American Invasion 1775-1776 Grew Out Of The Belief Entertained By
the rebellious colonists that the French of Canada could readily be won
to their side. As a matter of fact the latter, while for the most part
showing no enthusiasm to join Carleton's forces, were still less
inclined to cooperate with the invading army under Montgomery and
Arnold, or to support the movement for union with the New Englanders. On
the other hand, the Americans had a number of English-speaking
sympathizers
in Montreal--men who had come there from the colonies to
the south. This, and its geographical position, made the capture of
Montreal an easy matter; but Quebec was a different problem. Here
Carleton gathered a small but efficient force of regulars and militia,
and successfully held the town against the invading army. Montgomery was
killed in the assault, Dec. 31, 1775, and in the spring of 1776 the
siege was raised. The invading army hastily retreated to Montreal, and
finally was driven out of the country. =Index=: (Louis Joseph Papineau era) Joseph Papineau
carries despatch to Carleton, 5. (Lord Dorchester era) Agitation worked up by American
emissaries, 79-80; disaffection in Montreal, 82; seizure of Ticonderoga
and Crown Point, 82; Arnold captures vessel on Lake Champlain, 83;
defence of St. Johns, 84-85; martial law proclaimed, 86; militia called
out, 86-88; the habitants indifferent or disaffected, 88;
English-speaking inhabitants of Montreal refuse to serve, 88; Guy
Johnson raises Indian levies, 88; measures of defence, 90-93; Congress
decides to invade Canada, 95-96; Arnold starts for the Kennebec, 96;
Montgomery assumes command, 97; Allen appears before Montreal, is
captured and sent to England, 98-99; Montgomery lays siege to St. Johns,
100-101; Chambly captured by the Americans, 101; Preston surrenders at
St. Johns, 102; Arnold marches on Quebec, 106-111; Carleton escapes to
Quebec, 112-113; organizes the defence, 114-115; progress of the siege,
118-124; Montgomery and Arnold attack the city, 124-126; death of
Montgomery, 126; failure of Arnold's attack, 127-132; Franklin's mission
to Montreal, 135-136; arrival of the fleet at Quebec with
reinforcements, 137; Carleton attacks the Americans, 138-139; evacuation
of Canada, 141-147. See also Montgomery; Arnold; Dorchester; Ethan
Allen. =Bib.=: Kingsford, History of Canada; Smith, Our Struggle for
the Fourteenth Colony; Stone, Invasion of Canada; Codman, Arnold's
Expedition to Quebec; Lucas, History of Canada; Coffin, The Province
of Quebec and the Early American Revolution; Bradley, The Making of
Canada.