A half-century of conflict. France and England in North America. Part ...

84 A MAD SCHEME. [1745.to the provinces. It is clear that he would gladlyhave complied with Shirley's request;but when helaid the question before a council of officers, theywere of one mind that without orders from theAdmiralty he would not be justified in supporting anattempt made without the approval of the King.iHe therefore saw no choice but to decline. Shirley,fearing that his refusal would be too discouraging,kept it secret from all but Pepperrell and GeneralWolcott, or, as others say, Brigadier Waldo. Hehad written to the Duke ofNewcastle in the precedingautumn that Acadia and the fisheries were ingreat danger, and that ships-of-war were needed fortheir protection. On this, the duke had written toWarren, ordering him to sailfor Boston and concertmeasures with Shirley "for the annoyance of theenemy, and his Majesty's service in North America." ^Newcastle's letter reached Warren only two or threedays after he had sent back his refusal of Shirley'srequest. Tliinking himself now sufficiently authorizedto give the desired aid, he made all sail forBoston with his three ships, the "Superbe," "Mermaid,"and "Launceston." On the way he met aschooner from Boston, and learned from its officersthat the expedition had already sailed; on which,detaining the master as a pilot, he changed his courseand made directly for Canseau, — the place of rendezvousof the expedition, — and at the same time^ Memoirs of the Principal Transactions of the Last War, 44.2 Ibid., 40. Letters of Shirley (Public Record Office).