1757.

CHAP. XI ample return in a message to the governor, in which they disavowed any intention of lessening their dependence on parliament; and expressly acknowledged the authority of all acts which concerned, and extended to, the colonies.

This explicit avowal of sentiments so different from those which Massachusetts had long cherished respecting her connexion with the mother country, would induce a belief that she had recently become more colonial in her opinions. This was probably the fact; but Mr. Minot, who may be presumed to have been personally acquainted with the transaction, does not attribute to that cause entirely, the conciliating temper manifested at the close of a contest, which had commenced with such appearances of asperity. Massachusetts had made large advances for the prosecution of the war, for which she expected re-imbursements from parliament; and was not willing, at such a juncture, to make impressions unfavourable to the success of her claims.

CHAP. XII

CHAPTER XII.

Preparations for the campaign of 1758.—Admiral Boscawen and general Amherst arrive at Halifax. -Plan of the campaign.-Expedition against Louisbourg, Ticonderoga, and Crown Point.-General Abercrombie repulsed under the walls of Ticonderoga. Fort Frontignac taken.-Expedition against fort Du Quê sne.-Preparations for the campaign of 1759.-General Amherst succeeds general Abercrombie.-Plan of the campaign.-Ticonderoga and Crown Point taken.-Army goes into winter quarters.-French repulsed at Oswego.-Defeated at Niagara.-Niagara taken.-Expedition against Quebec.-Check to the English army.Battle on the Plains of Abraham.-Death of Wolf and Montcalm.-Quebec capitulates.-Garrisoned by the English under the command of general Murray. Attempt to recover Quebec.-Battle near Sillery.-Quebec besieged by Monsieur Levi.-Siege raised.—Montreal capitulates.—War with the southern Indians.-Battle near the town of Etchoe.Grant defeats them and burns their towns.-Treaty with the Cherokees.-War with Spain.-Success of the English.-Peace.

THE affairs of great Britain in North America wore 1758. a more gloomy aspect, at the close of the campaign

1758.

CHAP. XII. of 1757, than at any former period. By the acquisition of fort William Henry, the French had obtained complete possession of the lakes Champlain, and George. By the destruction of Oswego, they had acquired the dominion of those lakes which connect the St. Lawrence with the waters of the Mississippi, and unite Canada to Louisiana. By means of fort Du Quêsne, they maintained their ascendency over the Indians, and held undisturbed possession of the country west of the Allegheny mountains; while the English settlers were driven to the blue ridge. The great object of the war in that quarter was gained, and France held the country for which hostilities had been commenced. With inferior numbers, the French had been victorious in every campaign, and had uniformly gained ground on the English colonies. Nor were they less successful elsewhere. The flame of war which was kindled in America, had communicated itself to Europe and Asia. In every quarter of the world where hostilities had been carried on, the British arms were attended with defeat and disgrace.

But this inglorious scene was about to be succeeded by one of unrivalled brilliancy. From the point of extreme depression to which their affairs had sunk, the brightest era of British history was to commence. Far from being broken by misfortune, the spirit of the nation was high; and more of indignation than dismay was inspired by the ill success of their arms. The public voice had, at length, made its way to the throne, and had forced, on the unwilling monarch, a minister

who has been justly deemed one of the greatest men of the age in which he lived.

Mr. Pitt had been long distinguished in the house of commons, for the boldness and the splendour of his eloquence. His parliamentary talents, and the independent grandeur of his character, had given him a great ascendancy in that body, and had made him the idol of the nation. In 1756, he had been introduced into the cabinet, but could not long retain his place. The public affection followed him out of office; and, the national disasters continuing, it was found impracticable to conduct the complicated machine of government without his aid. In the summer of 1757, an administration was formed, which conciliated the great contending interests in parliament; and Mr. Pitt was placed at its head. The controling superiority of his character gave him the same ascendancy in the cabinet which he had obtained in the house of commons; and he seemed to dictate the measures of the nation. Only a short time was required to show that qualities, seldom united in the same person, were combined in him; and his talents for action seemed to eclipse even those he had displayed in debate. His plans partaking of the proud elevation of his own mind, and the exalted opinion he entertained of his countrymen, were always grand; and the means he employed for their execution, were always adequate to the object. Possessing the public confidence without limitation, he commanded all the resources of the nation, and drew liberally from the public purse; but the money Rr

CHAP.XII

1758.

1758.

CHAP. XII was always faithfully and judiciously applied to the public service. Too great in his spirit, too lofty in his views, to become the instrument of faction; when placed at the head of the nation, he regarded only the interest of the nation; and, overlooking the country or the party, which had given birth to merit, he searched for merit only, and employed it wherever it was found. From the elevation of the house of Brunswick to the British throne, a great portion of the people, under the denomination of tories, had been degraded, persecuted, and oppressed. Superior to this narrow and short sighted policy, Mr. Pitt sought to level these enfeebling and irritating distinctions, and to engage every British subject in the cause of his country. Thus commanding both the strength and the wealth of the kingdom, with perhaps greater talents, he possessed certainly greater means, than any of his predecessors.*

In no part of his majesty's dominions was the new administration more popular than in his American colonies. Deeply and peculiarly interested in the events of the war, they looked for a change of fortune from this change of men, and cheerfully made every exertion, of which they were capable, for the ensuing campaign. The circular letter of Mr. Pitt assured the several governors that, to repair the losses and disappointments of the last inactive campaign, the cabinet was determined to send a formidable force, to operate by sea and land, against the French in

• Russel.