were embarked and fell down to the castle, in order to proceed from thence up the river to the intended scene of action; but they were scattered by a furious storm, which disabled them from immediately prosecuting the enterprise; and before they could again be in readiness for the attack, the works were made so strong, that it was thought unadvisable to attempt to force them. The evacuation of the town, was, therefore resolved on.

In the expectation that the flower of the British troops would be employed against the Heights of Dorchester, general Washington had concerted a plan for availing himself of that occasion, to attack the town of Boston itself. Four thousand chosen men were held in readiness to embark at the mouth of Cambridge river, on a signal to be given if the garrison should appear to be so weakened by the detachment made from it as to justify an assault. These troops were to embark in two divisions, the first to be led by brigadier general Sullivan, the second by brigadier general Green, and the whole to be under the command of major general Putnam. The boats were to be preceded by three floating batteries, which were to keep up a heavy fire on that part of the town where the troops were to land. It was proposed that the first division should land at the powder house, and gain possession of Bacon hill; the second at Barton's point, or a little south of it, and after securing that post, to join the other division, force the enemy's works, and open the gates in order to give admission to the troops from Roxbury.

Had this plan succeeded, the British army in Boston must have been entirely destroyed. Of its success, general Washington entertained sanguine hopes, and therefore regretted the storm which defeated the proposed attack on the Heights of Dorchester, and consequently the residue of his plan, the execution of which was dependent on that attack.

The determination to evacuate Boston was soon communicated.

A paper signed by some of the select men of the town, and brought out with a flag, stated the fact. This paper was accompanied by propositions said to be made on the part of general Howe, but not signed by him, relative to the security of the town, and the peaceable embarkation of his army. As these propositions were not addressed to the commander in chief, nor authenticated by the sig nature of general Howe, nor by any act obligatory on him, general Washington thought it improper directly to notice them, and determined that the officer to whom they were delivered should return an answer stating the reasons why they were not treated with more particular regard.

In the mean-time, the determination to continue their advances, and to secure Nook's hill, was changed. The reason assigned for relinquishing this plan was, that it was not advisable, now that the evacuation of Boston was certain, to press the retreating army too closely; because their embarkation could not be prevented, and a longer delay would give further time to strengthen New

York, which the general still persisted to think would be their destination. In this opinion hẹ moved considerable detachments towards that place, before the town of Boston was actually evacuated. This event took place on the 17th of March, and was probably precipitated by some works thrown up on Nook's hill the preceding evening. As general Howe continued several days in Nantasket road, a suspicion was excited that he might possibly design to re-land his troops. To guard against this measure the general stationed a part of his army on the heights around the town, and erected fortifications on Fort hill, a point of great natural strength, which commanded the place where an invading army would most probably debark. But in a few days, the whole fleet set sail, and the American army proceeded by divisions to New York.

The recovery of this important town was an event which gave great joy to the United Colonies. It was "resolved, that the thanks of congress in their own name, and in the name of the Thirteen United Colonies, whom they represent, be presented to his excellency general Washington, and the officers and soldiers under his command, for their wise and spirited conduct in the siege and acquisition of Boston, and that a medal of gold be struck in commemoration of this great event, and presented to his excellency; and that a committee of three be appointed to prepare a letter of thanks, and a proper device for the medal."

The town of Boston was left standing, and much less mischief was done to the houses and property of the inhabitants, than had been apprehended. Several pieces of heavy ordnance were found; many of which had been rendered useless by knocking off the trunnions, and the residue were spiked up. Other stores were also left, though not to a large amount.

CHAPTER V.

Invasion of Canada meditated....The Americans enter that province...Siege of St. Johns....Capture of fort Chambleé ....Carleton defeated at Longueisle....St. Johns capitulates ....Montreal surrenders....Arnold's expedition by the way of the Kennebec....He arrives before Quebec....And retires to Point Aux Trembles....Montgomery lays siege to Quebec... Unsuccessful attack on that place....Death of Montgomery ....Blockade of Quebec continued....General Thomas takes command of the army.... The blockade of Quebec is raised.... General Sullivan takes the command....Battle of the Three Rivers....Canada evacuated.

WHILST these transactions were passing in Boston, other events of deep and serious interest to both parties, took place still further to the north.

Great dissatisfaction prevailed in Canada. The Quebec act, and other measures of administration, had disquieted the British settlers, without attaching to government, either the Indian or French inhabitants. Believing that province to be in a state of perfect security, it had been left almost entirely undefended: and the regular troops on the continent of America, had been chiefly drawn to Boston. At the same time, Quebec was known to be a place of deposit for military stores to an immense amount, and it was also known that great efforts were making to conciliate the Canadians and Indians, in order to promote an invasion of the United Colonies from that quarter. They had heretofore resisted those endeavours; but