“And I desire you would also be pleas’d to inform them that it is expected from his Majtys french Subjects in that Province, who have for so long time enjoyed the same Privileges with his natural born Subjects there, & have been under a much easier Government than any of the french King’s Subjects are in the neighbouring Province of Canada & other Parts of the french King’s Dominions, that their Interest as well as their Duty and Gratitude should bind them to a strict Fidelity & Obedience to his Majesty and His Government; But on the contrary if any of the Inhabitants of the said Province shall join with the Enemy (especially those that have been sent from Canada to seduce them from their Duty to his Majesty & Attachment to the English Interest) they must expect to be treated in the same manner as his Majesty’s English Subjects would be under the like Provocations.
“I am with great regard
“Sir,
“Your most obedient
“humble servant
“W. Shirley.”
Shirley to Newcastle, Boston, September 19, 1746.
“My Lord Duke,
“I express’d some hopes in my last but one to your Grace, that I should not be oblig’d to add to my former Accounts of the imminent danger, his Majesty’s Province of Nova Scotia was in of being surpriz’d by the Enemy; But find my self under a Necessity of doing it from the Advices which I have since receiv’d from Mr. Mascarene, and the Intelligence contain’d in three Declarations upon Oath, Copies of all which are inclos’d.
“Upon the Receipt of Mr. Mascarene’s Letter, the Contents