HISTORY OF VERMONT. 49 



Montreal. On his arrival, he found that gener- 

 al Carleton had quitted that place the day before. 

 The inhabitants proposed a capitulation, or ra- 

 ther a kind of general treaty ; but this was re- 

 fused by Montgomery, as they were in no con.- 

 dition to make any defence, and had it not in 

 their power to fulfil the proposed part of their 

 agreement. To remove all their fears and 

 doubts, he gave them an answer in writing, in 

 which he made this declaration, " The conti- 

 nental army have a generous disdain of e very- 

 act of oppression and violence ; they are come 

 for the express purpose of giving liberty and 

 security ; the general, therefore, engages his 

 honor to maintain, in the peaceable possession 

 of their property of every kind, the indi- 

 viduals and religious communities of the 

 city of Montreal. The continental army came 

 into this province for its protection -, they, there- 

 fore, cannot consider its opposers as taking up 

 arms for its defence," He considered the Bri 

 tish government and power as subdued in the 

 province qf Canada, and the province itself as 

 tmder the jurisdiction of the United Colonies ; 

 and made regulations for its safety and govern- 

 ment : With such declarations and view& he 

 marched his arniy into the city, and took a quiet 

 and peaceable possession of the place on the 

 thirteenth of November.* Aware that the re- 

 mains of the British forces would endeavor ta 

 escape from Montreal to Quebec by means of 

 the river St. Lawrence,. Montgomery had sent 

 forward a party of his troops under the com- 



,.^*. Murray', Hist, of the War. Vol. I. p. 538. Smollct. Vol. V. p. 

 VOL. II. F 



