1134 MISCELLANEOUS. 



were terminated only with the extinction of French power in this 

 hemisphere. In fact, historians of acknowledged authority consider 

 the treaty of St. Germains as among the prominent causes of the 

 American Revolution, inasmuch as the disputes to which it gave rise 

 disturbed, finally, the relations between England and her thirteen 

 colonies. 



Twenty-two years elapsed, and Cromwell, in a time of profound 

 peace with France, took forcible possession of Nova Scotia, claiming 

 that its cession by Charles was fraudulent. He erected it into a col- 

 ony, and organized a government. It was considered highly valuable, 

 and Englishmen of rank aspired to become its proprietary lords from 

 the moment of its acquisition. 



The French court remonstrated, without changing the purpose of 

 the protector. But, after the restoration of the Stuarts, and by the 

 treaty of Breda, in 1667, this colony passed a second time to France.* 

 Though St. John, Port Royal, La Heve, Cape Sable, as well as Penta- 

 gaet or Penobscot, were specially named in the cession, the general 

 boundaries were not mentioned, and the soil and the fishing-grounds 

 were again the scenes of collisions, reprisals, and fierce quarrels. A 

 third treaty that of London in 1686, confirmed the two powers in 

 the possession of the American colonies respectively held at the com- 

 mencement of hostilities, but left the extent and limits of all as unset- 

 tled as before. 



Sagacious men in New England had now seen for years that the 

 expulsion of the French was the only measure that would secure 

 peace in the prosecution of the fisheries, and they endeavored to enlist 

 the sympatlry and co-operation of the mother country. The war be- 

 tween France and England which followed the accession of William 

 and Mary was no sooner proclaimed at Boston than the general court 

 of Massachusetts commenced preparations for the conquest of Nova 

 Scotia and Canada. Sir William Phips, who was born and bred 

 among the fishermen of Maine, was intrusted with the command of 

 an expedition against both. He reduced the first, and established a 

 government; but his enterprise in the St. Lawrence was disastrous. 

 It is of interest to add, that the first paper money emitted in America 

 was issued by Massachusetts to defray the expenses of these military 

 operations. 



* Edward Randolph, the first collector of the customs of Boston, in a Narrative to the 

 Lords of Trade and Plantations, in 1676, says that "The French, upon the last treaty 

 of peace concluded between the two crowns of England and France, had Nova Scotia, 

 now called Acadie, delivered up to them, to the great discontent and murmuring of 

 the government of Boston, that his Majestic, without their knowledge or consent, 

 should part with a place so profitable to them, from whence they drew great quantities 

 of beaver and other peltry, besides the fishing for cod. Nevertheless," he adds, "the 

 people of Boston have continued a private trade with the French and Indians inhabit- 

 ing those parts for beaver skins and other commodities, and have openly kept on their 

 fishing upon the said coasts." 



He says further, that "Monsieur La Bourn, governor for the French king there, 

 upon pretence of some affronts and injuries offered him by the government of Boston, 

 did strictly inhibit the inhabitants any trade with the English, and moreover layd in 

 imposition of four hundred codfish upon every vessel that should fish upon the coasts, 

 and such as refused had their fish and provisions seized on and taken away." By 

 the "Boston government," Randolph means the government of Massachusetts. 



