,
who could not bear the fatigue of travelling, were treated with
humanity. This was the second complete victory obtained on the continent
of North America, in the course of the same war, by sir William
Johnston, who, without the help of a military education, succeeded so
signally in the field by dint of innate courage and natural sagacity.
What remarkably characterizes these battles, is the circumstance of his
having taken, in both, the commanders of the enemy. Indeed, the war in
general may be distinguished by the singular success of this gentleman
and the celebrated lord Clive, two self-taught generals; who, by a
series of shining actions, have demonstrated that uninstructed genius
can, by its own internal light and efficacy, rival, if not eclipse, the
acquired art of discipline and experience. Sir William Johnston was not
more serviceable to his country by his valour and conduct in the field,
than by the influence and authority which his justice, benevolence, and
integrity, had acquired among the Indian tribes of the Six Nations, whom
he not only assembled at Niagara to the number of eleven hundred, but
also restrained within the bounds of good order and moderation.

INTRODUCTION TO THE EXPEDITION AGAINST QUEBEC.

The reduction of Niagara, and the possession of Crown-Point, were
exploits much more easily achieved than the conquest of Quebec, the
great object to which all these operations were subordinate. Of that
we now come to give the detail fraught with singular adventures and
surprising events; in the course of which a noble spirit of enterprise
was displayed, and the scenes of war were exhibited in all the variety
of desolation. It was about the middle of February that a considerable
squadron sailed from England for Cape Breton, under the command of
admirals Saunders and Holmes, two gentlemen of worth and probity, who
had on several occasions signalised their courage and conduct in the
service of their country. By the twenty-first day of April they were in
sight of Louisbourg; but the harbour was blocked up with ice in such a
manner, that they were obliged to bear away for Halifax in Nova-Scotia.
From hence rear-admiral Durell was detached with a small squadron to
sail up the river St. Laurence as far as the Isle de Coudres, in
order to intercept any supplies from France intended for Quebec: he
accordingly took two store-ships; but he was anticipated by seventeen
sail, laden with provision, stores, and s