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INTRODUCTION. 285 by general Hill, Mr. Nicholson at the head of chap, vn. four thousand men, raised in New York, Con- iri3. necticut, and New Jersey, again marched by the way of Albany and lake Champlain, against Montreal; but having received intelligence of the wreck of some ships in the river St. Law- rence, and the consequent retreat of the fleet, events which enabled the governor of Canada to turn his whole force towards the lakes, he retired precipitately towards Albany. On this occasion, ten thousand pounds in bills of credit were emitted, and debts were contracted to a still greater amount. p It had been usual in several of the colonies, to make handsome presents to their governors. This practice was supposed to have a material influence on their conduct, and to dispose them to conciliate the affections of their respective legislatures, at the expense of their duty to the crown. In the apprehension of this ill conse- quence from such a custom, peremptory orders were given them by queen Anne, to receive no more presents, but to obtain acts fixing their salaries permanently at a sum named by herself. In some of the colonies, this requi- sition of the crown was readily complied with; but in New York, and in Massachussetts, it experienced great opposition. In the same year which restored peace to the colonies, the long contested question of boun- p Smith,