Note 42 — Chapter XI

During the time that Fort Bourbon was besieging we sent a summons to the town of St. Pierre, which was rejected with an uncommon degree of insolence, and Captain Mason (the General's aid de camp, who went with the flag of truce) was insulted. About a fortnight afterwards the place was taken by storm, without any capitulation, consequently subject to plunder by the custom of war; but so far from any irregularity being suffered, a drummer was hanged by order of General Dundas for attempting it; and such exact discipline and quiet behaviour was maintained among the troops, that the shops were opened the day after the capture. From the time of the refusal of the summons to the final capture, the republicans continued to load all the property and produce on board vessels under American colours, which they did constantly, in order to deprive the captors of their just rights, in case the place should be taken.—Interested American merchants were continually endeavouring to wrest the hard-earned prize money from the army and navy, while they were supplying the enemy with provisions and other necessaries.