History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

CHAPTER XXVI.
REVOLUTION— INVASION OF CANADA.
An Expedition against The attempt to Capture Canada quickly
Canada. followed the reductioH of the forts that
barred the gate-way thither, .
The com-
manders most conspicuous in accomplishing these glorious
results were the first to suggest the desirability of using
the road they had laid open. To Col. Ethan Allen and
Col. James Easton, belongs the credit of the first proposition
for the conquest of Canada. Almost simultaneously
these two men recommended the movement, the former to
the Provincial Congress of New York, and the latter to
that of Massachusetts. Heretofore the colonies had suffered
much from the hostile raids emanating from Canada.
They considered it a matter of self-protection to conquer or
neutralize that Province. While they hoped for assistance
from the people living there, when once an army of invasion
appeared, they also understood the advantage of a
speedy movement in that direction before British troops
arrived. The proposition was favorably received by both
governments. New York and Connecticut furnished an
army of 2,000 men, under command of Gen. Philip Schuyler,
who had been appointed by the Continental Congress,
commander of the northern division of the army, and of
Gen. Richard Montgomery. During the last days of
August this little army marched into the enemies' country.
St. Johns and Fort Chamble were captured, and the efforts
to enlist soldiers in Canada were reasonably successful. On
the 13"' of November, Gen. Montgomery marched into the
city of Montreal, Gen. Schuyler having been compelled by
sickness to retire. No regiments from this section participated
in this expedition, and no further detail of its movements
seems necessary.