ecautions
were taken at the same time, not only against the few savages whom the
firm conduct of Johnson at Fort Levis had not driven away, but also
against the late allies of the French, now become a peril to them. In
consequence, not a man, woman, or child was hurt. Amherst, in general
orders, expressed his confidence "that the troops will not disgrace
themselves by the least appearance of inhumanity, or by any
unsoldierlike behavior in seeking for plunder; and that as the
Canadians are now become British subjects, they will feel the
good effects of His Majesty's protection." They were in fact
treated with a kindness that seemed to surprise them.

Levis was so incensed at the demand that the troops should
lay down their arms and serve no longer during the war that,
before the capitulation was signed, he made a formal protest[854]
in his own name and that of the officers from France, and
insisted that the negotiation should be broken off. "If," he
added, "the Marquis de Vaudreuil, through political motives,
thinks himself obliged to surrender the colony at once, we
ask his permission to withdraw with the troops of the line to
the Island of St. Helen, in order to uphold there, on our own
behalf, the honor of the King's arms." The proposal was of
course rejected, as Levis knew that it would be, and he and
his officers were ordered to conform to the capitulation. When
Vaudreuil reached France, three months after, he had the
mortification to receive from the Colonial Minister a letter
containing these words: "Though His Majesty was perfectly
aware of the state of Canada, nevertheless, after the assurances
you had given to make the utmost efforts to sustain the
honor of his arms, he did not expect to hear so soon of the
surrender of Montreal and the whole colony. But, granting
that capitulation was a necessity, his Majesty was not the less
surprised and ill pleased at the conditions, so little honorable,
to which you submitted, especially after the representations
made you by the Chevalier de Levis."[855] The brother of
Vaudreuil complained to the Minister of the terms of this
letter, and the Minister replied: "I see with regret, Monsieur,
that you are pained by the letter I wrote your brother; but
I could not help telling him what the King did me the honor
to say to me; and it would have been unpleasant for him to
hear it from anybody else."[856]

[Footnote 854: _Protet de M. de Levis a M. de Vaudreuil contre la Claus