Oeuvres de Champlain
Chapitre XXVI
Charles R.
Trusty and welbeloved wee greete you well. Forasmuch as there is made a
finall good agreement betwixt us and our good brother the French King, and
that all differences aswell betwixt our Crownes as subjects are settled by a
mutuall and perfectt accord, and that amongst other particularytyes on our
side, we have consented to the restitution of the fort and habitation of
Kebec in Canada, as taken by force of armes since the peace, howsoever the
Commission were given out to you during the warre betwixt us and the sayd
King: We preferring the accomplishment of our royall word and promise
before all whatsoever allegations may be made to the contrary in this
behalfe, as wee have obliged ourselves to that King for the due performance
thereof by an act passed under our great seale of this our realme of England,
soe we doe by these our letres straightly charge and comand you that uppon
the first commoditie of sending into parts and meanes for ye people to
retoure yee doe give notice and order to all such subjects of ours which are
under your Commission and government aswell souldiers which are in
garrison in the foresaid fort and habitation of Kebec for defence thereof, as
inhabitants, which are there seated and planted, to render according to the
sayd agreement the sayd fort and habitation into the hands of such as shalbe
by our said brother the French King appoynted and authorised to demaunde
and receave the same from them, in the same state yt was at the tyme of the
taking, without demolishing any thing of the fortifications and buildings
which were erected at the tyme of the taking, or without carrying away the
armes munitions merchandises or utensills which were then found therin.
And yf any thing hath bene formerly carryed away from thence, our
pleasure is, it shalbe restored eitheir in speicie or value, according to the
quantity of what hath bene made appeare uppon oath and was sett downe in
a schedule made by mutuall content of such as had cheife comaund on both
sides at the taking and rendring thereof. And for so doeing these our letres
shall not onely serve for warrant but likewise for such expresse signification
of our will and pleasure, that whosoever officer, souldyer, or inhabitant shall not readily obey, but shew himselfe crosse or refractory therunto, shall
incurre our highest indignation and such punishment and penalty as shalbe
due unto offenders of soe high a nature.
(Sur le dos est écrit.)
Letters from his Majesty to ye Canada marchants and ye comanders under
them for rendring Kebeck corrected as in these first originals appeareth.
(State Paper Office, Colonial Papers, vol. VI, art. 47.)