. Preparations for the campaign of
1759.... General Amherst succeeds general Abercrombie....
Plan of the campaign.... Ticonderoga and Crown Point
taken.... Army goes into winter quarters.... French repulsed
at Oswego.... Defeated at Niagara.... Niagara taken....
Expedition against Quebec.... Check to the English army....
Battle on the Plains of Abraham.... Death of Wolfe and
Montcalm.... Quebec capitulates.... Garrisoned by the
English under the command of general Murray.... Attempt to
recover Quebec.... Battle near Sillery.... Quebec besieged
by Monsieur Levi.... Siege raised.... Montreal
capitulates.... War with the southern Indians.... Battle
near the town of Etchoe.... Grant defeats them and burns
their towns.... Treaty with the Cherokees.... War with
Spain.... Success of the English.... Peace.

{1758}

The affairs of Great Britain in North America wore a more gloomy
aspect, at the close of the campaign of 1757, than at any former
period. By the acquisition of fort William Henry, the French had
obtained complete possession of the lakes Champlain and George. By the
destruction of Oswego, they had acquired the dominion of those lakes
which connect the St. Lawrence with the waters of the Mississippi, and
unite Canada to Louisiana. By means of fort Du Quesne, they maintained
their ascendency over the Indians, and held undisturbed possession of
the country west of the Allegheny mountains; while the English
settlers were driven to the Blue Ridge. The great object of the war in
that quarter was gained, and France held the country for which
hostilities had been commenced. With inferior numbers, the French had
been victorious in every campaign, and had uniformly gained ground on
the English colonies. Nor were they less successful elsewhere. The
flame of war which was kindled in America, had communicated itself to
Europe and Asia. In every quarter of the world where hostilities had
been carried on, the British arms were attended with defeat and
disgrace.

But this inglorious scene was about to be succeeded by one of
unrivalled brilliancy. From the point of extreme depression to which
their affairs had sunk, the brightest era of British history was to
commence. Far from being broken by misfortune, the spirit of the
nation was high; and more of indignation than dismay was inspired by
the ill success of their arms. The public voice had, at length, made