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NOVA SCOTIA DOCUMENTS. |
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and look upon themselves as the Indispensable liege subjects of France by the engagement they have layd themselves under, and from which their Priests tell them they can not be absolved.
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21y. That by continuing to plow and till their lands, to build new houses, and other improvemts: they seem to have no thoughts of quitting this Country, which we have reason to believe proceeds from a contempt of this Garrison and a dependance on their own numbers, with a reliance on the assistance of the Indians, who are their firm allies and dependants, by the tyes of long acquaintance, consanguinity and religion.
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31y. That these Inhabitants and the Indians, are intirely influenced and guided by the Goverment of Cape Breton, and the Missionary Priests resideing among them, by which they privately or publickly obstruct every thing that may turn to the advantage of the Brittish Trade or security of his Majesty's Goverment here. The proofs of which sufficiently appear by the Invasion of Cansoe, where many of his Majesty's Subjects were great sufferers, and a plundering a Sloop at Minas to a considerable value, belonging to another of his Majesty's subjects, which last action, was committed by Eleven Indians in the midst of two or three hundred french Inhabitants.
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4th. That we are sensible by dayly experience that there is in general an intire repugnance amongst them to obey the Orders which anyway tend to the good of his Majesty's service, and that they pay little regard to the King's authority beyond the reach of the gunns of this ffort.
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This being the State of affaires in this Province, We are humbly of opinion, that a sufficient number of Troops is absolutely necessary to be added to those already here, to curb the insolent temper of the present Inhabitants, if they are allowed to stay, or to oblige them to depart, and leave this Country on the terms prescribed them, and at the same time to protect those of his Majesty's subjects who will come to settle in their stead. The number proposed to be sent we humbly conceive ought to be six hundred men at least, with a proportionate number of Officers, provisions for a twelve month, stores and tooles requisite to raise redoubts, forts or intrenchments to secure the Garrisons, till more durable can be built for the defence of the several settlements.
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Canceau is the first which we think ought to be possessed and defended in regard to the Great advantage which accrues
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