On the 28th, it was demanded that the Moravians help haul wood to the fort
which was being built. They replied that their wagon and oxen were
at the officers' service without hire, and that they would feed the animals,
but personally they could take no share in the work.
This angered the people again, and several of the members began to wonder
whether they might perhaps comply so far as to assist,
as a matter of friendship, in hewing logs for the fort,
refusing the wages paid to others. The lot was tried,
and absolutely forbade it, which was well, for it developed
that the people were watching for their answer, having agreed
that if they helped on the fort it would be a proof
that they COULD do what they chose, and were simply hiding behind an excuse
in refusing to fight.
But the tension was not relaxed, and on the 2nd of March,
the Moravians met to decide on their further course.
Should they keep quiet, and wait for times to change, or should they go away?
It was referred to the lot, and the paper drawn read "GO OUT FROM AMONG THEM."
This meant not merely from the city, but from the province,
for Mr. Causton had told them that they would be subject
to the same requirements if they were living in the adjoining country.
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