also wisely determined to secure the passage of the Hudson, or North River, by erecting fortifications in the Highlands. Committees were appointed to inquire into the state of the several Colonies, and troops ordered to be sent where they were wanted to aid the citizens in defending their rights. The manufacture of powder had been so far encouraged that several mills were established, which promised an abundant supply.

About this time General Howe was guilty of two acts which in some ages and countries, would have consigned his head to the block, and his name to infamy. One of these was to convert one of the oldest and most venerable places of publick worship, into a riding school, and the elegant carved pews, were used as walls to a pig sty. The other act alluded to was his sending out seven hundred of the inhabitants, among whom the small pox was prevailing, into the country, with a design of communicating the infection to the American army. General Howe has been accused by some of his countrymen of too great an attachment for the Americans; to which indeed they have gone so far as to attribute all his misfortunes. But if it can add to General Howe's fame, that his conduct to the Americans was on all occasions dictated by a spirit of revengeful animosity, more than the mere circumstance of situation called for, we freely offer our testimony to his implacable hatred.

General Washington had in the course of the autumn, as much with a view to exercise and discipline his troops as from any prospect of advantage, erected works at several points around Boston. In some of these attempts the troops were occasionally fired upon, but they could not be made to desist from their

labour. They thus established batteries on every eminence in the neighbourhood of the enemy at Bunker Hill, and even carried their approaches to within half a mile of the town; where in the face of a cannonading which lasted for four days they succeeded in making a lodgement.

Captain Mowatt of his Majesty's navy, whose name had been written in characters of blood on the defenceless walls of Bristol, again signalized himself in the course of the autumn, by destroying the flourishing town of Falmouth in Massachusetts. Upwards of four hundred houses were burned by this modern Nero, who feasted his savage heart at seeing the harmless inhabitants flying from the devouring flames.

The commissions which were granted by the Provincial Assembly of Massachusetts for Letters of Marque and Reprisal were found before the end of the year to produce a good effect. Many valuable prizes were made by the enterprising seamen of Marblehead, of storeships from England for the use of the Troops at Boston. In these enterprises Captain Manly, of Marblehead, greatly distinguished himself.

It may not be uninteresting before we close the year to note a curious account which was kept by some of the gentlemen in the vicinity of Boston, of the constant firing from the British Batteries. From the 19th of June to the 25th of December the British threw upwards of 2000 shot and shells, and killed only twelve of the Provincials.

CHAPTER XII.

Events of 1776.-Reasons for the invasion of Canada-Distresses of Arnold-Dunmore burns the town of Norfolk-Proceedings of the British Parliament.—Duke of Grafton resigns.— Mr. Penn examined before the House-Several conciliatory propositions rejected.-Lord North's Prohibitory Bill-Motion of Mr. Fox-Mr. Hartley's motions-His Majesty's Hessian treaties.-Americans alter their flag-Heights of Dorchester taken possession of by the Americans.-General Howe abandons Boston-Washington enters it in triumph-Arnold retires from before Quebec.-General Frazer is repulsed from Three Rivers.Affair at the Cedars-Arnold retreats from Montreal.-Retreat of General Sullivan from Canada.-Lee arrives at New-YorkPursues Clinton-Affair of Moore's Creek Bridge.-Attack on Sullivan's Island-Brave defence of Fort Moultrie.-Operations of Commodore Hopkins.-Commissioners sent to Canada-Lee gives notice in Congress of his intended motion for Independence. Proceedings of the Colonies thereon.-Secret proceedings on Lee's motion-Independence declared.

The expedition which had been planned against Canada, seemed, in the opinion of many who professed to approve of the resistance made by the Colonies to the oppressive measures of the Ministry, wholly to change the nature of the controversy. The opposition which had been theretofore made to Government, had been made, it was contended, upon the principle of defending certain natural rights, and was not only perfectly consistent with the British constitution, but warranted by the sanction of that precedent which had placed the sceptre in the hands of his present Majesty. But to wage an offensive war against that portion of his Majesty's dominions, which had taken no part in the contest, was, it was said, at once to lose the cha

racter of the aggrieved in that of the aggressor, and to forfeit all claim to redress on the plea of justifiable resistance.

These were serious charges, to which a proper respect for themselves seemed to demand a reply from the American Colonies. It was well known to them and to the world, that the Act of Parliament, commonly called the Quebec Act, had converted the government of Canada into a complete despotism; and that the powers given to the Governour of that Province were unlimited so far as it concerned his proceedings against those whom he might choose to consider as rebellious subjects of the King. Sir Guy Carleton had already given sufficient evidence, that he was disposed to construe his discretionary powers, in the most arbitrary sense, and that he only waited for a convenient opportunity to exercise his restless spirit beyond the confines of his Province. To march against him, therefore, and prevent the execution of his hostile designs, was considered as much a matter of self defence, as if they had waited to be actually attacked. They were not bound, it was argued, by any law of nature, or by any maxim of reason or policy, to look tamely on, while preparations were making for their destruction. The question with Congress was, shall we lose the time, which the incapacity of the British troops in Boston to do us injury, now affords us of putting a stop to the hostile preparations of General Carleton, or shall we calmly wait until all our exertions shall be required to defend ourselves elsewhere? Whatever might have been the answer to this question by apologists of the divine right of Kings and the supreme power of Ministers, every unprejudiced politician will be willing to acknowledge, that

the step which the Congress took with regard to Čanada, was fully justified by existing circumstances.

We left Colonel Arnold, weak and wounded, with á small remnant of the army, in the depth of winter still blockading the royal army, of more than double his numbers, in Quebec. A finer compliment could not have been paid to the bravery of these sons of liberty, than was implied in the fact that Sir Guy Carleton did not think it prudent to pursue them in their retreat. His treatment of the prisoners, too, which was somewhat different from the savage cruelty which he had been accustomed to use towards the rebellious Colonists, showed that whatever he might think of their conduct in a political point of view, he could not but regard them as brave soldiers, who deserved the tribute of applause from every military man. Strong persuasions were used by Sir Guy to induce several of the Provincial officers to abandon the cause of their country, and accept commissions in the British service. To the intrepid Morgan he offered the commission of a Colonel; but that inflexible patriot desired that he might never more be insulted with a proposition so abhorrent to his feelings.

With what delight would the historian dwell upon the conduct of Arnold at this critical moment, but that Arnold lived to tear up by the roots every laurel which he had planted, and to cast a stain upon his escutcheon which no art could hide. He retired with his little army to the distance of three miles from Quebec; he had lost the bravest of his officers, was himself unable to move, and had every reason to expect that Sir Guy would march out to attack him. But he still maintained his ground. His men, who had braved with him the hardships of a march, to which