Nova Scotia Archives

Acadian Heartland

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

ACADIAN FRENCH.

pay them a willing obedience and are growne so insolente, as to say they will neither sweare allegiance, nor leave the Country. This I can affirme to your Lodspps. to be the present state of these Settlements, how far they may change their sentiments at my arrival among them is uncertaine. I shall not fail to publish the King's gracious intentions towards them, and endeavour to convince them, they are acting against their own Interest. but the best argument will bee a reinforcement of Troops, for they are not ignorant that the Garrison of Annapolis consisting of but five Compos upon a low Establishment will not admit of a considerable detachment to be sent against them; and tho' force need not be made use of but as the last remedy, it is my humble opinion, that I should have orders to move three Companys forthwith from Placentia, which are not wanted there, the remaining part being sufficient to carry on the small work entended there, and at the same time the Engineer have direction sent him to rase a fortifycation to contain two Companys, with a few Cannon in a convenient scituation for keeping those neighbouring settlements in obedience for they are computed at above four hundred familys, and tis observed they multiply exceedingly, and likely in a few years, to become a numerous people, and therefore (with submission) this is the time to take care of them. *

I must farther acquaint your Lodsps that the ffrench from Cape Breton have continued their ffishing last season at Cansoe, under a guard of soldiers, intending that for their Chief settlement, if their pretended right could be made out. It is by all accounts the best and most convenient fishery in any part of the King's dominion, the People from the West of England have found great satisfaction in the place, and will return with many ships in the spring.

* * * * *

Your Lordspps

most humble and most

obedt servant

* R. PHILIPPS.

To the Rt Honble the Lords Commissrs for Trade &c.

General Richard Phillips, Governor of Nova Scotia, was born in the year 1661. When a young man he is said to have been employed in distributing the manifestos of the Prince of Orange (William III.) among the troops encamped at Hounslow, for which service he was made captain. He served at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, became Lt. Col. of foot in 1712, and received the appointment of Governor of Nova Scotia, by commission of King George
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