Collection
In 1775, an American army under the command of General Robert Montgomery captured Montreal on behalf of the thirteen American colonies. Montgomery joined with General Benedict Arnold to lay seige to Quebec city, however the attack ended in failure and by June of 1776 the Americans were driven from Montreal. The colonies issued their Declaration of Independence in 1776 and finally, after years of battle, England acknowledged the independence of the United States by the Treaty of Paris in 1783.
(Source: Guide to Archival Resources at McGill University: Private Papers at McGill University. McGill University Archives. 1985. Vol. 3, p. 189.)
Scope and Content
The War of the American Revolution collection consists of financial and administrative correspondence of American and British paymasters or commissary agents, mainly from their respective military commanders, George Washington, John Burgoyne, Friedrick von Riedesel and Guy Carleton.
Other material in the collection is related to the American capture and occupation of Montréal including copies of the articles of capitulation and letters from Benedict Arnold, concerning military intelligence information and a directive to Col. J. Livingston instructing him to force his soldiers to pay their rent to Mlle de Ramezay.
(Source: Guide to Archival Resources at McGill University: Private Papers at McGill University. McGill University Archives. 1985. Vol. 3, p. 189.)
Information about the objects in our collection is updated to reflect new research findings. If you have any information to share regarding this object, please email reference.mccord@mccord-stewart.ca.Information about rights and reproductions is available here.
This project is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Azrieli Foundation and Canadian Heritage.