attack of the Americans, almost wholly without assistance from the soldiers of the mother country. In 1775, the people of the United States contemplated the conquest of Canada, and, in pursuance of that object, commenced operations on the 10th of May, by taking possession of the fort of Ticonderoga, upon Lake Champlain, which fort contained one hundred pieces of cannon. Crown Point, with the only vessel of war which belonged to the English, on Lake Champlain, also fell into their hands. These actions were performed by the division of the American army, under the command of General Montgomery, who determined to enter Canada by Lake Champlain. The second division, under the command of General Arnold, traversing the woods. in the district of Maine, and suffering extraordinary fatigues during their march, arrived at Satigan on the 4th of November; and, on the 8th, reached Point Levi, which lies exactly opposite Quebec, on the south shore of the St. Lawrence; and would probably have rendered themselves masters of that town, had they been able immediately to procure the means of traversing the river, as Quebec was at this moment defenceless, General Carleton, the English governor, being then occupied with his troops near Montreal, in endeavouring to repulse the attacks of Montgomery. Arnold succeeded, nevertheless, in passing the river on the 9th, at Wolfe's Cove, a short distance above the town, and took possession of the environs. Having received intelligence of the taking of Montreal by Montgomery, he established himself at Pointe aux Trembles, twenty-one miles above Quebec, and awaited the arrival of Montgomery before he attempted to attack the town. Montgomery, however, was unable, from various obstacles, and from the resistance he every where experienced, to join him before the 1st of December. General Carleton, in the mean time, perceiving that the safety of the province depended entirely upon Quebec, which could alone offer any resistance to the American army, proceeded thither without delay, and, fortunately escaping interception, arrived there, on the 19th of

November. His arrival produced an extraordinary joy among the people; and he prepared, with his garrison, consisting of eighteen hundred men, for an obstinate defence. Of this garrison, three hundred and fifty men were regulars; about three hundred and fifty more consisted of seamen ; the remainder of the force being composed entirely of militia, whose firmness and good conduct, during the siege, wrung, even from the most Anti-Canadian, the flattering tribute of unwilling applause*. Montgomery having, at length, taken the command of the American army, called a council of war, in which it was determined to attempt, immediately, to carry the town by assault. The 31st of December was the day on which this determination was to be carried into effect-a day fatal alike to Montgomery and to the success of the American arms in Canada. The besieging army had, from time to time, during the winter, been reinforced by succours from the United States; but were unable, even with their augmented forces, to overcome the obstinate courage of the besieged, or to resist the terrible climate of the country. Montgomery, during the night, led his forces to the attack; a furious snow storm was raging, and served, in some measure, to prevent the enemy from discovering his motions. As he approached Prescott Gate, by the road which leads from the upper to the lower town (which road winds round the face of the rock upon which the upper town is built), his army was crowded into the long narrow pass which led to the gate. The confused noise, necessarily arising from a multitude of persons struggling up the path, struck the ear of the sentinel in spite of the roar of the storm; the sentinel immediately challenged the persons whom he supposed to be approaching: to this challenge, no answer being returned, he aroused the guard. During this awful interval, Montgomery formed his men, and advanced hastily to the gate. At this moment the garrison opened a fire with the guns which commanded

* Mr. Smith, in his History of Canada, pp. 7, 8, Vol. II, even acknowledges, "that there were Canadian gentlemen whose conduct, during the siege, was highly meritorious."-What condescension!

the path; the groans which immediately succeeded plainly revealed the enemy; and not till every sound in answer to the fire had died away did the garrison cease from their cannonade. Morning came, and revealed nothing; the snow falling thickly after the enemy had been destroyed, covered every trace of the tremendous efficiency of the garrison's fire. It was quickly discovered, however, that Montgomery, with the whole of the attacking party, had perished. This was a fatal blow to the hopes of the enemy, who, after several further unsuccessful attacks, raised the siege on the 6th of May, and retreated towards their own. country. Their army, at that time consisting of about three thousand men, attacked on all sides, was quickly dispersed, and by far the greater portion captured. During the whole of this painful siege, as well as the remainder of the campaign, disastrous in every point to the English, the Canadians exerted themselves with indefatigable ardour and perseverance-maintained throughout an unflinching adherence to the English party, and proved themselves (if faithful conduct can create desert) deserving of the most hearty goodwill, assistance, and respect from the mother country.

CHAPTER II.

Act of 1791*, for dividing the Province into Upper and Lower Canada-Legislative and Administrative Bodies -The Governor-Executive Council-House of As

sembly-Judiciary.

WE have now arrived at the most important epoch of the History of Canada, viz. that at which her present Representative Government was conferred upon her by the Imperial Parliament. For the purpose of giving an insight into the intention of the then Ministry, I will lay before the reader the proceedings of the House of Commons:

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Friday, March 4, 1791.

Mr. Chancellor Pitt moved, "That His Majesty's Message concerning the New Constitution for Quebec might be read." It was read accordingly.

George R.

His Majesty thinks proper to acquaint the House of Commons, that it appears to His Majesty, that it would be for the benefit of His Majesty's subjects in the province of Quebec that the same should be divided into two separate provinces, to be called the Province of Upper, and the Province of

* See Appendix, No. VII.

Lower Canada; and that it is His Majesty's intention so to divide the same, whenever His Majesty shall be enabled, by Act of Parliament, to establish the necessary regulations for the government of the said provinces. His Majesty therefore recommends this object to the consideration of the House.

Mr. Chancellor Pitt then moved, "That the Act of the 14th of His Majesty, respecting the said province, be read ;”—and he observed, that the purport of his motion was to repeal part of the above Act, and to introduce new regulations for the future government of the said province. Feeling the importance of the subject, he should have been desirous of stating fully to the House the grounds and the principles on which he meant to proceed, in forming a constitution for a valuable appendage to the British dominions; which, he trusted, would contribute to its future prosperity. But as it was not likely that any opposition would arise against bringing in a Bill for this purpose, and as explanations would come with more propriety when the Bill was before the House, he should state in a few words only the outlines of the plan; unless questions were asked, and explanations demanded, in the first instance. The Bill which he meant to propose was founded, in the first place, on the recommendation contained in His Majesty's Message, to divide the province into two governments. This division, it was hoped, would put an end to the competition between the old French inhabitants and the new settlers from Britain, or British colonies, which had occasioned the disputes and uncertainties respecting law, and other disputes of less importance, by which the province had been so long distracted: this division, it was hoped,' could be made in such a manner as to give each a great majority in their own particular part, although it could not be expected to draw a line of complete separation; any inconvenience to be apprehended from ancient Canadians being included into one, or British settlers in the other, would be cured by the establishment of a local legislature in each.

It was for this purpose he should first propose, in imitation of the constitution of the mother country, a Council and