ERIC KRAUSE

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An Event Chronology Based on Louisbourg Accounts Not Available in the Archives of the Fortress of Louisbourg, By Eric Krause, Krause House Info-Research Solutions, 2004 - Present

1725

September 5, 1725

Extract from a Letter of Governor Armstrong to Lords of Trade, dated 5th September, 1725.

I hope you will take into your consideration, and to lay the same before His Majesty as may forward the security of its settlement by a royal fortification, for the subjects are as yet discouraged, having no shelter from the daily insults and cruel Massacres of the Indians, who are supported and clandestinely encouraged by the French; who envying our growth and increase, supply them with powder and Ball, &c, in order to disturb our settlements; And last winter they were even piloted to this place, by one William Godet and one Petipas (through no doubt the instigation and contrivances of most on the Island of Cape Breton.)

Being informed of these, and a great many more of their underhand dealings, I judged it my duty to write to Governor St. Ovide for redress.

And having herewith transmitted you my letter to him, his answer, my instructions to Hibbert Newton Esq. and Ensign John Broadstreet, and their Journal of Proceedings with him at Louisburg you will see that all the satisfaction I could get, is only pretended ignorance of notorious matters of fact and ambiguous fair promises of friendship without any punctual performances. And for his excuse for supplying of about two hundred of them this year, says that it is his most Christian Majesty's orders to him to distribute to the Indians their annual presents which chiefly consists of Arms, Powder and Ball &c, by which we Brittish subjects do greatly suffer, the War being thereby fomented and prolonged.

[Thomas B. Akins, editor, Selections from the public documents of the Province of Nova Scotia published under a resolution of the House of Assembly passed March 15, 1865, The translations from the French by Benj. Curren. Halifax, N.S. : C. Annand, 1869, p. 62-63]

[After September 5, 1725]

Govr. St. Ovide to Govr. Armstrong.

(Translated from the French.)

SIR, —

      I have received by Messrs. Hibbert and Bradstreet the letter which you have done me the honor to write to me; and I beg to assure you, that I shall do all in my power to maintain a friendly intercourse with you.

      It has never come to my knowledge that our people, in their visits to Acadie for the purpose of procuring cattle for the relief of this colony, have ever carried with them powder and ball in order to supply the savages with these articles, having forbidden all the inhabitants and merchants of this government to engage in this trade, under very severe penalties; and I am persuaded that no person from this colony has transgressed the ordinance issued for the prevention of said trade.

      It is my earnest desire to discover those who have violated this order, that I may punish them severely; and I request that you will inform me, if you have any knowledge of such persons, that I may make an example of them.

      But Sir, in order that those who shall go from this government to yours for the purpose of procuring cattle, may no longer be suspected, I shall order them to cross at Canseau, that you may have them examined, for the purpose of ascertaining if they have arms or amunition of war for the savages or any other persons under your government.

      I have always endeavoured strictly to cause the arrest of deserters from your government to this; and I shall continue to act in the same manner, in order that they may be sent back to you: persuaded as I am, that you will do the same with those who may desert from us to you.  

     I shall make it my especial study to preserve a good and sincere understanding with yourself, and with all the governors and commanders of the King your master.

      Therefore I beg that you will receive from me the assurance that no one can be more perfectly than I am,
Your very humble and obt servant
 
ST. OVIDE DE BROUILLAN.

Louisbourg. Isle Royale 1725

[Thomas B. Akins, editor, Selections from the public documents of the Province of Nova Scotia published under a resolution of the House of Assembly passed March 15, 1865, The translations from the French by Benj. Curren. Halifax, N.S. : C. Annand, 1869, p. 63]