1709.]

CORNBURY RECALLED.

139

tain his authority by a greater display of im periousness and arrogance; but falling deeply into debt, he suffered himself to be humbled by the assembly whose rights he had so haughtily disputed, and became contemptible in the eyes of the people, by parading the fort dressed in the clothes of a woman, and by similar acts of recklessness and folly.

Disgusted alike with his antics and his knavery, the public indignation at length vented itself in clamorous petitions for his recall. Their efforts were successful; and in 1709, Lord Lovelace arrived at New York commissioned to supersede Cornbury in the government of the province. Losing with his office his immunity from arrest, Cornbury had no sooner recognised the commission of his successor, than his creditors threw him into the custody of the sheriff of New York, where he remained until he succeeded, by the death of his father, to the earldom of Clarendon. He then returned to England, bearing with him the unenviable distinction of having been one of the worst provincial governors that had ever received an appointment from the English crown.

CHAPTER XI.

Lovelace demands of the assembly a permanent revenue-An annual grant substituted-Death of Lovelace-Administration of Ingoldsby-Abortive attempt to invade Canada-Discontent of New York-Address to Queen Anne-Colonel Schuyler repairs to England, accompanied by five Mohawk chiefs-Reception of the latter in London-Their interview with the Queen-Governor Hunter arrives at New YorkThe assembly refractory-Expedition against Canada-Its shameful failure-Activity of De Vandreuil-The provincial troops disbanded-Indignation of England and the coloniesCharges brought against St. John and Harcourt-Controversy between Hunter and the assembly in relation to a permanent revenue-The point carried by the governor-Gloomy condition of the province-Negro insurrection-Peace of Utrecht-Permanent revenue granted-Hunter's popularity -His return to England.

THE first assembly convened by Lord Lovelace met in April, 1709. In his opening address to the members, he demanded, on behalf of the crown, the grant of a permanent revenue, the discharge of the debts of the provincial government, and, for his own satisfaction, a full examination of the public accounts, in order that he might be exonerated from debts which were not of his contracting.

The assembly responded by congratulating Lovelace on his arrival among them, and by assuring him of their desire to consult the good

1709.]

CANADA INVADED.

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of the country and his satisfaction; but as the loose and unprincipled conduct of Cornbury had taught them the policy of retaining in their own hands an entire control over the appropriations, they declined voting any more moneys than were necessary for the annual support of the govern

ment.

As this placed the governor and the other servants of the crown entirely at the mercy of the assembly, there is no doubt that Lovelace would have resisted an innovation by which his prerogative was restricted within such narrow limits; but having contracted a disorder in crossing the ferry at New York, on his first arrival in the province, he died the 5th of May, 1709, while the assembly was in session, and was succeeded by Richard Ingoldsby, the lieutenant-governor.

The brief administration of Ingoldsby was only remarkable for another abortive attempt to invade Canada, for which large preparations had been made by New York and the New England provinces.

The design being to co-operate with a strong British fleet, in a simultaneous attack upon Quebec and Montreal, troops from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire, assembled at Boston, and awaited the arrival of the promised squadron, while the quotas of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, numbering some fifteen hundred men, marched to Wood Creek, near the

head of Lake Champlain, where they erected fortifications, and stored their provisions.

Just

As usual, unforeseen obstacles occurred. as the expedition was about to set sail from England, an alarming defeat, suffered by the Portuguese, rendered it necessary for the British ministry to despatch the fleet and troops intended for America, to the support of their ancient ally. Deeply mortified at having been thus foiled in the prosecution of a favourite project, the colonial levies were recalled and disbanded.

New York was particularly disconcerted at this unexpected result. The province had been lavish of its means to make the invasion as effective as possible. The expenses it had incurred amounted to twenty thousand pounds. Besides maintaining its quota of volunteer and independent companies, it had enlisted six hundred Iroquois warriors, and supported at Albany, during the period of their absence, one thousand of their wives and children.

Disappointed at the failure of an enterprise upon the success of which the security of the frontiers so much depended, the assembly declined to assist in an attack upon Acadia, which was agreed upon soon after, during a congress of colonial governors held at Newport, in Rhode Island. Believing that in the spread of the French from the region of Canada westward, the greatest danger was to be apprehended by the British colonies, the assembly, in the month of

1710.]

SCHUYLER VISITS ENGLAND.

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October, 1709, drew up an address to the queen, setting forth their views upon the subject.

"It is well known," they wrote, "that the French can go by water from Quebec to Montreal. From thence they can do the like, through rivers and lakes, at the back of all your majesty's plantations on this continent as far as Carolina. And in this large tract of country live several nations of Indians who are vastly numerous. Among those they constantly send emissaries and priests, with toys and trifles, to insinuate themselves into their favour. Afterward they send traders, then soldiers, and at last build forts among them; and the garrisons are encouraged to intermarry, cohabit, and incorporate among them; and it may easily be concluded, that upon a peace, many of the disbanded soldiers will be sent thither for that purpose.'

About this time, Colonel Schuyler having expressed his determination to proceed to England, at his own expense, for the purpose of urging personally upon the government the necessity of the conquest of Canada, the assembly entered warmly into his views by passing an unanimous resolution testifying to his long and faithful public services, and by intrusting to his charge their address to the crown.

Accompanied by five Mohawk chiefs, Schuyler reached England early in the spring of 1710. The presence of the stately savages created a