944 A P P E N D I X TO Vol. III. 



refit, and work againft the trade wind and current, to ■ regain their 



poft in the Windward Paflage. 



In fuch a tedious interval, our trade cannot fail of being very much 

 exfofcd. This fliould furnifli an additional reafon to fhew the pro- 

 priet}' of deftining a conliderable part of our fquadron to Port Anto- 

 nio ; not to mention the fpeedy affiilance, which a force fo Rationed, 

 and collected at the Windward part of the ifland, might occafionally 

 afford to the Leeward coalls and channels, whenever they might be in 

 need of it. 



:; I have thrown out thefe arguments, ^lot with a view of anticipating 

 the reader's judgement, but rather as fair and unafledted deduclions 

 from the following ftate of the French port, and the works there car- 

 ried on, or (rather) by this. time perhaps already perfected. 



Previous to the commencement of the late war, this place was 

 intirely unfettled ; the lands I'urrounding it, for the fpace of four or 

 five leagues, being rocky, barren, and incapable of producing any 

 fuftenance for man or beaft. During the heat of the war, it was 

 much frequented by our cruizers, but chiefly the privateers, as well 

 for the fake of taking in wood and water, as for the conveniency it 

 afforded them to annoy. the enemy, and diftrefs their homeward- 

 bound merchant fliips, in their paflage from the Bite of Lcogaiine and 

 the Southern coaft of Hifpaniola. Here too they generally careened 

 their veflels in the bafon, which is (o fl^ut up within the land, that 

 they could, not be difcovered by any fliips in the Offing. 



The French, determining to preclude us from holding fo advanta- 

 geous a poll: in future wars, have entered at the fame time into a 

 more extenfive fpeculation, and bethouglit themfelves how to render 

 it, not only an afylum to their own fleets, but a iource of never- 

 cealing annoyance to us. They relblved to fortify the harbour in 

 the ftrongefl: manner, and fettle the adjacent country, as far as it might 

 admit. With thefe intentions, the prefent peace was no fooner rati- 

 fied, than they brought near five thoufand ^cadians to this place, and 

 fixed a colony likewife of between two and three hundred German 

 families, at about fifteen niiles diftancc, m the back country, who 

 were to cultivate provifions, for fupport of the new town at the Mole^ 

 from which a mofl: excellent road of communication was alfo made 

 to their fettlements. In the firft three years thefe Acadians were 



lubfifttd 



