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Lieut. Govr. Belcher to General Amherst.
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“ HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, 15th April, 1761.
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“ SIR, —
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“ By this Opportunity I don't doubt that Colonel Forster has laid before Your Excellency, the Informations he has received relating to the hostile Designs of the numerous Body of Acadians at Ristigouch, and the neighboring parts; in fitting out Piratical Vessels to Cruize on His Majesty's Subjects, and that the Lord Colvill is now taking the most effectual methods to frustrate their Designs. But I think it my indispensable Duty to represent to Your Excellency, my Apprehensions for the Settlements which are to be established this Summer in the District of Chignecto.
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“ The Acadians have at all times shewn a readiness to attempt any thing against the present Establishment of this Province, and I think in this new Instance, they have given a fresh proof of this Disposition, joined with a high degree of Obstinacy; for notwithstanding the Conquest of Canada, and the mild Treatment and Indulgencies shewn to those who have surrendered themselves, they have not only used means to prevent the Indians in their Neighbourhood from making Peace, but are now forming desperate Designs, which cannot be imputed to a necessity of procuring Provisions, as they know that on their Submission, they would receive Supplies of that sort. And I beg leave further to remark to Your Excellency that none of the Acadians have ever made voluntary Submission, but on the contrary, their wants and Terrors only have reduced them to it, of which there's an Instance from some of them remaining at the Village St. Ann's on St. John's River, to the amount of Forty, who have yet made no Offers of Surrender, as they are subsisted through the means of the Indians there, and whom, according to some well grounded Intelligences I have lately received, not long since, they have been exciting to mischievous, tho' vain Attempts.
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“ Besides the reasons I have already offered to you, Sir, why Attempts from these People are to be fear'd, there yet remains one of some weight, which is that there are many amongst the Acadians at Restigouch, who were formerly in possession of some of those Lands in the District of Chignecto, and as they have not yet lost hopes of regaining them, through Notions which they have received from Priests and Frenchmen, I think it at least probable that they will disturb the beginning of these Settlements, in which case, the loss of two or three
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