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.

.,ET 46.1 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 311
so, is to be lamented more at this time than formerly,
as we are far advanced in the dispute, and, in the opinion of many, drawing to a happy period; we have the
eyes of Europe upon us, and I am persuaded many
political spies to watch, who discover our situation and
give information of our weaknesses and wants."
The conquest of Canada was always a favorite project with Congress; and at this time, when the British
forces were divided by being employed against the
French in the West Indies, it was thought that a good
opportunity offered itself for turning the arms of the
United States against that province. After the termination of the affair at Rhode Island, the Marquis de Lafayette went to Philadelphia, and obtained a furlough from
Congress, with the intention of returning to France on
a short visit. In concert with him a plan was formed
of an attack on Canada, which was to be the principal
object of the ensuing campaign, and the basis of which
was a cooperation with a French fleet and army. Lafayette was to have full instructions for arranging the
matter with the court of Versailles, aided by the counsel and support of Dr. Franklin, then the American
plenipotentiary in France.
The plan was on a very large scale. Attacks were
to be made by the American army at three points far
distant from each other, namely, Detroit, Niagara, and
by way of the Connecticut River; while a French fleet
should ascend the St. Lawrence, with four or five
thousand troops, and act against Quebec. The scheme
was discussed, matured, and approved with much unanimity in Congress, and then sent to Washington with
the request that he would communicate his sentiments.
He replied in a long despatch, entering minutely into
the subject, and showing that the plan was impracticable; that it required resources in troops and money,