1To James Madison from Henry Dearborn, 6 April 1812 (Madison Papers)
..., and certain Supplies as will be necessary; When these objects are accomplished, a forward movement should be made, with a large body of the Army, as far down the River, towards Quebec, as existing circumstances may warrant, for the purpose of establishing a Strong possition for covering the Country, and affording protection to the well disposed Inhabitants, as well as for Securing as...Quebec
2Andrew C. Mitchell to James Monroe, 30 January 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
Seeks an appointment as agent for the exchange of prisoners of war at Quebec, “the only vacant Post, where an agent for that purpose is admitted under the late arrangement between Sir John Borlasse Warren & my father.” ...an agency at Quebec on the grounds that “at the commencement of the ensuing campaign … a first Engagement may place Prisoners of Rank & Importance in the hands of either party...
3To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 17 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
I enclose a statement of the regular force in Canada (Quebec excepted) transmitted to me yesterday by Mr Astor, which I believe may be relied upon.From another quarter the garrison at Quebec has been stated at about 3000 effective men; but this last statement is conjecture.
4To James Madison from Jonathan Dayton, [16 January] 1813 (Madison Papers)
...the next Summer’s campaign, let me assure you, Sir, that there will be the most fatal disappointment. No force you can collect & send there, however great, can so far succeed as to reach & take Quebec by the first year’s operations. All you can do (& this is certainly very practicable) will be to take the whole of upper Canada, & all the British fortresses as low down as Montreal. ...Quebec...
5Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, 30 November 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
and I might venture to say to the walls of Quebec: because on the 10 where he would land within 3. or 4. days and not meet a resistance which gives us any apprehensions. between that
place and Quebec there is neither post nor armed man. ...Quebec being ours whenever the season will open it to us, this last place will never be worth the blood it would cost. cut off from subsistence by the...
6Theodorus Bailey to Thomas Jefferson, 25 January 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
City of QuebecMap of Upper Canada. describing all the New Settlements, Townships, &c with the Countries Adjacent, from Quebec to Lake huron
7To James Madison from Jonathan Dayton, [ca. 14 January 1813] (Madison Papers)
...in the next summer’s campaign, let me assure you sir, that there will be the most fatal dissappointment. No force you can collect & send there, however great, can so far succeed as to reach & take Quebec by the first year’s operations. All you can do, (& this is certainly very practicable) will be to take the whole of upper Canada, & all the British fortresses as low down as Montreal.
8To James Madison from William H. Winder, 1 February 1814 (Madison Papers)
...permission I herewith inclose you a copy of the correspondence which passed between his Excellency Sir George Prevost & myself during the time that I was a prisoner of war in Quebec & the neighbourhood & which finally terminated in my being permitted to come to the United States upon the Terms and for the period which will be found in my letter containing my engagement and which closed...Quebec
9To James Madison from Benjamin Rush, 30 March 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
who were introduced to him as gentlemen of “uncommon worth” by his son-in-law in Quebec.Rush’s eldest daughter, Anne Emily Rush, had married Ross Cuthbert of Quebec in 1799 (Butterfield,
10Thomas Jefferson to Pierre Samuel Du Pont de Nemours, 29 November-14 December 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
, has taken possession of it, the force of
the enemy there being not such as to give us much apprehension. between that
place and
Quebec there is nothing to stop us, but the
advance of the season. ...of Quebec. this last place is not worth the blood it would cost. it may be considered as impregnable to an enemy not possessing the water. I hope therefore we shall not attempt it, but leave it...
11Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 19 March 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
would soon have planted our standard on the walls of Quebec &
12William Short to Thomas Jefferson, 8 July 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
(except Quebec) even if the whole of the population were hostile to them. As to Quebec, I can have no opinion of my own, in opposition to that of
13To James Madison from Abner Cushing and Others, 25 August 1810 (Madison Papers)
Quebec August 25th. 1810.—Quebec
14To James Madison from Henry Lee, 16 April 1812 (Madison Papers)
But sir I deem it most important that you should order some convenient point on the St. Lawrence above Quebec to be strongly fortified, for the purpose of arresting the progress of the enemys fleet up that river, in as much as otherwise the enemy may unexpectedly land an army from Europe in your rear should yr. army... ...Quebec & thus not only break up the siege of that place, but endanger...
15Thomas Jefferson to Tadeusz Kosciuszko, 30 November 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
, where the British force is such as not to give uneasiness for the result. I trust he is now in possession of it, and there being neither a post nor a man between that & Quebec, we may consider ourselves as commanding the whole country to the walls of that city. the season however will
probably oblige us to make ...their troops above Quebec, we have as many of their troops taken by...
16Thomas Jefferson to David Bailie Warden, 27 February 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
would very soon have planted our banners on the walls of Quebec and
17Thomas Jefferson to Tadeusz Kosciuszko, 1 March 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
had the war gone on, would have planted our standard on the walls of Quebec in the first campaign, & on those of
18Thomas Jefferson to Elizabeth Trist, 25 November 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
above Quebec, and that the English have not at this moment a post or an army above Quebec.
19From John Adams to Jedidiah Morse, 9 March 1809 (Adams Papers)
...make. It is important that posterity should know the very first symptoms and circumstances of misunderstanding between Great Britain & the Colonies. These will be found to have originated from the first news in England of the conquest of Quebec in 1759. Immediately after the news reached the Court of St James’ of the surrender of Quebec, a jealousy of the Colonies sprung up and a resolution...
20John Melish to Thomas Jefferson, 12 November 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
“Plan of Quebec,” documents relating to the British takeover of
...muskets, and rifles would be unfit for further use. “We must either drag after us a large Quantity of spare arms at a great expence & inconvenience or numbers would be unarmed.” If Great Britain were besieged in Quebec, for instance, heavy guns would be needed to batter the walls and to control the river. Quebec could not be taken, but Great Britain could raise the siege and drive the U.S....
22To James Madison from Samuel Harrison, 11 May 1812 (Madison Papers)
...turned on the face my enemy, nor wi⟨ll⟩ it be again, if a defensive War summon me to the Service. But I am averse to an offensive war; What if you should conquer the two Canadas (Quebec excepted) for Quebec cannot be taken without more loss of blood and treasure than the Canadas are both worth—and what if Hallowell, Portland, Saco, Kennebunk, Wells, Portsmouth, Newbury Port, Salem, Boston,...
23To James Madison from Thomas Wilson, 17 October 1812 (Madison Papers)
We can easily take and maintain possession of the St. Lawrence above Quebec by a well concerted arrangement for the speedy augmentation and reduction from time to time of an army which must be stationed for this purpose at or near three river point. When this is effected the country is conquered....In the left margin Wilson wrote, “Quebec.”
24Thomas Jefferson to David Bailie Warden, 17 May 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
had at Quebec snow a foot deep.
25To James Madison from Philip Turner, 27 June 1814 (Madison Papers)
...to be done, (if so) it must be done by men that will execute the business, they are not to stand still & look on, I have seen enough of it; on the plains of Abraham before Quebec, in the days of Wolf & Montcalm both slain in a minute, & the battle won in the year 59, in 60, montreal & all canada Conquered by Genl. Amherst,...forces captured the city of Quebec. Both commanding...
26To James Madison from William Tatham, 16 July 1815 (Madison Papers)
The detail in the official Survey of the Rivers Kenebec & Chaudier, made by order of General Murray while Governor of Quebec,A Collection of Several Commissions, and Other Public Instruments, Proceeding from His Majesty’s Royal Authority, and Other Papers, Relating to the State of the Province in Quebec in North America, since the Conquest of It by the British Arms in 1760
27To James Madison from David Jones, 20 December 1813 (Madison Papers)
...for upper Canada. When upper Canada is in our Possession, the gun boats can be taken over the Rapids, & with them there, we can vanquish all their large vessels on St, Lawrence. I never would make Quebec the next object; but proceed on & take Halifax, then the whole Canadas would be in our Possession, & all supplies would be cut off by Land, & Quebec would not be worth keeping. Your Enemies...
28To James Madison from William Duane, 20 September 1812 (Madison Papers)
superadded to the importance of Quebec will induce them to send out a considerable force to Halifax, arriving early they might enter the St. Lawrence at any time in the ensuing month of October, vessels to my knowlege have entered in November, and a......disciplined as the regulars; with these corps, I should threaten to march to Quebec in the first instance by the Kennebeck & Chaudiere; but I...
29To James Madison from Samuel Harrison, 30 October 1812 (Madison Papers)
must be taught; before they can get to Montreal; They must be taught; before they can arrive at Quebec; They must be taught; and around, that well provided Fortress, and attempt to prostrate the Walls of Quebec,
30From James Madison to Henry Dearborn, 9 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
...in relation to Malden, and Montreal, might have secured the great object of bringing all Upper Canada, & the channels communicating with the Indians, under our Command; with ulterior prospects towards Quebec flattering to our arms. This systematic operation having been frustrated, it only remains to pursue the course that will diminish the disappt. as much as possible. Genl. Hull, as you...
31Thomas Jefferson to Alexander von Humboldt, 6 December 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
to their last refuge, the walls of Quebec,
32John Trumbull to Thomas Jefferson, 26 December 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
& Quebec which were long since finished & engraved—I shall
33Thomas Jefferson to Francis C. Gray, 4 March 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
under the guidance of these one campaign would have planted our standard on the walls of Quebec, and another on those of
34Thomas Jefferson to William Duane, 1 October 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
...the masses of strength which we hold on different points of it, the facility this gave us of attacking him on the same day on all his points, from the extremity of the lakes to the neighborhood of Quebec, & the perfect indifference with which this last place, impregnable as it is, might be left in the hands of the enemy to fall of itself, whether I say he could see & prepare vigorously for...
35To James Madison from David Jones, 30 November 1812 (Madison Papers)
...compelled. Besides the Indian war has been very expensive, and we cannot, on Just Principles, make Peace without a Compensation; and must at least give up upper Canada. I told you last march that I feared taking Quebec would cost too much blood. Let us take all the rest of Canada, & Quebec will fall of Course. You must not depend on Militia only on Immergencies. They are extreamly useful,...
36To James Madison from L. Marchand, 15 October 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
...& ensure the operations of the northern army. This in the lines of Trois rivieres, will wait till frost will have blocked up the river & obliged the ships of war to withdraw to halifax, and will advance to Quebec which is distant about five days march. The Strength of the place will make a blocus ...quartered in each. It is probable that if Quebec was blocked up in the beginning of Winter...
37To John Adams from Munroe & French, 23 March 1811 (Adams Papers)
We have taken the liberty to enclose to you a Quebec paper. Whatever may have been the Motive of the writer, against whose paragra
38To James Madison from Joseph Wheaton, 27 June 1812 (Madison Papers)
...east to Halifax the capitol of Nova Scotia. From Halifax to Anapolis 120 Miles—to the Bason 18—across the Bay of Fundy to St Johns 45—to St Anns 60 to the head of the river 290 and to Quebec about 200—making a distance of 673 Miles from Quebec to Halifax—by which rout the post Travels, and is the only way of communication between these two capitols the governments can have—unless by the...
39James Monroe to Thomas Jefferson, 23 November 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
, forcing the enemy into Quebec, or to retire within our former limits. the former is still more than probable.
40Thomas Jefferson to Tadeusz Kosciuszko, 5 August 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
except Quebec. we have at this moment about 200. privateers on the ocean, and numbers more going out daily. it is believed we shall fit out about a thousand in the whole. their success has been already great, and...
41To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 26 September 1813 (Madison Papers)
Quebec are to aid the Savages
42To James Madison from Richard M. Johnson, [ca. 25 January 1817] (Madison Papers)
...recently received from a Kentuckian taken prisoner after the Battle of the River Raisin on 22 Jan. 1813 and “just returnd from Captivty.” Todd’s informant told of another prisoner he had met while in Quebec, Thomas Hant (or Vant/Vance), who had been held captive by an Indian and hired out as a drummer to the British. Hant was originally enlisted as a drummer near Lexington, Kentucky, and...
43To James Madison from William Keteltas, 9 March 1812 (Madison Papers)
Sir George Prevost (1767–1816) had been born in New Jersey to a French-speaking Swiss Protestant family, and his father had fought with the British forces at Quebec during the Seven Years’ War. After military and administrative service in the West Indies during the 1790s and the first decade of the nineteenth century, Prevost was appointed lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia in 1808, and in 1811...
44From James Madison to James Monroe, [14 July 1814] (Madison Papers)
on 14 July 1814, under the heading “Arrival of a part of Lord Wellington’s Army,” with a dateline of 30 June at Quebec. The report stated that thirteen British regiments, and parts of four others, “were under orders to embark at Bordeaux for N. America.”
45Thomas Jefferson to Thomas C. Flournoy, 1 October 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
, gives us the upper country of course, & closes for ever the scenes of the Tomahawk & scalping knife. Quebec is impregnable;
46To James Madison from Daniel Baldwin, 29 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor of bearing a Captains commission in the first New-Jersey Rigiment, during the Revolutionary War; and of sharing in the hottest conflicts and troubles of my country, from the walls of Quebec, to the commencement of peace. At the bloody affair of Germantown, I lost most of my men, with my left leg; on the stump of which, with the help of a stick, I am still able...
47From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 31 July 1809 (Adams Papers)
...been from the 22d of
August to the 3d of September, in travelling from London to Amsterdam, where it makes a very great sensation
indeed. We had at the same time news of the capture
of most of the Quebec fleet by an American frigate and
two brigantines....time of an American frigate and two privateer brigs taking most of the Quebec fleet. You will see General Washington’s and General Green’s...
48To James Madison from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 23 January 1813 (Madison Papers)
...war.” “But under the present disposition of the forces of the U. S. that plan may not be preferable. The reduction of U. Canada will familiarize, your legions, in some degree to danger before they approach Quebec or Halifax. Exercise & manouvre may be taught; but veterans are only made by the fatiagues [
49To James Madison from William H. Winder, 8 February 1814 (Madison Papers)
...character to make the government of great Britain as sensibly alive to the effect of retaliation as the United States will necessarily be. For the British army will of course be drawn down towards Quebec as we advance into the country and upon the final extremity of that fortress being in danger of capture their superior fleet affords the means which will no doubt be used to withdraw the...
50To James Madison from Daniel Baldwin, 18 September 1809 (Madison Papers)
You will not think strange that I offer an oppinion to your Honor in this dangerous hour, being an old soldier from the Walls of Quebec untill I lost my leg. Being confident in my own mind, that there never will be peace and tranquility in this noble parte of the world, as long as the