Campion, John. An account of the capture of St. Johns by the French : manuscript, 1709 May 14. MS Can 73 (2). Houghton Library, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

We whose names are subcribed being Inhabetance of {Saint} Johns in newfoundland being there on the 21th day of december 1709 when the old fortt of {Saint} Johns was [?] be sett by the french and about fivetene men Entred the fort about four of the Clock in the morning & Surprised the wach, So thatt the whole Company of the french Entred which was aboutt 150 men & took all the fortt and the Inhabetance, for after the old fort was taken the new fort Could not withstand them and all so we heard thatt after the old fort was besett, the Inhabetance about 3: or four hundred men ofered to Enter the fortt at the [salee?] partt butt the people int the fortt Answared thatt twas too late so became all Prisenors, and allso I Joseph nealy was att thet same time att the Castell on the South Side and there was butt about ond dosen solders and no offeser among them and aboutt 30 Inhabetance and when we heard the Larrum we fired two guns & Stood on our Gard tell next day then the Enemy Sent over a flag of truse & told us thatt there was [750?] men and thatt If we would nott Surrender thatt thay would putt all of us to the Sword: then we desierd to have time tell nextt day att 12: of the Clok to Consider of the matter: then we Surrendrd the Castell and the french Continewed aboutt the 8th or tenth of march then there was aship Came from Plesentia of 20 or 22 guns and three sloops which Carried all the Artilery & Storse and many of the Inhabetance Ransumed these boatts and saltt for 70 [£ ?] per boatt -- as wittnes our hand, on Carbone [ase?] Gland May the 14th 1709

[signed:] {John} Campion

Josepph [Knil?]

Information Column (no. 4)