[dougiityJ battle OF THE PLAINS OF ABRAHAM 397 



Quebec'' is an exceedingly interesting work, and by a great many is 

 accepted as an authority of the highest order. Some writers have 

 asserted that Mr. Hawkins was greatly assisted in the preparation of 

 his book by Mr. James Thompson, who was present on the field of 

 battle on the 13tli of September, 1759. Whether Mr. Thompson was 

 present, or not, seems to be doubtful, for in a note on page 474 of 

 "Picture of Quebec,'^ Mr. Hawkins explains: "Mr. James Thompson 

 " was not, we understand, actually present with the troops engaged in 

 "the battle of the Plains, being detached on duty. He was, however, 

 " Wolfe's companion in arms at Louisbourg and at Montmorenci, and 

 " though not actually on the spot, was doing duty with the anny which 

 " captured Quebec." 



We have, howerer, the journal attributed to Mr. James Thomp- 

 son, which gives a very clear account of the battle, and we shall there- 

 fore be able to compare it with certain passages in Mr. Hawkins' book. 



Before proceeding to make extracts from " Picture of Quebec,'' it 

 is advisable to quote Mr. Hawkins' own words as to the sources of his 

 information. " Another scarce work which was obligingly lent to us, 

 " is ' The iSTatural and Civil History of the French Dominions in North 

 " and South America, with an historical detail of the acquisitions made 

 " by the British 'arms in those parts, illustrated by maps and plans.' 

 " This work contains an official plan of the city of Quebec, as it sur- 

 " rendered in 1759, giving the fortifications in the St. Charles river 

 " with military accuracy. We have taken an account of the field of 

 " battle, and the position of the armies, principally from a plan in this 

 " work on a considerable scale, made by an officer of distinction, present 

 " thereat. We have used also another plan of the whole operations on 

 " both sides of the river from the camp at Orleans to the landing at 

 " Wolfe's Cove, drawn by a captain of the navy. The examination of 

 " these and other documents has enabled us to make our descriptions 

 " both exact and authentic." The Avork which Mr. Hawkins refers to, 

 " is Jeffrey's, and the plans which he mentions are the plans contained 

 in this book. Mr. Hawkins, therefore, took the positions of the army 

 from the plan marked B in this paper, from vv^iich the positions on plan 

 A were established. 



The first extract given commences on page 343 of " Picture of 

 Quebec." " The exultation of Wolfe on thus finding himself, with 

 " scarcely any loss, on the heights of Abraham, may easily be con- 

 " ceived. After more than two months of solicitude, the object of his 

 " long and anxious wishes was before him — his only remaining hope 

 " was that Montcalm would give him battle — of the result he enter- 

 " tained no doubt. The hour of triumph so long sought for, so eagerly 



