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

1746,1747.] DANGER OF THE PROVINCE. 181correspondence with the enemy, to dispose of themand their estates in such manner as his Majesty shallorder, at the same time promising indemnity totherest for past offences, upon their taking or renewingthe oath of allegiance.^To this it does not appear that Newcastle madeany answer except to direct Shirley, eight or ninemonths later, to tell the Acadians that, so long asthey were peaceable subjects, they should be protectedin property and religion. ^ Thus left to struggleunaided with a most difficult problem, entirely outsideof his functions as governor of Massachusetts,Shirley did what he could. The most pressingdanger, as he thought, rose from the presence ofRamesay and his Canadians at Chignecto; for thatofficer spared no pains to induce the Acadians to joinhim in another attempt against Annapolis, tellingthem that if they did not drive out the English, theEnglish would drive them out. He was now atMines, trying to raise the inhabitants in arms forFrance. Shirley thought it necessary to counteracthim, and force him and his Canadians back to theisthmus whence they had come ; but as the ministrywould give no soldiers, he was compelled to drawthem from New England. The defence of Acadia1 Shirley to Newcastle, 15 August, 1746.2 Newcastle to Shirley, 30 May, 1747. Shirley had some timebefore directed Mascarene to tell the Acadians that while theybehave peaceably and do not correspond with the enemy, theirproperty willbe safe, but that such as turn traitors will be treatedaccordingly. Shirley to Mascarene, 16 Septeinber, 1746.