Provisions were very scarce, as well as ammunition and all other means of
defence; and there seemed to be no prospect of immediate succor. He had
with him only sixteen persons 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.
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