182 ‘The French in Prince Edward Island

additional refugees to feed and nothing to feed them with. Under such circumstances it is little wonder that the “souls” whom the missionaries were sending to Isle Saint Jean became “mouths” to the practical Commandant. By 1756, then, the population of Isle Saint Jean must have exceeded 4400 and of these fully one-third were entirely at the ration of the King while an equal number must have been less than self-supporting. It is interesting to note that of 87 Acadians who crossed over from Cocagne in the spring of 1756, 16 had been expelled by the Eng- lish and disembarked in Carolina. They, with 34 others, had made their way back to the St. John River, thence to Cocagne. They were destined to be expelled once more in 1758.°

The suffering of all during the winter of 1755- 1756 was great. De Villejouin had implored help from Louisburg but the officials had little to spare. They sent what they could, it being a mild spell late in December, and promised more in April. But all that could be carried in a goelette and a batteau could not suffice for so many. In the spring Drucourt and Prevost sent two vessels with provisions and in the summer Bigot sent from Quebec on the boat, Le Flora, which carried the “useless mouths” thither, a boatload of provisions, and another boat, Les Deux Soeurs, on its way to Louisburg was chased by the English and had to unload in Isle Saint Jean.”® Even with this aid de Villejouin reported in November,

8 Can. Arch. Report, 1905, Vol. II, App. H, p. 183. 9C11 IV, Vol. 36, p. 163.