246 Ch. 19. 1774 Successful ATTEMPT ON QUEBEC to Quebec, while Arnold, with a detachment, sought to penetrate by a shorter route, through lakes, rivers, and forests. After surmounting various difficulties and dangers in his march, this enterprising and able officer appeared before Quebec, and emulating the example of Wolfe, he attempted to take it in a similar manner. But though he reached the heights of Abraham, he found farther progress impracticable, and retired below the town to wait the arrival of the arrival of Montgomery. His junction with Montgomery was effected towards the close of the year, and it is said that Quebec might have been seized, had not the zeal and ability of the generals been frustrated by the misconduct of the officers. A simultaneous assault on the several entrances to the town was planned, but the arrangement was disconcerted, in the first instance, by a mistake in giving the signal, and its failure was completed by negligence or disobedience of orders. The assailants were repulsed with great loss, and Montgomery himself, one of the few accomplished officers on either side who appeared throughout the struggle, lost his life in this disastrous enterprize. Had the attack planned by Montgomery and defence of the Arnold been executed with military precision and city. boldness, Canada would probably have become a member of the United States. But happily this b WASHINGTON IRVING's Life of Washington. DEFEATED BY CARLBTON. noble possession of the British Crown, which had been won by the policy of Chatham and the valour of Wolfe, was not to be wrested by a band of buccaneers, from soldiers who had successfully contended with Montcalm and his gallant army. General Carleton had taken a distinguished part in the capture of Quebec, twenty years before;' and had been the friend, as well as the trusted officer of his illustrious chief. Carleton gave ample proof that he was worthy of such confidence, and on this occasion, especially, that he knew how to keep what Wolfe had won. The American commanders had planned a simultaneous attack upon the many points of defence which the works of Quebec presented, with the view of distracting the British general, and dissipating his scanty garrison. But the able veteran supplied by vigilance and promptitude what he wanted in strength. Not only was the attack repulsed on all points, but by a well-timed sally, a signal chastisement was inflicted on the insolent aggressors. After the failure of the attack on Quebec, many of the Americans went home, and of those who remained, the greater part were disspirited and reluctant. Arnold, nevertheless, still remained before Quebec, and said he had converted the siege into a blockade; but the blockade was merely nominal. 247 Ch. 19. 1774 General Washington received this intelligence with deep Position of concern. He had hoped from the promising com- Washington. mencement of the expedition, that the campaign 248 Ch. 19. 1774 MILITARY CONDITION OF AMERICA. in Canada might compensate for the want of any But though, in point of military force and equipment, the Americans were in no condition to maintain a conflict with Great Britain, yet the rapid spread of the insurrection rendered the subjugation of the colonies a formidable task. The principal northern provinces had summarily rejected the military propositions of the British Government and declared for the Congress. The great southern state of Virginia, once the most loyal of the British dependencies, rose against the Governor, Lord Dunmore, and forced him to retreat on board a man-of-war. North and South Carolina followed the example of Virginia, and expelled the English governors. At the commencement of the year 1776, England had no other possession in the continental states of America, than that of which she retained military occupation. A NEW parliament was elected in the autumn Ch. 2o. 1775 the colonies. of 1774; but the action of the constituency, cramped and fettered as it was, produced no mate- Right to tax rial change in the constitution of the House of Commons. In some populous places the Court candidates were defeated; but there was no expression of opinion throughout the country adverse to the colonial war. The debates in parliament during the sessions 1775-6, related almost exclusively to American affairs. The Opposition still consistently denied the right of Great Britain to tax the colonies, and urged the expediency of conciliatory measures. The ministry on the other side maintained the authority of parliament, and argued, that to relinquish the right of fiscal legislation would be to concede all that the Americans asked, and virtually to recognise their independence. There is no difference of opinion 250 Ch.20. 1774 Petitions from Bristol. ADDRESS FROM THE CITY. now as to the wisdom and justice of the counsels recommended by the Whigs; but the government were supported by the parliament and the nation, as decidedly as they were by the king. No sooner had the colonists asserted their liberties, than the people of this country expressed the strongest resentment at their presumption; and they rushed to the foot of the throne with addresses breathing the utmost contempt for those principles on which their own liberties were based. The cities of London and Bristol, whose commercial interests were deeply involved in the maintenance of friendly relations with the American colonies, petitioned for conciliatory measures. The City as usual, willing to take any opportunity of annoying the Court, came forward with an address, justifying the resistance of the Americans on the principles of the English constitution; and reiterating their annual demand for the dismissal of ministers. The King, impatient of the periodical insult to which he was subjected by the greatest corporation in the country, and especially reluctant to afford a personal triumph to Wilkes, who was now Lord Mayor, refused to receive the address on the throne, but desired that it should be presented at the levee, where the addresses of the unprivileged bodies were usually received. This refusal was loudly resented as an indignity, and a denial of an undoubted privilege. But the King was technically right. The privilege claimed by and conceded to the citizens |