sons who could in any sense be styled
combatants. An officer landed, bringing with him very liberal terms, upon
which Champlain and his followers might honorably surrender a post which,
in their circumstances, was utterly untenable. Champlain and Pontegrave,
who was present, acceded, and the conditions having been ratified by Sir
David Kirke at Tadoussac, the English, without resistance, took
possession of the fort, magazine, and habitations of Quebec. Before
actually yielding up his post, the high-minded Champlain went on board
the vessel of Captain Louis Kirke, and stipulated for the security of the
place of worship and quarters of the Jesuits and Recollets, as well as
for the protection of the property of the widow Hebert and her
son-in-law, Couillard. On July 24, 1629, Champlain and the priests,
together with all who chose to depart, embarked on board the vessel of
Thomas Kirke, and after some delay at Tadoussac, were carried to England,
and thence suffered to pass into France.[6]

[6] When Champlain, accompanied by Pontegrave, went on board Louis
Kirke's vessel, on the 20th, he demanded to be shown the commission
from the King of England in virtue of which the seizure of the
country was made. The two, as being persons whose reputation had
spread throughout Europe, were received with profound respect; and
after Champlain's request relative to the commission had been
complied with, it was stipulated that the inhabitants should leave
with their arms and baggage, and be supplied with provisions and
means of transport to France. About four days were needed to
procure the sanction of the admiral, David Kirke, at Tadoussac, and
then Champlain, with a heavy heart, attended by his followers,
embarked in the English ship. He says in his memoirs--"Since the
surrender every day seems to me a month." On the way down the St.
Lawrence, Emery de Caen was met, above Tadoussac, in a vessel with
supplies for Quebec. Kirke is said to have desired Champlain to use
his influence with De Caen to induce him to surrender without
resistance, which, however, the noble-minded man declined. Bazilli
was reported to be in the gulf with a French fleet, but
nevertheless De Caen felt obliged to surrender, as the Kirkes had
two ships to oppose his one. De Caen told Champlain that he
believed peace was already signed between th