never expected, or supposed it possible, that Wolfe should reduce Quebec before a junction had been formed with Amherst in the St. Lawrence. In this they follow a cleverly written pamphlet by Israël Mauduit, entitled "An Apology for the life and actions of General Wolfe." (1)

The secret instructions, a copy of which was not available, of course, in 1765, show conclusively that Pitt did not regard the reduction of Quebec by Wolfe alone with the army of 12,005 which was intended for him as an impossibility, or even an improbability. On the 29th of December, 1758, Pitt sent to Amherst a carefully prepared plan of operations for the approaching campaign. After designating the troops which were to rendez-vous at Louisbourg to serve under Wolfe he directed Amherst to make at attempt to invade Canada by the way of Crown Point, or La Galette, or both, as should appear most practicable, and to attack Montreal, or Quebec, or both of these places successively with such forces as should remain available after the 12,005 had been transferred to the command of Wolfe. Amherst was urged to quicken his own movements so as to open his campaign by the first of May," as nothing can contribute so much to the success of the operations to be undertaken in different parts of North America, and particularly of the attempt on Quebec, as putting the forces early in motion on the other frontiers of Canada, and thereby distracting the enemy, and obliging them to divide their strength."

(1) Only 25 copies of this pamphlet were printed. The copy in the British Museum is corrected in the handwriting of its author. London, 1765.

The secret instructions sent to Wolfe were written, as previously stated, on the 5th day of February, 1759, and a copy was sent to Amherst a few days later for his information. After giving Wolfe preliminary directions, the instructions continue into the region of the more uncertain movements which were to follow the first expected suc

cesses.

"In case, by the Blessing of God upon Our Arms," section three quaintly says, you shall make yourself master of Quebec, Our Will and Pleasure is that you do keep Possession of the said Place, for which purpose you are to appoint, out of the Troops under your command a sufficient and ample Garrison under the command of such careful and able officer, as you shall judge best qualified for so important a Trust, effectually to defend and secure the said Place; and you will immediately make, in the manner most praticable, such Repairs to the Works, as you shall find necessary for the Defence thereof; until you shall receive further orders from Us; and you are forthwith to transmit an exact Account, to be laid before Us, of the State and Condition of the said Place."

In the next paragraph the reduction of Quebec by Wolfe is again anticipated "by the Blessing of God upon Our Arms" and he is told, should he make himself master of that place, that he and Rear Admiral Saunders must act as circumstances require, and determine what ulterior operations are to be undertaken higher up the St. Lawrence. He is enjoined to give information concerning these operations to Amherst and as far as may be possible "to concert the same with our said General, in order that the oper

ations, in different Parts, may coincide, and mutually facilitate and strengthen each other."

Wolfe is further instructed to leave a strong garrison at Quebec, and after the reduction of the city to provide for the defence of any other posts which it may be necessary to maintain; he is to dispose of the remaining troops as Amherst may direct.

If from the distant operations in which Amherst may happen to be engaged prejudice may arise by waiting for orders from him Wolfe is to use his best discretion in disposing of the forces "in the manner most conducible" to the service; he is then to place himself under the command of Major General Amherst, Brigadier General in North America.

From this it will be seen that the plans as outlined by Pitt in the month of February, supposed the possibility or even the probability of Wolfe's success with no aid from Amherst further than that afforded by a division of the French force in order to hold them in check.

Later in the year when it was known that Wolfe had but two-thirds of the force which had been intended for him it became the conviction of many competent judges that Quebec could be reduced only after a junction of the forces of Amherst and Wolfe before its walls, but it is plain that Pitt's original plans contemplated either the capture of Quebec by Wolfe alone while Amherst was engaging the enemy elsewhere, or in conjunction with Amherst should the latter be able to reach Quebec in time.

Although it was expected that all the troops and stores would be at Louisbourg on the 20th of April, the passage

from Portsmouth was so stormy and difficult that Saunders with Wolfe, Townshend and Carleton, did not sight Cape Breton's shore till the 30th of that month. However, on account of the ice which filled the harbor he was unable to enter, and therefore he sailed on to Halifax. Here, Admiral Durell had passed the winter, having under his command eight men of war. Upon hearing early in April of the intended expedition up the St. Lawrence, he set about his preparations with alacrity, and Murray, who was at Halifax also, applied to Governor Lawrence for permission to purchase supplies without delay for the expedition. Monckton arrived from the continent on the 22nd of the month of April, and gave his approval to the steps that had been taken to have everything in readiness at the arrival of Wolfe.

The fleet began to refit on the 2nd of May, and on the following day, Durell, with his vessels set sail for the lower St. Lawrence in order to cut off the approach of the French vessels which were expected to convey succor to the starving colony. On account of the weather, which appears to have been particularly boisterous, he was obliged to cast anchor for two days off Mauger's Beach. The importance of capturing the French vessels was fully appreciated, but still valuable time was lost to the advantage of the French.

On the 13th of May, Saunders sailed for Louisbourg and off Cape Sambro fell in with Holmes who accompanied him with the "Somerset" and the "Terrible" to Louisbourg. They entered the harbor on the 15th and two days later were joined by the "Nightingale" from New York

carrying Fraser's regiment. On the last day of May, Monckton arrived with four battalions from Halifax, and at last the establishment was complete. However, instead of 12,005 men which was the number intended by Pitt, there were but 8,535 all told, and these were further augmented by the 100 who joined under Captain Danks at Bird Island on the 9th of June. The number is authentic, and is taken from the statement signed by Wolfe on the 5th of June, as the number of troops under his command who had embarked with him. Major Moncrief had mentioned 8,535 on the 31st of May, as the number of men who were fit for duty. The statement of Wolfe signed on board the Neptune is as follows: