sand men, he marched directly to the fort,
made his approaches, and began to batter it with a numerous train of
artillery. On the very day he invested the place he sent a letter to
colonel Monro the governor, telling him, he thought himself obliged,
in humanity, to desire he would surrender the fort, and not provoke
the great number of savages in the French army by a vain resistance.
"A detachment of your garrison has lately," say she, "experienced their
cruelty; I have it yet in my power to restrain them, and oblige them
to observe a capitulation, as none of them hitherto are killed. Your
persisting in the defence of your fort can only retard its fate a few
days, and must of necessity expose an unfortunate garrison, who can
possibly receive no relief, considering the precautions taken to prevent
it. I demand a decisive answer, for which purpose I have sent the sieur
Funtbrane, one of my aids-de-camp. You may credit what he will inform
you of, from Montcalm." General Webb beheld his preparations with an
indifference and security bordering on infatuation. It is credibly
reported, that he had private-intelligence of all the French general's
designs and motions; yet, either despising his strength, or discrediting
the information, he neglected collecting the militia in time; which, in
conjunction with his own forces, would probably have obliged Montcalm
to relinquish the attempt, or at least have rendered his success very
doubtful and hazardous. The enemy meeting with no disturbance from the
quarter they most dreaded, prosecuted the siege with vigour, and were
warmly received by the garrison, who fired with great spirit till
they had burst almost all their cannon, and expended their ammunition.
Neither Montcalm's promises or threats could prevail upon them to
surrender, while they were in a condition to defend themselves, or could
reasonably expect assistance from general Webb. They even persisted to
hold out after prudence dictated they ought to surrender. Colonel Monro
was sensible of the importance of his charge, and imagined that general
Webb, though slow in his motions, would surely make some vigorous
efforts either to raise the siege, or force a supply of ammunition,
provisions, and other necessaries, into the garrison. At length
necessity obliged him, after sustaining a siege from the third to the
ninth day of August, to hang out a flag of truce, which was immediately
answered by the French commander. Hostages were exc