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NOVA SCOTIA DOCUMENTS. |
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The only ill consequence that can attend their going, would be their taking arms and joining with the Indians to distress our settlements, as they are numerous and our troops so much divided; tho' indeed, I believe that a very large part of the inhabitants would submit to any terms rather than take up arms on either side; but that is only my conjecture, and not singly to be depended upon in so critical a circumstance. However if your Lordships should be of opinion, that we are not sufficiently established to take so important a step, we could prevent many inconveniences by building a Fort, or a few Blockhouses on Chibenacadie River. It would hinder in a great measure their communication with the French, entirely prevent their supplying them with cattle, put a stop to desertion of the Germans, and cut off the principal Pass by means of which the Indians have hitherto annoyed us.
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The Chignecto inhabitants as your Lordships will see by the enclosed Minutes of Council, have repeated their application for a readmission to their lands, but were again refused and acquainted that it was useless to think of it without an absolute compliance on their parts. I was privately informed that at their return they were in a very ill humour with Le Loutre the Missionary and with the French Commandant, and that they represented to them the hardships they laboured under in not being suffered to accept the proposals of the English in a remonstrance that I am told was very little short of a mutiny.
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Mr. Cotterell to Colonel Sutherland.
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(Letter Book.)
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SECRETARY'S OFFICE, 24 August, 1754.
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DR. SIR, —
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* * * * The Bearers hereof being in all twenty-five persons are just arrived here from Louisbourg from whence they made their Escape to avoid starving. Some of them were formerly Inhabitants of this Country, and are nearly related to old Labrador; they have all taken the oaths; the Colonel desires you would treat them kindly, ordered them to be Vituelled, to have tools given them, and Land laid out for them where you shall see most convenient."
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I am Dr. Sir
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Yours &c.
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WM. COTTERELL.
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To Col. Sutherland, commanding at Lunenburg.
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