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persisted to think would be their destination. In this opinion he moved considerable detachments towards that place, before the town of Boston was actually evacuated. This event took place on the seventeenth of March, and was, probably, in a degree precipitated by some works thrown up on Nook's Hill the preceding evening. As the enemy continued some time in Nantasket Road, so as to create a suspicion that they might possibly design to re-land, the General thought it necessary to take possession of the heights around the town, and to erect fortifications on Fort Hill, a point of great natural strength, and commanding 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 very general joy. 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 offi cers 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."

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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. A great number of those who had been attached to the royal cause removed with the army, and transported their effects with them to Halifax. Several pieces of heavy ordnance were found, many of which the enemy had rendered useless by knocking off the trunnions, and the residue were spiked up. Other stores were also left, though not to a very considerable amount.

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VOL. II.

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CHAPTER V.

Invasion of Canada meditated—the Americans enter that Province-Siege of Saint John's-Capture of Fort Chamblie—Carleton defeated at Longueisle-Saint John capitulates-Montreal surrenders-Arnold's Expedition by the Way of the Kennebec—he arrives before Quebec; and retirès to Point aux Trembles-Montgomery lays siege to Quebec-unsuccessful Attack on that PlaceDeath of Montgomery-Blockade of Quebec continued-General Thomas takes command of the Army-the Blockade of Quebec is raisedGeneral Sullivan takes the command—Battle of the Three Ricers-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 Indians, or French inhabitants. Believing that province to be in a state of most perfect security, it had been left almost entirely undefended; and the regular troops on the continent of America had been chiefly drawn

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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 there was much reason to believe, that if not counteracted, the designs of the administration, when supported by a strong military force, would prevail. The possession of that country was believed to be all-important to either party, and it was thought that its present temper was such as to render it probable that its weight would be thrown into the scale of those who should first shew in it a force sufficient for the protection of its inhabitants. The facility with which Crown Point and Tyconderoga had been taken, and the perfect command of the lakes George and Champlain acquired, added to the motives already stated, inspired Congress with the daring design of anticipating the plans meditated against them in that province, by taking possession of Canada.

So early as the month of June 1775, a resolution passed that body, directing General Schuyler to repair to Tyconderoga, and to take the proper measures for securing that post and Crown Point, and for retaining the entire command of the lakes. He was at the same time authorized, if he should

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find it practicable, and not disagreeable to the Canadians, to take possession of St. John's and Montreal, and to pursue any other measures in Canada, which might have a tendency to promote the peace and security of the United Colonies.

Near three thousand men from New England and New York, to be commanded under MajorGeneral Schuyler, by Brigadiers Wooster and Montgomery, were designed for this service; and a number of batteaux were directed to be built at Tyconderoga and Crown Point, to convey the troops along lake Champlain, into the neighbourhood of Canada. But the information possessed by Congress on this subject, was not such as to justify thein in deciding absolutely on the expedition; and, therefore, their resolution left much -to the discretion of General Schuyler, on whose talents and attachment to the cause, the highest confidence was very deservedly placed.

Congress had made great exertions to facilitate this expedition. Fifty thousand dollars in specie were voted for the expense of the army in Canada, and the Convention of New York was urged to -hurry on the troops designed for that service.

General Schuyler, who was at New York, when this important command was confided to him, hastened to Tyconderoga, in order to make the necessary arrangements for the contemplated expedition. The troops of that department belong

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