The fleet soon afterwards surrendered, and the General prepared, with the utmost expedition, to proceed with the few troops who were willing to follow him, to the capital of Canada.
Diminished as his army was by the discharge of those who claimed the performance of his engagements made at St.John's, it was necessary to leave a part of it at Montreal, St.John's, and Chamblee to garrison those places--keep open the communication between Quebec and the United Colonies--preserve the dependence of the Canadians--overawe the Indians, and hold in check the garrisons above him at Detroit and Niagara.

These essential objects, though provided for with the utmost possible economy of men, formed such deductions from his force, as to leave little more than three hundred soldiers to follow their General in the enterprise against Quebec.
{August.} Foreseeing that the whole force of Canada would be concentrated about Montreal, General Washington had planned an expedition against Quebec, to be carried on by a detachment from his camp before Boston, which was to march by the way of Kennebec river; and, passing through the dreary wilderness lying between the settled parts of Maine and the St.
Lawrence, to enter Canada about ninety miles below Montreal.
The object of this hardy enterprise was to compel Carleton, either to draw his troops from the upper country and leave the passage open to the army invading the province by the way of the river Sorel, or, if he should maintain that position, to take possession of Quebec.

All his accounts assured him that this place was unable to hold out against the force which would appear before it; and, if attacked by an American army before the return of Carleton, would surrender without firing a shot.
This arduous enterprise was committed to Colonel Arnold.

About a thousand men, consisting of New England infantry, some volunteers,[20] a company of artillery under Captain Lamb, and three companies of riflemen, were selected for the service.
[Footnote 20: Colonel Burr, since Vice President of the United States, was of this number.] [Sidenote: Arnold's expedition by the way of the Kennebec.] Such delays in expediting this detachment were occasioned by the derangements of the army, that Arnold could not commence his march until the middle of September.
The success of the expedition depending in a great measure on the friendly temper of the province against which it was directed, the instructions given to Arnold earnestly inculcated the cultivation of a good understanding with the Canadians; and even enjoined an abandonment of the enterprise, should this sudden invasion of their country threaten to irritate them, and induce them to take up arms against the United Colonies.

He was furnished with about one thousand pounds in specie to defray contingent expenses, and with a cargo of manifestoes to be dispersed through Canada.
The opinion which had been formed of the favourable disposition of the Canadians was not disproved by the event.