people make me say ten times more than I ever uttered; therefore repeat nothing out of my letter nor name my name as the author of any one thing. The whole affair turned upon the impraticability of escalading Rochefort; and the two evidences brought to prove that the ditch was wet (in opposition to the assertions of the chief engineer, who had been in the place), are persons to whom, in my mind, very little credit should be given; without these evidences we must have landed and must have marched to Rochefort; and it is my opinion that the place would have surrendered or have been taken in forty-eight hours. It is certain that there was nothing in all that country to oppose 9,000 good foot-a million of Protestants, upon whom it is necessary to keep a strict eye, so that the garrisons could not venture to assemble against us, and no troops except the Militia within any moderate distance of these parts.

"Little practice in war, ease and convenience at home, great incomes, and no wants, with no ambition to stir to action, are not the instruments to work a successful war withal; I see no prospect of better deeds; I know not where to look for them, or from whom we may expect them.

"Many handsome things would have been done by the troops had they been permitted to act; as it is, Captain Howe carried off all the honour of this enterprise it, notwithstanding what that scribbling

been pleased to lie about that fort and the attack of it.

"This disaster in North America (1) unless the French have driven from their anchors in the harbour of Louisbourg, is of the most fatal kind; whatever diminishes our naval force tends to our ruin and destruction. God forbid that any accident should befall our fleet in the bay. The Duke's resignation may be reckoned an addition to our misfortunes; he acted a right part, but the country will suffer by it.

Yours, my dear Rickson,

Very affectionately,

"J. W."

"Black Heath, 5th Nov., 1757.

“The General and my mother are both gone to the Baths.

(1) This relates to the capture by the French of Fort-William Henry, on the south side of Lake George, with all the artillery, vessels and boats,

[His friend was still Deputy-Quarter-Master-General of Scotland, at Edinburgh.]

"Dear Rickson,

Calcraft told me he had prepared a memorial for you and was to give it in to Sir John Ligonier. I had apprised Col. Hotham, the DeputyAdjutant-General and had bespoke his assistance. Hotham assured me two days ago that he has not seen the memorial, and wonders it was not presented. Calcraft must have some reasons for the delay, which I will inquire into to-morrow; and if he has any difficulties about it, I will carry it myself. My services in this matter and my credit with the reigning powers are not worth your acceptance; but such as they allow it to be, you are as welcome to as any living man. I can assure you that "Davie (Watson) is double, and would shove you aside to make way for a tenth cousin; it becomes my Lord G. Beauclerk, (then Commanderin-Chief in Scotland) to confirm you in your office by asking and procuring a commission. If he is satisfied with your management, it is his duty to do it; these mealy chiefs give up their just rights and with them their necessary authority. The Commander in Scotland is the fittest person to recommend, and the best judge of the merits of those that serve under him. Though to all appearance I am in the very centre of business, yet nobody (from the indolent inattention of my temper) knows less of what is going on where I myself am not concerned. The proceedings in Parliament, intrigues of the parties, and the management of public affairs, are as much unknown to me as the business of a divan or seraglio. I live amongst men without desiring to be acquainted with their

on 9th August, 1757, about three months prior to Wolfe's letter. The Governor, Monro, had a garrison of 3,000 men, and there was a covering army of 4,000 besides, under General Webb, but the latter by the most unpardonable neglect and obstinacy would not advance to Monro's assistance, who had accordingly to capitulate. Well might Wolfe speak of it as a great "disaster."

concerns; things have their ordinary course, and I pass on with the current unheeding. Being of the profession of arms, I would seek all occasions to serve; and, therefore, have thrown myself in the way of the American War, though I know that the very passage threatens my life (alluding to his indifferent health), and that my constitution must be utterly ruined and undone; and this from no motive either of avarice or ambition. I expect to embark in about a fortnight. I wish you success in your affairs, health and peace. I am, dear Rickson, your affectionate and faithful servant,

JAMES WOlfe."

"Blackheath, 12th January, 1758."

(Wolfe's seal is still adhering to this letter it is the figure of a human head, with a fillet of laurel, gathered into a knot behind.)

Letter Eleventh

[Written on the eve of sailing from Portsmouth, on the expedition against Louisbourg.]

"Dear Rickson,

The title of Brigadier (Pitt had conferred it on him), which extends to America only, has no other advantage than throwing me into service in an easy manner for myself, and such as my constitution really requires; our success alone will determine the more solid favours, for it is possible to deserve very well, and to be extremely ill received. The state of public affairs is such that some measures must be pursued which prudence or military knowledge, perhaps, might not dictate. We shall have (if accident don't prevent it) a great force this year in America, and the country has a right to expect some powerful efforts proportioned to the armaments. Success is in the hands of Providence, but it is in every man's own power to do his part handsomely. I did not know that Barré was your friend, nor even your acquaintance (this is one of the supposed authors of the celebrated letters of Junius). Now that I do know it, I shall value him the more upon that account; by accident I heard of his

worth and good sense and shall have, I trust, good reason to thank the man that mentioned him. Nay, I am already overpaid by the little I did, by drawing out of his obscurity so worthy a gentleman; I never saw his face till very lately, nor never spoke ten words to him before I venture to propose him as a Major of Brigade. You may be sure that my information came from the best hands.

"I wish your success most heartily; it would be a lasting satisfaction to me if I had power to forward it; you must give me leave to tell you, which indeed I should not do, that I have pressed it warmly to Lord G. Sackville, who has at present the power in his hands; I tried the Field Marshal (Lord Ligioner, who had succeeded the Duke of Cumberland, as Commander-in-Chief) but I have little weight there, and for your sake, I wish I had more with Lord George. Write me, now and then, a letter; with all the Scotch news, and your own sentiments upon things as they fall out. Calcraft will forward your letters, and they will be received as so many marks of your affection and remembrance. We embark in three or four days. Barré and I have the great apartment of a three decked ship to revel in; but with all this space and this fresh air, I am sick to death. Time, I suppose, will deliver me from these sufferings; though, in former trials, I never could overcome it. I thank you for your kind wishes, and return them most sincerely.

I am, ever, my dear Friend,

"Your faithful and affectionate Servant,

"Portsmouth, 7th February, 1758."

"JAMES Wolfe."

Letter Twelfth and Last

[Written after Wolfe's return to England, from the capture of Louisbourg.]

Your letter dated in September, as well as the last you did me the favour to write, are both received, and with the greatest satisfaction.

I

do not reckon that we have been fortunate this year in America. Our force was so superior to the enemy's, that we might hope for greater success; but it pleased the Disposer of all Things to check our presumption, by permitting Mr Abercromby to hurry on that precipitate attack of Ticonderago, in which he failed with loss. By the situation of that fort, by the superiority of our naval force there, and by the strength of our army, which could bear to be weakened by detachments, it seems to me to have been no very difficult matter to have obliged the Marquis de Montcalm to have laid down his arms and consequently to have given up all Canada. In another circumstance, too, we may be reckoned unlucky. The squadron of men-of-war under De Chafferult failed in their attempt to get into the harbour of Louisbourg, where inevitably they would have shared the fate of those that did, which must have given an irretrievable blow to the marine of France, and delivered Quebec into our hands, if we chose to go up and demand it. Amongst ourselves, be it said, that our attempt to land where we did, (alluding to the Louisbourg affair) was rash and injudicious, our success unexpected (by me) and undeserved. There was no prodigious exertion of courage in the affair; an officer and thirty men would have made it impossible to get ashore where we did. Our proceedings in other respects were as slow and tedious as this undertaking was ill advised and desperate; but this for your private information only. We lost time at the siege, still more after the siege, and blundered from the beginning to the end of the campaign. My Lord Howe's death (who was truly a great man) (he was killed in a skirmish in the woods, connected with the repulse of the British in their attack on Ticonderago) left the army upon the continent without life or vigour ; this defeat at Ticonderago seemed to stupify us that were at Louisbourg ; if we had taken the first hint of that repulse, and sent early and powerful succours, things would have taken perhaps a different turn in those parts before the end of October. I expect every day to hear that some fresh attempts have been made at Ticonderago, and I can't flatter myself that they have succeeded; not from any high idea of the Marquis de Montcalm's abilities, but from the very poor opinion of our own. You have obliged me much with this little sketch of that important spot; till now I have been but ill-acquainted with it.

"Broadstreet's coup was masterly. (1) He is a very extraordinary

(1) This refers to the surprise and capture of the important French

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