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CANADA

AND THE

CONTINENTAL CONGRESS,

DELIVERED BEFORE THE

HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF I'ENNSYLVANIA,

AS THEIR

m^

Kw}''' Ji

AKNUAL ADDRESS,

On the 31st of January, 1850.

BY

WILLIAM DUAWE

PHILADELPHIA:
EDWARD GASKILL, FIFTH AND WALNUT STREETS.
1S50.

M

"Igii/ti. tke/e £tii>/ss
Wj^ ^ fawdai^ if ck tjtl^^ at- tMf Golot^

CANADA'

AND THE

CONTINENTAL CONGRESS,

delivered before the

HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA,

AS THEIR

ANNUAL ADDEESS,
On THE 31sT OP January, 1850.

WILLIAM BUANE

PHILADELPHIA:
EDWARD GASKILL, FIFTH AND WALNUT STREETS.
1850.

^.v^'v,

Weerihew &.TBaMPSOS, Peinteks,
No. 7 Carter's Allej.

CANADA

THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.

The treaty of 1762 secured to England that vast territory which
the valour of Wolfe and his companions had won. France, at the
same time, ceded Louisiana to Spain, and thus relinquished all her
possessions in North America, and with them, the design, so long
entertained and so industriously prosecuted, of erecting in the
interior of the continent a chain of possessions capable of preventing
the western growth of the British colonies.
The importance of their acquisition did not strike the minds of
all the people of England. Whilst the treaty was in discussion,
the government was urged by some to retain Guadaloupe in place
of Canada. It would seem that they had derived their opinion of
it from the derivation of its name given by Hennepin, whether
correctly or not is questionable. Speaking of its Spanish discoverers
he says, that "at their first arrival having found nothing considerable
in it, they abandoned the country and called it II Capo di JVada,
that is the Cape of Nothing. Two of the Burkes wrote a pamphlet
urging the government to prefer acquisitions in the West Indies to
Canada. Others professed to see soraething desirable in Canada's
being kept by the French, as it would prove a check upon the
English colonies ; a mild term, as was remarked by an American
then in England, for the murdering of the colonists. Perhaps such
¦ advisers were beginning to foresee that it might be difficult for
England to retain the colonies single-handed.
The inhabitants of the ceded province seem to have taken their
change of masters very quietly. Simple minded and primitive in
their manners, living as their forefathers had done and desiring no
other mode of existence, they seem to have felt but little the
shifting of the government from Paris to London. The good will

of their priests was secured by granting toleration to their
religion. In the discontents then arising among their new fellow subjects
to the south, the Canadians felt scarcely any interest. As the
great bulk of them had no hereditary claim to the rights of
Eno-lishmen, they cared little for their being assailed among their
thetr neighbours. Besides, the colonists of the British provinces
had taken an active part in the subjugation of the late French
provinces, and the ill feeling thus excited had not ceased with the
termination of the war, whilst differences of religion, language,
and manners prevented a kindly intercourse between the two
races. It is said that the Anglo-Americans burnt some of the
Canadian chapels, a mode of enlightening men respecting their
religious errors unhappily not confined to that age, and as ineffectual
then as it has ever proved.
These differences were not unpleasingto the British government,
which entered into measures, partly conciliatory and partly
restrictive, to deter the Canadians from uniting with the other
colonists in the great movement then commencing. Still more to
conciliate the priests, the Roman Catholic faith was made the
established religion of the country, whilst all had the pleasure of
seeing the English laws abolished and those of France restored.
The bounds of the province were extended by annexation to the
northward. To counterbalance these favours, the Canadian
Assembly was abolished, and the people thus deprived of
representatives with whom the other colonies might communicate.
In September, 1774, the Continental Congress met at
Philadelphia. In the succeeding month they issued an address to
the inhabitants of the colonies in which these changes in Canada
are thus referred to :
" The authors of this arbitrary arrangement flatter themselves
that the inhabitants, deprived of liberty, and artfully provoked
against those of another religion, will be proper instruments for
assisting in the oppression of such as differ from them in modes of
government and faith."
On the same day (October 21, 1774,) the Congress resolved that
an address to the people of Canada should be prepared, and Messrs.
Cushing, Lee, and Dickinson were appointed a Committee to
prepare it. The address, having been reported, debated upon, and
re-committed, was again reported on the 20th of October, and,
after debate and amendment, adopted. The address is understood
to have been written by Mr. Dickinson, the author of the Farmer's
Letters, Styling the people of Quebec ''Friends and fellow countrymen,"
and having enumerated the colo*nies represented in the Congress,
and declared the object of their raeeting to be " to consult together

to obtain redress of our afflicting grievances," and adding that they
considered their province as a member deeply interested in the
state of public affairs on this continent, the address proceeds as
follows :
" When the fortune of war, after a gallant and glorious resistance,
had incorporated you with the body of English subjecits, we
rejoiced in the truly valuable addition, both on our own and your
account; expecting, as courage and generosity are naturally united,
our enemies would become our hearty friends, and that the Divine
Being would bless to you the dispensations of his over-ruling
providence, by securing to you and your latest posterity the
inestimable advantages of a free English constitution of government,
which it is the privllage of all English subjects to enjoy.
" These hopes were confirmed by the King's proclamation, issued
In the year 1763, plighting the public faith for your full enjoyment
ofthose advantages."
The address then proceeds to detail and enlarge upon the rights
to which English subjects were entitled, namely, the right of
having a share In their own government by representatives chosen
by themselves, trial by jury, the liberty of the person secured by
the writ of habeas corpus, the right of holding lands by tenure qf
easy rents, and not by rigorous and oppressive services, and lastly
the freedom ofthe press.
" These (continues the address) are the Invaluable rights that
form a considerable part of our mild system of government ; that
sending Its equitable energy through all ranks and classes of men,
defends the poor from the rich, the weak from the powerful, the
industrious from the rapacious, the peaceable from the violent, the
tenants from their lords, and all from their superiors.
" These are the rights without which a people cannot be free
and happy, and under the protecting and encouraging Influence of
which, these colonies have hitherto so amazingly flourished and
increased. These are rights [which] a profligate ministry are now
striving by force of arms to ravish from us, and which we are,
with one mind, resolved never to resign but with our lives.
" These are the rights you are entitled to and ought at this
moment in perfection to exercise."
The address proceeds to shew that these rights had not been
secured to the Canadians, and that the favours recently shown
them were more specious than real, and the enjoyment of these
altogether precarious. "With such a superlative contempt of your
understanding and spirit has an insolent ministry presumed to think
of you, our respectable fellow subjects, according to the information
we have received, as firmly to persuade themselves that your
gratitude, for the injuries and insults they have recently offered
you, will engage you to take up arms and render yourselves the

ridicule and detestation of the world, by becoming tools in their
hands, to assist them in taking that freedom from us which they
have threateningly denied to you ; the unavoidable consequences
of which attempt. If successful, would be the extinction of all
hopes of you or your posterity's being ever restored to freedom ':
for idiocy itself cannot believe that, when their drudgery is
performed, they will treat you with less cruelty than they have
us who are of the same blood with themselves,"
After quoting the opinions of Montesquieu respecting the rights
of the people in a free state, the address asks :
"What advice would that truly great man, that advocate of
liberty and humanity, give you, was he now living and knew that
we, your numerous and powerful neighbours, animated by a just
love of our Invaded rights, and united by the indissoluble bonds of
affection and interest, called upon you by every obligation of regard
for yourselves and your children, as we now do, to join us in our
rightful contest, to make common cause with us therein, and take
a noble chance for emerging from a humiliating subjection under
governors, intendants, and military tyrants, into the firm rank and
condition of English freemen, whose custom It is, derived from
their ancestors, to make those tremble who dare to think of making
them miserable?
"Would not Ihis be the purport of his address? 'Seize the
opportunity presented to you by Providence itself. You have
been conquered into liberty, if you act as you ought. This work
is not of men. You are a small people compared to those who with
open arms invite you into a fellowship, A moment's reflection
will convince you which will be most for your interest and
happiness, to have all the rest of North America your unalterable
friends or your inveterate enemies. The Injuries of Boston have
roused and associated every colony from Nova Scotia to Georgia.
Your province is the only link wanting to complete the bright
and strong chain of union. Nature has joined your country to
theirs. Do you join your political interests. For their own sakes
they never will desert or betray you. Be assured that the
happiness of a people inevitably depends on their liberty and their
spirit to assert It, The value and extent ofthe advantages tendered
to you are Immense. Heaven grant that you may not discover them
to be blessings after they have bid you an eternal adieu.' "
The address then refers to the difference of religion between the
two people, but reminds them of the Swiss Cantons as furnishing
proof that men of different faiths may live in concord and peace
together. For what ends the Congress sought the co-operation of the
Canadians is thus specified. " We do not ask you to commence
acts of hostility against the government of our common sovereign.

We only invite you to consult your own glory and welfare, and
not to suffer yourselves to be inveigled or intimidated by infamous
ministers, so far as to become the instruments of their cruelty and
despotism ; but to unite with us in the social compact, formed on
the generous principles of equal liberty, and cemented by such an
exchange of beneficial and endearing offices, as to render it
perpetual. In order to complete this highly desirable union, we
submit it to your consideration whether It may not be expedient
for you to meet together in your several towns and districts and
elect deputies, who afterwards meeting in a Provincial Congress,
may choose delegates to represent your Province in the Continental
Congress to be held at Philadelphia, on the 10th day of May,
1775, " In this present Congress, beginning on the fifth of last month,
and continued to this day, it has been with universal pleasure and
an unanimous vote resolved, that we should consider the violation
of your rights, by the act for altering the government of your
Province, as a violation of our own, and that you should be invited
to accede to our confederation, which has no other objects than
the perfect security of the natural and civil rights of all the
constituent members, according to their respective circumstances,
and the preservation of a happy and lasting connection with Great
Britain, on the salutary and constitutional principles hereinbefore
mentioned. For affecting these purposes we have addressed an
humble and loyal petition to his majesty, praying relief of our and
your grievances ; and have associated to stop all importations from
Great Britain and Ireland after the first day of December, and all
exportations to those kingdoms and the West Indies after the tenth
of next September : unless the said grievances are redressed,
" That Almighty God may incline your minds to approve our
equitable and necessary ineasures, to add yourselves to us, to put
your fate, whenever you suffer Injuries which you are determined
to oppose, not on the small Influence of your single Province, but
on the consolidated powers of North America ; and may grant to
our joint exertions an event as happy as our cause is just, is the
fervent prayer of your sincere and affectionate friends and fellow
subjects." The Address was signed by Henry Middleton, of North Carolina,
the President, at that time, of the Congress.
The delegates of the Province of Pennsylvania were appointed
to superintend the translating, printing, publishing, and distributing
ofthe address, and the Congress recommended to the delegates from
New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, and New York, to assist in
having it circulated.
On the llth of May, 1775, the Congress re-assembled, meeting
in the State House. The state of affairs had very materially

changed since their adjournment. Blood had been shed at
Lexington, and men, finding the inutility of Petitions and
Remonstrances, were gradually coming to the conclusion that an
appeal to arms was all that was left them.
On the twenty-seventh ofthe same month, the Congress, having
been informed that there was a gentleman In town who could
" give a full and just account of the state of affairs in Canada,"
directed him to be introduced, which was done. What was his
name and what the substance of his Information is not mentioned
in the journal; possibly from motives of prudence. Two days
afterwards another address, entitled, " To the oppressed inhabitants
of Canada," brought in by a committee consisting of Me.ssrs, Jay,
Samuel Adams, and Deane, was adopted by Congress, and ordered
to be translated into the French language and circulated. After
referring to the former address as having been dictated by a sense
of common danger, that now issued proceeds as follows :
" We most sincerely condole with you on the arrival of that
day in the course of which the sun could not shine on a single
freeman in all your extensive dominions. Be assured that your
unmerited degradation has engaged the most unfeigned pity of
your sister colonies ; and we flatter ourselves you will not, by
tamely bearing the yoke, suffer that pity to be supplanted by
contempt. " When lordly attempts are made to deprive men of rights
bestowed by the Almighty, when avenues are cut through the
most solemn compacts, for the admission of despotism, when the
plighted faith of government ceases to give security to dutiful
subjects, and when the insidious stratagems and manoeuvres of
peace become more terrible than the sanguinary operations of war,
it is high time for them to assert those rights, and with honest
indignation oppose the torrent of oppression rushing in upon
them." The political situation of the Canadians is thus pictured :
" By the introduction of your present form of government, or
rather present form of tyranny, you and your wives and your
children are made slaves. You have nothing that you can call
your own, and all the fruits of your labour and your industry may
be taken from you whenever an avaricious governor and a
rapacious council may incline to demand them. You are liable
by their edicts to be transported into foreign countries to fight
battles in which you have no interest, and to spill your blood in
conflicts from which neither honour nor emolument can be derived.
Nay, the enjoyment of your very religion on the present system
depends on a legislature in which you have no share, and over
which you have no control ; and your priests are exposed to
expulsion, banishment and ruin, whenever their wealth and

possessions furnish sufficient temptation. They cannot be sure
that a virtuous prince will always fill the throne, and sbould a
wicked or careless king concur with a wicked ministry in
extracting the treasure and strength of your country, It is
Impossible to conceive to what variety and to what extremes of
wretchedness you may under the present establishment be
reduced." It is worth noting, this reference to '' a virtuous king." Was it
on« of the last efforts of expiring royalty, or really a refined irony?
In another year the Congress spoke of George III. in language
altogether unequivocal.
"We are informed (continues the address) that you have been
already called upon to waste your lives In a contest with us.
Should you by complying in this Instance assent to your new
establishment, and a war break out with France, your wealth and
your sons may be sent to perish In expeditions against their islands
In the West Indies. It cannot be presumed that these considerations
have no weight with you, or that you are so lost to all sense of
honour. We can never believe that the present race of Canadians
are so degenerate as to possess neither the spirit; the gallantry, nor
the courage of their ancestors. You certainly will not permit the
Infamy and disgrace of such pusillanimity to rest on your own
heads, and the consequences of it on your children forever?
" We, for our parts, are determined to live free or not at all,
and are resolved that posterity shall never reproach us with having
brought slaves Into the world.
" Permit us again to repeat that we are your friends, not your
enemies, and be not Imposed upon by those who may endeavour
to create animosities. The taking of the fort and military stores
at Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and the armed vessels on the
lake, was dictated by the great law of self preservation. They
were intended to annoy us and to cut off that friendly Intercourse
which has hitherto subsisted between you and us. We hope it
has given you no uneasiiiess, and you may rely upon our assurance
that the cqlonies will pursue no measures whatever but such as
friendship and a regard for our mutual safety and interest may
suggest. "As our concern for your welfare entitles us to your friendship,
we presume you will not by doing us injury reduce us to the
disagreeable necessity of treating you as enemies.
« We yet entertain hopes of your uniting with us in the defense
of our common liberty, and there is yet reason to believe that
should we join in imploring the attention of our sovereign to the
unmerited and unparalleled oppression of American subjects, he
will at length be undeceived, and forbid a licentious ministry any
longer to riot in the ruins of the rights of mankind."
2

10
As a further evidence of their pacific designs towards the
Canadians, the Congress on the fiirst of June, 1775, Resolved, That
as they " had nothing more in view than the defense of the
colonies," " no expedition or incursion ought to be undertaken or
made by any colony or body of colonies against or Into Canada,
and that this resolve be immediately transmitted to the commander
of the forces at Ticonderoga," and further that this " resolve be
translated into the French language and transmitted with the letter
to the Inhabitants of Canada."
The capture of Ticonderoga bad been planned by a few gentlemen
in Connecticut, who entrusted its execution to the celebrated Ethan
Allen, of Vermont. Its capture was affected by less than three
hundred men, and the commander was surprised in bed and
summoned to surrender " in the name of the Lord Jehovah, and
the Continental Congress." That this capture and that of Crown
Point which shortly afterwards followed, had been intended as
measures of precaution and as indispensable to maintaining a
communication with the Canadians, may be very true, but
circumstances soon led to more decided steps. The Addresses of
the Congress, however eloquent and conclusive, made but little
impression upon a people, scarcely any of whom could read. The
presence of an armed force was deemed likely to have an effect
upon the Canadians favourable to the Continental cause, especially
if that force should prove triumphant. Accordingly, about three
months after the adoption of the resolution against any Invasion of
Canada, two were undertaken, one under Montgomery, who
advanced by way of St. John's upon the St. Lawrence river; the
other under Arnold, (who had shared in the capture of Ticonderoga)
by the Kennebec, and what was then an unbroken wilderness
between its sources and those of the tributaries of the St. Lawrence.
Of this latter expedition it is unnecessary here to speak, our society
having not long since presented to the reading world a most
valuable contribution to history in the journal of Dr. Senter, who
accompanied this heroic band as surgeon. Of the doings of the
army under Montgomery some details are necessary, St. John's
was the first British post attacked, but the great scarcity of powder
prevented Its capture. To secure a supplj', Chamblee, a fort
about six miles from St. John's, was reduced, and its artillery and
powder carried off and used in the siege ofthe latter. An attempt
to repel them made under the conimand of Gen. Carlton, proved
unsuccessful, and the fort fell Into the possession of the Americans.
A large supply of cannons, mortars and powder rewarded the
victors, whose prisoners numbered five hundred,
Montreal submitted to them without resistance about the middle
of November. This, with the subsequent capture of a number of
boats in the river, gave them a full supply of ammunition and

11
¦clothing. Meanwhile, tbe party under Arnold, or rather that part
of it which had successflilly overcome difficulties before which a
..arge portion of the expedition shrunk back appalled, reached the
St. Lawrence, and, to the astonishment of the inhabitants, appeared
before Quebec. Here, however, the want of artillery reduced
him to inaction.
Leaving Montreal, Montgomery hastened to join Arnold in
front of Quebec, then the capital of the province. Preparations
were made to assail the city, which, with equal zeal, was put in a
state of defence by Carlton. The works of the Invaders were
constructed of snow rendered solid by wate^-, but the cannon In
their possession proved too light to be effective, and the siege was
soon but languishingly prosecuted. This did not suit Montgomery,
and a council of war was held, which agreed to his proposition for
an assault. This was attempted in two divisions, one under the
commander in chief, the other under Arnold. About one hundred
of the assailants were slain, among whom was Montgomery.
Arnold received a ball in his leg, his most honorable wound. The
American prisoners amounted to about three hundred, a number
that the invading army could ill spare.
The remnant under Arnold, who- succeeded to the command,
were withdrawn to a spot about three miles from the city, and
posted as advantageously as possible for maintaining the blockade.
To the sufferings incident to a Canadian winter, the ravages of
disease were now added : the small pox broke out among them
with great violence,
Montgomery fell on the la.st day of the year 1775. How soon
the news of this fatal event reached the Congress, we cannot say,
but it must have been several weeks afterwards. On the Sth of
January, 1776, the Congress resolved that ship builders should be
sent Immediately from New York and Philadelphia to General
Schuyler or the Commander In Chief of the forces at Ticonderoga,
to be employed in constructing a number of batteaux, not exceeding
one hundred, for transporting troops and their baggage into Canada
whenever necessary.
On the same day they ordered a battalion of Canadians to be
raised, under the command of James Livingston, and that nine
battalion.s, this included, should be maintained during the year for
the defense of Canada. The First Pennsylvania Battalion, Colonel
Ball, and the Second New Jersey Battalion, Colonel Maxwell,
were selected as part ofthe force, and ordered to march immediately
to Albany, and put themselves under the command of General
Schuyler. To complete the number proposed, a battalion was
ordered to be raised in New Hampshire, one in Connecticut, and
one in New York; two were ordered to be formed out of the
troops then in Canada, proper officers for which were to be

12
recommended by Gen, Montgomery, and one of the five new
regiments shortly before ordered to be raised in Pennsylvania was
to be the ninth.
On the nineteenth of January it was resolved that the American
army in Canada be reinforced with all proper despatch as well for
the security and relief of our friends there, as for better securing
the rights and liberties not only of that colony but the other united
colonies. An express was ordered to be sent to the Committee of Safety
of New Jersey, and an application to be made to that of
Pennsylvania Immediately, to quicken the officers employed In
levying the forces directed to be raised in those colonies and
marched to Canada. The troops were ordered to be forwarded In
companies with the greatest expedition.
The Congress meanwhile had resolved to send Commissioners to
Canada, and on the 20th of March, 1776, their Instructions having
been duly debated, were adopted as follows :
"Gentlemen : — You are with all convenient despatch to repair
to Canada and make known to the people of that country the
wishes and Intentions ofthe Congress In respect to them.
" Represent to them that the arms of the United Colonies having
been carried into that Province for the purpose of frustrating the
designs of the British Court against our common liberties, we
expect to defeat not only the hostile machinations of Governor
Carlton against us, but we shall put into the power of our Canadian
brethren to pursue such measures for their own freedom and
happiness as a generous love of liberty and sound policy shall
dictate to them.
" Inform them that in our judgment their interests and ours are
inseparably united ; that it is impossible we can be reduced to a
servile submission to Great Britain without their sharing our fate ;
and on the other hand. If we shall obtain, as we doubt not we shall,
a full establishment of our rights, it depends wholly on their
choice whether they will participate with us in those blessings or
still remain subject to every act of tyranny which British ministers
shall please to exercise over them. Urge all such arguments as
your prudence shall suggest, to enforce our opinion concerning
the mutual interests of the two countries, and to convince them of
the impossibility ofthe war's being concluded to the disadvantage
of the colonies if we wisely and vigorously co-operate with each
other. " To convince them ofthe uprightness of our Intentions towards
them, you are to declare that It is our Inclination that the people
of Canada may set up such a form of government as will be most
likely. In their judgment, to produce their happiness : and you
are in the strongest terms to assure them that it is our earnest

13
desire to adopt them into our union as a sister colony, and to
secttre the same general system of mild and equal laws fpr them
and for ourselves, with only such local differences as may be
agreeable to each colony respectively.
" Assure the people of Canada that we have no apprehension
that the French will take any active part with Great Britain ; but
that it is their interest, and we have reason to beUeve their
inclination, to cultivate a friendly intercourse with these colonies.
" You are from this and from such other reasons as may appear
most proper, to urge the necessity the people are under of
immediately taking some decisive step to put theraselves under the
protection of the United Colonies. For expediting such a measure
you are to explain our method of collecting the sense ofthe people
and conducting our affairs regularly by Committees of Observation
and Inspection in the several districts, and by Conventions and
Committees of Safety in the several colonies. Recommend these
modes to them. Explain to them the nature and principles of
government among freemen ; developing in contrast to those, the
base, oruel, and insidious designs involved in the late Act of
Parliament for making a more effectual provision for the government
of the Province of Quebec, Endeavour to stimulate them by
notions of glory as well as interest, to assume a part in a contest
by which they must be deeply affected ; and to aspire to a portion
of that power by which they must be ruled ; and not to remain
the mere spoil and prey of conquerors and lords,
" You are further to declare that we hold sacred the rights of
conscience, and may promise to the whole people solemnly In our
name, the free and uninterrupted exercise of their religion, and to
the clergy the full, perfect, and peaceable possession aud enjoyment
of all their estates ; that the government of every thing relating to
their religion and clergy shall be left entirely In the hands of the
good people of that Province, and such legislation as they shall
constitute, provided, however, that all other denominations of
christians be equally entitled to hold offices and , enjoy civil
privileges and the free exercise of their religion, and be totally
exempt from the payment of any tithes or taxes for the support of
«ny religion.
" Inform them.thatyou are vested with full powers to effect these
purposes-; and therefore press them to have a full representation
of the peojple -assembled In convention with all proper expedition,
to dellberate'ooncerning the establishment of a form of government
and an union with the United Colonies. As to the terms of union,
insist on the propriety of their being similar to those on which
the other colonies ¦unite. Should they object to this, report to this
Congress the objections, and the terms on which alone they will
come into our union. Should they agree to our terms, you are t®
2*

14.
promise in the name of the United Colonies, that we will defend
and protect the people of Canada against all enemies in the same
manner that we will defend and protect any ofthe United Colonies.
" You are to establish a free press, and to give directions for the
frequent publication of such pieces as may be of service to the
cause of the United Colonies,
" You are to settle all disputes between the Canadians and the
Continental troops, and to make such regulations relating thereto
as you shall judge proper,
" In reforming any abuses you may observe in Canada, and
enforcing regulations for the preservation of peace and good order
there, and composing differences between the troops of the
United States and the Canadians, all officers and soldiers are
required to yield obedience to you ; and to enforce the decisions
that you or any two of you may make, you are empowered to
suspend any military officer from the execution of his commission,
till the pleasure of Congress shall be known, If you or any two of
you shall think it expedient,
"You are also empowered to sit and vote as members of councils
of war, in directing fortifications and defences to be made or to be
demolished, by land or by water ; aud to draw orders on the
President tor any sums of money not exceeding $100,000 in the
whole for the expense ofthe works.
" Lastly, you are by all the raeans you can use to promote the
execution of the resolutions now made or hereafter to be made in
Congress." To these instructions the following were on motion added :
" You are also directed and authorised to assure the Inhabitants
of Canada that their commerce with foreign nations shall in all
respects be put upon an equal footing with, and encouraged and
protected In the same manner as the trade of the United Colonies.
"You are also directed to use every wise and prudent measure
to introduce and give credit and circulation to the Continental
money in Canada,
"In case the former resolution of Congress respecting the
English American troops in Canada has not been carried Into
effect, you are directed to use your best endeavours for forming a
battalion of the New York troops in that country, and to appoint
the field and other officers out of the gentlemen who have continued
there during the campaign, according to their respective ranks and
merit. And if It should be found impracticable, you are to direct
such of them as are provided for in the four battalions now raising
in New York, to repair to their respective corps. To enable you
to carry this resolution into effect; you are furnished with blank
commissions signed by the President,"
The draft of the commission was then adopted. The three

15
Commissioners were Benjamin Franklin, a delegate to the Congress
from Pennsylvania, Samuel Chase, one of the delegates from
Maryland, and Charies Carroll, of Carrollton, in Maryland,
subsequently also a delegate. The various titles of the delegates
were somewhat ostentatiously set forth, but this may have been
intended as a mark of respect to those to whom they were sent.
The (^mmissioners were accompanied by the Rev. John Carroll
of Maryland, a Roman Catholic clergyman, who subsequently
became Archbishop of Baltimore. They left Philadelphia in the
latter part of March, 1776, New York on the second of April,
ascending the Hudson In a sloop, and did not reach Montreal
until the twenty-ninth ofthe month, the distance being about four
hundred miles ; which, as the editor of Charles Carroll's journal
of the expedition notes, is now performed in two days. This
journey was not one then that would be selected for a pleasure trip.
Great part of the country through which they passed was then a
wilderness, and they had to struggle through the snow and ice
attendant upon a Canadian spring. Tents made of brush-wood
were occasionally their resting places. Two days spent with
General Schuyler at Albany appear to have been the pleasantest
part of their journey, and the charms of his "daughters, (Betsy and
Peggy) lively, agreeable, black eyed girls," are duly chronicled.
The former of these ladles still survives, — the widow of Alexander
Hamilton. On reaching Montreal, we were '' received (says Charles Carroll
in his Journal) by General Arnold on our landing, in the most
polite and friendly manner ; conducted to head quarters, where a
genteel company of ladles and gentlemen had assembled to welcome
our arrival. As we went from the landing place to the General's
house, the cannon of the citadal fired a compliment to us as the
Commissioners of Congress. We supped at that General's, and
after supper were conducted by the General and other gentlemen
to our lodgings — the house of Mr. Thomas Walker — the best built
and perhaps the best furnished house In this town."
The Commissioners made but little impression upon the
Canadians. There had been some small show of a party in favour
of union with the other Colonies while the Americans were
successful, but since the fall of Montgomery the cause of the
invaders had come to a stand. On the llth of May, Dr. Franklin,
whose health had been much Impaired by the journey, and who
saw clearly the hopelessness of their mission, set out to return to
Congress. The Rev. Mr. Carroll accompanied him, and the
kindness displayed by him during the journey was not forgotten.
Through Franklin's recommendation whilst minister at the Court of
France, Mr. Carroll was placed at the head ofthe Roman Catholic
clergy in the United States, which opened the way to his

16
subsequent promotion to the Archepiscopate. His virtues and
learning did honour to the office.
The Congress spared no efforts to maintain the ground that had
been gained In Canada. A Committee of Congress was appointed
to consult with Generals Washington, Green and Mifflin, upon the
recommendation of which committee it was resolved (May 24,
1776,) "that the commanding officer In Canada be informed that
Congress is fully convinced of the absolute necessity of keeping
possession of that country, and that they expect'that the forces in
that department will contest every foot of ground with the enemies
of these colonies ; and as Congress have in view the cutting off
[of] all communication between the upper country and the enemy,
they judge it highly necessary that the exertions of the forces be
partlculary made in the St. Lawrence below the mouth of the
Sorell." "nie army unfortunately was not in a condition to make much
exertion apywhere. The forces in front of Quebec amounted to
about three thousand men, but more than two thousand were
suffering under the ravages of the small pox.
On the sixth of May, some vessels with reinforcements for the
British army reached Quebec, whereupon the Americans
commenced a retreat. The greater part of the military stores and
«11 the sick were left behind. The retiring army halted at a place
called the Cedars, about forty miles above Quebec, where they
¦Were reinforced. Their commander, General Thomas, here died
of the small pox, and Was succeeded by General Thompson, who
was soon after taken prisoner in an unsuccessful attempt made to
surprise a division of the British army lying at Three Rivers,
General Sullivan took command and ordered a retreat to Montreal,
He conducted the movement In a very creditable manner, bringing
off all the baggage and public stores, and even all the sick.
The letter from the Commissioners to the Congress dated
Montreal, May 27th, being the last which th'sy wrote, gives a
melancholy picture ofthe condition ofthe army of invasion. They
say, " We went to the mouth of the Screl last week where we
found all things in confusion ; there is little or no discipline among
your troops, nor can any be kept up while the practice of enlisting
for a twelvemonth continues; the general officers are all of this
opinion. Your army is badly paid, and «o exhausted Is your credit
that even a cart cannot be procured without ready money or
force. The army is in a distressed condition, and is in want of the
most necessary articles — meat, bread, tents, shoes, stockings, shirts,
&c. The greatest part ofthose that fled from Quebec left all their
baggage behind them, or it was plundered by those whose times
were out. Your army in Canada does not exceed four thousand ;
above four hundred are sick with different disorders, three fourths

17
of the army have not had the small pox. The greater part of
Greaton's, Bond's, and Buriell's regiments have been lately
innoculated. There are about eight tons of gunpowder in the
colony. To evince the great distress we are reduced to for the
want of bread, we must inform you that we were obliged to buy
thirty loaves of bread of our baker to feed Col, De Haas's
detachment, which entered this town Friday night on their way
to join General Arnold at La Chine, and who could not be supplied
by the Commissary. Such is our extreme want of flour that we
were yesterday obliged to seize by force fifteen barrels to supply
this garrison with bread. Previous to this seizure a general order
was issued to the town major to wait on the merchants or others
having provisions or merchandise for sale, requesting a delivery of
what our troops are In immediate want of, and requiring him to
give a receipt expressing the quantity delivered ; for the payment
of which the faith of the United colonies Is pledged by your
Commissioners. Nothing but the most urgent necessity can justify
such harsh measures : but men with arms in their hands will not
starve when provisions can be obtained by force. To prevent a
general plunder which might end In the massacre of your troops,
and of many ofthe Inhabitants, we have been constrained to advise
the general to take this step. We cannot conceal our concern that
six thousand men should be ordered to Canada, without taking
care to have magazines formed for their subsistence, cash to pay
them or to pay the inhabitants for their labour, in transporting the
baggage, stores, and provisions of the army. We cannot find
words strong enough to express our miserable situation ; you will
have a faint idea of it, if you figure to yourselves an array broken
and disheartened, half of it under innoculation or other diseases ;
soldiers without pay, without discipline, and altogether reduced to
live from hand to mouth, depending on the scanty and precarious
supplies of a few half starved cattle and trifling quantities of flour,
which have hitherto been picked up in different parts of the
country. " Your soldiers grumble for their pay ; — if they receive it they
will not be benefitted, as it will not procure them the necessaries
they stand in need of. Your military chest contains but eleven
thousand paper dollars. You are indebted to your troops treble
that sum, and to the inhabitants above fifteen thousand dollars."
To such a state of affairs there could be but one end. The
Congress struggled hard against the necessity of evacuating
Canada. On the 17th of June, 1776, they resolved that an
experienced General should be immediately sent Into Canada, with
large powers of appointment and supervision, and they directed
General Washlnton to send General Gates to take command of the
forces there. Some efforts were at the same time made to send

18
reinforcements to the army. On the llth of that month, Messrs.
Chase and Carroll had attended the Congress and given an account
of their doings in Canada, and of the state of the army In that
country. This account appears to have been verbal.
A committee appointed to investigate the causes of the
miscarriages In Canada reported :
" That the enlistments ofthe Continental troops in Canada have
been one great cause of the miscarriages there, by rendering
unstable the number of men engaged in military enterprises, by
making them disorderly and disobedient to their officers, and by
precipitating the commanding officers into measures which their
prudence might have postponed could they have relied on a longer
continuance of their troops in service.
" That the want of hard money has been one other great source
ofthe miscarriages in Canada, rendering the supplies of necessaries
difficult and precarious, the establishment of proper magazines
absolutely impracticable, and the pay of the troops of little use to
them. " That a still greater and more fatal source of misfortunes has
been the prevalence of the small-pox In that army ; a great
proportion whereof has thereby been usually kept unfit for duty."
In these views the Congress concurred.
The Congress had directed that a printing apparatus and hands
competent to print in French and English should accompany this
mission. Whether the apparatus was taken is not clear ; but
Mesplet, a French printer, accompanied the Commissioners. It
was found easier, however, to print than to find readers, not one
in five hundred being able to read. The priests, who monopolised
all the learning and most of the intelligence of the French
population, had been prudently conciliated, as we have seen, by
the British government. In reference to their failure to make an
impression with the documents and addresses that were printed,
Dr. Franklin remarked that if it were Intended to send another
mission It should be composed of schoolmasters ; In connection
with which it may be observed that the incursions of Yankee
schoolmasters into Canada, armed with school books inculcating
republican sentiments, has been a source of complaint with the
most loyal of the Canadians for the last twenty years.
General Gates took command of the remains of the army, which
he collected at Ticonderoga. A naval engagement on Lake
Champlain followed, in which the American fleet, commanded by
Arnold, was compelled to fly before a superior force under
General Carlton. Arnold ran his vessels on shore, landed his men
and burnt his little fleet. This was the closing scene of the
invasion of Canada, which had opened with such high prospects of
success.

19
Dr. Franklin, when assisting in preparing the treaty of peace at
Paris, was very desirous that Canada should be given up to the
United States. " He said," observed Mr. Sparks " there could be
no solid and permanent peace without it ; that it would cost the
British government more to keep It than it was worth ; it would
be a source of future difficulties with the United States, and some
day or other It must belong to them ; and it was for the interest of
both parties that It should be ceded in the treaty of peace. Yet
he did not think It proper to urge such a cession as a necessary
condition of peace, especially since Congress had forborne to
instruct the Commissioners on this subject, and since there was no
claim on France by the treaty of alliance to sustain such a demand,
as the pledge in that treaty was only to Insure the Independence
of the old thirteen Colonies, and Canada was not one of them,"
Mr. Oswald, one of the British Commissioners, "In his conversations
with Dr. Franklin, gave it as his opinion that Canada should be
given up to the United States, and said that when he mentioned it
to the ministers, though they spoke cautiously they did not express
themselves as decidedly opposed to the measure. It was not
pressed, however, by the Araerican Commissioners, and It would
not seem to have been much dwelt upon in the subsequent progress
ofthe negotiation,"
Two attempts have been made to wrest Canada from the British
government by force of arms: both have failed. Yet the adoption
of Canada Into our family of confederated states Is now a more
probable event than it was at the most prosperous period of either
of our wars with Great Britain. The people of that Province
have long been watching with interest the progress of the United
States, and, finding no sufficient explanation In climate, soil and
productions for the great difference between that progress and
their own, they have been led to regard the different forms of
government as the main cause. The mission of the schoolmaster
has been doing Its work.
The English government must soon begin to perceive, as the
people have already done, that Canada costs them more than it Is
worth, and that in the event of Its independence they would still
have the Canadians for their customers, and to a much larger extent
than at present.
To the people of the United States, Canada would be welcome
now as in 1776. Practically the Union is no larger to-day than
during the revolution, such changes haye been made in the facilities
of travel and communication from one extreme to the other. The
The news of the surrender of Charleston (S. C.) was a month in
reaching Philadelphia by express. In less time we now hear
from California. With our beautiful system of the division of
power between the general and the state governments, it would be

20
difficult to say whether the North American Union can ever be
too large.
To the Canadians, our system presents one striking advantage.
The struggle between the two races that has been going on for
years would be at once and forever terminated by the admission
of Upper and Lower Canada as two States. Thereafter the Internal
concerns of each would be managed as would best suit Its own
interest, and there would be no more reason for heartburnings
between the British of Upper Canada, and the French of the
Lower Province, than there now Is for ill-feeling between the
descendants of the French settlers In Louisiana, and those of
English origin in Mississippi or Arkansas. A generous rivalry
which should make the most progress in civilization, learning, and
material Improvement, would succeed the senseless yet bitter
animosity of race.

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