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

68 A MAD SCHEME. [1745.says that he saw him "walking slowly down KingStreet, with his head bowed down, as if in a deepstudy." "He entered my counting-room," pursuesthe merchant, "and abruptly said, ' Gibson, do youfeel like giving up the expedition to Louisbourg ? "'Gibson replied that he wished the House wouldreconsider their vote. "You are the very man Iwant!" exclaimed the governor. ^ They then drewup a petition for reconsideration, which Gibson signed,promising to get also the signatures of merchants,not only of Boston, but of Salem, Marblehead, andother towns along the coast. In this he was completelysuccessful, as all New England merchantslooked on Louisbourg as an arch-enemy.The petition was presented, and the question cameagain before the Assembly. There had been muchintercourse between Boston and Louisbourg, whichhad largely depended on New England for provisions.^ The captured militiamen of Canseau, who,after some delay, had been sent to Boston, accordingto the terms of surrender, had used their opportunitiesto the utmost, and could give Shirley muchinformation concerning the fortress.It was reportedthat the garrison was mutinous, and that provisionswere fallen short, so that the place could not holdout without supplies from France.These, however,could be cut off only by blockading the harbor with astronger naval force than all the colonies together^ Gibson, Journal of the Siege of Louisbourg.2 Lettre d'un Tlahitant de Louisbourg.