5^ NATURAL AND CIVIL 



CHAPTER XL 



American War. Origin and progress of the 

 war in the year 1775. The colonies in danger 

 from Canada. Reduction of Ticonderoga and 

 Crown Pointy by colonel Allen. Attempt of 

 general Carleton to engage the Canadians and 

 Indians. Invasion of Canada by general Mont-' 

 gomery. Allen taken prisoner. Surrender of 

 the forts at Chanibly and St, Johns. Mo?2- 

 treal taken. General Prescot and the British 

 vessels captured. Escape of general Carleton, 

 Colonel Arnold appears before Qiiebec. Mont- 

 gomery marcJies to that city. Attempt and 

 defeat in storming Quebec. Arnold retires 

 and blockades the place. Refections on the 

 conduct and character of general Montgomery, 

 On ArnokVs expedition. On the American 

 character and campaign. 



. 1775. THE disseutions '^A'hich had ta- 

 ken place between Great Britain and her colo- 

 nies, commenced soon after the peace of 1763, 

 Thev orio'inated in the claims and acts of the 

 British parliament and king to tax the colonies, 

 and to make laws to bind them in all cases 

 whatsoever. No greater power ever could b(j 

 claimed by the most absolute despotism. If the 

 claim, in its own nature, Vv^as unreasonable and 

 cdious, the exercise of it could not but occasion 

 suspicion, jealousy, and opposition. The con- 

 tentions, which the British ministry introduced 

 in this way, had for ten years been gathering 

 strength and maturity, from various circum- 



