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

1754

[January 5, 1754]

[PRECIS]

[PORT OF HALIFAX ENTERED INWARD: ... CAPTAIN SAMUEL BOWDEN FROM NEWFOUNDLAND AND LOUSIBOURG ...]

 

[April 20, 1754]

"... I waited on the General for his dispatch=es as I intended for Quebec the next morning. he gave me a passport to re=turn to New England Via Louisbourg in any Vessell I pleased and gave orders to the Captain of the garde to see that I had Soloman Mitchell deliver’d to me and promised me he would send Noble’s Child to Louisbourg this Summer and address her to the care of Monsr. Prevost the Intendant there ..." [more details follow] [Massachusetts Historical Society, Nathaniel Wheelwright - Journal, Montreal (1753-1754, Pre-Revolutionary War Diaries, P-363, Reel 11)

[March 19, 1754]

The next Extract is a Note of the late Dr. Douglas of Boston, in a Historical Summary of the Colonies wrote by him: The Part wherein this is, was wrote in 1751, where speaking of settling the boundary Line between the French and English, now in Agitation at Paris by the British and French Commissaries, the Doctor makes these Remarks:

THE various Disputes between the Courts of Great Britain and France, (I must once and again beg Pardon for meddling in State Affairs, or Arcana Imperis, by Chance they fall in my Way, and in some Manner I scramble over them) concerning the national Properties and Jurisdictions of some disputable Countries in America, which perhaps might have been settled in the late definitive (so called) TREATY OF AIX LA CHAPELLE, more expeditiously and with better Effect, considering, 

1. that by meer dint of Fortune, Providence seem to be on our Side, and gave us possession of Louisbourg, at the Mouth or Entrance of St. Lawrence or Canada Great River, the French Dunkirk of North America ...

Louisbourg, May 19, 1754

Sir I have had the honour of Answering yr letter dated the first of April last fall, in which I advised you that there was [noe] recovering the Schooner for She was Sold by the Indians before the Governour or I could have time to get her I have received yr letter dated ye 22d of Jan’y last in which ye wanted my Advice About the Schooner if I had known ye Mind that Time I cou’d have bought her for what the Indians Sold her, She is Still in this Place I have tryed for a Vessel to freight [vr] way To Send Some wine, rum, Molasses, etc.: According to ye Articles but could not get one because it is a prohibited trade but I advise yue To Send A Vessel immediately with ten or twelve horses, with boards, Moose Skins & all other Sorts that happen in yr way, Some hand barrows, Shovels, because the Kings works are to be Set on Immediately, As for fish I would not Advise to Send Any, Oates are Sold here at a Livre & half per bushel on Acct. of the great quantity we have from New England, wine, Rum, Molasses & Brandy are very plenty, & if yue intend to follow that Trade with Me I shall want An other voyage of horses Soon after, The Return of which I will send yu in Any of the fore Mentioned Commodities, if in Case horses were Cheap There I would Trade Yearly for 40 or 50 horses with yu. They Must Not Exceed five Years Old, if in Case it Should be in My power To Serve yu, I Shall be always be willing and ready to Doe it Soe that I Need Not trouble Any Body Else I am Gentlemen yr

Most Hblr Servt
A Castaing

PS
I sent ye a Duplicate of this an other way for fear of a miscarriage

[http://www.gov.ns.ca/nsarm/virtual/easson/archives.asp?ID=28 Transcript © Province of Nova Scotia, all rights reserved. Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management - The Eassons and the Hoyts: Letter from A. Castaing, Louisbourg Written presumably to John Easson; refers to an unnamed schooner "Sold by the Indians before the Governor or I could have time to get her"; also requests [although trade is prohibited] that a vessel be loaded and sent to Louisbourg with ten or twelve horses, boards, moose skins, hand barrows, shovels, etc. "because the Kings works are to be Set on mmediately." 19 May 1754. 2 pages : 20 x 32 cm. MG 1 vol. 3478 A/27]

Copies of Mr Anthony Castaign’s Letter to us

Dates of sd letters

Louisbourg

May 19th 1754

I have had the honour of Answering yr [your] Letter dated The first of April, last fall in which I advised you that there Was no recovering the schooner, for she was sold by the Indians before the Governor or I could have time to get her, I have received your Letter dated Jany last ye 22nd in which you wanted my advice about the schooner if I had known your mind that time I could have bought her for what the Indians, sold her, she is still in this place I have tryed [tried] for a vessell to freight your way to send some wine Rum, Molasses etc according to your articles but could not get one because it is a prohibited Trade I would advise you to send a Vessell immediately with Ten or twelve Horses, boards, moose skins & all other Sorts that happen in your way, some hand barrows & Shovells, because the Kings works are to be Sett on immediately as for fish I would not advise you to send any Oats are sold at about half [ - ] bushell on Account of the great Qu [antity] we have from New England Wine Rum Molassess & Brandy are very plenty & if you intend to follow that Trade with me, I shall want another Voyage of Horses soon after the Return of which I shall you in any of the forementioned Commodities, if in case horses were cheap there I would Trade yearly for forty or fifty horses with you they must not exceed five years old if in case it should be in my power to serve you I shall always be willing & ready to do it so that you need not trouble any body else. I am

Gentlemen
Your most humble Servant
A Castaing

PS I sent you a duplicate of this another way for fear of miscarriage

[http://www.gov.ns.ca/nsarm/virtual/easson/archives.asp?ID=35 Transcript © Province of Nova Scotia, all rights reserved. Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management - The Eassons and the Hoyts: "Copies of Mr. Anthony Costaign's letters to us" Four-page document containing synopsis of business dealings with Anthony Castaing in Louisbourg. Louisbourg, 19 May 1754: a schooner had been sold by the Indians, so he [Castaing] had no vessel to send wine, rum, and molasses [prohibited trade] but he requested that horses, boards, moose skins, hand barrows and shovels be sent to him. 14 August 1754: difficulties regarding disposition of the vessel and its cargo. 7 September 1754: Castaing has been unable to sell the vessel, which has gone on to Boston, loaded with additional goods; nor has he been able to sell the horses and building material, since work on the fortifications has not yet begun. 7 September 1754: unable to sell the sloop at the price asked and it goes to Boston; number of vessels come from New England to be sold, only one horse sold. Invoice enclosed for goods loaded on the sloop and consigned to Mr. Ben Hallowell, Boston. King's work not yet begun is reason for no sales. (two small pieces missing.) Date: 7 September 1754 Reference no.: MG 1 vol. 3478 A/34 ]

[June 8, 1754]

[PRECIS]

[PORT OF HALIFAX ENTERED INWARD: ... CAPTAIN JOHN SIMPSON FROM LOUISBOURG ...]

 

Boston, June 17.

... A few Days ago, a Fishing Schooner arrived here from the Banks, and by the People on board we are informed, that being in Want of Provisions, they put into Louisburgh on the 28th of May past for a Supply, where they were informed by several persons, that some Indians had lately brought in 21 Scalps, from Canso, and that they received from the Governor 5l. Sterling, as a Reward for each Scalp. (By the vast Quantity of Provisions carried to Louisburgh from this Continent, one would be tempted to think, that the English take more Notice of St. Paul Advice to the Romans, Chapter 12. Ver. 20. than of any other Part of his Writings, viz. 'If thine Enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him Drink.')

[July 18, 1754]

CUSTOM HOUSE, Philadelphia, INWARD ENTRIES.

Sloop Polly, Henry Allen McDougall from cape breton. ...

[June 20, 1754]

Custom House, New York, Inward Entries. ... 

Sloop Dove, W. Brown from cape breton. ...

New York, July 22.

... We can assure the Publick, that the Report of a French Fleet being at cape breton, is without the least Foundation, as a Gentleman who left that Place about 20 Days since, informs us, that very few Vessels of any considerable Force were then there; that their Fortifications for some Time past have been in a very ruinous Condition; but that 500 Masons, and other Artificers, were soon expected there from Old France, in order
to erect some new Batteries, repair the old Ones, and strengthen the Walls of that City.

[August 3, 1754]

[PRECIS]

[PORT OF HALIFAX ENTERED INWARD: CAPTAIN JOHN JUNKINS FROM LOUISBOURG ...]

The Originals of the following Letters are wrote In French

Louisbourg Augt 14th 1756 [1754?]

I had the honour of yours by your Sloop which arrived Here four days ago without any accident. This comes by your pilot, whom I have advanced, on you accounts for to return, I have begun to Land the horses, to Graze as they have suffered a little at Sea, I believe it won’t be in my power to sell the Sloop & Cargo as you desire because the Season is too far advanced to hope that she can return [ – ] the West Indies this fall & if she is obliged to winter there the Expences & wages will eat up the Sloop & Cargo, thus Gentlemen I have resolved to sell the Cargo as soon as possible, that I may be able to send her with the Articles you have ordered, which I think, most advantageous & according to your memorandum. As to the hand Barrows & Shovells I will be obliged to put them in Store, because the man of Warr is not yet arrived & the Contractor for the kings works is not here, I have desired the Intendant to take them & I wait his answer. You desire me to write the prices of the Articles you have sent me, As to the horses I cant well tell you having not yet sett the price but I will be [glad] if I can get 140 or 150 livres, the boards are worth 40 to [– torn ] & if you think these prices are advantageous you [would – torn ] send me a Cargo which will be here about the time [ torn ] Vessell will come from the West Indies. As to Carrets [carrots] I would have you send but a few [ – ] a great many Cabbages, you must observe that horses will always answer in the Spring & not in the fall You have not sent the prices of the Cargo you have sent which doubtless you have forgot about embarasses me a good deal

I send you the Letters which I did myself the honor to write you by Mr. De Loutre who thought proper to send them back to me with pretext that he could not find an opportunity to forward them to you. I’ll serve him the like when I have it in my power which I beg of you to do also when you have an opportunity Apples will always sell here & the small black Wheat for fowls, sheep sells for 12 livres at present Your horses are small & very lean I beg you’ll be persuaded that I will always act for the best & conform to your orders. I have the honor to be

Gentlemen
Your most Obed[ient] humble
Servant
A Castaing
Interpreter

[http://www.gov.ns.ca/nsarm/virtual/easson/archives.asp?ID=35 Transcript © Province of Nova Scotia, all rights reserved. Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management - The Eassons and the Hoyts:  "Copies of Mr. Anthony Costaign's letters to us" Four-page document containing synopsis of business dealings with Anthony Castaing in Louisbourg. Louisbourg, 19 May 1754: a schooner had been sold by the Indians, so he [Castaing] had no vessel to send wine, rum, and molasses [prohibited trade] but he requested that horses, boards, moose skins, hand barrows and shovels be sent to him. 14 August 1754: difficulties regarding disposition of the vessel and its cargo. 7 September 1754: Castaing has been unable to sell the vessel, which has gone on to Boston, loaded with additional goods; nor has he been able to sell the horses and building material, since work on the fortifications has not yet begun. 7 September 1754: unable to sell the sloop at the price asked and it goes to Boston; number of vessels come from New England to be sold, only one horse sold. Invoice enclosed for goods loaded on the sloop and consigned to Mr. Ben Hallowell, Boston. King's work not yet begun is reason for no sales. (two small pieces missing.) Date: 7 September 1754 Reference no.: MG 1 vol. 3478 A/34 ]

[August 17, 1754]

[PRECIS]

[PORT OF HALIFAX ENTERED INWARD: ... CAPTAIN JOHN ROCKETT FROM LOUISBOURG ...]

Mr. Cotterell to Colonel Sutherland.

(Letter Book.)

SECRETARY'S OFFICE, 24 August, 1754.

DR. SIR, —

* * * * 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."

I am Dr. Sir

Yours &c.

WM. COTTERELL.

To Col. Sutherland, commanding at Lunenburg.

[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. 214]

DATE REQUIRED: folio 228

PRESENT
Chas. Lawrence, Esq., President.

Jno. Collier, Councilor

Willm. Cotterell, Councilor

Robt Monckton, Councilor

Jno. Rous, Councilor

The President acquainted the Council that six French Families, consisting of Twenty-eight Persons I who had deserted their Lands in this Province were arrived at Halifax, and desired to be permitted to return to their said Lands. The Heads of the said Families being called in and asked the Reason of their quitting their Lands, They declared that upon the first Settling of the English at Halifax, they were so terrified by the Threats that Mr. Le Leutre had used and his declaring the great distresses they would be reduced to if they remained under the Dominion of the English, That they, on that account, had retired and were set down on the Island of Cape Breton, where they had remained ever since; but that the Land there being so very bad they were utterly incapable of subsisting their Families, and had applied to the Governor of Louisbourg for leave to return to their former Habitations, to which he had consented. They further declared that if the Council would permit them to enjoy their former Lands, that they were willing to take the Oath of Allegiance to His Majesty, and that their future Behaviour should be unexceptionable.

The Council being of Opinion that the return of these People might have a good Effect, not only on the German Settlers, many of whom had formerly deserted to the French, but also on the other French Inhabitants, by voluntarily taking the Oath of Allegiance to His Majesty, unqualified by any reservation. And it appearing that they were in very great distress being intirely destitute of all necessaries, It was Resolved that they should be permitted to return to their former Possessions, and that Twenty-four of them being the most necessitous, should be allowed Provisions during the Winter, and that the other four should have a Week's Provisions given them to Subsist them till they returned to their former Habitations at Pisiquid where they would be assisted by their Friends and Relations.

The said Inhabitants then very chearfully took the Oath of Allegiance to his Majesty, appointed to be taken by the french Inhabitants. * * * * * *

JNO. DUPORT, Secy.              CHAS: LAWRENCE

 

[August 29, 1754]

Custom House, New York, Inward Entries.... 

Three Friends, Tho. Arrowsmith, from cape breton. ...

The Originals of the following Letters are wrote In French ....

Septr 7th, 1754

I have the honor to write you by the Sloop which goes for Boston as I was not able to sell her at the price you fixed me to & your Master, I could not get above 3500 livres, 2000 on the nail in articles which you mentioned in your memorandum at the price of money & 1500 next spring, but your Captn would not accept of these Conditions & passed your orders, the number of Vessells which comes from New England to be sold which has obliged me to send her away, I have sold as yet but one of your horses, I am afraid I won’t be able to get a good price for them as I have observed to You in my Letter dated the 1st Augt to which I referr you You will find enclosed Invoice & Bill Lading of what I have Loaded on board your sloop on your Acct. Consigned to Mr. Benj. Hollowell Merchant in Boston I could not send you what you demanded, by reason of Your Cargos resting in my hands to a triffle which I have disposed of, the Kings works are not yet begun Sweet meats are at 60 livres, Brandy 75 to 80 sugar to 27 to 28 thus I have chose rather to wait & send you the things you wrote for when our vessells arrive from from the West Indies which will be in a Short time & will send them to Boston according to your orders & Memorandum, times at present are dull for our commerce I am sorry your vessell arrived at such a juncture be persuaded that I will Act for the best assuring you that I am with respect

Gentlemen
Your most humble and
Most Obedient Servant
A Castaine [Castaing].

Copies of Mr Castaine [Castaing]’s Letters

[http://www.gov.ns.ca/nsarm/virtual/easson/archives.asp?ID=35 Transcript © Province of Nova Scotia, all rights reserved. Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management - The Eassons and the Hoyts: "Copies of Mr. Anthony Costaign's letters to us" Four-page document containing synopsis of business dealings with Anthony Castaing in Louisbourg. Louisbourg, 19 May 1754: a schooner had been sold by the Indians, so he [Castaing] had no vessel to send wine, rum, and molasses [prohibited trade] but he requested that horses, boards, moose skins, hand barrows and shovels be sent to him. 14 August 1754: difficulties regarding disposition of the vessel and its cargo. 7 September 1754: Castaing has been unable to sell the vessel, which has gone on to Boston, loaded with additional goods; nor has he been able to sell the horses and building material, since work on the fortifications has not yet begun. 7 September 1754: unable to sell the sloop at the price asked and it goes to Boston; number of vessels come from New England to be sold, only one horse sold. Invoice enclosed for goods loaded on the sloop and consigned to Mr. Ben Hallowell, Boston. King's work not yet begun is reason for no sales. (two small pieces missing.) Date: 7 September 1754 Reference no.: MG 1 vol. 3478 A/34 ]

[September 28, 1754]

[PRECIS]

[PORT OF HALIFAX ENTERED INWARD: ... CAPTAIN EPHRAIM COOKE FROM NEWFOUNDLAND AND LOUISBOURG CAPTAIN RICHARD GRAHAM FROM NEWFOUNDLAND AND LOUISBOURG ...

October 9, 1754 

At a council holden at the Governors House in Halifax on Wednesday the 9th day of Oct., 1754

PRESENT

Chas. Lawrence, Esq., President.
Jno. Collier,         |
Willm. Cotterell,   | Councs.
Robt. Monckton, |
Jno. Rous,           |

The President acquainted the Council that six French Families, consisting of Twenty-eight Persons, who had deserted their Lands in this Province were arrived at Halifax, and desired to be permitted to return to their said Lands. The Heads of the said Families being called in and asked the Reason of their quitting their Lands, They declared that upon the first Settling of the English at Halifax, they were so terrified by the Threats that Mr. Le Leutre had used and his declaring the great distresses they would be reduced to if they remained under the Dominion of the English, That they, on that account, had retired and were set down on the Island of Cape Breton, where they had remained ever since; but that the Land there being so very bad they were utterly incapable of subsisting their Families, and had applied to the Governor of Louisbourg for leave to return to their former Habitations, to which he had consented. They further declared that if the Council would permit them to enjoy their former Lands, that they were willing to take the Oath of Allegiance to His Majesty, and that their future Behaviour should be unexceptionable.

The Council being of Opinion that the return of these People might have a good Effect, not only on the German Settlers, many of whom had formerly deserted to the French, but also on the other French Inhabitants, by voluntarily taking the Oath of Allegiance to His Majesty, unqualified by any reservation. And it appearing that they were in very great distress being intirely destitute of all necessaries, It was Resolved that they should be permitted to return to their former Possessions, and that Twenty-four of them being the most necessitous, should be allowed Provisions during the Winter, and that the other four should have a Week’s Provisions given them to Subsist them till they returned to their former Habitations at Pisiquid where they would be assisted by their Friends and Relations.

The said Inhabitants then very chearfully took the Oath of Allegiance to his Majesty, appointed to be taken by the french Inhabitants.

JNO. DUPORT, Secy.

CHAS: LAWRENCE

[http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~guedrylabinefamily/winter2009newsletter.pdf]

New York, October 14.

The General Assembly of this Province are to meet here Tomorrow, according to Adjournment.

We hear the General Assembly of New Jersey, have resolved on assisting the Virginians in the Ohio Affair.

Capt. Bennet from Halifax in 14 days, informs us, That Provisions in that Place, are in general very scarce, particularly Flour, of which hardly a Barrel is in Store for Sale, whilst the common Conjecture here is, That the Stores at Louisbourg, in Cape Breton, must be overstock with that Commodity; and the Reason, they say, they give for such Conjecture, is, the Number of small Vessels they have noticed clear from the several Western Ports for a few Weeks past, and others they have known, that were bound to the Eastward, laden with the Staff of Life; and the more so, as they did not hear of their Arrival elsewhere.

Capt. Hovey, mentioned a few Weeks ago to be Prisoner in Halifax, for firing on the Barge of one of his Majesty Sloops of War, near Annapolis Royal, broke Jail, and made his Escape, a Day or two before Capt. Bennet sail. His Crew were still in Confinement ...

New York, October 21.

From Cape Breton, by a Vessel arrived here since our last, we have nothing particular, save the great Plenty of Flour at Louisbourg, which, we are told, is some Shillings cheaper there than it is at this Place; and which strengthens the Conjecture made in our last, with regard to the Supplies of that Place
being made by the Western Ports ...

From the Gazetteer and London Daily Advertiser, Nov. 2, 1754.

To the Right Hon. the Lord.

My Lord,

THE French by not observing some Treaties, and violating others, keeping Possession of the greatest Part of Nova Scotia ...

There were two or three Thousand French that staid, who undoubtedly became Subjects to the British Crown, but have looked upon themselves as Neutrals. The Healthiness of the Climate, and the Richness of the Soil, yielded such Productions as enabled them to carry on a very profitable Commerce with their Countrymen at cape breton: These Neutrals (as they stile themselves) are now increased to six or seven Thousand. ...

The French, in making Settlements, erect Forts according to the Importance of the Places; garrison them with discipline Soldiers, to protect the Planters and Traders, and awe the Indians; they consist of French and Swiss Companies; the first have fifty Men, the other eighty, all in the Department of the Marine, which in cape breton, Nova Scotia, Canada and Missisippi, twenty Years past, did not exceed seven Thousand. ...

[December 12, 1754]

A Message from his Excellency ARTHUR DOBBS, Esq; Captain General, and Governor in Chief, in and over His Majesty province of North Carolina, to the General Assembly, held at Newbern, the twelfth Day of December, 1754.

Gentlemen of his Majesty Council, Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the Assembly,

HAVING in my Speech to you at your Meeting, told you that I should, in a more ample Manner, lay before you the Grand Plan of France, to ruin and distress all the British Colonies on this Continent; I take the earliest Opportunity of laying their wicked and enslaving Scheme before you, that you may see the Necessity there is of granting a reasonable and immediate Supply, and entering into a Plan of union with all the British Colonies, for our mutual future Defence ...

This has been very notorious formerly in Europe, but their Schemes proving abortive there, they have of late prosecuted their Plan in America: Have they not, contrary to the most solemn Treaties, deprived us of the greatest and best Part of Nova Scotia, to the Westward of the Bay of Fundy? Erected Forts at Chinecto, to confine us within the Peninsula? And made another, and are forming a Settlement on the River of St. John, to ruin the Trade of New England, and the Northern Colonies, by their Privateers in the next War, when we shall be couped up by their Shipping there, and at Louisburg? Have not they, by their hellish Missionaries, spirited up all their Indian Allies to massacre and make Depredations, not only in Nova Scotia, but against all our Northern Colonies? Have they not erected a Fort at Crown Point, to distress and confine our Colonies of New England and New York, on Lands which are undoubted Right of his Majesty? Have they not erected a Fort at Niagara, upon the Lands of the Six Nations, our acknowledged and declared Allies by the Treaty of Utrecht? Have they not laid a Claim to, and erected Forts upon, his Majesty Lands on the Back of Virginia, and pretend a Right to all the Lands beyond the Mountains, as far as the Missisippi? Have they not, contrary to the Right of Treaties, deprived us of the Indian Trade, and seized our Traders and all their Goods, in Time of profound Peace? Have not they privately sent over and increased their Forces, from Time to Time, both in Louisiana and Canada? And have not they sent Forces from Louisiana, to erect a Fort on the Entrance of the Ouabach, or River of St. Jerome, into the Ohio? Are not these enormous Invasions and Incroachments in Time of Peace? Are not they gaining all the Indian Nations, intercepting and depriving us of our Indian Allies, and daily instigating their Allies to scalp, massacre, and destroy our Settlers? These are all Facts too notorious and recent to be denied; and must naturally discover to us the whole Plan and Scheme laid by the French to confine, conquer, and enslave, all our Colonies ...