1759] FORBES' DEATH. 215 affected by the severity of the weather and the fatigues of the march to recover from the exhaustion which his strength had suffered. He was carried back on the hurdle with the troops in their homeward march. At a halt, where necessary, a chimney was built in advance, so that a fire could be lighted for his warmth and sustentation. On one occasion, at a place called Tomhack camp, the chimney was not built, the damp wood would not burn, and Forbes had to sit shivering and suffering in the cold. In spite of the severity of the weather, he continued his journey; it must have been a period of trial and pain. On the second of January he left fort Bedford, as Raestown was now called; a week later he passed through Carlisle, to arrive at Philadelphia shortly after the 14th of January. Owing to his bad health, he had applied for leave of absence, and he had received an answer that the leave would be granted. He still performed his duty, and, to shew his satisfaction with the conduct of the troops composing the column in the campaign, at the end of February he ordered a medal to be struck, to be presented by him to every officer in the expedition.* It was to be one of the many unfilled purposes with which history abounds. The hand of death was on Forbes; he had not a month to live. He was to witness no one of the triumphal consequences of his generalship; he was to pass away before even the commencement of the important operations. of the year, which were to prove one series of successes. He struggled between life and death for some three weeks, to die on the 10th of March, 1759, at Philadelphia. He was buried in Christ Church, of that city.† Lieutenant James Grant to Bouquet. Philadelphia, 20th February. "General Forbes has ordered a medal for the officers who have been in the last campaign. The medal has on one side the representation of a road, cut through an immence (sic) forest, over rocks and mountains, the motto, 'Per tot discrimina ;' on the other side are represented the confluence of the Ohio and Monongahela rivers, a fort in flames in the forks of the rivers at the approach of general Forbes, carried in a litter, followed with the army marching in columns with cannon. The motto: Ohio Britannica Consilio Manuque.' This is to be worn round the neck with a dark blue ribbon." [Can. Arch., A., 14, p. 81.] + The statement of the Pennsylvania Gazette, that he died on the Sunday No monument is erected to Forbes, either in Christ Church, where he was buried, in his native place, or at any spot in the empire which he served so faithfully. No Campo Santo, devoted to the memory of the illustrious dead, displays a tablet to record his services, his abnegation, and his undaunted resolution. Pennsylvania and Virginia, and Pittsburg which he founded, have not only forgotten all that he achieved, but have ceased to remember even that he lived. Notwithstanding this neglect, his name will ever remain prominently emblazoned in its own nobility in the page of history as that of one, whose genius, firmness, and patriotism secured for the British race the valley of the Ohio, with the southern shore of lake Erie, and the territory extending to the Mississippi. before the 15th of March (the 11th) is incorrect. I am indebted to Dr. Edward A. Foggo, rector of Christ Church, Philadelphia, for the precise date of brigadier Forbes' death. Dr. Foggo was good enough to take much trouble in this matter at my request. I learn from him that the record simply reads "Brigadier General Forbes," with the date. Forbes was buried near the south wall of the church building on 2nd street, between Market and Arch streets. Dr. Foggo has carefully pointed out that this is not the larger cemetery at 5th and Arch street, where Franklin and other prominent men were buried. The ground about the church on the south side has been levelled, and laid over with brick; many stones which project are still to be seen; no one, however, shews the spot where the remains of Forbes lie. Tradition places his resting place near the building in the centre of the lot. I am sure there are many who with myself will acknowledge their obligations to Dr. Foggo. 1759] QUEBEC. 217 CHAPTER VI. The belief was firmly established throughout Canada that Quebec was unassailable by water. Men who were little beyond middle life remembered the failure of Walker in 1711, and to all it must have been a familiar tradition. From the miserable collapse of that expedition, the opinion prevailed that no English ships, without competent pilots, would attempt the ascent of the Saint Lawrence. The intricacies of the channel between île aux Coudres and the island of Orleans were regarded as making navigation impossible, unless by those acquainted with them; and no one doubted that, the landmarks being removed, an attempt to ascend it must end in disaster. The feeling was likewise entertained that the defence of Quebec was particularly the duty of the French navy; that it was to France its protection was confided. Accordingly little care had been given to guard against any possible dangers of the future. The main obligation of Canada was considered to be the safeguarding of lake Champlain ; and if opportunity permitted, to attack Albany. In the west the possession of lake Ontario was regarded to be indispensable in order to admit of supplies being delivered at Niagara, whence they could be forwarded to the Ohio, to Detroit, and to the further western posts. Montcalm during the war looked unfavourably on the maintenance of forts at extreme distances, as the duty of garrisoning them dissipated the strength of the province. The general feeling was in their favour, for they were regarded as the mainstay of the fur trade, and so many were interested in its profits that the policy of protecting these posts obtained almost universal support. There was one strong sentiment in the Canadian mind which could always be called forth, the intensity of belief in the truth of the form of worship universally professed, joined |