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projection of the rocks, and the branches of trees and plants, growing on the cliffs. The rest of the troops, emulating their example, followed up the narrow pass; and by break of day (September 13th) the whole army reached the summit.

Montcalm, when informed that the English had gained the heights of Abraham, which in a manner commanded Quebec, could not at first credit the intelligence. Believing the ascent of an army by such a rugged and abrupt precipice impracticable, he concluded it was merely a feint, made by a small detachment, to induce him to abandon his present position. When convinced of his mistake, he perceived that a battle could no longer be prudently avoided, and instantly prepared for it. Leaving his camp at Montmorency, he crossed the river St. Charles with the intention of attacking the English army. No sooner did Wolfe observe this movement, than he began to form his order of battle. His troops consisted of six battalions, and the Louisbourg grenadiers. The right wing was commanded by general Monckton; and the left by general Murray. The right flank was covered by the Louisbourg grenadiers; and the rear and left, by Howe's light infantry. The form, in which the French advanced, indicating an intention to outflank the left of the English army Gen. Townshend was sent with the battalions of Amherst, and the two battallions of royal Americans, to that part of the line; and they were formed en potence, so as to present a double front to the enemy. The body of reserve consisted of one regiment, drawn up in eight divisions, with large intervals. The dispositions, made by the French general, were not less masterly. The right and left wings were composed about equally of European and colonial troops. The center consisted of a column, formed of two battalions of regulars. Fifteen hundred Indians and Canadians, excellent marksmen, advancing in front, screened by surrounding thickets, began the battle. Their irregular fire proved fatal to many British officers; but it was soon silenced by the steady fire of the English. About nine in the morning, the main body of the French advanced briskly to the charge; and the action soon became general. Montcalm having taken post on the left of the French army, and Wolfe on the right of the English, the two generals met each other, where the battle was most severe. The English troops reserved their fire until the French had advanced within forty yards of their line; and then, by a general discharge, made terrible havoc among their ranks. The fire of the English was vigorously maintained, and the enemy every where yielded to it. General Wolfe, who, exposed in the front of his battalions, had been wounded in the wrist, betraying no symptom of pain, wrapped a handkerchief round his arm, and continued to encourage his men. Soon after, he received a shot in the groin; but, concealing the wound, he

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was pressing on at the head of his grenadiers with fixed bayonets, when a third ball pierced his breast. The army, not disconcerted by his fall, continued the action under Monckton, on whom the command now devolved, but who, receiving a ball through his body, soon yielded the command to general Townshend. Montcalm, fighting in front of his battalions, received a mortal wound about the same time; and general Senezergus, the second in command, also fell. The British grenadiers pressed on with their bayonets. General Murray, briskly advancing with the troops under his direction, broke the center of the French army. The Highlanders, drawing their broadswords, completed the confusion of the enemy; and, falling on them with resistless fury, drove them, with great slaughter, partly into Quebec, and partly over the St. Charles. The other divisions of the army behaved with equal gallantry. M. de Bougainville with a body of two thousand fresh troops appeared in the rear of the victorious army; but the main body of the French army was already so much broken and dispersed, that he did not hazard a second attack. The victory was decisive. About one thousand of the enemy were made prisoners, and nearly an equal number fell in the battle and the pursuit; the remainder retired first to Point au Tremble, and

afterward to Trois Rivieres and Montreal. The loss of the English, both of killed and wounded, was less than six hundred men.

General Townshend proceeded to fortify his camp, and to make the necessary preparations for the siege of Quebec; but, five days after the victory, the city surrendered to the English fleet and army. By the articles of capitulation, the inhabitants were, during the war, to be protected in the free exercise of their religion; and their future destination was left to be decided at a general peace. The capital of New France, thus reduced under the dominion of Great Britain, was garrisoned by about five thousand men under the command of general Murray; and the British fleet sailed out of the St. Lawrence. Quebec contained, at the time of its capitulation, about ten thousand souls.

The prisoners were embarked in transports, the day after the capitulation, for France. General James Wolfe, who expired in the arms of victory, was only thirty three years of age. He possessed those military talents, which, with the advantage of years and opportunity of action, to moderate his ardour, expand his faculties, and give to his intuitive perception and scientific knowledge the correctness of judgment perfected by experience,' would have 'placed him on a level with the most celebrated generals of any age or nation.' After he had received his mortal wound, it was with reluctance that he suffered himself to be conveyed into the rear. Leaning on the shoulder of a lieutenant, who kneeled down to support him, he was seized with the agonies of death; but, hearing the words 'they run,' he exclaime‹l, Who run?' 'The French,' replied his supporter. Then I die happy,' said the general, and expired. A death more glorious, says Belsham, is no where to be found in the annals of history. Montcalm was every way worthy to be a competitor of Wolfe. He had the truest military genius of any officer, whom the French had ever employed in America. After he had received his mortal wound, he was carried into the city; and when informed, that it was mortal, his reply was, 'I am glad of it.' On being told, that he could survive but a few hours, 'So much the better,' he replied, 'I shall not then live to see the surrender of Quebec.""

COLONIAL ANTIQUITIES.

Foundation of the government of Plymouth Colony.-The Plymouth settlers on their arrival at Cape Cod, not finding themselves within their patent, concluded it necessary to establish a government for themselves. They accordingly formed themselves into a body politic by a solemn contract' of which the following is a copy, with the name of the signers.

"In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are under written, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign Lord King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, king, defender of the faith, &c., having undertaken, for the glory of God and advancement of the christian faith and honor of our king and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents, solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God and of one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation, and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof do enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal laws and ordinances, acts, constitutions, and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the colony, unto which we promise all due subjection and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names, at Cape Cod, the 11th day of November, in the year of the reign of our sovereign Lord King James of England, France and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fiftyfourth, Anno Domini 1620."

This compact was subscribed in the following order by

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Extracts from the early Records of Plymouth Colony." January 1627-It was now enacted by public consent of the freemen of this society of New Plymouth, that if now or hereafter any were elected to the office of Governor, and would not stand to the election, nor hold and execute the office for his year, that then he be amerced in twenty pounds sterling fine; and in case refused to be paid upon the lawful demand of the ensuing Governor, then to be levied out of the goods or chattles of the said person so refusing.

It was further ordered and decreed that if any were elected to the office of councell and refused to hold the place, that then he be amerced in ten pounds sterling fine, and in case refused to be paid to be forthwith levied.

It was further decreed and enacted that in case one and the same person should be elected governor a second year, having held the place the foregoing year it should be lawful for him to refuse without any amercement. And the company to proceed to a new election except they can prevail with him by entreaty.

July 1, 1633. That the person in whose house any were found, or suffered to drincke drunck, be left to the arbitrary fine and punishment of the Governor and Councell according to the nature and circumstances of the same.

That none be suffered to retale wine or strong water, or suffer the same to be druncke in their houses, except it be at some inne or vict

ualling house, and there only to strangers at their first coming, not exceeding the value of two pence a person; and that no beer be sold in any such place to exceed two pence the Winchester quart."

"1636. That none be allowed to be house keepers or build any cottages till such time as they be allowed and approved by the governor and councill.

That none be allowed to marry, that are under the covert of parents, but by their consent and approbacion. But in case consent cannot be had, then it shall be with the consent of the Governor or some assistant to whom the persons are known, whose care it shall be to see the marriage be fitt before it be allowed by him. And after approbation be three severall times published before the solemnising of it. Or else in places where there is no such meetings, that contracts or agreements of marriage may be published, that then it shall be lawful to publish them by a writing thereof made and set upon the usual publicke place for the space of fifteen days, provided that the writing be under some majestrats hand or by his order."

"1638.-Whereas divers persons unfit for marriage, both in regard of their yeong yeares, as also in regard of their weake estate, some practiseing the inveagleing of men's daughters and maids under gardians, contrary to their parents and gardians likeing, and of mayde servants, without leave and likeing of their masters: It is therefore enacted by the Court, that if any shall make any motion of marriage to any man's daughter or mayde servant, not having first obtained leave and consent of the parents or master so to doe, shall be punished either by fine or corporall punishment, or both, at the discretions of the bench, and according to the nature of the offence.

It is also enacted, that if a motion of marriage be duly made to the master, and through any sinister end or covetous desire, he will not consent thereunto, then the cause to be made known unto the magistrates, and they to set down such order therein as upon examination of the case shall appear to be most equall on both sides.

It is enacted by the court that according to the former acts of this court concerning labourers wages, that a labourer shall have 12d a day and his dyett, or 18d a day without dyett, and not above throught the Govern't."

"1640.—That if any persons take tobacco whilst they are empannelled upon a jurie, to forfeit five shillings for every default, except they have given up their verdict, or are not to give yt until the next day or dep't, the court by consent.

1641. It is enacted that every township within this government, do carry a competent number of peeces fixed and compleate with powder, shott, and swords, every Lord's day, to the meetings-one of a house from the first of September to the middle of November, except their be some just and lawfull impedyment.

1642. That all Smyths within the government be compelled to amend and repaire all defective armes, brought unto them, speedily, and to take corn for their pay at reasonable rates; and the Smyth refusing, to answer it at his p'll.

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