On the surrender of St. Johns, five hundred regulars and one hundred Canadians became prisoners to the provincials. There were also taken thirty-nine pieces of cannon, seven mortars, and five hundred stands of arms.

Gen. Montgomery next proceeded against Montreal, which, without resistance, capitulated. From Montreal he rapidly proceeded towards Quebec.

Before his arrival, however, Col. Arnold, who had been dispatched by Gen. Washington with one thousand American troops from Cambridge, had reached Quebec, by the way of Kennebeck, a river of Maine, had ascended the heights of Abraham, where the brave Wolfe ascended before him; but had found it. necessary to retire to a place twenty miles above Quebec, where he was waiting for the arrival of Montgomery.

Seldom was there an expedition attempted during the American war, in which more hardship was endured, or more untiring perseverance manifested, than in this of Arnold's. In ascending the Kennebeck, his troops were constantly obliged to work against an impetuous current, and often to haul their batteaux up rapid currents and over dangerous falls. Nor was their march through the country, by an unexplored route of three hundred miles, less difficult or dangerous. They had swamps and woods, mountains. and precipices, alternately to surpass. Added to their other trials, their provisions failed, and, to support life, they were obliged to eat their dogs, cartouch boxes, clothes, and shoes. While at the distance of one hundred miles from human habitations, they divided their whole store, about four pints of flour to a man. At thirty miles distance, they had baked and eaten their last pitiful morsel. Yet the courage and fortitude of these men continued unshaken. They were suffering in their country's cause, were toiling for wives and children, were contending for the rights and blessings of freedom. After thirty-one days of incessant toil through a hideous wilderness, they reached the habitations of men.

Sec. 35. Montgomery, having effected a junction with Arnold, commenced the siege of Quebec.

On the 5th of December, after continuing the siege nearly a month to little purpose, the bold plan was adopted of attempting the place by scaling the walls. Two attacks were made, at the same time, in different quarters of the town, by Montgomery and Arnold. The attempt, however, proved unsuccessful, and, to the great loss and grief of America, fatal to the brave Montgomery. He fell while attempting to force a barrier, and with him fell two distinguished officers, Capt. M'Pherson, his aid, and Capt. Cheeseman.

After this repulse, Arnold retired about three miles from Quebec, where he continued encamped through a rigorous winter. On the return of spring, 1776, finding his forces inadequate to the reduction of Quebec, and not being reinforced, he retired. By the 18th of June, the Americans, having been compelled to relinquish one post after another, had wholly evacuated Canada.

The garrison of Quebec consisted, at the time of the above attack, of about one thousand five hundred men; the American forces were near eight hundred. The loss of the Americans in killed and wounded was about one hundred, and three hundred were taken prisoners.

The death of General Montgomery was deeply lamented both in Europe and America. "The most powerful speakers in the British parliament displayed their eloquence, in praising his virtues and lamenting his fall." Congress directed a monument to be erected to his memory, expressive of their sense of his high patriotism and heroic conduct.

Sec. 36. During this year, 1775, Virginia, through the indiscretion of Lord Dunmore, the royal gover nor, was involved in difficulties little short of those to which the inhabitants of Massachusetts were subjected. From the earliest stages of the controversy with Great Britain, the Virginians had been in the foremost rank of opposition; and,

in common with other provinces, had taken measures for defence.

These measures for defence, the royal governor, regarding with an eye of suspicion, attempted to thwart, by the removal of guns and ammunition, which had been stored by the people in a magazine. The conduct of the governor roused the inhabitants, and occasioned intemperate expressions of resentment. Apprehending personal danger, Lord Dunmore retired on board the Fowey man of war, from which he issued his proclamations, instituting martial law, and proffering freedom to such slaves, as would leave their masters, and repair to the royal standard. Here, also, by degrees, he equipped and armed a number of vessels, and, upon being refused provisions by the provincials, from on shore, he proceeded to reduce the town of Norfolk to ashes. The loss was estimated at three hundred thousand pounds sterling. Nearly six thousand persons were deprived of their habitations.

In like manner, the royal governors of North and South Carolina thought it prudent to retire, and seek safety on board men of war. Royal government generally terminated this year throughout the country, the king's governors, for the most part, abdicating their governments, and taking refuge on board the English shipping.

Sec. 37. Early in the spring of 1776, Gen. Washington contemplated the expulsion of the British. army from Boston, by direct assault. In a council of war, it was deemed expedient, however, rather to take possession of, and fortify Dorchester Heights, which commanded the harbor and British shipping. The night of the 4th of March was selected for the attempt. Accordingly, in the evening a covering party of eight hundred, followed by a working party of twelve hundred.

with intrenching tools, took possession of the Heights, unobserved by the enemy.

Here betaking themselves to work with so much activity, by morning they had constructed fortifications, which completely sheltered them. The surprise of the British cannot easily be conceived. The English admiral, after examining the works, declared that, if the Americans were not dislodged from their position, his vessels could no longer remain in safety in the harbor. It was deter. mined, therefore, by the British, to evacuate Boston, which they now did; and on the 17th, the British troops, under command of Lord William Howe, successor of Gen. Gage, sailed for Halifax. General Washington, to the great joy of the inhabitants, army, and nation, immediately marched into the town.

The rear guard of the British was scarcely out of the town, when Washington entered it on the other side, with colors displayed, drums beating, and all the forms of victory and triumph. He was received by the inhabitants, with demonstrations of joy and gratitude. Sixteen months had the people suffered the distresses of hunger,* and the outrages of an insolent soldiery.

The town presented a melancholy spectacle, at the time the army of Washington entered. One thousand five hundred loyalists, with their families, had just departed on board the British fleet, tearing themselves from home and friends, for the love of the royal cause. Churches were stripped of pews and benches for fuel, shops were opened and rifled of goods to clothe the army, and houses had been pillaged by an unfeeling soldiery.

Sec. 38. While affairs were proceeding thus in the north, an attempt was made, in June and

* Provisions had been so scarce in Boston, that a pound of fresh fish was twelve pence sterling, a goose eight shillings and four pence, a turkey twelve shillings and six pence, a duck eight shillings and two pence, hens two shillings and one penny per pound. A sheep cost thirty-five shillings sterling, apples thirty-three shillings and four pence per bushel. Fire wood forty-one shillings and eight pence per cord, and finally was not to be procured at any price.