“My Lord Duke,
“Your Grace’s most Obedt.
“and most Devoted Servant
“W. Shirley.”
Shirley to Newcastle, 11 Feb. 1746.
(Extract.)
“My Lord Duke.
“Since my last to your Grace I have received the Inclos’d packett from Mr. Mascarene Containing a Representation of the State of Nova Scotia from himself and his Majesty’s Council of that Province with a copy of a Letter from him to me, Showing the reasons of his late Conduct towards the French Inhabitants; Your Grace will perceive that this representation is drawn up in Stronger Terms against the Inhabitants than mine; I could wish the Gentlemen had been more Explicit in what they would Recommend as the most adviseable Method of Securing his Majesty’s Government within the Province and against the French Inhabitants—But as that is not done except in Short hints, And Mr. Little, to whom both Mr. Mascarene and Mr. Secretary Shirreff referr me for a Larger Account of the Sentiments of the Gentlemen of the Garrison concerning these Matters, Offers his Service to go with my dispatches to England and return directly with any Orders his Majesty may be pleased to give thereupon, I have sent him to wait upon your Grace, and it is possible that when he is upon the Spot ready to Answer any Questions, it may be of Service—. Having before troubled your Grace So Largely upon this head, I will beg leave to referr to my former Letters, Mr. Little Mr. Agent Kilby and Mr. Bollan, which two last can, I believe, give Considerable Light on the affair; And shall only add that the Spring before last the Garrison was very narrowly Saved from the Enemy by the Arrival of the New England Auxiliaries, and the last Spring, by the Expedition against Cape Breton, that the preservation of it this Spring will be of the Utmost Importance to his Majesty’s Service in America, and that nothing will more effectually Secure that than putting the Inhabitants upon a proper foot of Subjection, in the most Speedy Manner, to prevent their Revolt, which Cannot be done without his Majesty’s Special directions for that purpose; for the procuring of which, I find Mr. Mascarene, and his whole Council have a dependance upon me; the Language of their Several Letters being that they Commit themselves to my Care; and will take no step without my Advice or approbation, which has been the Case for above these last two years, And I mention to your Grace in Excuse for my being So importunate in the Affairs of another Government, which the Gentlemen of the Garrison lay me Under a Necessity of being; And I am further Urg’d to this by the late Accounts, wch. Mr. Mascarene and the other Gentlemen have sent me of the Appearance of four hundred Indians well Cloathed, Arm’d, and Supply’d with Stores from Canada near St. Johns River, Seventeen French Officers being Seen among ’em, and another Body of French in the Neighbourhood of the Province, and Reports that Mr. Duvivier in the Parfaite Man of Warr, and another Ship of Force were at Qubec with Stores, and another was seen to put into St. Johns Island; That the Priests who went to Canada for Instructions are returned with Supplies and large promises to the Indians (before well dispos’d and upon the point of putting themselves under Our protection on the taking of Louisbourg) and Encouragements for the Inhabitants to depend upon a powerfull force against the Fort at Annapolis Royal this Spring. These alarms indeed have been Something Allay’d by Letters from the Deputies of Minas and other Districts to Mr. Mascarene, which for my own part I have no great dependance upon.
“But it seems plain upon the whole, that the French are making the Utmost Efforts to retain the Indians of those parts in their Interest, and gaining over the Inhabitants of Nova Scotia, So that the Taking of Speedy measures for Securing these last and gaining over the former which will depend upon that, as the preservation of Nova Scotia does upon both, is a Matter of the Highest Consequence.
“Upon this Occasion it seems necessary for me to apprise your Grace, that Mr. Mascarene and his Council have not So good an harmony Subsisting between them as could be wish’d, and that all the Officers have of late differ’d in Sentiments with him particularly upon the Behaviour of the French Inhabitants, Concerning whom he indeed has himself alter’d his Opinion in Some measure; But I think there may be Still danger of too much tenderness towards ’em on his part, and perhaps rigour on theirs in carrying any Orders of his Majesty’s into Execution; So that by their Jarring, the Execution of the Orders may possibly be Obstructed, if they are left to themselves;
“Wherefore if their Chief Governour’s Age and health, and other Circumstances would have permitted him to have been Upon the Spott, and Assisted in this Service, it would I believe have been for the Advantage of it, for him to have made ’em a short Visit at least this year, And if it could have been repeated for the two or three proceeding years it would have been still more so....”
Shirley to Newcastle, 10th May, 1746.
(Extract.)
“... I think it my indispensable duty to suggest again to Your Grace my Fears that the Enemy will soon find an opportunity of snatching Accadie by some Sudden Stroke from his Majesty’s Government unless the danger is remov’d out of the Heart of it there by a Removal of the most dangerous of the french Inhabitants from thence, & transplanting English Families there in their room, which I think very practicable from hence, having lately found means of transplanting upwards, I believe, of an hundred Families from the Province to Louisbourg towards the Settlement of it, which yet I dont esteem of such Importance to be immediately done as the Settlement of Nova Scotia with faithful Subjects.
“In the meanwhile ’till this can be happily effected & the Indians in those parts secur’d in the English Interest, I have propos’d to Mr. Warren that a Detachment of 100 Men should be sent from Louisbourg to reinforce the garrison at Annapolis Royal, since the late Miscarriage of 182 out of 302 of the Recruits designed for Annapolis in their Passage from England to the garrison there. Ninety-six of the Remainder of ’em, which came in here, I with difficulty have got recovered in his Majesty’s Castle William & at the Hospital in Boston, & sent a month ago to Annapolis where I hear they are safely arriv’d, and twenty more who are in a fair way of being serviceable, I shall send from the Hospital within three days; But the Garrison will still be weak as Mr. Mascarene has dismiss’d most of the New England Auxiliaries, and they have not, I am informed, 220 effective private Men left besides their Artificers & Workmen: I have also recommended to Mr. Warren the frequent Sending of a Ship of War to look into the Bason of Annapolis & make the Garrison there a short Visit in order to prevent a Surprise; & by his Opinion in Concurrence with Sir Willm Pepperrell’s, Mr. Mascarene’s & my own a Sloop has been hir’d & employ’d for about these last four Months to attend upon that garrison, & carry Intelligence between Annapolis Royal, Louisbourg & Boston concerning the State of it & the Enemy’s Motions which we conceiv’d necessary to be done for its Security, and hope your Grace will not disapprove of.
“What Mr. Frontenac observed some years ago to Mr Pontchartrain concerning the french King’s recovering of Accadie & making himself absolute Master of the great Bank [of Newfoundland] as in the inclos’d Extract of his Letter, seems so seasonable to be consider’d at this time, that I would beg leave to observe to your Grace upon it, that his Majty’s holding the Possession of Annapolis Royal & Newfoundland (already conceded to his Crown by the Treaty of Utrecht) with his late Acquisition of Cape Breton, will put the whole Cod Fishery more in his Power than Mr Frontenac’s Scheme could have put it into the French Kings, and that besides what Mr Frontenac calls a Commerce more advantageous than the Conquest of the Indies, and computes the Returns of at twenty Millions (I suppose french Livres) per annum, it would furnish his Majesty with as good a Nursery of Seamen for the Royal Navy as the Colliery in England does, not to mention the great consumption of British Manufactures which must be occasioned in carrying the Fishery on;—that the holding of Annapolis Royal in particular will be establishing to his Majesty the Mastery of the Northern Part of this Continent against the French, Secure to him inexhaustible Nurseries of Masts, Yards, Bowsprits & other Stores for his Navy, & Timber for Ship building within his Northern Colonies independent of any foreign State to be purchased with British Manufactures & transported in British Vessels—that the Inhabitants of the Northern Colonies would in time make such an Addition of Subjects to the Crown of Great Britain as would make their number Superior to that of any Prince’s upon the Continent of Europe; and in the meanwhile the Vent of Woolen & other British Manufactures, & all Kinds of European Commodities imported into the Colonies from Great Britain must increase in proportion to the Increase of their Inhabitants: by all which means the main Sources of Wealth, & a larger Extent of Power by Sea & Land than any State in Christendom at present enjoys, seems capable of being secur’d to his Majty’s Dominions; But which will in the End otherwise be in all human Probability the Lot of the french Dominions; And I would in particular observe to your Grace the most practicable Step the Enemy can attempt making towards their obtaining that seems clearly to be their rendring themselves Masters of Nova Scotia, the Consequences of wch would give ’em so strong an hold upon this Continent as would make it difficult to dislodge ’em & put it very much in their Power to harrass & annoy his Majtys Colonies both by Land & Sea, in such manner as to weaken ’em extremely, if not by degrees finally subdue ’em.
“I am with the most dutiful Regards,
“My Lord Duke,
“Your Grace’s most devoted
“and obedient Servant
“W. Shirley.”
Shirley to Newcastle, 31 May 1746.
(Extract.)
“... I would beg Leave to observe to your Grace, yt the Danger to his Majesty’s garrison arises chiefly from within the heart of the government itself, the Inhabitants & neighboring Indians whose Numbers are sufficient of themselves with a small assistance from Canada & the help of a proper Train of Artillery, slipt up the Bay in small Vessells (wch would give ’em great Encouragement to take up Arms agt the garrison) to reduce it. However while the Attempt against Canada is depending, that will certainly go far towards holding the Inhabitants of Nova Scotia in suspense, till the success of it is known; & I hope by next Spring they may either be put upon a better foot of Subjection, or the most dangerous among ’em removed....”
Shirley to Newcastle, 18 June, 1746.
(Extract.)
“... I may assure your Grace yt. one of the principal motives I had to desire I might succeed General Phillips in his Command, was the hopes I have of it’s putting it in my power to promote his Majesty’s Service in his Province of Acadie, or Nova Scotia by securing the fidelity & Allegiance of the Inhabitants there to his Majesty’s Government in the best manner, and thereby preventing the French from making themselves masters of it, the Acquisition of wch to them with the help of the Indians would likewise endanger the Loss of the Province of New Hampshire & the Mast Country to his Majesty with the Fishery of the Acadie or Cape Sable’s Shoar, including that of Canso, to his Subjects here in present, & should not Canada be reduc’d, would enable the enemy to harrass & Diminish all his Majesty’s Colonies & on the Continent, & have an inevitable Tendency to make themselves masters of the whole of it in time; not to mention the Continual Danger, wch their possession of Nova Scotia would at the same time expose Cape Breton & even Newfoundland to.
“The Considerations have induc’d me to take the Liberty of submitting it to your Grace, whether it might not be for his Majesty’s Service, that before the six Regiments to be employ’d agt Canada return to England, orders may be sent that such part of ’em as shall be thought necessary to assist in removing the most obnoxious of the French Inhabitants of Nova Scotia from thence, should be employ’d in that Service, wch would not take up much time; I am not certain whether a sufficient Strength might not be spar’d from the Garrison at Louisbourg a short time for this purpose, wch if it could, would make the Assistance of any other Troops needless.
“And I would particularly submit it to your Grace’s Consideration, whether in case of any Disappoinment in the present Attempt for the reduction of Canada, the immediate removal of some at least of the French Inhabitants of Nova Scotia, & securing the province in the best manner would not be ... adviseable and even necessary.
“If your Grace should think this deserves so much of your Attention there will be time enough for transmitting his Majesty’s Commands to me upon it before the present Expedition is over.
“I am with the most Dutifull Regard
“My Lord Duke
“Your Grace’s most Devoted
“& most obedient Servant
“W. Shirley.”
Shirley to Newcastle, 28 July, 1746.
(Extract.)
“I must acknowledge I should rather apprehend the french Fleet (if it is design’d for North America) is order’d to Canada; or else to Annapolis Royal, where the Enemy may depend that upon the Apperance of such an Armament the french Inhabitants of Nova Scotia (to the Amount of between 5 & 6000 fighting men) and a considerable Number of Indians & some Canadeans, would immediately join ’em, and they would have a most convenient Country to rendezvous in within a very few days sail of Chappeaurouge Bay at Cape Breton, and be not far from Canada, than that they should attempt to enter Louisbourg Harbour with their Ships; and I am the more inclin’d to this Opinion from the Accounts I have receiv’d lately from Mr Mascarene, and the Officers of the Garrison at Annapolis Royal which inform me that the french Inhabitants at Menis & Schiegneto (in Nova Scotia) have cut off all communication with the garrison for these last five Weeks, and have stop’d the Messengers sent from thence by Mr Mascarene for Intelligence; being in Expectation of an Armament from France; And indeed it seems probable that this will for ever be the Case; and that the Province of Nova Scotia will never be out of Danger, whilst the french Inhabitants are suffer’d to remain in Nova Scotia upon their present Foot of Subjection.”
Shirley to Newcastle, 15 Aug. 1746.
(Extract.)
“I shall finish my troubleing your Grace upon the Affairs of Nova Scotia with this Letter after having once more Submitted it to your Grace’s Consideration as a proper Scheme for better securing the Subjection of the French Inhabitants and Indians there; that the Governour & Council or such other Person or Persons as his Majesty shall think fitt to join with ’em, should have a special authority and directions from his Majesty, forthwith to Apprehend & Examine a convenient number of such of the Inhabitants, as shall be by them judg’d to be most obnoxious & Dangerous to his Majesty’s Government, & upon finding ’em guilty of holding any treasonable Correspondence with the Enemy &c to dispose of them & their Estates in such manner, as his Majesty shall order by his Commissions and to promise his Majesty’s Gracious Pardon & a general Indemnity to the Rest for what is past upon their taking the Oaths of Allegiance to his Majesty; And to Cause either two strong Blockhouses (or small Forts) capable of holding 100 Men each to be Built, one in Menis & the other in Schiegnecto, which may be Garrison’d out of Phillip’s Regiment when Compleated, or else that at least one Blockhouse (or small Fort) should be Built at Menis capable of holding 150 men; and a trading house be kept at the Fort at Menis or some other part of the Province well Stock’d with all proper Supplies for the Indians to be sold or barter’d to ’em for Furrs &c at the most reasonable Rates, and some presents annually distributed to ’em: by which means and removing the Romish Priests out of the Province, & introducing Protestant English Schools, and French Protestant Ministers, and due encouragement given to such of the Inhabitants, as shall Conform to the Protestant Religion, and send their Children to the English Schools, the present Inhabitants might probably at least be kept in Subjection to his Majesty’s Government, and from treasonable correspondencies with the Canadians; and the next Generation in a great measure become true Protestant Subjects; and the Indians there soon Reclaim’d to an entire dependance upon & subjection to his Majesty; which might also have an happy Influence upon some of the Tribes now in the French Interest.
“Your Grace will be pleas’d to Excuse all
“Incorrectness in this rough Sketch.
“I am with the most Dutifull Regard,
“My Lord Duke,
“Your Grace’s most Devoted &
“Most Obedient Servant
“W. Shirley.”
Shirley to Mascarene, Boston, Septr. 16, 1746.
“Sir,
“Having been inform’d that the french Inhabitants of Nova Scotia entertain some Jealousy of a Design in the English Government to remove them with their Families from their Settlements, & transport them to France or elsewhere; I desire (if you think it may be for his Majesty’s Service) that you would be pleas’d to signify to ’em, that it is probable if his Majesty had declar’d such Intention I might have heard of the same, but that I am perfectly unaquainted with any such Design, and am perswaded there is no just Ground for this Jealousy; And be pleas’d to assure ’em that I shall use my best Endeavours by a proper Representation of their Case to be laid before his Majesty, to obtain the Continuance of his Royal Favour & Protection to such of them, as shall behave dutifully, & refuse to hold any Correspondence with his Enemies; and I doubt not but that all such of ’em will be protected by his Majesty in the Possession of their Estates & Settlements in Nova Scotia.
“And I desire you would also be pleas’d to inform them that it is expected from his Majtys french Subjects in that Province, who have for so long time enjoyed the same Privileges with his natural born Subjects there, & have been under a much easier Government than any of the french King’s Subjects are in the neighbouring Province of Canada & other Parts of the french King’s Dominions, that their Interest as well as their Duty and Gratitude should bind them to a strict Fidelity & Obedience to his Majesty and His Government; But on the contrary if any of the Inhabitants of the said Province shall join with the Enemy (especially those that have been sent from Canada to seduce them from their Duty to his Majesty & Attachment to the English Interest) they must expect to be treated in the same manner as his Majesty’s English Subjects would be under the like Provocations.
“I am with great regard
“Sir,
“Your most obedient
“humble servant
“W. Shirley.”
Shirley to Newcastle, Boston, September 19, 1746.
“My Lord Duke,
“I express’d some hopes in my last but one to your Grace, that I should not be oblig’d to add to my former Accounts of the imminent danger, his Majesty’s Province of Nova Scotia was in of being surpriz’d by the Enemy; But find my self under a Necessity of doing it from the Advices which I have since receiv’d from Mr. Mascarene, and the Intelligence contain’d in three Declarations upon Oath, Copies of all which are inclos’d.
“Upon the Receipt of Mr. Mascarene’s Letter, the Contents of which are confirm’d to me by other authentick Accounts, it appear’d to me that there was no room to doubt but that a considerable Body of French and Indians from Canada was assembled in Nova Scotia, with Expectations of a Reinforcement from France; and if they fail’d of that this Year a Design of at least wintering in Minas or some other Part of the Country, by which means they would have an Opportunity of fortifying themselves in it, transporting their great artillery (which there was then the utmost reason to believe they had landed either at Bay Verte or Chebucto Harbour) to Annapolis, and work upon the French Inhabitants already ripe for a Revolt to join ’em in attacking his Majesty’s Garrison there so early in the Spring that it would be extremely difficult if not impracticable to relieve it by any Succours either from Louisbourg or the Colonies on the Continent. Whereupon I immediately sent Mr Mascarene an Assurance that I would send him as soon as possible 300 of the new Levies from this Province, 200 of ’em (which seems to be as many as the Garrison can hold at present besides the Troops already there) for the Reinforcement of it, and 100 of ’em to be employ’d in two Sloops up the Bay in the manner Mr Mascarene proposes in his Letter to me, and that I would do the utmost in my Power to make the number up 2000 soon afterwards, in order to dislodge the Enemy, & prevent ’em from wintering in the Province; And in the mean time upon my advising with Rear Admiral Warren (who is still here) he immediately sent his Majesty’s Ship Chester a 50 Gun Ship to Annapolis Royal for the further Countenance & Protection of the Garrison there.
“Some Days after this I receiv’d Information that a Fleet of upwards of 30 Sail were discover’d about 15 Leagues to the Westward of Chibucto Harbour, which lies upon the Cape Sable Shoar (the Coast of Accadie or Nova Scotia) about 150 Leagues to the Eastward of Boston, and about 60 Leagues Westward of Louisbourg, & about 80 distant from Annapolis Royal according to Champions inclos’d Deposition, which was confirm’d by another of the same Tenour made by one Thornton sent me from Piscataqua, upon which I dispatched an arm’d Brigantine with orders to look into Chibucto Harbour, & if the Master should discover any thing to proceed directly to Louisbourg, & give Vice Admiral Townsend & Governr Knowles Intelligence of it, & to send me Advice of it Express by some fishing Vessel taken up at Sea; But the Brigantine return’d in less than 24 hours with one Stanwood a Fisherman on board, whose Vessel fell in with the Fleet on the 9th day of Septr about 10 Leagues to the Westward of Chibucto, the particulars of which are contain’d in his inclos’d Deposition; and the day after Stanwood’s falling in with this Fleet, Haskell another Master of a fishing Vessel discover’d it standing a right course for Chibucto about 8 Leagues to the Westwd of it, & was chas’d by one of ’em according to the inclos’d Deposition; which Series of Intelligence, as no Vessel has arriv’d here yet from this Fleet (which must in all probability have happen’d had it come from England) compar’d with the Accounts in the English News Papers of the Brest Fleet’s sailing, & the Intelligence gain’d from a french Prize lately taken by one of Mr. Townsend’s Squadron near the Mouth of St Lawrence, that she came out with the Brest Squadron & sail’d in Company with it eight days; the Account we had of two large french Ships being seen to go into Chibucto Harbour about two Months ago; the behavior of the French in Nova Scotia, & their declar’d Expectations of a large French Armament about this time, seems to make it very probable that these Ships may be part of the Brest Squadron, & that they have an immediate design upon Nova Scotia at least.—Hereupon I sent an Express Boat to Louisbourg to apprize Admiral Townsend & Mr Knowles of it, & another to Annapolis Royal to give Mr Mascarene Advice of it, & to let him know that I was embarking 300 Men for the Reinforcement of the Garrison under his Command (which is done & part of ’em sail’d) with a Promise of farther Succours, and to apprize him that from the publick Accounts in the English Prints we had reason to depend upon the speedy Arrival of Lieutt General St Clair with the British Troops under his Command, & a Squadron of his Majesty’s Ships with ’em at Louisbourg; And as I have reason to think that an Apprehension generally prevails among the french Inhabitants of Nova Scotia, that they shall all of ’em soon be remov’d from their Settlements there without Distinction, which may have a bad Influence upon ’em in favour of the Enemy at this critical Time. I have wrote Mr Mascarene a Letter (a copy of which I inclose to your Grace) which is translated into French, & printed, in order to be dispers’d among the french inhabitants, if Mr Mascarene (to whose Discretion I have submitted it either to make Use of or suppress the printed Copies) shall be of Opinion that the Publication of it among ’em may be for his Majesty’s Service.
“If the Fleet discover’d on the Cape Sable Coast should be Part of that from Brest, doubtless their visit to Nova Scotia has been encourag’d by the general Disposition of the Inhabitants, & the strength they will add to ’em for the Reduction of that Province, & afterwards for an Attempt upon Louisbourg (if they should think it adviseable to make one) as also for the defence of Canada. Should they succeed in an immediate Attempt upon Nova Scotia (which I should not be surpriz’d at) & General St Clair with the Squadron expected from England should arrive in time for that purpose, I should propose attempting the immediate recovery of it out of the Enemy’s hands this Year; For their holding that Province till they can fortify it and farther strengthen themselves there must be attended with very bad Consequences to his Majesty’s Service, worse than may be immediately apprehended, & create no inconsiderable Perplexities; at least it seems a clear point to me, that if the French should hold the Possession of Nova Scotia in Addition to Canada, the fate of Affairs in his Majesty’s Northern Colonies will be suddenly alter’d in a surprizing manner & it will then soon be discern’d that the Mastery of the Northern Parts of this Continent, together with the Sources of Wealth & Power depending upon it, will be in a very fair way of being finally transfer’d to the Enemy.
“Upwards of two Months ago upon receiving Intelligence of the Appearance of two large French Ships being seen to go into Chibucto Harbour, Mr Warren & I sent Mr Townsend notice of it; But as we had not learn’d whether any Vessell had been sent from Louisbourg to look into that Harbour, I sent an arm’d Brigantine to make Discoveries there, which was hinder’d from proceeding thither as is before mention’d; & I have now sent a Schooner thither with a Person who has undertaken to go into it in a Whale boat high enough to make an exact discovery of the Enemy’s strength (if any of their Ships are there) & to carry the Account to Louisbourg; But it seems possible if any of ’em have been there, that after landing some Troops and Stores at Chibucto, & getting what Intelligence they can from the Nova Scotians, their Ships may be gone to Canada; for which Place we have been inform’d that sixteen french Vessels, some of ’em Ships of War, had some time ago pass’d up the River of St Laurence; & since that six other Vessels with Stores; so that it is very probable that Quebec is much better prepar’d to receive a Visit from his Majesty’s Land & Sea Forces now than it was a little time ago.”
Shirley to Newcastle, 23 Oct. 1746.
(Extract.)
“It is agreed by all the Prisoners that the French have not fortify’d at Chebucto, nor sent any Troops from thence by Land to join the Canadeans; as also that Mr. Destonnel the chief D’escadre & Commandant upon the Death of the Duke D’Anville, who was of Opinion, to return to France after the Admiral’s Death without attempting any thing, upon being over rul’d in a Council of War & having his Flagg struck, fell upon his Sword, & dy’d of his Wound as all of ’em say, except Sanders.
“It seems very observable from Sander’s Declaration how ready a Disposition the Nova Scotians show’d to afford Refreshmts. & Pilots to the Enemy, & that they had signified to the french Ministry their readiness to join with any force they should send for the Reduction of his Majesty’s Garrison at Annapolis Royal. Also from the number of Engineers the French had with ’em that their Scheme was to hold & fortify Annapolis, for wch. Purpose it seems to be that the 50 brass Cannon were brought, rather than for raising Batteries against the Fort: and that from the Number of their small Arms, which they had with ’em to arm the Nova Scotians (doubtless) as well as the Indians, they had a dependance upon being join’d by them. Likewise the Apprehensions which prevail among the Nova Scotians that they are at present rather Neutrals than Subjects to the Crown of Great Britain. And I think it is not to be doubted now but that the principal Part of the french Scheme was the Reduction of Nova Scotia in the first Place.
“Upon the whole the sickly State of the French Fleet, wc. is extremely ill mann’d, the hurry & Uneasiness they discover’d upon seeing the Contents of the Packets which fell into their hands, & precipitate departure from Chebucto, with their detaining the Flag of Truce & English Prisoners ’till they were got 30 Leagues from Chebucto, & then dismissing ’em with a Notion that their Fleet was going up the Bay of Fundy to Annapolis (instead of carrying ’em up there with ’em to prevent that’s being known to us) makes it seem probable that the Enemy is making the best of their way to France or the West Indies, & was afraid of even M. Townsend’s following ’em.
“I am with the most dutiful Regard
“My Lord Duke,
“Your Grace’s most Devoted
“and most Obedient Servant
“W. Shirley.”
Shirley to Newcastle, Boston, 21 Nov. 1746.
(Extracts.)
“My Lord Duke,
“I am afraid your Grace will think, from my incessant Representations of the State of Nova Scotia, that I imagine that Province should be the sole Object of your Attention: Nothing could induce me to be so importunate with your Grace upon this Subject, but the fullest perswasion of the very great Importance of that Place to the Crown, & the British Subject, of the immediate bad Consequences of the Loss of it to his majesty’s Service, & the imminent danger of its being lost, unless something is forthwith done for the effectual Security of it.
“The inclos’d Extract from Mr Mascarene’s Letter & Copy of Lieutt Colonel Gorham’s will disclose in a great Measure to your Grace their Apprehensions, & the Condition of the Province: The number of the Enemy, are increas’d at Menis; they have again stop’t all Communication between the Inhabitants & the Garrison, & are likely to keep footing there this Winter; and particularly from Colo Gorham’s Letter your Grace will perceive what Pains the Canadeans and Malcontents among the Inhabitants take to prevent my Letter lately dispers’d among ’em, in order to setle the Minds of the Inhabitants, (a Copy of which I have before sent your Grace) from having its proper Influence; & how the Nova Scotians are alarm’d at the Rumour of a design to remove ’em from their Settlements; And it appears to me by what I farther learn from Captain Fotheringham to whom Mr Mascarene refers me in his Letter, that unless something vigorous, as that Letter intimates, is done by the Middle of April at farthest, the greatest Part of the Province at least will be in the hands of the Canadeans, and it will be too late then to attempt to reclaim the Inhabitants.
* * * * *
“For the securing Nova Scotia from its present dangers I would further humbly propose it as my Opinion to be consider’d by your Grace, that if his Majesty should be pleas’d as soon as possibly might be after the Receipt of this, to cause it to be signified to the Inhabitants of Nova Scotia, that the Assurances lately given ’em by me of his Royal Protection to such of ’em as should behave dutifully and avoid all traiterous Correspondence with the Enemy at this Juncture (or to that Effect) were approv’d of by him, and should be made good to ’em, it would have a great Tendency to remove their present Apprehensions of being sent off with their Families from their Settlements in Nova Scotia, which seems to distress & perplex ’em; & effectually to prevent ’em from being drawn over to take up Arms against his Majesty, unless it should be some of the most obnoxious of ’em; which if his Majesty would be pleas’d to send over at the same time his special directions to apprehend, and proceed against, such a Proceeding against the Delinquents and gracious Declaration towards the others, would, I dare say, have a proper Effect for securing the general Fidelity of the Inhabitants, at least so far as to keep ’em from joining with the Enemy; And least the Succours now sent to Annapolis should not be a sufficient force to dislodge the Enemy this Winter, I would farther humbly propose it for your Graces’ Consideration, that his Majesty’s Orders should be forthwith sent to myself and the other three Governments of New England, that in case the Canadeans should not be withdrawn out of Nova Scotia, they should immediately cause the Soldiers rais’d in their respective Colonies & Provinces for his Majesty’s Service in the Expedition against Canada to be transported to Annapolis Royal, as their Place of Rendezvous istead of Louisbourg, & to be employed in driving the Canadeans out of Nova Scotia, and be farther subjected to such Orders as his Majesty shall be pleas’d to signify in those Directions; and if this Order was to extend to the Governour of New York, it might not be an unnecessary Caution. I am apprehensive if such Orders are not sent, that the Attention of the several Governmts to the Reduction of Crown Point might very much interfere with the Preservation of Nova Scotia, which is of infinitely more Consequence.
“These are the things which occur to me at present, & which I would submit to your Grace’s Consideration, as what seems to require more immediate Dispatch; As to the danger of the french Fleet’s early Return from the West Indies to Nova Scotia and what Strength of Ships may be necessary to protect that Province, Cape Breton, and the other Colonies against that Fleet, or any other french Armament which may be sent from Europe in the Spring to visit these Parts, I leave to Admiral Warren, who now goes to England in the Chester, and with whom, pursuant to the Directions of your Grace’s two Letters to me in March & April last, I have acted in Concert upon all such Occasions as requir’d my consulting him with the greatest Satisfaction and Harmony, having had the Pleasure to find my own Sentiments agreable to his in all Matters of Consequence, and a most hearty Disposition in him for his Majesty’s Service, and to whom I have often talk’d over the Affairs of Nova Scotia.
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“I will avoid repeating what I have particularly mention’d to your Grace in late Letters concerning fortifying of Chebucto Harbour and building a Blockhouse or small Fort for 150 Men at Menis, with a Trading House there for the Indians, and a Blockhouse only at Canso for 100 Men, instead of new building and enlarging that at Annapolis Royal, and erecting a larger Fortification at Canso; which in my humble Opinion would greatly strengthen that Province, and together with the introducing of french Protestant Ministers, and English Schools, & some small Encouragement by Privileges to such as should conform to the Prtestant Religion, or send their Children to the English Schools, and Presents to the Indians with Supplies of all necessaries for ’em at the most reasonable Rates, in Exchange for their Furrs &c.; the Disallowance of the publick Exercise of the Roman Catholic Religion, at least after a short Term of Years, & forbidding Romish Priests under severe Penalties to come into the Country either among the Inhabitants or Indians; and if it might be consistent with his Majesty’s Pleasure, a Civil Government to be in due time introduc’d among the Inhabitants; These things, I say, my Lord together with making Examples of the most obnoxious among the Inhabitants, and his Majesty’s extending his Clemency and the Continuance of his Protection to the rest upon taking the proper Oath of Allegiance, seem to me to have the most promising Aspect for making good Subjects of the present Generation of Inhabitants, at least better than they are now and good Protestants of the next Generation of ’em; especially if there was to be a Mixture of English or other Protestants introduc’d among ’em, which the Invitation of a Civil Government to be set up among ’em would bid fair for doing: and the Trading House would create in the Indians a firm Dependance upon, and Attachment to his Majesty’s Government, especially if a proper Protestant Missionary or two was supported to live among ’em at their head Quarters, as is the Method of the french Priests; by wch. means they gain so great an Ascendency over them.
“Just as I had finished the last Paragraph a Letter from Governor Knowles to Admiral Warren & myself, dated the 10th Instant, was deliver’d to me, in which he informs me that ‘he has given his Opinion in his Letters to your Grace, that it will be necessary to drive all the French (I suppose he means Inhabitants) out of Accadie (Nova Scotia) in the Spring, and that he hopes he shall have Orders to assist in doing it, if Admiral Warren does not go upon the Expedition to Quebeck, which he apprehends is rendred more difficult than it was, by such a Number of Ships being got safe up to Quebeck this Year, as no doubt they have carried all manner of warlike Stores.’ And in his Letter to me of the 24th of October he says ‘if his Majesty should be pleas’d to transport the Rebels who are Objects of his Mercy, & encourage other Highland Families to come over, he thinks the Colony of Nova Scotia would soon be repeopled;’ which it is possible he may have also propos’d to your Grace as in his Opinion the best Method for peopling that Colony, after the present french Inhabitants are drove off.
“As the Sentiments, which I have taken the Liberty to offer to your Grace upon this Subject, happen to be something different from Mr. Knowles’s, I think it may not only be proper but my Duty to mention the Reasons of my preferring the Scheme for attempting to make the present french Inhabitants good Subjects to his Majesty, and keeping ’em in the Country, to that of driving ’em off & introducing some of the Rebels and other Highlanders in their Room.
“It seems very difficult to drive all the Inhabitants of Accadie out of so large a Province as that is, and which consists chiefly of Woods; It is most probable that many of the hardiest Men would retire (for some time at least) with their Cattle into the Woods, & form Parties with the Indians; and the remainder would doubtless retreat with their Families to Canada: Those, who are acquainted with the Indian Manner of Life & making War know that one hundred of ’em under Cover of the Woods can confine a very large Frontier within their Garrisons, even tho’ they have Companies continually scouting between one Garrison and another: this is at present the Case of this Province & the other Colonies of New England & New York, tho’ the People there are us’d to the Woods, & the Skulking of the Indians behind the Bushes & in Ditches with their other Wiles, & have large numbers of the Militia constantly upon Guard for their Protection; their Cattle is continually destroy’d; if any of ’em venture out into their Fields, they are frequently kill’d & scalp’d; and sometimes not only single Families or Garrisons are surpriz’d and cut off, as has happen’d lately in this Province, but even whole Villages, as was the Case of Sarahtoga in New York a few Months ago; so that those of the french Inhabitants, who should mix with the Indians in the Woods, would have it in their Power to put his Majesty’s Garrison under such Circumstances as that it could not possibly subsist longer in the Country than they could do it without fresh Provisions, Wood & other Materials & Supplies from thence; from all which they would be wholly cut off, when the Inhabitants were drove away; And as to such of the Inhabitants, who should go with their Families to Canada, it must be expected that a very large Body of the Men would return arm’d next Spring with some Canadeans to join the Indians; from all which it seems justly to be apprehended that an Attempt to drive all the french Inhabitants from their Settlements, should it succeed, would in Effect be driving 5 or 6000 Men to take up Arms against his Majesty’s Government there every Year during the War; make the reclaiming of the Indians of Nova Scotia impracticable, & render it impossible for his Majesty’s Garrison there to subsist long in the Country in time of War even with the Indians only; Besides, the Addition of about 6000 fighting Men with their Families to Canada, which would greatly strengthen the French upon this Continent, and would entail upon the Posterity of those who are thus expell’d (for several Generations at least) a Desire of recovering their former Possessions in Nova Scotia, seems to be no inconsiderable Matter, but what next to the Loss of the Country itself should be avoided on the Part of his Majesty, & is I dare say an Event, which the French next to their Acquisition of this Colony would desire: It is indeed now to be wish’d that General Nicholson had upon the first Reduction of the Colony to the Obedience to the Crown of Great Britain, remov’d the french Inhabitants, when they were but a few, out of the Country, as was done at Louisbourg; and that during the Interval of Peace the Colony had been planted with Protestant Subjects; But after their having remain’d so long in the Country upon the foot of British Subjects under the Sanction of the treaty of Utrecht, and making Improvements on their Lands for one or two Generations, and being grown up into such a Number of Families, to drive ’em all off their Settlements without farther Inquiry seems to be liable to many Objections. Among others it may be doubted whether under the Circumstances of these Inhabitants it would clearly appear to be a just Usage of ’em; it is true that the Notion of their Neutrality (which seems to have been entertain’d for some time by the English as well as themselves) is ill-grounded, and does not comport with the Terms of their Allegiance to his Majesty, to which such of ’em as chose to remain in the Province are bound by the treaty of Utrecht; whereby the french King yielded up the Inhabitants as well as the Soil of Accadie, and together with their Persons transferred their Allegiance to the Crown of Great Britain; But if it is consider’d that this Notion was founded upon an Act of the late Lieutt Governour Armstrong then the residing Commander in Chief of the Province, whereby he took upon himself to grant ’em by a Writing under his Hand an Exemption from bearing Arms upon any Account whatever, on their consenting to take an Oath of Allegiance to his present Majesty, which, whether it was done by him with, or without Authority, appear’d at least to them to be authentick; it may perhaps be deem’d too rigorous a Punishment for their behavior grounded on such a Mistake, to involve the innocent with the Guilty in the Loss of their Estates, and the Expulsion of their Families out of the Country; it is not improbable but that there may be many among ’em who would even prefer his Majesty’s Governmt. to a french one, & have done nothing to deserve such a Forfeiture; Some Allowances may likewise be made for their bad Situation between the Canadeans, Indians & English, the Ravages of all which they have felt by Turns in the Course of the War; during which they seem to have been continually plac’d between two fires, the force and Menaces of the Canadeans & Indians plundering ’em of whatever they wanted, & deterring ’em in the strongest manner from having any Communication with his Majesty’s Garrison, on the one hand; and the Resentmts of the Garrison for their withholding their Intelligence & Supplies on the other, tho’ at the same time it was not in a Condition to protect ’em from the Enemy; Wherefore it seems a Matter worthy of your Grace’s Consideration, whether under such doubtful Circumstances the driving all the French Inhabitants of Nova Scotia off their Settlements, and thereby very greatly strengthening the Enemy upon this Continent, not only against the Garrison in present, but finally against all the British Colonies there, and depopulating one of his Majesty’s Provinces for some time (how long may be uncertain) is more eligible than treating ’em as Subjects, confining their Punishmt to the most guilty & dangerous among ’em, & keeping the rest in the Country, and endeavouring to make them & their Posterity useful Members of Society under his Majesty’s Government: I can’t omit likewise observing to your Grace, that it would be exceeding difficult to fill up the Chasm which driving off the Inhabitants would make in the Country; During the Rupture with France it would certainly be impracticable, and I doubt whether it would not be so when Peace shall be made with France, if the Indians should continue at War with us; For what Number of Families can be propos’d to begin a Settlemt. in the Country, after the Expulsion of the French Inhabitants, with safety against the Indians, & which would be continually expos’d to be destroyed by ’em, whilst they were carrying on their Settlements; They must expect no Protection against the Indians from within the Garrison, out of the Reach of their great Guns; the Company of Rangers, which live without the Walls of the Fort, would afford more of that than a thousand Garrison Soldiers would do: Whereas if the Stock of french Inhabitants was continued in the Country, an Accommodation with the Indians would be more easily brought about and preserv’d, they would be a Cover for any Number of Families that might be introduc’d among ’em whilst they were carrying on Settlements; & secure to the Garrison its necessary Supplies of fresh Provisions, Fuel, Materials for repairing the Works, & Stores of Sorts that the Country affords.
“As to repeopling the Province with some of the late Rebels and other Highland Families, it seems much to be doubted whether it might not be too hazardous to fill that Colony, wch. should be the Barrier of all his Majesty’s Colonies upon this Continent, with a Set of poor, ignorant, deluded Wretches just come out of a most unnatural Rebellion; that from their Neighbourhood to Canada would be continually expos’d to the Artifices and Attempts of french Romish Priests upon ’em who it is reasonable to think would not fail to instill the same Notions into ’em in America, which seduc’d ’em from their Allegiance in Great Britain, with a Promise of more effectual Support & Protection from the French here, than they had in the Highlands; Indeed, my Lord, this seems to be a dangerous experiment, and what might produce the worst of Consequences.
“I beg leave to submit it to your Grace’s Consideration, whether the most staunch Protestants, & Families the most zealously affected to his Majesty’s Government, a Number at least of such, should not rather, if possible, be transplanted there as soon as may be; I could wish four or five hundred of ’em could be induc’d to go from some Part of New England; I think from the Experience I had of the Inhabitants of this Province at least upon the late Alarm given by the french Fleet, I might safely venture to be answerable to his Majesty, that if I had suggested in my late Orders for assembling a Body of ’em under Arms in Boston from all Parts of this Province to oppose any Attempt of the Enemy, that there was a design of landing a Son of the Pretender’s here, it would not have been possible to have kept any one Man, who was capable of marching hither, from appearing under Arms with the most determin’d Resolution of hazarding his Life to the utmost in defence of his Majesty’s Governmt.; And as the late Appearances of a fondness for removing from hence to Cape Breton seem to be quite vanished at present, I should not be without hopes of some families removing from these Parts to Nova Scotia upon due Encouragement; Protestants likewise from among the Swiss Cantons, & other Northern Parts in Germany, who are generally bred up in the Exercise of arms, and make sober and industrious Settlers, might be safely trusted in Accadie; Great Numbers of ’em yearly flock into Pensilvania, whereby the Inhabitants of that Province are almost incredibly increas’d within these twenty Years; And from the behavior of the Irish coming out of the Northern Parts of Ireland hither, a Number of which is setled in the Eastern Parts of this Province, I should think they too might be safely trusted in Nova Scotia; and it is certain that these poor unhappy Highlanders (I mean such of ’em as may be design’d to be transported into the Plantations) would be more safely dispos’d of among the four Governmts. of New England, or in New York & the Jerseys, where they would not be in danger either of corrupting the Inhabitants, or being again seduc’d themselves, but might make useful Subjects to his Majesty.
“I hope, my Lord, I shall be excus’d if I have gone beyond my Line in submitting these Observations to your Grace, at a time when the fate of one of his Majesty’s Northern Colonies, the most important of ’em all to the Crown in many respects, as I apprehend, and which will be in the hands of the french the Key to all the other British Colonies upon this Continent, & even to Cape Breton, And in his Majesty’s Possession the Barrier of ’em against the Enemy seems to come to a Crisis.”
Shirley to Newcastle, Boston, New England, 27 February, 1747.
“My Lord Duke,
“I am sorry that I am now to Acquaint your Grace with the Advices I receiv’d last night by Express from Nova Scotia giving me an Account that the Detachment of Troops under the Command of Lieut. Colonel Noble, which I Inform’d your Grace in my last of the 21st. instant had taken possession of Minas, and had kept it near two months, was for want of a proper Security for the Men and Intelligence from the Inhabitants surpriz’d on the 31st. of January last at three o’Clock in the morning by between 5 & 600 Canadeans & Indians in which Lieut. Colo. Noble with four Officers more and about 80 men were killed, and three Officers and about 60 Men were wounded and taken prisoners before it was light enough for our people to get together; they however obliged the Enemy, upwards of 20 of whom were kill’d, and about 15 wounded, to allow ’em an honourable Capitulation, a Copy of which I inclose to your Grace together with the Account given of this Affair by the Officer who was Commandant of the Detachment at the time of the Capitulation, & Extracts from Lieut. Governour Mascarene’s Letter to me upon this Subject, from whence I choose your Grace should receive the Accot. in the same light it has been Conveyed to me in, and which upon the best Inquiry I can make, seems to be a just one. I also Inclose to your Grace an Extract from Col. Noble’s Letter to me dated two days before his death, giving me an Account of the Situation of Affairs then at Minas; from whence your Grace will perceive that even then he was in Expectation of being Join’d by the Rhode Island Forces & the Company from this Province, which had the Misfortune to be Shipreck’d; and that, had they arriv’d at Annapolis, and the New Hampshire Companies had not return’d home without acting, the Enemy would in all probability have been drove out of Nova Scotia, and every good purpose, which I had propos’d, been answer’d before this time. As it is I shall use my best Endeavours forthwith to fit out a sufficient force by Sea to destroy Mr. Ramsay’s Vessels at Schiegnecto, and recover our own by Spring, & to send Mr. Mascarene such a Reinforcement of Troops as may still drive the Enemy out of Nova Scotia by the same time and prevent any bad Consequences from the late Accident there, which seems necessary to be done (if possible) and I shall hope to succeed in, if the neighbouring Governments of New England will assist in, which I shall urge ’em to do.
“I likewise inclose the Answer of the Inhabitants of Minas to the French Letter which I some time ago Inform’d your Grace I sent Mr. Mascarene last Fall, and a Paragraph out of one of his Letters to me upon the same matter; whereby your Grace will perceive that that Letter seems to have had an happy Effect upon the Inhabitants at a most critical Conjuncture.
“The late Secresy of the Inhabitants of Minas with regard to the Enemys Motions, and the very certain Intelligence which the Enemy gain’d of the particular Quarters of the English Officers, notwithstanding their Supplying the King’s Troops with Provisions, and the Curtesy of their Behavior to ’em before this Surprize, and their professions of being sorry for it afterwards seems to shew the necessity of his Majesty’s Keeping a strong Blockhouse there with a Garrison of 150 men; And the constant ill behavior of the Inhabitants of Schiegnecto seems to make another Blockhouse with a like Garrison there equally necessary, as I at first propos’d to your Grace from Louisbourg; and these two with a Fort and Garrison at Chebucto of 300 Men at least, and the continuance of a Garrison of 300 at Annapolis Royal as it is at present, with a strong Blockhouse at Canso garrison’d with 100 Men would through the constant Correspondence that might be kept up between the several Garrisons be an effectual Security to the Province against the Enemy, and oblige the Inhabitants in a little time to contribute towards the protection & Expence of the Government, and for ever frustrate any hopes the French could Entertain of making themselves Masters of it, by their constant Endeavours to Seduce the Inhabitants from their Allegiance; all which would make Nova Scotia really His Majesty’s which it seems scarcely to have been yet: And I would Submit it to your Grace’s Consideration whether a Company of Rangers consisting of 100 Indians, or rather two Companies, consisting of 50 each, one to be posted at the Blockhouse at Minas, and the other in Schiegnecto would not be of the greatest Service, in Scouting thro’ every part of the Province and in the Woods upon all Emergencies (for which the Regular Troops are by no means fit) and particularly in preventing the French from Introducing Men from Canada into the Province by the Bay Vert; I think the great Service which Lieut Colonel Gorham’s Company of Rangers has been of to the Garrison at Annapolis Royal, is a demonstration of the Usefulness of such a Corps, besides that it may be a means of bringing Indians out of the French Interest into his Majesty’s Service, and go far towards reclaiming ’em in general; especially if (as I have before propos’d for your Grace’s Consideration) two Trading or Truck Houses were to be maintain’d one at Minas, and the other at Chiegnecto, for supplying the Indians with all necessaries in Exchange for furrs, and proper presents were made to ’em in the manner which the French use to Keep ’em in their Interest.
“And if your Grace would allow me the Freedom to offer my Sentiments concerning what appears to me to be farther necessary for putting this important Province of Nova Scotia (I think I may justly call it the most important to the Crown of any upon this Continent) in Security, I sho’d propose one of His Majesty’s Arm’d Sloops (or Snows) with a Tender to be constantly employ’d in the Bay of Fundy for visiting all parts of it upon every occasion, as well as the several Harbours on the Cape Sable Coast; and one of his Majesty’s Frigates to be employ’d for the protection of the Fishery at Canso (as was always usual in time of peace) which together with a Tender would also be of great Service in duly attending the Bay Verte, upon every Occasion, and likewise visiting the Coast of Accadie (or Cape Sables) besides protecting the Fishery.
“Since writing the last Paragraph I have heard of some other particular circumstances, which make it very suspicious that several of the Inhabitants at least of Minas knew of the Enemy’s Motions, & I find that it is the general Opinion of the Officers that they did.