Nova Scotia Archives

Acadian Heartland

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

ACADIAN FRENCH.

297

spared, yet It will appear by the Returns how little progress has been made. The New England Troops of the Battalion that is here press much to be discharged, indeed so earnestly, that I am inclined to think they are put upon it by some of their principal Officers, and should their dismission take place before the Augmentation of the Regiments is completed, it will not only be impossible for me to preserve the Acquisitions that were made last year on the North side of tbe Bay of Fundi but for want of a sufficient body of men upon our Frontiers, the whole Province will be continually subject to insults, incursions & Encroachments. I am credibly informed that a Body of French & Indians intend to attempt the Garrison of Annapolis Royal in the Spring. There are about five hundred of the Inhabitants still lurking about in the Woods. Mr. Boisehbert, the French Officer that commanded at St. John's Fort, is at Gedaique with a Party of French Inhabitants & Indians. Lt. Colonel Scott had lately Intelligence of him by a Deserter, and immediately went to the place where he had been with a Strong Detachment; but finding that he had shifted his Quarters he returned to his Fort and upon his march was attacked in his Rear; he lost two Men of the Regulars, and by what Colonel Scott's Detachment could observe they had the greatest reason to believe the Enemy lost six or seven Indians. I lately sent a Party of Rangers in a Schooner to St. John's River, As the Men were Cloathed like french Soldiers and the Schooner under French Colours, I had hopes by such a deceit, not only to discover what was doing there but to bring off some of the St. John's Indians. The Officer found there an English Ship, one of our Transports that sailed from Annapolis Royal with French Inhabitants a Board bound for the Continent, but the Inhabitants had risen upon the Master & Crew and carried the Ship into that Harbour, our people would have brought her off but by an accident they discovered themselves too soon, upon which the French set fire to the Ship. They have brought back with them one french Man, who says, there have been no Indians there for some time; That some of them are with Boisehbert at Gedaique & the rest at Pasimaquadie, he informs also that there is a french officer & about 20 Men twenty-three Miles up the River at a Place called St. Ann's.

As your Excellency is so thoroughly acquainted with the Situation of this Province, it would be needless for me to point out farther how highly necessary it is that the two New England Battalions should stay among us untill the Augmen-