The French and the Micmacs 215

Jean as a rendezvous for the Micmac population after the English conquest of Acadia.

The report begins with a reference to the stupidity of the English in capturing and hanging three In- dians on the east of Acadia, a blunder which Gover- nor Armstrong was unable to rectify even by the most lavish distribution of presents and by the asser- tion that he had nothing to do with it as it had been the work of Bostonians. St. Ovide then relates how, in order to avert suspicion, he had informed the In- dians of Acadia that he was ill and would, therefore, be unable to meet them in person, but that if they would go to Isle Saint Jean, a feast would be given them and presents distributed by de Pensens. How- ever, he had suggested that the chiefs should come to see him in Ile Royale. Fifteen chiefs came at his bid- ding and had several conferences with him in which he expatiated upon the cruelty of the English, stat- ing that they only sought means of destroying them utterly. He then promised them liberal doles, upon which they vowed loyalty to the French, professed themselves willing to die for their King, and to instil into their children hatred of the English.’

On November 3, 1728, St. Ovide reported that he was sending Petitpas and his two sons of an Indian woman to France to get them out of the way, as he suspected them of being in touch with the younger Indians whom they were influencing in favor of the English. At Toulouse he had met the Indians of Te Royale and received assurances of their loyalty. At

411 B, Vol. 9. 1