Rebirth of the French Colony 139

from Canada, were taken as prizes by the English and although they became the subject of ambassa- dorial correspondence there is no evidence that they were ever returned. Consequently the French also sent armed ships into the Gulf to protect the migra- tions and to attempt reprisals.

As a result of the migration to date Bonnaventure had to provide for 1000 newcomers, most of whom were rationed at the King’s expense, and in order to encourage cultivation they were forbidden to fish, a prohibition that later called forth criticism from both Franquet and de La Roque.

In the meantime Bigot had visited Louisburg to offset an attempt of the English to make a treaty with the Indians. He had taken with him 2000 aunes of cloth and promised to send more from Quebec. At the same time he urged Le Loutre to promise three years’ assistance to the Acadians to induce them to retire from Acadia and assured him that the savages would assist in their transport.

But although the inhabitants of La Riviére Can- ard, Minas, Pisquid, and Cobequid seemed about to retire from Acadia in 1750 under threat of a gen- eral massacre by La Corne and Le Loutre, only a few moved in 1750 and 1751. Consequently the mi- gration of 1751 was less than half of that of 1'750. It consisted of the overflow from Beaubassin and an advance guard from Pisquid and Cobequid. Those of Cobequid whom Pére Girard said would be over in 1751 explained their reluctance to move owing to the increased vigilance of English cruisers. But to