402 NATURAL AND CIVIL 



and her American colonies. The people in 

 both countries became loud and clamorous in 

 their complaints and censures of the British 

 ministry and generals ; and it was become ap. 

 parent that the public confidence was withdrawn 

 from the men who had hitherto directed the af- 

 fairs of the war. The British nation was alarm- 

 ed with the prospect, and the British court 

 found it necessary to change her councils. A 

 new ministry was formed, and the celebrated 

 William Pitt was appointed one of the sec- 

 retaries of state. Public coi!fidence seemed to 

 rise from the grave, the national spirit was 

 roused up, and the people every where expect- 

 ing much from the spirit and virtues, were ea- 

 ger and active to support the measures of their 

 farorite patriot and statesman. The reduction 

 of the French, and the increasing prosperity of 

 the English colonies, had been the avowed ob- 

 jects in' all his speeches and proposals ; the 

 universal expectation was, that he Viould now 

 employ the national force in energetic and ac-' 

 tive services. 



The plan which the new minister formed for 

 the ensuing campaign in America, Mas to at- 

 tack the French in various parts of the country 

 at the same time. Twelve thousand men were 

 destined to attempt the conquest of Louisbourg, 

 on the Island of Cape Breton. Sixteen or sev- 

 enteen thousand men to cross lake George^ and 

 make a vigorous attempt upon the forts at Ti- 

 conderoga and Crown Point,. Eight thousand 

 were to proceed to fort Du Quesne on the 

 Ohio, and invade the French forts and settle- 

 ipfients in that part of the country. And all the 



