12 | To the Board of Trade

    Boston Sep 17. 1760

    My Lords

    I have at length the honor to congratulate your Lordships on the Reduction of all Canada, Montreal with the all the french forces in it to the amount of 13,000 having surrenderd the 8th instant:108 I have just received advice of this great event by express in 8 days from the Isle aux Noix. I enclose a copy of one Letter & an extract of another, both from Men of credit & discretion. The March of three Armies by different routs thro’ an enemies Country not unfortified has been performed with the loss of scarce more than 100 men in the whole: and We dont apprehend there has been much loss at Montreal. It is reported that the surrender was made before the two Generals had actually joined, but after the Enemy had found themselves between two fires, and that Col Haviland was advanced near enough to support Genl Murray.109

    As I consider how necessary it is at this time that his Majestys Ministers should have the earliest advice of the success of his arms in this country, I am endeavouring to get a Vessel to sail from hence immediately; tho’ I think it most probable that the Advice will come sooner from the river St Lawrence. I have the honour to be with great respect, My Lords

    Your Lordships most obedient & most humble Servant

    Fra. Bernard

    The Rt Honble Lords Commrs &c

    ALS, RC CO 5/891, ff 11-12.

    The enclosures to which FB refers may have been two letters printed in the Boston Gazette, 29 Sept. 1760, p. 2: “Proceedings of the Army under General Amherst, from the Time they embarked at Oswego (on the 10th of August) to the happy Reduction of Montreal the 8th of September following” and “Authentick account of the Surrender of Canada ... Published by Authority.”

    This letter was read by the Board of Trade on 28 Nov. 1760. JBT, 11: 146.