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A half-century of conflict. France and England in North America. Part ...

A half-century of conflict. France and England in North America. Part ...

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136 LOUISBOURG TAKEN. [1745.It is said that he had been seen <strong>in</strong> the Frenchchurch hew<strong>in</strong>g at the altar <strong>and</strong> images with the axethat he had brought forthat purpose; <strong>and</strong> perhapsthis iconoclastic performance had eased the highpressure <strong>of</strong> his zeal.^Amaz<strong>in</strong>g as their triumph was, Pej)perreirs soldierswere not satisfied with the capitulation, <strong>and</strong> one <strong>of</strong>them utters his disapproval <strong>in</strong> his diary thus : " SabbathDay, ye 16*'' June. They came to Termes forus to enter ye Sitty to morrow, <strong>and</strong> Poore Termesthey Bee too."The occasion <strong>of</strong> discontent was the security <strong>of</strong>property assured to the <strong>in</strong>habitants, "by whichmeans," says that dull chronicler, Niles, "the poorsoldiers lost all their hopes <strong>and</strong> just demerit [desert]<strong>of</strong> plunder promised them." In the meagreness <strong>of</strong>their pay they thought themselves entitled to theplunder <strong>of</strong> Louisbourg, which they imag<strong>in</strong>ed to bea seat <strong>of</strong> wealth <strong>and</strong> luxury.Nathaniel Sparhawk,Pepperrell's thrifty son-<strong>in</strong>-law, shared this illusion,<strong>and</strong> begged the general to get for him (at a lowprice) a h<strong>and</strong>some service <strong>of</strong> silver plate. When thevolunteersexchanged their wet <strong>and</strong> dreary camp forwhat they expected to be the comfortable quarters<strong>of</strong> the town, they were disgusted to see the housesstill occupied by the owners, <strong>and</strong> t<strong>of</strong>orced to st<strong>and</strong> guard at thef<strong>in</strong>d themselvesdoors, to protect them.^1 A descendant <strong>of</strong> Moody, at the village <strong>of</strong> York, told me thathe was found <strong>in</strong> the church busy <strong>in</strong> the work <strong>of</strong> demolition.2 " Thursday, ye 21^'- Ye French keep possession yet, <strong>and</strong> we

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