Articles of Capitulation of Montreal

General Jeffrey Amherst

Governor Pierre de Rigaud, Marquis de Vaudreuil

Articles of Capitulation between their excellencies Major General Amherst, Commander in Chief of His Britannic Majesty's troops and forces in North America, on the one part, and the Marquis de Vaudreuil, &c. Governor and Lieutenant-General for the King in Canada, on the other.

Article 1

Twenty-four hours after the signing of the present capitulation, the British general shall cause the troops of His Britannic Majesty to take possession of the Gates of the town of Montreal: and the British garrison shall not enter the place till after the French troops shall have evacuated it.

- "The whole garrison of Montreal must lay down their arms, and shall not serve during the present war. Immediately after the signing of the present capitulation, the King's troops shall take possession of the gates, and shall post the guards necessary to preserve good order in the town."

Article 2

The troops and the militia, who are in garrison in the town of Montreal, shall go out by the Gate of Quebec, with all the honours of war, six pieces of cannon and one mortar, which shall be put on board the vessel where the Marquis de Vaudreuil shall embark, with ten rounds for each piece; and the same shall be granted to the garrison of the Three Rivers, as to the honours of war.

- "Referred to the next article."

Article 3

The troops and the militia, who are in Garrison in the town of Montreal, shall go out by the gate of Quebec, with all the honours of war, six pieces of cannon and one mortar, which shall be put on board the vessel where the Marquis de Vaudreuil shall embark, with then rounds for each piece; and the same shall be granted to the Garrison of the Three Rivers, as o the honours of war.

-- "Referred to the next article."

Article 4

The Militia after evacuating the above towns, forts and posts, shall return to their habitations, without being molested on any pretence whatever, on account of their having carried arms.

- "Granted."

Article 5

The troops, who keep the field, shall raise their camp drums beating, with their arms, bagage and artillery, to join the garrison of Montreal, ans shall be treated in every respect the same.

- "The troops, as well as the others, must law down their arms."

Article 6

The Subjects of his Britanic Majesty, and of his most Christian Majesty, Soldiers, Militia or Seamen, who shall have deserted of left service of their Sovereign, and carried arms in North America, shall be, on both sides pardoned for their crime; they shall be respectively returned to their country; if not, each shall remain where he is without being fought after or molested.

- "Refused."

Article 7

The Magazines, the artillery, firelocks, sabres, ammunition of war, and, in general every thing that belongs to his most Christian Majesty, as well in the towns of Montreal and Three Rivers, as in the forts and posts mentioned in the Third article shall be delivered up, according to exact Inventories, to the commissaries who shall be appointed to receive the same in the name of his Britannic Majesty. Duplicates of the said Inventories shall be give to the Marquis de Vaudreuil.

- "This is every thing that can be asked on this article."

Article 8

The Officers, Soldiers, Militia, Seamen and even the Indians, detained on account of their wounds or sickness, as well as in the hospital, as in private houses, shall enjoy the privileges of the cartel, and be treated accordingly.

- "The sick and wounded shall be treat the same as our own people."

Article 9

The British General shall engage to send back, to their own homes, the Indians, and Moraignans, who make part of his armies, immediately after the signing of the present capitulation, and, in the mean time, the better to prevent all disorders on the part of those who may not be gone away, the said Generals shall give safeguards to such persons as shall desire them, as well in the town as in the country.

- "The first part is refused." - "There never have been any cruelties committed by the Indians of our army: and good order shall be preserved."

Article 10

His Britannic Majesty's General shall be answerable for all disorders on the part of his troops, and shall oblige them to pay the Damages they may do, as well in the towns as in the country.

- "Answered by the preceding article."

Article 11

The British General shall not oblige the Marquis de Vaudreuil to leave the own of Montreal before _________________ and no person shall be quartered in his house till he is gone. The Chevalier de Levis, Commander of the land forces and colony troops, the Engineers, Officers of the Artillery, and Commissary of war, shall also remain at Montreal till the said day, and shall keep their lodgings. The same shall be observed with regard to M. Bigot, Intendant, the Commissaries of Marines and writers, whom the said M. Bigot shall have occasion for, an no porson shal be lodged at the Intendant's house before he shall take his departure.

- "The Marquis de Vaudreuil, and all these gentlemen, shall be matters of their houses, and shall embark, when the King's ship shall be ready to sail for Europe; and all possible conveniences shall be granted them."

Article 12

The most convenient vessel that can be found shall be appointed to carry the Marquis de Vaudreuil, M. de Rigaud, the Governor of Montreal, and the suite of this General, by the straightest passage to the first sea port in France; and every necessary accommodation shall be made for them. This vessel shall be property victualled at the expence of his Britannic Majesty: and the Marquis de Vaudreuil shall take with him his papers, withougt their being examind, and his equipages, plate, baggage, and also those of his retinue.

- "Granted, except the archives which shall be necessary for the Government of the country."

Notes

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