Page:The deplorable history of the Catalans, from their first engaging in the war, to the time of their reduction. (1714).djvu/106

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lastly, that all those who had served in the regular Troops, and would not take Service with those of France and Spain, should have the Liberty to go where they pleased. In Consequence of this Capitulation Montjuy was delivered up at One in the Morning to the Sieur Guerchois, who went into it with Eight Battalions. The 13th at Five in the Morning they brought the Keys of the Gate to the Sieur Guerchy, and at Six took Possession of all the Posts and put the necessary Guards in them. How well they have kept the Faith of this Treaty, many of these miserable People have dearly experienced already; they were immediately stript and disarmed, forced to redeem themselves from Plunder by large Sums, the Laws of Castile publickly declared, and many of the Chief of them distributed into several Goals, and destined to the worst of Slavery, working in the Mines. Well may their Conquerors tell us, they are fain to secure their Troops in Garrison, in the Monasteries, Convents, &c. to preserve them from the Resentment of the People, who will still live in hopes to have an opportunity of recovering their Liberty and Privileges.

The Clergy during the whole Siege, distinguishied themselves in a very particular Manner, and fought with a desperate Resolution, and encouraged the People both by their Prayer and Example to die in Defence of their Liberties. The Zeal of the Women was no less remarkable; for they encouraged their Husbands to stand it out to the last Extremity, declaring they would share with them all the Danger and Fatigue, as indeed they did, and worked in tbe Intrenchments with great Alacrity. This Siege cost the French and Spaniards an incredible Sum, with the loss of 20000 choice Men.

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