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manded me to declare his Royal will and pleasure, to the french Inhabitants thereof, wch I have done by proclamation, a copy of which I have the honour to enclose to you, with the intent only that you may be acquainted with his Majesty's great goodness and gracious indulgence to these people as therein expressed.
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And as nothing less might reasonably be expected from them than a quiet submission to the terms prescribed as being grounded upon Solemn Treaties acknowledged and ratifyed by his Most Cbristian Majesty, and agreable both to reason & justice, it will be very surpriseing to his Majesty to hear that instead thereof; they are indeavoureing at this time to disturb the peace of this Government, by practiseing with the Savages to assemble together upon this occasion, to assert their native rights to this country, in opposition to that of his Majesty which I am inform'd they intend to do in a disorderly manner, the fatal consequences thereof, in case hostilitys should begin, must inevitably tend to the confusion of the contrivers. That the french Inhabitants are these very persons is too plaine from several expressions they have drop'd to that purpose, as that they wish we may part friends &c. also from some marks of contempt they have lately shewn to my authority aud that which gives me a greater suspicion of some rash and evil design is the abrupt departure of Pere Justinian their Missionary who never was known before to absent himself without the knowledge & permission of the Governor.
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As for my parte I have given them as many proofs of kindness & the lenity of my Government as oppos have offered within the little time I have been among them, but as they have been alwayes taught by their Priests to look upon themselves as subjects of France, and to observe the direction & Council of the Isle Royalle*, they have now asked my consent to send their deputy's thither for your advice in this matter, which they think to be of the last consequence to them, to which I have the more readily condisended, as not in the least doubting but that you are perfectly acquainted with the intentions of the most Christian King, to preserve inviolably the strict alliance offensive & defensive betwixt the two Crownes, and therefore will make no other use of the power & influence you have with these people, than to persuade to take such measures as may tend to their own good, and at the same time to preserve the peace & tranquillity of these Countrys, and I cannot help thinking that whatever happens
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* Cape Breton.
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