Section II, 1891. [ 173 ] Trans. Roy. Soc. Canada. 



VII. — Gape Breton and its Memorials of the French Régime. 

 By J. G. BouRiNOT, C.M.G., LL.D., D.C.L. 



(Read May 27, 1891.) 



PEEFATORY NOTE. 



Since the beginning of the last century Cape Breton, once known as He Royale, has 

 been to the world at large very little more than a mere geographical expression, and the 

 importance which it possessed in the times when England and France were struggling 

 for the supremacy in North America has been long since forgotten except by the students 

 of history. In the present work it is the object of the writer, a native of Cape Breton, to 

 record briefly the main facts in its history from the days of its discovery by European 

 voyagers in the remote past down to the present time, when a stream of travel is already 

 beginning to find its way to an island abounding with so many features of natural and 

 historic interest. In the narrative of the days of the French regime, especially from 1740 

 to 1*758, stress has been naturally laid on the important position He Royale once held 

 with relation to New Franco and the old Thirteen Colonies. Maps and illustrations have 

 been added to give completeness and clearness to the narrative. Many pages of critical 

 and bibliographical notes are appended, with a view of relieving the main text of 

 much historical matter chiefly interesting to the students of the past. In these notes 

 there are references to all the literature which I have been able to find relating to the hi.story, 

 resources and industries of this valuable and interesting section of the Dominion of 

 Canada. 



CONTENTS. 

 Chapter. Pagb. 



I. Historj- of Cape Breton from its discovery until the Treaty of Utrecht in ni,3 175 



II. Cape Breton as He Royale, and the foundation of Louisbourg 188 



III. Government and atate of Cape Breton during the French Ri'gimo 197 



IV. Origin and history of the New England expedition against Louisbourg 202 



V. Siege and taking of Louisbourg in 1745 210 



VI. Review of events from the restoration of Cape Breton to France in 1748 until tlie second 



siege and taking of Louisbourg 226 



VII. Siege and taking of Louisbourg in 1758 by Amherst and Boscawen 234 



VIII. Cession of Cajie Breton to England by the Treaty of Paris in 176.3, and its subsequent 



history as an English possession 246 



IX. Some picturesque features of Cape Breton, and its memorials of the French regime 257 



X. The French AcadiSns — their condition and prospects 269 



XI. A short description of the port and the ruins of Louisboui-g at the present time 277 



