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

176 ACADIAN CONFLICTS. [1745-1747.of the capture of Annapolis by the French, theAcadians sang Te Dcum^ and that every sign indicatesthat there will be an attempt in the spring to captureAnnapolis, with their help.^ Again, Shirley informsNewcastle that the French will get possession ofAcadia unless the most dangerous of the inhabitantsare removed, and English settlers put in their place. ^He adds that there are not two hundred and twentysoldiersat Annapolis to defend the province againstthe whole body of Acadians and Indians, and he tellsthe minister that unless the expedition against Canadashould end in the conquest of that country, theremoval of some of the Acadians will be a necessity.He means those of Chignecto, who were kept in athreatening attitude by the presence of Ramesay andhis Canadians, and who, as he thinks, had forfeitedtheir lands by treasonable conduct. Shirley believesthat families from New England might be induced totake their place, and that these, if settled undersuitable regulations, would form a military frontierto the province of Nova Scotia "strong enough tokeep theCanadians out," and hold the Acadians totheir allegiance.^ The Duke of Bedford thinks theplan a good one, but objects to the expense.* CommodoreKnowles, then governor ofLouisbourg, who,being threatened with consumption and convincedthat the climate was killing him, vented his feelings1 Shirley to Newcastle, 14 December, 1745.2 Ihid., 10 May, 1746.3 Ibid., 8 July, 1747.* Bedford to Newcastle, 11 September, 1747.