—The British government, in expectation of a speedy war with France, recommend the colonies to form a Union for defense. Delegates from seven colonies meet at Albany, June 14, 1754. A plan of Union was drawn up by Benjamin Franklin. Connecticut rejected it as giving too much power to the English government. Parliament rejected it as giving too much to the colonies. 1755—Braddock’s defeat in Pennsylvania. —War with the Cherokees, in Tennessee. —The French, under Dieskau, are defeated at Lake George. 1756—War was formally declared, two years after it actually begun. 1757—Fort William Henry, being attacked by an overwhelming force of French and Indians, surrenders, and the garrison are massacred by the Indians. 1758—July 6, Louisburg captured by the English under General Amherst. —General Abercrombie is repulsed in an attack on Fort Ticonderoga, and Lord Howe, much liked in the colonies, is killed. —August 27, Fort Frontenac, now Kingston, Canada, taken by Col. Bradstreet. —November 25, Fort Du Quesne taken by the English, under General Forbes. 1759—General Wolfe, commander of the English, and General Montcalm, of the French army, meet in battle on the Heights of Abraham, near Quebec. Wolfe’s army conquered, but both commanders lost their lives. Quebec capitulated. George III. ascends the throne of England. 1760—September 8th, Canada surrendered to the English. Massachusetts vigorously opposes “Writs of Assistance” (search warrants for goods that had not paid the duty). 1761—The Cherokees reduced to peace by Colonel Grant. In October, Mr. Pitt, the English Prime Minister, always a friend of the colonies, resigns. CHAPTER IV. CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE ANGLO-AMERICAN COLONIES, FROM 1763 TO JULY 4, 1776. In February, 1763, The Peace of Paris, concluded between the governments of England and France, closed the war in America that had been so painful to the colonies from the part which the French persuaded the Indians to take in it. But, while the colonies bore a large part of the burden, (they had raised $16,000,000 of its expenses, and had lost, in battle or in hospital, 30,000 men,) of a war that drove the French out of all their possessions in Canada and east of the Mississippi river; they were, at the same time, trained to act in concert, which paved the way for a future confederation, and hardened them to war. Being called into battle under celebrated English commanders, and to fight side by side with European veterans, they had opportunity to learn the art of war, as well as to compare themselves with the soldiers of the mother country and of France. This comparison was favorable to them, and inspired them with confidence in their own ability.