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NOVA SCOTIA DOCUMENTS. |
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adding that as things were he had even a sufficient strength with him to take the Fort having one hundred and fifty ladder's ready made, with combustible matters &c. to force us by assault, concluding with a desire that what should pass between him and I should go no further till concluded att the arrival of the french Shipps.
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After having read the letter by myself, I dismiss'd the officer civilly and told him I would send my answer the next morning before twelve o’clock, and having detain'd the officers whom I call'd together att the reception of the flagg of truce, I communicated Mons. Duvivier’s letter to them, and the next morning my answer to it, containing in substance that we were not reduc'd to such straights as to talk of a surrender, and that when his fleet should be in our Basin we should consider what we were to do. The same Officer return'd to fetch the answer which I gave to him in presence of the officers and dismissed him a la francoise with my compliments to his commander. My answer not suiting with his views he sent his brother again to desire to see some officer of his acquaintance, proposing in the mean time a truce. This last was desir'd on our side to give rest to the officers and men who for several nights past had been continually on duty, in which I had taken my share, walking our Ramparts most part of the night. The officer went and att his return, in presence of all the officers of the Garrison he told that Mons. Duvivier appear'd in his discourse to have no other design, in what he propos'd, than what would be allow'd to be for the advantage of the Garrison, and that, he said, as nothing was to be concluded before we were thoroughly sensible of it, we ran no risque in accepting of his proposal and that in the mean time no hostilities should be committed on either side.
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I found all the officers except three or four very ready to accept of the proposal, the dread of being made prisoners of warr having no small influence with most. Some things were spoke in regard to the condition of the Port, the temper of our men, the little support or even intelligence we had from home with other such as gave me a great deal of uneasiness, and as I saw I could not withstand the torrent without endangering the safety of the Place I gave way to it, reserving to my self not to sign any articles without extremity brought me to it. Three officers were chosen out of the whole number present to hear Mons. Duvivier on the purport of his letter, butt not to mention anything butt as preliminaries, and before I could be brought to give them power to go I desir’d the
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