There has nevertheless been considerable exaggeration about Arnold's expedition, as if it were an extraordinary undertaking, and it has been dwelt upon as a wonderful

ascended to where carrying place begins. 24th. Few blazes, the Abenakis having left few vestiges; the carrying place 4 leagues. 25th. Came to one of branches of lake. 26th. Encamped. 27th. Embarked on branch; reached lake Moose-Head, named from a mountain resembling a moose deer in stooping position. July 1st. On the Arransoah or Kennebec. 7th. Reached Fort Halifax, built by Shirley [1754], (now Waterville); tide brings sloop as far as Fort Western, six leagues below Fort Halifax: Fort Western, 41 miles from Casco Bay, in which Kennebec discharges. 9th. Left on evening. 10th, 11th, 12th, Ascended river; excessive heat; water low level. 13th. Came to Dead river.

The Kennebec. "Before it joins the eastern branch, the Kennebec has a great many windings, is full of islands, shallow and rapid. To avoid these inconveni ences, it is usual to carry the canoes through the woods till you meet the river, where it is of great depth and its current hardly perceivable. This portage is divided by three different lakes, each of which is to be passed before you can arrive at the Dead river, so called, being the western branch of the Kennebec. It has been formerly mentioned that although the French made use of the eastern road to go into New England, yet this was always looked upon both by them and the English, as the most eligible road to enter Canada. In order, therefore, to make these portages more remarkable, we took care to blais [sic] all the portages from the Kennebec to lake Megantic, in such a manner as to make the way much less difficult for whoever may follow. A little above the portage, a remarkable brook falls into the river, which forms the first or nearest lake."

July 14. "Left Kennebec: after walking 8 miles came to first lake 600 yards in length, 400 in breadth; took fortage, in an hour reached second lake, threefourths of a mile, of no great breadth-paddled through the rushes to the mouth of large creek into which we went-after 500 yards it inclined backwards, here we landed; after much difficulty found portage, came to third lake, encamped here. 15th. From opposite side of lake, land rose to a ridge of hills over which appeared the mountain; crossed a savanna-passed through woods to second savanna, following a small stream, we reached the river about 60 yards in breadth. 16th. Ascended river in two leagues, passed mountain, river with many windings, ascended river to forks. 17th, 18th. Ascended river, meeting falls and rapids, the river greatly diminished, passed through two lakes entirely surrounded with mountains, the current easily perceivable at outlet, entered rivulet, we were here four leagues from lake Megantic. 19th. Entered upon the portage, passed through three lakes, which considerably aided us. Bidding adieu to the southern waters, our ascent was considerable. Walking two miles we gained the greatest height and commenced to descend, in three miles came to a small tributary. Soon arrived at river Megantic, a large brook, over which canoes made great progress. Passed four miles down river, night came on, but we rowed on two miles further & reached lake Megantic, where we camped. July 20th. We found ourselves on lake Megantic."

1775]

ARNOLD'S EXPEDITION.

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example of endurance and courage. Compared to the many winter marches of the French Canadians which I have recorded in my previous volumes, it was a poor affair, and merits little mention as a tax upon strength. Indeed, it would not be my duty in any way to dwell upon its detail, except from the misrepresentation with which it has been described. occurred at a period of the year when such an expedition in the days of youth, strength, and love of adventure is regarded to this day in Canada as an ordinary "outing." It is no rare occasion for two or three young men, good canoesmen, not afraid to trust themselves to an untested rapid, to leave the beaten paths of travel, and to seek for freshness of spirit and rude health, by exploring scenes free from the influence of civilization, yearly becoming more difficult to reach. Arnold's route had not even the distinction of being imperfectly known; it had been travelled over for a century, and was the recognised passage of communication between New England. and Canada. It had not been allowed to fall into forgetfulness. Murray, when administering the government of Quebec in 1761, wrote that he had undertaken to take charge of the Chaudière, and the survey was far advanced to fort Halifax.

It was the expedition of Montresor to which I have alluded. Arnold was thus enabled to start, without the least hesitation as to the route he should take. The season selected was the most favourable in the year. The flies which infest the woods in the summer months, and prove such a pest to the fisherman and hunter, had disappeared. There was no excessive heat to tax the wayfarer by day; if the nights were sometimes chilly, there was plenty of wood for a blazing fire to be made before the camp, protected by a covering of bush, with beds built up of young hemlock boughs, which furnish the best of resting places. There was, moreover, little political mistrust concerning the situation. Canada had been carefully prepared to throw itself into the arms of congress. The Montreal English speaking popula* Can. Arch., Q., I., p. 6. May 13th.

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tion was regarded, to a great extent, as sustaining the provincial view; and it was thought that its committee of correspondence at Quebec could be counted upon to extend assistance and countenance to the expedition. The French Canadians were looked upon, under unfavourable considerations, as being strictly neutral, and if no aid would be rendered by, no opposition was to be expected from them. The influence of the priests was known to be on the side of the government; but it was considered that it would prove of little avail before the appearance of a strong, well organized force, which would be unopposed. The theory of Arnold, and it was one which likewise seems to have guided Washington, was that the troops of congress had nothing more to do than shew themselves and effect a junction with Schuyler, at that period in command, when the gates of Quebec would be opened by the sympathizers, with whom he was in corres pondence. Quebec had scarcely a soldier; it was considered. that the operations which were being carried on in the east of the province on the Richelieu would make all opposition on the part of the city impossible, and that the place would be forced to surrender before relief could reach it. Everything depended on Arnold's celerity of movement, and the passiveness of the French Canadians, who were confidently looked upon as certain to take the winning side.

The expedition consisted of ten companies from New England, and three companies of riflemen from Virginia and Pennsylvania, in number about 1100 men, and was supplied with provisions for forty-five days. The troops assembled at Cambridge on the 11th of September, and marched to Newbury, where the boats were taken to reach the Kennebec. The force landed on the 22nd, and proceeded to fort Weston, the present Augusta, and at this place was organized into four divisions. The first was that of Morgan's riflemen: the

See Washington's instructions to Arnold, Vol. III. of his correspondence, dated Cambridge, 14th of September, 1775; and his letter to Arnold of the 5th of September, in which he writes of the “insuperable difficulties" which have been overcome. Washington hoped that Arnold was in possession of Quebec.