1380 The French in Prince Edward Island 
     
    
   
   
    
     ale and French activities in Acadia; that, finally, Ile 
     
     Royale would be deprived of assistance from Acadia, 
     
     an inconvenience already felt since the English had 
     
     forbidden the Acadians to furnish cattle, corn, or 
     
     other provisions and had taken strong measures to 
     
     prevent it. The writer continues that since the Eng- 
     
     lish are within their rights they cannot be opposed 
     
     openly but such indirect means must be adopted as 
     
     will not compromise the French. The sole apparent 
     
     means seems to be to make the savages of Acadia 
     
     and its environs feel how important it is to prevent 
     
     the English from fortifying themselves and to en- 
     
     gage them to oppose this openly, and to incite the 
     
     Acadians to support the savages as much as they can 
     
     without exposing themselves. The missionaries have 
     
     orders and are disposed to conduct themselves to this 
     
     end. But it is to be feared that, in spite of their 
     
     preference for the French, the savages may be won 
     
     over by liberal presents to the English side or sup- 
     
     pressed by superior force. Perhaps the English may 
     
     even expel the missionaries to the prejudice of the 
     
     articles of the Treaty of Utrecht, although they have 
     
     hitherto observed these articles. 
     
    

    
     However, the surest plan is to put Canada and Ile 
     
     Royale in a state of defence at once, and to establish 
     
     solidly Isle Saint Jean, which can be a great source 
     
     of supply for Ile Royale in peace or in war. Orders 
     
     have been given to attract as many Acadians there 
     
     as possible while they are disgusted and discontented 
     
     with English activities in Acadia. But, in the mean- 
     
     time, the forces in all the colonies must be increased,