mined to extend the Revolution into Canada, but it was an enterprise too important to be intrusted to any but discreet hands. General Schuyler was accordingly ordered, on the 27th June, to proceed to Ticonderoga, and, "should he find it practicable and not disagreeable to the Canadians, immediately to take possession of St. John and Montreal, and pursue such other measures in Canada as might have a tendency to promote the peace and security of these provinces."

Schuyler was on the alert. He had learnt that there were about seven hundred king's troops in that province; three hundred of them at St. John, about fifty at Quebec, the remainder at Montreal, Chambly, and the upper posts. Colonel Guy Johnson was at Montreal with three hundred men, mostly his tenants, and a number of Indians. Now was the time, according to his informants, to carry Canada. It might be done with great ease and little cost. While awaiting further orders Schuyler repaired to Albany, to hold a conference with the warriors of the Six Nations, whom he had invited to meet him at that place. General Montgomery was to remain in command at Ticonderoga, during his absence, and to urge forward the military preparations.

Richard Montgomery was of a good family in the north of Ireland, where he was born in 1736. He entered the army when about eighteen years of age; served in America in the French war; won a lieutenancy by gallant conduct at Louisburg; followed General Amherst to Lake Champlain, and, after the conquest of Canada, was promoted to a captaincy for his services in the West Indies. After the peace of Versailles he resided in England; but, about three years before the breaking out of the Revolution, he sold out his commission in the army and migrated to New York. Here he married the eldest daughter of Robert Livingston, and took up his residence on an estate on the banks of the Hudson. Being known to be in favor of the popular cause, he was drawn reluctantly from his rural abode, to represent his county in the first convention of the province; and on the recent organization of the army, his military reputation gained him the unsought commission of brigadier-general. At this time Montgomery was about

thirty-nine years of age, and the beau ideal of a soldier. His form was well proportioned and vigorous; his countenance expressive and prepossessing; he was cool and discriminating in council, energetic and fearless in action. His principles commanded the respect of friends and foes, and he was noted for winning the affections of the soldiery.

Before Schuyler's return to Ticonderoga, Montgomery had received intelligence that Carleton had completed his armed vessels at St. John, and was about to send them into Lake Champlain by the Sorel river. No time, therefore, was to be lost in getting possession of the Isle aux Noix, which commanded the entrance to that river. Montgomery hastened to embark with about a thousand men, which were as many as the boats now ready could hold, taking with him two pieces of artillery; with this force he set off down the lake. A letter to General Schuyler explained the cause of his sudden departure, and entreated him to follow on in a whaleboat, leaving the residue of the artillery to come on as soon as conveyances could be procured. Schuyler arrived at Ticonderoga on the night of the 30th of August, but too ill of a bilious fever to push on in a whaleboat. He caused a bed to be prepared for him in a covered bateau, and, ill as he was, continued forward on the following day. On the 4th of September he overtook Montgomery at the Isle la Motte, where he had been detained by contrary weather, and, assuming command of the little army, kept on the same day to the Isle aux Noix, about twelve miles south of St. John.

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In the meantime, as it was evident the enemy in Boston did not intend to come out, but were only strengthening their defences and preparing for winter, Washington was enabled to turn his attention to the expedition to be sent into Canada by the way the Kennebec river. A detachment of about eleven hundred men, chosen for the purpose, was soon encamped on Cambridge Common. There were ten companies of New England infantry, some of them from General Greene's Rhode Island regiments ; three rifle companies from Pennsylvania and Virginia, one of them Captain Morgan's famous company; and a number of volunteers;

among whom was Aaron Burr, then but twenty years of age, and just commencing his brilliant but unfortunate career.

The proposed expedition was wild and perilous, and required a skilful and intrepid leader. Such a one was at hand. Benedict Arnold was at Cambridge, and Washington considered him the very man for the enterprise. He had shown aptness for military service, whether on land or water. He was acquainted, too, with Canada, and especially with Quebec, having, in the course of his checkered life, traded in horses between that place and the West Indies. With these considerations Washington intrusted him with the command of the expedition, giving him the commission of lieutenant-colonel in the continental army. In the general letter of instructions, Washington inserted the following clause. "If Lord Chatham's son should be in Canada, and in any way fall into your power, you are enjoined to treat him with all possible deference and respect. You cannot err in paying too much honor to the son of so illustrious a character and so true a friend to America." Arnold was furnished with handbills for distribution in Canada, setting forth the friendly objects of the present expedition, as well as of that under General Schuyler; and calling on the Canadians to furnish necessaries and accommodations of every kind; for which they were assured ample compensation.

On the 13th of September Arnold struck his tents, and set out in high spirits. Washington enjoined upon him to push forward, as rapidly as possible, success depending upon celerity; and counted the days as they elapsed after his departure, impatient to receive tidings of his progress up the Kennebec, and expecting that the expedition would reach Quebec about the middle of October. In the interim came letters from Schuyler, giving particulars of the main expedition.

For some time past General Schuyler had been struggling with a complication of maladies, but exerted himself to the utmost in the harassing business of the camp, still hoping to be able to move with the army. When everything was nearly ready, he was attacked in the night by a severe access of his disorder, which confined him to his bed, and compelled him to surrender the