George Bancroft, History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 4, 15th edition.

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Chapter 14:

The conquest of Canada—Pitt's ministry continued.

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1759.

America more and more drew the attention of

chap. XIV.} 1759.

statesmen; and Pitt, who was well informed, and, though at that time inaccessible to Franklin, had, occasionally, through his under-secretaries, continued to profit by Franklin's wisdom, resolved that the boundless North of that continent should be a conquest for his country. With astonishing unanimity, parliament voted for the year twelve millions sterling, and such forces, by sea and land, as till those days had been unimagined in England. ‘This is Pitt's doing,’ said Chesterfield, ‘and it is marvellous in our eyes. He declares only what he would have them do, and they do it.’

In the arrangements for the campaign, the secretary disregarded seniority of rank. Stanwix was to complete the occupation of the posts at the West from Pittsburg to Lake Erie; Prideaux to reduce Fort Niagara; and Amherst, now commander-in-chief and the sinecure governor of Virginia, to advance with the main army to Lake Champlain. To command the