1Remarks on the Quebec Bill: Part One, [15 June 1775] (Hamilton Papers)
cloathed, I shall now offer a few remarks on the act, intitled, “An Act for making more effectual provision, for the government of the province of Quebec, In North-America” whereby, I trust, it will clearly appear, that arbitrary power, and its great engine the Popish Religion, are, to all intents and purposes, established in that province...., and for the said province of Quebec; and...
2To Benjamin Franklin from the Continental Congress: Instructions, Plan of an Attack upon Quebec and Observations on the … (Franklin Papers)
The major source of dispute, however, was the annexed proposal for a joint Franco-American attack on Quebec. Morris discussed it with Gérard, who was cool to the idea. The American told him that the United States, although intending to retain Canada, was willing to leave Florida (and perhaps even the navigation on the Mississippi......reducing Hallifax and Quebec since by that means they would...
3Remarks on the Quebec Bill: Part Two, [22 June 1775] (Hamilton Papers)
...to civil government, I am next to examine it with relation to religion, and to endeavour to shew, that the Church of Rome has now the sanction of a legal establishment, in the province of Quebec. In order to do this the more satisfactorily, I beg leave to adopt the definition given of an established religion, by a certain writer, who has taken great pains to evince the contrary. “An...
4Council of War, 2 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
Archibald Crary became lieutenant colonel of this regiment when it was learned that Christopher Greene had been captured at Quebec on 31 Dec. 1775. Christopher Smith replaced Crary as major.Return Jonathan Meigs was captured at Quebec on 31 Dec. 1775. Levi Wells replaced him as major of this regiment.
5Council of War, 18 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
...from Brigadier General Worcester Colonel Arnold, & Colo. Donald Campbell, containing the melancholy account of the death of General Montgomery the wounding Colo. Arnold, & the consequent failure of the Success of the Assault upon the City of Quebec on the 31st Decr last....that in the present feeble state of the Regiments here, It was improper to detach any force from these Lines to Quebec...
6To George Washington from the Board of War, 25 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
...an extract, misdated 7 Jan., from the minutes of the Pennsylvania Supreme Executive Council for 1 Jan. recommending McPherson to Congress “in regard to the memory of his brother Major John Macpherson who fell before the Walls of Quebec, as well as in consideration of his own merit” ( ...’s older brother, John, had died on 31 Dec. 1775 during the storming of Quebec while an aide-de-camp to...
7Council of War, 6 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
That the force of the enemy in Canada from the best accounts that have been collected may be about three thousand, of which about one half are in Quebec—the residue at Montreal and the lower posts.
8Notes of Witnesses’ Testimony concerning the Canadian Compaign, [1–27 July 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
He has heard that the army before Quebec sometimes were short of provisions during the winter.Lived last year in Quebec. He came out of it on 24th. Nov. on Carleton’s proclamation for all to go out who would not take arms. He staid at point au Tremble (6. leagues from headquarters) till 6th. May.... ...Quebec, the army had been before it but had retired to be recruited, Montgomery being...
9To John Jay from William Goforth, 8 April 1776 (Jay Papers)
. Feb. with a Small party to take the Command of this place I have thereby had an opportunity to take an Exact account of all the Fresh Forces which have passed this place since the defeat at Quebec which I make bold to transmit you as also what I Supposed a few days ago to have been the number of our Army at the Camp before that place.—...d this Spring the Town of Quebec might have been...
10To George Washington from Moses Hazen, 22 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
Ninthly: Quebec is not that post of Defence which it in General is understood to be, The extensive works and the unfinised State they are in; would require a Considerable army to Defend it Properly against a superior force—On the......maintain the post of Quebec we cannot expect to hold the Country without an adequate force to keep the enemy with in the walls, Consequently we must some way...
11To George Washington from Brigadier General Jacob Bayley, 31 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
that the force in Canada is chiefly at Quebec, where they mean to make their chief stand; three hundred men at St Johns and Isle aux Noix, one hundred men at Sorell; about six hundred at Montreal, and stationed among the Inhabitants from Chamble to Sorell; one of our Crusers taken near Quebec, three hundred of the regular troops were sent from Quebec down the river some time since, not...
12To George Washington from Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, 14 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
I wait with great Anxiety the Arival of a reinforcement from below, I have Wrote the Honble Congress, my Opinion that five thousand Men will be Necessary to Insure us Quebec, tho it may posably be reduced with a less Number, it Appears a Blockade may Answear the Purpose, I think Quebec an Object of too Much Consequence, to trust it to the event, if reduced Five thousand Men will be Necessary...
13To George Washington from Brigadier General Jacob Bayley, 23 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
...il a été question de trouver des personnes pour decouvrir dévant nous ce Quil Se passoit afin de n’estre point surpris par les gardes pour aller jusqua l’aubinier a dishuit lieu de Québec, nous avons été dans l’obbligation de donner une Comission de Capt. a un nomé boiverd pour l’encouragér le Conoissant pour un homme de probité quil La accepté Comme venant de vostre Respectable part, Cette...
14To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 13 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
This letter will be presented to your Excellency by Mr Dodge, who has lately escaped from Quebec, in company with a Sachem of the Cognawaga Nation of Indians; he brings your Excellency the latest, and best intelligence from Canada....Ontario[;] Note—he left Detroit in May—& Quebec in October 1778,” reads: “Acount of the Situation of Canada—Meeshelenmacksna [Michilimackinac] is a Small...
15To George Washington from Moses Hazen, 26 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
...Great Britain—I shall at present Suppose that four Thousand Men only; are in Armes in Canada, to Defend that Country from the Lower ends of Lakes, Ontario and Champlan to the Commereseas below Quebec. That the enemy can have little or no Dependance either on the Savages or Canadian militia, and consequently it would be prudent for them, on the approach of an army from this Country,...
16To George Washington from Major General John Thomas, 8 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Immediately on my arrival at the camp before Quebec, which was on the first instant, I examined into the state of the army, and found by the returns there were 1900 men. Of this number only a 1000 were fit for duty, Officers included; the remainder......I received certain intelligence of fifteen ships being 40 leagues below Quebec. Early the next morning five of them appeared in sight, and the...
17To George Washington from Colonel Peter Gansevoort, 17 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received a Letter from Lieut. Scudder of Colo. Van Schaicks Regiment (who was taken at Fort Schuyler short after the Regiment arrived at that place and who is now together with others in close confinement in Quebec) requesting me to Solicit an Exchange for him the names of the Officers are contained in the inclosed accounts, besides whom there are 4 Serjeants & ten Privates...., Quebec...
18The Committee of Secret Correspondence: a Report to Congress, [on or before 14 February 1776] (Franklin Papers)
...Because of his ill health the command almost immediately devolved upon his subordinate, Brigadier General Richard Montgomery, who by November had captured the forts at Chambly and St. Johns and the city of Montreal. Governor Carleton escaped to Quebec with the remnants of his force. Meanwhile Benedict Arnold was advancing through Maine for a junction with Montgomery, which occurred near
19Report on Instructions on Peace Negotiations, [7 January 1782] (Madison Papers)
...his Britannick Majesty’s proclamation on the 7th. day of October 1763, the treaty of Fort Stanwix in 1768 between him & the six nations, and the British Statute in 1774, establishing among other things the boundaries of Quebec....of the other Colonies than of Quebec, E. Florida or W. Florida, to grant warrants of survey, or pass patents, “for the present, and untill his (the Britis[...
20To George Washington from Colonel Benedict Arnold, 25–27 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a Letter to Mr Coburn, from the Party sent to Quebec, by which your Excellency will see all the Intelligence I have received. I have conversed with the Party, who saw only one Indian, one Nattanis, a Native of Norridgwalk, a noted Villain, and very little Credit......’s secretary during the Quebec expedition. Arnold reached Fort Western on the Kennebec River at the site of present...
21To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 27 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
Inclose you Copy of a Letter received on the 25th from General Arnold, together with a Return of the Troops before Quebec—the first I have had from Canada.I have Reason to think General Thomas, who left Tyconderoga on Sunday will reach Quebec to Day or to Morrow, and that the Commissioners will arrive about the same Time at Montreal—They parted with me on Wednesday with a fair Wind.
22To George Washington from Major Return Jonathan Meigs, 25 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here the 22d Instant after A tedious passage of 66 Days from Quebec, on my parole of honor to return when called for, A coppy of which, together with my pass from General Carlton are inclosed, the Original is in the hands of General Howe ...were made prisoners on the 31st Decemr last—the number now in Quebec is about 300 Including Officers—The Officers were confined in the......Quebec...
23To George Washington from Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, 8 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
& has joined the Army before Quebec. General Wooster is disgusted & expected here daily. Our Army Consists of few more than Two thousand Effective Men, & twelve hundred sick & unfit for duty chiefly with the small Pox which is universal in the Country.... ...fortifying two very Important Posts which Command the River at Richilieu, fifteen Leagues above Quebec and at Jacques Cartier which...
24From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 11 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
But if the French troops should arrive before Quebec, I think their success against that strong place, fortified by every advantage of nature and of art, would be extremely doubtful. It is supposed this Capital post will be found in so weak a condition as to make... ...be attended to, without too far weakening the garrison of Quebec; and, as before observed, we cannot build upon their conduct...
25To George Washington from Brigadier General David Wooster, 21 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
upon Quebec, the particulars of which you will Doubtless have received before this Reaches you.I should have gone down Immediately upon hearing of the Defeat to the Camp before Quebec, but the Necessity of securing this place, and the Country round in our Interest Induced all the Officers & our Friends here to request me not to Leave this place, till we should have a reinforcement from the...
26To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 30 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
...orders from General Amherst to proceed across lake Ontario, In order to make a diversion In his favor And In that of General Wolf, the former at that time attempting to proceed thro lake Champlain And the latter besieging Quebec. ...Effectually prevented from giving molestation by the Garrison of Niagera Quebec was In possession of the british troops And every possibility of a reinforcement...
27To George Washington from Thomas Cheesman, 9 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
. Accuses Lt. Col. Herman Zedwitz of misappropriating or withholding the personal effects of his son, Capt. Jacob Cheesman, “who fell at the unsuccessful Attack of Quebec. . . . Your Petitioner therefore humbly begs that your Excellency would be pleas’d to order him to Account for his Conduct in the Premisses by such Ways and Means as to your Excellency shall seem best.”...Quebec on the night...
28From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, [ca. 10 December 1775] (Jefferson Papers)
...day by accident in the harbor of Boston. Of a certainty the hand of god is upon them. Our last intelligence from Arnold to be relied on is by letter from him: he was then at Point Levy opposite Quebec and had a great number of Cannoes ready to cross the river. The Canadians received him with cordiality and the regular force in Quebec was too inconsiderable to give him any inquietude. A later...
29To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 5–7 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
...the inclosed that the Junction of General Montgomery & Colo: Arnold has taken Place, but their Force is so small, & the Weather has been so severe that I fear they have not been able to possess themselves of Quebec,...Means wish to prejudice an Individual, Yet I do not think It prudent that he should go to Quebec, Unless It is in our Possession, When that happens I can see no Inconveniency...
30To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 13 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
...I had no Occasion to send My Dear General this Melancholly Account. My Amiable Friend the Gallant Montgomery is no more. The Brave Arnold is wounded & we have met with a severe Check, in an unsuccessful Attempt on Quebec;...’s plan to attack Quebec and his defeat there on the night of 31 Dec.: Montgomery to Schuyler, 26 Dec. 1775, Benedict Arnold to David Wooster, 31 Dec. 1775,... ...Quebec...
31To George Washington from Colonel Benedict Arnold, 20 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
...to Appearance were good) and that we had no more than five Rounds to each Man, it was judged prudent in our Situation not to hazard a Battle but retire to this Place, eight Leagues from Quebec, which we did yesterday, & are waiting here with Impatience the Arrival of Genl Montgomery, which we expect in a few Days. I have been obliged to send to Montreal for Cloathing for my People...
32To George Washington from Philip Schuyler, 12 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
...my arrival at Albany from Poughkepsie returned a few days ago, they Inform that all the troops in Canada proper “were out” In the parties which have desolated the frontiers In the last month, except the Garrison of Quebec, that the Enemy are arduously employed in strenthning Quebec and the fortifications in the environs. that they have erected a strong work below the Isle of Orleans. I...Quebec
33To George Washington from Colonel Benedict Arnold, 5 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
My last of the 20th ultimo from Point aux Trembles, advising of my retiring from before Quebec, make no Doubt your Excellency has received. I continued at Point aux Trembles until the 3rd Instant, when to my great Joy General Montgomery joined us with Artillery and about 300 Men..
The draft is dated “Before Quebec St Foys.”
34From George Washington to Major General Richard Montgomery, 12 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
every account from your Qr Serves to Confirm our hopes that you will get possesion of Quebec, if not allready in yr hands—I must beg therefore your attention to the Wants of the Army here—which are not few, & if they Cannot in Some part be Supplied by you, I do not know... ...am taught to believe there is abundance in Canada—Quebec is I suppose the great Magazine for them, & all kind of Military...
35To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 27 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
...you sooner[.] The force I shall carry is far short of what I would wish[.] I believe It will not Exceed Seventeen Hundred men, and this will be a body Insufficient to Attempt Quebec with; after leaving the necessary Detatchments (at St Johns, Chamble, and Montreal should we Succeed and Carry those places,) which must be respectable to keep an open & free Communication with Crown point &...
36To Benjamin Franklin from William Goforth, 22[-23] February 1776 (Franklin Papers)
...Can Rob the Clouds of their Tremendious Thunder. Rouse once more my old Trojan Collect the Heavey Thunders of the United Colonies and Convey them to the Regions of the North and Enable us to Shake the Quebec walls or on the other hand inform us how to Extract the Electric fire from the Center. Then Perhaps we may be able to draw a Vein athwart their Magazene and Send them upwards Cloathd as...
37From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 20 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Design of this Express is to communicate to you a Plan of an Expedition, which has engrossed my Thoughts for several Days: It is to penetrate into Canada, by Way of Kennebeck River, and so to Quebec, by a Rout 90 Miles below Montreal—I can very well spare a Detachment of 1000 or 1200 Men, and the Land Carriage by the Rout proposed is too inconsiderable to make an Objection. ...Quebec, by...
38To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 24 December 1775 (Jay Papers)
...ready in the Spring. This does not indicate any Zeal in the Canadians. If my memory serves, me, General Murray, gave it as his opinion, that it would require 6,000 men to man the works of Quebec, which he assigned as the reason for hazarding the Batle of April 1760. ...our Enemies have the command of the sea, and very little Provissions are salted in Canada, suppose Quebec now in our...
39To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bancroft, 7 August 1775 (Franklin Papers)
...important Intrests, could not fail to Conciliate their Friendship to those, who should thus espouse their Cause, and Assert their Rights. This indeed is now rendered the more expedient by the pernicious Views of Government manifested in the Quebec Act, and in the expressions which ...the Act which so enormously extends the Limits of Quebec; but the ministry being Conscious of the Rights...
40To George Washington from Colonel Henry Knox, 17 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
There is no other News here of Colo. Arno⟨ld⟩ than that from Colo. McCleans having burnt the House⟨s⟩ round Quebec...some timid & some malevolent Spirits who make this matter much worse—from the different accounts which I have been Able to collect I have very little doubt tha⟨t⟩ General Montgomery has Quebec now in his possession. I am with the utm⟨ost⟩ Respect Your Excellency⟨s⟩ Most Obdt...
41To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 28 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
Brigadier General Prescott surrendered next Day by Capitulation. What Terms General Montgomery has given him, I do not know as he was so hurryed in preparing to move immediately to Quebec, that he could not find Time to send them. Prescott & the Officers arrived here at four to Day. I have just recd a Return of the Officers, Men, Vessels & stores taken, which I do Myself......put Quebec (of...
42To George Washington from John Hancock, 19 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
...the American army outside Boston. Ogden at first declined to go, but after the Battle of Bunker Hill, Burr went to Elizabeth and persuaded his friend to come with him. Both young men accompanied Arnold’s march to Quebec in the fall of 1775 as unattached volunteers. Ogden was wounded at Quebec on 31 Dec. but joined the 1st New Jersey Regiment as a lieutenant colonel in March 1776. He was...
43To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 13 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
...our army with paper money. what the result will be I cannot say—Before this reaches you, your Excellency will probably have heard, that the greater part of a Fleet, of Victuallers and Merchant Ships from Europe for Quebec, have been taken by our Eastern Cruizers; Sixteen of which have arrived at different Ports....upwards of 40 sail from London, bound to Quebec, under convoy of two frigates...
44To George Washington from Philip John Schuyler, 22 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
raising, Major Volunteer Corps & some others, no Indians at Crown point, 31st in winter Quarters near Quebec, 53d at ...near lake St Peters, 29th at St Denis & St Charles near Chamble, 44th at Quebec. a Dutch at Montreal, 34th Regt at St Johns, and Isle au Noix with some Jagers—a great number of Batteaux at St Johns, repairing Batteaux, they do It every Spring. Expect some troops from Britain,...
45To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 27 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
—I shall answer the Gentlemen on the Subject of the Gundalo to Day—If the Account given by McChord be true it is much to be lamented that the Siege of Quebec could not have been immediately reassumed....other Vessel as speedily as possible for War, to keep the Mastery of Lake Champlain.” Carroll and Chase also reported: “John McChord Left Loretto in sight of Quebec on Monday last [13 May]:...
46To George Washington from Colonel Jacob Bayley, 26 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
That I had a Rumour of General Montgomerys Defeat at Quebec, but no Certainty, I wanted to know, that we might do every thing in our Power to strengthen and Encourage them....committees of safety. “We have here,” Bayley informed Wooster, “the Malancholy News of a Defeat of General Montgomery at Quebec, tho’ we are not Certain of the Truth of it yet think it our Duty to send Men not only...
47From George Washington to John Hancock, 12 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
all Allowances, he will be at Quebec the 20th Instt, where a Gentleman from Canada (Mr Brice), assures me he will meet with no Resistance.The Fleet mentioned in my last has been seen standing N.N.E. so that we apprehend it is intended for some Part of this Province, or New Hampshire, or possibly Quebec.
48From 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...
49To George Washington from a Board of Officers, 10 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The union of Canada, on which depends a permanent peace with the Indians—The Advantages
resulting from their Trade—The security of our Frontiers—and the evasion of the extended
limits of Canada by the late Quebec Bill,The Quebec Act of 1774 extended Canada’s boundaries south to the Ohio River and west
to the Mississippi River.
50To George Washington from Brigadier General William Thompson, 5 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
The wants of the Prisoners being many, I procured them Credit with Mr Freeman at Quebec for £630.9.8½ Halifax; equal to £945.14.6¾ Pennsylvania Currency, For which I have reced the following Bills and Cash viz....William Hendricks’s company of Thompson’s Pennsylvania rifle regiment when he was captured at Quebec on 31 Dec. 1775. Named a captain in the 9th Pennsylvania Regiment in December 1776...