The whole army now moved forward as rapidly as the rugged nature of the country and the unfavourable weather would permit, the advance led by Washington. Scouting parties of French and Indians endeavoured to impede its march, but were always promptly repulsed. Finding that resistance to the strong force, so cautiously and securely moving against him, could not be made with any prospect of success, the French commandant withdrew the garrison from Fort Du Quesne, after springing a mine under one of its faces, and dropped down the stream of the Ohio to the friendly settlements on the Mississippi. It was now the 24th of November, and the hills were already white with snow. On the following day the British took possession of the deserted stronghold, at once proceeded to repair its works, and changed its name to Pittsburg, in honour of the minister who planned its capture, and of whose glory the city on its site remains the enduring memorial. The capture of Fort Du Quesne closed the campaign of 1758. It was an event of considerable importance to the British, and restored their failing military reputation with the western Indians, while it effectually interrupted the communications of the French with their settlements in Louisiana. Brigadier Forbes lived but a brief space to enjoy the credit of its capture: his naturally weak constitution was ruined altogether by the hardships he had undergone during the expedition, and he died at Philadelphia soon after his return, much regretted by his acquaintance. Although the campaign had been chequered with disaster, still its general results were eminently favourable to Great Britain, and reflected additional lustre on the great man who guided her councils. The capture of Louisburg left France without a safe port near the St Lawrence, and effectually closed Canada in on the seaboard, while the reduction of Frontenac and Du Quesne had given all the territory to Britain, for the possession of which the war had arisen. Abercromby's defeat only delayed the final catastrophe for a brief space. His overwhelming force still menaced Canada from the side of Lake Champlain; and Montcalm was fully sensible that it only wanted a skilful general to lead it to victory. That leader, Pitt considered he gave it in the prudent Amherst, who received his commission, appointing him Commanderin-chief of the army in America, in December, and at once proceeded to New York to supersede Abercromby, who returned in disgrace to England. In the same vessel with the fallen general sailed the gallant Wolfe on leave of absence. K CHAPTER VIII. THE GOVERNMENT OF THE MARQUIS DE VAUDREUIL,-continued. THE HE year 1759 opened with dangerous menace to the French by a vote from the grateful Commons of England, of twelve millions sterling to carry on the war, sketched out with consummate 1759. skill the arrangements for the ensuing campaign in North America. In appointing his general officers he entirely disregarded seniority of rank, and selected the men he considered most capable of carrying out his views. To Stanwyx he entrusted the conquest of the French posts from Pittsburg to Lake Erie; Prideaux was to reduce Niagara ; while Amherst was instructed to assault Canada by Lake Champlain and the Richelieu, to capture Montreal, effect a junction with the expedition against Quebec, and thus terminate French power in North America by a single campaign. But Wolfe was Pitt's favourite general. In him he saw the same noble qualities which were inherent in his own nature. With the intuitively sympathetic love of genius for its fellow, he reposed implicit trust in the gallant soldier, and felt that he was safely entrusting the honour of their common country to his keeping. Wolfe, eager for glory, gladly accepted the command of the expedition against Quebec. Still, he could have found happiness in retirement. Gentle, yet courageous; affectionate, though aspiring; of highly cultivated tastes, and with a nature formed for the highest enjoyments of pure domestic love, he could fully appreciate all the charms of a peaceful home. But the noble passion for immortal distinction overcame his fondness for repose, and the day before his departure to join his troops, as Pitt detailed his wishes and his plans, he forgot everything but the ardent desire to devote himself to the service of his country. The large armies which had been set in motion by the British during the campaign of 1758, convinced De Vaudreuil that the total extinction of French power in North America was designed. De Bougainville was accordingly despatched to France to solicit provisions and the aid of fresh troops, and preparations were promptly commenced, under the viligant superintendence of Montcalm, for the better defence of the colony. A proclamation was issued to the officers of the militia to increase their zeal in preparations for resistance, and directing that all the male inhabitants of the province, from sixteen to sixty years of age, should be enrolled, and hold themselves ready to march at a moment's notice. In addition to the approach of the fiercest war they had ever yet encountered, the unfortunate habitants were now threatened with all the horrors of famine. The recent harvest had been below the average, owing principally to the absence of the farmers on military duty, and the scarcity was still further increased by the peculations and extortions of the civil officers. The rapacity of these men caused the poor people to conceal their scanty stores of provisions, and the troops were now quartered on them by the Intendant, who found it otherwise impossible to procure the necessary supplies. The scarcity gradually became so great, that horses had to be killed for the use of the inhabitants and troops at Montreal and Quebec. Early in January a census was taken of all the inhabitants, who were found to number about eighty-five thousand, of whom fifteen thousand two hundred and twenty-nine men were capable of bearing arms. Of these, however, a large proportion were unavailable in time of war, owing to the necessities of agriculture, and the prospect of a still more severe famine if the fields were left untilled. A detachment of artillery, eight battalions of French regulars, and thirty-three companies of the marine or colony troops, formed the real strength of the Canadian army. On the other hand, the British had nearly fifty thousand men under arms, or ready to take the field; provisions were abundant in all their colonies, and the people prosperous. The gallant Montcalm saw the net with which fate was gradually encircling him, still he never faltered in his duty. He could tell the French minister plainly, "that Canada must be taken in this or the next campaign, without unexpected good fortune or great fault in the enemy," yet he acted with the same vigour as though he felt secure of victory. He was indefatigable in his preparations for the impending struggle. The several fortifications were strengthened, vessels built to command Lake Champlain, and every exertion made to collect provisions, now becoming exceedingly scarce. On the 14th of May, M. De Bougainville returned from France, bringing out with him decorations and promotions in abundance for the officers who had distinguished themselves in the last campaign, and but a slender supply of food, needed much more. The Governor was instructed to undertake all in his power for the defence of Canada, for the conquest of which he was informed the British were making vast preparations, and the French minister wrote to Montcalm, "that the King relied upon his zeal and obstinacy of courage." De Vaudreuil now addressed a circular to the militia officers, requiring them to be ready for marching in any direction at a moment's warning; and, at the same time, sought to excite their patriotism by a stirring appeal.* But the most remarkable document which appeared in Canada at this period, was a pastoral letter from the Bishop, Henry De Pont Briant, to the clergy of his diocese, which gives considerable insight into the civil and religious condition of the people, and which he represents as most deplorable.† "This campaign," said he, "will afford the Canadians an opportunity of signalising themselves. His Majesty well knows the confidence I have in them, and I have not failed to inform him of their services. His Majesty trusts they will make those efforts that are to be looked for from the most faithful subjects, more particularly as they have to defend their religion, their wives, and their property, from the cruel treatment to be expected from the English. "With respect to myself, I am resolved not to consent to any capitulation, in hopes that this resolution may have the most ruinous consequences to the English. It is most indubitable, that it would be more merciful for the inhabitants, their wives and children, to be buried under the ruins of the Colony, than to fall into the hands of the English. "It being highly necessary that the most prudent precautions should be taken to prevent a surprise, I have established beacons from post to post, along the south shore, below Point Levi, to be set fire to as soon as the enemy are discovered. "We promise every protection to the inhabitants, their wives, children, and property, to prevent their falling into the hands of the English, who would make them suffer the same hardships and miseries experienced by the Acadians. In addition to which, we have the testimony of their late ill conduct, in their treatment of the inhabitants of Cape Breton, notwithstanding the capitulation, as well as those of the Island of St John. "Their hatred is so well known towards everything that is Canadian, that they even make them responsible for the cruelties of a few Indians, still forgetting the measures we have taken to prevent a repetition of these actions, and the good treatment which the nation has at all times shown to them when prisoners. "We have a real satisfaction in declaring that we entertain no apprehensions for the safety of the Colony, yet we shall adopt the most efficacious measures for securing to the inhabitants their rights and property." "You are not unacquainted, my dear brethren, with the immense preparations of the enemy, the designs formed to attack the Colony in four different parts, the During the month of May, a council of war was held at Montreal, which after several meetings decided that a strong body of troops should be posted at Quebec under Montcalm; and that Bourlemaque should take post at Ticonderoga, and blow up the works on the number of their regular troops and militia, six times at least superior to ours. Neither are you ignorant that they have sent emissaries to all the Indian nations to incite them to forsake us, and rouse those to take up arms against us who are willing to preserve a kind of neutrality. You are sensible, moreover, that they occupy those harbours at the lower end of our river, which hitherto we have regarded as so many barriers; you perceive every incitement to fear and terror, and you are undoubtedly astonished thereat. The uncertainty of the affairs of Europe, the many dangers to which the succours we expect are exposed, the numerous fleets destined for our destruction; the general scarcity that prevails of everything necessary for our defence as well as our subsistence even in peace, ought naturally to make the greatest impression on our minds. But what ought still to be the cause of the greatest chagrin, is the little zeal for piety observed everywhere, the injurious and wicked speeches maintained against those in whom we ought to place all our confidence; and what may create still further fear in us, are the profane diversions to which we are addicted with greater attachment than ever; the insufferable excesses of the games of chance; the impious hypocrisy in derision or rather in contempt of religion; the various crimes against Heaven, that have been multiplied in the course of this winter; all these, my brethren, ought to make us dread everything, and oblige me to declare to you, that God himself is enraged, that His arm is prepared to chastise us, and, in fact, that we deserve it. Yea, my friends, we tell it, in the face of the altars and in bitterness of our heart, that it is not the number of the enemy, nor their utmost efforts that affright us, and make us reflect on the impending disasters both on the state and on religion, but our manifold sins and wickednesses. Eighteen years have now elapsed since the Lord called us, though unworthy, to watch over this extensive diocese; we have frequently seen you suffer by famine, and disease, and almost continual war. Nevertheless, this year, it appears to us, is in all respects the most afflictive and deplorable, because in reality we are most criminal. Were there ever such open robberies, so many heinous acts of injustice, such shameful rapines heard of? Who has not seen, in this Colony, families devoted publicly, if I may so say, to crimes of the most odious nature? Who ever beheld so many abominations? In almost all ranks the contagion is nearly universal; however, my brethren, matters are not yet remediless, neither are our misfortunes irretrievable. The Christian faith teaches us that a true and sincere conversion can stop the avenging hand of divine justice, and that it even hath frequently stayed it. It is true the disease is great, but the remedy is in our own power. O faithless Jerusalem, return to your God; and God, according to His promise, will deign to relent! Atone, my dear brethren, I say, atone speedily for the past by tears of a sincere repentance; they will be acceptable to the merciful heart of God, who never punishes His creatures but with regret. Dear children, be diligent therein, sympathise with the ministers of the altar in weeping, wailing, and prayer. Implore the Lord with fervency to enlighten sinners with the misery of their souls, that He will affect and convert them; we mean those of our brethren who run to their own destruction; dread, lest you find yourselves involved in their calamities; and ye, O sinners! we beseech you, in the name of Jesus Christ, at least be no hindrance to the blessings we ask for |