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Essays and addresses

Other means were used; concealed emissaries were sent to win the ad- herence of Canadians to the American cause; and the Congress made an Address, October 26, 1774, to the Canadians, inviting them to send Delegates to the Congress which was to meet at Philadelphia, May 10, 1775 (1).

The Address, however, specifically said: "We do not ask you to commence hostilities against the government of our common Sovereign.

" This Address having no effect, it was later decided to send a Letter to the Inhabitants of Canada.

Montreal was in the possession of the Am- ericans when, January 24, 1776, Congress directed a Letter to the Canadians: "We will never abandon you to the unrelenting fury of your and our enemies ; two battalions have already received orders to march to Canada" (2).

And, Thursday, February 17, 1776, it was "Resolved, That a Committee of Three (two of whom to be Members of Congress) be appointed to proceed to Canada, there to pursue such instruc- tions as shall be given by Congres" Franklin was appointed along with Samuel Chase of Maryland and Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the last named being a Roman Catholic.