SIR, * Governor Philipps to Secretary Craggs. (Govrs Letter Book.) ANNAPOLIS ROYAL, May 26th, 1720. * * The third day after my arrival here I was visited by the Priest of this district of Annapolis at the head of one hundred & fifty lusty young men (as if he meant to appear formidable) whom I received as civilly as possible, and after giveing them assurance of his Majesty's favour & protection, caused the Priest to read to them, one of the Proclamations I had prepared according to my Instructions, and will (I hope) be found exactly conformable thereto, Copy of which I have the Honour to enclose No. 1. I asked him afterwards if he did not allow that his Majesty's Condescention therein expressed did not exceed even the People's expectation: he answered that his Majesty was very gracious, bnt that the people were not at liberty to swear Allegiance because that in General Nicholson's time they had sett their hands unanimously to an Obligation of continuing Subjects of France & retireing to Cape Breton, and for another reason, they were sure of haveing their throats cut by the Indians whenever they became Englishmen, he was answered to both very fully, & the true Interest of the People demonstrated; but arguments prevaile little without a power of inforcing: for the case is thus, they find themselves for several yeares the only Inhabitants of a large Country, except the small Garrison of this place, which haveing been so much neglected they make no acco:t of, and began to think they had as much right here as any other: They were indeed very much surprised at the arrival of a Chiefe Gov'r which they never expected, often saying that person was not borne, and therefore are getting out of his way as fast as they can, as you will find by the sequel, that so being once joined in a body, with the help of the Indians to favour their Retreat, they can march off at their leisure, by the way of the Bay of Verte with their effects, and distroy what they leave behind without danger of being molested by this Garrison which scarce suffices, to secure the Fort in its present Condition. To return to my Journal, the next day I sent a Proclamation up the river, with a letter to the Priest to require him to assemble all his people, and to read it to them againe, and when they had considered well of it to send me their answer, which he did much sooner thau I expected (being I suppose 32 determined beforehand) with a letter from himself. Coppys While these matters past, I made choice of the King's Council whose names, and qualifications I here transmit to law, by takeing and subscribeing the Oaths required, & my marked No 3 & and after duly quallifying ourselves according Commission read, I acquainted them with what passed in relation to the french Inhabit'ts of this river, and that they expected my reply to their Paper, upon which it was agreed that a letter be wrote to order them to send six Deputies to represent the whole, with whom I would confer, which letter was accordingly wrote, a Copy whereof is inclosed marked No 4. I also acquainted the Council that I intended the next day to send some of the Proclamations to the chief settlements at Minas & Chignecto with a letter to each which had their approbation, the Copys thereof are likewise enclosed No 5. I had at this time Information that the Priest of the river absented himself. The same night he sent me his letter, but supposeing him not far off, I wrote to him very civilly as per copy marked No 6. I am told since he is gone to Minas to consult with his brethren there (of mischief no doubt) be gathered from his letter. of all which goe inclosed marked No. 2. * * * as may * Tho' I had reason to expect nothing less from this proce dure than a thankful complyance, with what was demanded for their own good, instead thereof they took the occasion of shewing their Contempt of his Majesties Goverment, by refusing to alter their first choice, and sent me their Letter to that purpose as pr Copy marked No 8-however I granted their request to send two persons to Cape Breton for advice in the measures they should take, being glad to make use of that opp'o of writeing to the Governor on that head, a Copy of which letter goes enclosed marked No 9. Dureing these Transactions they have been on all sides practiseing with the Indians who are intirely in their Interest. to get them to play their part, and to assert their native right to this country, in opposition to that of his Majesty, for which end, I am told they are assembling. The Chief of this River Indians, who are but few and inconsiderable, among the rest has been with me accompanyed with half a score of others, and desir'd me to resolve him, if the french were to leave this Country, whether the Two Crowns were in alliance, whether I intended to debar them of their religion or disturb them in their traffick; to all which Queryes I answer'd to * See page 23. satisfaction, and sent them away in good humour, promissing they would be very peaceable while the Union lasted between the Two Crownes. I must observe here, that I have hitherto deferr'd sending for the Chiefs of the other Indians, expecting every day the arrival of the presents I applyed for, and were prepareing to be sent before I came from home, & can never be more serviceable, than at this juncture; in the meantime have signifyed my Intentions to them. This morning I had intelligence that the Inhabitants of this river are hard at worke in opening a communication thro' the Woods to Minas, which was formerly a road (in order to retire thither with their Cattle & Effects (as I have the Honour to hint before) & had sent to Minas that those People might do the same on their side, upon wch. with the advice of the Council I dispatched an Order to both places to stop them as per copy marked No. 10. At this time arrived the Deputyes from Minas & delivered one letter from their body with another from one of the King's Council, by whome I had sent up the Proclamations & was directed to make his best Observations of their behaviour & designs copys of both are marked No 11 & 12, which being read before the Council, the whole proceedings were then taken into consideration. It was agreed that whereas my Instructions direct me with the effect of the Proclamation & that I have neither order, or sufficient power to drive these people out, nor prevent their doeing what damage they please to their houses and possessions, and likewise for the sake of gaineing time and keeping all things quiet till I shall have the Honour of your farther comands in whate manner to act, That it is most for his Majesty's service to send home the Deputys with smooth words, and promise of enlargement of time whilst I transmit their case home and receive his Majesty's farther directions therein. Thus Sir stands the present posture of affaires here, in the course of which I hope my conducte may have the Honour of your approbation at least so far as I have not erred from my Instructions except in enlargeing the time of evacuation, which was by advice of the King's Council. I account it a misfortune that the beginning of my Goverment has afforded matter of Trouble & difficulty. It is a hard and uneasy task in my circumstances to manage a People that will neither believe nor hearken to reason (unless it comes out of the mouths of their Priests) and at the same time to keep up the Honour & dignity of Govert. If they are permitted 1 to remaine upon the footing they propose, it is very probable they will be obedient to Goverment, as long as the Two Crownes continue in alliance, but in case of a rupture will be so many enemyes in our bosom, and I cannot see any hopes or likelyhood of makeing them English, unless it were possible to procure these Priests to be recalled (who are tooth and nayle against the regent, not sticking to say openly, that Tis his day now, but will be theirs anon) and haveing others sent in their stead, which (if anything) may contribute in a little time to make some change in their sentiment and give them oppo. of opening their Eyes, which hitherto are shut even to their own Interest. Like care must be taken to prevent the Governor of Cape Bretons carrying on his secret correspondance with them and our Indians, to whome he yearly makes presents, to secure them in the french Interest. As to the Indians all the mischief they are capable of acting, is to be expected from them, whenever the Inhabitants are obliged to retire, many of whome will joyne them in disguise to disturb us in the building any fortifications for the security of the Country, and as they are not a people, that can be mett with in open Field, I can advise no other Expediet. than that the Govermt. be at the charge of takeing Two hundred of the Mohock Indians from New Yorke side into the Service, which will be no great Expence, who being a Terror to these, & alwayes faithfull to the English, will in my humble opinion be of very good consequence toward the settling this Country, but all this I submit to your better judgment. You will please to observe that the Lands at Minas which afford great quantitys of wheat yearly, and the best farms as yet in the Country, are lyable to be all drown'd by cutting a dyke, which the Inhabitants at goeing off will not want ill nature to do. It would be great pity those Farms should want Inhabitants, when vacated by the ffrench & great inconveniency to. the Garrison, which they supply with plenty of fresh provisions. I have sent a paper to Newfoundland to be comunicated to the People there, to acquaint them, with his Majesty's desire for their removing to this Country by a Sloop I sent express with some Provisions for the Garrison of Placentia, being accidentally informed that no Store Ship was arriv'd there in the Fall, and that they were in Apprehension of want, & made use of the same opp.o for drawing one Comp.a from thence as a small reinforcement to this place which I hope will meet with approbacon. Whilst I am writeing, the Deputys from the Inhabitants of this river, who had disobeyed Command, in the Choice of their representatives, & were cutting the Communication to Minas, are come with a Submission sign'd by the body, Copy whereof is inclosed markt No 13, so that I am not out of hopes by maintaining the authority of Goverment amongst them to bring them to obedience: they say they will Oblige themselves to be good subjects in every respect excepting that of takeing up arms against the King of France: And I would humbly propose that if an Oath were formed for them to take whereby they should oblige themselves to take up arms against the Indians if required, to live quietly & peaceably in their houses, not to harbour, or give any maner.of assistance to any of the King's Enemys, to acknowledge his Majesty's rights to these countrys, to pay obedience to his Goverment, and to hold their lands of the King by a new Tenure, instead of holding them (as at present) from Lords of Mannors who are now at Cape Breton where at this day they pay their rent, how farr this may be thought sufficient to bind them. * * * I am Sir your most obedient and humble servant To the Rt Honble. James Craggs Esq one of his Majesty's Principal Secretary's of State SIB, R. PHILIPPS. Governor Philipps to Secretary Craggs. Since the last I had the honour to write you matters continue here in the same scituation in regard to the french Inhabitants, who seem yet undetermined which party to chuse, tho if left to themselves, would certainly imbrace that of injoying their possessions, by becoming subjects to Great Britagne but the neighboring french Governors finding that these people will no longer be serviceable to their Interest after swearing allegiance, and judging (too well) of the consequence of wanting such a number of hands to strengthen, & improve their Colonys, are makeing use of all stratagems to draw them to their party, to this end the Priests are all assembled at Minas to be near Cape Breton, where their great Council is held, between which places they are continually passing and repassing from whence they disperse false pacquetts, and |