No. 112] 663 



After perpetrating this massacre, the French made a rapid and 

 disastrous retreat, pursued by the rigors of a destroying climate, 

 and tlie vengeance of an exasperated enemy. 



Other sections of the English colonies were visited with simi- 

 lar and simultaneous assaults, tending only to aggravate national 

 aninaositieSj without either military or political results. These 

 inliictions awakened the colonies to the perception, that safety 

 and protection depended on concerted action, and that they 

 were stronsj alone in harmonious union. From such convictions 

 emanated the first idea of an American Congress. 



That body, constituted of delegates from Massachusetts, Con- 

 ,necticut and New- York, assembled in 1690 at the city of New- 

 York. It was then resolved to combine their efforts far the sub- 

 jugation of Canada^ Massachusetts redeemed her engagement, to 

 equip a fleet and to assail the French possessions by sea. New- 

 York and Connecticut assumed the responsibility of effecting a 

 descent, by a land force, upon Montreal and the forts upon the 

 Sorel. 



An army was assembled at Lake George, and a flotilla of canoes, 

 constructed for the purpose, wafted the army, powerful in num- 

 bers and appointments, down that lake to Ticonderoga. Trans- 

 porting their armament to Champlain, they again embarked with 

 high aspirations and in confidence of success. Some further pro- 

 gress was made, when suddenly a defective commissariat, with 

 dissensions and divisions constrained a retreat, and with it blast- 

 ed every scheme of the projected attacks. 



Tlie immense disbuisements of the colonies in sustaining 'these 

 extended efforts, exhausted their feeble resources, and lett them 

 almost powerless for the defence of their own frontier. 



In tliis crisis, and d}.iring the year 1090, John Schyler, a name 

 distinguisl>ed by a long line of patriots and soldiers, organized a 

 volunteer band of about one liundred and twenty ^' Christians and 

 Indians," on a predatory incursion, into the French province. 

 Traversing Lake Champlain and the Sorel-, in silence and caution, 

 he landed without detection in the vicinity of Chambly. Secre- 



