The measures of administration had disquieted the British settlers, without conciliating the ancient inhabitants.

At the same time, the regular troops had been chiefly ordered to Boston, and the province left almost entirely undefended.

These facts were known in the United Colonies.

It was also known that military stores to an immense amount had been deposited in Quebec, and that preparations were making to invade the colonies from that quarter.

The possession of that country was believed to be all important; and its present temper countenanced the opinion, that its weight would be thrown into the scale of that party, which should first show a force in it sufficient for the protection of its inhabitants.