general Braddock.... Expedition against Crown Point....
Dieskau defeated.... Expedition against Niagara....
Frontiers distressed by the Indians.... Meeting of the
governors at New York.... Plan for the campaign of 1756....
Lord Loudoun arrives.... Montcalm takes Oswego.... Lord
Loudoun abandons offensive operations.... Small-pox breaks
out in Albany.... Campaign of 1757 opened.... Admiral
Holbourne arrives at Halifax.... Is joined by the earl of
Loudoun.... Expedition against Louisbourg relinquished....
Lord Loudoun returns to New York.... Fort William Henry
taken.... Controversy between lord Loudoun and the assembly
of Massachusetts.

{1755}

[Sidenote: General Braddock.]

The establishment of the post on the Ohio, and the action at the
Little Meadows, being considered by the British government as the
commencement of war in America, the resolution to send a few regiments
to that country was immediately taken; and early in the year, general
Braddock embarked at Cork, at the head of a respectable body of troops
destined for the colonies.

An active offensive campaign being meditated, general Braddock
convened the governors of the several provinces, on the 14th of April,
in Virginia, who resolved to carry on three expeditions.

[Sidenote: Plan of the campaign.]

The first, and most important, was against fort Du Quesne. This was to
be conducted by general Braddock in person at the head of the British
troops, with such aids as could be drawn from Maryland and Virginia.

The second, against Niagara and fort Frontignac, was to be conducted
by governor Shirley. The American regulars, consisting of Shirley and
Pepperel's regiments, constituted the principal force destined for the
reduction of these places.

The third was against Crown Point. This originated with Massachusetts;
and was to be prosecuted entirely with colonial troops, to be raised
by the provinces of New England, and by New York. It was to be
commanded by colonel William Johnson of the latter province.[149]

[Footnote 149: Minot.]

While preparations were making for these several enterprises, an
expedition, which had been previously concerted by the government of
Massachusetts, was carried on against the French in Nova Scotia.

It has been already stated that the limits of this province remained
unsettled. While the commissioners of the two crowns were supporting
the claims of their