=Source.=--Wolfe's Despatch of 2nd September, 1759, quoted in the
_Gentleman's Magazine_ for October, 1759.
... The Admiral's despatches and mine would have gone eight or ten
days sooner, if I had not been prevented from writing by a fever.
I found myself so ill, and am still so weak, that I begged the
general officers to consult together for the public utility. They
are all of opinion that (as more ships and provisions have now got
above the town) they should try, by conveying up a corps of 4, or
5000 men (which is nearly the whole strength of the army, after the
points of Lévis and Orleans are left in a proper state of defence),
to draw the enemy from their present situation and bring them to an
action. I have acquiesced in their proposal, and we are preparing
to put it in execution.
The Admiral and I have examined the town with a view to a general
assault; but, after consulting with the chief engineer, who is well
acquainted with the interior parts of it, and after viewing it
with the utmost attention, we found that, though the batteries of
the lower town might be easily silenced by the men-of-war, yet the
business of an assault would be little advantaged by that, since
the few passages that lead from the lower to the upper town are
carefully entrenched; and the upper batteries cannot be affected
by the ships, which must receive considerable damage from them and
from the mortars. The Admiral would readily join in this or in any
other measure for the public service; but I could not propose to
him an undertaking of so dangerous a nature and promising so little
success.
To the uncommon strength of the country, the enemy have added (for
the defence of the river) a great number of floating batteries
and boats. By the vigilance of these and the Indians round our
different posts, it has been impossible to execute anything by
surprise. We have had almost daily skirmishes with these savages,
in which they are generally defeated, but not without loss on our
side.
By the list of disabled officers (many of whom are of rank) you may
perceive, Sir, that the army is much weakened. By the nature of the
river the most formidable part of this armament is deprived of the
power of acting, yet we have almost the whole force of Canada to
oppose. In this situation, there is such a choice of difficulties
that I own myself at a loss how to determine. The affairs of Great
Britain, I know, require the most vigorous measures; but then the
courage of a handful of brave men should be exerted only where
there is some hope of a favourable event. However, you may be
assured, Sir, that the small part of the campaign which remains
shall be employed (as far as I am able) for the honour of his
Majesty and the interest of the nation, in which I am sure of being
well seconded by the Admiral and by the Generals. Happy if our
efforts here can contribute to the success of his Majesty's arms
in any other parts of America, I have the honour to be, with the
greatest respect, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,