SETTLEMENT BY THE FRENCH. 377 short, all France could do was to preserve Canada , the islands of and John ( Prince Edward .) had, before this time, been considered altogether unfit for making any settlement on. In summer time, it was frequented by a few fishermen; and during winter, the inhabitants of resorted thither for the purpose of trading for furs with the Indians. But the French, in order partly to repair the loss they sustained,—as it was of the utmost consequence not to be entirely driven out of the cod-fishing,— and also to preserve a post that would enable them to command the mouth of the River Lawrence, by which a communication was kept open with Canada , were by such solid considerations induced to colonize , and to build the town and for¬ tify the harbour of . The Seneglay, a French ship-of-war, commanded by M. de Contreville , arrived at on the 13th August, 1713, and took possession of it, but it was not fortified until 1720. It was taken by the British forces from England , in 1745, at which time they built a fort at , where they dis¬ covered coal, and opened a pit. The command of these forces, amounting to 4000, was given to Wil¬ liam Pepperal,* a colonel of militia, but brought up to trade, and extensively engaged in commerce. His affability, and the excellence of his character, made him very popular among these volunteer troops. There was something of the spirit of the crusades * Afterwards created a Baronet.