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The former was a Miss Boishébert, daughter of the Seigneur of River Ouelle, and the latter was Miss de Verchères, the daughter of the Seigneur of Verchères.

Montcalm was particularly impressed with Mde de Beaubassin, and in a letter to Bourlamaque, written in 1757, he said: "I am glad that you sometimes speak of me to the three ladies in the rue du Parloir, and I am flattered by their remembrance, especially by that of one of them, in whom I find at certain moments too much wit and too many charms for my tranquillity." This sounded more like love than friendship. Montcalm was always impulsive in his feelings and in his expressions. He was a man of the South.

Returning to more important matters we must record here that it was during Montcalm's sojourn at Quebec that MM. de Vergor and de Villeray were tried by Court Martial for having surrendered Beauséjour and Gaspareaux. Vergor, one of Bigot's creatures was guilty, and Villeray probably innocent. Both were acquitted because Vergor was highly protected.

CHAPTER XV.

MO

CARILLON-MONTCALM'S TRIUMPH

ONTCALM left Quebec for Montreal on the 20th of February 1758. The spring was uneventful. The great questions before the leaders of the colony were, what military operations should be conducted this year what reinforcements would come from France, and how could the victualling problem be solved.

In spite of the victories won during the preceding campaigns, never had the situation of Canada been worse. than at the present moment. Starvation had scourged the colony; resources of every kind were nearly exhausted, the news from France was not encouraging, and that from England was of the most alarming character.

It was clear that the English government and the English colonies were going to make a desperate effort this year to subdue New-France. What would be the plan of operations? As the spring went on it became evident that an attack would be made at three points: Louisbourg, Fort Duquesne and Lake Champlain. Louisbourg and Fort Duquesne were two important posts. The first was the key of the St. Lawrence, the second was the safeguard of French influence in the West. But lake Champlain was the most vital point. On that frontier Carillon barred

the progress of the enemy. If Carillon fell, St. Frédéric could not be defended, and through the lakes St. John and Chambly, the enemy could in a few days reach Montreal, the heart of Canada. Therefore it was at Carillon that the fate of New-France was to be decided this year.

At the beginning of June, it was resolved that an army of about 5,000 soldiers should be formed at Carillon. But, in the mean time, M. de Vaudreuil wanted to organize a detachment of 1600 men, with Indians, to make a diversion in the vicinity of the Mohawk river. This detachment was to be commanded by M. de Lévis, having as his lieutenant M. de Rigaud, brother of the governor, recently promoted to the government of Montreal. Here, once more, Montcalm and Vaudreuil did not agree. The general thought that this division of forces was not advisable; that all available troops should be sent to Carillon to face the dreadful storm that was likely to rage on that frontier. The governor, on the contrary, was of opinion that the Mohawk river expedition would be of great utility, as it would help to bring the Five Nations to the French side, or, at all events, prevent them from joining the English; and also that it would alarm the enemy for the safety of the Orange river region, and perhaps stop an offensive move on lake St-Sacrement. It appears that Vaudreuil had not a correct idea of the forces that the English could put in the field this year. Being very obstinate, he had his own way, and nearly three thousand men were withdrawn from the defence of Lake Champlain. " Lévis,

(1) In his Journal Montcalm wrote: "That fanciful expedition of

pleased with the importance of the command of this detachment, sided, on that occasion, with the governor.

Bourlamaque was sent in the beginning of June to Carillon to take command of the troops stationed there and of those who were to be sent. The battalion of Languedoc left for the frontier on the 7th of June; Guyenne on the 12th; Royal-Roussillon on the 15th; La Sarre on the 17th; and Béarn on the 20th. Berry was already stationed at Carillon.

Montcalm was to leave on the 24th of June for Carillon to take charge of the army. But, before starting, a rupture occurred between him and the governor. On the evening of the 23rd, at ten o'clock, Vaudreuil sent him written. instructions for the campaign. This document was at the same time minute and indefinite, peremptory and contradictory. It covered many pages, entered into long and unnecessary explanations, went deeply into trifles, affected to provide for every emergency; and after a long winded enumeration of the general's many duties during the campaign, the paper ended with these words: "We regard as useles entering into any fuller details with the Marquis de Montcalm on whatever may concern the objects of his mission or tend to the glory of his Majesty's arms and the good of the colony, we refer them to his knowledge, his experience and his zeal, in which we have always

Corlar (as it is called by courtiers) will perhaps cause the ruin of this colony. We should march immediately to the enemy with the Indians, the elite of Canadians, land and marine troops. They are not yet intrenched ...A sudden and strong attack would finish the campaign in that direction." In another passage he calls the Mohawk river expedition" la don Quichotterie de Corlar."

reposed our confidence." After such instructions, these expressions sound like mockery.

Montcalm was incensed on reading this document, which was delivered to him at ten o'clock. Immediately he took his pen and wrote to the Governor: "Sir, I have the honor to beg of you to read again the Instructions with which you have honored me this evening, and the annexed. Memoir, and I expect from your equity that you will think it sufficient that I take upon myself, under circumstances which may be critical, to defend as much as it will be possible for me, the frontier of Lake St-Sacrament with 4000 men, against very superior forces, without burdening me with instructions, the obscurities and contradictions whereof appear to render me responsible for events which may happen and must anticipate. I render justice to the uprightness of your intentions, but I cannot leave until you have furnished me an instruction with all the changes as necessary as they are indispensable to preserve the reputation of a General officer who has served with so much zeal for your own glory and the defence of this Colony." This letter was accompanied with a Memoir in which Montcalm pointed out the weak points of the instruction. This document was dated. "Montreal, the 23rd, at night!" We read under the same date in Montcalm's Journal: "The Marquis de Vaudreuil has delivered to me, at ten o'clock this evening, his ridiculous, unintelligible and captious instruction. If I had accepted, it was framed in such a manner, that any unlucky event could be imputed to me, whatever measures I would have taken. I sent it back to M. de Vaudreuil with a Memoir explaining

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