must be conquered, and that Aristopia must do it. It was seen that the British population of Canada, fresh from England and Scotland' would not rebel, and the French population dared not. Canada, held by England, would always form a base of operation against the states, and a safe rendezvous for her fleets. From the St. Lawrence she could harry New England with her soldiers and their Indian allies. By way of Sorel River and Lake Champlain she could invade New York. From Lake Erie she could threaten Aristopia, although she could never bring force enough to endanger the commonwealth.
In the systematic manner characteristic of the commonwealth, the enterprise was begun, carefully concealed even from the leaders of the other colonies, even from Washington himself, when he was given the chief command of the Continental armies. From the head of navigation on the western branch of Alleghany River to the nearest point on the shore of Lake Erie was only twenty miles. Between these two points a good road was constructed.
The vessels of the commonwealth on Lake Michigan were ordered around to Lake Erie. A strong expedition, advancing with celerity
