284 INTRODUCTION. chap. vn. dition; three thousand pounds were added by 1709. New Jersey; eight thousand pounds by Con- necticut; and a considerable body of troops raised in the several colonies, destined for the Expedition attack of Montreal, marched under the com- Montreal, mand of Mr. Nicholson to Wood creek; from whence they had the mortification to return without rendering any service. The chagrin produced by this grievous disappointment, only stimulated the colonists to additional efforts to obtain from England a force sufficient to drive the French out of their possessions in North America. Colonel Schuyler, who possessed more than any other the confidence of the colony, and who was in a high degree sensible of the importance of uniting the whole northern part of this continent under the same sovereign; undertook, at his own expense, a voyage to England for the purpose of communicating more certainly to the ministry, his sentiments on this subject. To add to the impression, he took with him five Indian sachems, and was recommended to the royal attention by a reso- lution of the general assembly, expressive of the high opinion they entertained of his merit. His representations had unquestionably much influence in determining the ministry on the expedition, which in 1713 was successfully carried on against Port Royal. When sir Hovenden Walker sailed for Quebec in 1712 with the troops commanded
