fortifications.  As it was he who had reconstructed and repaired them, he was anxious to show the quality of his work in the best light possible; and therefore, in the view of his auditors, he understated the effects of the English fire.  Hence an altercation arose, ending in a unanimous decision to ask for terms.  Accordingly, at ten o’clock, a white flag was displayed over the breach in the Dauphin’s Bastion, and an officer named Loppinot was sent out with offers to capitulate.  The answer was prompt and stern:  the garrison must surrender as prisoners of war; a definite reply must be given within an hour; in case of refusal the place will be attacked by land and sea.[587]

[Footnote 587:  Mante and other English writers give the text of this reply.]

Great was the emotion in the council; and one of its members, D’Anthonay, lieutenant-colonel of the battalion of Volontaires Etrangers, was sent to propose less rigorous terms.  Amherst would not speak with him; and jointly with Boscawen despatched this note to the Governor:—­

Sir,—­We have just received the reply which it has pleased your Excellency to make as to the conditions of the capitulation offered you.  We shall not change in the least our views regarding them.  It depends on your Excellency to accept them or not; and you will have the goodness to give your answer, yes or no, within half an hour.  We have the honor to be, etc.,

     E. BOSCAWEN.

     J. AMHERST.[588]

     Drucour answered as follows:—­

     Gentlemen,—­To reply to your Excellencies in as few words as
     possible, I have the honor to repeat that my position also remains
     the same, and that I persist in my first resolution.

     I have the honor to be, etc.,

     The Chevalier de Drucour

[Footnote 588:  Translated from the Journal of Drucour.]

In other words, he refused the English terms, and declared his purpose to abide the assault.  Loppinot was sent back to the English camp with this note of defiance.  He was no sooner gone than Prevost, the intendant, an officer of functions purely civil, brought the Governor a memorial which, with or without the knowledge of the military authorities, he had drawn up in anticipation of the emergency.  “The violent resolution which the council continues to hold,” said this document, “obliges me, for the good of the state, the preservation of the King’s subjects, and the averting of horrors shocking to humanity, to lay before your eyes the consequences that may ensue.  What will become of the four thousand souls who compose the families of this town, of the thousand or twelve hundred sick in the hospitals, and the officers and crews of our unfortunate ships?  They will be delivered over to carnage and the rage of an unbridled soldiery, eager for plunder, and impelled to deeds of horror by pretended resentment at what has formerly happened