of the crime may require; should it extend to death itself, it will not be disproportionate to its guilt, at such a time, and in such a cause. But I hope and trust that the brave men who

have voluntarily engaged in this expedition will be governed by far different views: that their order, discipline, and regularity of behaviour will be as conspicuous as their valour: I also give it in charge to you, to avoid all disrespect to and contempt of the religion of the country, and its ceremonies. Prudence, policy, and a true christian spirit, will lead us to look with compassion on their errors, without insulting them. While we are contending for our own liberty, we should be very cautious of violating the rights of conscience in others, and should ever consider that God alone is the judge of the hearts of men, and to him only, in this case, they are answerable.

"Upon the whole, sir, I beg you to inculcate on the officers and soldiers, the necessity of preserving the strictest order during their march through Canada. To represent to them the shame, disgrace, and ruin to themselves and country, if they should by their conduct turn the hearts of our brethren in Canada against us. And on the other hand, the honour and rewards which await them, if by their prudence and good behaviour, they conciliate the affections of the Canadians and Indians to the great interests of America, and convert those favourable dispositions they have shown, into a lasting union."'

The opinion which had been formed of the favourable dispositions of the Canadians, was

CHAP. V.

1775.