![Phin, Thomas, Cartographer, and Limited Scots Magazine. A new chart of the River St. Lawrence from the Island of Anticosti to Quebec and continued from thence to Lake Ontario. [Edinburgh: The Scots Magazine, 1759] Map. https://www.loc.gov/item/2021589271/.](https://www.thenmusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/st.law_.jpg)
Unable to secure extra troops and cannon for the Canadian campaign, Washington nevertheless instructed Schuyler and his subordinates, among them Brig. Gen. David Wooster, to do what they could to capture Quebec City before the warming months of spring melted the ice on the St. Lawrence River and gave the British a chance to reinforce Govenor Carleton by sea.
"I need not mention to you the great importance of this place, & the consequent possession of all Canada in the Scale of American affairs—you are well apprized of it—to whomsoever It belongs, in there favour probably, will the Ballance turn—If It is in ours, Success I think will most certainly crown our virtuou⟨s⟩ struggles—If It is in theirs, the contest at best, will be doubtfull, hazardous and bloody. the glorious work must be accomplished in the course of this Winter, Otherwise It will become difficult, most probably, Impracticable—For Administration knowing that It will be impossible ever to reduce us to a state of Slavery & arbitrary rule without It will certainly send a large reinforcement there in the Spring"
General Washington to General Wooster, 27 January 1776www.founders.archives.gov