51From John Adams to Edward Biddle?, 12 December 1774 (Adams Papers)
The Letter to Quebec, Shall be faithfully and Speedily forwarded. Our Provincial Congress, and the Committee of Correspondence in Boston, have had under Consideration, various Planns, for opening a Communication, with Several Parts of that Province. the letter to Quebec for distribution (
52Editorial Note (Adams Papers)
...Massachusetts Government Act is necessary to restore the constitutional balance subverted by the whigs, to furnish protection to those who disagree with the popular party. And Leonard finds inexplicable whig hostility to the toleration granted Roman Catholics under the Quebec Act (13 Feb. 1775).
The Canadians and Savages are brought in to thicken the horrors of a picture with which the lively fancy of this writer has terrified him. But although we are sensible that the Quebec act has laid a foundation for a fabrick, which if not seasonably demolished, may be formidable, if not ruinous to the colonies, in future times, yet we know that these times are yet at a distance, at......Quebec...
Bernard, publishes his select letters, and his principles of polity: his son writes in defence of the Quebec bill:The port bill, charter bill, murder bill, Quebec bill, making all together such a frightful system, as would have terrified any people, who did not prefer liberty to life, were all concerted at once: but all this art and violence have not succeeded. This people...
...constitutions are in any respect imperfect and want alteration, they have capacity enough to discern it, and power enough to effect it, without the interposition of parliament. There never was an American constitution attempted by parliament, before the Quebec Bill and Massachusetts Bill. These are such
setts Bay, and also an Act for extending the Province of Quebec so as to border on the Western frontiers of these Colonies, establishing an arbitrary Government therein and discouraging the Settlement of Brittish Subjects in that Wide and extended Country. Thus by the influence of civil principles, and ancient......Administration of Justice, And that for the extending the limits of Quebec...
57From John Adams to James Warren, 21 May 1775 (Adams Papers)
is probably including Quebec and some of the West Indian colonies, like Jamaica, in his count. Americans were particularly hopeful that Quebec could be brought to support their cause.
58From John Adams to James Warren, 7 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
...., 1891, p. 312–319). James Price was a Montreal merchant sent by the other English merchants of that city to tell the Continental Congress about the conditions existing in Quebec. The substance of his report, derived from correspondence rather than from the report itself, which has not been found, was that although the French peasants would probably not act against the colonies, the...
59To John Adams from Unknown, 9 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
If the Inhabitants of Quebec should assist Great Britain, would not true Wisdom dictate to the other Colonies, to lead their Slaves to the Conquest of that Country, and to bestow that and Liberty upon them as a Reward for their Bravery and...
60Elbridge Gerry to the Massachusetts Delegates, 20 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
...sector, in the spring of 1776 directed the fortification of Dorchester Heights that forced the British to evacuate Boston. Considered by Washington and others as an outstanding general, he later was sent to Quebec to try to salvage that expedition after the death of Montgomery and the wounding of Arnold. Realizing that the situation was hopeless, Thomas ordered a retreat, but he died of...
61From John Adams to Joseph Warren, 21 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
of Lake Champlain, and, in 1775, the newly appointed lieutenant governor of Ticonderoga and Crown Point and inspector of lands for Quebec with authorization to raise a regiment. By the time he arrived in America however, Ticonderoga had been taken. Skene’s mission represented to the northern colonies a threatening move by the ministry, resulting in his arrest when he...
62From John Adams to James Warren, 23 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
...the only major general in the service of a colony who was not raised to his full rank in the Continental Army, did not leave the army, but his quarrels with Generals Schuyler in New York and Arnold in Quebec raised questions about his fitness for command (
63To John Adams from James Warren, 11 September 1775 (Adams Papers)
1200 Men March this afternoon and Tomorrow under Coll. Arnold for Newberry Port to Embark for Kennebeck in their way to Quebec. I wish they may not be Intercepted, in their passage. Were I to Conduct the matter I think I should march them all the way by Land. Two frigates and a Number of Schooners I am told left...
having received certain intelligence of the sailing of two north country built Brigs, of no force, from England, on the 11 of August last, loaded with arms, powder, and other stores, for Quebec, without a convoy, which it being of importance to intercept, that he apply to the council of Massachusetts bay, for the two armed vessels in their service, and despatch the same,
65To John Adams from William Tudor, 30 September 1775 (Adams Papers)
march for Quebec, the men offer’d so readily, that 5 Times the Number might have been draughted for this laborious and hazardous march, had they been wanted. We were in anxious Suspense, during their Passage from Newbury to Kennebeck;......some Boats from Cape Ann took a more valuable Prize, in the Capture of a Brig sent by Genl. Carleton to Boston from Quebec, with 45 horned Cattle and 60...
66To John Adams from James Warren, 1 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
and a desert of Pine Apples &c. A Few Fisher Men also, have taken a Brigantine from Quebec with about 75 Raggamuffins the whole Posse he could Collect. That there were at Quebec 10,000 barrels Powder. I long for them more than Turtle, or Pine Apples. Arnold was last Monday with his detachment 60 miles up Kennebeck, every thing as it should be. We please ourselves with fine Prospects...
67From John Adams to James Warren, 8 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
That is, the Quebec Act, which left the peasants as oppressed as they had been under the French government.
68From John Adams to James Warren, 13 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
be put into continental service immediately I pray. We begin to feel a little of a Seafaring Inclination here. The Powder at Quebec, will place us all upon the Top of the House.
69To John Adams from James Warren, 20 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
An immediate guess is that Warren refers to gunpowder, but a few lines later without any reticence he mentions how important it would be to get powder from Quebec. Warren may be referring Norridgewock, Maine, in 1775 the last settlement on the Kennebec River at which Arnold’s force could stop before it set off into the wilderness for its attack on Quebec.
70To John Adams from Nathan Rice, 21 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
We wait with great Impatience for News from Quebec. The Success of our Arms there will be of the utmost Importance to us, as doubtless there are large Magazines from whence we may have the one thing needful.
71From John Adams to James Warren, 25 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
was a captain in the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, and at this time was probably on his way to Quebec, where he was captured in December during the siege (
72To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 4 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
...answer to all American Petitions, and in its consequences will, I conceive be the best answer we have received. We wait with solicitude to know the success of the Troops which are gone to reduce Quebec and St. Johns. The Army here is now healthy, and notwithstanding our progress is slow, I trust we shall sooner or later conquer the Enemies of Freedom. The Pirates and Rebels in Boston...
73To John Adams from James Warren, 14 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
...you in such Choice Spirits. I Congratulate you on the takeing of St. John’s. This news Fessenden brings with him from Hartford. This gives us great Spirits. He says likewise that Arnold was within twelve Miles of Quebec. You must know that our Anxiety for him and his ...expedition against Quebec. He returned because his troops were out of provisions and in danger of starvation. He was...
74To John Adams from Samuel Chase, 25 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
I this Evening learn the Capture of Quebec. Montreal would gloriously close the first Years War.It was Montreal that had fallen, not Quebec.
75To John Adams from Samuel Chase, 12 January 1776 (Adams Papers)
...infinite Importance of that Country in the present Dispute, to obtain the Possession of that province is an object of the first Consequence. We must at all Events procure and keep Possession of that province. Quebec must at every Hazard be ours. No Succours can arrive there before 1st. May. I would have a chosen Committee go to Canada as soon as the Lakes are frozen hard enough, let them...
76III. Instructions to the Commissioners to Canada, 20 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
...and principles of government among freemen; developing, in contrast to those, the base, cruel, and insidious designs involved in the late act of parliament, for making a more effectual provision for the government of the province of Quebec...., Americans condemned the Quebec Act for its failure to provide for representative institutions and jury trials. Actually the British were...
77From John Adams to James Warren, 18 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
The Unanimous Voice of the Continent is Canada must be ours Quebec must be taken....must leave the Event. If We fail now, I shall be easy because I know of nothing more or better that We can do. I did not feel so well Satisfied, after the News of the Failure at Quebec.
78To John Adams from William Tudor, 29 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
An Oration in Memory of General Montgomery, and of the Officers and Soldiers, Who Fell with Him, December 31, 1775, before Quebec; Drawn Up (And Delivered February 19th, 1776) at the Desire of the Honorable Continental Congress. By William Smith, D.D. Provost of the College and Academy of Philadelphia
79From John Adams to John Thomas, 7 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
...led the successful assault on Dorchester Heights, was chosen on 6 March to replace Gen. Lee, the original choice to command in Canada. Lee had been appointed on 1 March to command the southern forces. Thomas arrived at Quebec on 1 May, found a hopeless situation, and almost immediately ordered a retreat, in the course of which he died of smallpox and was buried near Fort Chambly (
80To John Adams from James Warren, 30 March – 3 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
We hear Nothing from Quebec. As the seat of War is changing you will of Course have shorter Letters in future. All kinds of Intelligence I am now to Expect from you. When shall we hear that we are Independent, Where are the...
81To John Adams from Hugh Hughes, 31 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
I have a Letter dated the first Instant before Quebec, that says it is resolv’d to Storm it at all Events. If so, may Success attend them.
82To John Adams from Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant, 11 – 12 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
...in Modern Times) will keep us in play talking about it and about it ’till the Spirit of the People will evaporate or those blessed Commissioners will have Time to play their pranks. God bless us! I wish Quebec was taken! What think You of all this?
83From John Adams to Joseph Palmer, 12 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
Where will the Cloud burst next? Are they gone to Hallifax? Will they divide their Force? Can they do that with safety? Will they attempt Quebec? or will they come to N. York? or will they come to Philadelphia or go farther south, to Virginia, or one of the Carolinas? which I sometimes Suspect is more probable than any other Supposition, will...
84To John Adams from Samuel Chase, 18 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
from Quebec, and threaten if not granted. In Truth they have never been supplied from Quebec, or very triffling. I hope our Commissioners will be very civil, and give them good Words and some presents but very firm and resolute.
85To John Adams from Samuel Chase, 21 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
I left Fort George on last Fryday afternoon and arrived at this place yesday Evening. I have just seen a Gentleman, who left Quebec on the 6th Instant. General Worster arrived there on the 1st. On the 3rd. ...We on the 6th. had before Quebec, 2500, of which about 800 are in the Hospital (the far greater part of the small Pox) and about 1000 whose Enlistment expired the 15th. In the late...
86To John Adams from Samuel Chase, 28 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
...at this Fort yesday afternoon. Our Troops were to come off the next Day, and twenty four Batteaus have already passed, and the Wind blows a fair and fresh Gale. I am afraid all our Efforts to take Quebec will prove That of 20 April, which gave a rather depressing account of the Americans’ position before Quebec (
87Enclosure: Benjamin Greenleaf to James Warren, 30 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
brings Intelligence Nearly like this communicated by Cap Wilson—with this Addition that 10,000 are destind to Quebec 10 000 to New York and a like Number to assist Lord Dunmore—about 7000 are left according to this plan to be sent to Boston or whereever else they may be wanted. Your most Obedt Serv.
88To John Adams from William Tudor, 4 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
Major Austin is with his Regiment in Boston. Mr. Rice is gone with his Regiment to Quebec. I shook Hands with him at embarking, and he express’d much Satisfaction at being ordered to a Place, where he could best serve his Country. Rice is much belov’d by the Regiment in General; and...The Regiments gone to Quebec under B. Genl. Thompson are Col. Poor’s, Patterson’s, Greaton’s and Bond’s.
89From John Adams to James Warren, 18 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
What shall We Say of this Scandalous Flight from Quebec? It seems to be fated that New England Officers, should not Support a Character. Wooster is the object now of Contempt, and Detestation,
90To John Adams from William Cushing, 20 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
forcement arriving at Quebec and obliging our army to raise the Siege; which I am loth to believe at present. It seems to my poor understanding in politics, that our army ought to have had a large reinforcement, while the Lakes were...
91To John Adams from Samuel Cooper, 27 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
that you had no Expectation of the disagreable News from Canada. Our Accounts from thence are not very perfect. According to these, A Reinforcement for Quebec came up the River before the City on 6th. of this Month. Our Army suddenly retir’d, leaving good Part at least, of Cannon Baggage, and their sick. They had determin’d it is said, in...
92From John Adams to Samuel Cooper?, 9 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
I did not expect that our Army would have raised the Siege of Quebec, So soon, much less So unskillfully and So timorously. I cannot forbear, these Epithets. But raising a siege in open day, and in the Face of an Enemy, was a Step, that nothing could justify,......this have been kept out of the Camp before Quebec, as well as out of the Camps at Cambridge and Roxbury? Provisions enough for the...
93From John Adams to James Warren, 16 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
Deschambault is located 45 miles southwest of Quebec. The Sorel River, now the Richelieu, flows into the St. Lawrence River approximately 120 miles southwest of Quebec. On 25 May the congress resolved that Deschambault and the mouth of the Sorel be fortified, “to prevent the enemy’s passing to the upper country” (
94Enclosure: P. Gamelin to Chabrand Delisle, 8 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
Un certain Mr. Mersier, m a dit en Son tems, avoir laisé Quebec le 6–may Et Montreal le 10—Etant arrivé a New York le 17. II y a apporté le premier la nouvelle de leur Echec. II m a dit encor ingenument, que l’occasion leur Etoient echapé de...
95P. Gamelin to Chabrand Delisle: A Translation, 8 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
A Mr. Mersier has told me in due course of having left Quebec on the 6th of May and Montreal on the 10th—arriving in New York on the 17th. He was the first one to bring there the news of their Failure. He also added frankly, that they had lost...
96To John Adams from Daniel Hitchcock, 22 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
...the Opinion of every Colonel in the Army, woud have been amply rewarded for his Enterprise, by being made a Colonel of a Regiment; and if he had been made that instead of what he was, I believe Quebec this Day woud have been ours. I am very sorry to hear that the Honorable Congress have not offered Twenty instead of Ten Dollars Bounty for those that will enlist for three Years;
97To John Adams from William Tudor, 29 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
...own Country, but being fond of gambling found it necessary to come to America to escape the disagreeable Consequences of being much in Debt. He was with General Montgomery in the Expedition to Canada and, in the Assault of Quebec.
98To John Adams from Jonathan Hastings Jr., 14 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
NB. Several rich prizes have lately been taken, one of which has safely arrived at Portsmouth burthen about 200 Tons loaded with dry Goods bound to Quebec.
99To John Adams from John Bondfield, 6 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
John Bondfield, originally a Quebec merchant, was forced to flee Canada with his brother Achlam because of “an open avowal of the American measures” (Bondfield to Richard Henry Lee, 28 March,
100C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 22 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
...qu’il avoit reçue Vendredi passé, que Mr. Sym. Deane, qui avoit porté le Traité au Congrès, en est revenu le 11e. de ce mois à Brest; et que la nouvelle étoit arrivée en France, que Quebec étoit au pouvoir des Etats-Unis.