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The Council then asked them several Questions concerning the Allegiance they so much boasted of in their Memorial, and the Intelligence which they say they have given the Government, of which they were desired to mention a single Instance whereby any Advantage had accrued to the Government, but this they were unable to do, on the contrary it was made very evident to them that they have always omitted to give timely Intelligence when they had it in their Power, and might have saved the Lives of many of His Majesty's Subjects, but that they had always secretly aided the Indians, and many of them had even appeared openly in Arms against His Majesty. They were then told that they must now resolve either to Take the Oath without any Reserve or else to quit their Lands, for that Affairs were now at such a Crisis in America that no delay could be admitted, that the French had obliged us to Take up Arms in our Defence against their Encroachments, and it was unknown what Steps they might take further, for which Reason if they (the Inhabitants) would not become Subjects to all Intents and purposes, they could not be suffered to remain in the Country. Upon which they said they were determined One and All, rather to quit their Lands than to Take any other Oath than what they had done before. The Council then told them that they ought very seriously to consider the Consequences of their Refusal, That if they once refused the Oath, they would never after be permitted to Take it, but would infallibly loose their Possessions; That the Council were unwilling to hurry them into a Determination upon an Affair of so much Consequence to them, and therefore they should be allowed till next Monday at Ten of the Clock in the forenoon to reconsider the matter and form their Resolution; when their final Answer would be expected.
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