tions and
the address he had prepared. Here he took his stand in his laced
uniform, with one or two subalterns from the regulars at Fort Edward,
and such of the Massachusetts officers as were not on guard duty;
strong, sinewy figures, bearing, no doubt, more or less distinctly, the
peculiar stamp with which toil, trade, and Puritanism had imprinted the
features of New England. Their commander was not of the prevailing type.
He was fifty-three years of age, with double chin, smooth forehead,
arched eyebrows, close powdered wig, and round, rubicund face, from
which the weight of an odious duty had probably banished the smirk of
self-satisfaction that dwelt there at other times.[276] Nevertheless, he
had manly and estimable qualities. The congregation of peasants, clad in
rough homespun, turned their sunburned faces upon him, anxious and
intent; and Winslow "delivered them by interpreters the King's orders in
the following words," which, retouched in orthography and syntax, ran
thus:--

GENTLEMEN,--I have received from His Excellency, Governor Lawrence,
the King's instructions, which I have in my hand. By his orders you
are called together to hear His Majesty's final resolution
concerning the French inhabitants of this his province of Nova
Scotia, who for almost half a century have had more indulgence
granted them than any of his subjects in any part of his dominions.
What use you have made of it you yourselves best know.

The duty I am now upon, though necessary, is very disagreeable to
my natural make and temper, as I know it must be grievous to you,
who are of the same species. But it is not my business to
animadvert on the orders I have received, but to obey them; and
therefore without hesitation I shall deliver to you His Majesty's
instructions and commands, which are that your lands and tenements
and cattle and live-stock of all kinds are forfeited to the Crown,
with all your other effects, except money and household goods, and
that you yourselves are to be removed from this his province.

The peremptory orders of His Majesty are that all the French
inhabitants of these districts be removed; and through His
Majesty's goodness I am directed to allow you the liberty of
carrying with you your money and as many of your household goods as
you can take without overloading the vessels you go in. I shall do
everyt