which were employed in scouring the country were generally eluded, or attacked to advantage. In one of these skirmishes, in the neighborhood of a stockade, the Americans were totally routed, and Captain Mercer killed. The smaller forts were frequently assaulted and attacked. The people either abandoned the country, or attempted to secure themselves in small stockades, where they were in great distress for provisions, arms, and ammunition.

Lord Loudon arrived in America in July, 1756, as commander-in-chief. He was clothed with the highest civil authority, having been appointed colonial governor. A complimentary address from the army, stating their pleasure at his arrival and appointment, and the readiness with which they would execute his commands, was presented to him; also a statement of the distress of the colony, and a particular description of the situation of the military points. An army was raised, of about twelve thousand men, which was better prepared for the field than any army that had been assembled in America. But the change of commanders delayed the operations of the English army. The French were active, and, on the 12th of July, General Abercrombie received intelligence that they meditated an attack upon Oswego, a post of the utmost importance. General Webb was ordered to prepare to march with a regiment to support the defence of that place, but was detained until the 12th of August. Before

By the

he had proceeded far, he learned it was too late. loss of Oswego, all the western country was laid open to the ravages of the enemy. There was reason to fear that the frontier posts would be swept away, one after another, and that all the preparations which had been made for an early attack on the enemy, would be lost with them. Besides, the enemy would have another year to fortify and strengthen their posts, and to render the reduction of them much more hazardous and difficult.

The colonies were obliged to submit, and Lord Loudon sailed from New York for Halifax, with six thousand land forces, and there made a junction with Holbourn and Hopson. Here was now an army of twelve thousand

men, exclusive of officers, aided by a powerful fleet; but they were so dilatory in their measures, that before they were ready to sail, the Brest fleet, with seventeen sail of the line, besides frigates and transports, arrived at Louisburg. The garrison was so reinforced as to amount to nine thousand men. On the reception of this elligence, it was judged inexpedient to proceed, and the expedition was given up. Had the Earl of Loudon been a man of enterprise, had he wished to distinguish himself in his. majesty's service, or to have rendered himself popular in. the colonies, he might have conducted this powerful army to Ticonderoga, and carried all before him in that quarter. At least, he might have sent on large detachments for the defence of the frontiers. With his Prussian majesty, an Amherst, or a Wolfe, these would have been but natural and common achievements. But he returned to New York at his leisure, and effected nothing.

CHAPTER XXVII.

FRENCH AND INDIAN WARS.-Misconduct of the British commander in America-Montcalm in Canada-Expedition of Colonel Parker against Ticonderoga-Miscarriage of the undertaking-The French besiege Fort William Henry-Inactivity of General Webb-Surrender of Fort William Henry-Perfidy and barbarity of the French and IndiansAlarm of the colonies-Disastrous end of the campaign of 1757-Extension of the war between the English and French-Change of ministry in England-Mr. Pitt prime minister-His projects for the war in America-Efforts of the colonies-Expedition of Boscawen and Amherst against Cape Breton-Siege and capture of Louisburg.

THE British generals in America did more, in two years, by the pusillanimity, weakness, and inconsistency of their .councils, to injure the colonies, than the French could have done with all their force. The provincials would, probably, have advanced to Crown Point the last year, and made themselves masters of the country south of Lake Champlain. They would undoubtedly have kept their own posts, and prevented the evils which followed. The British generals and officers not only lost Oswego, but they destroyed the fortifications at the great carryingplace, and filled Wood Creek with logs and trees. They cut off all communication between the colonies and the Five Nations, the only body of Indians which preserved the appearance of friendship to them. They abandoned their whole country to the mercy of the enemy. Nothing could be done to prevent their collecting the Indians, from all quarters, to act against the colonies.

Montcalm, the French commander-in-chief in Canada, did not neglect to improve the advantages he had gained, and which the conduct of the British generals afforded him.

once determined on the siege of Fort William Henry, and the destruction of the vessels, boats, and batteaux, at the south landing of Lake George. Bodies of Indians, with his whole force, were collected for this purpose. Colonel Monroe, who commanded at Fort William Henry, having intelligence that an advanced party of the my lay at Ticonderoga, detached Colonel Parker, with four hundred men, to surprise them. Having landed at night, not far from the enemy, he sent three boats to reconnoitre, direct

ing them where to meet him in a general rendezvous. The enemy, waylaying and intercepting the boats, obtained a perfect knowledge of the colonel's designs, and concerted measures to decoy him into their hands. They laid an ambush behind the point where they knew he designed to land; and, having been reinforced to nearly double his numbers, they sent three boats to the place appointed for the general rendezvous. The colonel, mistaking them for his own boats, eagerly put to shore, and was instantly surrounded by the enemy. They attacked him on all sides with such incessant violence that seventy privates and two officers only made their escape.

Elated with this success, Montcalm hastened to the siege

of Fort William Henry. Having drawn together all his forces from Crown Point, Ticonderoga, and the adjacent posts, with a greater number of Indians than the French had ever employed on any other occasion, he passed the lake, and regularly invested the fort. The whole army consisted of nearly eight thousand men. The garrison consisted of about three thousand, and the fortifications. were said to be good. At Fort Edward, scarcely fourteen miles distant, lay General Webb, with four thousand troops. The regular troops at the two posts were probably more than equal to the regular force of the enemy. considerable proportion of their army consisted of Canadians and Indians. Yet, in about six days, was this important post delivered up into the hands of the enemy. All the vessels, boats and batteaux, which, at so much expense and labor, had been for two years preparing, fell into the power of the enemy. Though General Webb had timely notice of the approach of the enemy, yet he never sent to alarm the country and bring on the militia. He never reinforced the garrison, nor made a single motion for its relief. So far was he from this, that he sent a letter to Colonel Monroe, who commanded the fort, advising him to give it up to the enemy.

Montcalm intercepted the letter, and sent it into the fort. to the colonel. He had acted the part of a soldier, and made a brave defence; but, having burst a number of his cannon, expended a considerable part of his ammunition, and, perceiving that he was to have no relief from General Webb, he capitulated on terms honorable for himself and the garrison. It was, to march out with arms, baggage, and one piece of cannon, in honor to Colonel Monroe, for the brave defence he had made. The troops were not to serve against the most Christian king under eighteen months, unless exchanged for an equal number of French prisoners. The French and Indians paid no regard to the articles of capitulation, but, falling on the English, stripped them of their baggage and a few remaining effects; and the Indians in the English service were dragged from the ranks, tomahawked and scalped. Men and women had