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Govr. Armstrong to Duke of Newcastle.
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ANNAPOLIS ROYAL
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15 November 1732.
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MAY IT PLEASE YOUR GRACE, —
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* * * * I have in obedience thereunto sent to their Lordships a report of the Gentlemen of the Council of the present state of the Province, which, especially this corner of it, I am sorry should be in such a poor condition as it is really in, after having been so long as upwards of twenty-one years (which may be said imaginarily only) under the English Government; for the Inhabitants here being all French and Roman Catholics, are more subject to our neighbours of Quebec and those of Cape Breton than to His Majesty, whose Government by all their proceedings (notwithstanding of their Oath of Fidelity) they seem to despise, being entirely governed by their most insolent Priests, who for the most part come and go at pleasure, pretending for their sanction the treaty of Utrecht, without taking the least notice of this Government in spite of all endeavours used to the contrary.
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I must also inform your Grace that the Indians are employed in the affair, and use for an argument that although the English conquered Annapolis, they never did Menis and these other parts of the Province, and in consequence of such arguments instilled into them, they have actually robbed the gentlemen of the Colliery by Chickenectua, destroyed their House and Magazine built there, through pretence of a premium or rent due to them for the land and liberty of digging; in this manner they now show their insolence to obstruct the settlement of this Province, being thereunto advised, as I have been informed, by Governor St. Ovid, who tells both them and our French inhabitants that if they permit such designs of the English to succeed, that the Province will be entirely lost; and as such proceedings of the French destroys their allegiance and those of the Indians, the articles of peace concluded with them both here and in New England, I must upon these circumstauces beg your Grace's advice. * * * * * *
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I am &c &c
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R. PHILIPPS.
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To His Grace
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The Duke of Newcastle
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&c &c &c
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