The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

156 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. [1775.
detachment, who assigned as a reason the want of
provisions. In a little more than two months from the
time he left Cambridge, Arnold was encamped on the
Plains of Abraham under the walls of Quebec, his
effective strength being five hundred and fifty men.
He summoned the town to surrender, but his force was
too small to warrant an assault. The other aim of the
undertaking was effected. It caused a diversion of the
enemy favorable to the operations of General Montgomery, who, at the head of the American army, entered
Canada from Lake Champlain, took Montreal, and ultimately formed a junction with Arnold near Quebec.
The conduct of Arnold, in the management of the
expedition, was approved by the Commander-in-chief,
and applauded by the country. He had overcome
obstacles of the most formidable kind, sustained the
fortitude of his men when sinking under incredible
hardships from cold, hunger, and fatigue, and proved the
confidence in his resources and activity not to have
been misplaced.
The deficiency of powder in the camp at Cambridge
continued to be a cause of extreme anxiety to Washington. Small quantities were collected, but in no proportion to the demand. What added to his concern
was, that the enemy might discover his weakness on
this account, and march out to attack him. In such an
event, the whole army must inevitably be routed and dispersed. Secrecy was indispensable; and consequently the people at large were as ignorant of his condition,
as the enemy within their lines. Murmurs began to be
audible that the army was inactive, and that a superiority of numbers might justify an attempt against the
town. The subject was referred to a council of general
officers, who unanimously opposed such an experiment.
A report next gained credit, that tenderness for the