CHAPTER XII.

Events of 1776.-Reasons for the invasion of Canada.-Distresses of Arnold-Dunmore burns the town of Norfolk-Proceedings of the British Parliament-Duke of Grafton resignsMr. Penn examined before the House-Several conciliatory propositions rejected.—Lord North's Prohibitory Bill-Motion of Mr. Fox-Mr. Hartley's motions-His Majesty's Hessian treaties.-Americans alter their flag-Heights of Dorchester taken possession of by the Americans.-General Howe abandons Boston-Washington enters it in triumph-Arnold retires from before Quebec-General Frazer is repulsed from Three RiversAffair at the Cedars-Arnold retreats from Montreal.-Retreat of General Sullivan from Canada.-Lee arrives at New-YorkPursues Clinton-Affair of Moore's Creek Bridge-Attack on Sullivan's Island-Brave defence of Fort Moultrie.-Operations of Commodore Hopkins-Commissioners sent to Canada-Lee gives notice in Congress of his intended motion for Independence. Proceedings of the Colonies thereon.-Secret proceedings on Lee's motion-Independence declared.

The expedition which had been planned against Canada, seemed, in the opinion of many who professed to approve of the resistance made by the Colonies to the oppressive measures of the Ministry, wholly to change the nature of the controversy. The opposition which had been theretofore made to Government, had been made, it was contended, upon the principle of defending certain natural rights, and was not only perfectly consistent with the British constitution, but warranted by the sanction of that precedent which had placed the sceptre in the hands of his present Majesty. But to wage an offensive war against that portion of his Majesty's dominions, which had taken no part in the contest, was, it was said, at once to lose the cha

and to

racter of the aggrieved in that of the aggressor, forfeit all claim to redress on the plea of justifiable resistance.

These were serious charges, to which a proper respect for themselves seemed to demand a reply from the American Colonies. It was well known to them and to the world, that the Act of Parliament, commonly called the Quebec Act, had converted the government of Canada into a complete despotism; and that the powers given to the Governour of that Province were unlimited so far as it concerned his proceedings against those whom he might choose to consider as rebellious subjects of the King. Sir Guy Carleton had already given sufficient evidence, that he was disposed to construe his discretionary powers, in the most arbitrary sense, and that he only waited for a convenient opportunity to exercise his restless spirit beyond the confines of his Province. To march against him, therefore, and prevent the execution of his hostile designs, was considered as much a matter of self defence, as if they had waited to be actually attacked.

They were not bound, it was argued, by any law of nature, or by any maxim of reason or policy, to look tamely on, while preparations were making for their destruction. The question with Congress was, shall we lose the time, which the incapacity of the British troops in Boston to do us injury, now affords us of putting a stop to the hostile preparations of General Carleton, or shall we calmly wait until all our exertions shall be required to defend ourselves elsewhere? Whatever might have been the answer to this question by apologists of the divine right of Kings and the supreme power of Ministers, every unprejudiced politician will be willing to acknowledge, that

the step which the Congress took with regard to Canada, was fully justified by existing circumstances.

We left Colonel Arnold, weak and wounded, with a small remnant of the army, in the depth of winter still blockading the royal army, of more than double his numbers, in Quebec. A finer compliment could not have been paid to the bravery of these sons of liberty, than was implied in the fact that Sir Guy Carleton did not think it prudent to pursue them in their retreat. His treatment of the prisoners, too, which was somewhat different from the savage cruelty which he had been accustomed to use towards the rebellious Colonists, showed that whatever he might think of their conduct in a political point of view, he could not but regard them as brave soldiers, who deserved the tribute of applause from every military man. Strong persuasions were used by Sir Guy to induce several of the Provincial officers to abandon the cause of their country, and accept commissions in the British service. To the intrepid Morgan he offered the commission of a Colonel; but that inflexible patriot desired that he might never more be insulted with a proposition so abhorrent to his feelings.

With what delight would the historian dwell upon the conduct of Arnold at this critical moment, but that Arnold lived to tear up by the roots every laurel which he had planted, and to cast a stain upon his escutcheon which no art could hide. He retired with his little army to the distance of three miles from Quebec; he had lost the bravest of his officers, was himself unable to move, and had every reason to expect that Sir Guy would march out to attack him. But he still maintained his ground. His men, who had braved with him the hardships of a march, to which

there is no parallel in history, were still content to share the severities of a climate to which none of them were accustomed, and to submit to all the privations of their situation without a murmur. He had written to General Wooster, who had been left at Mon-treal, to join him with reinforcements, and to take the command of the army; but this was a thing not easily to be accomplished, and Arnold was compelled to depend upon his own resources. He fortified himself as well as he was able, and bore up against every difficulty, with a vigour of mind and a fertility of genius, that have never been surpassed.

But it is time to return to the South, and observe the proceedings of Lord Dunmore after the defeat of his motley forces at the Great Bridge. His Lordship fled precipitately with all the white loyalists on board his fleet, leaving the enfranchised blacks to shift for themselves, and the town of Norfolk to be entered by the victorious Provincials.

The great number of useless mouths which the loyalty of the inhabitants added to his Lordship's retinue, soon reduced the fleet to considerable distress for want of provisions. They were cut off from all supplies from the shore, except what could be stolen by the boats that chose to venture within the grasp of the outraged inhabitants, and the difficulties attending these marauding parties were daily increased.In this situation Lord Dunmore, with as much assurance as if he really had a claim to the good offices of the insulted Colonists, sent a flag to Norfolk to ask a supply of provisions for his Majesty's Ships. The answer might easily have been anticipated; Colonel Howe, who commanded the Provincials, refused to comply with the requisition of his Lordship; and on

the first day of the eventful year 1776, his Lordship commenced a canonade against the town, from two frigates and two sloops of war. Under the cover of these guns a party of sailors and marines landed and set fire to the town; and in a few hours the first commercial town in the Colony of Virginia was reduced to a heap of ashes.

Savage as Lord Dunmore was, the enormity of this act seemed even to him to require an apology; and in a few days afterwards there appeared an account, published on board of his ship, (for a Printing Press was an essential part of his establishment) in which it was attempted to throw the odium upon the rebels— his Lordship avowing that it was only his intention to burn a few of the houses near the water. But this contemptible falsehood gained no credit, even among his Lordship's friends. It was not possible to believe that the Provincials themselves would destroy the most flourishing town in their Colony, and deprive themselves of the comfortable winter quarters which it afforded, merely that they might charge it to the infamy of his Lordship's character, which was already black enough in the estimation of the whole Colony. Besides, what could have been his object in destroying a few houses? Did he suppose that the flames would obey his mandate, and spread no further than the houses to which the brands were applied? Nothe conflagration of towns and cities was a part of the system of coercion. It commenced with General Gage upon the unoffending town of Charlestown.Stonington, Bristol, Falmouth, had shared the same fate. These were the means by which the British nation, or more truly, the British Government, thought to awe the brave and hardy descendants of their own