He was happy in the approbation of his own conscience.

Duty, justice, nay charity and mercy, were the names under which he disguised his cruelty; nor is it by any means improbable that the disguise imposed upon himself.

[231] Hill, who commanded the forces assembled at Fort William, was not entrusted with the execution of the design.

He seems to have been a humane man; he was much distressed when he learned that the government was determined on severity; and it was probably thought that his heart might fail him in the most critical moment.

He was directed to put a strong detachment under the orders of his second in command, Lieutenant Colonel Hamilton.