IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I Hii us mm m22 Sf L& 12.0 u •» u WUU IL25 I I 1.4 1 1.6 Hiolographic Sdences Corporation 23 WKT MAIN STMET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) •72-4503 CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian da microraproductions liistoriquas Taehnieal an!) Bibliographic Notaa/Notaa tachniquas at bibliographiquas Tha Inatituta haa attamptad to obtain tha baat original copy availabia for filming. Paaturaa of thia copy which may ba bibliographically uniqua. which may altar any of tha imagaa in tha raproduction. or which may significantly changa tha uaual mathod of filming, ara chackad balow. □ Colourad covara/ Couvartura da coulaur r~~1 Covara damagad/ D D D D n Couvartura andommagAa Covara raatorad and/or laminatad/ Couvartura raatauria at/ou palliculAa □ Covar titia miaaing/ La titra da couvartura manqua I — I Colourad mapa/ Cartaa giographiquaa wt coulaur Colourad ink (i.a. othar than blua or black)/ Encra da coulaur (i.a. autra qua blaua ou noira) □ Colourad plataa and/or illuatrationa/ Planchaa at/ou illuatrationa an coulaur □ Bound with othar matarial/ Rail* avac d'autraa documanta Tight binding may cauaa ahadowa or diatortion along intarior margin/ Laroliura aarrte paut cauaar da I'ombra ou da la diatoraion la kmg da la marga intiriaura Blank laavaa addad during rastoration may appaar within tha taxt. Whanavar poaaibia. thaaa hava baan omittad from filming/ II aa paut qua cartainaa pagaa blanchaa ajoutiaa lora d'una raatauration apparaiaaant dana la taxta, mala, loraqua cala Atait poaaibia, caa pagaa n'ont paa «t4 fiimiaa. Additional commanta:/ Commantairaa suppiimantairaa; U L'Inatitut a microfilm* la maiilaur axampiaira qu'il lui a At* poaaibia da aa procurer. Laa ditails da cat axamptsira qui aont paut-Atra uniquaa du point da vua bibliographiqua. qui pauvant modifiar una imaga raproduita. ou qui pauvant axigar una modification dana la mAthoda normala da fiimaga aont indiquia ci-daaaoua. r~n Colourad pagaa/ D Pagaa da coulaur Pagaa damagad/ Pagaa andommagiaa Pagaa raatorad and/oi Pagaa raatauria* at/ou palliculiaa Pagaa ditcolourad. stainad or f oxai Pagaa dicoioriaa, tachatiaa ou piquiaa Pagaa datachad/ Pagaa ditachias Showthroughy Tranaparanca Quality of prin Qualit* inigaia da I'impraaaion Includaa supplamantary matarii Comprand du material aupplAmantaira Only adition availabia/ Saula Mition diaponibia □ Pagaa damagad/ Pagaa r~n Pagaa raatorad and/or laminatad/ ry\ Pagaa ditcolourad. stainad or f oxad/ r~| Pagaa datachad/ rjl Showthrough/ r~~| Quality of print variaa/ r~~| Includaa supplamantary matarial/ rn Only adition availabia/ T P o fl b tl a o fi al 01 T •I 3 b4 ril rt m Pagaa wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc.. have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totaiament ou partieilement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata. una pelure, etc.. ont it* filmies k nouveau da fapon * obtanir la mailleure imaga possible. Thia item ia filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document eat film* au taux da riduction indiqui ci-deaaoua. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X y 12X 16X aox 24X 28X 32X TiM copy fllmMl hara haa bMn raproduead thanka to tha ganaroaity off: Douglaa Library Quaan'a Univaraity Tha Imagaa appaaring hara ara tha baat quality poaaibia conaMarlng tha condition and iaglbillty off tha original copy and in icaaping with tha filming contract apacifficatlona. Original copiaa in printad papar covara ara ffilmad baginning with tha ffront covar and anding on tha laat paga with a printad or illuatratad impraa- aion, or tha back covar whan approprlata. All othar original copiaa ara ffilmad baginning on tha ffinrt paga with a printad or illuatratad impraa- aion, and anding on tha laat paga with a printad or illuatratad impraaaion. Tha laat racordad fframa on aach microfficha ahall contain tha aymboi ^»> (moaning "CON- TINUED"), or tha aymboi y (moaning "END"), whichavar appiiaa. IMapt, plataa, charta, ate, may ba ffilmad at diffffarant raduction ratioa. Thoaa too larga to ba antiraiy includad in ona axpoaura ara ffilmad baginning in tha uppar lafft hand corner, lafft to right and top to bottom, aa many fframaa aa raquirad. Tha ffollowing diagrama iiluatrata tha mathod: L'axamplaira ffllmA ffut raproduit grioa i la g4n«roalti da: Douglaa Library Quaan't Univaraity Laa imagat auhrantas ont 4t4 raproduitaa avac la plua grand aoin. compta tanu da la condition at da la nattat* da I'axamplaira ffiim4. at a» confformiti avac laa condltlona du contrat da ffilmaga. Laa axamplairaa originaux dont la couvartura an papiar aat ImprimAa tont ffilmAa an comman^nt par la pramiar plat at an tarminant aoit par la darnlAra paga qui comporta una ampralnta dimpraaaion ou dllluatratlon, aolt par la aacond plat, aalon la caa. Toua laa autraa axamplairaa originaux aont ffilmfe an commandant par la pramlAra paga qui comporta una ampralnta d'impraaaion ou d'illuatration at an tarminant par la darnlAra paga qui comporta una talla ampralnta. Un daa aymbolaa auh^anta apparattra aur la darnlAra imaga da chaqua microfficha, aalon la caa: la aymbola -^ aigniffia "A SUIVRE", la aymbola ▼ aigniffia "FIN". Laa cartaa, planchaa, tablaaux, ate, pauvant Atra ffllmte i daa taux da rMuction diffffAranta. Loraqua la document aat trap grand pour Atra raproduit an un aaul cdchA, 11 aat ffilm* i partir da I'angia aupAriaur gaucha, da gaucha A droita, at da haut an baa, an pranant la nombra d'imagaa nAcaaaalra. Laa diagrammaa auivanta illuatrant la mAthoda. 1 2 3 • 1 2 3 4 5 6 ( i 6uii«mDiAi!f mwmi 1759 - 1859. • GENERAL JAMES WOLFE, HIS LIFE AND DEATH: SIUTBBBD IS VHI MECHANICS' INSTITUTE HALL, MONTREAL, ON TUESDJT, SEPTEMBER 13, 1859, BBiira %\t ^nnttoars §m of % Rattle of ^mkt, FOUGHT A CENTUBY BBIOSB. IN WIICl BRITAIN LOST i IEB0 ANB WON A PBOflNCB. BY ANDREW BELL, AxAhm of " Ken Md Things in America " ; " Hirtorioal Sketches of Fendalinn, British and Ooatincntal" t " LiTee of the Illurtrioua " ; " New Annate of (M Boothmd" t Ae. ^iUmtnat : PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY JOHN LOVBLL^ ST. NICHOLAS STRBBT ; QUEBEC: STE. ANNE STREET, UPPER TOWN, AXD rOB lAU AT TBI lOOX STOBU. 1859. CFHce 9f OcKta. — "»j!ii«j«a»mjiss"s|i*' \^ Vlo^i.V/T"^^ * Sntercd, according to the Act of the Prorincial Parliament, in the jear One thoQsand eight hundred and fifty-nine, hj Johh Lotul, in the office of the Registrar of the Province of Canada. r^' «V 1 f o a) i. J ■# > * QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY LIBRARY CENTENARY LECTURE OK TBI LIFE OF GENERAL WOLFE. AM THE CONQUEST OF CANADA. the jear b, in tliA f o tA a) C (/ I NCBD not remind yon, my fellow-conntryfolks and others, now met in this Hal], that just one hundred of the most eventful years known to metropolitan or colonial Britain, hare revolved since the over-memorahle battle of the Flains of Abraham took place. Think- ing, ajearjB^ that the recurrence r- lundaring* )n or oiit- in rdginUf a of York re. Then irleyi, and shnwrked shment of )gs of the I Flanders, for paltry ither than of Britun, TbeooB^ r»es pitted ility in the r ought to I of laurel, irren mili* , » conqneat lemorable Nouwelle !few Eng^ >ained, for fatal out- litously to }t, it may gjmj foot >ir8 at the Bof Abra- iras usual r remark- lie follow* tpeared in " Boiufla *o tn lunsTaiOQS Diao.— This day, oi nstar-alae j sars ago, was fonght on the Plains of Abraham, that battle which eanudUanada to pass from the domination of Franee to the rale of Great Britain. Win It be thought premature If we suggest now, that so great an ereat Is all-worthy of a public OianmnAb OiinaATiON, If only to do hoaor to fha memory of the two heroic paladins, sobs of contending nations^ whose precious life-blood was shed on the CTcr-memorable thirteenth day ofSepteabcr, 1V89 V The idea was faronrably, in a few instances warmly, taken vp by several members of the British Oanadian press ; and it had a yet heartier response from suodry American journalists, those of Portland (Maine) especially, one of the latter claiming, that it should be made an '* International Celebration." The proposal, however, met with a very different reception from the OaUo-Cana- dian press, the writers in which denounced, mooked, or carped at it, in the most bitter, nay even insulting terms. Never did a kindly meant and concillatorily expressed " notion " meet more unworthy treatment than mine, from all my French confreres of Lower Canada. I was a little vexed at this, I uiust own, and not a littla surprised; for I had lived long in the motiier country of th^se gentlemen^and where, such is my intimate knowledge of the cha* racter of the French People, a ^ demonstration " like that I pro- posed would have met general approval, perhaps even been hailed with enthusiasm. Thus, upon occasion of the disinterment, no further back than the year 1854, of the remains of those killed in that bootless fight which French Canadians call the *' second battle, (and victory over the British }) of the Plains of Abraham," one of the leading and best journals of France, or of any other country, gave unqualified praise to that celebration, meant as it supposed (mistakingly it seems, however,) to do ff^ua^ honor to the brave, fortunate and unfortunate, for the very deeds which I, in my simplicily, wished only farther to do due reverence to; yet, for the time, I.becaiaeLthe " best abused '' editor in CapadA,.by;, all the jouraaHsts, whether ministerial or opposition, of the Frepch- Canadjan press.* * See Sttpplement, B. --mmummmm^^ : As no good vfw otme yet of returning railing for niling, I determined not to retnliete, further then by the following " retort courteous ** in return for the bitterly inimioal sentiments which were celled ap on the ocoMion in the ove^8eositive Lower Canar dian bosom, both against my btherland and hnmble self: — TiI'Natioiial OMTiiivicif ni Pbospiot.— " We an glad to find that the snggeition w« Utaly threw out, of tha propriety of holding a eentenarian eelebration of the Battle of Qaebec, 99 years ago, has been taken up, both in Canada and America. The Plains of Abraham beoame, after the 18th daj of September, 1769, for erer sacred ; for tktrt was shed the lift-blood of two of the most heroic spirits that eter inhabited hnman dajr. Honour, nerer^ying honour, to the memory of WolA and Xontealm I When the deputed representatires of the three nations meet, as we trust they will, let the bleak battle-field of other days, now smil> iug under oultiTntion, be farther consecrated by interchanging pledges of abiding nmity between the men of the three nations who now wor« thily occupy one Continent of America, and who shall yet, if they do not Tlrtaally already, guide the destinies of the other. " We confidently hope that the proposed oelebration will not miscarry, through national or sectional jealousies between the liring men of the two races, the descendants of those who gained, and of those who lost the day. We hope that Jhm BaptiiU ii like John Bull, • respecter of a worthy foe, eren when obliged to succumb. We will not wrong our QalUe ftUow-cubjeets of this great and expanding Colony— the nucleus of nn empire— by supposing that a majority of them bear any feeling but those of good-will and cordial emulation for their neighbours of Britiih blood. We would fain beliere, at least, that the petty lelf-dishonouring retorted taunts, occasionally appearing in the discourses, written and spoken, of partisan journals and orators, such as allusions to *' les races sup^rienre et infirieure," (proh pudor I) are manifestive of surriring rabid inimitj in the breasts of the few only. Tet has it been a cause of pain to the writer of the present sentences to note such things d uring h is jhpit experie nce hflte as a journalist, as fearing that, to use Lord Bacon's illustration of the occasional import of things infinitesimal, 'such as a itraw, a light matter in itself, yea contemptible, it may yet serre to show what way the wind blows.' "It is a common belief in Britain, well or ill founded, that Canada, aa a Colony, is the petted, nay apoikd, child of the mother country. Without quite admitting this, we would, with all deference to Franco- Canadian opinions in that regard, ask them to concede this much to us That British domination has, in a general way, sat lightly upon the (MHealUd) " labivetod " no*. Th«ra If a proTwb, in Um prtdomlnant country, the Mntimant of wbloh, nlboit too fnmilinrly trproMcd, enrriM both wifdom and conioUtion in it. It rani thui t— * When two mtn rid* the Mme hone, on* of them muit neede eontant himself with n pine* behind the other.' " And again, while reeoUeeting, ai we think too keenly, the OTile, real or imagined, French Canadians hare experienced at British hands, tliey ought, in Justice, to remember the benefits they hare experienced from the broad agis of Britain having been interposed between them and the perils of war and cbangefblness. For instance, supiooeing Oreat Britain bad renounced, in the treaty of 1768, the American settlements her arms had gained and her policy secured during that and the three preceding years, would the French colonists of Canada and its depen- dencies, or those of Louisiana, Jkc, haTC flared any the better for it during the godless anarchy of the first French Revolution, or under the iron despotism that succeeded ? Let them think of the hideous dramas which were enacted in every other colony, of French origination, between 1789 and 1796. During thai space of time— which was a continued national agony for the living generation of Frenchmen— theix expatriated relatives found, in Anglicised Canada, a Ooshen of peace and security. Their descendants, our worthy ftllow-subjects, are proud, and rightly so, that they have preserved, in all their integrity, the religion, habitudes, and pure-mindedness of the early settlers of this noble colony. Let them not forget to whom, under Providence, they owe all that. And, we invite them to mark this well — that the merest flraction of the hundreds of millions of pounds expended by Great Britain in preventing Europe, and finally all Christendom, from becoming a universal deipotlam — yea, not one penny in the pound of the cost incurred, which even now bends her people almost to the earth, was ever charged against any of her colonies. " So much for what benefits the men of Britain, if only casually, extended to or secured for the Oallo* American race ; and more might Justly be advanced, in favor of their generous outlay during times present and not remote, for improving this colony, by canalising its rivers, ko. and enabling native companies to construct public works such as were never undertaken, much less eflbcted, in the dependencies of any nation but that of the truly Quiat Britain. " Here we pause. We have thought it our duty to adjure one great body of our fellow colonists to join with us, and our common friends over the border, to do honor to all by venerating the memories of the illustrious dead. 10 " How appropriate to the occasion and plaee are the inipiring wordi of the Bard of the PasBions :— How sleep the brare who sink to rest, By all their country's wishes blest I When Spring, with dewy fingers cold, Returns to deck their hallow'd mould, She there shall dress a sweeter sod Than Fancy's feet has ever trod. By fairy hands their knell is mng, By forms unseen their dirge is sung. There Honor comes, a pilgrim gray. To bless the turf that wraps their clay ; And Freedom shall awhile repair ^ To dwell a weeping hermit there. Oouns." And again, a few weeks afterwards, I copied a most patriotic article approbatory of my proposal in the London Canadian News for the then current month, its editor too expressing his satisfac- tion that " the suggestion lately thrown out, of the propriety of holding such a celebration, has been so promptly taken up, both in Canada and America." But enough, and perhaps too much, said about the organiza- tion of a National Tricenniura, by the People of British and Federal North America. I now proceed to give a short account of the life and career of my hero, composed of materials derived, for the most part, from sources sealed to the many, and never yet entirely opened even to the few. The family of "Wolfe, from which the young general sprang, was of note in the county of Clare, more than two centuries ago. On the capitulation of Limerick, in October 1651, to Ireton the Parliamentarian chief, twenty of the most distinguished of its defenders were excepted from pardon, and reserved for execution. Amongst these were two brothers, George and Francis Wolfe,— the former a military officer, the latter a friar. The friar was M piring wordi Couns." St patriotic dian Neva iis satisfac- ropriety of a up, both I organiza- ritish and t account Is derived, never yet rang, was ago. On eton the ed of its zecution. Wolfe,— friar was hanged, but the captain made his escape. Ho fled to England (Yorkshire), where he settled. His grandson was Colonel [after- wards General] Edward Wolfe, who distinguished himself under Marlborough, and in the suppression of the Scotch Rebellion of 1715. He commanded the 8th Regiment of Foot. This Colonel Edward Wolfe was the father of Jamei, the sub> ject of the present sketch. James Wolfe was born on the 2nd January, 1727, at Wester- ham, iu Kent. This pretty little town is situated near the west border of the county, on the declivity of a hill overlooking the romantic stream of the Dart, which rises in the vicinity, and after pursuing a meandering course through a district of much natural beauty, falls into the Thames, below London. His mother's name was Harriet Thompson. James was the youngest of two sons, the eldest of whom died in infancy. The house in which the young hero was bom was that of the vicar, the Rev. George Lewis, who leased it to the Colonel. Soon after, Colonel Wolfe removed, with his lady and infant son, to a house at the extreme end of the town of Wester- ham, of very picturesque appearance. It is still standing. Here young Wolfe spent some of his happiest days. It is named, after him — "Quebec House." He attended a private school in the neighbourhood ; but it is recorded, that although an ardent and clever boy, he did not in any way distinguish himself, so as to excite remark. Indeed, as will be learned from one of his letters in the Glasgow packet, he received a very imperfect education, and little if any, academic tuition after the age of fifteen. Destined to the profession of arms, young Wolfe was taken from his studies at that early age, and, on 3d November, 1741, entered his father's regiment as second lieutenant. The period at which he thus became a soldier, was one of uncommon interest in the national history. It was in the interval between two rebel- lions, when the northern part of the old island, but more especially that section included in the Highlands, was comparatively little known and little cared for. Indeed, of the Scots Highlands it may be truly said, that the greatest ignorance had, till about the year of Wolfe's birth, prevailed. The edge of the ancient animosity be- 12 Iween tihe people of the northern and soathem divisions of that island, now happily broken and removed, was still keen. The Scottish mind was filled with distrust; it rankled with theremem* brance of the treachery which forced on Scotland the then haled Union. The Hanoverian succession was by no means popular in the north ; and men's mindss fluctuated between the old and the new race of kings. The Rebellion of 1716, and the prominent part taken in it by the mountain clans, had, however, seriously alarmed the Oovern- ment of that day, and prompted a more close inspection of Scot- land and her warlike hill-trilies. As already said, little was known of the Highlands, beyond that which fatal experience had recently taught, viz., that their dreary recesses were filled with wild and hardy warriors, who held the comparatively peaceful men of the plains in contempt, for cultivating vocations opposed to their own, of clan-strife and war. They were, therefore, ready, on the least signal from their chiefs, to descend with the fury of a mountain tempest on the inhabitants of the Lowlands, and carry devastation around them, with little or no check at the hands of a timid Government. How curious to read Wolfe's description of a country and a people, then nearly as dangerous to visit as once the American wilds, bnt which is now the favourite retreat of royalty itself for recreation from the weight of state cares, and the chosen resort of tourists from every clime ! Such was Scotland in his day ; and it was in that country that he wrote the first of the letters to be quoted from. As already stated, he entered the army in 1741, and embarked with his father in the expedition to Flanders, under Lord Gathcart ; but being then, and always, of a very delicate constitution, the young soldier became ill, and had to be landed at Portsmouth. After a little while, his health improved ; he then joined his father on the Con- tinent, and at once began to learn, practically, the stern lessons of war on the battle field.* rv! • Warbarton's Con^ett of Canada, vol. ii., and Notea and Queries. Od 27th March, 1742, young Wolfe was appointed an enaiga in the 12th Regiment [Duronre^a], and carried the colours at the great battle of Dettingen in that year. In April, 1748, he appears to have been travelling for his health ; and in that month wrote a letter to his mother, still preserved, dated Rome, in a very affec- tionate and graceful strain. On the 14th July, 1743, Wolfe was promoted to a lieutenancy in the same regiment, the 12th, commanded by Colonel Scipio Duroure ; and eight days afterwards was appointed adjutant. At that time he was serving with the Allied army, behind the Scheldt. On 2dd June, 1744, he received a captnincy in General Barrel's regiment [the 4tb], and served nnder the Duke of Cumberland, at the bloody and disastrous battle of Fontenoy, fought 11th May, 1745. His bravery attracted the notice of the duke, and he acquired greater distinction than usually falls to the lot of junior officers. About this period, the second Scotch Rebellion broke out, and several of the regiments serving in Flanders were hastily sent for to aid in its suppression. Barrel's was one of the number, and Wolfe came over with it, in the autumn of that year ; by which time he had received the brevet rank of major.* The troops arrived at Shields and Newcastle in transports, and were speedily marched against the rebels. Barrel's regiment was hotly engaged at the battle of Falkirk, on l7th January, 1746. General Hawley, who commanded the King's troops at that disastrous conflict, was a veteran aged about sixty-six, and a great fovourite of the Duke of Cumberland, but, liki^ him, of coarse and brutal manners, with little military talent. He allowed his army to be surprised in open day, while visiting the Countess of Kilmarnock, and indulging in good cheer, at Callender House. Huske, his second in command, was a good officer, but Hawley allowed him no discretionary power ; other* * This is proved by an order issued by Marshal Wade, dated 2d No- vember, 1745, for " Hf^or James Wolfe to be paid £930, for allowance of 93 baggage horses to the seven battalions kttely come from Flanders." The original is in the possession of Robert Cole, Esq., London. f f' n ' K. ^' 14 wise it is not improbable that LoihI Ckorge Murray's feint, which threw HawTey off his guard, and prineii^ally l«d to the defeat of the royal army, might have been foiled. When the attack witt made by the dans, under cover of broken ground, the king's troops were preparing their dinner ; and so deficient were Hawley's ar- rangements, that although he knew his army was in the immediate vicinity of an energetic foe, he had no pickets or videttes to watch, and give timely notice of the approach of the hostile forces. Some peasants gave the alarm ; the drums hastily beat to arms ; and a cry arose among the surprised regiments — Where is our general f A mounted officer was sen^t for him at full speed, with the unex- pected and unwelcome intelligence, that his army was attacked. Hawley rushed into the battle without his hat, which was left behind in the drawing-room of Callender House. With his white hair streaming in the storm of wind and sleet, which blew direct in the faces of his soldiers, and favoured by which, the furious broadsword assault had been made on the English regiments, the bewildered general vainly endeavoured to rally his broken and panic-struck battalions. They fled before the clans, with the ex- ception of three regiments, viz., Barrel's, Ligonier's and the Glas- gow militia. These bravely stood their ground, and fairly re- pulsed the attack on that part of the line, besides covering the retreat. Wolfe was in this action ; and at the head of his com- pany, in Barrel's foot, behaved with his usual coolness and intre- pidity. In the course of Hawley's retreat to Edinburgh, his dragoons set fire to the fine old Palace of Linlithgow, the favourite residence of several of the Scottish monarchs, and the birth-place of the beautiful and accomplished but much-calumniated Mary Stuart. Exactly three months after Hawley's defeat, the battle of Cnt- loden was fought, which crushed the Rebellion, and ruined the Pretender's cause. In this memorable action, Wolfe acted as aid-de-oamp to General Hawley with the cavalry. He seems to have preferred this arm of the service to the infantry, and so expresses himself in one of the Glasgow letters, assigning as a reason that he had "good eyes." 16 It is unneoessary to enlarge on the well-known partioulan of the bloody field of Cnlloden. The rebels fought with desperation. The brunt of the battle fell on the regiments of Barrel and Munro. So furious was the broad-sword charge on these two devoted bat. talions, that the Highlanders fairly broke through them, and though they defended themselves bravely with their bayonets and spontoons, they would have been cut to pieces, had not Wolfe's father's regiment and another been promptly sent forward from the second line to their assistance, under shelter of which the dis- ordered ranks were re-dressed, and both regiments behaved with great gallantry. Charles Edward lost the day, chiefly through mismanagement, and his own obstinacy. Defeated at all points, the rebels retreated, but in good order ; and Cumberland, by no means active in the pursuit, contented himself in the first instance, Rnssian-Iike, with murdering the wounded. Though more than one hundred years have passed, the blood so ruthlessly shed by this man-butcher — in humanity's if not reason's ear — still cries from the ground ; and his name, deeply dyed as with gore, cannot be men- tioned but with abhorrence. Never was there a greater contrast than between Cumberland and his amiable young o£Scer, Wolfe. The latter, brave as a lion, yet kindly in his disposition as a young child ; the former the counterpart of a tiger in all its blood-thirsti- ness and cruelty. Wolfe, a prodigy of military skill ; Cumberland, indebted to the accident of being a King's son for a command which tarnished our arms at Fontenuy, outraged humanity in Scotland, and, at a later period, compelled him to retire from the army, a disgrace to his profession, haunted by the ghosts of the murdered old men, the wounded brave, the helpless women and children, ruthlessly cut down by this detestable and well-named ** human butcher." A single illustration will show the truth of this contrast. When riding over the field of battle, after the en- gagement, the Duke observed the young colonel of the Frazer re^ment lying woundcl. Frazer raised himself on his elbow, and looked at Cumberland, who, offended, turned and said — ** Wolfe ! shoot me that Highland scoundrel who thus dares to look on us with so insolent a stare."* Wolfe, horrified at this inhuman order, * Vide Brovorit Highlands and Clans, vol. 3, page 261, and authorities there cited. 16 If i ) eoolly replied that bis oommission was at his Royal Highness'a disposal, hot that he never would consent to become an execu- tioner. Other oflScers al»o refusing, a private soldier, at the Duke*s command, shot the gallant wounded young oflBcer, Frazer, before his eyei. After this signal defeat of the rebels, the Eing^s troops were cantoned throughout the disturbed districts to overawe the dis- affected. The distribution and quarters of the different regiments daring the summer of 1*746, are pointed out very distinctly in the Glasgow Journal of 31st July in that year, according to which it is ascertained that Barrel's regiment was then stationed at Stirling along with other two ; the district general ofiScers there being Major General Bland and Lord Semple. From the battlements of the ancient castle Wolfe often gazed on the magnificent land- scape thence unfolded to the spectator. At this time Wolfe was detached with his company to the small fort of Inveranaid, built soon after the rebellion of 1716, at the mouth of the romantic gorge stretching between Loch Lomond and the wild and pictu- resque region round Loch Ketturin and the Trossachs, to keep the turbulent MKjIregors and Rob Roy in check. This fortified ravine formed the line of demarcation between the countries of the bold McGregors, and of the loyal and once numerous clan Buchanan ; the upper shores of Loch Lomond skirting the former, and the lower the Buchanans' territory ; which last included the lofty broad-shouldered Ben ; and the group of beautiful, green-wooded islets that stud the bosom of the " Queen of Scottish Lakes," afforded friendly access to the troops, or "red soldiers," sent up from Dumbarton Castle in boats. The grey ruins of this antique little Inversnaid Fort still linger in peaceful repose. The armed men who there kept ward, and the fiery tribes they were intended to overawe, have alike long passed away ; but there it stands, as their memorial — its old walls, in some places, kindly screened from the wild mountain blast by the mantling ivy, while the nettle and fox-glove rustle within, as the summer wind plays idly through the ruins. We can imagine the great-hearted young soldier, surrounded by the grandeur of nature, which must have made a deep impression Highnesses an exeou- er, at the cer, Frazer, roops were re the dis- tref^iments Dctly in the to which it I at Stirling here being >attlement8 Scent land- Wolfe was snaid, built e romantic and pictu- to keep the ified ravine ^f the bold JBuchanan ; and the the lofty en-wooded ,'* alBTorded up from still linger ward, and alike long old walls, n blast by within, as funded by mpression 17 on h'n sensitive mind, studying, in this little Highland fortlet, that art which, at no distant day, was to make his name illustrious. But Wolfe was not allowed to remain long inactive in Scotland. The war on the Continent continued fierce ; and several of the best trained and most effective r^roents, then in the north, were ordered to Holland, to rejoin the English army, from which they had been the previous year withdrawn by the episode of the Scotch Rebellion. One of these was Barrel's, the discipline of which was considered a model to the whole. In the campaign which followed, the Allies were commanded by the Duke of Cumberland. But the heartless victor of Culloden bad now a very different opponent from Charles Edward. The renowned Marshal Saxe was at the head of the French army, whose great military geniue threw completely into shade the pre^ tensions of George the Second's favourite son. Cumberland was incapable of placing an array in a proper position on a field of battle, under the most ordinary circumstances, far less in the presence of such a master of war as then confronted him. The result might have been foreseen. Though the British troops be- haved with their usual courage, and performed prodigies of valor, yet being unskilfully posted, their efforts were unavailing. The Duke was fairly out'generalled, and his army repeatedly beaten. This was especially the case at the battle of Laufeidt, in Austrian Flanders, on 2d July, 1747, where Cumberland was totally de- feated, and only saved from utter destruction by the indomitable bearing of the British cavalry, under Ligonier, which checked the French advance on the retreating columns of mfantry. In this bloody engagement, Wolfe was wounded.* He behaved with great gallantry, and was publicly tlianked by the Duke for his conduct. Indeed, he was present at every engagement during the war, and never without distinction. Wolfe also applied himself closely, not only to the improvement. of his own military talents. * This is ascertained by the following notice of the wounded, in Bigg's Military Hiitory of Europe, from 1739 to 1748: — General and Staflf Officers :-^woanded, Xajor-Qen. Bland. Majors of brigade, Leslie, Wolfe, Soott, (fee. B QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY LIBRARy t^ ts bat to the introdaotion and maintenance of the mmt exact disci- pline in the corps; ttien generally too little nttindod to. This he did, without any unneces«een naanaged daring the Rebellion. In the letter jast referred to he write* :— " Such a •aooesiion of errors, and such a strain of ill' behaviour, as the last Scotch war did produce, can hardly, I believe, be matched in history. Our future annals will, I hope, be filled with more stirring events." On the 5th January, lt40, Wolfe was appointed MnjorofLord George Saokville*s regiment [the 20th], and in the month follow- ing he was again stationed at Stirling. He did not long hold the rank of major. He was promoted lieutenant-colonel of Saokville's on the 20th March, 1749. He was then stationed with hw they run !" Wolfe, who was in a half- fainting-fit, hearing the exulting shout, eagerly asked — "Who run?" It wa'. anryered — "The French; they give way in all directions 1" A gleam of satisfaction played for au instant on the dying General's countenance, and he feebly exclaimed — " Then I •■if St die content." But these were not literally, as is usually reported, the hero's last words. The latest articulated syllables conveyed an emphatic order for Webb's regiment to move down instantly to the St. Charles River, and secure the bridge there, to cut off the enemy's retreat ; after uttering which he expired in the arms of Sergeant Frazer, his favourite orderly.* The next officer in com- mand, Monckton, was dangerously wounded ; but the victory was most ably followed up and completed by Townshend, a talented and judicious young brigadier. Almost at the same time, the brave Montcalm also fell mortally wounded; but he only lived out the day, and expired on the next With his dying breath he addressed General Townshend, and recommended the French prisoners to " that generous humanity by which the British nation has always been distinguish- ed." His second in command shared the same fate. In the dispatch sent home by General Townshend, announcing * In one memoir of Wolfe I hare seen, it is reported, I know not on what authority, that when he was struck for the third time, anticipating that be could not long survive, he exclaimed, " Support me I let not my brave soldiers see me drop." And turning to a staff-officer near by (name not given) he added, " The day is ours — keep it." When Wolfe fell, there was found in bis pocket a small book — The Treasury of Fortification, by John Barker. It is now in the library of the Royal Artillery, Woolwich, On the fly-leaf is a memorandum in the hero's handwriting — " This is an exceeding [good ?] book on fortification. —Wolfe." His sash, saturated with blood, came into the possession of Colonel Stirling, of the 36th Foot, who got it from Sir Samuel Auchmuty. In the United Service Institution, London, there is a pencil profile of Wolfe, sketched by Harry Smith, one of his aides-de-camp, shortly before the fatal day of battle. It was presented to the Institution by the Duke of Northumberland, when Lord Prudhoe, and hangs near the case con- taining the sword worn by Wolfe when he fell. Wolfe's mother wrote three most affecting letters to Pitt, after her son's death, dated 6th, 27tb, and 30th November, 1759, which were printed. She survived her husband and son only five years, and died at her house, Qreenwich, 26th September, 1764. Her remains were placed beside those she loved so well. t» the victory of Sept 13, the writer did even more honour to bim- self than to the eabject of the following eulogium :— **I am not ashamed to own to you, that my heart does not exult in the midst of this success : I have lost but a friend in Oe« neral Wolfe, our country has lost a sure support and a perpetual honour. If the world were sensible at what a dear rate we have purchased Quebec in his death, it would damp the public joy. Our best consolation is, that Providence seemed not to promise that he should long remain amongst us. He was sensible of the weakness of his (bodily) constitution, and crowded into a few years action that would have adorned a length of life." When the news reached England, the national feeling was one of mingled exultation and sorrow, at the brilliant results on the one hand, and the loss of the gallant Wolfe on the other. Pitt made a most eloquent appeal to Parliament on the complete success of the campaign, and spoke of the transcendent merits of the fallen General, in language which drew tears from all who heard him. He concluded with a motion that an address be pre- sented to his Majesty, praying that he would order a monument to Wolfe's memory in Westminster Abbey. This was unanimous- ly agreed to ; and that ancient edifice, the solemn depository of the undying names of the good and the great, had committed to its charge another marble memorial, recording the worth of him who fell in Britain's causie, covered with glory, and whose name is embalmed in imperishable renown. Wolfe's father, the brave old General, died only a few days be- fore the arrival of the news ; and the mother of England's young hero had to lament, at one and the same time, in her old age, the double loss of her husband and their only son. Wolfe's body was brought to England, and laid by the side of his father's in a vault of Greenwich parish church.* His military cloak is preserved in the Tower; and his sword in the United Service Institution, Scotland Yard, London. ; li * I believe the British Qovernment intends to transport Wolfe's remains to Westminster Abbey, and deposit them in the chapel where his monu- ment stands. ^ onour to bim- leart does not » friend in Qq- id a perpetual rate we have he public joj. ot to promise lensible of the ed into a few ife." leling was one 'esults on the ) other. Pitt the complete lent merits of from all who ddress be pre- a monument 8 unanimous^ depository of ommitted to rorth of him rhose name is few days be- and's young old age, the e's body was s in a vault preserved in Institution, life's remains re his tnona« Wolfe was to have been married to Miss Lowther, a rich heiress, on his return. Some tolerable, if not affecting lines of poetry were written by him to this young lady on the eve of his departure. The following opening verses form a fair sample of the whole : — " At length, too soon, dear creature, Receive my fond adieu ; Thy pangs, oh I love, how bitter, The joys, how shorty how few I '^ I go where glory leads me. And dangers point the way ; Though coward love upbraids me, Stern honour bids obey. ** Two passions vainly pleading, . My beating heart divide ; Lo I there my country bleeding. And Acre my weeping bride. *' But, ah, thy faithful soldier Oan true to eitiier prove ; Fame fires my soul all over. While every pulse beats love. *' Then think, where'er I wander, The sport of seas and wind, No distance hearts can sunder Whom mutual truth has joined," Ac, Ac. Notu and Queries^ vol. iv. p. 322. He gave her a locket with some of his hair. Miss Lowther after- wards became Duchess of Bolton, and always wore Wolfe's last gift, covered with crape. On the arrival of the news of his death, indeed, many persons of all ranks wore mourning in token of res- pect foi him who died in their cause. The narrative part of my self-imposed labour of love is nearly finished. It now only remains for me to give two very brief summaries of the character and deeds of the hero of my story, from two competent estimators, one an eloquent countryman of 'I il the great departed, the other an aocomplitbod and great-henrted Amerioan writer :— - "Wolfe WMftMidnonilyand conioientionilj attentire to hU profeulon ( and constitutionallj and steadily daring. His mind, clear and aotire ; his temper lirelj, and almost impetuous ; independent without pride, and generous without provision. Great in discipline himself, he was always punctual to obey. His Judgment was acute, his memory quick and retentire, and his disposition candid, constant and sincere. The anion of the gentle and the bold, of ambition and affection, formed the peculiar charm of his character. His courage never quailed before danger, nor shrank f^om responsibility. His letters breathe a spirit of gentleness and tenderness, over which ambition could not triumph."* That name of Wolfe, a household word in the England of a century ago, has ev«n yet a charm in its sound, not only for the ear of every true Britoii, but throughout Saxondom on whichever side of the Atlantic it lie^. Thus does a popular American historian assure us, that our hero was the especial favourite of his ances- tors, and that " his name was long cherished among them with grateful remembrance ; " adding, ** how many tears have been shed among us at the simple recital of his death I How often by the 'resides of the colonists, for years afterwards, has the touching ballad, in which his devoted gallantry and his mournful fate are sung, drawn forth the sympathies of the listening circle ! *' f Far be it from as, then, to think that these cordial sympathies were wasted on an unworthy object; for was not our British Bayard " un preux chevalier," alike *' sans \^euT et sans reproche''; gentle as a lamb in the chamber, terrible as a lion in the field! * Warburton's Conqueat of Canada. London, 1860. f History of the United States, oh. IT. By John Frost, Philadelphia. Edit, of 1836. SUPPLEMENT. ^^tf^^^^^r'>^^^m^l^^^^ A. -SELECTED PASSAGES FROV WOLFE'S THIRTEEN UNPUILISHED LETTERS. LBTTBR FIRST. Glasgow, April 3d, 1U9. Dear BickioD,— When I saw your writing upon the baclc of a letter, I ooncluded it was in a^psequcnee of the mandate I sent you by Lieut. -Herria, of this regiment (that letter he carried upon your account and mine, not his own, as you will easily discoTer) ; but I find myself more in your debt than I expected. 'Twas your desire to please, and to ez« press the part you take in your friend's good fortune. These were the motives that persuaded you to do what you Iinew would be agreeable. You'll believe me, when I tell you that, in my esteem, few of what we call advantages in life would be worth acceptance, if none were to par- take them with us. What a wretch is he who lives for himself alon»— bis only aim I It is the first degree of happiness here below, that the honest, the brave, and estimable part of mankind, or at least some amongst them, share our success. There were several reasons conoor- ring to have sent me into Italy, if this had not happened [promotion] to prevent my Intentions. One was to avoid the mortifying cireum- stanee of going, a captain, to Inverness. Disappointed of my sanguine hopes, humbled ^o an excess, I could not remain in the army and refhse to do the duty of my office while I staid in Britain. If any things, I thought, were, and still are, wanting to my education. Certain never to reap any advantages that way with the regiment ; on the contrary, your barren battalion eonversation rather blunts the faculties than im- proves ; my youth and vigor bestowed idly in Scotland ; my temper daily changed with discontent ; and from a man one may become a mar- tinet or a monster. ^^i' '.'I I 36 Tou ih*!! hear, in Juitloe and in ntarn for jour eonfldene*, that I am not lesi tmitten than yourMlf. Th« winter we were in London tofether, I lometimet saw Miti Lawion, the Maid of Honour, Oeneral llordaunt's niece. She pleased me then; but the campaign iu view, battledore and dangeroni [tie], left little thought for lore. The last time I waa in town, only three weeki, I wai lereral timet with her— eome- timei in public, lometimee at her unole'i, and two or three timet at her own house. She made a lurpriiing progress in that short time, and won all my affections. Some people reckon her handsome : but I, that am her lorer, don't think her a beauty. She has much sweetness of temper, sense enough, and is rery ciril and engaging in her behaviour. She refused a clergyman with £1300 a-year, and is at present addressed to by a Tery rich knight, but, to your antagonist's misfortune, he has that of being mad added, so that I hold him cheap. In point of for- tune, she has no more than I hare a right to expect, ris., £12,000. The maid is tall and thin ; about my own age, and that's the only objection. I endeavoured, with the assistance of all the art I am master of, to find out how any serious proposal would be received by Mordaant and her mother. It did not appear that they would be very averse to such a scheme ; but as I am but 22 and 3 months, it is rather early for that sort of project ; and if I don't attempt her, somebody else will. The General and Mrs. Wolfe are rather against it, firom other more inter- ested views, as they imagine. They have their eye npon one of £30,000. If a company in the Guards is bought for me, or I should be happy enough to purchase any lieut.-coloners commission within this twelve- month, I shall certainly ask the question ; but if I'm kept long here, the fire will be extinguished. Young flames must be constantly fad, or they'll evaporate. I have done with this subject, and do you be silent npon it. Oornwallis is preparing all things for Nova Scotia ; his absence will over-bother me ; my stay must be everlasting; and thou know'st, Hal, how I hate compulsion. I'd rather be major upon half-pay, by my soul ! These are all new men to me, and many of them but of low mettle. Besides, I am by no means ambitious of command, when that command obliges me to reside far from my own, snrroundel either with flatterers or spies, and in a country not at all to my taste. Would to God you had a company in this regiment, that I might at least find some comfort in your conversation. Gornwallis asked to have Loftns with him. The duke [of Gumberland] laughed at the request, and refused him. Yon know I am but a very indifferent scholar. When a man leaves his studies at fifteen, he will never be justly called a man of letters. I am endeavouring to repair the damages of my education, and have a person to teach me Latin and the mathematics, two hours in a day, for four or five months. This may help me a little. v.y.f.tixK'rwrT''*^^ 87 LBTTBR SBOOND. [Tliis letter is dated in 17S0, but the place, tlie outHide addien » Rnd Mveral other parts nre crumbled away. Probably, however, it WHS still written from QIasgow,] Dear Rickion,— You were embarked Ion; before I thought yott ready for your expedition [to Nova Scolia], and sailed before I could Imagine you on board. * * * I look upon his [Lord Oornwallls'] situation as requiring one of his rtrj way of thinking, before all things else ; for to settle a new eolony, Justice, humanity, and disinterestedness are the high requisites ; the rest follows f^om the excellent nature of our Qorern- ment, which extends itself in ta\l force to Its remotest dependency. In what a state of felicity are our American colonies, compered f. ; those of other nations; and how blessed are the Americans tb at < r: our neighbourhood above those that border upon the French av«l Spa* nlards. A free people cannot oppress ; but despotism and blgr 'l J enemies among the most Innocent. It Is to the eternal hop-tr * '' ' English nation that we have helped to heal the wounds giv ue Spaniards to mankind, by their cruelty, pride, and oove.cdHaess. Within the influence of our happy Government, all nations are in eeeurlty. The barrier you are to form, will, if It takes place, strengthen ourselves, protect and support all our adherents ; and, as I pretend to have some concern for the general good, and a vast desire to see the propagation of freedom and truth, I am very anxious about the success of this undertaking, and do most sincerely wish that it may have a prosperous issue. I beg you will tell me at large the condition of your affairs, and what kind of order there Is In your community ; the notions that prevail ( the method of administering justice ; the distribution of lands, and their cultivation ; the nations that compose the colony, and who are the most numerous ; If under military government, how long that Is to continue ; and what sect In religious affairs Is the most prevailing. If ever you advise upon this last subject, remember to be moderate. I suppose the Governor has some sort of council, and should be glad to know what it is composed of. The southern colonies will be concerned in this settlement, and have probably sent some able men to assist you with their advice, and with a proper plan of administration. Tell me like- wise what climate you live in, and what soil you have to do with ; whether the country is mountainous and woody, or plain ; if well watered. • • *. LETTER THIRD. [Unimportant.] m m • LBttBR FOURTH. Bantt, 9th Jane, 1751. Tou hare giren me a very satisfactory account of the settlement, al fsr as 70a hare obserred, or hare had opportunity to inquire. Tlllfonr letter came, I understood that we were lords and proprietoirs of the north coast of Fnndy Baj— for there's a rast tHiet of covntry between that and the river of St Lawrence. It appears to me that Acadia [Nora Scotia] is near an island, and the spot where 70a are, a rtrj narrow space between the Qulf uid Ba7. If so, I conclude 70ur post will be greatl7 improved ; and, instead of the fallow works that 7011 describe, something substantial will be erected, capable of cDBtainiBg a large garrison, with inhabitants trained to arras, in expeet»tion of future wars with France, when I foresee great attempts to be made in joxa neighborhood. When I say thus, I mean in North America. I hope it is troe what is mentioned in the newspapers, that a strong naval arma- ment is preparing for your assistance. I wish they would increase yonv regiment with drafts firom the troops here. I could send you some very good little soldiers. If our proposal is a good one, I will shorten Um work, and lessen the expense. The present scheme* of eoononqr [alluding to the ilUoonsidered views of the Duke of Newcastle's adnua- istration] are destructive of grvat undertakings, narrow in the views, and ruinous in the consequence. I was in the House of Commons thul winter, when great sums of money were proposed for you, and granted readily enough, but notliing said of any increase of troops. Mr. Pelhan [Secretary of State] spoke very faintly upon the subject; wished gentlemen would well weigh the importance of these undertakings, before they offered them for public approbation, and seemed to intimate that it might probably produce a quarrel with our everlasting and irreo jncileable adversary ; this I took to be a bad prognostick ; a Hini»> ter iool in so great an affair, it is enough to freeze up the whole 1 but perhi'ps there might be a concealed maacenvre under these appeuanees, as, in >';ase of accidents, "I am not to blame," *'I was forced to carry it on," and :o forth ; in the meantime, I hope they arc vigorous in support* ing our claims. The country is in all shapes better than we imagined it, and the climate less severe ; the extent of our territory, perhaps, won't take a vast deal time to clear ; the woods you speak of are, I suppose, to the west of Sheganecto [Schenectady], and within the limits that tit* French ascribe for themselves, and usurp. Tours is now the dirties^ as well as the most insignificant and unpleasant branch of military opera* tion ; no room for courage and skill to exert itself, no hope of ending it by a decisive blow, and a perpetual danger of assassination ; these circum- stances discourage the firmest minds. Brave men, when they see the least room for conquest, think it easy, and generally make it so ; but 39 fhej grow iatpaitait with peifeioftl 4i8ad¥«nt«fM. I think Bartloo i» • Ion; fak loggerimftd wm fit •nougb for these hiad of eKpeditio^s, and would lavQ Mttch fatifue to better twa. I thonld hmi^ne that two or three independent HighUnd companiep night he of nne ; they are hardy, intrepid, aice««tQ««d to a roun^ country, and no great misehief if thej foil. [I] How cnn yon better employ a secret ensmy than by maldng hif end ceodneivie to the oontmon good 7 If thie sentiment should talce wind, what an execrable and bloody being should I be eoiuidered here in the midet of Popery and Jncobitism, surrounded on every nde as I «m with this itehy Scots race. [II] I don't underatuid what is meant by the wooden forts at Halifax. I have a poor conceit of wooden fortifio(kp> tions, and would wish to have them changed for a tampA't of earth, th« rest in time ; it is probable that the great attention that must be give* at first to building the fanbitations and clearing the ground about thf town, left no interval for other work ; but I hope to hear, in your next lattMT, that our principal city (Halifax) is considerably improved in strength. You, gentlemen, too, with your pdri^et three or four ft«it thick, that a heavy shower would dissolve, you ought to increase it, and p«t yourselves into a state of security. You appewr tp he the barrier and bulwark of our settlements on the land, and should be lodged in t| iniBcient fortress, and wiA an eye to enterprise. I imderstand, by your neemint, that the post you occupy is at a very small distance from the end of the Bay ; and should be glad to know how far that is from the nearest part of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, or from what (in the mai^> appears to be a lake, or harbour communicating with that Qvif. I rejoice much that you commanded that detachment with which your Lieutenant-Colonel marched ; the Indians might have had courage, in that case yon would have overcome them in battle under ti;e eye of yonx ehief ; as it was, he saw you well disposed to fight— perhaps I am talking at rand this is a dreadful mistake, and if obstinately pursued, will disgust a number of good intentions, and preserve that prevailing ignorance of military affairs that has been so fatal to us in all our undertakings, and will be for ever so, unless other measures are pursued. We fall every day lower and lower from our real characters, and are so totally engaged in everything that is minnte and trifling, that one would almost imagine the idea of war was extinguished amongst ns ; they will hardly allow us to recollect the little service we have seen ; that is to say, the merit of things seems to return into their old channel, and he is the brightest in his profession that is the most impertinent, talks loudest, and knows least • • ♦. LETTER FIFTH. [Unimportant.] **'^'^'**'"^°"f"'" iffl '^'■■■''ifTiiirfWmriWIlrl it LETTER SIXTH. * * * Since I began my letter to yon, yesterday, there's a fresh and loud report of war. More ships are ordered to be fitted oat ; and we must expect further preparations, suited to the greatness of the occasion. Ton in the north [of Scotland] will be now and then alarmed. Such s succession of errors, and such a strain of ill-behaTiour as the last Scotch war [the Rebellion of 1746] did produce, can hardly, I believe, be matched in history. Our future annals, will, I hope, be filled with more stirring erents. What if the garrisons of the forts had been under the orders of a prudent resolute man (yourself for instance), would not they have found means to stifle the rebellion in its birth ? and might not they have acted more like soldiers and good subjects than it appears they did ? What would have been the efifects of a sudden march into the middle of that clan who were the first to move ? What might have keen done by means of hostages of wires and children, or the chiefs themselves 7 How easy a small body, united, prevents the junction of distant corps ; and how favourable the country where yon are for such a manoeuvre. If notwithstanding all precautions they get together, a body of troops may make a diversion, by laying waste a country that the male inhabi- tants have left, to prosecute rebellious schemes. How soon must they return to the defence of their property (such as it is) their wives, their children, their houses, and their cattle? But, above all, the secret, sudden night-march into the midst of them ; great patrols of 60, 60, or 100 men each, to terrify them ; letters to the chiefs, threatening fire and sword, and certain destruction if they dar* to stir ; movements that seem mysterious, to keep the enemy's attention upon you, and their fears awake : these and the like, which your experience, reading, and good sense would point out, are means to prevent mischief. If one was to ask, What preparations were made for the defence of the ^orts ? I believe they would be found very insufiScienf. There are some things that are absolutely necessary for an obstinate resistance — and such there always should be against rebels — as tools, fascines, turf or sods, arms for the breach (long spontoons or halberds) palisades innumerable; whole trees, converted into that use, stuck in a ditch, to hinder an assault. No one of these articles was thought of, either at Fort Augus- tus or Fort-George ; and, in short, nothing was thought of but how to escape from an enemy most worthy of contempt. One vigorous sortie would have raised the siege of Fort-Augustus ; 100 men would have nailed up the battery, or carried the artillery into the castle. 4i Sergeant M'Pheraon* ihonld have a couple of hundred men in his neighbourhood, with orders to massacre the whole clan, if they show the least symptom of rebellion. They are a warlike tribe, and he is a canning, resolute fellow himself. They should be narrowly watched ; and the p>rty there should be well commanded. Trapaud will have told yon that I tried to take hold of that famous man with a very small detachment. I gave the English sergeant orders (in case he should succeed), and was attacked by the clan, with a Tiew to rescue their chief, to kill him instantly, which I concluded would draw on the destruction of the detachment, and furnitih me with a sufficient pretext (without waiting for any instructions) to march into their country, oii faurait fait main baise, sans misiricorde. Would you believe that I am so bloody 7 'Twas my real intention, and I hope such execu- tion will be done upon the first that revolt, to teach them their duty, and keep the Highlands in awe. They are a people better governed by ftar than favour. Hy little governor talked to me, some time ago, of a parcel of musket^ balls that belonged to us, which he offered to send us. We fire bullets continually, and have great need of them ; but, as I fbresee mueh difficulty and expense in the removal, I wish he would bestow them, or part, upon you ; and let me recommend the practice ; you'll soon find the alvantage of it. Marksmen are nowhere so necessary as in a mountain- ous country ; besides, firing balls at objects teaches the soldiers to level incomparably, makes the recruits steady, and removes the foolish appre- hension that seizes young soldiers when they first load their arms with bullets. We fire, first singly, then by files, 1, 2, 8, or more, then by ranks, and lastly by platoons; and the soldiers see the efl^cts of thehr shot, especially at a mark, or upon water. We shoot dbliquely, and in different situations of gronnd, from heights downwards, and oontmrywise. I use the freedom to mention this to yon, not as one prescribing to another, but to a friend who may accept or reject ; and because, possibly, it may not have been thought of by your commander, and I have expe- rience of its great utility. J. W. Bzeter, 7th March, 1766. * Formerly in the " Black Wateh," but now a chief of armed cateraiu, and an outlaw. He was afterwards taken and executed. Bums has immortalised him in " Macpherson's Bant." -TTri i r-mTi'm "Wi 43 LBTTER SEVENTH. « • To study the character of yoar general, to conform to it, and hj that means to gain his esteem and confidence, are such judicious measures, that they cannot fail of good efibcts. If I am not mistalten, Lord Oeorge [Beauclerlc] is a very eTen-t«mpered man, and one that will hearken to a reasonable proposal. If the French resent the afiVont put upon them by llr. Boscawen, the war will come on hot and sudden ; and tiiey iHIl certainly hare an eye to the Highlands. Their friends and allies in that country -vere of great use to them in the last war. That famous diversion ^ost us great sums of money and many liver, and left the Payt" Ba» to Saxe's mercy. I am much of your opinion, that, without a con- siderable aid of foreign troops, the Highlanders will never stir. I believe their resentments are strong, and the spirit of revenge prevalent amongst them ; but the risk is too great without help ; however, we ought to be cautions and vigilant. We ought to have good store of meal in the forts to feed the troops in the winter, in case they be wanted ; plenty of entrenching tools and hatchets, for making redoubts and cutting palisades, Ac. ; and we should be caatious not to expose the troops in small parties, dispersed through the Highlands, when there is the least apprehension of a commotion ; a few well-chosen posts in the middle of those clans that are the likeliest to rebel, with a force sufficient to entrench and defend themselves, and with positive orders never to surrender to the Highlanders (though ever so numerous), but either to resist in their posts till relieved, or force their way through to the forts, would I think, have lively efTects. A hundred soldiers, in my mind, are an overmatch for five hundred of your Highland milice ; and when they are told so in a proper wa'", they believe it themselves. It will be your business to know tht ..act strength of the rebel clans, and to inquire into the abilities of their leaders, especially of those that are abroad. There are people that can inform you. There ought to be an eagineer at the forts to inform the general of what will be wanted for their defence, and to give directions for the consiractir^. of small redoubts where the general pleases to order them. Nobody can say what is to become of us as yet. If troops are sent into Holland, we expect to be amongst the first. We are quartered at Winchester and Southampton; but turned out for the assizes. The fleet at Spithead expects orders to sail every hour. They are command- ed by Sir E. Hawk<^, who has the Admirals Byng and West to assist him. There are about thirty great ships, and some frigates ; the finest fleet, I believe, that this nation ever put to sea, and excellently well manned. Jasib Woiifl. Lymington, 19th July, 17S5. ^) 44 LETTER EIGHTH. Vy dear Rickson,— Though I have matter enough, and pleasure in writing a long letter, yet I must now be short. Your joy upon the occasion of my new employment, I am sure, is very sincere, as is that which I feel when any good thing falls to your share ; but this new office does neither please nor flatter me, as you may believe when I tell you that it was offered with the rank of colonel, which the king, guided by the duke [Cumberland], afterwards refused. His royal highness's reasons were plausible ; he told the Duke of Bedford (who applied with warmth) that I was so young a lieutenant-colonel, that it could not be done immediately ; but I should have known it in time, that I might have excused myself from a very troublesome business, which is quite out of my way. [What does this relate to 7] I am glad you succeeded 80 happily, and got so soon rid of unpleasant guests, and ill to serve ; it is ever the case that an unruly collection of raw men are ten times more troublesome than twice as many who know obedience. We are about to undertake something or other at a distance, and I am one of the party. [This relates to the subsequent unlucky descent on Roche- fort.] I can't flatter you with a lively picture of my hopes as to the success of it ; the reasons are so strong against us (the English) in whatever we take in hand, that 1 never expect any great matter ; the chiefs, the engineers, and our wretched discipline, are the great and insurmountable obstructions. I doubt yet if there be any fixed plan ; we wait for American intelligence, from whence the best is not expected, and shall probably be put into motion by that intelligence. I myself take the chance of a profession little understood, and less liked in this country. LETTER NINTH. [This letter was written immediately after Wolfe's return from the unlucky descent on Rochefort.] Dear Ricksbn, — I thank you very heartily for your welcome back. I am not sorry that I went, notwithstanding what has happened ; one may always pick up something useful from amongst the most fatal errors. I have found out that an admiral should endeavour to run into an enemy's port immediately after he appears before it ; that he should anchor the transport ships and frigates as close as can be to the land ; that he should reconnoitre and observe it as quick as possible, and lose no time in getting the troops on shore ; that previous directions should be given in respect to landing the troops, and a proper disposition made for the boats of all sorts, appointing leaders and fit persons for conducting the ■ ■.-..■„.^-^ . , ,. ..,.^^, , ,,^. „„„„,.^ 45 :. I different diTisiong. On the other hand, experience shows me that, in an afibir depending upon vigour and despatch, the generals should settle their plan of operations, so that no time may be lost in idle debate and consultations, when the sword should be drawn ; that pushing on smart- ly is the road to success, and more particularly so in an affair of this nature — [a surprise] — that nothing is to be reckoned an obstacle to your undertaking, which is not found really so upon tryal ; that in war something must be allowed to chance and fortune, seeing it is in its nature hazardous, and an option of difficulties ; that the greatness of an object should come under consideration, opposed to the impediments that lie in the way ; that the honour of one's country is to hare some weight, and that, in partiodlar oirodhbtamois add tihib, thi loss or 1000 MBN IB RATHER AN ADVANTACW TO A NATION THAN OTHIRWISI,* Seeing that gallant attempts raise its reputation, and make it respectable; whereas the contrary appearances sink the credit of a country, ruin the troops, and create infinite uneasiness and discontent at home. I know not what to say, my dear Rickson, or how to account for our proceedings, unless I own to you that there never was people collected together so unfit for the business they were sent upon— dilatory, ignorant, irresolute, and some grains of a very unmanly quality, and very unsoldier-like or unsailorly like. I have already been too imprudent : I have said too much, and people make me say ten times more than I ever uttered ; therefore, repeat nothing out of my letter, nor name my name as the author of any one thing. The whole affair turned upon the impracticability of escalading Rochefort ; and the two evidences brought to prove that the ditch was wet (in opposition to the assertions of the chief engineer, who had been in the place), are persons to whom, in my mind, very little credit should be given : without these evidences we must have landed, and must have marched to Rochefort ; and it is my opinion that the place would have surrendered, or have been taken in 48 hours. It is certain that there was nothing in all that country to oppose 9000 good Foot — a million of Protestants, upon whom it is necessary to keep a strict eye, so that the garrison could not venture to assemble against us, and no troops except the Militia within any moderate distance of these parts. Little practice in war, ease and convenience at home, great incomes, and no wants, with no ambition to stir to action, are not the instruments to work a successful war withal ; I see no prospect of better deeds ; I know not where to look for them, or from whom we may expect them. Ten the the * I have heard that this sentiment, which I have emphasized typographically having been expressed in conversation almost verbatim as above, and rcportud to Mr. Pitt, caused that great minister to keep Wolfe in vlow for some daring enter* prise, as soon as opportunity served. 4« Many handsome things would have been done by the troops had tbej been permitted to act ; as it is, Captain Howe carried off all the honour of this enterprise. The disaster in North America,* unless the French hare driven ftom their anchors in the harbour of Louisbourg, is of the most fatal kind ; whatever diminishes our naval force tends to our ruin and destruction. God forbid that any accident should befall our fleet in the bay I The King has given me the rank of colonel. J. W. Black Heath, 6th Nov., 1157. LETTER TENTH. Dear Rlckson, — Oal craft told me he had prepared a memorial for you, and was to give it in to Sir John Ligonier. My services in this matter, and my credit with the reigning powers, are not worth your acceptance ; but such as they allow it to be, you are as welcome to as any living man. I can assure you that Davy [Colonel David Watson] is double, and wonld shove you aside to make way for a tenth cousin ; it becomes my Lord G. Beauclerk [then Commander-in-Chief in Scotland] to confirm you in your oflBce, by asking and procuring a commission. If he is satisfied with your management, it is his duty to do it ; these mealy chiefs give up their just rights, and with them their necessary authority. The Commander in Scotland is the fittest person to recommend, and the best judge of the merits of those that serve under him. Though to all appearance I am in the very centre of business, yet nobody (from the indolent inattention of my temper) knows less of what is going on where I myself am not concerned * * *. Being of the profession of arms, I would seek all occasions to serve ; and, therefore, have thrown myself in the way of the American war, though I know that the very passage threatens my life [alluding to his indifferent health], and that my constitution must be utterly ruined and undone ; and this from no motive either of avarice or ambition. I expect to embark in about a fortnight. Black Heath, 12th January, 1757. [There were "Dowbs" in those days then, as well as Lord Pan- * This relates to the capture, by the French, of Fort-WiUiun Henry, on the south side of Lake Geoise, with all the artillery, vessels, and boats, on 9th August, 17S7, about three months prior to Wolfs's letter. The governor, Monro, had a garrison of 1000 men, and there was a covering army of 4000 besides, under Oensral Webb; but the latter, by the most unpardonable neglect and obstinacy, would not advance to Xonro's assistance, who had accordingly to capitulate. 'Wt-ll might Wolfe speak of it as a great "disaster." and 49 LETTER ELEVENTH. {Written on the eve of sailing from Portsinoutb, on the expe- dition against Louiabourg.] Dear RIekson, — The title of Brigadier [Pitt bad conferred it on him], which extends to America only, has no other adTantage than throwing me into aervico in an easy manner for myself, and such as my constitu- tion really requires ; our success alone will determine the more solid favours, for it ' - possible to deserve very well, and to be extremely ill received. The state of public afbirs is such that some measures must be pursued which prudence or military knowledge, perhaps, might not dictate. We shall have (if accident don't prevent it) a great force this year in America, and the country has a right to expect some powerftal efforts proportioned to the armaments. Success is in the hands of Providence, but it is in every, man's own power to do his part hand- somely • • •. We embark in three or four days. Barr^ and I have the great apart- ment of a three-decked ship to revel in ; but with all this space and this fresh air, I am sick to death. Time, I suppose, will deliver me from these suflferings ; though, in former trials I never could overcome it. Portsmouth, 7th Feb., 1*758. LETTER TWELFTH. pfV^fitten after Wolfe's return to England, from the capture of Louisbourg.] My dear Friend,— Tour letter dated in September, as well as the taut you did me the favour to write, are both received, and with the greatest satirfaetioii. I do not reckon that we have been fortunate this year in America. Our force was so superior to the enemy's that we night hope for greater saecess ; buth pleased the Disposer of all Things to check our presumption, by permitting Mr. Abercrombie to hnrry on thai prwsipitate attaek of Ticonderago, in which he iUled with loss. By the situation of that fort, by the superiority of our naval force there, and by the strength of our army, which could bear to be weakened by detachments, it seems to me to have been no very difficult matter to have obliged the Marquis de Montcalm to have laid down his arms, and consequently to have given up all Canada. In another cironmstanoe, too, we may be reckoned unlucky. The squadron of men-of-war under de Ohaflbrault failed in their attempt to get into the harbour of Louis- bourg, where inevitably they would have shared the fate of those that 48 did, wtaloh muat have given an irretrieTable blow to the marine of France, and delirered Quebec into our bands, if we chose to go up and demand it. Amongst ourselves, be it said, that our attempt to land where W6 did [alluding to the Louisbourg affkir] was rash and injudicious, our ■access unexpected (by me) and undeserved. There was no prodigioui exertion of courage in the affair ; an oflScer and 30 men wonld have made it impossible to get ashore where we did. Our proceedings in other respects were as slow and tedious at this undertaking was ill-advised and desperate ; but this for your private information only. We lost time at the siege, still more after the siege, and blundered from the beginning to end of the campaign. My Lord Howe's death (who was a truly great man) [he was killed in a skirmish in the woods, connected with the repulse of the British in their attack on Ticonderago] left the army upon the continent without life or vigour ; this defeat at Ticonderago seemed to stupify us that were at Louisbourg ; if we had taken the first hint of that repulse, and sent early and powerful succours, things would have taken perhaps a different turn in those parts before the end of October. I expect every day to hear that somo fresh attempts have been made at Ticonderago, and I can't flatter myself that they have succeeded ; not from aoy high idea of the Marquis de Montcalm's abilities, but from the very poor opinion of our own. You have obliged me much with this little sketch of that important spot ; till now I have been but ill acquaint* ed with it. Broadstreet's coup was masterly.* He is a very extraordinary man ; and if such an excellent officer as the late Lord Howe had the use of Broadstreet's uncommon diligence and activity, and unparalleled batoe knowledge, it would turn to a good public account. When I went from hence. Lord Ligonier told me that I was to return at the end of the campaign ; but I have learned since I came home, that an order is gone to keep me there ; and I have this day signified to Mr. Pitt that he may dispose of my slight carcase as he pleases, and that 1 am ready for any undertaking within the reach and compass of my skill and cunning. I am in a very bad condition both with the gravel and rheumatism, bot I had much rather die than decline any kind of service that offers ; if I followed my own taste, it would lead me into Germany, and if my poor * Thia refers to the surprise and capture of the important French fort, Frontlnao, on the north or French side of the St. Lawrence, where it issues fro«>* Lake Onta- rio, by Lieut.-ColoneI Broadstreet, who had been sent against it by ( eneral Aber- crombie, with a detachment of 3000 Provincials. Thia able officer destroyed the fort, with 60 pieces of cannon, 16 mortars, an immense depot of provisions for the French army ; took all the enemy's shipping on the lake, consisting of nine vessels, some of them mounting 18 guns, and rejoined Abercrombie, all without the loss of a man. Wolfe's compliment to him was well merited. 49 talent wai conBulted, they should place me in the cavalry, because nature has given me good eyes, and a warmth of temper to follow the first impressions. However, it is not our part to choose, but to obey. 31y opinion is, that I shall Join the army in America, where, if fortune favours our force and best endeavours, we may hope to triumph. I have said more than enough of myself; it is time to turn a little to your affairs ; nothing more unjust tlian the great raulc lately thrown away upon little men, and the good servants of the state neglected. * * Jamkb Wolfb. Salisbury, Ist December, 1708. "» Remember that I am Brigadier in America, and Colonel in Europe. Barr6 was in such favour with Qeneral Amherst that he tool< him to the Continent, and he very well deserves his esteem. LETTER THIRTEENTH-. [A fragment is all that remains. From circumstances, there is a presumption that the fragment was written about the time Wolfe was stationed at Canterbury, in 1755. The object in writing tlio letter was to give a young oflScer, who had just entered the army, some good practical advice how to become a thorough soldier.] Dear Huty, — By a letter from my mother I find you are now an officer in Lord Chs. Hay's regiment, which I Iieartily give you joy of ; and as I sincerely wish you success in life, you will give me leave to give you a few hints, which may be of use to you in it. The field you are going into is quite new to you, but may be trod very safely, and soon made known to you, if you only get into it by the proper entrance. I make no doubt but you have entirely laid aside the boy, and all boyish amusements, and have considered yourself as a young man going into a manly profession, wliere you must be answerable for your own conduct. Your character in life must be that of a soldier and a gentle- man : the first is to be acquired by application and attendance on your duty ; the second by adhering most strictly to the dictates of honour, and the rules of good-breeding. To be more particular on each of these points : When you join your regiment, if there are any officers' guard mounted, be sure constantly to attend the parade, observe carefully the manner of the officers taking their posts, the exercise of their spontoons [short pikes], &c. ; when the guard is off from the parade, attend it to the place of relief, and observe the manner and form of relieving; and when D ^ 60 you return to your chamber (which should be aa loon aa you could, leit what you saw alip out of your memory), conault BUmd't Military Ditd' plint on that head ; thia will be the readieat method of learning thiapart of your duty, which ia what you will bo the aooneat called on to perform. When off duty, get a aergeant or a corporal, whom the adjutant will recommend to you, to teach you the exercise of the firelock, which I beg of you to make youraelf aa much master of, aa if you were a aimple soldier ; the exact and nice knowledge of thia will readily bring you to underatand all other parts of your duty, make you a proper judge of the performance of the men, and qualify you for the post of an Adjutant, and, in time, many other employments of credit. When you are posted to your company, take care that the sergeants and corporals constantly bring you the orders ; treat those officers with kindness, but keep them at a distance, so will you be beloved and respected by them ; read your orders with attention, and if anything in particular concerns yourself, put it down in your memorandum book, which I would have you keep constantly in your pocket, ready for any remarks ; bo sure to attend constantly morning and evening the roll calling of the company, watch carefully the absentees, and inquire into reasons for their being so, and particularly be watchful they do not endeavour to impose on you sham excuses, which they are apt to do with young officers, but will be deterred from it by a proper severity in detecting them * • •. Such aro the chief parts of the packet of Wolfe's letters.* Frag- mentary though thoy be, they are valuable, for so little is known of his personal history, that oven a slight accession is interesting, and worthy of preservation. These letters open up glimpses of his character, and exhibit the tone and bent of his mind, through a medium very favourable for enabling us to judge. Written frankly and unreservedly, to one he sincerely esteemed, wo gain access to his inmost thoughts and opinions on subjects both of public and private interest ; while vre cannot fail to admire the warm and disinterested friendship evinced throughout — the proofs of a generous heart ; and we rise from the perusal with renewed regret for the early fall, and increased respect for the memory, of one in all respects so estimable and so worthy of the renown in- sepavable from his name. * Another letter by Wolfe, pointing out the best military books for a young officer to read, may be seen in the Edinburgh Magazine for January, 1852 ; and a few more first met tlie public eye in a Montreal daily paper, some Ave years ago. B. cer few Notice of the Commemoration of "Tlie Second Battle of the Plains of Abraham" (so called by M. Garoeau), fought in 1760, translated from a number of Pllluatration, or " Illustrated News *' of Paris, published July 81, 1854 : — *' On the Sth day of June last, there was celebrated at Quebec, the commemoration of the removal of the remains of the Franco-Canadian and British soldiery and militia killed in battle August 28, 1760, under the walls of Quebec ; upon which occasion, the French, commanded by the Chevalier de Levis, gained a signal victory over General Murray, Governor of Quebec, and Commander-in-chief for England in Canada. Upon this occasion, the bones of the conquerors and the vanquished, having been previously raised from the spot, where they had reposed indiscriminately together for nearly a century, were borne in procession to a new and more honourable place of sepulture, with great pomp and solemn observance." After giving many details of the proceedings, the writer, quoting the Journal de Quebec as his authority, thus proceeds : — " The corners of the funeral car were supported by Messrs. Morin, Tach6, Garon, Laterricre, Chabot, Chauveau, Salaberry, Panet, Vigcr, Gauchon, Qarneau, Faribault, Legar^, Dumoulin, Baiilargd, and Deputy- Adjutant-General Macdonald. The British soldiers of the 66th and 7l8t Regiments of Foot rendered military honours to the victorious bones of the French departed, at an auspicious moment ; namely, at an epoch when Britain and France, in armed brotherhood, were battling together for a common cause upon a soil of the olden world [adverting to the campaign of the Crimea and siege of Sebastopol.] Arrived at Govern- ment-house, M. Louis Panet made an harangue to the Governor of Quebec ; who made a suitable reply thereto, in course of which he con- gratulated the citizens and others present upon the becoming manner in which the happy idea of honouring the relics of the brave of other days had been carried out. Thereafter Colonel Tach^, in an historical discourse, which lasted one hour, described tlie battle in which his fore- fathers triumphed. Prolonged cheers followed, not unaccompanied with hurrahs for success to the arms of the Allies against those of Rus- sia," &c. 52 " Now," demanded the sympathising writer for V Illustration, " was there nothing in all this, than every-daj complim^tary ceremonials ? Not to speak of the visible signs therein of a consoling sympathy be- tween the men of alien race and adverse creeds, long bitterly discordant} and even in our own day at open war, we derive an assurance that England and France, in cordial union now and for ever, as having com- mon objects in view, will, between them, rule the whole civilised earth. D^anrit figitra hujus mundi : the alliances of empires, indeed, are sub- ject to change ; man himself passes away ; but the spirit of religion and the sentiment of human benevolence are eternal." Nor does it appear that the Quebec Demonstration gave the smallest offence to the British-descended portion of the citizens, or to the English- speaking population of any other part of the Canadas. Why, then, should the French journalists of the Province have taken such strong exception in 1858-9 (only four or five years afterwards) to a proposition of a like nature — if of more comprehensive character — proposed to be carried out at the present time, to do honour alike to our several ances- tors, British and French — those who fought and bled to conquer, those who fought and died in vain? Are Britain's fairly-gained successes never to be pardoned ? " We pause for a reply." Meantime, let all Canadians of French descent be assured that wk, men of British origin, indorse, generally, this sentiment of the great Lord Chatham, who stimulated the conquest of Canada : " I have ever loved HONOCBA.BLB wab" — it is not in Anglo-Saxon nature to practise any other. We always respected and yet respect the memory of the dead, of both races, who lay, side by side, stark and cold, on the Plains of Abraham, this day a completed century ago. Adopting, modifiedly, the words of an eminently patriotic poet to my own use, I thus conclude : — " True Britons e.v'\t not o'er those they've laid low. Whose back's on the field, and their feet to the foe ; Who losing the battle, unblotted their name, ' Look proudly to heaven fVom the death-bed of Fame." A. B. 3 Montcalm Stbbbt, Mohtbeal, Septembe- 13, 1859* THE END.