What General Philip Schuyler, Richard Montgomery and Benedict Arnold had understood from the German's map was that an attack on Canada was necessary.
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General Schuyler[/CENTER]
Against Franz's insistence, a letter was sent to Montreal and Quebec, asking the mayors to join the Revolution.
It got an identical reply in both cities: the paper was torn into pieces, in the cheers of the loyalist Canadian crowd.
But no-one could say "no" to the Continental Congress just like that! The Congress adressed a more frankly-written address to the leaders of the French communities inside the two cities. The logic appeared sound: these people should have despised the Crown whose subjects they had become just a few years before because of the French-Indian war.
Alas, no response was received. The leaders of the rebellion began to think of Canada in military, rather than political terms.
Seth Warner's bloodless occupation of Fort Ticonderoga - one hundred miles south of Montreal, although it seemed less on the map - emboldened the Congress. "Canada now!" became their cheer.
A major debate took place in front of the Continental Congress on the 5th of May 1775. Benedict Arnold was the first to speak:
"Can Boston be our only target? The honorable Mr. Schuyler says no, the valiant Mr. Montgomery says no, and *I*, who have given and will give this revolution my all, say no. We are riding a wave of energy - my good friend Benjamin Franklin would call it "electrical" - and it must be unleashed upon those who dare dissuade our aspirations for freedom. Else, the people will be disappointed and our revolt will lose its popular appeal."
"What is Mr. Arnold's plan? We split our forces with no chance of victory", Franz Hager responded. "We will march precious troops over treacherous mountains, valleys and river banks, with lack of supply endangering their every step. The British will come and crush us unless we're ready."
A few minutes later, the German said to Washington sorrowfully:
"Arnold's brain-dead plan will win."
"I think not. I think it will lose, twenty-seven votes to twenty-nine."
Franz opened his mouth in surprise, while George Washington smiled proudly:
"I accept your advice as of the highest caliber. Therefore I seek to help you in all your endeavors. I had to do some political arm-wrangling, but I succeeded in getting the votes necessary for stopping any plan to invade Canada. However..."
"Yes?"
"...You will not like this. The representatives of New York asked for the 5th regiment to be sent to Manhattan Island and quell the tory influence within the city."
"Our best trained division!"
"Yes. Either that, or five thousand men are heading for Canada starting tomorrow. Which do you prefer?"
Benedict Arnold looked from across the room in fury, searching for the German prince. He had figured out what had happened behind closed doors as Washington has made his rounds, persuading one Congress delegate after another. Franz and B. Arnold were staring at each other intently when a messenger awash in sweat suddenly ran into the room: "Boston has surrendered!"
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21?!?!?! T-w-e-n-t-y o-n-e?!?!?![/CENTER][/size]
A loud cheer rose from among the delegates. Emboldened by this turn of events, the Congress started printing paper money, in order to solve the shameful issue of the army's pay. The shameful escape of Lord Dunmore from Virginia's capital to Yorktown was another exclamation mark in a day of glory and joy.
The King took action of his own. A few months earlier than he had planned, he was forced to issue the following declaration as a response to the fall of Boston:
[color="Blue"]"Many of our subjects, misled by a desperate conspiracy of dangerous and ill-designing men, have forgotten the allegiance which they owe to the power that has protected and supported them, and have declared rebellion and traitorously levied war against us.
It is the better part of wisdom to put a speedy end to such disorders. We have thought fit to issue our royal proclamation that all our royal officers, both civil and military, are obliged to suppress such rebellion and bring the traitors to justice.
When the unhappy and deluded multitude against whom this force shall be directed shall become sensible of their error, I shall be ready to receive the misled with tenderness and mercy. For those who persist in their treason, the punishment shall be death by hanging. Given in parliament this 26th day of June in the year 1775." [/color]
By the time the words had arrived in the colonies, George Clark's rangers had already begun the siege of Fort Detroit - one of the strategic objectives that was necessary for winning the war.