In the Hands of the English 113

As we find it impossible to transport the inhabitants of the Island of St. Johns this fall to France, which is a part of this Government, and therefore within the meaning of the capitulation, we have made a treaty with them to be neuter, and to remain there during our pleas- ure, but I hope they will be sent away next spring, as we see the ill consequences in Nova Scotia, that attend keeping any of them in our territorys, and indeed it would be a good thing if those now at Annapolis cou’d be remov’d, and this I have mention’d to the Admiralty, and I believe Mr. Shirley does so now to your Grace.” *

Apart from the desire to monopolize the fisheries and the fur trade of Acadia, the English were con- vineed that the presence of the French settlers in Acadia was a constant inducement to the French of Canada to attempt the recovery of the conquered territory, and that “the French inhabitants imagine they are to stand neuter no longer than while the English flagg flyes in the fortification, and that upon the hoisting of a French one, they are at liberty to declare for the French King.”

In the postscript of a letter to the Duke of New-

castle, from Louisburg, November 23, 1745, Warren SAYS:

Since finishing the above letter, I receiv’d the follow- ing intelligence that I think may be rely’d on. That a sloop which carried the officer and twenty soldiers that

2 Archives Report, 1905, Vol. II, App. C, p- 39. 8 Shirley wrote on November 21, advising against removing the Acadians but in the following July (8th) he suggested settling

2000 New England men in Chignecto and sending the French of that region to New England.