and Cotton Mather, his son, both voluminous authors, may be said to have founded American literature. "Cotton Mather's Magnalia," says Emerson, "the first important book written by a native in this country, has a vitality still which makes it entertaining reading." "The Magnalia is an ecclesiastical history of New England.

GENERAL QUESTIONS AND DIRECTIONS.

Prepare a chronological table of the dated events given in Chapter Ninth. Prepare a list of the forts and settlements founded between 1689 and 1748. What wars occurred within the same period? What noted persons figured in the colonies? What English sovereigns reigned during the time of the intercolonial wars? What French sovereign? What is meant by the expression royal province? What is a charter? Give a brief oral summary of Chapter First. Second. Third. Fourth. Fifth. Sixth. Seventh. Eighth. Ninth. How long was it from the settlement of Jamestown to the close of the fourth intercolonial war?

CHAPTER TENTH.

CONQUEST OF NEW FRANCE.

1748-1763.

N association, known as the Ohio Company, obtained a grant of 500,000 acres of land on the northern margin of the Ohio River; and Christopher Gist, in 1751, carried the surveyor's chain almost as far westward as the falls of the Ohio. Anticipating English occupancy of regions claimed by themselves in virtue of La Salle's discoveries, the French made haste to fortify Presque Isle (présk eel'), on Lake Erie, and, pushing southward, they established forts Le Boeuf (leh bef) and Venango on French Creek. This was in 1753. Robert Dinwiddie, lieutenant-governor of Virginia, sent George Washington,* a youth of twenty-one, to demand of the French an explanation of their encroachments.

Washington was politely received at Le Boeuf and Venango, but the French were in nowise disposed to relinquish their claims. In the spring of 1754 some of Dinwiddie's soldiers commenced building a fort at the head of the Ohio,

See Irving's, Weems's, Marshall's, Sparks's, Paulding's, Headley's, Ramsay's, and Everett's Life of Washington.

QUESTIONS.-99. What grant did the Ohio Company obtain in 1749? What forts did the French erect in 1753, and why? What was George Washington's first embassy?

but they were driven away by the French, who completed the fort and named it Du Quesne (du kain'). Washington, leading a detachment of Virginia troops that had been enlisted to resist the French, surprised a scouting party, killed ten men and captured the rest. Having taken the precaution to erect, at Great Meadows, an imperfect stockade, which he called Fort Necessity, Washington moved toward Du Quesne. He was met by a superior force under M. De Villiers (då ve'ye-à'), and was obliged to fall back to his entrenchments, where, assailed furiously on the 3d of July, he made a gallant defense. Having kept up the fight all day against hope, Washington surrendered the fort on the agreement that his men should be allowed to retire with baggage and arms.

100. The final struggle of France and England, for dominion in America, was at hand. Early in 1755 both nations dispatched fleets across the sea in anticipation of war. In June two French ships were intercepted by the English off the foggy banks of Newfoundland, and captured. Before the end of the year, 300 French vessels fell a prey to British cruisers.

101. Edward Braddock was commander-in-chief of the English and American forces. His camp was formed at Fort Cumberland, on the Virginia border. Early in June his army, consisting of British regulars and colonial volunteers, moved westward through the unbroken wilderness. The march was slow and toilsome. On the 8th of July the Monongahela River was reached by the advanced lines of a chosen force of 1,200. Scouts had already apprised Contrecœur, the commander at Du Quesne, of the enemy's approach. Braddock disdained to take precautions against foes whom he held in contempt, and, contrary to the advice of Washington, he pressed recklessly on, sending a few scouts ahead to reconnoiter. "At about nine miles from

When and by whom was Fort Du Quesne built? Give an account of Washington's first military operations.

100. What naval operations took place in 1755?

101. Recount the story of Braddock's march and defeat.

the fort, they reached a spot where the narrow road descended to the river through deep and gloomy woods, and where two ravines, concealed by trees and bushes, seemed formed by nature for an ambuscade."

Hidden in these ravines, the French and their stealthy Indian allies crouched, awaiting the British, who moved proudly on, unconscious of danger. Suddenly the concealed foe, raising a terrific yell, fired upon the advancing grenadiers. A dreadful scene of carnage and confusion ensued. For three hours the battle raged. More than 700 British soldiers were killed, and over forty officers. Braddock fell. The command then devolved upon Washington, who rode among the panic-stricken soldiers endeavoring to rally them. Two horses were shot under him; four times his clothes were pierced by bullets. In spite of his cool demeanor and strong personal effort to reform the broken ranks, dismay prevailed, and those of the English that escaped death and capture fled with precipitation. Nor could order be restored until all had reached Philadelphia. The Indians who witnessed the defeat and panic of Braddock's army, began to doubt the bravery of the English. On the other hand, they conceived a high opinion of the prowess of the French, with whom they readily formed an alliance. They at once began to ravage the unprotected frontier of Pennsylvania and Virginia.

102. A force of over 2,000, commanded by Col. Monckton, found little difficulty in overcoming the French in Acadia. The forts on the Bay of Fundy were surprised and captured in June. A cruel outrage was perpetrated upon the peaceful farmers who dwelt in rustic simplicity about Beau Bassin. The English demanded that these inoffensive people should take an oath of allegiance to Great Britain. This they would not do, and their refusal was made a pretext by the English for the execution of their inhuman scheme. The Acadians were treacherously kidnapped, hurried on

What was the British loss? What effect had this battle upon the Indians? 102. Relate the conquest of Acadia. What was the fate of the people of Beau Bassin ?

66

board of ships, and transported, some to every British colony in America. 'Wives separated from their husbands in the confusion of embarking, and children from their parents, were carried off to distant colonies, never again to see each other!"*

CANADA Α

Plattsburgh

arlington

Crown Pt
Ticonderoga
Hubbardton

103. An expedition under William Johnson,† destined to attack Crown Point, had encamped near Lake George. A detachment under Colonel Williams was sent out by Johnson to intercept Dieskau (dees'kow), a German officer in the French service, who was marching to attack Fort Edward, on the Hudson. Williams was slain, and his small force was driven back with slaughter. Dieskau, following up his advantage, attacked Johnson's camp, and a hot engagement ensued, in which the English came off victorious. The French were repulsed with the loss of 1,000 inen. Dieskau received a fatal wound. The English loss was 300. In this battle the backwoodsmen of America first proved their mettle in coping with the disciplined soldiers of Europe. Johnson did not proceed against Crown Point, and the French were allowed to establish themselves at Ticonderoga.

2

Skenesborough

Ft. Aub

Ft.Wm Henry

Saratoga

Ft. Edward

U 10 20 30 40 50
Scale of Miles.

LAKE CHAMPLAIN

104. War was not formally declared between France and England until May, 1756. In the following August, Louis Joseph de Montcalm (mont-kåm'), successor of Dieskau,

*See Longfellow's Evangeline, a Tale of Acadia,-Poem.

† See W. L. Stone's Life of Sir Wm. Johnson.

103. What forts were on or near Lake Champlain? Give the particulars of the encounter between the forces of Johnson and Dieskau near Lake George. How did the colonial soldiers behave in this fight?

104. When was war formally declared? What was the first achievement of Montcalm?