Historical Sketch of Nova Scotia, and which finally destroyed the power of France in America.

The financial affairs of Canada, and the interests of private individuals, were also about this time placed in a ruinous position, by the profligacy and villany of M. Bigot, the intendant-general.

CHAP. V.

PREPARATIONS MADE BY THE ENGLISH FOR CONQUERING CANADA. FORCES UNDER GENERAL WOLFE LAND AND ASCEND THE HEIGHTS. - BATTLE OF THE PLAINS OF ABRAHAM. - DEATH OF WOLFE. - SURRENDER OF QUEBEC. - DEATH OF MONTCALM. - SURRENDER OF NIAGARA. - TICONDERAGO. CROWN POINT AND MONTREAL. - THE INTENDANT-GENERAL

M. BIGOT'S FRAUDULENCY. - GOVERNOR MURRAY'S REPORT.

SUCH was the condition of Canada when the English, exasperated by the massacre at Fort George, and animated by the surrender of Louisburg, unanimously resolved on subduing all the northern French possessions in America.

It was therefore determined to conquer Canada, by attacking Quebec, Fort Niagara, and the forts at Ticonderago and Crown Point. To the army under General Wolfe, and the fleet under Admiral Saunders, was assigned the conquest of Quebec; to General Amherst, the commander-in-chief, the reduction of the forts at Crown Point and Ticonderago; and that of Niagara to General Prideaux, but which afterwards devolved on Sir William Johnston. The latter expeditions were afterwards to concentrate their forces with those under General Wolfe.

In the month of June 1759, the English fleet reached the Island of Orleans, where Wolfe landed with an army of 8000. The French disposable forces, exclusive of the garrison of Quebec, consisted of about 10,000 men, with a reserve of 2000. Wolfe first attempted the entrenchments at Montmorenci, landing his troops under cover of the fire from the ships of war; but he was gallantly repulsed by the French. After some delay, it was determined to effect a landing, in order to carry the heights of Abraham, above Quebec. This daring resolution was effected on the 12th September, with surprising secrecy and intrepidity.

The ships of war sailed nine miles up the river above Quebec to Cape Rouge. This feint deceived M. Bougainville, who, with his division of the French army, proceeded still farther up along the banks of the river, to prevent the British debarking. During the night, the English ships dropped down silently with the current to Wolfe's Cove, and at four o'clock in the morning the troops began to land. At eight, the British army ascended the precipitous heights, with two field-pieces in front; the 48th regiment and the light infantry forming a reserve, and the royal Americans covering the landing.

The Marquis de Montcalm, who was then at Beauport, marched across the St. Charles on the 13th, and imprudently formed in front of the British army, with only one field-piece, and before he could concentrate all his disposable forces. He then advanced most gallantly; but the scattered, quick firing of his troops, which commenced when within about 250 yards of the English line, was far from being so effective as that of the British. The latter moved forward regularly, firing steadily, until within twenty or thirty yards of the enemy, when they gave a general volley, and the French were soon after routed. Bougainville had just then appeared in sight, but the

fate of Canada was decreed - the critical moment was gone, and he retired to Point au Tremble, where he encamped: from thence he retreated, first to Three Rivers, and then to Montreal. There was also a body of French troops near Beauport, which were not engaged. Had all the forces been concentrated under Montcalm, it is doubtful if the heroism of the British troops could have secured victory. The most extraordinary bravery was displayed both by the English and French. Both armies lost their commanders. Wolfe expired with victory accompanying the close of his splendid career. At the age of thirtyfive, when but few men begin even to appear on the theatre of great deeds, inheriting no family pretensions, and unassisted by faction or intrigue, he held a command of the highest responsibility, and with a truly unblemished character fulfilled the most sanguine expectations of his country.

The Marquis de Montcalm, an officer of equal bravery, died of his wounds a few days after.* Quebec capitulated on the 18th to General Murray, who succeeded to the command. He, however, committed a most egregious blunder some time afterwards, by leaving Quebec to attack M. Levi, who was encamped with the French army at Sillery, and who completely defeated General Murray, and compelled him to retire within the walls of Quebec, with the loss of his artillery, and nearly one-third of his army.

The fort at Niagara was in the mean time reduced by Sir William Johnston, and the forts at Ticonderago and Crown Point by General Amherst. They were consequently enabled to concentrate their forces and form a junction with General Murray. Previously to this, on learning that the English fleet was in the St. Lawrence, and that the armament sent from France to relieve Quebec was captured in the Bay de Chaleur by a squadron from Louisburg, under Captain Byron, the French forces retreated to Montreal, where the governor-general, M. de Vaudreuil, determined to make a desperate stand. Being, however, invested by the united forces of the three British generals, he found further resistance useless, and capitulated on the 8th of September, 1760, when Montreal and all the French fortresses in Canada were surrendered to Great Britain. The articles of capitulation under which Montreal surrendered were highly honourable to M. de Vaudreuil, who exacted, to the utmost that he could possibly expect to obtain, every advantage for the people he had previously commanded.

The

Whatever the officers of government lost by Canada changing sovereigns, the peasantry, and other industrious classes, gained great advantages. evils of a debt due the inhabitants by the government of France were, it is true, severely felt. This arose from the fraudulent conduct of M. Bigot, the intendant-general. His peculations, it was found, amount