Page:American History Told by Contemporaries, v2.djvu/397

No. 129] of his Majesty's consummate wisdom from the proper interests of Europe, or divert his generous cares from endeavouring to prevent the final overthrow of all Europe, and independency amongst the powers of the continent. In this salutary view it is that the King has, in his great prudence, come to a resolution of ordering the dispositions of the court of Madrid, in this alarming conjuncture, to be sounded ; and, as the same shall be found favourable, a negociation to be, without loss of time, opened on the grounds and to the ends contained in the minute above recited. . ..



129. The Fall of Quebec (1759) BY CAPTAIN JOHN KNOX

REAT preparations are making, throughout the fleet and army, co surprise the enemy, and compel them to decide the fate of Quebec by a battle : all the long-boats below the town are to be filled with seamen, marines, and such detachments as can be spared from Points Levi and Orleans, in order to make a feint off Beauport and the Point de Lest, and endeavour to engross the attention of the Sieur de Montcalm, while the army are to force a descent on this side of the town. The Officer of our regiment, who commanded the escort yesterday on the reconnoitring party, being asked, in the General's hearing, after the health of one of the gentlemen who was reported to be ill, replied, — 'he was in a very low indifferent state ;' which the other lamented, saying, 'he has but a puny, delicate constitution.' — This struck his Excellency, it being his own case, who interrupted, 'Don t tell me of constitution, that Officer has good spirits, and good spirits will carry a man through every thing.'. ..

The Brigadiers Monckton and Murray, with the troops under their command, reimbarked this day, from the parish of St. Nicholas, and returned to their ships. This evening all the boats of the fleet below the town were filled with marines, &c. &c. covered by frigates and