He saw that from Canada would be determined the attitude of the savages dwelling in the wild spaces of the interior; he saw, too, that Quebec as a military base in British hands would be a source of grave danger.

The easy capture of Fort Ticonderoga led him to underrate difficulties.

If Ticonderoga why not Quebec?
Nova Scotia might be occupied later, the Acadians helping.

Thus it happened that, soon after taking over the command, Washington was busy with a plan for the conquest of Canada.

Two forces were to advance into that country; one by way of Lake Champlain under General Schuyler and the other through the forests of Maine under Benedict Arnold.
Schuyler was obliged through illness to give up his command, and it was an odd fortune of war that put General Richard Montgomery at the head of the expedition going by way of Lake Champlain.