LETTRE D!' LIEUTENANT MACLEAN A LORD GERMAIN

(Archives du Canada, série Q.. vol, 12, p. 49)

Quebec 10 may 1776, My Lord,

l congratulate my King and Country on the appoint ment of Lord George Crermein to be secretary of State to the American departement in times of such dangers and difficulties as those we now have.

A full and aceurate detail of atfairs here will be given Your Lordship by my brave honest friend co'onel Caldwell who carries the general dispatches ; colonel Caldwell commanded the regiment of British militia who so bravely and s0 greatly contributed to defend Quebec, and itis but justice to Say that his merit on this occasion deserves the greatest favours his Kins and country have made him the object of the vengeance and resentment of the rebells, for they burnt his houses and destroyed his property to a very considérable amount, all 1 shall say about myself is that L'endeavoured to do my duty, and am happy that my endeavours have in some degree contributed to the glorious end that has crowned our endeavours with success, The moment the restofthe 29th regiment are arrived at Quebec with the 47th near in the river from Halifax, 1 hope we shall follow the rebells close at their heels, and not give them time to recuver from the panick and consternation that their late precitate retreat from Quebec has reduced them to. T'have now My Lord à glorious prospect before us earls in the season, [ also hope we have had experience sufficient to convince us that our unactivity and want of spirit was what greatly contributed to the distresses to wbich this province has been reduced last yeur, timidity in the field my Lord is a dangerous matter, for Tam convinced few goncrals capable of conducting a defensive War.

[ have the honor to be with the most profound respect My Lord your Lordship's most humble and most obedient servant, ALLAN MACLEAN.

X APPENDICE PIÈCE No. 5 LETTRE DE CARLETON A GERMAIN (Archives du Canada, série Q. vol. 12, p.17)

Quebec 1Hth muy 1776.

My Lord,

After the town naë been closeiy invested by the rebels for five months and defeated all their attempts, the Surprise irigute, Isisand sloop Martin came into the basin the üth instunt,

As soon as that part of the 29th they had on board with their marines, in all about two hundred, were landed, they, with the greutest part of the garrison, by this time much improved, and in high spirits, marched out of the ports of St-Louis and St John's, to see what those migty boasters were about ; they were found very busy in their preparatives for a retreat, a few shot being exchanged, the line marched forward, and the plains were soon cleared of those plunderers, all their artillery military stores, scuiing ladders, petaras etc. etc., were abandoned, the Surprise, Martin and a province armed vessel went up th river, when they also quitted the Gaspé, and the schooner Mary ; the reur of the rebels have halted at Dechambault, and the Surprise with the other two vessels, ure à little upon the side ofthe Faïls of Richelieu.

Thus ended our siege and blockade, during which, the mixed garrison of soldiers, suilors, british und canadian militia, with the artificers from Halifax and Newfoundland, shewed great zeal and patience under very severe duty, and uucommon vigilance, indispensable in a place able to be storm’d, besides great labour necessary to render such attemptsless practicable : Notwithstanding the inclement season they preserved good health and their spirits increased every day : À copy of my letter to general Home will inform your Lordship of our situation to the defeat of the rebels to the 31th of december.

For three months after they confined their operations to the preventing all supplies from coming to town,

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oard were n, by rched what very einer lains lery were Pied

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APPENDICE XI

and in burning our suburbs and shipping ; the latter have almost all escaped but the greater part of the suburbs of St-Rock and St-Jean have been burned, the remainder was brougth into town for fuel, which was much wanted.

The beginning of februury the rebels again attempted to enter into a correspondence by a flag of truce, enconraged to it, Esupjose, by a permi:ion graated for the prisonérs baggage to enter the to a, but as they were told immediately to withdraw, unless they come to implore the kings merey, they have not since returned.

Marih the 23th the advanced guurd of a party raiscd by M. Beaujeu to relieve the town, was defeated, the rest dspersed ; the 31 st it was discovered that the rebel prisoners had formed à plot to escape, to seize the guurd at St-John's gate, und let in M. Arnold, which was etfectually disappointed.

The 4th of upril the rebels opened a battery of four euns and one Howitzer from the opposite side of the river St Lawrence, and the 22 and another of two guns, und one Howitzer from the opposite side ofthe river St Churles, these were ulso intended to burn the town und +hipping, from both they fired red hot bull ; the 23rd the; attempted throwing some shells into town from a battery and the height opposite to port St-Louis, all those batteries were much dumaged by our Artillery.

May the 3rd about ten at pight a fire ship attempted to run into the cul de «ac, where the greatest part ofour shipping we laid up, but this also proved abortive, and she burnr 10 .he waters edge without doing at the least iniury ; it is supposed they intended a general assau!t. ‘ad they succceded in stting fire to the ships and lower town.

Ï cannot conclude this letter without doing justice to lieutenant colonel Muaclean, who huis been indefautigably zeaious in ‘he king’s service, and to his regimert, wherein he hus cellected a number of expcrienced good officers, who have been very useful : colonel Hamilton, who commande the battalion of Seumnen, his officers and men discharged this duty with great alacrity and spirit, the same thing must be acknowledged of the masters inferior officers and seamen belonging to his Majesty's

XII APPENDICE

transports, and merchant men detained here last full ; only one scaman deserted here the whole time ; the miitia british and canadian bebaved with a steadiness and resolution, that could hardiy have been expected from men unused to Arms, judges and other ofticers of governement as well 48 merchants, chearfully submitted to every inconvenience to preserve the town ; The whole indeed upon the occasion showed a spirit and perseverance, that does them great Honour.

The 47th from Halifax, and the greatest part of the 29th are since arrived.

Major Caldwell, who commanded the british militia all winter, as lieutenant colonel commandant, and is bearer of these dispatches to your lordship, has proved himself a faithfull subject of His Majest'y’s and an active diligent officer ; he, and indeed almost every loyal subject, are very considerable sufferers by the present hostile Invasion,

Fam with respect your Lordship's most obedient and most humble servant,