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PREFACE
The
present volume, ' A Chapter in
the History of the Seven Years' War ', covers only a
year of history in a colony which contained at the
time less than one hundred thousand Europeans. It
would not be surprising if some reader were to ask
whether a study in such detail was worth while. It
may be said, however, that the Seven Years' War is
one of the most important struggles in the history
of mankind, and that the topic of the present
volume, the transfer of Canada from French to
British sovereignty, was a vital event in the
history of the British Empire. If only a small
population was directly affected, the issues were
none the less far-reaching. The few French in North
America in 1760 have now multiplied into nearly
three million people, scattered over both Canada and
the United States. Already in 1760 they had
developed their own type of social life ; they have
since clung to it with great tenacity ; and to-day
it is one of the factors in the life of Canada which
cannot be ignored. Such a study seemed a necessary
beginning for investigations in the later history of
Canada on which the author has been engaged.
His chief debt in respect to the
use of material is to Dr. George H. Locke, Librarian
of the Toronto public Library; to the Literary and
Historical Society of Quebec ; and to Dr. A. G.
Doughty, the Dominion Archivist at Ottawa, upon
whose great stores and knowledge he has drawn so
freely as to make adequate recognition impossible.
Two descendants of chief actors in the drama on
opposing sides have rendered kind assistance : M.
Rene de Kerallain, great-grandson of Colonel de
Bougainville, has given most valuable information
and criticism, and Major-General R. Mahon,
great-grandson of General Murray, has furnished the
contemporary print of his ancestor. To the Rev.
Father O'Leary of Quebec the author is indebted for
the drawing of the General Hospital. He has received
much help from the criticisms of Colonel Wood of
Quebec and Professor Egerton of Oxford.
Toronto,
July, 1914.
Contents
Chapter I - The Fall of Quebec
The victories of 1759 Indifference in Britain
about later events The deaths of Wolfe and
Montcalm The position of the French after the
battle of September 13 A Council of War The
decision to retire to Jacques Cartier The retreat
of the French army The situation in Quebec The
Chevalier de Levis His decision to march back to
Quebec The British plans for attack The
difficulties of Ramezay, Commander in Quebec The
weakness of the defences Scarcity of food Panic
in Quebec A Council of War in Quebec Ramezay's
decision to surrender Negotiations with the
British The second retreat of the French army
Dark outlook for the French caused - The menace to
Montreal Amherst on Lake George His delays The
attack of Rogers on the St. Francis Indians The
Massacre Amherst fails to press his attack on
Montreal.
Chapter II - Quebec During the Winter of 1759-60
British thanksgiving for victory Preparations for
the winter State of ruin in Quebec The departure
of the British fleet The career of James Murray,
Commander at Quebec French hopes to recapture
Quebec The weak defences of Quebec Attitude of
the French Canadians^-Murray's plan of defence
Savage practices in the war French ships get away
to France A disastrous explosion The French
inhabitants Murray's strict rule -y His suspicions
of the priests Discipline in the army The zeal
of the soldiers The Nuns of the Ursuline Convent
The Nuns of the General Hospital The care of the
sick The French officers at the Hospital The
Nuns of the Hotel Dieu The bitter cold in Quebec
The difficulties in securing fuel The lack of
fresh provisions Disease in Quebec and many deaths
Rumours of French designs.
Chapter III - Montreal During the Winter of 1759-60
The social life of Montreal The frauds on the
Government Francis Bigot, Intendant His
associates in fraud The nature of the frauds
Cadet, the chief offender Oppression of the
habitant Frauds at the forts and trading posts
Frauds in regard to transport Ill-treatment of the
Acadians Protest of the Church Bigot's
difficulties The card money and the ordinances
Gaiety at Montreal The plans of the French
Vaudreuil's attack on the memory of Montcalm The,
spirit of the French officers Plundering the
habitant Trade with the English The discontent of
the Canadians The plans to retake Quebec The
French outpost at Jacques Cartier The building of
Fort Levis Expected help from France. Unwisdom of
France's foreign policy Weakness of France on the
sea - Inadequate help sent to Canada.
Chapter IV - The Battle of Sainte Foy
Murray's difficulties in defending Quebec His
occupation of the Point of Levy A foray at St.
Augustin The isolation of Murray The ice breaks
up in the river Expulsion of the French from
Quebec Murray's outposts Plan of Levis to
surprise Quebec The condition of his ' army and
equipment The regulars and the Canadians
Unstable Indian allies Preparations for the
expedition to Quebec Embarkation of the French
army The French army arrives at Pointe aux
Trembles A change of plan The march to Ste Foy
The British outpost at Ste Foy abandoned Murray's
advance from Quebec on April 28 The battle of Ste
Foy Defeat of the British Outrages by the
Indians Disappointment in Britain.
Chapter V - The Relief of Quebec by the Fleet
Panic in Quebec after the battle The difficulties
of Levis He fails to assault Quebec Murray
rallies the defenders His active efforts in defence
The French certain that Quebec will fall Their
plan of attack Each side hopes for succour by a
fleet The arrival of a British frigate Levis
bombards Quebec A British squadron arrives Levis
abandons the siege The British destroy the French
ships under Vauquelain His heroic defence The
disorderly retreat of Levis The British fleet
makes Quebec secure.
Chapter VI - The Advance to Montreal
Levis fights a long losing battle The French hopes
for peace Attitude of the Canadians- Inadequate
equipment of the French army Financial ruin in
Canada Destruction by the British of the French
squadron in the Bay of Chaleur Murray's
preparations to advance on Montreal Pitt's part in
the war His call upon the British colonies for
help Their response The British on Lake Ontario
and Lake Champlain Murray advances to Montreal by
the river His treatment of the Canadians The
condition of the country Helplessness of the
French to check the fleet Murray reaches Sorel
Harrying of the Canadians Bougainville at Isle aux
Noix The advance of Haviland by Lake Champlain
Bougainville abandons Isle aux Noix The French
retire to Montreal.
Chapter VII - The Fall of New France
Amherst's camp on Lake Ontario The army embarks to
descend the St. Lawrence The siege of Fort Levis
Disaster in the descent of the rapids Amherst,
Murray, and Haviland appear before Montreal
Negotiations for capitulation The terms of
surrender Amherst's severe terms in consequence of
outrages by the savages The protest of the French
officers The British occupation of Montreal The
embarkation of the French army The journey to
France Indignation in France at the corruption in
Canada Bigot and others sent to the Bastille
Their trial The penalties for those found guilty
Later careers of Levis, Bougainville, and others
British rule in Canada Few Canadians leave the
country The fall of Pitt Further British
successes Weariness in France of colonial effort
The Treaty of Paris The later careers of Amherst,
Murray, and Gage The attitude of the Canadians to
the victors The backwardness of these Canadians
Their devotion to their religion Their content
with British rule The British give financial
stability The magnanimity of the victor.
Authorities
Ramezay, Claude De
Famous
Firesides of French Canada
By Mary Wilson Alloway (1899) (pdf)
Life of
General, the Hon. James Murray
A Builder of Canada with a Biographical Sketch of
the family of Murray of Elibank by his descendant
Major-Gen R. H. Mahon C.B., C.S.I. (1921) (pdf)
Memoirs of the Chevalier de Johnstone (1870)
Johnstone was a keen witted Scots Jacobite serving
on the French side. This is available in pdf format
in three volumes. It might be interesting to note
that the first volume includes his fighting with
Bonnie Prince Charles at the Battle of Culloden, the
second volume is about his escape to France, joining
the French army and being sent to America and the
third is about his campaigns in Canada.
Volume 1
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Volume 2 |
Volume 3 |
