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Governor Philipps to the Secretary of State.
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SIR, —
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The winter being now over it will be expected that I give some further accot: of the affaires of this Country which (in regard to both french and Indians) are much in the same scittuation, as when I had last the Honr. of writeing to you. The first of them waite the decisive answer of the Court, as to their goeing or staying, and do not want assurance to hope a favourable one which (I must say) their behaviour little deserves, particularly that part in permitting or indeed rather incourageing the plunder of a Sloop formerly mentioned, at their very doores by half a dozen Indians. They have indeed lately sent Deputys to sue for pardon, and obliged themselves to pay the damage; but if it be determined for them to retire I expect it will be in the manner that the jews march'd out of Egypt not only with their owne effects and what they can borrow, but will first distroy the Country.
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Therefore the best way (in my humble opinion) of answering will be in the manner we have proposed; to fall to worke and build Forts among them, and when they find the Goverment in Earnest and capable either to protect or . . . . . . . them, tis not unlikely, that they will sitt downe quietly in their possession, and become good subjects with good looking after. As to the latter, they are to meet me towards the latter end of this month to receive his Majesty's presents, and I shall make use of that opportunity to oblige them to the most advantageous conditions of peace and traffick with his Majesty's subjects. * * *
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Sir, yours &c
R. PHILIPPS
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This letter is entered in the Letter Book without date.
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We the Governor and Members of his Majesty's Council for Nova Scotia, being assembled to consult on the scituation of the affaires of this Govermt., in order humbly to represent the same to his Majesty, and to propose some methods which may prove effectual to establish the King's authority in this Province and facilitate the settling the same, so as to prove in time advantagious to the Crowne and to the Trade of Great Brittain, haveing maturely weigh'd and consider'd the same, do humbly represent vizt :
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1st. That the french Inhabitants do persist in refusing to take the Oaths of allegiance to the Crowne of Great Brittain,
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