Clan Fraser in Canada

BRIGADIER SIMON FRASER.
Among the officers of Fraser's Highlanders were several
clansmen destined to rise high in military distinction. Of
them few are better known in the Clan than Captain Simon
Fraser of Balnain, afterwards Quarter- Master General in
Ireland, a post which he quitted to serve as Brigadier-Gen-
eral in Burgoyne's Army in America. He had served in the
Scotch regiment in the Dutch service, and was wounded at
Bergen-op-Zoom. He spoke French perfectly and to this
accomplishment and his coolness was due his signal service at
Quebec, where he saved the transports from discovery at a
critical moment before the precipice was scaled.
Smollet relates the incident as follows : — "The French
had posted sentries along shore to challenge boats and
vessels and give the alarm occasionally. The first boat
that contained the English troops being questioned accord-
ingly, a captain of Fraser's regiment, who had served
in Holland, and who was perfectly well acquainted with the
French language and customs, answered without hesitation
to qui vive ? — which is their challenging word — La France ;
nor was he at a loss to answer the second question, which
was much more particular and difficult. When the sentinel
demanded, a quel regiment ? the captain replied, de la reine,
which he knew by accident to be one of those that composed
the body commanded by Bougainville. The soldier took it
for granted this was the expected convoy (a convoy of provi-
sions expected that night for the garrison of Quebec), and,
saying passe, allowed all the boats to proceed without further
question. In the same manner the other sentries were deceived;
though one, more wary than the rest, came running down to