Here, Also, The Fire-Fiend
Assailed The Treasures Of Knowledge And Specimens Of Natural History, Of
The Society, Which, With
Its household gods, flitted down to a suite of
rooms above the savings bank apartments in St. John Street, from
Whence,
about 1870, it issued to become an annual tenant in the north wing of the
Morrin College, where it has flourished ever since.
In the protracted and chequered existence of this pioneer among Canadian
literary associations, one day, above all others is likely from the
preparations - pageant and speeches which marked it, to be long remembered
among Quebecers as a red letter day in the annals of the society. The
celebration in December, 1875 of the centennial of the repulse of
Brigadier General Richard Montgomery and Colonel Benedict Arnold, who, at
dawn on the 31st December, 1775, attempted to take the old fortress by
storm. The first, with a number of his followers, met with his death at
Pres-de-Ville, in Champlain street; the other was carried wounded in the
knee, to the General Hospital, St. Roch's suburbs, whilst 427 of his
command were taken prisoners of war and incarcerated until September
following in the Quebec Seminary, the Recollet Convent and the Dauphin
Prison, since destroyed, but then existing, a little north of St. John's
Gate, inside. The worthy commander of the "B" Battery, Lieut.-Col. T. B.
Strange, R.A., then stationed at the Citadel of Quebec, having consented to
narrate the incidents which marked the attack of Brigadier General Richard
Montgomery at Pres-de-Ville (which we reserve for another page,) the
description of Col. Benedict Arnold's assault on the Sault-au-Matelot
barriers, was, left to ourselves. We subjoin a portion of the address
delivered by us at this memorable centenary. It embodies an important
incident of Quebec history:
ARNOLD'S ASSAULT ON SAULT-AU-MATELOT BARRIERS.
MR. CHAIRMAN, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
"The event which we intend commemorating this evening, is one at
peculiar interest to us as Canadians, and more especially so to us as
Quebecers, the narrow, I may say, the providential escape of the whole
Province from foreign subjugation one century ago. It is less a
chapter of Canadian annals I purpose to read to you this night, than
some minute details little known, and gleaned from the journals left
by eye witnesses of the thrilling hand to hand fight which took place
a few hundred yards from where you sit, under our walls, on the 31st
December, 1775, between Col. Arnold's New England soldiery and our own
garrison.
Possibly, you may not all realize the critical position of the city on
that memorable morning. Next day, a Sunday, ushered in the new year.
Think you there was much "visiting," much festivity, on that new
year's day? alas! though victory crowned our banner, there was
mourning in too many Canadian homes; we, too, had to bury our dead.
Let us take a rapid glimpse of what had proceeded the assault.
Two formidable parties, under experienced leaders, in execution of the
campaign planned by George Washington and our former Deputy Post
Master General, the able Benjamin Franklin, had united under the walls
of Quebec.
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