a chain of fortified places from Canada to Louisiana, in the rear of the English colonies. The mother country was alarmed, as well as the colonies, and suggested the necessity of confederating for the purpose of mutual safety.

DR. FRANKLIN'S PLAN OF GOVERNMENT.

In July 1754, commissioners from the northern and middle colonies met at Albany, and agreed to a plan of union drawn up by Dr. Franklin. By this it was proposed that the confederated colonies should have a general government formed by delegates from the several colonies, and appointed by the houses of representatives, once in three years. This government was to be administered by a president general, who was to be appointed by the crown once in three years. This plan was submitted to each of the colonial assemblies, and one to the king's council; but it shared "the singular fate of being rejected by both; by the first, because it was supposed to give too much power to the representative of the king; and by the last, because it was supposed to give too much power to the representatives of the people."

ENCROACHMENT OF THE FRENCH AND MISSION OF WASHINGTON.

The French, continuing their encroachments on lands claimed by the colonies or the crown of Great Britain, occasioned an order from the latter to the colonies to resist the French. In November, 1753, Major, afterward General Washington, was sent by Governor Dinwiddie, of Virginia, to learn the views of the French, who had taken possession of the territory on the Ohio. By the answer of the French commander, it appeared that the French government claimed the country, and were determined to hold possession. The Virginians then erected a fort on the Monongahela, but it was taken by the French in 1754. In July, of the same year, Washington, who commanded about four hundred men, was attacked by superior numbers, and obliged to capitulate. In 1755, hostilities again commenced between Great Britain and France, and America became the theater of operations.

BRADDOCK'S DEFEAT.

In 1755, in order to drive the French from the Ohio, the British government sent over General Braddock with two regiments to Virginia. Being joined by Colonel Washington, with a body of colonial troops, they arrived at Fort Cumberland in June. Here Braddock left Col. Dunbar with eight hundred men, to carry forward the pro

visions and heavy baggage, while he advanced toward Du Quesne, the French fort which stood on the present site of Pittsburg. Marching along with twelve hundred troops, he fell into an ambuscade of French and Indians, who, concealed behind trees, fired with fatal effect. Braddock and his principal officers were killed, with about seven hundred men: the remainder were saved by the brave and skillful conduct of Colonel Washington.

DEFEAT OF DIESKAU.

At the time of Braddock's expedition against the French on the Ohio, the northern colonies raised a body of about five thousand men to take Crown Point, a fort fifteen miles north from Ticonderoga. These troops were placed under the command of Major General, afterward Sir William Johnson, aided by a body of Indians under Hendrick, the celebrated chieftain. While they were encamped at Lake George, waiting for boats to proceed down the lake, the Baron Dieskau, with a body of French and Indians, advanced by South Bay with a view to attack and seize the camp at the portage, now called Fort Edward. Being informed that the place was defended by cannon, and that General Johnson's camp was destitute of large guns, the baron altered his plan and attacked Johnson's troops. A severe struggle ensued, and the French were repulsed with the loss of several hundred men, and the brave Dieskau was severely wounded and made a prisoner. General Williams, of the colonial troops, and the brave Hendrick were killed.

EXPEDITION AGAINST THE ACADIANS.

In the same year, 1755, an expedition against Nova Scotia was conducted by Lieutenant Colonel Monkton, a British officer, and Lieutenant Colonel Winslow, with a force of about three thousand men mostly drawn from Massachusetts. The principal fortress was taken with little loss. The inhabitants were descendants from the French settlers, and were called Acadians: they were of a mild, frugal, and industrious character, about seven thousand in number. They called themselves Neutrals, but it appears that they had furnished the French and Indians with intelligence, quarters, and provisions. As they refused to take the oath of allegiance, it was determined to disperse them among the British colonies. To prevent the resettlement of those who escaped, the country was laid waste and their dwellings were destroyed.

REVERSES OF THE CAMPAIGNS OF 1756 AND 1757.

The campaigns of 1756 and 1757, ended with loss and disgrace to the British arms. In 1756, Oswego, on Lake Ontario, with a garrison of one thousand four hundred men, was surrendered to the French, and in 1757, Fort William Henry, at the south point of Lake George, was besieged by General Montcalm, and after a brave resistance from Colonel Munroe, the commanding officer, it was surrendered to the French. Shocking barbarities were committed upon the prisoners, after they had marched from the fort, by the Indians in the service of the French.

THE REDUCTION OF LOUISBURG.

In 1758, great efforts were made to subdue the French in America. Three armies were employed; one commanded by General Amherst, destined to take Louisburg, which had been surrendered to the French; one under General Abercrombie to act against Crown Point, and a third under General Forbes, to drive the French from the Ohio. A fleet under Admiral Boscawen, and twelve thousand men under General Amherst, laid siege to Louisburg, which was captured after a vigorous resistance. Three French ships of the line were burnt in the harbor, and two were taken. Forty cannon out of fifty-two were dismounted in the principal bastions, before the besieged consented to capitulate. The inhabitants of the island were sent to France, and the prisoners to England; and after the conquest of Canada, in 1760, the fortifications of Louisburg were reduced to a heap of rubbish.

DEFEAT OF ABERCROMBIE BEFORE TICONDEROGA.

As the reduction of the French forts at Ticonderoga was a point of great importance to the northern colonies, they made great exertions to carry it into execution. For this purpose they raised about ten thousand men. They were accompanied with between six and seven thousand regular troops. This army arrived near Ticonderoga. After disembarking from the batteaux and other boats, the troops had to march through the woods. Their guides proved unskillful, the troops became bewildered, and the columns were broken. Lord Howe, a young officer and idol of the army, advancing at the head of the right column fell in with an advanced guard of the enemy, by whom he was killed at their first fire. The main body advanced to within a short distance from the fort. General Abercrombie, igno

his artillery.

rant as to its strength, determined to attack it without bringing up

The army advanced to the charge with the greatest intrepidity, and for more than four hours maintained the attack with incredible obstinacy. But the works where the principal attack was made, were eight or nine feet high, and impregnable even to field pieces; and for nearly a hundred yards from the breastwork, trees were felled so thick, and so wrought together with their limbs pointing outward, that it rendered the approach of the troops, in a great measure, impossible. In this dreadful situation, under the fire of three thousand of the enemy, these gallant troops were kept without the least prospect of success, until nearly two thousand were killed and wounded. Abercrombie then called off his troops and retreated to his encampment at the south end of Lake George.

SUCCESSES OF THE ENGLISH.

The operations of the British and colonial arms in other places, were more successful than at Ticonderoga. Fort Frontenac, on the

ficer sent Major Grant forward with eight hundred men, to reconnoiter the country and fort. The detachment was met by a superior French force and defeated with the loss of Colonel Grant and three hundred men. The French, however, abandoned Fort Du Quesne, and retreated down the Ohio. General Forbes took possession of the place, and named it Pittsburg, in honor of the British statesman, which name it has retained to this day. In 1759, General Amherst took possession of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, they being abandoned by the enemy. The French fort at Niagara was besieged by