time of the first repulse, and, consisting chiefly of wooden buildings, was soon reduced to ashes. The scene had now become one of intense interest. Every hill and house-top from which a view of the field could be obtained, was thronged with spectators. General Clinton, who had witnessed the second charge from Cop's hill, a neighbouring height, hastened up, with additional forces. The columns were again formed, and marched up to the redoubt, suffering little from the slackened fire of the provincials, whose powder was now nearly spent. At the same time, the lateral trench was swept by several pieces of artillery, which the British had succeeded in posting at its extremity.

From three several quarters, the regulars poured into the enclosed space of the redoubt, from which the Americans were driven at the point of the bayonet, defending themselves lustily with their muskets clubbed. Their retreat was effected, with little further loss, across Charlestown neck, although the passage was exposed to a heavy fire from the floating batteries, and from one of the armed vessels. The English immediately fortified Bunker hill, to secure command of the neck for the future.

In this battle more than one-third of the entire British force were either killed or wounded. The loss of the provincials a little exceeded four hundred and fifty. Doctor Joseph Warren, recently commissioned as a general officer, perished during the retreat. He was shot down, it is said, by an English officer, who borrowed a musket from a private for the purpose.

The provincial congress of Massachusetts had, ere this, declared the colony absolved from all allegiance to Gage, who, in the resolution, was pronounced "a public enemy." After communication with the continental congress, a provisional government was organized, consisting of town deputies and a council. It was, indeed, plain to all that there was no choice between a sanguinary contest and a humiliating submission. In England, the popular feeling, where nct affected by the personal interest of commerce, was most decidedly inimical to the rebellious colonies, who had presumed to defy the power and question the authority of the British government, and the coercive measures adopted met with general approbation. It is true that there were not a few who foresaw the possible consequences of the war, and deprecated the violence that might cause the loss of England's most valuable foreign possession; others, of yet more lib. eral sentiments, felt and expressed a noble sympathy with their VOL. IV.-45

transatlantic brethren throughout the long and arduous struggle upon which they had now entered.

About the 1st of July, General Washington arrived at the camp, near Boston, and assumed command. The presence of an experienced commander-in-chief was absolutely requisite in the existing state of the army. About fourteen thousand men, new to the discipline of a camp, and very insufficiently provided with necessary accommodations, stores, and ammunition, were posted so as to guard the approaches to the city: this line extended over a space of not far from twelve miles. Washington's head-quarters were at Cambridge. Generals Ward and Lee were stationed at Roxbury and Prospect hill. The latter position had been fortified by the provincials immediately subsequent to the battle at Breed's hill.

The more important congressional proceedings during the months of June and July, in addition to those already briefly mentioned, were the issue of bills of credit, redeemable by apportionment among the colonies, to the amount of three millions of dollars; the establishment of a post-office system (at the head of which was Benjamin Franklin); and the commission of emissaries to treat with the Indian tribes. These, and various minor arrangements, being concluded, congress adjourned until September. The attempt to gain over the powerful confederacy of the Six Nations, proved a signal failure, except so far as related to the tribe of the Oneidas, over whom Mr. Kirkland, a missionary, had great influence. The munificence and crafty policy of the English Indian agent, Sir William Johnson, had for many years secured the admiration and affection of the rest of the Iroquois; and, upon his death, they proved equally loyal to his son-in-law and successor, Guy Johnson. Their most celebrated chief, Joseph Brant, Thayendanegea, who had been brought up and educated under Sir William's patronage, received a commission in the British service, and took, as we shall have occasion to notice, an important part in border hostilities. The character of Brant has been generally mistaken by historians, and it is only by the research of modern writers that his abilities and good qualities have been brought to light, and the popular slanders, which pronounced him a monster of cruelty, refuted.

The spirit which actuated the general congress was also evinced in the separate colonies, either by popular movements, or the action of the provincial assemblies. The authority of the royal governors was, in many instances, set at naught: troops were raised, and

colonial bills were issued to defray the expense of their maintenance. As heretofore, the greatest conflict of public opinion was in New York, where the loyalists were enabled to make a stronger stand than elsewhere. The members for New York, at the late session of congress, were chosen, not by the assembly, but by a self-organized provincial congress elected by the people at large.

CHAPTER IX.

VACILLATING POLICY OF ENGLAND.-PROVISIONS BY CONGRESS FOR CARRYING ON THE WAR.-NAVAL OPERATIONS.-EXPEDITION AGAINST CANADA.-SIEGE OF FORT ST. JOHN.ALLEN'S ATTEMPT UPON MONTREAL.-THE CITY OCCUPIED BY MONTGOMERY.-MARCH TOWARDS QUEBEC.

THERE is much wisdom in the criticism of Botta, upon the general policy of the British government during these early hostilities. In speaking of Gage, he says: "He arrived in America accompanied with general affection: he left it abhorred; perhaps less through his own fault than that of the ministers, who, in place of rigorous decrees, should have sent powerful armies; or instead of armies, conciliatory conditions, consonant with the opinions of Americans. But men commonly know neither how to exert all their force, nor to surmount the shame of descending to an accommodation: hence delays, hesitations, and half measures, so often prove the ruin of enterprises."(Otis' Translation.)

awe.

The whole proceedings of the British military and naval forces at this time were calculated rather to annoy and enrage, than to overThere were many cruisers busied upon the coast in hindering the American commerce, and in procuring supplies for the beleaguered garrison at Boston. The sea-port towns suffered from their depredations; and, in one especial instance, the action of the provincials in preventing the procurance of provisions, &c., by a British vessel, was punished by bombardment. This was at Falmouth, afterwards Portland, which was destroyed in the month of October (1775).

Congress was at this time in session, having come together early

in the preceding month. Delegates from all the original thirteen colonies were present; Georgia had elected deputies since the last meeting. The principal attention of this body was necessarily directed to the maintenance of the army, the difficulty of procuring ammunition and military stores being very great. Privileges of trade were granted to vessels in which gun-powder should be imported, and ships were dispatched to distant foreign ports, even to the coast of Guinea, for the purchase of this grand desideratum of modern warfare.

The three New England colonies, at an early period in the war, commenced retaliations upon British commerce, for the injuries committed at sea. The first step taken by the Massachusetts assembly, was to direct the arming of several vessels to protect the sea-coast. From this they proceeded to authorize private adventure, by the issue of letters-of-marque, and the allowance of reprisals. Courts of admiralty were also instituted to decide prize claims. The privateers thus commissioned were, however, restricted to the seizure of vessels containing supplies for "the soldiers who made war against the Americans."

course.

The general congress adopted, soon after, substantially the same A fleet of thirteen vessels was ordered to be fitted out in the northern and middle colonies. Continental courts of admiralty were also created, and the public vessels received a general commission to "capture all those which should attempt to lend assistance to the enemy, in any mode whatever." It is singular to observe the manner in which congress, previous to the declaration of independence, while adopting every measure of open hostility, still aimed at a nominal distinction between rebellion against the British government and the resistance of illegal demands-still professing loyalty to the king, but denouncing his civil and military officials in the colonies as public enemies.

In the autumn of 1775, a plan was consummated for the invasion of Canada. It was supposed that the French inhabitants of that province would rejoice at an opportunity for successful resistance to an authority always galling to their national pride, and recently rendered more odious by the arbitrary provisions of the "Quebec act." The regular force at this time stationed in Canada was very small, and the opportunity seemed peculiarly favourable for a bold and unexpected offensive demonstration. Information had also been received by congress, that, with the opening of spring, the