s; most of the cattle and many of the horses had been
killed for food. The people lived chiefly on a pittance of salt cod or
on rations furnished by the King; all prices were inordinate; the
officers from France were starving on their pay; while a legion of
indigenous and imported scoundrels fattened on the general distress.
"What a country!" exclaims Montcalm. "Here all the knaves grow rich, and
the honest men are ruined." Yet he was resolved to stand by it to the
last, and wrote to the Minister of War that he would bury himself under
its ruins. "I asked for my recall after the glorious affair of the
eighth of July; but since the state of the colony is so bad, I must do
what I can to help it and retard its fall." The only hope was in a
strong appeal to the Court; and he thought himself fortunate in
persuading Vaudreuil to consent that Bougainville should be commissioned
to make it, seconded by Doreil. They were to sail in different ships, in
order that at least one of them might arrive safe.

Vaudreuil gave Bougainville a letter introducing him to the Colonial
Minister in high terms of praise: "He is in all respects better fitted
than anybody else to inform you of the state of the colony. I have given
him my instructions, and you can trust entirely in what he tells
you."[682] Concerning Doreil he wrote to the Minister of War: "I have
full confidence in him, and he may be entirely trusted. Everybody here
likes him."[683] While thus extolling the friends of his rival, the
Governor took care to provide against the effects of his politic
commendations, and wrote thus to his patron, the Colonial Minister: "In
order to condescend to the wishes of M. de Montcalm, and leave no means
untried to keep in harmony with him, I have given letters to MM. Doreil
and Bougainville; but I have the honor to inform you, Monseigneur, that
they do not understand the colony, and to warn you that they are
creatures of M. de Montcalm."[684]

[Footnote 682: _Vaudreuil au Ministre de la Marine, 4 Nov. 1758._]

[Footnote 683: _Vaudreuil au Ministre de la Guerre, 11 Oct. 1758._]

[Footnote 684: _Vaudreuil au Ministre de la Marine, 3 Nov. 1758._]

The two envoys had sailed for France. Winter was close at hand, and the
harbor of Quebec was nearly empty. One ship still lingered, the last of
the season, and by her Montcalm sent a letter to his mother: "You will
be glad to have me write to you up to the last moment to tell you for
the hundredth time