Artillery in three weeks at farthest. I would submit it to your Grace’s consideration whether the Garrison should not be reinforc’d as soon as may be. And the Inhabitants should not be forthwith put upon a good foot of Subjection and fidelity. Thus in obedience to your Grace’s Direction I have troubled you with my whole sentiments concerning the Province of Nova Scotia which as I can’t think it probable that the French will sleep the next year after the blow we have given ’em at Louisbourg (which, if they don’t recover it soon by retaking Cape Breton or getting Nova Scotia will prove their Death wound in North America) seems to be most likely to be attack’d by ’em of any place in these parts, and I hope your Grace will excuse my Repetition of the Danger of it.
“I am with the most Dutiful Regards
“My Lord Duke,
“Your Grace’s most Obedt.
“and most Devoted Servant
“W. Shirley.”
Shirley to Newcastle, 11 Feb. 1746.
(Extract.)
“My Lord Duke.
“Since my last to your Grace I have received the Inclos’d packett from Mr. Mascarene Containing a Representation of the State of Nova Scotia from himself and his Majesty’s Council of that Province with a copy of a Letter from him to me, Showing the reasons of his late Conduct towards the French Inhabitants; Your Grace will perceive that this representation is drawn up in Stronger Terms against the Inhabitants than mine; I could wish the Gentlemen had been more Explicit in what they would Recommend as the most adviseable Method of Securing his Majesty’s Government within the Province and against the French Inhabitants—But