Nova Scotia Archives

Acadian Heartland

Records of the Deportation and Le Grand Dérangement, 1714-1768

150

NOVA SCOTIA DOCUMENTS.

Our Regimental clothing is not yet arriv'd and our men on acct. of the extraordinary fatigue in regard to attending our Repairs and other necessary Dutys are very bare, as are most of our Auxiliaries, which has oblig'd me to allow the men as the cold season came on to wrapp themselves up in one of their Blanketts as they stand Sentry. We impatiently expect, tho' the season is farr advanc'd, some vessells from Boston in which I hope will come with the clothing for our men, also some and provisions for the auxiliarys, and some letters from Great Brittain, for I have butt one dated the 21st of August last acquainting me with my being appointed Lieut. Governor of this Garrison.

This letter is also in the handwritmg ef Governor Mascarene.

Govr. Mascarene to ———

ANNAPOLIS ROYAL, 15th March, 1744-5.

SIR, —

The foregoing was concluded the latter end of November, and a few days after I had the pleasure to see three vessels arrive from Boston with Provisions for six months and clothing for our auxiliaries, butt none of the latter for our men. To make up for that defficiency the Captains had agreed to send for Duffills with which were made seven or eight watchcoats for each Company to serve the men for a covering whilst on Duty, a thing absolutely necessary considering our winters here and the ragged condition of our men. I had also prevail'd with the Deputies of the Inhabitants of this River to furnish the Engeneer the materials requisite for our Repairs att the stated price, which they seem'd to undertake and perform chearfully, and tho' the season was farr advanc'd when the Ennemy totally left us, two Bastions have almost entirely been revested before the winter satt in, which the old revestments being entirely decay’d and the Soil with which they are rais'd a meer Sand, would in a little while longer have tumbled down and left us all winter naked to the Enemy. The materials brought in since by the River, being contrary to what generally happens, left open since the latter end of January, will enable us to revest a Curtain and two flanks remaining still very bad, and to pallissadoe our Cover'd way, which is Still an open; and the filling up the hollows and esplanading the Glacis if the Enemy will allow time for it, will put me in a better condition to receive him, than I was in last year.