400

BOSTON BESIEGED.

"viewed with deep mortification, the inactivity to which he was compelled to submit. His real difficulties were not generally known; his numbers were exaggerated; his means of acting on the offensive were magnified; the expulsion of the British army from Boston had long since been anticipated by many; and those were not wanting who insinuated that the commander-in-chief was desirous of prolonging the war, in order to continue his own importance.

Congress desired that the town might be attacked; but a council of war decided unanimously against the measure. Early in January, the commander-in-chief ordered General Lee to raise a body of volunteers in Connecticut, and take them to New York city, and fortify the place. The reason for this order is found in the fact that intelligence had been transmitted to Washington, that a secret expedition was preparing in Boston, under Clinton, the destination of which was believed to be New York. On arriving at New York, Clinton said openly that no troops were coming; but that he was on his way to North Carolina, where he expected to meet an army from Europe. In expectation of an attack on Boston, Washington had taken possession of Ploughed Hill, Cobble Hill, and Lechmere's Point, which brought him within half a mile of the British works on Bunker's Hill; and by his cannon, he drove the British floating-batteries from their position in Charles river.

Toward the middle of February, the regular army was increased to fourteen thousand men, and Washington resolved to fortify Dorchester Heights; when Howe would be forced to engage under unfavourable circumstances, or evacuate the town. On the 2d of March, and on the succeeding nights, a heavy bombardment was kept up on the British lines, and on the 4th, General Thomas, with a strong detachment, took possession of the Heights, and with the aid of fascines, provided by General Ward, they succeeded in erecting works during the night sufficient for their defence. Howe was astonished when he saw these works, and he determined to dislodge the Americans. A detachment of about two thousand

troops fell down to the castle in transports; but a furious storm scattered them, and they were unable to proceed to the scene of action. The works were soon rendered nearly impracticable; and a council of war, held by the British, decided to evacuate the town as soon as possible. A fortnight afterwards, the measure was effected; and at ten in the morning of the 17th of March, the royal troops and their adherents, who had lately held possession of Boston, were sailing away from its shores; and Washington triumphantly entered the city.

Massachusetts was not the only theatre of the warlike operations of the American armies during the year 1775. In Virginia, Lord Dunmore, by his violent measures, strengthened the party he designed to overthrow. Apprehensive of danger to certain public stores at Williamsburg, he had them clandestinely removed during the night, on board the Fowey man-ofwar; and finding his conduct sharply questioned by the assembly, he censured them in a proclamation, which ended

VOL. I. 51

402

DUNMORE'S OPERATIONS.

with "God save the King." The assembly answered in a similar manner, ending their proclamation with "God save the Liberties of America ;" and Patrick Henry marched against him with a body of militia. The governor's family immediately took refuge on board the Fowey, and it was not long before Dunmore himself followed them. Here he with petty malice directed the predatory incursions of the crews of the vessels of war which had been for some time cruising in York and James river. The assembly invited their governor to return; but he still continued to hover about and menace the coasts of the province, prompting the inhabitants of tory principles to make head against the rebels, and negro slaves to gain their freedom by espousing the cause of the king. The Otter sloop-of-war, the captain of which had rendered himself obnoxious to the people by his depredations, accidentally ran aground, and was destroyed by the exasperated inhabitants. The soldiers and crew attempted to take revenge on the inhabitants, but were beaten off with loss.

Dunmore continued his predatory operations for some time, and by thus abrogating his government, left the Virginians to act as they might think proper. His example was followed by the governors of North and South Carolina, who also retired from their governments, leaving anarchy to supply their place. The governor of South Carolina had been detected in some underhand intrigues with the Indians; whilst the governor of North Carolina was obliged to seek safety on board a sloop-of-war in Cape Fear river, in consequence of some of his hostile preparations having been discovered before they were completed. Thus other colonies were assuming a position, which threatened, in the end, to lead to total separation from Britain, or a decisive subjugation of the colonies.

N the opinion of many statesmen of America, the co-operation of Canada with the colonies was deemed almost indispensable to success in the coming conflict. Addresses had been repeatedly sent to the people of Canada, which both in their English form, and translated into French, had been circulated throughout that province, and, it was generally believed, not without effect. The backwardness of the Canadians in espousing the cause of the king, gave Congress reason to hope that they were not unfavourably disposed to enter with them into the struggle; and many were of opinion that an army led into

404

EXPEDITION TO CANADA.

Canada would attract followers from all parts. Meantime, it was rendered necessary for the preservation of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, that these conquests should be extended further, as Sir Guy Carleton, Governor of Canada, was believed to be projecting an invasion of the north-western frontier. Generals Schuyler and Montgomery had received the command of the force intended for this service. The former issued an address, stating the objects of the present struggle, and that he had received the most positive orders to cherish every Canadian, and every friend to the cause of liberty, and sacredly to guard their property.

On the 10th of September, about one thousand American troops effected a landing at St. Johns, the first British post in Canada, one hundred and fifteen miles north of Ticonderoga; but they soon found it advisable to retreat to Isle aux Noix, twelve miles south of St. Johns, from which place General Schuyler set out for Ticonderoga, on account of sickness, leaving General Montgomery in command.

Montgomery soon returned to the neighbourhood of St. Johns, and began a siege; and taking Fort Chamblee, he found in it six tons of powder, by which he was enabled to press the siege with vigour. Carleton advanced with eight hundred men against him; but, in attempting to cross the St. Lawrence, he was attacked by Colonel Warner with three hundred men from the Green Mountains, and compelled to retire with precipitancy. The garrison of St. Johns then capitulated, and General Montgomery proceeded to Montreal. While the siege of St. Johns was pending, Colonel Ethan Allen was taken prisoner by the British near Montreal, with about thirtyeight of his men. He was cruelly treated, loaded with irons, and sent to England for trial as a rebel.

At Montreal, Montgomery took General Prescott, with several officers and one hundred and twenty privates, prisoners; and eleven armed vessels, with all their contents, also fell into the hands of the Americans. Sir Guy Carleton, however, escaped to Quebec, whither he was followed by Montgomery, who expeditiously arrived before the town.