68 L'ABBÉ H.-E. CASGEAIN 



Chédiac would stand a fair chance to intercept thera. — -As tliese Inhabitants' are so far out of the 

 way of the BngHsh troops it will be difficult to apprehend them, but by some stratagem. But they 

 are at all adventures to be rooted out, - and the most effectual way is to destroy all these settlements 

 by burning down all the houses, cutting the dikes, and destroy» all the Grain now growing, for it 

 will be impossible to save any of their grain, except that growing near the fort, without great loss 

 of men unless there be a firm jjeace with the Indians ' which is not likely while the French continue 

 there, and the Indians will be always induced to listen to them, because their dependence for pro- 

 vision will be on them * a manifest advantage will arise therefrom '' for all the Indians on the North 

 shore will then be obliged to depend on the English for subsistence, & we shall find them after this 

 not only in a disposition to make peace but to continue it, especially if a Truck house were established 

 at Cheignecto to supply them with all necessarys, & another at S' John's for that tribe. And I cant 

 help remarking that the most lucky conjuncture has happened to put in execution such a project : the 

 fort the French have forsaken '^ is not so damaged but it may be repaired in a few days, & when made 

 defensible 40 men would be sufficient to guard it, for it wuuld not bo in the power of the Fi'ench ever 

 to bring cannon or other stores of war to retake it, for tho' S' -John's river is navigable for Canoes 

 almost to its head, yet it is full of falls, & they can only use birch Canoes, which can be carried on 

 men's Shoulders till they pass a fall : that the carrying place between the two rivers is ten miles 

 over very steep mountains and impassible but on foot, and therefore they never can bring warlike 

 Stores that way to annoy that Garrison, & a few men would be able to defend it. against any mus- 

 quetry & could soon be relieved if" attacked from the other Post in the bay : this would be a great 

 curb on that tribe '^ and the advantages of plenty of provisions and other supplys will soon gain them 

 to our interest, & this, in time, would become a trade of considerable " profit to this Colony. 



If this were done before the Inhabitants were removed it would cut off all hopes of escaping 

 there especially to those of Annapolis, and from the circumstances that fort is in at present as I am 

 informed, one Sloop load of Picquets with some plank for Gate, '" would effectually repair it, & for the 

 present till barracks or two or three of the houses of the inhabitants could be sent, the Soldiers 

 might lodge in tents with one large one or a few boards to cover their stores. 



iSTuMBER OP TROOPS 



NECESSARY TO EFFECT 

 THE MEAS'''" 



The number of men necessary to remove the Inhabitants, and the places to 

 post them" will depend much on the behavior of the French & it will much 

 facilitate their readiness '' to go if a persuasion could obtain among them that 

 they are to be removed to Canada" — could it be propogated by common report for 'tis natural to 

 think they will be unwilling to quit their possessions, & to offer themselves OTÏZmj'?)/ '' to be trans- 

 ported they know not whither. I apprehend such a persuasion would greatly facilitate the enterprize. 

 If they can possibly be persuaded to surrender themselves willingly"' or'' be ajiprehended by anj' 

 stratagem, the others'' might submit willingly but if they prove obstinate & take to the woods, & 



' Difficulties from the situation of the inhab'». (Note en marge, de la main du Dr Brown.) 



- And advice followed (Note en marge, de la main du Dr Brown). 



' Necessity of an Ind peace to reap and save the Acad" harvest. (Note en marge, de la main du Dr Brown.) 



* Le Dr Brown met ici un iioint (.) après them et ajoute en interligne les mots : Besides, a consequenlial. 



' from tliis measure (Mots ajoutés en interligne par le Dr Brown). 



^ on the river S John (Mots ajoutés eu interligne par le Dr Brown). 



' they were (Mots ajoutés de la main du Dr Brown). 



^ the Marecites (Mots ajoutés par le Dr Brown). 



" magnitude & importance (Mots ajoutés par le Dr Brown). 



'" Gates &c. (Nc^te de la main du Dr Brown). " Note en marge du Dr Brown. 



" at (Mot ajouté par le Dr Brown) '■' resolution (Note de la main du Dr Brown). 



" Ces trois dernières lignes sont signalées en marge, de la main du Dr Brown. 



'^ voluntarily (Note de la main du Dr Brown). "• voluntarily (Note du Dr Brown). 



" If they can (Mots ajoutés par le Dr Brown). '" rest (Note du Dr Brown). 



