ch, though the capital of a
district, being no more than an open village, was taken without
resistance. In a word, general Amherst took possession of Montreal, and
thus completed the conquest of all Canada; a conquest the most important
of any that ever the British arms achieved, whether we consider the
safety of the English colonies in North America, now secured from
invasion and encroachment; the extent and fertility of the country
subdued; or the whole Indian commerce thus transferred to the traders
of Great Britain. The terms of the capitulation may perhaps be thought
rather too favourable, as the enemy were actually enclosed and destitute
of all hope of relief: but little points like these ought always to be
sacrificed to the consideration of great objects; and the finishing the
conquest of a great country without bloodshed, redounds as much to the
honour as it argues the humanity of general Amherst, whose conduct had
been irreproachable during the whole course of the American operations.
At the same time, it must be allowed he was extremely fortunate in
having subordinate commanders, who perfectly corresponded with his
ideas; and a body of troops whom no labours could discourage, whom no
dangers could dismay. Sir William Johnston, with a power of authority
and insinuation peculiar to himself, not only maintained a surprising
ascendancy over the most ferocious of all the Indian tribes, but kept
them within the bounds of such salutary restraint, that not one single
act of inhumanity was perpetrated by them during the whole course of
this expedition. The zeal and conduct of brigadier-general Gage,
the undaunted spirit and enterprising genius of general Murray, the
diligence and activity of colonel Haviland, happily co-operated in
promoting this great event.

FRENCH SHIPS DESTROYED, &c.

The French ministry had attempted to succour Montreal by equipping a
considerable number of store ships, and sending them out in the spring
under convoy of a frigate; but as their officers understood that the
British squadron had sailed up the river St. Laurence before their
arrival, they took shelter in the bay of Chaleurs, on the coast of
Acadia, where they did not long remain unmolested. Captain Byron, who
commanded the ships of war that were left at Louisbourg, having received
intelligence of them from brigadier-general Whitmore, sailed thither with
his squadron, and found them at anchor. The whole fleet consisted of one
f