McGILL UNIVER- S I T Y ' — ■> LIBRARY THE I M P ORTANCE AND I ADVANTAGE O F CAPE BRETON , Truly Stated, and Impartially Confidered. With Proper M A P 8, Si quid novifti reffius ifiis Candidus imperti : Si non , bis utere mecum. Hor. Ep. VI. Lib. I. wJj. LONDON: Printed for John and Paul Knapton, at the Crown in Ludgate-Street. MDCC XI*VI, w , : - ' ‘ rO 'ji [iii] The PREFACE. f P H E proper handling of the following J- Subjeff is a Fajk of much greater Difficulty than I at firjl imagined. I am fenfble of many DefeBs in thefe Sheets ; but, as 1 mean nothing more than to open the Eyes of the Publick on fo impor- tant an Occafon, fo I have only furnijhed the fever al Hints that occur' d to me j and leave the World to improve upon them at their Leifure, and according to their diffe- rent Capacities. The Chief of my Care was, that Nothing bad a Place herein , but incon- tefable Faffs j which, the more they are A 2 enquired iv ~ r The PREFACE. enquired into , the clearer and brighter they •will appear. I n defer ibing of Cape Breton, I chofe to ufe the very IV ords of Pere Charlevoix, and his Auhorities, leaf it might be objected that I had reprefented Places and ‘Things snore favourably than they are in Reality. The General Reputation of that Author , for Exaftnefs and Veracity , adds no fmall Weight to that Part of this Difcourje ; at the fame time that it indemnifies me of all Mifakes or Falfehoods advanced by him. * / have onfy extra died fuch Parts of his.Hiftory as were mojl neceffary to my Purpofe ; and even omitted many, which might have en- larged and embellifhed this Performance , merely for the fake of bringing the Whole into as narrow a Compafs as might be. I thought it, however, neceffary and 'proper to introduce the Main Point, by forne Obfervations, leading more eafily and naturally to it. For this Reafon it is, that 1 have begun by Jhewing, in general, the Title which the European Nations have to their Pojfeffmis in America : And, as that A fair turns, or depends chief y upon the The PREFACE. v htj Ujt )ix, 3d '■f lity, tor, mil at all ■I n (ini ea- rn, U i anl , i ad : t is, ml, hmt l, t ujffl tlx the Treaty of Utrecht, 1 found it neceffary to make an Extract of fuch Articles as re- late to the Purpofe ; and to remark upon the faid Articles. The Maps are taken from Beilin, En- gineer to the Marine of France ; though they differ greatly from all others that have been hitherto laid down. But , as his Ob - fervations are altogether taken from Char- levoix, fo, wherever there is any material Difference between his Maps and our own, it arifes probably from an Intention in the \ Jefuit , to afcertain the Rights and Limits of the French Nation , whenever thofe Af- fairs jhall hereafter be debated \ in Order to a Settlement of them. I T will at fir (l Sight appear , that the Stile is neither laboured nor fiudied ; 1 am rather appprehenfive it may not , in many Places, be correct : But the Validity of the Fatfs is what I chiefly infifl upon , and have endeavoured more at being clear and intel- ligible , than florid and dffufe t in the Re- prefentation of them. I AM VI The PREFACE. I am not half Jo ambitious of becoming an Author , as defirous , upon all Occafions , of bearing Tefiimony to the Truth, and being of fome Ufe to my Country , and Friends : Tet I fiatttr myfelf, that the Publick will not be difpleafed to find fome Things herein collected, which have not hitherto been gene - rally known , or attended to. If our Share of the World reaps any Benefit from this EJfay , all the Ends pro - pofed in it by me, are fully anfwered j and the Faults which are found in it, may pro- bably be the Occafion of its being handed in a better and more corrett Manner by fome abler Pen. This would be fo far from giv- ing me the leajl XJneafinefs, that I Jhould truly rejoice in my having been the happy Jnftrument of fo much Good to a Nation, whofe real lnterefis I have at Heart , as much as any other Perfon , of my Rank and Station, in it . THE CONTENTS. CHAP. I. A N Enquiry into the Title by Conquefl , of the European Nations , to their Poffeffions or Territories in America, Page i CHAP. II. An Extract of fuch Articles of the Treaty of Utrecht, as refpehl the Englifh Na- tion, particularly in regard to America : With Remarks upon each Article herein tkedy p. 29 •I *” - CHAP. III. A General Defcription of the IJland of Cape Breton ; its Situation , Climate , Produce , Ports , &c. as collected from different Authors t p. 48 CHAP. IV. The Advantages to the English Nation t arifing from the Conquefl: of Cape Breton, p. 62 The CONTENTS. CHAP. V. Some Accounts of Canada, and the Affairs of the Englifh Colonies in its Neighbour- hood j particularly of Nova Scotia, P a g e 99 CHAP. VI. A Summary Relation of the Siege of Lewif- burg t With a Jhort Account of Mr. William Vaughan’* particular Behaviour in the Expedition of Cape Breton, p. 122 CHAP. VII; A true State of New England, in regard to its Power and Riches , as well as Af- fe Elion to the prefent happy Efablifkment in Church and State , p. 134 ERRATA. , ^ pAge 43. line i. have been, read has been. p. 49. 1 . 9. Times of War, r. Time of War. p, 54. 1. 4. Pephaps, r. Perhaps, p. 62. in theMargin, Chap. III. r. Chap. IV. p. 72. 1 . 12. in Effett of which, r. by •which Means. P- 8 5 * 1 - 2J- not totally obftru&ed, r. (if not totally) obltru&ed. p. 96. L 25. more. r. more, THB C * ] Aft: -i^k 8 ® THE Importance and Advantage tfki O F if Ik Ma C P E 3 K E 0 IS! , &c. HJI/8 CHAP. I. An Enquiry into the ‘Title by Con - % quefty of the European Nations , P' 1 } to their Pojjejfiom or Territories in America. I N treating of the Importance and Ad- Chap. •vantages of CapeBreton to theCrown I. of England , I thought it might not be y difagreeable to the Reader, firft to enquire into the feveral Titles by Conquejl , which each European Nation has to the Territories it poiTeffes in America : And by fearching B into 2 7*he Importance and Advantage Chap, into the Titles of that Nature, it appears, I* that very few of them deferve the Name X v of Conquers. Moft of them are founded The Manner upon bare Difcoveries, and landing upon ^ an un ^ nown Coaft, which was either quite quejh in uninhabited, or peopled with Savages, who Americawere upon the fir ft Appearance of large Ships, and of Men of a different Complexion, in another kind of Drefs, and armed in an unufual manner, generally fled from the Shores, retired into the Mountains, and endeavoured to fecure their Perfons. As foon as their Backs were turned, the En- terprizer immediately landed at this or that Cape, or in one or another Bay, Creek or River ; there fet up the Arms of his Coun- try, or a Pillar with an Infcription ; or fometimes both : And thence he claimed a Right to fuch or fuch a Part of thofe Territories. But in many Cafes, nothing more was done j and feveral Years, per- haps, paffed without following the firft Difcovery, or making any Settlement upon it. Nay, it frequently happened, that after a Settlement had been made, it came to be deferted j either becaufe the Place fit ft fix d upon, was not proper for it ; or becaufe feme other European Na- 4 tion o/CAPE BRETON, &c. tion drove the firfl out of it ; or laftly, Chap. becaufe the Savages would no longer bear L the Encroachments of fuch troublefome, and generally cruel, Interlopers ; but tak- ing Courage, and entering into Alliances amongft themfeives, they came down in Numbers, and frequently made dreadful Havock amongft the New-comers ; there- by regaining all that thefe Conquerors had, at great Expence of Men and Money, got Pofleflion of. But to put this Matter in as clear a Light as may be, I fhall here add a fhort Chronological Account of all the material Difcoveries or Conquefts ( which are to our Purpofe) made of America by the different Nations now claiming a Right there. This Account is taken chiefly from a Book printed at Paris in the Year 1744, by Pere Charlevoix , a Jefuit, who was a Miflionary in New France , the Loiiifiane, and along the Banks of the Mijjijjippi River. Christopher Columbus, & Genoefe, j mn ; C a dif - difcovered the firft Land in America , and covered by took Pofleflion of it in the Name of the '- ^ UT '^ US ‘ Crown of Cajlile. This Difcovery con- 1492. B 2 fifted 4 The Importance and Advantage Chap, fitted chiefly in the lflands San Salvador , I. Cuba, and St. Domingo. 1496. Henry VII. King of England, granted Newfound- a Patent to John Cabot , or Gabato, a Ve- land, byCa- ne tian, and his three Sons, under certain b fa tQ ° r Ga ~ Conditions, to go and make Difcoveries in America. They accordingly difcovered Newfoundland j a Part of the Continent of Labrador , or Laborador , as far as to 55 Degrees of Northern Latitude j and brought four Savages with them to Eng- land. 1501. Gulph of Columbus difcovered the Cape and Honduras Bay, or Gulph of Honduras, and the Har- tZ m bour of Porto-Bello. > J° 9 - Jamaica, by John de Esquibel made a Settle- ment on the Ifland of Jamaica, by the Orders of Don Diego Columbus (Son and Heir of Chrijlopher Columbus ) at that Time Admiral of the Indies. 1511- of CAPE BRETON, &>c. 5 Chap, i 51 1. I. Diego Velasquez took Pofleffion o ^Cubafbfve- the Ifland of Cuba in the Name of the tyquez. above-mentioned Admiral. 1523- John Verazani, a Florentine , in the Florida, ty Service of Francis I. King of France, Cerazani. made a Voyage to North America j and the following Year difcovered Florida. 'S 2 7- John Bermudez, a Spaniard, difcover - Bermudas, by ed an Ifland, to which he gave his Name, Bermudez. and which is now known by the Name of Bermudas, *535- John Cartier of St.Malo, entered Gu/phofSt. a great Gulph or Bay, which he named Baurence , by St. Laurence , it being the Saint’s Day 0 f Carlter ‘ that Name. He failed 180 Leagues up the River St. Laurence , to a Village of Savages, at the Foot of a Mountain, which he called Mont-Royal ; and the wholelfland is, at this Day, called Montreal. "The Importance and Advantage x 55 6 - . ■ Stephen Barroug, an Englijhman , IVeigatz/by in feeking a Paflage by the North to China , Bamug. difcovered the Streights of IV dgatz, which lye between Nova Zetnbla, and the Coun- try of the Samoides. x 57 6 * Forbifher’s S i r Martin Forbijher difcovered the Streights , by Streights which lye between Greenland, \ I Forbijher. an( j a i ar g e ifl an d to the South of it. They are called Forbijher' s Streights. i57 8 ' Weji -Frieze- The fame Perfon difcovered the Land land by the 0 f Weft-Friezeland, and took Pofleffion of f ame ' it in the Name of Elizabeth , Queen of England. x 579* New Albion, Francis Drake, an Englijhman , dif- by Drake, covered, to the North of California , a Land, to which he gave the Name of New Albion. 15S3. Newfound- S i r Gilbert Humphrey went, at the ^Humphrey ^ n ^’S a ^ on Secretary Walfngham to New- r. of CAPE BRETON, &c. 7 Newfoundland, and took Poflefiion of it, Cha p„ in the Name of Queen Elizabeth. He I. eftablifhed there a Cod-Fifhery. It is probable that he alfo difcovered Part of Acadia ; having, as it is faid, loft three of his Ships on the Ifland of Sable. *5 8 4> i5 8 5* Arthur Barlow was fent by Sir Virginia, by W alter Raleigh to make Difcoveries ; and Barlow. landed at the Ifland Roenoko. At his Re- turn he gave Co favourable an Account of that Country, that Queen Elizabeth named it Virginia, in Honour of her Virginity. j 5 8 7 - John Davis, or Davids , difcovered Davis’s the Sir eights known at this Day, by his freights, by Name. They lye between Greenland and ^ >ajt5 ‘ Cumberland Ifland, and are called Davis’s Streights. 1693. Sir Richard Hawkins failed round the JuiJcoverieSy World, and difcovered, to the South- weft by Hawkins. of the Streights of Magellan, a large Tradt of Land, which extended on one Side beyond the Streights de la Maire ; and 8 The Importance and Advantage Chap, and on the other, as far as over-againft I. the Cape of Good Hope. J 5 9 8 - Ijle of Sable The Marquis de la Roche procured a and Aadia, patent from Henry IV. of France, for con- by la Roche. t j nu j n g t h e Difcoveries formerly made by fames Cartier ; and difcovered the Ifle of Sable, and Part of the Coafts of Acadia, now Nova Scotia. 1604. Canada, by Peter de Guast, Monfieur desMonts, Several. and Samuel de Champlain, Frenchmen , com- pleated the Difcovery of Acadia, and Part of the South Coaft of Canada. 1607. Chefapeak- John Smith difcovered Chefapeak Bay, Bay, by and the Pouvatan River which falls into it. He built upon the River a Fort, which is become a City, and the Capital of Vir- ginia, by the Name of fames-town, in Honour of fames I. King of England. 1609. New York, Henry Hudson, after failing along the by Hudfon. Coafts of Virginia and New England, dif- covered, in about 40 Degrees of North Latitude, ntagi er-againi procured: f, for® y madel i the lit; ofitt urtt chm,i 'ia, am 'xfdfitii :h falls : Fort, i pitalof'' w-tvaiy E rigid of CAPE BRETON, &c. 9 Latitude, a great Bay, into which a large Chap. River empties itfelf, which he called Man - hatte, from the Name of the Savages he found there. This Captain was at that Time in the Service of the Dutch , who were for fome Time in Pofleftion of that Country : For by them was built theTown of Manhatte , and the Fort of Orange on the Game River. This Country now bears the Name of New- York . The fame Hudfon , and William Boffins, Hudfon's pufhed very far towards the North-Weft ; ^ 1 where they difeovered, the following Year, ‘ thofe Countries yet known by their Names ; Boffins' tBay % as Hudfon' s Bay, and Baffns's Bay. by Baffin 1 6 1 1. Thomas Button difeovered to the New Wales North of Canada a large Country, which a f^ he called New Wales. He afterwards fail- ton. ed all over the Bay, which bears his Name. 1612. James Hall difeovered the Str eights Cockin' s of Cockin to the North of Canada , and in ffff * by Hall , 65 Degrees of North Latitude. C 1631. i o The Importance and Advantage Chap. I. New South -j TV ales, l?fc , by James . 1631. Captain James difcovered feveral Lands to the North of Hadfon's Bay. He called all the Lands at the Entrance of the Bay by the Name of New South Wales. He touched afterwards at Cape Henrietta Maria, Lord Weflon' s JJland , Earl of Bris- tol's JJland, Sir Thomas Roe's IJland \ Earl of Dauby' s JJland , and the Charleton IJland ; which laft, is in 52 Degrees, North Lati- tude. i 6 33 - Maryland. . Cecil Calvert, Lord Baltimore , ha- ving obtained from King Charles I. of Eng- land, the Property of a large Extent of Country, lying to the North of Chefapeak- Bay, between Virginia and Carolina, fent thither his Son, who this Year began a Settlement there ; which, in Honour of Mary ol Fiance , Queen of England \ was called Maryland. 1 656. J M«y I Bourdon, an Inhabitant of New France iZ’rZ. * (bei "S f “' b y 'he Governor of the North) entered Hudfm's Bay , and took Poffeffion Ot tt, in the Name of the King of France. l660. ank S of CAPE BRETON, &c. I I red f ett 1660. Chap I. s Bay, j Charles II. King of England , grant- ^2^ ■ anceo :' ed to George Monk, Duke of Albemarle, South If' anc ^ to ^ ve other Englijh Lords, that Part p [j at of Florida which extends from Virginia , :? ir j Q p to that which is now called New Georgia. ’ an( j ^ They divided amongft them all that Coun- . ’ try, and called it Carolina. ZACHARIAH GHILLAM, an Englijh- Rupert's man , having gone through Bqjjins's Bay to \altimt the height of 75 Degrees, came back hi oil again, and failed to the Bottom of Hud- ?e Extet fon’s Bay, entered a River, which comes of Chj from Canada , and difcharges its felf into mlm, . the Bay : He called it Rupert’s River. A ear te few Years before, fome Englijh had gone Honour up this River, as far as the Lake Nemijcau, Charles Albanel, a French Jefuit, Hudfon's and Monfieur F)ems de St. Simon , a Gen- B“y-> b Sewh tleman of Canada , were fent by the Go- ban f y isV ‘ the Norti vernor-General of New France to pene- : p 0 §t trate into Hudfon's Bay by a Way which ofFm had not yet been difcovered : And they North! 1667. 1671. C 2 took 1 2 The Importance and Advantage Chap, took Pofleffion of it, in the Name of the 1 . French King. Ba<-badr,es, Captain Sharp, after failing a great by Sharp, while in thefe Seas, difcovered an Ifland, to which he gave the Name of Barbados. Penjtlvania. The foregoing Year Charles II. King of England, granted a Trad: of Country to Sir William Penn ; who, in this Year, car- ried a Number of Quakers thither, and made a Settlement ; which was called Pen- jilvania, in Honour of its Founder. KewGeorgia. General Oglethorp made a Settle- ment in the Name of his prefent Majefty George II. King of England, between Carolina and Spanijh Florida. This New Colony is bounded on the North, by the Savanab River, and on the South, by the River called Alatamaka. It’s length, along the Coaft, is not efteemed more than 60 or 70 Englijh Miles ; but it grows larger, as it extends itfelf from the Sea. It is now called New Georgia. 1680. 168 1 . 1732. To of CAPE BRETON, &c. 13 Chap. T o the above Chronological Account, I. I thall add ihe Copy of a Memorial pre- " J fented by 'Jeremiah Dimmer, Efq-, to the Ministry of England in 1709. as the fame has fallen into my Hands, without vouch- ing for any of its Articles j viz. A Memorial , / hewing that the French Pcf- feffions on the River of Canada, do origi- nally and of Right belong to the Crown of' Great Britain ; and jor ether Important Reafons ought to be refored to the Crown , on a ‘Treaty of Peace. t~r~i H E whole TraB of Land (fituate on Mr, Dum- the nether Side of the River of Canada) ™ r ri s J^ e ~ called Nova Scotia and Acadia, was firjl 17 o 9< difeovered by Cabot and his Sons , in the Reign of Henry VII. King of England. Which Difcovery was prior to that of Ve- razani, Florentine, under Francis I. King of France ; and accordingly was under the Power and JurifdiBion of the Crown of England, till the Tear 1600. When Jotne of the French, invited by the Trajfck on the River of St. Laurence^ feized frjl on __ O' 1 4 T'he Importance and Advantage Chap, the North- fide of the River , called Canada *, J. or Nova Scotia ; and afterwards , in 1606. * rJ "" v did poffefi themfelves of the South-Jide, called Acadia, In the Tear 1621. King James looking upon their pojfejfions as an Invafion of bis * The French Maps, lately publifhed by the Sieur Belhn y Engineer and Geographer of the Marine to the King of France , made Canada to commence from near the Source of the Mifftflippi River ; and extends it’s felf to that Part of the River of St. Laurence , which is at the Back of New Scotland ; placing New France to the Northward of Canada . Thofe of Herman AIoll make Canada to begin at the great Fall of St. Maria , out of the Upper Lake , into the Lake Huron ; and terminate at the River of St. Laurence y as far above Quebec , as Trots Rivieres ; And place New France as far to the Southward of Canada , as Beilin does to the Northward of it. The French Maps likewife call that IJihmuSy or Peninfulay whereon ftands Annapolis- Royal , by the Name of Acadie : Whereas Molly and other Geographers, give that Name to the Land which lyes Nor#i of Fundy Bay. b rom thele two fo widely differing Accounts of the Matter, it is hard to fettle the juft ; Limits either of our Pretenfions or Poffeffions. It may probably fuit the Purpofes of France , to make the Difference wider than it really is, that they may make the bet- ter Terms, when a Peace (hall be brought upon the 1 apis. Ter- of CAPE BRETON, & c . Territories , did by Letters Patent grant c unto Sir William Alexander [afterwards Earl of Sterling) L’Acadie, by the Name '- 0 oj Nova Scotia : Who in 1622. and 1623. fubdued the French Inhabitants , carried them Prifcners to Virginia, planted a Colony there himfelf and held PoJJ'eJJion of it for two Tears ; when, upon the Marriage vf King Charles I. with the Lady Henrietta Maria, the Jaid Nova Scotia was , by order of the King , returned into the Hands of the French. Afterwards, a War arifng between the Kings of England and France, * Sir David Kirk, with his Friends did in 1627, and 1628. [by •virtue of a Commiffion ob- tained jrom his Majefiy ) fend to Sea at their own Charge , nine Ships fitted with warlike Stores , to expel the French from both Sides of the River Canada -f*. In which Enter- * Charlevoix calls him David Kerth ; fays he was a Native and Refugee of Dieppe, but a Calviniji, And in another Place he fays, that Kertk was put upon this Expedition by one James Michel , a furi- ous Calvinijf , who gave him Intelligence of the Weaknefs of the Garrifon of Quebec. t B y the River of Canada , he mull mean the River St. Laurence. prize, 'A The Importance and Advantage prize, they had fuch Succefs , tout (after bringing ojf the French Inhubttunts und Traders into England) they took PoJfeJJusn of all Nova Scotia, Canada, and 1 Acadie : The former of which fell to Sir David Kirk, who was Governor op Quebec, and fet up the King o/' England’* Arms in all Places of publick Re fort in the Ctty. The latter fell to Sir William Alexander. In 1632. a Peace being concluded between the two Crowns , it was agreed that the Forts on the /^French Settlements, Jhould be delivered to the Subjects of France : Pht French King on his Part Jlipulating to pay in Lieu thereof to Sir David Kirk * Five Thoufand Pounds, Sterling -, which Sum does neverthelefs remain unpaid to this Day , * The Treaty here referred to, is that made be- tween Charles I. King of England , and Lewis XIH. King of France , March 29, 1632. I have exa- mined it, and find that all the Places poffeffed by the Britijh Subje£ls in New > France , Acadia , and Canada , together with Pert-Royal , ghiebec , and Cape Breton , were to be reftored to the Frehcb King. But I no where find in the Treaty, any mention of the French King’s ftipuiating to pay a Sum to Sir David Kirk t by way of Indemnifi- cation, although of CAPE BRETON, Sfc. 17 its mi although the Forts were delivered up accord- Chap. Jefimi ing to Agreement . I. In 1633. dKing Charles, coif dering he Kit had only fur rendered the Forts, but had not id Jit ij debarred his Subjects from planting and Place: trading there , did grant a Commijjion to Sir after J Lewis Kirk, and Company , to trade and fettle there ; which accordingly they did at- tempt, but were plundered and madePrifoners ’db&i. h ^ }e French. that In 1654. Cromwell weighing the P re- ts, fa mifes, and in Confederation that the Articles ice : were not performed on the French King's injr tif Part, j'ent one Ledgewick, who affaidted irk * /: and fubdued the French on that Settlement, hSum an d reflored the Country into the Hajjds of this A the Englifh *. And although a Peace was latimdi? I/vA [ have a poffeffed r /leak) * jMff, * the frk Vea t; f , or to pa? Indent' * In the Treaty concluded at Wejlminjler , No- vember 3, 1655. between Lewis XIV. King of France , and Oliver Cromwell , Lord Protestor, Article XXV. are the following Words, viz . c. 25 iced a- Spirits, nd Crt. ;hisDi| amonp: ias nail (lto tlk d to car :ked ai s. Itt Accotir e of tl of tl ren Dt luelm the Sa; were tl e life « ig enoK thi jin- tot I oftrlkt '/, farin'* '* <‘Hne In turning over the Accounts given of C h a p. the Conquers made in this part" of the I. World, we frequently meet with noble Struggles made by the People we call Sa- vages i and brave Efforts, to recover their ancient and primitive Liberties. Thefe Liberties confided in their being governed by their own Rulers, and the Laws en- acted by them ; In a right to make War againft any neighbouring Nation, which had affronted, or ufed them ill 5 in the Power of changing their Habitations, as Occafion required; and of Hunting for their Winter Provifion and Cloathing, wherever they thought proper. Thefe Excurfions and Removals feldom failed of creating Wars amongft them : And, if upon any of thofe Occafions, two diffe- rent Nations not allied, met; the Conflict was generally defperate ; and the Van- quifhed were treated inhumanly and bar- baroufly. The Confequences of fuch a “ ftruR them : But the Baron de St. Caftin, and * e the Mljfionaries do Wonders to perfuade them from “ it. Father de la Chafe informs him that the “ Grace of God often ftands in need of the A f- “ hftance and Cooperation of Men ; and that “ Temporal Jnterefts are frequontlv of Groat Help to Faith.” E Victory 26 “The Importance and Advantage Chap. Vi&ory were great Triumph on the fide I. of the Conquerors, and fworn Revenge ' on that of the Conquered. Hence Wars were aim oft conftantly kept on foot a- mongft themfelves : Until, as one fide got the better, and the other became too weak to withftand its Enemy, this was either quite extirpated, or obliged to look out for a more diftant and fafer Settlement, This was no difficult matter amongft that People, who had little to remove, but what they carried on their backs. Their whole Furniture or Baggage confided in a few Skins, a Bow and Arrows, a kind of Hatchet, and their Wives and Children. They made Boats of the Bark of Trees, fown together with roots, and bedaubed with Gums. Thefe they carried over the lands on their Shoulders ; And when they came to Lakes or Rivers, they launched them, and embarked their whole Tribe. Thus much for their Wars amongft themfelves. But we have likewife feen them difputing their Liberties with the Europeans : Offering to trade with them upon a fair footing j defiring to keep a good Correfpondence with them j de- claiming and renouncing all Enmity ; but protefting r, ntm the | Revet; nee "We i foot one I ecatnet this i ;ed tot Settle® nongfti move, :ks. 1 :onftfl its, a id Chi : of T: d beds ed ovc [ wheat :y laic ole Ttil ars kewiie t s withe with lb to keef iem ; i unity; t protelh of CAPE BRETON, &c. 27 protefting againft the Right which was Chap. pretended to a Sovereignty over them, 1. their Lands, Pofieffions, Laws or Liber- ties. Nay we have feen them, from this fingle Principle, engaged in long, bloody, and repeated Conflicts with the Europe- ans : And often maintain themfelves by Force and Perieverance, againft all the Strength and Stratagem their Enemies could at that time oppofe to them. Bra- very they are allowed to have, in the higheft Degree ; and, on many Occafions, are not wanting in Conduct and Contri- vance. But the Arts and Management of the Europeans , have put their Politicks upon quite another Footing at this Day. That Original Simplicity and Difintereft- ednefs is now no more to be met with ; but Cunning and Deceit have taken its place. Violence, Cruelty, Drunkennefs, and all kinds of Debauchery have been cultivated and improved amongft them, to an incredible and exceffive Degree. The Popifli Powers have made many of them Nominal Chrijlians , as it is eafy to change one kind of Idolatry for another; and by their Lies, Legends, and Legerdemain, have bound them to their Interefts. The Proteftant Powers, too regardlejs of all E 2 Religion, The Importance and Advantage . "Religion , take very little Care or Pains about inftrudting thefe ignorant poor Crea- tures, but only endeavour to procure their Friendfhip, by trading with them at a lower rate for European Goods, than the French can afford to do ; and giving a higher Price for their Commodities. This, together with the furnifning them with Fire Arms, Powder and Ammunition, To- bacco, and Brandy, is the only Method I know of which the Englijh employ to keep the Savages their Friends. Whereas the French , by having a conflant and infi- nite Number of Jefuits, Seminaries, Nun- neries and Convents amongft them, can and do, upon every Ocafion, excite the Savages to join with them , in annoying Us. But though the above Account may poffibly be entertaining enough to fome Readers, yet it has led me a good deal wide of my Purpofe ; which is to fliew in the next Place, what are the Rights of each Power, to what they claim in Ame- rica, as founded upon Treaties. And herein, I fhall on this Occafion, conlider only fitch Treaties as are between Eng- land and France. CHAP. ef CAPE BRETON, &c. 2 9 ita^t or Cm uretbc em at than 4 giving les. Tit aem t litionj Metk empk Wk it and tries, . :m, a the Sat Us. :count i ;h toll goods is to Ik e Right m ini ties. Jk n, coni- veen CHAf CHAP. II. An ExtraSl of fuch Articles of the Treaty of Utrecht, as re- fpeSl the English Nation ; par- ticularly in regard to America : IVith Remarks upon each Arti- cle herein cited. U NDER the Article of Treaties, I q h a p . imagined I fhould have Occalion h, to mention more than one : But having v by way of Notes on Mr. Dimmer's Me- morial, made fuch Remarks as were ne- ceflary on thofe of 1632. and 1655. I (hall here confine myfelf to thofe parts of the Treaty of Utrecht , which relate to our Affairs with France. To which purpofe, I fhall tranfcribe all thofe Articles, or the Subftance of them, which in any Shape refpett England : and clofe this Chapter with fome Remarks on each Article. ART. go T^he Importance and /Advantage Chap. II, A R T. IV. .pxtrafi of The King of France hereby folemnly the Treaty of ant [ fincerely acknowledges the Limitation of the Succeffion of the Crown of Great Britain (as fettled by the Laws made in the Reigns of King William and Queen Mary ,) to the I flue of Queen Anne ; and in default thereof, to the Frincefs Sophia , and her Heirs in the Proteftant Line of fhe French Hanover. He, on the Faith and Word of Kgg admits King, and on the Pledge of his Own the Proteftant P' _ ° Suceeffion. and Succeftor s Honour , accepts, and ap- proves the fame for Ever : And that no Perfon, than according to the faid Limita- tion, Shall ever by Him , his Heirs , or Succefjors be acknowledged or reputed to be King or Queen of Great Britain. ART. V. *1 h e faid King, in the fame folemn Manner engages, that neither He nor bis Heirs or Succcefors ever will at any time hereafter difturb the Queen, her Heirs or Succefjors, defcended from the afore- said Proteftant Line, who poffefs the Crown of of CAPE BRETON, &>c. 31 of Great Britain. Nor will the faid King Chap, &c. give at any time any Succour, Aid, II. Favour or Counfel diredtly or indiredily, by Land or by Sea, in Money, Arms, Pretender % Ammunition, Warlike Provifions, Ships, ' Jc ‘ Soldiers, Seamen, or any other way, to any Perfon or Perfons, whofoever they be, who for any Caufe, or under any Pretext whatfoever, fhould hereafter op- pofe the faid Succeffion, either by Open War , or by fomenting Seditions , or form - ing Confpiracies again ft fuch Prince or Princes who are in Pofieftion of the Throne of Great Britain , by virtue of the Adis of Parliament abovementioned. ART. VI. Contains Letters Patent by the King <^ he K ‘ nr} ^ of France , for admitting the Renuncia- Spain’s Ra- tion of the King of Spain to the Crown n ^ nc f i!on tf of trance : And thole or Monlieur the France. Duke of Berry, and Monlieur the Duke of Orleans to the Crown of Spain. As likewife the King of Spain's Renunci- ation ; and thofe of the Dukes of Berry and Orleans. A R T, 3 2 The Importance and Advantage ART IX. J 0°urr The King of France engages that the Hrk to be dc- Fortifications of Dunkirk , (hall be razed, the Harbour filled up, the Sluices or Moles which cleanfe the Harbour level- led, at the faid King’s own Charge, and Expence, within five Months after the Signing of the Peace ; on the Exprefs Condition, that they fhall never be repaired again. ART. X. Rejiores Hudfon's Bay . Restores to Great Britain the Bay and Str eights of Hudfon , with all Lands, Seas, Sea Coafts, Rivers and Places in the faid Bay and Streights ; no Tradts of Land or Sea being excepted, which are at prefent poflefled by the Subjects of France. All which, together with all Buildings, Fortreffes, &c. eredted there before or fince the French feized the fame, fhall within fix Months from the Ratification of this Treaty, or fooner if poffible be delivered to the Britijh Subjedts, entire and undemolifhed, together with Cannon and Of CAPE BRETON, &>c. 33 and Cannon Ball, Powder in proportion, Chap. and other warlike Stores belonging to Can- II. non. es that: L kr® A R T. XI. Sluices bout Ip Provides that Satisfaction be made to p ro mifes Sa- %,i the Hudfon's Bay Company , for all s after: ges and Spoils done to their Colonies and be Esi Ships, Perfons and Goods, by the Hoflile be rfy Incur /ions and Depredations oj the French in time of Peace , to be fettled by Commifla- ries, who (hall alfo enquire into the Com- plaints of the Britijh Subjects, of Ships taken by the French in time of Peace; ain tie and concerning Damages done and fuftain- all Lit ed at Montferrat. o'M 'hich are s of k Butt before, ame, fc latiftf joflible ) as, ef JiCatf i ART. XII. The King of France hereby engages that on the fame Day the Ratifications of this Treaty fhall be exchanged, folemn and authentick Letters and Inftruments fhall be delivered to the Queen of Great Bri- tain ; by virtue whereof it fhall appear that the Ifland of St. Cbriflopher’s is to be hereafter pofiefled alone by Britijh Sub- IB jefts f 3 + The Importance and Advantage C h A p . Jeffs 5 likewife all Nova Scotia or Acadia II. with its ancient Boundaries, as alfo the v ^ City of Port- Royal, now called Annapo- lis Royal ; and all other things in thofe Parts which depend on the faid Lands and Iflands ; with Dominion, Property and Pofleflion of the faid Iflands, Lands and Places j and that the Subjects of the King of France fhall be excluded from all kinds of Fiji: mg in the faid Seas, Bays, and other Places on the Coaft of Neva Scotia, which lie towards the Eaft, with- in thirty Leagues from the Ifland called Sable inclufively, and thence firetching along towards the South-weft. Saties the The Ifland of * Newfoundland, with Jffairs of ~ ^ ^ 'jacent IJlands fhall from this time * Charlevoix Vol. IV. p. 152. fays, “ As “ to Newfoundland, the Englifh gained more by the “ Cejfion of what we pojfejfed there, than we loji : c. 35 forward belong of Right wholly to Bri- Chap. tain : And to that End, the Town II. and Fortrefs of Placentia , and whatever ' i other Places in the Ifland are in pofTef- lion of the French , fhall be yielded and given up to the Englijh within a time therein limited. Moreover, it fball not be lawful for the Subjeds of France to fortify any Place in the faid Ifland of Newfoundland ; or to eredt any Buildings there, befides Stages made of Boards, arid Huts, neceflary and ufual for drying Fifh: Or to refort to the Ifland beyond the time neceflary for fifhing and drying of Fifh. But it fball be allowed to the Subjects of France to catch Fifi, and dry them on Land, in that part only , and in No other but that, of the Ifland, which Aretches from the Place called Cape Bonavifa , to the Northern Point of the faid Ifland, and from thence running down to the Weflern Side, reaches as far as the Place called the Point e Riche. But the Ifland ' finct M wnfoM wjilw 1 if “I iC ton than they ever had been at Newfoundland. c - Whereas the Englifh faw indeed themfelves abfolute 4 - Mafers of this If and ; but where they coulcj w not allure themfelves of any thing, fo long as c< they had us for their Neighbours,” F 2 of 36 *The Importance and Advantage Chap, of Cape Breton , as alfo all others, both in II. the Mouth of the River of St. Laurence , claJn^cTpj and in the Gulph of the fame Name, fhall Jireun, csY. hereafter belong of Right to the French King ■, who fhall have Liberty to fortify any Place or Places there. art. XV. Settles the Provides, that the Subje&s of France Subjefls of inhabiting Canada , fhall not in any fhape each Crown. difturb the dve j n j; an Nations, or Cantons, which are fubjedt to the Dominion of Great Britain \ nor the other Natives of America , who are Friends to the fame-, Nor the Brttifh Subjects diflurb the Ame- ricans, who are Subjects or Friends to France. But it is to be exadtiy and di- ftindtly fettled by Commifiaries, who are, and who ought to be accounted, the Sub- jects and Friends to England , or to France. This Treaty was con- cluded at Utrecht , } March 31 , April 11 , Having thus gone through the molt material Articles of the famous Treaty of Utrecht > I fhall mention One Particular more, r\ of CAPE BRETON, &c. 37 more, which certainly is an amazing One. Chap. The Peace being thus fettled between R ^ Great Britain and France , there remained ftill a Negotiation to be carried on with Spain : In the Progrefs of which, Our Plenipotentiaries fuffered a Claufe to be in- ferted at the End of the 1 5th Article, the Words of which are as follows ’ Whereat 4 Claufe in it is inserted on the Part of Spain tbatffij*' certain Rights of Filhing at the JJ land of i„j erte d ; n Newfoundland, belong to the Guipufcoans, the Treaty or other Subject of the Catholick King j ^ Utrechu Her Britannick Majejly confents and agrees ., , that all Juch Privileges as the Guipufcoans, and other People of Spain are able to make Claim to by Right , fall be allowed and pre- ferved to them. W e have laid, that the Engli/h Pleni- Obfervations potentiaries fuffered this Claufe and Claim of the Spaniards to be inferted, although it was in direct Contradiction of a Treaty between the Crowns of England and Spain, concluded July T s 7 , 1670. The 7th and 8th Articles of which exprefly declare ; “ Fhat the mojl Serene King of “ Great Britain, his Heirs and Succejfors, “ fall have , hold, keep , and enjoy for ever, with 3 8 The Importance and Advantage Chap. “ with Plenary Right of Sovereignty , De- ll . C( minion , Pofcffon and Property , all tlofe t( Lands , Regions , IJlands , Colonies , and “ Places whatfoever , or Jituated in “ the Weft Indies, cr in any Part of “ America, which the faid King of Great Britain /6A SubjeSts do at prefent « hold and pofjefs. “ the SubjeBs, &c. of each Con - “ federate refpeBively, foall abjlain and u forbear to Sail and Trade in the Ports “ and Havens which have Fortifications , w Cajlles , Magazines , or Ware-houfes, and “ in all other Places whatfoever, pcjjefjed by “ the other Party in the Weft Indies.” the Not lon E after th e fi g n ing of the Peace, Beard of the Board of Trade was confulted upon fuZ?il7he thls Claim of the S P“ n iM'ds ; and returned faid Claim, the following Anfwer, dated jW 13 , I 7 I 3* “ /« Obedience to Her Maje fly's Com * mands of the if Infant , we- have coti- jidered the Extr del of a Memorial from “ the Marquis De Monteleon, ** to the Claim of the Inhabitants of the “ Province of CAPE BRETON, &>c. 39 “ Province of Guipufcoa, to fijh on the C h a P» “ Coaft of Newfoundland ; and thereupon II. '* take leave to inform your Lordjhip * “ that we have difcourfed with J'uch Per - Dartmouth. “ Jons as are able to give us Information in “ that Matter : And we find that Jbme An fiver of “ Spaniards have come thither with Pajfes tbe kioard. “ f rom Her Majefiy : And others may “ have fifhed there privately ; but never “ any, that we can learn, did do it as of “ Right belonging to them.” T o bring this Matter nearer to our own Times, and to {hew that the Mini- vers or Plenipotentiaries could not be ig- norant of the Exclufion of the French , as well as Spaniards from any Right of fil- ing at Newfoundland ; by an Adi palled An Art, de- in the 10th and nth Years of the Reign hairing &>- of King William , to encourage the Trad to Newfoundland, it is enadted, “ That no Newfound- “ Alien or Stranger whatfoever, not re- ' Lanc ^' “ fiding within the Kingdom of England, Dominion of Wales, or Town of Berwick “ upon Tweed, Jhall at any Time hereafter “ take , bait, or ufe any fort of Trade, “ or Fifioing whatfoever in Newfoundland, ** or in any of the adjacent Ifiands.” And r 40 The Importance and Advantage Chap, in purfuance of this Ad it is, that Inftruc- II. tions were given every Year to the Com- v- ^ modore of the .Convoys, to prevent Fo- reigners from coming thither. Remarks on A s to the IVth Article of the foregoing the 4 th and Treaty, it is to be obferved, that the Queen If thl Treaty was not acknowledged by France, nor de- of Utrecht, figned to be fo, till the Conclufion of a Peace ; as France afterwards explained that Matter at the General Congrefs. How far the folemn and fincere Engage- rnnts of fuch a King} His Faith and Word-, or the pledging his Own or his Sue - cejfor’ s Honour are to be depended on, the prefent Pofture of Affairs fufficiently evinces ; when not able, or not daring openly to invade us with his Troops, he makes ufe of that Injlrument he fo folemnly difavows, to annoy and difturb us ; affift- ing him with Men, Money, Arms, Am- munition, and even Shipping, to land in His Majefty’s Dominions, and raife a Re- bellion amongft his Subjects. All which the Vth Article does exprefly, and in the ftrongeft Manner provide againft. of CAPE BRETON, &c. 4i tap Inftnc. £ Cob fentft foregj; t, mi iflOD g lainedc 7? Elf Mi or hi in 3 ended . futBdc efo fb US; & \rms, Ac to y raifeii Afli and ® : * Chap. T h e IXth Article, by which the King II. of France engages to defir ty the Fortifications of Dunkirk , &c. was not only never com -the gth Ar- plied with, but inilead thereof, an addi-*^* tional Fortrefs built in the Neighbourhood of the former, which, as I am informed, is much ftronger and better contrived to an- noy the Britifij Channel-Trade j Ihould the Nation ever think proper to infill upon a Compliance with this Article. This k moft fhameful Prevarication : But why it was not infilled on, foon after the Time fixed by the Treaty, cannot be collected from any thing better than from an Ex- tract of a Memorial delivered by Monfieur de Forcy to the Lord Bolmgbroke at Paris r in Augufi 1712. wherein he fays, “ It “ ts not our Bu/inefs now to examine ivhe- “ ther the Queen of England, and the Englifh Nation were in the Right to “ demand the Demolition of the Fortifica- tions } and the filling up the Harbour of “ Dunkirk : fhat is a Thing refolved and agreed upon. It may perhaps cotne to “ M* ™ the Courfe of this Affair , fir “ Reafims eafily to be forefeen , , that Eng- “ land Jhall repent having demanded \ the G De- The Importance and Advantage “ Demolition of a Place, and the Dejlftic* “ tion of a Harbour , which might ve oj “ great Ufe in Conjunctures, which perhaps « are not very remote From hence it will eafily and naturally occur to any Perfon, who confiders the Circumftances of thofe Times, and the Difpofitions of the Perfons- then at the Helm of the State, why the Time fixed was fuffered to eiapfe, without complying with one of the heft Articles of the Peace: But why that Court has not (during the Adminiftration of fuch as were warmed in the Profecution of their Predeceffors ) been obliged to fulfil the exprefs Terms of that Article, cannot, I think, be accounted for otherwife, than by faying, that as the French Court had been fuffered to build the Fortifications of Mardyke, it availed nothing to infift upon the Demolition of Dunkirk ; and would only expofe us to a Quarrel and perhaps a War with a Nation, with whom it feems, we were not on any Account to quarrel. The Event has fufficiently juflified the Marquis de Percy's Argument * for from hence fftnt- ■t it tj mi* iders Jr and I :n at i ime fe :omplu the Pea luring ; warn sdecel s Tern! accoffi that ter d to bti it avai oolition ofeustt t a Nath not on £ for iff Iks of CAPE BRETON, &>c. 43 hence have been fent all the AfTiftance the Chap. French have given the Pretender : And IL here, and at O/lend have been collected v J the Troops and Shipping defigned for an Jnvajion of the Britijh Dominions. Thefe Proceedings of the French Court have cer- tainly opened our Eyes, as to the Impor- tance of thefe two Ports : And it is to be hoped we {hall not (as thofe wife and worthy Patriots did) fign any future Peace, till we fee fuch ejfential Articles either actually executed and performed to the Rigour, and utmoft Extent of them ; or good Cautionary Places given in the mean time, till they are fo performed. The Xth Article reftores to Great- Remark on Britain the Bay and Str eights of Iiudfon, &c. l ° th ylr ' But in Lieu thereof, the Miniftry of thofe Times fuffered themfelves to be fo grofsly impofed upon as (by the VUIth Article of the Treaty of Commerce ) to give to France all they wanted ; namely, a Liber- ty of taking and drying their Fifh upon Newfoundland. The Xlth Article provides, that Satil- Remark on faction be made to the Iiudfon s Bay Com- *j> w e **-tb Ar- G 2 pany. O' 44 The Importance and Advantage C h a p. pany, Sec. But Ihews at the fame Time, II. that in thofe Days, as almoft every Day 1 — '" v ' fmce, the French were making Hojlile In- curfions and Depredations, as well as taking British Ships, in Time of Peace. Remark on T h e Xllth Article engages, that the the \2thAr- jfl anc i 0 f St. Chrifoper's, all Nova Scotia, or Acadia, as alio Port-Royal, now called Annapolis-Royal, lhall hereafter be polfefled by Britijh SubjeBs only. It excludes the Subjects of France from fijking in the faid Seas, &c. Whereas it is notorious that they have ever lince, till the War was proclaimed, continued filhing all along thole Coalls at their pleafure. The XHIth Article provides, that the Illand of Newfoundland, See. lhall of Right belong wholly to the Englijh ; and Pla- centia be yielded up to them. The French lhall not fortify any Place on that Illand, nor build any thing, befides Stages and Hutts, to catch and dry Filh, on a cer- tain Part of the Illand : But the Illand of Cape Breton lhall hereafter belong to the French. of CAPE BRETON, &c. W Tim, ry Di! i/lilti utdii that 6 t» k owd :po| :ludest n the rious War all a s, that: lloffi andf. fheirc hat Ik Jtagess on iff the Ik beloif 1 Ii 45 Chap. I n a Memorial delivered or fent by U. Mr. St. John to Monfieur de Torcy, dated May 24, 1712, O. S. Art. IV. it v^o&tbe i-^th Ar- propofed, That the IJlands in the Gulph of Ucle ' St. Laurence, and in the Mouth of the River of that Name, which are at prefent pojfeffed by the French, may remain to His moji ChriJUan Majefiy ; but exprefsly on Con- dition that His faid Maje/ly fall engage himfelf not to raife, or fuffer to be raifed , any Fortifications in thefe Jfands, or thofe of Cape Breton. The Queen like wife en- gages not to raife any Fortifications in the adjacent Ifiands, and thofe of Newfound- land, nor in that of Cape Breton : For by the foregoing Article it was provided, that the Queen's Subjects, and His Majefifs , jhould enjoy the Ifiand of Cape Breton in common. This (hews that the Miniftry was aware of the Importance of that Ifland, yet gave it up by this XUIth Ar- ticle, in Exchange for Newfoundland } where, at the fame Time, they allowed the French the Liberty of catching and drying Fifh : That is, they gave up that valuable and Important Ifiand for nothing at 46 The Importance and Advatitage C h a p. at all ; granting the French even more II. than they at firft afked. Nay, this Con- ce fli on vvas likewife in diredt Contradic- tion of the foregoing Article : For in an Abfolute CeJJion c/'Nova Scotia, or Acadia, (as the Queen calls it, in her Speech to the Parliament, on the 6th of June, 1712.) Cape Breton was always underftood to be comprized ; and was declared by the Queen’s lnftrudtions to the Duke of Shrewsbury, to be a Part of Nova Scotia. It was however given up, with the lame Eafe as every other Point which the French Miniftry infilled on ; and they were dif- fered to fortify themfelves there. Remark on T h e XVth Article provides that the ike i$tkJr- Subjedts of Canada fhall not diflurb the Indian Nations, fubjedt to Great Britain ; nor we, on our Part, dillurb their Ameri- can Subjedts. I am of opinion, that this Article has been too often broke through on both Sides, to afford any great Right of Complaint to either. Having thus gone through the Treaty of Utrecht , as far as it related to our Pwr- top of CAPE BRETON, & c . 47 i mot pofe ; and made iuch Remarks upon the Chap mCoi. Several Parts of it, as we imagined might ]I. total be entertaining, at leaft, to thofe Readers ' — —v — J or in « who have not had Opportunity of en- r Acadk quiring into thefe Affairs ; we fhall now xhtol proceed to an Enquiry into the Situation, t, lp Climate, Produce, and Ports, of the Ifland »d to: °f Cape Breton , lately conquered (I may i by! fay, fo glorioujly conquered) by His Ma- Duke J e %’s Subjeds ; and wrefled, once more, m fo out of the Hands of that haughty, per- i the I Odious, and infulting Nation. All Treaties t y are now broke through ; and, whenever r were ^ eace is reftored, we mull endeavour to . remedy all the Mi/takes (to give them no worfe a Name) of former Adminiftra- ies that: tions ‘ c fhe Importance and Advantage CHAP. III> A General Defcription of the If and of Cape Breton ; its Situation , Climate, Produce, Ports, &c. as colletted from different Au- thors. Chap. CAL MON, in his Modern Hifory of jjj ^ all Nations, Vol. IHd. p. 645. of the Lo ndon Edition, in 4 to. 1739. gives the following Account of this Hand. Salmon’s Cape Breton is fituate between 45 ? f/Ql ion a nd 47 4 - Degrees of North Latitude ; and preton. is feparated from Acadia, or New Scotland, by the Narrow Streights of Canfo, on the South-weft ; and the other Streight or Paflage of Cape Rey feparates it from Newfoundland on theNorth-eaft. It is in- dented on every Side, by large Bays of the Sea, which cut almoft through it in fome Places, and form feveral commodious Harbours. The Ifland is about 1 20 Miles in length, and 50 Miles in breadth. It itan i e Ifm ituatii rts , I rent A of CAPE BRETON, &> c . 49 is a barren, defart Land, affording fcarce Cha p. any Trees or Herbage j and has very few HI. Rivers. It would probably never have ' * been planted, if it had not lain fo conve- nient for the French to prefer ve their Com- munication with the River of St. Laurence and Canada ; artd to protect their Fisheries, as well as to difturb the Trade and Fisheries of Great Britain , in Times of War. The Ifland of St. John lyes between Of St. John’s i Hiji Cape Breton , and the Coaft of New Scot - V and - 545. 1 land ; and is about 20 Leagues in Length. 1. git The I hand of Anticofie is a much larger Of Anthojit nd. Ifland, lying juft before the Mouth of V and - St. Laurence River. Thefe, and the leffer etwefl: Iflands in the Bay of St. Laurence do not ititudc; feem to be of any other Ufe to the French , jfflU than to preferve their Communication with '0^11 Canada. I do not find they have any Strcigli Towns or Plantations upon them. .tesitfc - ^ Jie T h u s far Salmon. But what will add of: great Weight to all we llvall fay upon this jjjjji Subject, is, that it is chiefly collected from jjudj French Authors, and fuch as have lately 1 120 | been upon the Spot. Charlevoix , in the ^ Fowth Volume of his Hiftorv of France, 3 ' H in 5 o The Importance and Advantage Chap, in 8 vo. publifhed at Paris, 1744 * gives III. following Defcription of Cape Breton. Charlevoix’s B y the Ceffion of Acadia and P lacentie Defcription the Enfoilh, there remained to France Breton. no other Place to carry on the r llhery of Cod-Fifh, or at leaft to dry their Fifh in, but the Ifland of Cape Breton , which is now only known by the Name of I’ljle Royale. This Ifland is fituated between 45 and 47 Degrees of North Latitude ; and forms, with the Ifland of Newfound- land, (from which it is diftant but about 1 5 Leagues) the Entrance of the Gulph of St. Laurence. The Str eight which fepa- rates Cape Breton from Acadia , is about five common Leagues of France in length, and about one in breadth : It is called the Pajfage of P a Q a g e °f Fronfac. The Length of the Frtmfac . Ifland, from North- eaft to South-weft, is not quite fifty Leagues. Its Figure is irre- gular ; and it is in fuch a manner cut through by Lakes and Rivers, that the two principal Parts of it hold together, only by an IJlhmus of about eight hundred Paces in breadth : Which Neck of Land feparates the Bottom of Port Ipuloufe, from feveral Lakes, which are called La- j brador. of CAPE BRETON, &>c. 51 brador. The Lakes empty themfelves into Chap. the Sea, to the Eaft, by two Channels of HI. unequal Breadth, which are formed by v J the Illands Verderonne and la Boularderie , which is from feven to eight Leagues long. The Climate of this Wand is pretty climate of near the fame with that of Quebec : And Cape Breton . although Mills and Fogs are more frequent here, yet no one complains that the Air is unwholefome. All the Lands here are not good ; neverthelefs they produce Trees Produce of of all Sorts. There are Oaks of a pro- Cape Breton. digious Size, Pines for Mails, and all Sorts of Timber fit for Carpenter’s Work. The moll common Sorts, befides the Oak, are the Cedar, Alh, Maple, Plane-tree, and Afpin. Fruits ; particularly Apples, Pulfe, Herbs and Roots, Wheat, and all other Grain, neceflary for Sullenance ; Hemp and Flax abound here lefs, but are every whit as good as in Canada . It has been obferved, that the Mountains may be cul- tivated up to their Tops ; that the good Soil inclines always towards the South ; and that it is covered from the North and North-well Winds by the Mountains, H 2 which 5 2 *The Importance and Advajitage Chap, which border upon the River of St. Lau- 1JI. rence. All the domeftick Animals, fuch as Horfe's, horned Cattle, Hogs, Sheep, Goats, and Poultry, pick up a good Live- lihood here. What is got by Hunting, Shooting, and Filhing, is able to maintain the Inhabitants a good Part of the \ear. This I Hand abounds in Coal-pits, which are in the Mountains confequently, the Trouble and Expence of digging deep, and making Drains to carry off the Water, are greatly fayed. Here is likewile flatter in great abundance. It faid , that there u no Part of the World , where more Cod-fiJI) is caught , nor where there is fo good Con- Leniency jor drying it. Formerly this Ifland was full of Deer ; they are now very fcarce, particularly Elks. Partridges are here almoft as large as Pbeafants ; and, in their Feathers, not unlike them. In a word, the Fifhery of Sea-pike, Por- poifes, & c. is in great abundance here, and carried on with great Eafe. gtrlraT' All * cs ^ orts °P en t0 Ea ^> turning a little to the South, and within the Space of ef CAPE BRETON, &c. 53 of fifty-five Leagues, beginning at Port Chap, Dauphiti, and continuing to Port Touloufe , HI. which is alrnoft at the Entrance of the u v J PaJJ'age oj Fronfac. In all other Parts of the liland, it is difficult to find Anchorage for fmall Velfels, in fmall Creeks, or a- mongft the Iflands. All the Northern Coa.ft is very high, and almofl: inaccef- fible ; And it is very difficult to land on the Weftern Coaft, till you come to the Paflage of Fronfac , out of which you are no fooner got, but you meet with the Port Fouloufe , known formerly by the Port Tou- Name of St. Peter. This Port is itrihily !w f e - between a kind of Gulph (which is called Little St. Peter’s ) and the Iflands St. Peter, over-againfl: the Iflands Madame , or Maurepas. From thence, afcending to- wards the South-ea{l, you find the Bay of Gaborie, of which the Entrance (which Gahrie Bay, is near twenty Leagues diftant from St. c ^ :a! ' 0 rn J e Peter's Iflands) is a League broad, between 1 ' ’ Iflands and Rocks. It is very fafe to come near thefe Iflands, fome of which advance a League and Half into the Sea. This Bay is two Leagues deep, and the Anchorage very good. *37 54 Importance and Advantage Chap. III. The Harbour of Lewis burg, formerly called the Englijh Harbour, is not above a large League from the above Bay ; and is pephaps One of the finest in America. It is near four Leagues in Circumference ; and every where there are fix or feven Fathoms Water. The An- chorage is very good ; and you may, without danger, run a Ship aground upon the Mud. The Entrance is not above two hundred Fathoms wide ; and lies be- tween two fmall Iflands. It is difeovered at the diftance of twelve Leagues, at Sea, by the Cape of Lorembec , which is but at a fmall diftance from it to the North- eaft. Two Leagues further up, is the Port de la p or t de la Baleine ; the Entrance of which is very difficult, occafioned by many Rocks, which the Sea covers, when it is agitated. No Ships of greater Bur- den than 300 Tons, can go into it j but they are quite fafe there, when they are got in. Bat of Pe - From thence, in lefs than the diftance *Menadou two Leagues, you come to the Bay of Penadou, or Menadou ; the Entrance of which of CAPE BRETON, &>c. 55 which is about a League broad, and the Chap. Bay itfelf is about two Leagues deep, III. Almod over-againd this Bay, is the If and v Scatari (formerly called Little Cape Breton) Sca ~ which is above two Leagues long. The Bay of Mire is feparated from it by a very °f^ nu narrow Neck of Land. The Entrance of this Bay is likewife near two Leagues wide, and is at lead: eight Leagues deep. It grows narrower, the further you go into it j and many fmall Rivers and Rivulets empty themfelves into it. Large Ships may go up it, about fix Leagues, and find there good Anchorage, under cover of the Hills. Befides the Hland of Scatari , there are many other fmall ones, and Rocks, which the Sea never covers, but may be difcovered a great way off. The larged of thefe Rocks, is called the Forillon. The Bay of Morienne is higher up, feparated Bay »fMs- from the Bay of Mire by the Cape Brule and a little higher is I'ljle Plate, or life d Pierre de fufl direftly in the Latitude of 46 Degrees 8 Minutes. There is be- tween all thefe lflands and Rocks, very good Shelter, and you may go amongd them, and near them, without Fear or Danger. From a 5 6 The Importance a?id Advantage Chap. Ill, From hence, proceeding for about three Leagues to the North-weft, you find a very good Harbour, which is call- V Indiana ed 1'Ind.iane : but it is fit only for final! %* rb £s% Veflels. From I’Indiane , to the Bay des pagnols. Efpagnols , there are two Leagues. This Bay is a very fine Harbour. Its Entrance is but about a thoufand paces wide ; but it grows wider, and at the height of a league divides itfelf into two Branches, which may be failed up for three Leagues. Both thefe Branches are excellent Ports, which might be made better at a very fmall Expence. From this Bay to the lefler Entrance of * Labrador are two Leagues : and the Hland which feparates the leffer from the larger Entrance, is about two leagues long. Labrador is a Gulph above twenty Leagues long, and is about three or four wide, in its greateft Breadth. It is counted a League and half * There is a large Continent, fituated between the Gulph and River of St. Laurence, and Hudfon’s Bay, which is called Labrador, and by the Englifh New Britain, or New Wales, which muff not be confounded with this , in the Ijlcind of Cape Breton, which is a Lake . from t aim i is caS es. Ti iEnta ride; i agM Branc e Lc: lent 1 at a lay to r art: h feja it® )rdr i long, a its gr^ md Hue" tin it mjht lape Rtf of CAPE BRETON, &>c. 57 ] from the large Entrance of Labrador , to C h a p. the Port Dauphin or St Anne ; and you III. may come to an Anchor, almoft any pfffff where, amongft the Blands of Cibou. A phin, or Port Neck of Land almoft entirely covers the ^ nne ' Port, and leaves Room for no more than one Ship at a time to go in. The Port Dauphin is about two Leagues in Cir- cumference ; and Ships hardly feel the wind there, by reafon of the Height of the Mountains which furround it : They may come as near the Shore as they pleafe. All thefe Harbours and Ports be- ing fo near to each other, it would be ve- ry eafy to make Roads by Land from One to the other ; and nothing could be more ad- vantages to the Inhabitants , than thefe Communications , which would fame them the trouble in the Winter Seafon, of going fo far about , by Sea. This is the Defcrip^ tion, given of this Illand in general by the abovementioned Jefuit, who has been a long time there, pretends to be very ex- ad: in his Enquiries, and published his Hiftory a very little while before this Important Ifland was conquered by the Englijh Nation. I He 5 « The Importance and Advantage H e afterwards proceeds to defcribe more particularly fome of the above Ports, fuch as that of Lewijburg , and that of St. Anne or Port Dauphin. After the Ceflion of Placentia and Acadia to the Crown of England , it is certain that the French had no other Place where they could dry their Fifh, or even fifh in Safety, but the Ifland of Cape Breton : they were therefore drove by Necefiity to fettle an Eftablifhment there, and to fortify it. More parti- T h e y began by changing its Name, TioTof C port~ an d ca ^ e ^ ^ I'dfle Roy ale. They next de- Lewnburg. liberated upon the Choice of a proper place to fettle the General Quarters in; and they were for a long time divided be- tween Leivijburg and Port Dauphin. It has been already faid that the former is one of the fineft Harbours in all Ame- rica : that it lias near four Leagues in Circumference; that there is Anchorage all over it, in Six or Seven Fathoms Wa- ter ; that the Anchorage is good, and that one may run a Ship aground in the Mud, with- of CAPE BRETON, &c. 59 without Danger. It’s Entrance is not C h a p, two Hundred Fathoms wide, between III. two little Iflands, which may eafily de- fend it. The Cod-Fijhing is there very abundant , and cne may ffh there from the Month oj April, to the End of December . But then it was faid that the Land about this Port is barren ; and that it would coft immenfe Sums to fortify it ; becaufe all the Materials mull be brought a great way. Befides which, it had, it feems, been remarked that there was no fandy bottom in this Harbour, for more than about forty fifhing Veflels. It has likewife been’ obferved that the Port St. Anne, or Dauphin , has a fure and fafe Road for Ships, at its Entrance, amongft the Iflands of Cibou j and that a Neck of Land almoft entirely fhuts up the Port, leaving a Paffage for no more than one Veffel at a time. This Port, thus fhut up, has near two Leagues Cir-^rD^- cumference in an oval Form : Ships may tion c. 6j fented by Mefs rs . Raudot , to the French Chap. Minifters, as early as the Year 1706, and IV. their repeated Applications from that time *” — r ~~~ J to the Year 1713. Thefe Gentlemen ne- ver ceafed reprefenting to the Court the indifpenfable Neceffity of making a folid Eflabliihment in the Ifland of Cape Bre- ton , if it was intended that the Colonies of New France fhould ever turn to any Account. The Memorialifts fet out, by fuppo- Memorial »f fing and faying, that the Principal, and Me S Rau ~ almoft only View People had in fettling at Canada , was the Fur-trade; efpecially that of the Beaver : But, fay they, it ought to have been forefeen, that either the Beaver would, in time, be quite ex- haufked ; or, by its Quantity, it would be- come too common : And coniequently, a Colony of that Importance, could not long be fupported by it. In effedt, it has fallen into the latter of thefe Inconveni- encies ; and the Abundance of Beaver, has ruined the Trade of it. If, on the other hand, this had not happened ; but there had always been a fufficient Demand for thofe Furs; then the other Inconveni- ency 64 Chap. IV. V— > — About 31500/. Sterling . e Jhe Importance and /Advantage ency muft have followed ; namely, that the Species of Beaver had been quite de- ftroyed. Befides this Dilemma ; the very hunting of thofe Animals, and running about the Woods and Lakes after them, was the ruin of the Inhabitants ; who thereby fell into a Vagabond, idle Courfe of Life y from which it is difficult ever to reclaim them, and bring them to the more laborious Talk of clearing and cul- tivating the Lands. In the mean time, the King expends every Year in the Colony of Canada 100000 Crowns. The Furs amount to 280000 Livres ; the Penhons, which the King gives to particular People, and the Revenues which the Biffiop and the Se- minaries have in France amount to 50000 Livres ; which, altogether, make a Fund of about 630000 Livres, upon which the whole Commerce of New France turns. It is evident, that fuch an inhgnificant Sum is not fufficient to maintain from 20 to 25000 Souls ; and to furnifh them with what they are obliged to have from France. FroM of CAPE BRETON, &>c. 65 1 Chap. quite, From hence, and from the Failure in IV* theft p r i C e of the Beaver, it has happened that ' d rut a i] t j ie reac ly Money of Canada has been ftenk lent to France for Goods from thence: mts; ?; Infomuch, that at a certain time, there idle Cot was not, in all this Country, above a icultw Thoufand Crowns in Money : Which em to Defedt was fupplied, though with many ng and: Inconveniencies, by Paper Money. To remedy thefe Evils, and to render the Co- lony more fiourilhing, the People here ing ex: might enrich themfelves with the Pro- of C dudt of the Country, if they were put amoir into a proper Method. This Produdt s, whid might be made to conlift in Salt Meats, pie, a Malls, Planks, Timber for building. Pitch and i a °d Tor, Oyl of Whales, Porpoifes, &c. inttof 1° Cod Filh, Flemp and Flax: To which flake aB might be added Iron and Copper. The mwliidi Difficulty of doing this, confifls in two 5 r gut 1 things ; Firll to find a Confumption or infigni Demand for thele Commodities ; and Se- ainfe condly, to reduce the Wages of Work of jrjiHid kinds. This latter Difficulty arifes ) have' f rom Idlenefs before mentioned of the Inhabitants, and from the Dearnefs of poods in France. The Method, there- in fore. ft 66 The Importance and advantage Chap, fore, is to employ every Individual ac- IV. cording to his Trade or Capacity ; and to ' J enable every one to fubfift, by lowering the Price of Goods. In order to this, it is neceffary to find them a Place, whither they may conveniently, and at fmall charges, carry the above mentioned Com- modities, and take thofe of France , The French which they want. By that means, they propofe Cape would fave a Part of the Freight upon the Middle Place <-> ne > as we ^ as t l ie other : And this Part for deputing of the Inhabitants, who either ftarve in Goods be- ]d] ene fs or run about the Woods in quell twten France) __ . « . . » . and their of Game, would be employed in Naviga- Celonies in tion. It may be objected, that this Me- thod would take from France a Part of its Profit upon its Goods. But we an- fwer, that it would by no means have that Effect ; becaufe the I'reight which the In- habitants of New France would hereby fave, would immediately be returned to the Old , by the greater Confumption of its Goods. For Example ; thofe who are now idle, and have no other Covering but the Skins of wild Beads, would then wear the Manufactures of France. A fitter Place for the executing of this De- ntt ip idual £ r ; and ' lowni to tlik at it onedCa of Fn neans, t htupoi .nd this er ton >ods in 1 in Ni fiat this ice a ft But w ins tot hich ti r ould to returns lumps® lofe wk ier Cot' would £ Fr0‘ of CAPE BRETON, &c. 67 fign, could not be found, than the Ifland Chap. of Cape Breton, IV. Le t it not be faid, that if this Ifland is fupplied from Canada with a Part of thofe Goods, which it mull otherwife have had from France , it is fo much taken off from the latter : For, in the firft place, the Anfwer made to the foregoing Objec- tion, is like wife an Anfwer to this 3 flnce the Profit hereby made by Canada , will always return to the Kingdom of France : For New France can never do, without many Sorts of Goods from the Old. Second- ly, It would be no Difad vantage to France , if it did not export fo much Corn, and other Proviflons 3 flnce the cheaper they are in the Country, the more Workmen it would have for its Manufactures. This Ifland is fltuated in fuch a man- ner, that it naturally forms a Magazine, or Staple, between the Old and New France. It can furnifh the firjl with Cod- Fifh, Oils, Coals, Plafter, Timber, &c. of its own Growth and Product. It will furnifh to New France the Goods of the Old at a much cheaper Rate, and fave K 2 the 68 The Importance and Advantage C h a P. the latter a confiderable Part of the Freight IV. upon her Goods, Befides that the Na- vigation from Quebec to Cape Breton would make good Seamen of a Sett of Men, who are not only of no Ufe, but a dead Weight upon the Colony. Another confiderable Advantage, which this Eftablifhment would procure to Ca- nada, is, that it would be eafy to fend fmall Veflels from thence, to fifh for Cod (as well as Whales and Porpoifes, from which Oils are ext rafted) at the Mouth of the River of St. Laurence , and in the Gulph. The Veflels would be fure of a Market at Cape Breton ; and might there take in fuch Goods from France as were wanted. Or elfe, a Veflel going from Quebec , laden with the Produce of Canada , might go to Cape Breton, load Salt there, for curing Fifh to be caught in the Gulph, return to Cape Breton , and fell his Fifh : And out of the Profits of thefe two Voyages, purchafe French Goods there ; which he would fell again, to Advan- tage in Canada. • \ i What If :Fre| hi ( fink a Settt jfe, b age,® are to. ify to; iftt fa joifes, the i andii te fa might! wet as* going i eoffa i Salt lit i theGr: thefe t oods tb to fa of CAPE BRETON, & c . 6g What formerly hindered the Cana- dians from fifliing in the Gulph, and at the Entrance of the River St. Laurence , was, that they were obliged to carry their Fifh to Quebec ; where they could not get Money enough for it, to pay their Charges. Or, if they were fo lucky as to do that, the Profits were not large enough to en- gage many People in a Trade of that Nature. Chap* The two Colonies affording thus a mu- tual Afftftance to each other, and the Merchants becoming rich by this continual Commerce and Intercourfe, they might affociate themfelves in Enterprizes, equally advantagious to the one and the other, and confequently to the whole Kingdom ; if it were nothing more than opening the Iron Mines, which are in fo great abun - Iron Mim dance about the three Rivers. For in ! ' n ^ iver that Cafe, one might give fome Reft to SuLaureme ‘ thofe of France , as well as to its Woods : At leaft, we fhould be under no Necefiity of fetching Iron from Sweden and Bifcay. Moreover, “jo *Ihe Importance and Advantage Chap. IV. Moreover, the Ships which go from Lu»> — prance to Canada always run a great Rifle in their Return, unlefs they make their Voyage in the Spring : Whereas^ the fmall Veffels of Quebec would run no Rifk in going to Cape Breton , becaufe they would take their own Time to do it ; and they would always have experienced Pilots. What fhould hinder them from making two Voyages in a Year ; and by that Means faving the French Ships the Trouble of afcending the River of St. Lau- rence, which would fliorten their Voyage by one half ? But further : The Confumption in Canada of French Goods, is not the only Advantage which this Eftablifhment would afford to this Colony ; But it would have likewife an Opportunity of pajjing its. Wines , Brandies , Linnens , Ribbons , Silks, See. into the Engliih Colonies, This Commerce would become very advantagious ; For the Englijh would furnifh themfelves at Cape Breton, and in Canada, not only with all the Goods they wanted on the Continent, where their Colonies are extreamly peopled; L gQ fat i a |t hey m Wh® iiildri! m, be 2 aetoJi: expert* them! ar; i :/j Shfil r of i their' ifumptic not the; hmentw it 0 } iftgilifo ilh,k : Com® us: F« ! :Ives at £- nly « ; COD® of CAPE BRETON, & c . jt but alfo for their I (lands, and thofe of Chap, the Dutch , with which they traffick. By IV. thefe Means we fhould draw a great deal of ' Money out of thofe Colonies , even though t/je Entry of our Goods fhould not be openly per- mitted. In a word, nothing would be more likely, than this Eftablifhment, to engage the Merchants of France to employ People in the Cod-Fifhery : For, as Cape Breton Would furnifh Canada with French Goods, thofe Veffels which were fent thither for Fifh, would take a Cargo, confiding half in Goods, and half in Salt j fo that they would make a double Advantage 5 whereas, at prefent, the French Ships, which go out a Cod-fifhing, load nothing but Salt. Add to this ; that the Augmentation of the Fijkery would enable France to furnifh Spain and the Levant with Fi/h ; which would be a Means of bringing immenfe Sums into the Kingdom. The Whale Fijkery (which is very Whale-filberj abundant in the Gulph, and towards the m tfle River Goads of Labrador , and even in the River TuLaurme. of St. Laurence, as far as TadouJJac) might alfo . m n 2 The Importance and Advantage Chap, alfo be one of the moft folid Advantages IV. of this Settlement. Thofe Ships which go y ; on this Fifhery, fhould be loaden in France with Goods, which they lhould fell, or leave with the Merchants Correfpondent at Cape Breton : And from thence, they fhould take in Calks, and go a-filhing ; which, in this Place, is fo much the eafier, being performed in Summer, and not in the Winter, as in the North of Europe , where the Ships mull lie amongft the Flakes of Ice, in eftedt of which, the Whales are frequently loft, after they are ftruck. In this manner, the Filhing- Veflels would gain upon their Merchan- dize brought to Cape Breton , and upon their Fifli : And this double Profit would be made in lefs Time, and with lefs Rilk, than that of the Whale-Fifhery of the North : And the Money, which is carried to the Dutch for this Commodity, would remain in France. I t has been already remarked, that the Ifland of Cape Breton can furnifli of its own growth, Mafts and Building-Tim- ber to the Kingdom of France : It might likewife fetch them from Canada ; which would » ntaif >inFr® iWftS,, fftefpociit hence, 4 ) a-tij anil i oflr amonj: whid after! the I leir Mt it, aii Profit! vith Mr. ifhery tf lichise .odity, « narked, t n fiiniit jilding-Ti r. Its lit,* of CAPE BRETON, Sf c . 73 would much encreafe the reciprocal Com- Chap. merce of the two Colonies, and would IV. eafe the Kingdom greatly in the Expence L v 1 of building Ships. This Timber would be fetched from the Ifland, without our being obliged to buy it from Strangers : And what fhould hinder us from building Ships at Cape Breton , when every Tiling necef- fary to it, may be had from Canada ? The Materials would coil there much lefs than in France ; and enable us to furnifh other Nations with Shipping, inftead of buying it from them. I n fhort, there is not in the World Cape Breton a furer Retreat for Ships, coming from a J ure Re ~ whatever Part of America , than Capesbiplfrom Breton, in cafe of being chafed, in cafe fhe of bad Weather, or of want of Wood, Indm ' Water, or Provifions. Bejides, that in Fine of War, it would be a Place for Cruifing, fo as entirely to dijlrefs the Trade And very of all the Britifh Settlements in America : 1 1 T-^ , , ejtablijhing And it we had force enough (which it a Cruije. would be very eafy to have) we might make ourfelves Matters of the Cod-Fifliery, by the means of a few fmall Frigates, L which ’The Importance and Advantage which Ihould be always ready to fally out of, and return into the Ports. But then, thefe Things are not to be done by Companies ; who generally fet their Minds wholly upon getting rich in a little time ; and abandon, or negledl every thing which does not immediately return large Profits. They give themfelves very little Trouble about making folid and kit- ing Settlements, or confidering the Advan- tage of the Inhabitants } for whom it is not pofihle to have too great a Regard \ if we would engage them to ejlablifi themfelves in a new Colony, and promote their Jn- ta efs therein. The above Memorial has pointed out to us fo many of the Advantages, which this Nation may reap from this Important Conqueft, that it has in a great meafure cut fhort our Work in enumerating them. For we have little elfe to do, but to con- fider what Ufes they made of this Ifland ; and by turning their own Weapons again!! them, we may employ them with double Force j inafmuch as they are greatly weak- 1 ened of CAPE BRETON, &c. 75 ened, we immenfely encreafed in Strength Chap, by this Acquifition. 1 V • I t is pretty remarkable, that the French Jefuit begins his Defcription of Cape Breton by averring, that after the Ceffion of Pla- centia and Acadia to the Crown of Eng- land, The French had no other Place , where they could dry their Fijh in Safety , but the JJland of Cape Breton : Wherefore they were driven by Neceflity to make a Set- tlement there, and to fortify it. This Axiom he repeats more than once in the Courfe of his Hiftory of New France : And, if it be a true one, it neceflarily follows, that the French have now loft all the Advantages they had, or could propofe to themlelves, by the Pof- feflion of that Ifland. Since the Declaration of War, the French (it is prefumed) have been de- barred from fi filing on the Banks of New- foundland ; as well as from drying and curing their Fifli upon that Ifland. When- ever a Peace between the two Crowns ftiall be negotiated, it is not doubted but L 2 proper 76 'The Importance and Advantage L. a p, proper Meafures will be taken to remove IF. a ll poflibiiity of abufing, as they have '^~ v ' done, the Privileges granted them by the Treaty of Utrecht. Nothing could pottibly have con- tributed fo much to the fecuring this Im- portant Branch of our Trade, as our being. Matters of Cape Breton ; which is fo fitu- ated, as to be either of ineflimable Value , or inconceivable Detriment to the Engli/h Nation. It lies between 45 and 47 De- grees of Northern Latitude ; and is fepa- rated from Acadia , or New Scotland , only by the Narrow Streights of Can Jo. It {huts up, as it were, the Entrance into the Gulph, and confequently the River of St. Laurence. It is nearer the Great Filbing-Banks of Newfoundland ', than any of the Engli/h Colonies, except the Ifland of Newfoundland itfelf ; confequently, mutt effectually intercept or proteCt all Inter- courle between our Colonies, and that Ifiand. In a word, it is, in allRefpeCts, fo fituated, as if Providence intended it fhould make a Part of the Britijh Dominions , as it really and in FaCt is the Key to all the rett. If of CAPE BRETON, &>c. 77 tap rcrnovj e y \ I f this be the Cafe, (and I believe no Chap ntyl true' Subject of Great Britain will deny IV. it to be the Cafe) can any Care be em- ' — "v — -J ployed, any Money expended, that is too Wts great, or too confiderable for the Prefer- 5 vation of it ? But we have many other ourk Inducements to the taking early and effec- > is foi tual Meafures for the fecuring of Cape iikh Breton to the Dominion of the Crown he £r. of England , as well from whatever id Open Force may be brought againft nd il i£ > as from all the Arts and Intrigues ik{ of French Minijlers. We have fuftered CM once already by their Tricks j and that in itrantti the ver J p oint now before us. Let us, the I therefore be aware of their playing the r tkC; lanie Game over again ; And in order to { tli. it> ! et ever y one who is Mafter of the .’[),£ Hi Subject, add to thefe few Hints all that entii’E is . wantin S t0 °ur King, Our Mi- all 'hi nifterSj ° ur Legislature and Our People, and 4 *° W immen % valuable this late Acqui- red ^ti° n is 5 and how well it defer ves to be j ;, ] nouiifhed, protected and preferved. mt Mess, Raudot have alledged, that to alt Cape Breton can furnilh of & its’ own Growth, Codrifh, Oyls, Coals, Plafler, ' - Timber, fir WJ 7 8 The Importance and Advantage Chap. Timber, &c. to the Kingdom of France. IV. If that be true (and as I am informed, * ' i t i s ftriftly fo) then this is not a barren defart Land, affording fcarce any Trees or Herbage, as reprefented by Salmon. Charlevoix fays it has many Lakes and Rivers : That there is a competent Number of Domeftick Animals, which fubfift very well upon it : That Fruits and Grain grow well there : That Hemp and Flax are cultivated with Succefs j and that filhing and hunting are able to main- tain the Inhabitants a good Part of the Year. This can never, furely, be called a Defart Place } nor can there be any Danger of ftarving upon an Hland where there are fo many Refources. The Climate is in general reputed Healthy, notwith- ftanding the Frequency of Fogs there to be met with. Coals abound in the Ifland j and are procured at a fmall Expence. Timber, Stones, Marble and Platter are every where to be had ; fo that good Habita- tions may not only be built, but kept warm, when built. Laftly, Provifions cannot be faid to be fcarce, where there is Filh in abundance ; and Beef, Veal, Mutton, □ of CAPE BRETON, & c . 79 Mutton, Lamb, Kid, Goat’s Flefh, wild Chap. and tame Fowl, Corn, Herbs, Roots, IV. Fruit, &c. in tolerable Plenty. The Place, ' therefore, as to the Neceffaries of Life, is not only habitable, but in fome Degree comfortable : let us now lee how it may be rendered more fo. Mess. Raudot ( about thirty two Years ago ) fhewed the French Court the Expediency and Advantage of efta- blifhing a Staple or Magazine upon the Eland of Cape Breton , for all Goods, &c. palling between Old and New France. Whether that Ufe was ever made of the Place, I am not informed : But, from the Arguments and Reafons given by them for fuch an Ellablilhment, it is very evident that nothing could turn to greater Ac- count. Hence, therefore we are furnifh- cd with a Hint, how to render this lfland not only immediately ufeful, but alfo how to people, fortify, and enrich it in a fhort time, beyond all Poffibility of lofing it again by Force. For where a Staple or Mart is eftablifhed, thi- ther, of Courfe, will refort great Numbers of Merchants, and Traders. Thefe bring Money, J 80 The Importance and Advantage Chap. Money, and Money produces Induftry: IV. By Money, Induftry, Numbers of Peo- ' p] e and Encouragement, what is too dif- ficult to be effected ? The moft barren and defart Spot of Ground in the Uni- verfe, would in thefe Circumftances, be rendered fertile, as is evident in the In- fiance of the Ifland of Malta. Every Difficulty would be turned into fome fort of Advantage ; and what is now a Horrour, would be converted into a Beau- ty. As foon as the Country became rich, . it would become better worth the prefer- ving: Fortifications (if needful) would be added to thofe already made ; and each Individual would contribute to its Prefervation and Safety, with fo much the greater Care and Zeal, as his own In- tereft therein would be of greater Con- C.f, Brm„ «rn. To me, therefore, it doer > not oc- propped as cur, that there is any material Objection a Mart againft our ereBing this IJland into a Sta- England andple or Mart for all Goods and Traffick car- Amerka. r {cd on between England and its Ame- rican Colonies : But as I do not pretend to be fo far Mafter of that Subject, as to forefee and obviate all the Objedtions that may lie againft fuch a Scheme j fo I {hall 8 1 — of cape breton, & e . ifliall content myfelf with barely giving Chap. the Hint ; and fubmit the more particu- IV. lar Enquiry into it, to fuch as are bet - — J ter Judges of the Arguments for, and againft it. Let us now proceed to confider, in what manner, and to how great a Degree our Trade may be enlarged, protected, and promoted by the Addition of Cape Breton to the Dominions of the Crown of England. W e have above given a very parti- cular Defcription of all the Ports and Harbours of this Ifland, and many of them appear (upon the Teftimony of my French Author) to be fome of the bed in America. From hence it muft follow,^, Breton < that if any of our Ships of War, or tra -ojurt Retreat ding Vefl'els are under any Difficulties m for ourShi t s « their Voyage to or from' our Colonies,: or any other part of the hVeJl lndies y here is a Jure and fafe Retreat. Whereas, we had not only the Dangers of the Seas to* efcape, but the Hazard of being taken at the Beginning, or End of a Voyage, as long as Cape Breton continued in the ^ Hands* J 82 The Importance and Advantage Chap. Hands of our Enemies. For as I have VI* before obferved, it lies fo, that it is next to | m p 0 flible to fail to or from Nova Sco- tia, New England ', New York, Penfilva- nia, Maryland , Virginia , Carolina and Georgia, without approaching very near to this Ifland, in the way to or from England. Mefs rs . Raudot have obferved, that a few Frigates ftaticned here, would be fufficient to interrupt our Commerce with the Colonies *. What then fhould hinder us from Rationing here as many Ships of War, as may be neceffary, not only to prated our Trade, but to prevent any Danger of an Attack ? * Salmon, Vol. III. p. 645. fays; Here art feveral Harbours, where the French Cruifers or Pri- vateers may lie fecurely, and from hence interrupt tht Britifh Trade and Fifheries of New England, New Scotland, and Newfoundland, at their Pleajurt. Nor do I fee how it is pojftble for an Englifh Squa- dron to protect them entirely upon fuch extcnfve Coajis. jjll that can be done in time of War, is to make Re- prifals on /fo French by our Cruifers and Privateers, and as our Merchantmen and Fijhermen are by much the mojl numerous ; ive mujl expebl to be the greatejl Sufferers, as we always were, in the late War ; the French taking three Prizes, for one we took from them. Here u of CAPE BRETON, &> c . C h a p . Here then are good Ports and Har- IV. hours : But not only fo, for Safety and Se- v — curity from Winds and Enemies ; but al- fo fit for careening and refitting of Ships on any Occafion. Nay, it has been with Ships of all Credibility affirmed, that Ships of all Di- Di?nenJjons y menfions and Force may be built her For, whatever the Ifland itfelf does not afford, may, with great Eafe, be fuppli- u ed from fome one of our own Colonies. ■ The Streight of Canjo or Pajfage of Fron- i| f ac 1S but a League over between Acadia and Cape Breton : And from the Bay of St Laurence , the Englifh Colonies run in I a Chain to the South-weft, as far as to „ the Gulph of Florida. f (in t But Ships may not only be built , , , 1 here > but m “ch cheaper built, than in Lt** :d H jUro p e - Artificers, it is certain, may in ^ uro P e ‘ s;. fome meafure be wanting for a' time :but Will foon be fupplied, if ever the Work is fet about in good Earneft. And if: ^ fliould not, I do not perceive, S when all the Materials are upon the Spot* and it is much eafier, and lefs expenfive , ( M 2 to $4 7 #^ Importance and Advantage • C h A p. to carry Workmen thither, than to bring IV. thefe lumbering Goods to the Workmen. TheEngliJh By the Poffeffion of Cape Breton we hereby become are become, or have it in our Power to SecL become, entire Matters of all the Cod-fijh- fijhcry. ery, which, as Charlevoix aflerts, is of more value than the Mines of Peru. Computation Having in my Pofleffion a Compu- cf the French fation of the French Fi fiery ns it was tnd- ^fP /a b r efon naged before the prefent War, which is al- lowed by all good Judges of that Matter to be a Judicious, exaft, and well calcu- lated Piece ; I fhould have inferted it here at full length, if I had not met with it in a Pamphlet lately printed at Exeter, en- titled, An Accurate Journal and Account cf the Proceedings of the New England Land Forces, during the late Expediti- on againjl the French Settlements in Cape Breton. 1 n that Pamphlet, the Reader may fee the whole Calculation ; from whence it appears, that the French made the Sum of 949192/. 1 o j. Sterling Advantage from the fingle Article of the Fijhery : And employed ^ C 1 of CAPE BRETON, &>c. 85 employed 564 Sail of Ships ; and 27500 Chap. Men per Annum . ^ ^ Whether the French ever attempted the Whale Fijhery in the Bay and River of St. Laurence , I am not informed : But it does not appear to have any Place in this Calculation, and confequently remains to Whah-fijh- be added to it. For, whether they made lr J m . any Advantage ox it, or not, it is evident, ver of St. from all the Accounts given of thole Parts Laurence. of the World, that Whales not only a- bound in the Gulph, &c. but that the Filhing is performed there to much greater Advantage, and in a fafer Manner and Seafon, than in Greenland. I lhall not here pretend to fet a Value upon this Branch of Whale Fijhing ; but only ob- ferve, that the Bay is now open to us, and that the Trade of Whale Fijhing may be carried on here with great Safety, and with incredible Gains. The French Trade up the River of St. Laurence, to LadoujJ'ac , Quebec, Montreal, and their other Settle- ments upon that River, is hereby, in a great ; meafure, if not totally obftrudted, or may be fo, if proper and vigorous Means are made ufe of. Salmon, u 86 Chap. IV. The Importance and Advantage Salmon, at the 646th Page of his Hid Volume, has thefe remarkable words : “ As to the French King's yielding up “ Cape Breton, and the other Ifiands in the “ Bay of St. Laurence, it mufl be confider- “ ed, that if he had parted with thefe at “ the Treaty of Utrecht, he could no longer <( have had any other Communication with “ Canada, and New France, than what “ we faw fit : And it could fcarce be ex- “ peeled he fhould exclude hitnfelf from all “ Commerce with his Colonies of New “ America.” I n the King of France's Anfwer to a Memorial fent from England in June, 1712. N. S. Art. 3d. are the following Words } viz. ■ As the perfect Under ft an ding that Par t I- p. 1 8. tells us, that from Newfoundland , New England and Nova Scotia y there are about Three Hundred of CAPE BRETON, & c . 89 Hundred Sail of Ships, great and fmall, Chap. or about Thirty Thoufand Tons of Ship- IV. ping employed annually in carrying Fifh ' to Portugal, Spain, and Italy. Thefe Ships employ about 2700 Seamen, and may by a Circulation of Trade, return to Great Britain about 260000 /. Sterling, per Annum , in this Article of Fifh, belides Train-Oil and Whalebone j of which there may be imported into Great Britain to the Value of 40000/. Sterling, per Annum, and upwards. And it is computed, that about two Thirds of thefe Advantages arife . from the Fifhery of Newfoundland only. But this Computation is confined to the Fi/hery of Newfoundland chiefly ; . to the Trade to Portugal, Spain, and Italy, and to the Men employed on board the Ships only. Whereas I have feen another kind of Computation, which takes in the whole Britijh Fifhery in America ; and ex- tends to the Men employed in catching, curing, and drying the Fifh afhore, as well as to the Seamen employed to carry it afterwards to different Ports. This Com- ^ c [ff™? at - ort putation runs thus ; that the whole Quan-^^ Brinjh tity of Fifh caught by the Englifh, may, N «it go The Importance and Advantage C h a P. at a round Reckoning, amount to about IV. 600000 Quintals a Year, which at Ten v ^ Shillings a Quintal, is worth 300000/. And that there are from 14 to 15000 Men employed in the Trade. I t need not be here obferved how much this 'Trade of the Fifhery has been the Objedt of the Attention of the Nation, on all Occafions. It was one of the prin- cipal Points upon which the Treaty of Utrecht ought to have turned j though by the Management of Men at that Time in Power, it Was rather turned againfl: us, than to our Advantage. We look upon it as the chief Nurfery for Seamen ; and are fo much interefted in the other Benefits of it, that we annually fend one or more of His Majefty’s Ships of War, to protedt our Subjects, and their Veflels, during the fifhing Seafon. But how inconfiderable is this, in every Branch of it, when compared with what we ^ ave l ate ty deprived the French of, and French and gotten into our own Hands ! Their Fijhery EngHJh amounted (within a Trifle) to a Million , J6 ,(S ‘ Sterling ; Our's not to one Third of that Sum. pi u of CAPE BRETON, &>c. 91 Sum. They employed 27500 Men : We, Chap. at moft, 14 or 15000. They , 564 Sail of IV. Ships : We about 300, great and fmall. The Difference is extremely great : But the Advantage far exceeds it, when we Several Ad- come to confider, that this is fo much ta ken out of the Hands of our Enemies, our being in and added to our own Trade : and ought $°f e fli on °f therefore, to be accounted in a duplicate Fijhery. Proportion of the real Sum. But even this Advantage is inconfider- able, when confidered abftradedly, and feparate from the other Advantages it brings along with it. Let every Reader weigh within himfelf the Value of a Trade, which affords a Nurfery for near 30,000 additional Seamen. The pro -A Nurfery viding for, or maintaining fuch a Number/^ ?? 00 ° of good and ufeful Subjeds, not only at “setmnf no Expence, but to the immenfe Intereft r and Profit of the Nation, muff, at leajl, \ give Pleafure to every well-difpofed Mind } i even though he is not immediately con- - cerned in any other Benefit arifing from that Branch of Trade. The having that F und of Seamen to fupply our Fleets upon N 2 any t 1 u 9 2 The Importance and Advatitage Chap, any Emergency, mult evidently appear to IV. be a very great Advantage to all thofe who ^ - 1 ' bave either the Trade, the Religion, the Liberty, or the Safety of their Country at Heart. The Circulation of fuch an ad- ditional Sum annually, muft produce fuch Effedts, as will be felt by all Ranks and Degrees of Men, from the Throne to the Plow. And the depriving our Enemies of all the Advantages they reaped from this Branch of Trade muft be fuch a Curb to their Ambition, and caft fuch a Damp upon all their Projects, that we cannot have any thing to fear from them, fo long as we continue to cut this Main Sinew of War. Bntreafeof Add to this the great Encreafe which efthe Woollen ^ Acquifition muft bring, to the Woollen fflanujatture The Climate of Bn . ton is, for a great Part of the Year, ex- tremely cold : And the Bufinefs of Filhing is fuch, as expofes the People employed in it, to the damp, rainy, foggy, or frofty Air : Wherefore they muft of neceflitybe well cloathed ; which, confequently, makes a large Demand for our coarfe Cloths, Flannels, Yarn and Worfted Hofe, Caps, Mittens, of CAPE BRETON, &>c. Mittens, &c. Whereby great Numbers Chap. of poor, but induftrious Families, now IV. ftarving in the North and Weft of' England, will be comfortably maintained, and enabled to pay their Rents, as well as rear their Children, and qualify them for fome Branch or other of this Trade. Whereas, they are at this Inftant, at a lofs how to feed them, or what to do with them : To bring them up in Idle- nefs, does not fuit the Temper of the Englijh : To teach them a declining Trade, affords very little Profpedt of Succefs : And in thefe Countries, they are not able to teach them any other, having been edu- cated univerfally in one or other Branch of it. Wherefore, fome have been almoft a tempted to put in execution Dean Swift’s Scheme for providing for their Children. I But by the Conqueft' of Cape Breton , there t arifes a Demand for all Kinds of Woollen | Goods, fufficient to cloath and keep warm oj 30000, at leaft, additional Subjects, con- ici cerned in the Fifhery. And how many n; will be required to inhabit the Ifland, and is to garrifon the Fortifications, I leave others i to compute : But be they more, or be 3}. they lefs, they muft like wife be cloathed, » and u 94 *The Importance and Advantage Chap, and add to the Demand for our W oollen IV . Manufactures. — * v — - 1 Building ma- The building, and employing of 564 ny more Ships. ad( jj[j onal ships, will prove the Mainte- Ctnfumption nance of feveral Thoufands of Families. tf Inn, Tim- What a Confumption muft this make of %ltbfand Timber, Iron, Sail-Cloth Cordage, and ■Cordage. other Materials ? How many poor People muft live by the Manufacture of thele feveral Articles ; for fome of which there will be a repeated Demand every Voyage? W e fhall fhew hereafter, when we come to treat of the Affairs of Canada, that each of thefe Advantages may, and and muft be greatly improved by encrea- fing our Commerce and Intercourfe with the Indians and Savages, who have hither- to dealt with the French for many Com- modities, which they will now find it difficult to furnifh them withal. liter from I shall clofe this Chapter with a the London Paragraph or two, out of the London Ccurant of September the 4th, 1745. Wherein after fpeaking of the Conqueft of Cape Breton , he fays j “ The next Step of CAPE BRETON, &> c . 95 i i i i it & i A f «' Step to be taken in order to make Chat. “ our Conqueft larting, fecure, and IV. “ valuable, is to drive the French from u — ' v ‘ c . great Meafure, cut off the C'ommunica- Chap. tion between Old France , and its Pofleffi- V. ons in and about the Bay and River of Y — J St. Laurence. It may likewife be added, that the French Trade to the Mijfijfipi may be greatly curbed, if we eftablifh a Cruife at Cape Breton fufficient to protect !■ our own Trade in thofe Parts, and to annoy that of our Enemies. For though that River empties itfelf into the Gulph of Mexico, yet their Ships, in going thi- i ther and returning from thence, muft run n the rifle of falling in with fome of our Cruifers. We have above reprefented, that this may not only eafily be done, but that it would, in many Refpe&s, be for the Advantage of Great Britain to build Ships there, and equip them with every thing neceflary for their going to n Sea. For as to Cannon, Cordage, and j Sail Cloth, if they cannot be eafily had I i at Cape Breton, or if it be judged im- proper that they fhould, they may, with great Eafe, and to good Account, be fent A] from hence. U jf: Mess. Raudot have, in their Memo- j rial to the Court of France , laid it down )' as u 102 ’The Importance and Advantage C h a P. as a Maxim not to be contefted, that V. New France cannot long fubfift, without J Supplies and Support from the Old. And by blocking up this Paffage, we effedtu- ally cut off all thofe Nece(Jary Supplies : which muff not only reduce them to great Extremities, but be the probable Caufe of the Defection of the Indians from them to Us. For as they cannot any longer fupply them with Goods, take theirs off their Hands, nor make them the ufual, and expedted Prefen ts ; thefe People will not, they cannot long depend upon a Nation, which can neither trade with them, gratify them, nor con- tribute to their Support. Wherefore I look upon the Reduction of Canada * as the * This is not fo very difficult a Task as it may at firft Sight feem to be, if the the following French Author is to be credited . He quotes a Letter from Monfieur de Vaudreuil Chief Governour of New France , to Monfieur de Pontchartrain Premier Mi * nijler, in the Tear 1714 . 44 Canada (fays the for - “ mer) has actually in it but 4480 Inhabitants , ca» * 4 pable of bearing Arms ; and the 2 8 Companies , 44 which the King maintains there amount to no more than 628 Men. This handful of Men is fcattered 14 throughout an Extent of 100 Leagues of Country. The Englifli of CAP £ BRETON, &> c . I03 the Natural ( I had almoft laid neceffary ) C h a p. effeft of reducing Cape Breton. Provided V. always, that we keep fuch a Force of Ships ' of War there, as may be able to protect the Place itlelf ; and at the lame time to furnilh a Number of Cruifers fufficient to preferve the Dominion of thofe Seas, and to intercept the French Trade. The better to induce us to attempt the Reduction of Canada, let us now fee how fome of our own Colonies (particularly that of Nova Scotia) are endangered by this Neighbourhood, or for want of taking proper Meafures for peopling and protect- ing that Colony. Nova Scotia lies Well of Cape Breton-. «•, . , from which this Province is divided, onl yNmaZotU EngHih have, at lea ft, 60000 Men ca- pable of hearing Arms ; And it cannot be doubted, aVpV J^ Rupture, they «,/// make an Effort to pojjefs themfelves of Canada ; efpecially, tke City ofLondon * tales of Infractions given to its Reprefentatives) tnjfts upon tt that Enquiry be made, -why pre - fi f Cape Breton. V tde Charlevoix, Vol. IV. P. 150. U tt tt tt tt it a a it by WJ 104 Chap. V. Jts Produce. This Pro - vince not fieopkd* ; The Importance and Advantage by the Narrow Straights (or as the Seamen call it) Gut of Canfo. It is fituated be- tween the Latitudes 44 and 50 ; and ftretches from Canfo to Cape Sable , near an hundred Leagues from Eaft to Weft. It is reputed the fineft Province in all North America for its Harbours ; one of which is to be met with on the South Coaft, at almoft every two Leagues di- ftance ; and are, many of them, fine, large, navigable Rivers for Ships of Burden. Its Coafts abound with Variety of Fifh, fuch as Cod, Mackarel, and Herrings, See. Its Rivers with Salmon, Trouts, Eels, &c. The Land is covered with Afh, Oak, Pines, and Elm, fit for Naval Stores, and for Building-timber, or any other Ufes. The Woods are flock’d with Wild-Fowl of different Sorts ; and with Deer, Beaver, and other Furs. The Earth is here full of Coal, Lime, Stone, and Plafter ; and, where it is cleared, is very fit for Agri- culture and Pafture. From fuch an Ac- count of this Province, it is natural to imagine it is well peopled, and properly encouraged : But, if I am rightly inform- ed, there is not fo much as one Englifi Family fettled there, beyond the Walls of the < of CAPE BRETON, &c. IO S ® the only Garrifon in this exteniive Coun- Chap. try ; though it has been upwards of thirty V. Years in the Pofleffion of the Crown of"" v J Great Britain. Annapolis Royal is, as we Annapolis- '• have faid, the only Garrifon in all this R f a k the . r Province ; and has only one Regiment, or* this Pro- rather Part of one in it. It is quite by vina ' itfelf, arid very remote from all Afliftance, in cafe of any Emergency. This Garrifon, fmall as it is, is neverthelefs, a conftant, large and dead Expence to the Crown ; which Expence might be greatly eafed, if not totally taken off, were proper Meafures taken to render this Province populous and flourilhing. It muft furely be allowed, that no Part of this New World is more capable of being eafily and foon put into a thriving Condition, than this. I am told, that it would fubfift, and provide well for 200000 Families and upwards. And, if Scheme for ] fuitable, though fmall Encouragement were Peopling it, given, it is not doubted but fuch a Num- ber of Proteftants from abroad might be procured, and brought to fettle there, as would fet the Work a T going ; and, in a Ihort Time, anfwer the Ends propofed. Inftead of that, the Inhabitants of this Province are now made up of French and P Savages jo6 C H A P. • V. Danger of its not being peopled . The Importance and Advantage Savages only. The former finding the Sweets of fuch a Settlement, chofe to ftay there, when, at the Peace of Utrecht, Nova Scotia was yielded to the Englijh. They are fince greatly multiplied and encreafed i and call themfelves Neutral French. They have, ever fince the Peace, had a condant Intercourfe of Trade and Marriages, . &c. with the Inhabitants of Cape Breton ; and, as well on Account of the Affinity with them , as on Account of their Religion, they mull be fuppofed to be more in their Interefts, than in Ours. It is computed, that there are not lefs than 1,0000 Men, capable of bearing Arms in this Province ; who, at the Inftigation of their Priefts, will at any time be ready to join in a Confederacy to drip us of it. Thefe Neutral French trade with the Savages in the Eadern Parts of New Eng- land, for Furs, Cadors, Feathers, &c. to a great Value. They export Beef, Pork, Butter, Grain, Furs, Fiffi, &c. to a con- fiderable Value : Whereas, were this Pro- vince rightly managed, by filling it with Protedants from abroad, or wherever elfe they might be had by Encouragement, it would, at lead, bear the Expence of its D of CAPE BRETON, &>c. io : own Garrifons, if not bring in a hand- Chap. fome Revenue to the Crown, or fome V. of its Dependants. Let us fuppofe for a v 7 J while, that thefe Neutral French (fpirited up by their Priefts, or excited by Revenge for the late Loffes and Difappointments of their Kindred and Countrymen at Cape Breton) fhould join with the Savages to poffefs themfelves of this large and rich Province, what Force have we there to oppofe them, confidering the Extent of Territory to be defended ? Or fhould France fend thither three or four thoufand Men ; what fhould hinder them (being once joined by the prefent Inhabitants) from making themfelves entire Mafters of the Country ? Perhaps it may be anfwered j that a good Fleet at Sea, would prevent their landing : But where there are fo many Creeks and Bays, befides the Rivers and Harbours above-mentioned (each of which, the late PofTefTors of Cape Breton are well-acquainted with) this is a Thing much eafier faid, than done. We have found by fatal Experience at home, how impoffible it is effectually to guard a Coaft, and hinder an Enemy from landing. And we ate at this Day (to our Sorrow) con- P 2 vinced, u ^ 108 *The Importance and Advantage Chap, vinced, how difficult a thing it is, to drive V, an Enemy out of a Country, when it has v — ' v J once got Footing in it. The French, when they quitted Cape Breton , were bold enough to declare, that as foon as the Year of i Capitulation was out, they would return, and get Poffeffion again of the Lands they had loft, or of fome other, as good, in Lieu of them. Some may, perhaps, fay, that if it be fo eafy a thing to take this Province, it muft be as eafy to retake it : But the Cafe is widely different ; for, in the firft place, it is a lefs expenfive, and lefs hazardous Meafure, to keep a Poffeffion, than to recover it. Secondly ; whenever the French come, they are fure to be lup- ported by their Kindred, Countrymen, and Aflociates in Religion : Whereas, we are 1 - equally fure of being abandoned by them. But if Canada were once reduced to the Subjection of the Crown of England, the Cafe would then be quite altered. The Power we lhould then have in that Tart of the World, would ftrike a Dread into our Enemies, as well French as Savages : And without it, the Difficulty of preierv- ing Nova Scotia, will, I am afraid, be greater than is at prefent imagined. The Neceffity of -CAPE BRETON, &>c. 109 Neceffity of preferving this Province will Chap. appear the greater, when we confider that V. the French would in the other Cafe be- come not only very near Neighbours to our other Colonies, but, whenever a War breaks out, put us as it were between two Fires. Add to this, that the Timber for all Naval Ufes, begins to fail in the Eaflern Parts of New England ; which cannot be fo well fupplied (if fupplied at all) by any other Province than that of Nova Scotia , or by Canada , if we keep the former, and reduce the latter. We have before remarked, that along thefe Coafts the greateft Fifhery in the known World is carried on : And, without being in pof- feffion of the Country, it would be next to impoflible to continue the Fifhery ; as the Enemy would be conftantly annoying us from their Ports. Whereas, by the Redudion of Canada, not only this Pro- vince of Nova Scotia , but alfo all the Eng- lijh Settlements in America, would be en- larged and protected : For the French Set- tlements, and the Indian Nations run all along the Back of ours, and fubjed us to daily Incurfions from thence, into New England, I 1 o 1 'The Importance and Advantage Chap. England , New York , Fenjilvania , Maryland V. and Virginia , juft as it beft fuits their Op- ' portunity and Advantage. But, whilft we are contriving Schemes for annoying our common Enemies, I am extreamly forry to find there is a Set of Men among us, who by their Greedinefs after Profit (for I will not put it upon any worfe Principle) contrive it fo, that the greateft Part of their Lofles falls upon ourfelves. This is a Management fo de- ftrudlive of every Project for diftreffing the Enemy, that I think it proper to infert in this Place a Letter printed in the General Evening Po/l, of Fuefday , January 21, 1745-6. This Letter puts the Bufinefs of iniuring in London of French Ships, and their Commodities, in fo ftrong a Light, that I think it is a pity it fhould not have more Chances than one, of being univer- fally read and confidered. I fhall there- fore tranferibe it word for word, as all Abbreviations muff be an Injury done it. fo it Ilf u of CAPE BRETON, ©V. “ To the Printer, &c. “Sir, T A M extremely concerned that the Letter from “ A Publick Joy. for fo Important “ Event as the taking and deftroying fuch “ a Number of Marti nico Ships, fhould “ have any Allay. I am told, that the “ Benefit arifing from it to England, will, “ in a great meafure, be loft ; and the “ Mifchief it would have done to France , “ Will, in fome degree, be repaired, by the “ Ships being infured on our Exchange to “ almoft their full Value. Ifihall not concerning , . . _ - , , the Infurancc “ ter into the Conlideration, how mean, 0 f French “ how fcandalous jt is to carry on an tinder- Ships on the “ hand Fraffick with thofe who are de- London f £ “ dared the open, and who appear the “ inveterate Enemies of our Country ; “ but will view this Pra&ice, as a Point “ of Intereft j and, whether it is bene- “ ficial to the Community, or not. “ Before the Commencement of the “ War, our Complaints were loud and “ general, that the French Trade, efpe- “ daily u 1 1 2 7 he Importance and Advantage Chap. “ daily the Weft -India , was grown to V. “ fuch an Heighth, as not only to hurt, v ^ “ but endanger our Own. The great “ Number of their Ships taken, is a fuf- “ ficient Evidence, if there were no other, “ of the Jullice of thofe Complaints. “ What then was our Bufinefs at entering “ into the War ? Not to interrupt, not to “ weaken only, but to deftroy as effec* “ tually as poffible the very Being of their “ Trade. We have given them feveral “ Blows, under which they have ftag- “ gered } under which they mull have “ fallen, if they had not been held up by “ °ur lnfurance. So many Captures mull “ have occafioned fitch Bankruptcies among “ their Merchants in France , that thefe “ could not have lent fb many Ships to “ -America and the Planters there could “ not have been fupported. “The only Argument for infuring !< the Enemy’s Property is, that the Mo- ney paid here for it, is fo much clear Gain : But then it mud be fuppofed £c that their Ships are not taken ; if they are, inftead of Gaining , we loj'e by it. But whether they ape, or not, their “ Trade of CAPE BRETON, fSfr. 113 “ Trade is {fill kept alive by our means. Chap. “ It is evident that France , notwithftand- V. “ ing her bluftering, has not fufficient v ^ <£ Funds to promote her Schemes upon “ the Continent, and protect her Trade “ at the fame time. Is it not natural “ then for her King to fay, I will purfue “ the firft, and let the Englifh themf elves “ take Care of the laft. Whiljl this is in - “ fared ; whilft this is nurfed up by them , “ it may languijh , but it will never be de~ “ froyed. To corroborate what I have “ advanced, I (hall oiler two Matters of “ Fa£t to the ferious Confideration of eve- “ ry Briton, i. The French in order to “ prop their finking Trade, and for want “ of Ships and Seamen, have lately per- “ mitted the Dutch to load in their Su- « gar Colonies. 2. Thefe Dutch Bottoms, “ with French Property, have had a « great deal of Infurance paid upon them in London. “No Man can have a greater Regard “ for the Charadter of a fair Merchant, “ than I have j I think him one of the « mod ufeful Members of Society; but “ I cannot help making an Obfevvation CL “ or u 1 1 4 "The Importance and Advantage Chap. “ or two, viz. that no One can carry V. “ on fuch a Traffick, without holding u v * “ diredtiy or indiredtly, a Correfpondence, “ with the Enemies of his Country. “ That it is natural for any Man to with, “ the Ships which he infures may purfue “ their Voyage with Safety, and to take “ proper Meafures that they may. That “ it is eafy then for him, by his Corref- “ pondence, to convey Intelligence of “ the Deftination of our Fleets, the time “ of their Sailing ; and whatever elfe may “ be neceflary for the Enemy to know. — “ No Gains can counterballance fuch a “ Mifchief : All the Efforts which our “ Government can make to deftroy their “ Trade, may hereby be rendered inef- “ fedtual. — I am far from thinking that “ every Man who fubfcribes to fuch Infu- “ ranee , would be guilty of conveying Intel- “ ligetice to the Enemy: But as the Temp- “ tation is great ; it is probable fome of “ them may and it is furely wife, to pro- “ vide againft fuch a Probability. “It will perhaps be faid, that if the “ Englijh do not fecure to themfelves the “ Profits arifing from the Infurance of the “ French Ships, the Dutch will. In An- ** fwer of CAPE BRETON, fife “ fwer to this, I ask if the Profits are C h A p. " certain, and Great, why are the French V. “ fo willing to give, and the Dutch fo “ ready to part with them to Us ? The “ only Reafons why France applies to “ England for it, mull be, becaufe (he “ cannot procure the whole Infurance “ which (he wants from Holland j be- “ caufe (he gets it here on cheaper “ Terms ; or becaufe (he fecures more “ effe&ually the Navigation of her Ships. u In either of the former Instances, we ** give her Advantages, which it is impo- Etick to give : In the lad, we lend her “ Affidance to dedroy Ourfelves. — How- “ ever, though the Profits may be great, “ this is the Angle Quedion. Is infuring " the Enemy’s Property, upon the whole, “ for the Publick Intereft ? This is the " Center, to which every Branch of Trade “ (hould point : And every Line which “ does not lead to it, (hould be thrown “ out of the Compafs. “To view the whole then, in this “ fingle Light, I will endeavour clearly “ and (hortly to date the Cafe, abdradt- “ ing even the Confideration of our keep- ing 1 u 1 1 6 *The Importance and Advantage Chap," ing their Trade alive. The French , V. “by infuring leave no more with us than ^ t( the Profit of the Infurer ; after he has “ made up his Account of Lofs and “ Gain : Whereas, on the other hand, u if we fuppofe that all Infurance of the “ Enemy’s Property had ceafed from the “ Beginning of the War, the Nation had “ gained what we have taken from * ( them, over and above what they have “ taken from us ; exclufive of what we “ might have further taken, if no Intel- « ligence had been conveyed to them : « But Thanks to the Infurers ! Our Ene- tc mies •will tell the reft with Pleafure. « As I think this a Matter of the higheft u Importance, I don’t doubt but our Le- “ giflature will give the earlieft Attention ?t to it. “Since we are in Poflefiion of “ Cape Breton, this is the favourable “ Crips ^ if there can be one , for ruining “ the French Trade, and eftablijhing our * c own •, if we will but put a total Stop “ to our Infuring of their Property ; and “ if we will continue pulhing them, where we find they are fo weak.” Though of CAPE BRETON, &c. Though this Letter is fomewhat Chap. foreign to my Purpofe ; yet I could not V. help inferring it, as it feems to be written by a Perfon of Temper, Good Manners, and found Judgment ; By One who is converfant in Trade, and a Well-wifher to his Country. It is great Pity he did not deliver his Sentiments fooner ; for I have heard the Practice often, and long ago complained of. The laft Article or Paragraph however, fufficiently evinces what we have been labouring to eftablifh, viz. that the Pofieffion of Cape Breton is the thing, and the only thing that can enable us effectually to deftroy the Power of France , and turn it to our own Be- nefit. I am not one of thofe who are for enlarging our Territories abroad ; for the fewer we have, the better we (hall be able to attend to their Encouragement and Protection. But as this Nation is not fuppofed to fubfift without Trade, fo it is neceffary to take all Meafures to increafe and defend it j efpecially, when that may be done, at the Expence of our Enemies. Wherefore I again repeat it, that the Con- queft of Cape Breton is by far the great - u 1 1 8 The Importance and Advantage C H a P. eft Advantage we have hitherto gained by V. the War, and it is to be hoped we fhall w- '" v ’not lofe any Opportunity of improving that Advantage. Before I finifh this Chapter, it may not be amifs to add in this Place fome of the Mifchiefs or Difadvantages attend- ing the lfland of Cape Breton , whilft it was poffdfed by the French ; which are now entirely obviated, and may for the future be prevented, or rather will natu- rally ceafe, as long as we keep Pofleffion thereof. Thefe Difadvantages arife from a dejlruffive Clandejline Trade carried on between our Settlements on the Continent of America , and the French at Cape Bre- ton, to the great Detriment of Trade in general, and to the Support of our com- mon Enemy. AClandeJllnt T h i s Clandefttne Trade, carried on Trade for- f rom mo ft 0 f t] ie Englijh Settlements merly carried . . , Pt n ■ en between our between Virginia , and Nova Scotia, con- Settlements fifted in the furnifhing of Cape Breton °Breton! > ‘ Wlt ^ Warlike Stores and Provifions of the Plantation Produce. For this Purpofe, near an Hundred Sail of decked Veficls were » wer ing •to, iier, Cattl oft ml onl; this Sur : Artii free I at £ I tto ieir ItW; -eih, ( Wce M i a. $W( tyjfe of CAPE BRETON, &c. ,i 9 were every Summer employed in tranfport- Chap. ing Tar, Pitch, Turpentine, Rofm, Tim- V. her, Plank and Boards : As alfo Beef,' * — J Pork, Butter, Cheefe, Bread, Flower, Cy- der, Apples, Onyons, Corn, Horfes, live Cattle of all Kinds, and great Quantities of Cabinet Makers Goods, to our Rivals Trade. By thefe means the French not only conftantly fupplied their Fifhery in this Neighbourhood, but alfo had fuch a Surplusage, that from hence they Sup- plied their Weft Indian Iflands with thefe Articles. Nay the Englift many times fo glutted the Markets, that they were frequently obliged to fell at Cape Breton , at a Price under what the Goods had cod them at home: And in this Cafe their Advantage was to be made on their Smuggling Goods into our Colonies at their Return. For thefe People were chiefly paid in Brandy, Wine, Oyl, Sail- cloth. Cordage, Iron, Rum, Molaffes, Sugar, Coffee, Indigo .Drugs, Eaft India Goods! £? c. the Manufactures, Product, or Trade of Old and New France ; which they fold again clandeftinely among our own Colo- nies at their Return. This double Ad- vantage was fo great to the French , that : though u 1 20 The Importance and Advantage Chap, though the Traffics between the two Na- «S V. tions was feemingly prohibited ; yet they « n ot only winked at, but encouraged it ; as they have always done the Exportation of Wool from hence. Hereby is fully verified (by the Event) that Part of the « Memorial prefented by Mefs rs Raudot, wherein they alledge, That by thefe means we fhould draw a great deal of Money out * of thofe Colonies , even though the Entry of P * Vide p. 71. our Goods fkculd not be openly permitted 1 * It has been affirmed that our Clandeftine or Traders went fo far, as to Barter Warlike \ « Stores and Provifions , and even Veffels « and Ships of all Dimenfions, from 50 to j- aoo Tons, againft the Commodities abovementioned, which they had from the French', feveral of which Articles, viz. the meaneft of their Rum, Molaf- fes, and Sugar, the French would have found no other Vent for, had not our People thus taken them off their ^ Hands : they muff otherwife have been let out to ran down their Streets ; as has been (if I am rightly informed) fully pro- ved at the Bar of the Houfe of Commons. Now from this Practice, it is evident, that the French were fupplied with Pro- vifions, 1 2 1 O of CAPE BRETOH &c. vifions, &c. for carrying on their Fijhery , Chap. at a much cheaper, eafier, and more cer- V. tain Rate, than they otherwife could be : By which means, they were enabled to underfell us in that Commodity, where- ever they came. Th is Ifland was likewife the Place of Rendezvous for all the French Ships that palled to and from Old France ; and the Eajl as well as Weft Indies, the South Seas , or on any occalion eroding the Weftern Ocean. Their Ships in like manner, coming home from any of their Sugar Iflands, and being obliged to Hand to the North-weft, for the Benefit of the Gulph Stream and North Shore Winds, could venture to leave their Ports with little or no Provifions, being adured of finding Abundance at Cape Breton , thus clandes- tinely brought thither from our Colonies as above mentioned. CHAP. 122 The Importance and Advantage CHAP. VI. A Summary Relation of the Siege 0/Xewisburg : TVith a Jhort Ac- count of Mr. William Vaughan’r particular Behaviour in the Ex- pedition of Cape Breton. Chap. T HAD here defigned to have given VI. X the Publick the beft Accounts I could have picked up, of the Siege of Lewis- burg, and the taking the Ifland of Cape Breton : But, having met with the Pamph- let before quoted, containing a Journal of thofe Tranfaftions, I fhall not here trouble the Reader with a literal Repetition of what therein feems to be pretty exaftly done, and by Authority j but only give a Summary Account of the Whole, and add fome Circumftances, which, though not totally omitted, are there but lightly touch- ed upon. ffje Jhort time taken for putting the Enter - prize in exe cution . It is obfervable, from the before- mentioned Journal, that never was an - Enterprize of fo much Difficulty, Danger, and 123 c of CAPE BRETON, He. and Expence, carried on with fo great Chap. Zeal, Expedition, and Intrepidity. They VI. took but feven Weeks to execute this Im- ' portant Undertaking : And in eleven Days more the whole Armament was aflembled at Canfo , which is but 20 Leagues from the Fortrefs of Lewisburg. They would have loft no Time at Canfo , had not the Enemy’s Shores been covered with Ice, which made the ap- proaching them impracticable : And which Accident gave Time for their being joined Detained at by Commodore Warren's Squadron, which ( ffl° e happened on the 2 2d and 23d of Apnl -,,f Cape that is, eighteen or nineteen Days after the Breton - New England Fleet, &c. had arrived at Cattfo. During this Interval, the New England armed Sloops cruifed about Cape Breton , to prevent Intelligence or provi- fions being carried to the Enemy : And had the good Fortune to meet with, at- tack, and drive back to France , a French Man of War of thirty Guns, with three hundred Seamen, fifty Marines and pub- lick Difpatches on board. Had this Ship got into Lewisburg , fhe would have thrown a ftrong Reinforcement into the Garrifon. R a The u 1 24 The Importance and Advantage Chap. VI. The Difficulties which attended the C L an( ii n g Q f the Troops on a rough, rocky Shore, with a great Surf continually beat- Dlfficulties jng upon it, can fcarce be conceived by Underwent as are not conve rfant in Affairs of this Nature. And when the Hardlhips they were expofed to after landing, come to be confidered, the Behaviour of thefe Men will hardly gain credit. They went a-fhore wet ; had no C loath s to cover them ; were expofed in this Condition to cold, foggy Nights \ and yet chearfully under- went thefe Difficulties for the fake of exe- cuting a Project they had voluntaily under- taken. Notwithstanding thefe Difadvan- tages, great Numbers were employed as Scouts to fcour the Country, and prevent particularly Surprizes of any Sort. But the moft dif- Catnon^Sc. Tafk of all others, and what mofl through deep furprized the French Garrifon, was the MoraJJes. drawing the Cannon and Mortars for two Miles through deep Moraffes and Bogs, and over rough, craggy Rocks. Horfes, or Oxen, could not be employed here; nor Wheel-carriages of any Sort. The Bulinefs, of CAPE BRETON, &> c . Bufinefs, therefore, was all done by the C indefatigable and incredible Labour and Fatigue of thefe poor Men ; who, after the Sweats occalioned by their Day’s Work, were fcarcely protected from the Injuries of the cold, foggy Nights ; as they had but few Tents, and thofe very bad ones, to cover them. Thefe Fatigues threw the Men into Fluxes j of which, and other occafional Diforders, there were above one Thoufand five Hundred lick at a time $ by which means the Duty fell the harder on thofe that were well ; and thefe, with- out murmuring, nay, with Joy and Chear- fulnefs, betook themfelves to every labo- rious and hazardous Difcharge of their Duty. The Cannon and Mortars there- fore were hawled by Strength of Arms on Sledges over thefe Bogs, Moralfes, and rocky Hills : The Provifions and Ammu- nition, &c. were carried over them by the Men, on their Backs ; both which Me- thods were attended with fuch incredible Labour and Difficulty, that Men of lefs Refolution, or lels Experience in removing Weights, would fcarce have attempted the Thing j never have executed it. 12 5 hap. VI. V— — u 126 The Importance and Advantage Chap. It appears, by the Journal before- VI. mentioned, that the whole Number of '—■"■v"" " Troops engaged in this Expedition, did not exceed four Thoufand. Of thefe one Thoufand five Hundred were fick at one time : Many Parties were fent out as Scouts, to oppofe the Enemy aflembled in the Country : Numbers were neceffarily employed in erecting Batteries in Places very difficult of Accefs, particularly a Bat- tery near the Light-Boufe : Yet, notwith- ftanding all thefe Drains and weakening Reductions of the Troops, it was refolved to have made a general Attack, both by Sea and Land j and all neceflary Prepara- tions for executing this Refolution were made : When, on the 16th of June , the Enemy, finding the New England Troops determined to conquer, or die, and per- ceiving the many Advantages they had already gained, fent out a Flag of Truce, defiring Time to confider upon Articles of Capitulation. Time was granted till the next Morning, and Articles were a - greed, Hoftages exchanged, and on the 17th of June the City and Fortreffes were furrenderedj which was juft forty-eight Days 1 £ Da; j the j theii Lab the tha I wl j de m a6o as k 1 the then tec Sat abot fatit Iho tk hith of CAPE BRETON, &c. Days from the firft landing of Troops on Chap. :t It is fcarce to be credited, that in all t thefe difficult, hazardous, and defperate i Labours, Fatigues, Attacks, Skirmiffies, &c. i the New England Troops loft no more than about an hundred of their Men ; | whilft the Enemy, who fought a great deal more to Advantage, being frequently under Cover, all ways lefs expofed, loft j about three hundred Men. % The Journal printed at Exeter is exadt, 5; as to the Days and Times of every particu- lar Circumftance, during the Siege ; and ■’ (to give it the greater Weight) is figned by the General, one Brigadier, one Colonel, and two Lieutenant-Colonels 3 all which | c were prefent on this Occafion : The Truth „ therefore of the Relation cannot, I think, be called in queftion, as far as it goes. t But fome Particulars are (as I have faid f above ) omitted ; which, without dero- gating from any other Perfon’s Merit, may, I hope, be mentioned here, in Juftice to j- the Conduit and Behaviour of a Perfon hitherto unknown to, confequently not 4 the Ifland of Cape Breton. VI. taken O' 1 7he Importance and Advantage taken Notice of by the Publick : I mean Mr. William Vaughan, a Gentleman of Damarifcotta , in the Province of the Maj - fachufetsBay , New England ; with whom, I am perfuaded, neither the Governors, nor any other Perfon will difpute the Honour of having revived, at leaft, if not of being the original Mover and Projector of this grand and fuccefsful Enterprize. I think, I am not wrong in afferting, that this Gentleman was one of the firft Movers of it to William Shirley , Efq; Governor of the Chief Province of New England , viz. that of MaJJachufets. But, if he was not the original Mover of the Scheme, I can with great Alfurance affirm, that through his indefatigable Zeal and Labour in the Caufe, and by the Intelligence he gave the Government of New England , that the French were defencelefs at Cape Breton } that the People of New England were difpofed to undertake any thing for the Good and Honour of the Crown of Eng- land-, and by verifying thefe Aflertions, by Memorials and Teftimonials, figned by People of the greateft Rank and beft Re- pute in thofe Provinces : He, I fay, by thefe Means revived a Project, which the 4 General Gitii carry 129 of CAPE BRETON, &> c . General AjJ'embly had abfolutely rejected as C h a p. hazardous and impracticable : And, when VI. he had brought it through the Two Houfes v — ^ — ' there, omitted nothing that might in any Shape conduce to the providing of Men, Money, or any other Thing neceflary for carrying the Scheme into Execution. Mr. Vaughan was* the Man who conducted the firfl Column of the New England Troops, at their firft landing, through the Woods, to within a Mile of the City, and to a fair View of it. He would have perfuaded the Officers and Men to have marched up direCtly to a Place where they would have been cover- ed by a Rifing-gound, and not have been above two hundred Yards from the Town ; But whilft this Propofil was debating, the Enemy, perceiving the approach of our Troops, fet fire to about forty Houfes and Magazines ; which might not only have been faved, but have formed a Lodgement for our Men j for fomc time, at lead. This Gentleman was the Perfon who propofed to General Pepper cl the fending of J J 130 The Importance and Advantage Ch ap, of four hundred Men to the North-eaft VI. of the Harbour, to feize the Enemy’s ^ v u Houfes and Stores, at about a Mile’s di- stance from the Grand Battery. He not only propofed this Expedient, but offered himfelf to conduct that Party. ThePro- pofal was accepted, and the Bufinefs ef- fected according to the Scheme laid. Vide Journal, p. 12. May 2 d. This Gentleman was the Perfon that took Poffeffion of the Enemy’s Grand Bat- tery, deferted (as is fuppofed) by them, on the Surprize they were in at feeing the neighbouring Houfes and Stores fet on fire by the Troops. H e it was who headed that finall Party, which beat off feven large Boats full of Men, fent from the Town to retake that Battery. And he effected this brave, though dangerous Undertaking, notwith- standing that the Cannon of the Town, within point-blank- fhot, fired continually upon him and his Party, which confided only of eleven or twelve Men ; though in the Journal fifteen or fixteen are mentioned; but T Dot; who nor perl anc Ca ce f met anfv atte of fip 4c S Mild mud land lith tffiv of CAPE BRETON, but he had left four Men in the Battery. C Fide Journal ibidem , May 3 d. H VI This Gentleman was aflifting in every Duty of Fatigue, or Honour, during the whole Siege. And that he might be the more at liberty to animate the Men by his perfonal Appearance, and manual Affift- ance and Encouragement, wherever the Caufe might require it, he refufed to ac- cept of any Military Honours or Prefer- ment which was offered him ; and only anfwered. That if the Undertaking was attended with Succefs, he did not doubt of being honourably confidered. That Mr. V iughan therefore firft fet the ' Expedition on foot ; nay, that he revived " it> when abfolutely reje<5ted by the General s Affembly : That he behaved with all the Gallantry and Bravery, as well as Zeal for 1? the Service, whilft it was going on, that I could be expeded from a Perfon in a 8 much, higher Rank ; are Fads, which jj Hand in need of no Proof, at leaf!, not t with me, who have feen the original Let- si ters written to him, and the Certificates S 2 given 132 *The Importance and Advantage C ii a p. given him by the Governors, General, VI. and others, concerned in this Expedition. Mr. Vaughan has too much Modefty to give them to the Publick ; but many of his Friends, befides myfelf, have feen them. And as he does not doubt of a Reward equal to his Merits and Services on this Occafion, he chufes rather that Pleafure and Satisfa&ion, which arife from a fecret Confcioufnefs of having done his Duty, than to feem to court publick Ap- plaufe. And it was with the greated Difficulty he was prevailed on, to fuffer thus much of the Truth to appear in his Favour. I have already told the Reader, that I had prepared the beft Journal I could pick up, of all the mod material Tranf- adtions which paffed during this memo- rable Siege : But, having feen the Journal printed at Exeter, I found myfelf obliged to expunge what I had colledled on that Subjedt ; which might have been, on many Occafions, more circumftantial, and, in the main, pretty exadt ; but would have wanted the Advantage of being fub- x fcribed of CAPE BRETON, &c. fcribed by the General, and other Officers Chap. prefent on the Occalion. This Accident VI. is the Caufe of a kind of Chafm in this Narrative j which the Publick will, I dare fay, rather bear with Pleafure, than be troubled with a Repetition of what appears fo well juftified. I shall now proceed, in the laft Place, to give fome Account of New England, in Regard to its Power and Strength ; which, probably, many People here have miftaken Notions of. CHAP. O' 1 34 The Importance and Advantage CHAP. VII. A True State of New England, in regard to its Power and Richesy as well as AffeElion to the prefent happy Eftablifhment in Church and State. recount all the Advantages, which the Pofieffion of Cape Breton may bring ( in procefs of time, and with due Encouragement ) to the Crown of Great Britain , would require more Space than the Nature of this Nar- rative would admit of. But it appears have In- fr° m feveral Judicious Tracts lately pub- croached upon lifhed, that the French have for feveral cur Trade. Years paft not only enlarged their Trade, and outdone us in every Branch of it ; but have alfo incroached upon Our’s, either through Skill, Application, or Manage- ment. It is therefore high time that we ferioufly enquire into what are the real Caufes of CAPE BRETON, & c . 135 Caufes of the Decay of Trade on our C h a p. Side ; and what has contributed fo much VII. to the vaft Increafe of their’ s. v ~ mm J A late Pamphlet entitled, The Pre>- fent State of the Britifo and French ‘Trade to Africa and America confidered ; And a Letter printed in the Tradefman ’ s Journal ; have compared the Condition of the two Nations in regard to Trade ; and have fct that Matter in a ftrong and important Light. After what has been laid there ; it can never, furely, be a Matter of In- difference to the Nation in general, or the Legiflature in particular, whether the French or We are to thrive or be undone. And I take it to be a Matter of no lefs Concern, to have our Eyes open at this Critical Juncture. W e have it now in our Power not only to prevent the Abufe they have made of Priviledges formerly granted them : but even to reftrain at lead:, if not entirely cut off fome of the mod: valuable Branches of their Trade. It is but very lately 136 The Importance and Advantage Chap, lately that this Nation in general is con- VII. vinced, that the French had any Trade plAfPr ~ worth mentioning : And, in this RefpeCt, with France the War has been the luckieft Incident a ,uc b IncI ~ that could have befallen us, to undeceive the mod quick lighted amongft us. Had not fo many of their bhips been taken with rich Cargoes ; and fome of them laden with Manufactures which we never fufpeCted them capable of; We fhould probably have continued our Courfe in a thick Cloud of Inattention and Security ; ’till we had run upon the Rocks, without perceiving our Danger. We may now perhaps ; it is pretty evident we ought to enquire into the Mealures and Means whereby they have brought Traffick of all kinds from a very languifhing, to a moll flourilhing Condition. It is no Re- proach to learn, even from our Enemies, whatever may conduce to our Safety, or Aggrandizement. Nay, our Trade will be abfolutely loll, and, with it, all our Power and Weight, if we do not fpeedi- ly fet about the Work. The Pofleffion of Cape Breton furnilhes us with the moll Natural ; with the only Means of effectu- ally depreliing the French in their Com- merce. of CAPE BRETON, &> c . 137 merce. And, if we add to this tnoft for- Chap. tunate Circumftance, our Endeavours and- VII. Refolutions to encourage in all Shapes our J own Colonies, their Product, our Manu- factures, and Induftry of every kind, to the utmoff of our Power j it may not yet be too late, to recover what we had al- moll imperceptibly loft. The French , the more effectually to ^ french extend and carry on their Trade, ereCted erea a Ccun- a Council of Commerce in the Year ijoo, ctla f Cim ~ confifting of fome of the Principal Offi- m ' rce - cers of State } and twelve of the Princi- pal Merchants, or Perfons who have been a long time engaged in Bufinefs. Two of thefe were of Paris ; the other Ten deputed by the Chief Trading Towns of France. How far fuch an Eftablifhment may be expedient, or even practicable under our Form of Government, I will not take upon me to determine. But if this cannot be done, furely fomething elfe may, to fecure us againft the Arts, Skill, Application, and Induftry of our afpiring Neighbours. Let any One, who has the lead; Concern for the Welfare of his Country, but run over the above mention- T ed u r 3 8 Hhe Importance and Advantage Chap, ed Pamphlet ; and I am much miftaken VII. if he is not fufficiently alarmed, at feeing _1 how near the Brink of the Precipice we were arrived. In the Courfe of about thirty five Years the French have convert- ed the the Ifland of Cape Breton from a Pefart into a fruitful, comfortable Settle- ment. Within the Bounds of the late French Governor’s Commiffion were, be- fides the Bland of Cape Breton , feveral French bn - others in the Gulph of St. Laurence. On prervements •f t h e Bland of Cape Breton, they had twelve Settlements, viz. Four on the South Side, * and Eight on the Eaft. They have built many Fifh Rooms and Stages for the Ufe of the Fifhery ; and feveral Houfes and Barns, &c. They laid out incredible Sums on theie Improvements ; and the Fortifi- cations of Lewijburg have exceeded all Imagination in Expence, fince that Bland has been in the Pofleflion of tire French, The immtnfe f have been told, and from good Autho- ^ttlbem^ rit y> thofe two Articles, in the Courfe of thirty five Years, cannot have coft them far fhort of three Millions Sterling. But this I do not take upon me to vouch; only would from hence draw this Infe- rence, viz. that the French thought it well □ ef CAPE BRETON, &>c. 139 well worth their while to beftow im- Chap* menfe Sums upon the Improvement and VII. Security of thefe Iflands, merely on count of their Trade. It muft therefore be well worth our while to preferve fo valuable an Acquifition, which has not coft us the 1 50th part of the Money ; and has every thing done at it, which may fa- cilitate its Prefervation : An Acquifition, which at the fame time, that it curbs and annoys their Trade, contributes fo vaftly to the Encreafe and Security of Our Own: An Acquifition which in the Opinion of a very good Judge, exceeds every thing that was ever gained to, or by, the Crown of England for many Generations. The Situation of Cape Breton in ge- neral, and of Lewi fur g in particular, is fuch, as makes it the moft commodious Place that could be found for the Secu- rity of Trade from the Wejl Indies , and North America. The Dillance from Dijiances of thence to Newfoundland is but one Day’s C f ^^ f Sail. To the Streights of Bellife , on th e the Englijb North of Newfoundland , about four Days Colonies , (*. Sail : From thence, to Hudfon's Streights , about Six Days Sail. From Lewijhurg T 2 to 1 40 Tie Importance and Advantage Chap, to Canfo, half a Day’s Sail. To the back VIJ. Side of Nova S,cotia through the Gut of ' Canfo to Cape Vert, two Days Sail. To Bojlon in New England, and to Annapolis Royal in Neva Scotia, four Days Sail. To Bermudas ( near which Illand, all the Trade from the Wejl Indies returns to Eu- rope ) about feven Days Sail. And from Lewijburg to Quebec, the Capital of the French Settlements on the River St. Lau- rence, it is about feven Days Sail. And by reafon of the Gulph Stream fetting to the North-eaft, every Ship from the Sugar Ifiands, and all other Parts of the Weft Indies, are neceflarily obliged to approach very near this Illand, in their Return to Europe, This Illand is therefore a kind of Center-point to all the reft, as well Eng- lijh as French Settlements. And as it is a Place of Strength, and lies amidft the filhing Countries ; as it may be a Mart or Staple for all Commodities palling be- tween England and its Colonies in Ame- rica ; laftly as it lies moft conveniently for protecting all our Trade, and annoy- ing that of the Enemy ; no Care or Ex- pence C 1 of CAPE BRETON, &>c. 141 pence can be thought too great for the C h a p . 1 Prefervation of it ; nor any Equivalent VII. fufficient for the Lofs of it. '■ — “ v J It feems to be a prevailing Notion among many of different Ranks in Great Britain , that the Province of New Eng- land is in a very flourifhing Condition j and that it might by Encouragement, be- come fo powerful, as to excite fome Jea- loufies at leaf!:, if not Apprehenfions of its affuming, one Day or other, an Inde- pendency very prejudicial to thefe Realms. But when the true State of that Cafe General Slate comes to be duly weighed and confidered, it will be found that it is neither in their Inclination, nor in their Power to fhake off their Subjection, and Obedience to tpe Crown of Great Britain. It is not apreeable to their Inclination, as Proteftants, and Subjects more zealoufly affeCted to their National Church, as well as to the prefent Royal Family, than perhaps any others under His Majefly’s moft Gracious and Mild Government. It is not in their Power ; for whatever Pretence there may be for a contrary Opinion, they are cer- tainly not in a Condition to raife Rebel- lions, 142 The Importance and Advantage Chap, lions, and fupport an Independency ; as VII. will fufficiently be demonftrated m ' V the Sequel of this Fadt But if they aftually were, who muft they give them- felves to? They could not long fubfift, without the Protection of fome Power more potent than themfelves. That Pow- er muft be a neighbouring one, or he could not fupport and protect them : That Neighbour muft be the French j for they have none other. And can it be fuppo- fed that a People fo utterly detefting Po- pery, Slavery and Arbitrary Power, would fubjedt themfelves to a Government, un- der which they can expeft, and are fen- fible, would find nothing but the Lofs of their Religion, Liberty, and Property? It may perhaps be faid, that the French are more attentive to the general Profpe- rity of their Colonies, than the Englijb are j and this may prove an Inducement. But whoever fays it, reproaches us moft feverely for our Want of Attention, and Regard to fo material a Branch of our Wealth and Power. This Aflertion ought to excite in us a fteady and firm Refo- lution to encourage and promote the Wel- fare of thefe American Colonies , to the utmoft of CAPE BRETON, &>c. 143 utmoft of our Power ; not only becaufe Chap. our Neighbours and Rivals do it, but be- VH- caufe it is abfolutely neceflary for the Sup- port of our Commerce, and to enable us once more to equal at leaft, if not to furpafs thole, who are diligent and ex- pert in all the Arts of undermining and excelling us. But really, and in FaCt, the People of New England are far from being in a Condition to affeCt an Independency. They have impoverished themfelves to a great Degree, in the Support of theic Liberties and Poffeffions againft the com- mon Enemy j and have chearfully enga- ged in every Scheme or Expedition for en- larging the Power and Dominion of the Crown of Great Britain ; but have never once made the leaft Attempt towards throwing off their Subjection to it. To fet this Matter in a clearer Light, we Shall take it a good deal higher than the pre- fent times, and Shew that the People of New England have been almoft con- stantly expoled to great Difficulties, and put to continual large Expences in th? Defence of their Country, and m the Af- fiftance ( 144 The Importance and Advantage Chap, fiftance they have given the Crown of' \ II. Great Britain., whenever the Circumftan- ' ces of the Times required their Con- currence. Fiji Settle- The firft Settlement that took Place ?nent in New in New England was begun at New Ply- England. muth j n j62o. And ( as it is eafy to imagine) they underwent great Hard- fhips and Difficulties, before they could bring their Affairs into a tolerable Condi- tion. They fuftained many Wars with the Savages , and loft a great Number of their People, in endeavouring to fix them- felves in a convenient and comfortable manner. But in 1675. an Indian King of great Credit among!! the Savages ; and no lefs famed for his Cruelty and Subtle- ty, than for his Courage and Condud, drew all the Neighbouring Nations into an Alliance with him ; built a ftrong Fortrefs ; and determined a War again!! the Englijhi who had now been about fifty Years in Poffeffion of that Part of thefirJlSet- the Country. This naturally gave the A- lers there and\2xm to the New Settlers, who thereupon the Indians. mu fl. erec j a p tlieif Strength, and feleding a Body of their braveft Men, refolved to j prevent m lit Ct ®! tai fa is; K li A si!. a; St! 'd ns: I f is! Part tbt rttE it* o of CAPE BRETON, 145 prevent this powerful Enemy. They Chap. marched accordingly through deep Snows* VII. exceffive Cold, and numberlels Difficulties to the Indian's Fortrefs ; attacked him there with great Bravery, and had the good Fortune to deftroy the King him- felf, and many of his People, though Numbers of them efcaped. This could not be done, without a very confiderable lofs on the Side of the Affailants j but they comforted themfelves with the plea- ling Profpetff of Liberty and Eafe for the future. They were however deceived : For fuch as had efcaped, foon fpread themfelves through the different Tribes of the Savages bordering upon their Settle- ments, and with the Affiftance of the Jefu- its, privately entered into a general Confe- deracy to wage War againft the Engli/h. This War in 1676. broke out at an Second JVar r appointed time, in different Places : And'- 3 ’*’ - they carried Murder and Deftrudtion along with them wherever they went. Multitudes of the Englifl, \ as well as their Plantations, Settlements, and Stocks of Cattle were, on this Occafion, utter- ly deftroyed. None efcaped but fuch as had the good Fortune to be near the Sea, U and 1 46 "The Importance and Advantage Chap, and by that means, fled to New York , VII. New Jerfey , Penfilvania , Maryland , Vtr- u — ’ £/«/*, Carolina , and the Swgar Jjlands: In which different Places there are thou- fands of the Pofterity of thefe ruined Fa- milies, at this Day. From that time, to the prefent, the hardy brave Remains of this People have been ftruggling under Difficulties ; oppo- fing the French in Canada , and Nova Scotia ; fuftaining Wars with the Sava- ges, who are now entirely in the French Interefts ; and endeavouring to put their Country into the fame good Pofture and Condition it was in near feventy Years ago. They had no fooner begun to think themfelves in quiet Pofleflion of their Settlements ; but a frefh Irruption of French or Savages , or both together, poured in upon them, and in a few Days deftroyed the Fruits of feveral Years Labour. New Eng- Thus have thefe People been un- land main- ^ er & CO nftant Courfe of Calamities and tains many Garrifom for Devaluation ; and thereby put to great and the Defence e/inceffant Expence in guarding a Frontier Us Frontiers. . r 0 ° c of CAPE BRETON, &>c. 147 of near two hundred Miles Extent, be- Chap. fides being obliged to defend their Coafts VII. in time of War. They are under a Ne- ceffity therefore of keeping many Garri- fons of Soldiers all along their Frontiers : And the fingle Province of the Majfa- chufet's Bay now actually maintains feven of thefe Capital Garrifons. They are alfo obliged to keep Parties or fmall Armies on Foot, as Scouts in time of War, or when Danger is apprehended. This Pro- vince is alfo at a large Expence in fup- porting a Number of Men, to guard and •protedt thole employed in the Maft-Trade for the Service of the Crown. They are like wife forced to maintain a Number of armed Velfels to defend their Coafts and protedl the Intercourfe ( by Sea ) between them and their Neighbours. Besides all thefe Difficulties at home, they have been engaged in many very expenfive and hazardous Expeditions, for the Honour and Advantage of the Crown of Great Britain. The Expedition to Canada, in 1690, The Ntcejfuy though a fruitlefs one, proved fo expen- U 2 five o' 148 The Importance and Advantage Chap, five to the People of New England, that VII, they were then obliged to iflue Paper Bills, in lieu of Money, on the Faith of the Government for Payment of the fame. This firft introduced that fatal Practice; and by perfiifing in that Method upon any great Emergency ever fince, they are in a fair Way of being utterly ruined, un- lefs timely fupported by the Government of England. 7 he fever al These People carried on two Expe-. Expeditions djtions at their own Expence, againft the in Nova Scotia, before it was con- by General Nicholfon : In one of they conquered the Country. In the Reign of ifucen Anne, they again joined her Armaments againft Canada-, but as the Fleet did not leave England f till the 8th of May, nor arrive in the River of St. Laurence till the 23d of Augujl j through thefe and other Pieces of Mismanagement, eight of the Ships were loft in the Gulph of St. Laurence , and the whole Expedition failed. The People of New England alfo joined General Nicholfon in the Reduction of Nova Sc&tici. And depending upon 4 that trench People of NcwEngland quered which of CAPE BRETON, &>c. that Country’s being guarded and defend- C ed by the Queen’s Troops, they were in hopes that their Colony would be eafed of the Burden of furnifhing Garrifons for the Defence of New England, on that Side, at leaft. But, inftead of that, the only Garrifon in Nova Scotia , is at Annapolis Royal ; and that fcarce able to defend it- felf, much lefs in any Condition to lend Affiftance to its Neighbours. B y thefe Means therefore, and for want of an Opportunity of redeeming their Credit, fo often, and fo deeply en- gaged by the frequent iffuing of this Paper Money , they became largely in- debted to the Publick. Yet, notwith- ftanding all that has been faid, when a Scheme was fet on foot for the Reduction of Cape Breton , they, with their ufual Chearfulnefs and Alacrity for promoting the Honour and Interefts of the Crown, immediately entered into the Scheme j and, in order to put it in Practice, had Recourfe to their old Method of iffuing an additional Number of Bills, without which the Projedt had been altogether impracticable. The Expence, indeed, of this I c;o The Importance and Advantage Chap, this Expedition was far beyond what this VII. and the adjoining Provinces were able to 'bear, without being utterly ruined, even in cafe of Succefs. But they confidently relied on His Majefty and the Englijh Nation for a Reimburfement ; and they will, no doubt, be amply indemnified for all their Expences, Fatigues, and Dangers. Thefe Bills are now, as I am told, fo much depredated in Value, that they The great bear a Difcount or Lofs of 200 per Cent. fhfpTpef and, unlefs the Government of England \ 1 Money finds fome Expedient for redeeming, or calling them in, thefe Provinces muft be entirely ruined for their Zeal ; and all Commerce between them and Great Britain will ceafe of courfe. They formerly lent all their Gold and Silver to England for fuch Goods as they wanted from thence j and made ufe of the above-mentioned Paper-Credit, for all Bufinefs and Tranfa&ions amongft them- felves. But now, that the Currency is quite exhaufted, and there is no real Money left amongft them, they cannot any longer pay for fuch Goods as they want j but, inftead of taking them from England^ p Hi h dt Du i Mil fill h mi i si it J Isas; eili iltk •0C| HO! car as i* nit D of CAPE BRETON, i 5l England , muft be driven to the Neceffity Chap. of making themfelves Cloaths of Skins, VII. and fuch Things as their Country affords ; *" — ' — ~ J which muft occafion a great Decreafe in ^ he Nece lF u J the Demand and Confumption of our tiftthPil- Woollen and other Manufactures. How pit for their far this Nation will find its Account in this Ex ? ences ' Alteration of Affairs, let others determine : But if no other Confideration were of Weight fufficient to plead for them, furely that of their having on all Occafions affift- ed us with their Perfons and Money; their having on this particular Occafion ftruck fo noble a Stroke for the Advantage of thefe Realms ; and their having involved them- felves in fo many and great Difficulties for our fakes, are fufficient Inducements for protecting, rewarding and faving fo gene- rous, fo faithful, and fo brave a People. I t is eafy to forefee, that if the Inhabi- tants have not Money to purchafe the Goods they want, in a cold Climate, the Merchant will not let them have his Goods for nothing, or for Paper, which is worth nothing. How are they then to be cloathed ? Why, they will naturally run into the Manufacturing of Linnen, and u 152 *Ihe Importance and Advantage Chap. 2-nd what Wool they have ; and fo cover VII. themfelves with thefe, with Leather and ' Furs, indead of taking off our Woollen Goods. I f the Englifh Nation fhould judge it proper (and it is not doubted but it will) to pay off the Expence of this Expedition in Money, this will introduce a Currency amongft them, which will make the call- ing in and burning of their Bills, or a great Number of them, practicable. Then, for the future, let it be enadted, or other- wife provided, that all the Englijh Colo- nies or Settlements in North America do bear a proportionable Expence of all Ex- peditions in Favour of the Crown; and that the whole Burden be not left, as it has been, upon that of New England , to its utter Ruin and Definition. A Method i AM told, that in Mr. AJhlef s Treatife *£Nn on Trade, there is an infallible Method their Paper for reftoring the Currency of Money into Money. £ n gl an d ; but I have not that Book by me ; and, if I had, it would be too troublefome to the Reader to infert it here. I refer him therefore to it ; and dull only add, that if fome Expedient be not I u of CAPE BRETON, &> c . not thought of, and fpeedily put in Exe- C h a cution, this Province cannot long fubfift ; VII and that the Difad vantage to Trade in general, as well as the Difcouragement to all Undertakings of this Nature in particu- lar, will be fo great, that it is no great Prefumption to affert the Lofs in both Cafes to be abfolutely irretrievable. The Cafe therefore is widely different from the Notion which has in fome Places prevailed : And New England is not, and I am forry it is not, the powerful, flourifh- ing Colony it has been reprefented to be ; but on the contrary, the Country is very poor, largely in debt, has no Currency or real Value in it, and, unlefs fpeedily re- lieved from hence, has no future Profpedt, but that of utter and irrecoverable Ruin. I t is not difpofed to throw off its De- pendency on the Crown of England ; but may, with Juftice, vie with England itfelf for Demonftrations of Loyalty, Zeal, and Affedtion to His prefent Majefty, the Pro- teftant Caufe, and Englijh Liberty. This Narrative (which is already much longer than I intended it fhould be) would X have u 154 'The Importance and Advantage Chap, have ended here, if a Letter from a Gen- VII. tleman in New England to his Friend in u — London , had not been juft now put into my Hands. It contains fome Arguments, and a Method of Reafoning, which I confefs I dare not make myfelf a Judge of; but, at the Requeft of fome Friends, have inferted fuch Parts of it, as in general relate to my Subject. Letter from I t were to be wifhed, that a Civil f Gentleman tt government was eftablifhed at Cape Bre- m ew m- « ^ anc [ t } ie Ifland irrevocably annexed « to the Crown of Great Britain , as well “ as Canfo Well fortified. They would thus become not only a Nurfery for m C ° V\ n SCALE of 20 Leagues at 2853 Fail 101 ns to a League . J 10 1 5 6s\ 62 61 Arl 47 l 46 <20 Stale, f C4i fr 10 P North Amfjuca oj / nr 04 rr/o/rj fo //o Tnglifli Settlements , ftrAe// -/font ///' Sieur IBE LLIN 555*3 ■ 74^ iMChiefat wm ue<* A> al fivm lAi .Jf&i m*i