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Researching the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site of Canada
  Recherche sur la Forteresse-de-Louisbourg Lieu historique national du Canada

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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

1744

1744

*Cape Britton Island was restor'd to France by a Treaty made 1632, and confirm'd by another Treaty 1667, by another 1686, by another 1697 ...

*Cape Britton is an island in the Entrance of the Gulph of St. Lawrence, is navigable quite round, and has never been thought to make a Part of Accadia.

[James Ralph, Algernon Sidney, To The Serious Consideration of the People of England; These Discourses on the Use and Abuse of Parliaments, are, in the most earnest and affectionate Manner, Recommended; That All May Know the Truth; And that the Truth may make us Free;  ... Of The Use and Abuse Of  Parliaments; In Two Historical discourses Volume 1 (Published by s.n., 1744), p. 195]

[February 2, 1744]

By His Excellency
BENNING WENTWORTH, Esq;
Captain-General and Governour in Chief, in and over His Majesty's Province of New-Hampshire, in New-England.

A PROCLAMATION.

WHEREAS the General Assembly of this Province, upon due consideration of the present State and Circumstances of the French Settlements upon the Island of Cape-Breton, have judged it expedient to attempt the Reduction of that Place to the Obedience of the Crown of Great-Britain, and have voted a suitable Encouragement for the Enlistment of a Number of Voluntiers for that service; And whereas, the said Assembly have desired that I would issue forth my Proclamation for such Enlistment, under such proper Officers as I shall appoint;

I Do therefore hereby, with the Advice of His Majesty's Council, publish and declare for the Encouragement of all such able-bodied effective Men, as shall enlist as Soldiers into his Majesty's Service for the said Expedition, That they shall receive Twenty-five shillings in New-Teno? Bills per Month, as their Wages, and that one Month's pay shall be advanced to them in Hand, That each Soldier shall have a Blanket allowed him, That the Officers and Soldiers shall be entitled to all the Plunder they shall take, and no Officer to have more than a private Soldier, That they shall be discharged from the Service as soon as the Expedition shall be over, And that they shall be exempt from all Impresses to any military Service for two Years next coming. And to the intent that all Persons purposing to engage in this Service may have their Election of the Captains in whose Companies they would enlist, I shall order the Names of the Captains and other Officers whom I shall commissionate, to be transmitted to the chief Officer of each Regiment of Militia.

AND in order to prevent any Intelligence of the intended Expedition from going abroad,

I Do hereby command the Sheriff of this Province, to take effectual Care that there be delivered Without Delay to the chief military Officer in each Town, as many of the said Proclamations as there are military Companies in such Town, and that each captain, immediately after receiving the same, call his Company together, and have the said proclamation read publickly to his said Company, and that the said Captains keep the said proclamations in their hands, and suffer no Copies to be taken thereof; and that after all necessary Use of the said Proclamation has been made, that they return them to the said Sheriff, who is also hereby required to take a List of the Number of the Proclamations to delivered, and to Whom delivered, and that he sends into the Secretary's Office a Copy of the said List With the Proclamations to delivered up.

Given at the Council-Chamber in Portsmouth, the Second Day of February 1744. In the Eighteenth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord GEORGE the Second, by the Grace of GOD of Great-Britain, France and Ireland, KING, Defender of the Faith, &c.

By Order of His Excellency the Governour with the Advice of the Council,
Theodore Atkinson, Secr.

B. Wentworth.

GOD save the KING.

[Source: Boston, 1744]

February 5, 1744

In the House of representatives Feby 5, 1744 

Voted that one Month Pay be advanced to each effective Man upon his Enlistment for the intended Expedition against Louisbourg; Also that five Shillings p Week be allowed each man for his Subsistence after his said Enlistment                            Sent up for Concurrence
                                                                                                      T. Cushing Sphr

In Council Feb.y. 5. 1744 Head of Council
                                            J. Willard Secry

         Consented to W Shirley

Copy Examined p J Willard Secry

 [Source: Manuscript Document. One sheet, octavo, n.p., February 5, 1744. Being a copy of a House of Representatives decision - http://www.goldbergcoins.net/catalogarchive ]

Boston, June 4.

Last Saturday just before Noon, his Majesty's Sloop Swallow arrived here from England, with Dispatches for his Excellency our Governor, and the other Governors on the Continent: upon which an Express was immediately sent away to Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, &c. and in the Afternoon, by his Excellency's Order, his majesty's Declaration of War against France, and his Proclamation for the Encouragement of his Ships of War and Privateers, were publickly read from the Balcony of the Town House, the Inhabitants of the Town being then under Arms; and during the Solemnity, his Excellency was in the Council-Chamber, attended by the Members of his majesty's Council, most of the Representatives and a great Number of other Gentlemen.

The Swallow touch'd at Newfoundland, and on her Passage thither took a French Ship bound to cape breton, and retook an English Ship homeward bound from Jamaica, which had been taken by a French Ship with a Letter of Mark, that was bound (with five others) to cape breton. These two Prizes are daily expected here. We hear the Swallow could have taken many more French Prizes, but had not Hands to spare to man them. ...

Boston, June 11.

.... We have certain Advice, that a French Privateer from cape breton has taken Nine of our fishing Vessels upon the Banks, one of which they gave the Men to return home in. They say the Privateer had about 50 Men with small Arms, but no Cannon. The Frenchmen gave our People the following Account of the taking of Canso, viz. That they attack'd it with about 600 Men, and were opposed by the Fort and Guard Sloop for eleven Days, in which time the French had 11 Men kill'd, and the English 4, one of which was the Commander of the Guard-Sloop, who was Lieutenant of the Man of War that was at Canso the last Fall. After they had reduced the Place, they burnt the Fort and Houses, and carried the People to cape breton. ...

June 28, 1744
Pennsylvania Gazette (Fair Use © Accessible Gazette Inc.)

Newport, Rhode Island, June 15.

THIS Morning arrived here the Snow Limpston, William Wood Master, which was taken by a French Ship with a Letter of Marque from St. Malo's, the 20th of May last, on the Banks of Newfoundland. The same Ship had before taken the Ranger, Peter Reeve, from Philadelphia for London, the 19th of April; the Ship Samuel, William Warden from South Carolina for London, April 28, and the Sloop Queen Elizabeth, Robert Hewen from Jamaica for Bristol, May 5, and gave this Snow to 27 of the Prisoners, who are come here in her.

The Prisoners report, that the French Man was but poorly manned, and ill-provided, and the French Man said he came out with 10 or 12 Sail of Letter of Marque Men bound to cape breton.

Boston, June 25.

By a person who was Master of a Vessel lately taken by the French at Canso we are inform'd, That 'twas on the 14th of May last, just about break of Day, when the French came against that Place: Their Force consisted of a Sloop and Schooner, each having 8 Carriage and 8 Swivel Guns, attended with 30 smaller Vessels with Land Forces, the whole Number of Men were suppos'd to be 8 or 900, under command of Capt. Delevere. After they had discharg'd a few Broad-Sides upon the Place, they sent off a Flag of Truce, and after some Capitulation surrender'd and were made Prisoners of War: The Guard Sloop stood upon her Defence for some time; but was obliged to strike to such a superior Force, after having one Man kill'd and 3 or 4 wounded: The Indians were very desirous of going ashore to destroy all the English People, and would have done it, but were prevented by the French Commander. After the French had got Possession of the Block House, they went to Mass, singing Te Deum, &c. And having set Fire to Stores and other Buildings, they departed and sail'd with their Prisoners about 70 or 80 in Number, as also the English Vessels taken by them, to cape breton, where all but the Guard Sloop arriv'd the next Day: The English that were left on board the said Sloop having watch'd their Opportunity, when at some Distance, over power'd the French Men and secur'd them in the Hold for 3 Days; but very unlucky it was, that not one of them understood how to navigate the Vessel, and being at a loss which way to steer, they released the French men, who soon carried them into cape breton, and soon made them close Prisoners.

Our Informant lost his Vessel and all he had with him except the Cloaths he had on; but having obtain'd his Liberty, he came hither, with others, in a Vessel from cape breton last Saturday.

Six or seven Vessels were arrived there lately from the French Islands, so that Molasses and other West Indian Goods were very plenty; and they had Advice from Martineco, that 29 more trading Vessels were just ready to sail from thence for that Port.

By a Gentleman lately arrived from cape breton, we are informed, that the French have six Privateers at Sea from that sooty Place, the chief of which is a large Schooner, with 140 Men, well-fitted, (but a dull Sailor) and commanded by one Murphy, an Irishman, called by the French Morepang, an old and noted Commander, famous for his Exploits on this Coast, in the last War. 'Tis said this boasting Blade threatens to come and take the Vessels out of Nantasket Harbour, and has the Impudence to say, that he expects in a little Time to have the Command of our Galley the Prince of Orange. When the Gentleman came away, the privateers had carried into Lewisburgh no less than 23 English Vessels, viz. 13 Fishing Schooners and ten trading Ships. But what is most surprizing, 'tis said, that upwards of 40 of the late Garrison at Canso, has entered on board Morepang, to cruize against their Fellow Subjects.

'Tis said a Flag of Truce is soon expected from Lewisburgh, with the Women and Children taken at Canso. ....

New York, September 3.

Extract of a Letter from Lisbon, dated
June 30, N.S.

... Last Friday came in here a French prize Ship called Le Bon, bound from Rochel to Lousiburgh, loaden with Salt, Flower and Cordage, taken the 8th Inst. by Capt. Barnes in a Privateer belonging to this Place near cape breton; and we hear that the said Captain in his Cruize, saw a French 50 Gun Ship several Times, and also saw 3 French Men of War, viz. one of 70, one of 60, the other of 40 Guns, bound for cape breton, from Old France.
...on Saturday last, the Ship David is fallen down, and is suppos'd will sail to Day. Besides the Privateers mentioned in our last, two more Sloops and a Ship is said to be resolved upon from this Place.

Boston, July 2.

Last Monday in the Afternoon, Capt. Tyng, in our Province Snow Prince of Orange, arrived here from a short Cruize, and brought in with him a French Privateer of 8 Carriage and 10 or 12 Swivel Guns, with 94 Men, Capt. Delabroitz Commander, which he happily met with about 15 Leagues off Cape Cod, about 9 o'Clock on Saturday Morning, as he was coming in from Sea. The Frenchman taking him to be an inward bound West-India Man (for he wisely kept his Guns housed) stood directly for him, an doming pretty near, gave him a Gun; which he return'd with a Broadside; upon which the Frenchman fired two Guns, then took to their Oars (there being but little Wind) and endeavour'd to get away. This oblig'd Capt. Tyng to put out his Oars also; and after a hard Chace of 12 or 13 Hours he came up with the Sloop, and having given her a broadside and a Volley of Small Arms, they cry'd for Quarters; but in their Pannick forgot to strike their Colours, and kept them flying 'till some of our brave English Lads went on board, and exchang'd them for the King's Colours. Capt. Tyng's Shot happen'd to be so well placed, tat the Sloop's Sails and Rigging were tore all to Pieces; and when the French Captain came on board, he gave Capt. Tyng a great Character of his Gunner, saying, he was the best that ever he knew; for that every Shot he fired during the Chace, took Place, an did him some Damage in his Sails and Rigging. One Shot struck the Mast just below the Hounds, which so disabled it that soon after they surrender'd it broke, and left the Sloop without an Inch of Sail standing; so that Capt. Tyng was obliged to take her in Tow, or he could never have got her in. As the French fired but few Guns at Capt. Tyng, and as they all ran down in the HOLD when he was about to fire, it is not much to be wonder'd, that not a Man was kill'd or wounded on either Side.

The Prisoners were all landed in the Evening and conducted to Prison under a strong Guard, and in the Morning abut 50 of them were removed to the Goals in Cambridge and Charlestown. the Fellows are all as merry as they are ragged, and seem well pleased with their Circumstances, declaring, that they live better here than they did at Home, except five of the late Garrison at Canso, who enter'd voluntarily aboard the Privateer, and who are now sensible, that they have been in a wrong Box.

The Privateer had been about 3 Weeks from Lewisburgh, and had plundered and destroyed the English Settlement at St. Peter's in Newfoundland, where they kill'd a great many Cattle, and carried off about a40 Sheep, several of which they had upon Deck, when taken, and about 40 Barrels of the Beef in their Hold, but they had not taken any Vessel since they came upon this Coast: They could have taken several small ones, but did not care to be troubled with them; they wanted some rich Ships either inward or outward bound; and the Day before Capt. Tyng met with them, they had been within two Leagues of the Light-House, and had their Eye upon a Ship then in Nantasket Road, but were discouraged upon seeing a Vessel with a Pendant flying.
The Captain is a Gentleman well known in Town, and has a Son at School about six Miles off. It is said he has been kind and serviceable to the English upon many Occasions, at Lewisburgh, and he is now civily treated himself, being at Liberty to walk about as he pleases.

It is allowed by all, both Friends and Enemies, that Capt. Tyng behaved with great Bravery and good Conduct during the whole Engagement and Pursuit; and the Town are so sensible of his Merit, &c. that at a Meeting of the Inhabitants on Tuesday last, he had the unanimous Vote of the Thanks of the Town.

We hear that they had Advice at cape breton from Quebec, that they were in great want of Provisions. ...

By a Sloop from New London, we have Advice, that a large Scooner with Topsails has been lately seen cruizing off Block Island, &c. suppos'd to be old Morepang. ...

An Act for the more effectual guarding and securing our Sea Coasts, and for the Encouragement of Seamen to enlist themselves in the Province Snow or such Vessels of War as shall be commissioned and fitted out by this or other of his Majesty's Governments during his present War with France.

BE it enacted by the Governor, Council, and House of Representatives, That the Officers and Ships Company of the Province Snow, or such Vessels of War, as shall be commissioned and fitted out by this Government, during the present War, shall have the Sole Interest and Property of and in all and every Ship, Vessel, Goods and Merchandize, as they or either of them since the first Day of June Instant, have seized or taken, or shall hereafter seize or take from the French King, his Vassals or Subjects during the present War with France.
And as a further Encouragement to the Officers, Seamen and others aboard said Vessels of War, to attack take and destroy any ships of War or Privateers belonging to the Enemy.

That there shall be paid unto the Officers, Seamen, and others, that shall have been actually on board such of the before mentioned Vessels of War, in any action where any Vessel or Vessels of War or Privateers shall have been taken from the Enemy, sunk, burnt or otherwise destroyed, Three Pounds for every Man which was living on board any Vessel or Vessels so taken, sunk, burnt, or otherwise destroyed, at the beginning of the Engagement between them, the Number of such Men to be proved by Oaths of three or more of the chief Officers or Men that were belonging to the said Vessel or Vessels of War or Privateer of the Enemy, at the Time of her or their being taken as Prize sunk, burnt, or otherwise destroyed, before the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, or one of more of his Majesty's Council of this Province, and by either of them certified; the said Prizes with the Goods and Merchandize on board the same, after having paid the duties of Impost with the Premiums aforesaid, shall be divided among the Captors as follows; to the Captain two Eighths; to the Lieutenant and Master, one Eighth; to the Warrant Officers, one Eighth; to the petty Officers, and to the Ships Company three Eighths. And the Captain, Officers, and Ships Company shall appoint their respective Agents, for the receiving, Management and Distribution of their particular Shares accordingly.

And for the Encouragement of Vessels of War commissioned and fitted out by any of his Majesty's Colonies, and all private Vessels that have Letters of Marque or Commissions as private Vessels of War from this or any of his Majesty's aforesaid Governments, against the Subjects of the French King during this present War, to take, burn, sink or otherwise destroy any Ships of Force belonging to the Enemy.

Be it further enacted, That there shall be paid unto the Officers, Seamen and others that shall have been actually on board such of the before-mentioned Vessels of War in any Action where any Ship or Ships of War or Privateer shall have been taken from the Enemy, sunk, burnt or otherwise destroyed on the Coast of this Province, within the following Limits, viz. Nantucket and Seconnet on the South, to Canso on the North East, Three Pounds in Bills of this Province, for every Man which was living on board any such Vessel or Vessels so taken, burnt, sunk or otherwise destroyed, at the beginning of the Engagement between them: The Number of such Men to be proved and certified in Manner as before-mentioned. The Premiums aforesaid to be distributed to such Persons and in such Proportions as Prizes respectively taken by the Vessels aforesaid, are or ought to be distributed: All which Premiums shall be duly and seasonably paid out of this Province Treasury in Course as al other Payments are made.

Boston, July 9.

Last Monday a Sloop with a Flag of Truce arrived here from cape breton, and brought in 36 Persons taken at Canso when that Place was delivered up, most of them Women and Children.

Last Friday another Flag of Truce arriv'd here from Lewisburgh, with Number of Prisoners, who were taken at Canso; they are so short of Provisions there, that they can't afford the Prisoners more than one Ounce of Meat a man for one Day. Hard Living for our Brethren! Their Prisoners here have a better Fate, who have their Fill of every thing that is good, and good Usage into the Bargain. ...

We are inform'd by a Sloop which came in here Yesterday, that the Day before they saw a small Sloop, full of Hands, take a Scooner at the Entrance of our Bay.

Wednesday Capt. Fletcher in the Province Sloop, return'd from a Cruize, but saw none but Friends on the Coast. And, Yesterday Morning he sail'd again on a Cruize. ...

... By a master of a Vessel lately arrived from cape breton, where he has been a Prisoner, we are informed, That they are in a very poor Condition there, not withstanding the Rodomantados of the French and some pretended Englishmen: That Provisions of all Sorts are scarce, their Garrison weak, and Fortifications in an ill State: That their Naval Forces at Sea consists of Morepang's Schooner, (a poor weak Vessel) one Sloop of 4 small Guns, and another of 2 Swivels only: That they have 26 Top Sail Vessels there, but none of Force, except one of 6 Carriage Guns. They are all laid up, and the Men gone a fishing. Their Allowance to their Prisoners is a Pound of unbaked Bread and a Piece of Fish per Day, but no Meat. Our Informer did not take a Morsel while he was there. The lower Room in their Goal is half Leg deep in Nastiness, and causes a most noisome Smell; yet the Prisoners have dry Boards to lie on in another Room, that they have had worse Treatment from some Creatures in the Shape of Englishmen, than from the French themselves.

The same Day a Scooner arrived from cape breton, loaded with Molasses, (as is said) and brought in 15 or 16 of our Fishermen, and Soldiers, who had been Prisoners there: The Soldiers did belong to the late Garrison at Canso, and are mostly invalids.

On Saturday last the Commissioners appointed by this Government, with the Delegates from the six Nations of Indians above Albany, embarked on board Capt. Sanders, and in the Evening sail'd for the Eastward, to treat with the Indian Tribes in those Parts. And Yesterday Capt. Fletcher in our Province Sloop sail'd on a Cruize.

[July 25, 1744]

... Nous Commissaire Ordannateur a L'isle Royale

Il est defendu au nommé Amand Bugaud de partir de ce Port dans son Batiment sans l'escorte de la goilette l — Succes qui doit Ie Convoyer Jusqu'au Port Tolouse sons peine de desobeissance et de six mois de prison a Iuy a son Captaine a Louisbourg Ie 26 me Juillet 1744.

Bigot

[Source: Minutes of H. M. Council, 1736-1749, Annapolis Royale in http://www.acadian-home.org/AnnapolisRoyal.html , © Lucie LeBlanc Consentino Acadian & French Canadian Ancestral Home 2006 - Present]

Newport, Rhode Island, July 27.

On Monday last in the Afternoon, came in here a Whaling Sloop that had been taken the Saturday before by a French Privateer about 15 Leagues to the Southward of Block-Island. The Privateer is the same little Sloop of 4 Carriage Guns and 2 Swivels and 45 Men, which took a Sloop with Oil sometime ago near the Cape, since which he took a Sloop bound from Boston to Philadelphia, which he sent away. He had with him another Prize which he took on Tuesday by Surprize, near Sandy Hook viz. a large Ship of 300 Tons, 6 Carriage Guns, 50 Men and Boys, and 52 Women Passengers, besides Sailors, Robert Hamilton Master, bound from Ireland to Philadelphia. He put 30 of his Male Prisoners on board the Whaleman, and then took his Departure for cape breton. ...

Boston, August 9.

.... Aug. 13. Last Wednesday Capt. Tyng arrived here from Annapolis Royal, by whom we hear, that the main Body of Indians who formerly invested the Fort, are retired to Menis, where they wait to be joined by some French Forces and a Man of War from cape breton, when they give out they will attack the Fort again. In the mean time they appear in small Parties sculking about in the Woods, which gives the Garrison some Uneasiness. ...

[August 9, 1744]

Philadelphia.

... This Morning arrived here a French Prize Brigt. called the Seven Brothers, John Baptista Testier, late Commander, taken by the Wilmington about five Weeks since, in Lat. 35. a little to the East of Bermudas, she came from Martineca, but last from Cape Francois, bound to cape breton; and has parted but a few days before with 13 Sail bound to Old France. Her Cargo is 92 Hogsheads of Mellasses, 125 of Rum, 340 Rolls of Tobacco, some Soap, Brandy, and Cordial Waters, and 382 Pieces of Eight in Money. She had 11 Men, 8 of which are in the Wilmington, the Captain and 2 others are brought in. The Brigt. left 60 Sail of French Vessels at Cape Francois, homeward bound, some of which 'tis hoped may be intercepted by the Wilmington.

Newport, Rhode Island, Aug. 17.

On Friday last came in here two Prizes, one a large French Schooner laden with Fish and Oil, and bound from cape breton to Martineco, was taken on the Banks of Newfoundland, by the Captains Potter and Bennetland; the other is a large Bermudas-built Sloop in her Ballast, taken from the Spaniards near Cape-Maize by Captains Cranston and W. Allen.

Capt. Griffith, in a fine Privateer belonging to this Place, well fitted, with about 120 stout Men, designs to sail next Monday on a Cruize against his Majesty's Enemies.

New York, August 20.

Private Letters from Boston assure us, that the last prizes sent in there by Capt. Waterhouse, were taken in Conjunction with Capt. Barnes in a privateer belonging to this Place; That the Men who left Waterhouse at Cape Anne, informs, that by the Cowardice of their Captain, those two Privateers have lost the taking of a suppos'd exceeding valuable Ship, which they relate as follows, viz. Capt. Waterhouse coming up first with the Ship, received a Broadside of 8 or 10 Guns from her, one of which went thro' his Boat, upon which he sheer'd off, till Capt. Barnes came up: Capt. Barnes was then for pursuing the Ship by all Means, and offer'd to board her first; but Waterhouse not consenting, she was suffered to escape. They were inform'd by the Schooner which they afterwards took off cape breton, that it was a Ship bound from La vera Cruz to cape breton, which Voyage she had actually made for three Years running, in order to ship home Specie in French Fishing Vessels, partly on Account of the Risk, but chiefly to save the Indulto of 10 per Cent. due to the King of Spain. 'Tis added, that Capt. Waterhouses's Commission is taken from him, and Capt. Barnes continues cruising off cape breton. ....

[August 24, 1744]

... De Par Le Roi

Il Est Ordonné aux nommé Amand Bugaud et Le Maigre de Suivre Ie detachement francoise au Port Royal et autre Endroits dans L' Accadie, pour fair et Executer ce qui leur sera ordonné pour Ie Service du Roi sous peine à eux refusant d'obeir au present ordre d'estre punie de Mort et Livrez a la discretion des Sauvages fait au Camp francoise a la Grand Pré Ie 24e Aoust. 1744

Du Vivier 

[Source: Minutes of H. M. Council, 1736-1749, Annapolis Royale in http://www.acadian-home.org/AnnapolisRoyal.html , © Lucie LeBlanc Consentino Acadian & French Canadian Ancestral Home 2006 - Present]

[August 27, 1744]

... De Par Le Roi

Il est ordonné aux habitants des Mines dans lesquelles sout Compris les paroisses de la Grand Pré, Riviere des Canards et Pizziquid et Cobequid de Reconnoitre l'obeissance qu'ils doivent au Roy de France et en Consequence les deputez des dittes paroisses me feront fournir.

Scavoir

Celle de la Grande Pré huit Cheveaux et deux hommes pour les Conduire Celle de la riviere des Canards huit Cheveaux et deux hommes pour les Conduire. et CeIle de Pizziquid douze Cheveaux et 3 hommes pour les Conduire Comme aussy les Cornes a poudre qui se trouveront chez les dits habitants excepté une qu'ils reserveront a par chaque maison de tenir Ie tout pret pour m'etre ammenez samedy a 10 heures du matin au Pavillon f'rancois que j'ay fait arborer au pied duquelles deputez de chacune de ditte paroisses seront tenu de prestre foy de fedilité pour eux et tous les habitants de la banlieu ne Voulant pas detourner tous les dits habitants des travaux de leur Recoltes, qui ne se'ront pas pour cela pas moins tenu a garder la ditte fidelité qui sera promises par leur deputez à peine à ceux qui contreveindront au present ordre d'etre punie comme sujets Rebelles et Livrez entre Ies Mains des sauvages comme Ennemis de l'etat ne pouvant refuser aux dits Sauvages ainsy qu'ils Ie demandent tous ceux qui ne se soumettrounts pas, Enjoignons aux dits habitants qui ont Reconnu l'obeissance du Roy de France de nous faire promptement connoitre tous Ceux qui veulent se Soustraire de la ditte Obeissance pour que les fidelles Sujets ne souffrent d'aucune Incursions que les dits Sauvages pourroient faire, a la Grand Pré Ie 27 Aoust 1744

Du Vivier

[Source: Minutes of H. M. Council, 1736-1749, Annapolis Royale in http://www.acadian-home.org/AnnapolisRoyal.html , © Lucie LeBlanc Consentino Acadian & French Canadian Ancestral Home 2006 - Present]

... Extract of a Letter from N. York, Sept. 3.

'We have certain Intelligence, that a 70 Gun Ship, a 56 Gun Ship, a 44 and 26 Gun Ships are arriv'd at cape breton from France. The 70 Gun Ship, call'd the Ardent, with 600 Men, the 56 call'd the Brillant, with 550 Men, and the others with Men in like Proportion to their Guns; that they had likewise with them 18 Merchant Ships from 20 to 26 Guns, and from 70 to 80 Men each. That they carried with them Men, Ammunition and Stores for a new 70 Gun Ship, now ready at Quebeck. That they have besides 1200 regular Troops at cape breton. Such a French Force here deserves the Attention of all the Colonies on the Main.

Boston, September 17.

... On Saturday Capt. Waterhouse, in one of our Privateers, came in from a Cruize, but brought with him no Prize. He several times saw two large Ships and a Schooner near cape breton, who chased him; the Schooner was known by some of his Men to be Morepang. ...

New York, September 17.

Wednesday last arrived here Capt. Barnes, in the Privateer Sloop Elizabeth of this Place, from his Cruise to the Eastward, but has taken nothing more than what has been already mentioned: He confirms the Account we had of four large French Men of War being arrived at cape breton. ....

[September 22, 1744]

... de s'embaquer sur la premier Voiture qu'il trouvera avec Ie Monde necessaire pour aller en dilligence a Louisbourg et suivre ce quy luy sera ordonné pour Ie Service du Roi de France, sous peine a luy Refusant d'obeir au present ordre d'estre Livrez à la discretion des Sauvages pour y estre punie de mort, fait au Camp Francoise a Bellair Ie 22e 7 bre 1744

Du Vivier

[Source: Minutes of H. M. Council, 1736-1749, Annapolis Royale in http://www.acadian-home.org/AnnapolisRoyal.html , © Lucie LeBlanc Consentino Acadian & French Canadian Ancestral Home 2006 - Present]

Boston, September 24.

... By a Vessel in 15 Days from Newfoundland, we are inform'd that Capt. Rouse in a Privateer of this Town, with a Schooner of his own fitting out, and two other Privateers in Consort with him, had attack'd and (after five Hours Dispute) taken a French Settlement on the back side of Newfoundland, and five large Letter of Marque Ships in the Harbour, from 16 to 18 Guns each. Capt. Rouse's Schooner came into St. John's with about 70 of the Prisoners just before our Informer came away, who were put on board a French Ship in the Harbour (which serves for a Prison) to about 130 of their Countrymen who were there before. 'Tis said they have taken Thirty Thousand Quintals of Fish, an Hundred Tons of Oil, above 90 Pieces of Cannon, 6 and 9 pounders, besides other small Craft, and want Vessels to carry the Fish off. ...

... Last Friday Capt. Tyng and Capt. Fletcher sail'd on a Cruize, with several Vessels under their Convoy.

Last Monday Evening and the next Morning, arrived here two Schooners and a Sloop in 11 Days from Cape Breton, each with a Flag of Truce, and brought in about 350 English Persons who had been taken Prisoners and carried in there, among whom are the remainder of the Officers and Soldiers and others taken at Canso. From the most intelligent Persons returned, we learn, That 3 large Men of War were arrived at Lewisburg from France, and a new one of 64 Guns built at Canada, who were to convoy home six East India Ships that were put in at Lewisburg, with the Fur Ships and others expected from Canada, to which Place one of the Men of War was gone with the Provisions and warlike Stores brought from France, and 'twas thought the whole Fleet would sail from Lewisburg about the Middle of October next.

By some of the English Commanders we are informed, That an Expedition had been intended by these Men of War, with other Forces, at the Time when the Indians and French Land Forces made an Attempt against the Garrison at Annapolis Royal; and suppose their Design was to attack it by Water, and to bombard it, having 4 Mortars, and 300 Bomb-Shells 14 Inches Diameter; but that their Design was frustrated by an Article of News which they found inserted in a Paper taken in a Vessel from Ireland, viz. That 10 Men of War from England were to sail in a few Days for North America; and that thereupon the said Mortars, Shells, and other Stores, were put ashore again. --- But this is contradicted by one of the French Masters, who says, no such Expedition was intended; but those Mortars and Shells were brought thither by the Men of War from France for that Garrison. --- Notwithstanding this, we are further assured, that these warlike Stores had been landed before this designed Expedition, and were afterwards thereupon ship'd again, but relanded upon the aforesaid Advice.

Capt. Gatman, in a Privateer Schooner of this Place, was taken at Porto Bass, about 8 leagues to the Northward of Louisbourg, by a new French Man of War, lately built at Quebeck (then mounting but 30 Guns, but since 50) Morepang having the Command of her for that Cruize: Capt. Gatman had there with him a French Ship which he had taken, and had just loaded her with Fish and Oil from the Shore, which also was retaken at the same time by this Man of War.

Capt. Loring in a fine Brigantine Privateer belonging to this Town, was taken by a Man of War of 60 Guns, which fired 70 Shot at his Vessel, and tore his Sails and Rigging to Pieces, before he could come up with him, when he was obliged to surrender, having lost but one Man, who was accidentally drowned. Capt. Loring was carried in but two Days before these Vessels sailed, so that he and his Men are left there, which are all the Englishmen which remain who have been taken, except some who were out at Work at some Distance: Capt. Loring had taken and sunk a small Schooner at a little Distance from Cape Breton, but sav'd the Men and put them ashore; and also took a small Sloop, which he improved as a Tender before he was taken.

Capt. Samuel Richards in a Sloop, bound from New York to Piscataqua, Mr. Tufton Mason, a Passenger, being on board with a valuable Interest, was taken off Cape Cod, by a little Privateer Sloop, which fired a Volley of small Shot in among them, and killed the Master directly, and mortally wounded another; and fired upon them again after they had called for Quarter. Mr. Mason had several Holes made by the Shot through his great Coat, as he stood up to inform them of the Surrender.- The poor wounded Man was carried to the French Hospital upon their Arrival, and a Surgeon was ordered to search and dress his Wound (which was across the Inside of his Breast) from which he extracted the Bullet, and it appeared to be rough, having been chewed before it was put into the Musket, at which inhumanity the Governor and other Gentlemen, discover'd so much Abhorrence, that they ordered a strict Enquiry and Search to be made among the Mens Cartridges, &c. to find out the Author of it, but in vain: However the Commander was deprived of his Commission for his ill-Behaviour.

We hear also, that Capt. Morepang has resigned his Commission as Commander of a privateer, and is made a third Lieutenant of one of the Men of War.

We hear also, that 2 or 3 out of the French Store Ships, bound to Cape Breton with Provisions from France, are said to be taken by some English Privateers, a Number of the Men belonging to them being sent in; But who took them, or whither they were carried, they could not learn.

Two smart Privateers sail'd from Cape Breton just before these Vessels, one a Ship of about 140 Tons, mounting 16 Carriage Guns, and a Number of Swivels, with 150 Men, commanded by one Capt. Legrotz, who understands the English Language very well, and is acquainted with these Coasts; the other is a Brigantine, commanded by Capt. St. Martin, with 130 Men, mounting 10 Carriage and 20 Swivel Guns; this Captain commanded the same Sloop that took the Ship at Sandy Hook, which was bound from Dublin to Philadelphia, as also Capt. Helme, bound to New York, besides which he has taken 7 Fishing Vessels, making in all 9 Prizes.

A small Privateer Schooner from Piscataqua, being at Cabarouse Bay, fired upon these Flags of Truce as they passed by; but upon being informed who they were, desisted, and the Commander sent his Boat on board one of them, and upon the Boat's Return sail'd off. -- In the mean time a Frenchman got ashore, and absconded, and 'tis supposed he went to Louisburgh, and informed of this Schooner; for on the next Day a Brigantine (thought to be that which was Capt. Loring's) was seen upon the Cruize thereabouts.

Provisions (especially fresh Meat) are pretty scarce among the French, for which Reason our People fared hard; their Allowance being only a Pound and Half of Pork, a Quart of Beans and a small Fish per Man for fifteen Days, but Bread enough. They have taken and carried into Lewisburg, 26 Sail of English Vessels, 14 of which are Fishermen.

We are likewise told, that a Ship in a short Passage was just arrived from France, with News that made the French down in the Mouth, and they own that Prince Charles had killed 12000 of their Men.

[October 11, 1744]

Philadelphia.

... Last Wednesday Morning being the 3d Inst. October, the Sloop Rover, Francis Frewen Commander, weighed Anchor in Lewistown Road about 7o'Clock, and about 10 was about 9 Leagues off Cape Henlopen, when he was boarded by a French Privateer Ship called the Experience, of cape breton, commanded by Capt. John Joseph Le Gross, Mounting 16 Carriage and 12 Swivel Guns, and 130 Men. The Day before the same Privateer took a Bermuda Sloop laden with Salt, Capt. Dickinson Master, which Sloop he scuttled; she having lost her Mast. And on Wednesday he took two more Sloops, Capt. Spencer, of Rhode Island, laden with Rum, Cheese, and Syder, and Capt. David Ellinwood of Boston. The Prisoners requested to be put on Shore at the Cape; but the Capt. delayed till about 9 o'Clock at Night, when he have them two Boats and Oars each with a Compass, to 17 men, and Leave to go. They were 13 Leagues then from the Land, and the Wind off the Shore, but by great Labour they got safe to Land at 8 o'Clock next Morning, about 9 Mile to Southward of Cape Henlopen, on Capt. William Faucitts Land who treated them very kindly. The French took all from them, but what they had on their Backs. ...

[October 16, 1744]

On Monday, the 15th Inst. the General Assembly of this Province met here; and the next Day the Governor sent down to the House the following Message, viz.

GENTLEMEN,

AS it is the Duty of my Station, to be at all Times watchful over the Interests of the Province under my Government, and as nothing more essentially concerns them, than the Security of its Trade and Navigation, T think myself indispensably obliged to lay hold of the first Opportunity of delivering to you my Sentiments upon a very late Incident; which, as it cannot but have come to your Knowledge, must have in some Degree engaged likewise your Thoughts before your meeting together; that is, the taking four Vessels upon our Coast by a French Privateer Ship of considerable Force, and the Captain's giving the Men leave to go on Shore, with this contemptuous Circumstance, that he was too well acquainted with Philadelphia to apprehend their sending out any thing to attack him, and that he therefore designed to cruize a Fortnight longer in the same Place. If he did not stay out that Time, it may be concluded he did his Business sooner, and from the Success he met with, that this Ship and the two Privateer Brigantines equipped at Louisbourg at the same time, will soon return to an Harvest plentiful, and to be reaped without Danger.

Is it not a Reproach to the Name of Englishmen, to suffer themselves to be thus insulted, when they have the Means in their Hands, to maintain their ancient Character? For under proper Regulations a Ship might have been equipped in a few Days, capable of driving this Privateer from the Coast, or of bringing her in. And will not your Trade be intirely ruined, when the Enemy are convinced by Experience, that they may not only cruize upon your Coast, but block up your Port with Impunity? The French in America, seem'd at first unprepar'd for the War, but now they begin to act, and it is highly probable their Privateers will swarm upon our Coast next Summer, if we do not put ourselves into a Condition to act against them, to convoy our Vessels off, and to protect them when they come upon our Coast. The Governments of New England, Rhode Island and Connecticut, enter'd early into this Method of securing their Trade, and Virginia has been lately obliged, from the Disability of the King's Ship upon that Station, to do the same.

It is not difficult to foresee the ill Consequences that will ensue upon a Want of Attention, or an ill-timed Parsimony, in a Matter of this Importance. If the British Merchants, as well as our own, are not as well protected by this as by other Governments, the Trade of this City will be soon at an End; for no Man will carry it on at a certain Loss. From hence will follow the Loss of your Ship-building; and the Ship-wright, Smith, Joiner, and all the other Artificers concerned in equipping that noble Machine, must seek for Employment elsewhere; and when this Trade is once lost, the Example of a neighbouring City shews that it is not easily to be recovered. This whole City indeed, in some way or other, depends upon the Merchant, and if he cannot trade to Advantage, it will be soon very sensibly felt by the whole. Even the Farmer, who is too apt to consider the Landed and the Trading Interest in Opposition to each other, must confine his Produce to the Consumption of his own Family, if the Merchant is disabled from exporting it to foreign Markets.

In Opposition to the fitting out a Vessel for the Protection of your Trade, I know it has been said, that it is a needless Expence to the Province, since the King's Ships, stationed at New York and Virginia, are sufficient to clear the Coast of the Enemies Privateers. But we are now convinced, from Experience, that the King's Ships have been ordered upon other Services, and that what with the Desertion of their Seamen, and their being out of Repair at their Return to their Stations, the whole Summer has been spent before they could put to Sea again.

GEO. THOMAS.
October 16, 1744 ...

[October 17, 1744]

The next Day the Governor sent down to the House
the following Message, viz.

GENTLEMEN,

BY the last Vessel from Bristol, I received a Letter from the Proprietaries, enclosing a Copy of a Bill brought into the House of Commons last Session by Sir John Barnard, Colonel Bladen, and Mr. Fane, in Consequence of a Petition signed by Twenty-four Merchants, to prevent the issuing Bills of Credit in the Colonies as a Tender for the Payment of Debts. The Bill was ordered to be printed, that it may be considered next Session. The Gentlemen who brought it in, being of great Figure and Weight in the House, it is concluded that it will be well supported.

As the Interest of this Province may be greatly affected by this Bill, I think it highly advisable, that you immediately prepare a Set of Instructions, and transmit them by the first Opportunity, for obviating any Objections that may be raised against the Paper Currency here. Mr. Patridge; as Agent for Rhode Island, has already engaged Mr. Paris in Behalf of that Colony.

GEO. THOMAS.
October 17, 1744. ...

Oct. 18, 1744. P.M.

The House having taken into their Consideration the several Messages which they received from the Governor,

Resolved,

THAT Samuel Levis, and Abraham Chapman, do wait on the Governor, and return him the hearty Thanks of the House for his care he has shewn for the Province, and particularly respecting Indian Affairs; and to acquaint him, That the House have given Directions to their Committee of Correspondence to prepare Instructions for their Agents, the better to enable him to oppose the Bill lately brought into Parliament, of which the Governor was pleased to send them a Copy; a Bill which, if passed into a Law, appears to the House destructive of all their Liberties, and likely to be attended with the most dangerous Consequences to all the King's Subjects in America. That they have ordered a Sum of Money to be remitted to their Agent, for defraying the Expences which shall arise on the Opposition directed to be given to this Bill. That as the Governor is in a few Days to be at Newcastle and it will be inconvenient to divers of the Members to stay long at this Season of the Year; and as the House are of Opinion, no great Inconvenience can arise by their not giving a more particular Answer to the Governor's first message, they hope he will not take it amiss that they choose to defer the same until the next Sitting of Assembly.

Boston, October 22.

By one of the Vessels lately come in from Jamaica, we are informed, that some time before he left that Island, his Majesty's Sloop Drake, being on a Cruize in the Windward passage, was attack'd by four Privateers of the Enemy (one a Brig of 200 Men) against whom she maintain'd a desperate Fight for several Hours, and at last got clear, tho' in a shatter'd Condition.

Capt. Donahew, Commander of a small Privateer Sloop of this Town, in a Letter to his Owners, dated the 7th October, writes, That eight Days after he sail'd from Newbury, he was attack'd off cape breton by a Brig. lately commanded by Capt. Loring, which had 160 Men and he but 60; That after they parted he took a small Sloop in Sight of the Brig. with live Stock on board; after which, having lost his Bowsprit, he went to St. John's in Newfoundland, to refit, and in 3 Days after he got out, took a fine French Ship with 3000 Quintals of Fish, and some Oyl on board, which he is bringing home. ...

Boston, December 10 [1744]

Last Tuesday Capt. Le Galles, who about a Month ago sail'd from this Port for cape breton, with a Flag of Truce for the Exchange of Prisoners, return'd from that Place, and brought with him 35 of our Countrymen, among whom are Capt. Loring, Major Little, Capt. Hope, and the two Donnel's, who were lately taken as they entred the Bason below Annapolis Royal. The other English Prisoners, to the Number of 130, were sent to France in the grand Fleet that sailed from Lewisburgh the same Day that Capt. Le Galles arrived there, viz. on the 19th of November, which consisted of 56 Sail, 40 Ships, (including 3 Men of War, and 6 East India Ships) 9 Brigs, 5 Snows, and 2 Schooners. There were only seven Vessels left at Lewisburgh, which were all laid up for the Winter. The Governor of cape breton died suddenly about two Months ago, and his Death is much regretted by the English, who generally give him a good Character. He is succeeded in Command by the Intendant or Lieut. Governor. By the above Prisoners we are informed, that the French Privateer that engaged Capt. Richardson, some time since, was a Brigt. of about 70 Tons, with 10 Carriage Guns, commanded by one St. Martin, who was shot through the Head from Capt. Richardson's Fore-top in the Beginning of the Action, which so disheartened the Men, that most of them ran down in the Hold. They also lost one other Man, and had several wounded. Some say Provisions are scarce ar Lewisburgh, and others they had sufficient for two Years; but let that be as it will, our People fared very poorly, and it cost the Officers who were at Liberty, about 7 £. a Week, for which they had good Ragoo and Soup, but cannot boast much of their Roast Beef. Capt. Loring was a prisoner 11 Weeks, and confined 10 Days, but had his Liberty the rest of the Time, and was very civilly treated by the French. Two of their Prizes taken by Capt. Le Grotz near the Capes of Delaware, were arrived at Lewisbourg, but a third was missing, and supposed to be either retaken or lost. The People at Lewisbourg, who had conceived mighty Hopes of the Ship commanded by the said Le Grotz, and boasted much of the Wonders he was to do against the English, that nothing would be able to stand before him, were greatly surprized upon Sight of his Men, who were returned in Capt. Le Galles. It is the Opinion of many of the returned Prisoners, that cape breton might be easily reduced by a small Force from Great Britain, under honest and skilful Officers. ...

Boston, November 12.

Saturday last a large Sloop sail'd for cape breton, with the French Prisoners brought in by the Comet Bomb, and to bring back such of our unfortunate Countrymen as are Prisoners at Lewisburgh. ...

... By a Vessel lately arrived at Salem from Barbadoes, we are inform'd, that in Lat. 28, they met with Commodore Warren, who had taken a French Sugar Ship, and sent her into Virginia. They learnt from the Commodore, that he had been to Virginia, but Lord Banff not being ready to go to Sea, he intended to stretch to the Northward alone, to endeavour to intercept some French Ships which he heard were to come from the West Indies to cape breton, for the Benefit of a Convoy home. ...

Boston, Nov. 19.

By our last Letters from Annapolis Royal we are informed, That when Mr. Duvivier was before that Place with his Forces, he wrote to the Governor of cape breton, assuring him, that if he would send any Vessels of Force to his Assistance, he would take the Garrison: Upon which the Governor fitted out an old Banker with 24 Guns, and an armed Brig. These arrived just as the two Donnels, in a Sloop and Schooner from Boston, were going in, whom they took; and on board one of them finding a Letter from our Governor to Colonel Mascarene, that he would send him our three Province Vessels to his Assistance; and understanding that Duvivier had been obliged to retreat, they were in the utmost Impatience to be gone, and accordingly turn'd out with a foul Wind. Our Guard Vessels arrived but four Days after their Departure. The Succours sent from this Province have saved the Garrison from the Enemy three times this last Summer.

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