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The Father of British Canada: a Chronicle of Carleton by William (William Charles Henry) Wood
page 67 of 173 (38%)
for neither of them then knew that both sides of the St
Lawrence were occupied in force at two different places
on the perilous way to Quebec.

The little flotilla of eleven vessels got safely down to
within a few miles of Sorel, when one grounded and delayed
the rest till the wind failed altogether at noon on the
12th. The next three days it blew upstream without a
break. No progress could be made as there was no room to
tack in the narrow passages opposite Sorel. On the third
day an American floating battery suddenly appeared, firing
hard. Behind it came a boat with a flag of truce and the
following summons from Colonel Easton, who commanded
Montgomery's advance-guard at Sorel:

SIR,--By this you will learn that General Montgomery
is in Possession of the Fortress Montreal. You are
very sensible that I am in Possession at this Place,
and that, from the strength of the United Colonies on
both sides your own situation is Rendered Very
disagreeable. I am therefore induced to make you the
following Proposal, viz.:--That if you will Resign
your Fleet to me Immediately, without destroying the
Effects on Board, You and Your men shall be used with
due civility, together with women & Children on Board.
To this I shall expect Your direct and Immediate
answer. Should you Neglect You will Cherefully take
the Consequences which will follow.

Carleton was surprised: and well he might be. He had not
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