of Schiegnecto seems to make another Blockhouse with a like Garrison there equally necessary, as I at first propos’d to your Grace from Louisbourg; and these two with a Fort and Garrison at Chebucto of 300 Men at least, and the continuance of a Garrison of 300 at Annapolis Royal as it is at present, with a strong Blockhouse at Canso garrison’d with 100 Men would through the constant Correspondence that might be kept up between the several Garrisons be an effectual Security to the Province against the Enemy, and oblige the Inhabitants in a little time to contribute towards the protection & Expence of the Government, and for ever frustrate any hopes the French could Entertain of making themselves Masters of it, by their constant Endeavours to Seduce the Inhabitants from their Allegiance; all which would make Nova Scotia really His Majesty’s which it seems scarcely to have been yet: And I would Submit it to your Grace’s Consideration whether a Company of Rangers consisting of 100 Indians, or rather two Companies, consisting of 50 each, one to be posted at the Blockhouse at Minas, and the other in Schiegnecto would not be of the greatest Service, in Scouting thro’ every part of the Province and in the Woods upon all Emergencies (for which the Regular Troops are by no means fit) and particularly in preventing the French from Introducing Men from Canada into the Province by the Bay Vert; I think the great Service which Lieut Colonel Gorham’s Company of Rangers has been of to the Garrison at Annapolis Royal, is a demonstration of the Usefulness of such a Corps, besides that it may be a means of bringing Indians out of the French Interest into his Majesty’s Service, and go far towards reclaiming ’em in general; especially if (as I have before propos’d for your Grace’s Consideration) two Trading or Truck Houses were to be maintain’d one at Minas, and the other at Chiegnecto, for supplying the Indians with all necessaries
in Exchange for furrs, and proper presents were made to ’em in the manner which the French use to Keep ’em in their Interest.
“And if your Grace would allow me the Freedom to offer my Sentiments concerning what appears to me to be farther necessary for putting this important Province of Nova Scotia (I think I may justly call it the most important to the Crown of any upon this Continent) in Security, I sho’d propose one of His Majesty’s Arm’d Sloops (or Snows) with a Tender to be constantly employ’d in the Bay of Fundy for visiting all parts of it upon every occasion, as well as the several Harbours on the Cape Sable Coast; and one of his Majesty’s Frigates to be employ’d for the protection of the Fishery at Canso (as was always usual in time of peace) which together with a Tender would also be of great Service in duly attending the Bay Verte, upon every Occasion, and likewise visiting the Coast of Accadie (or Cape Sables) besides protecting the Fishery.
“Since writing the last Paragraph I have heard of some other particular circumstances, which make it very suspicious that several of the Inhabitants at least of Minas knew of the Enemy’s Motions, & I find that it is the general Opinion of the Officers that they did.
“I am with the most dutiful Regard,
“My Lord Duke,
“Your Grace’s most devoted,
“& most humble Servant
“W. Shirley”
Shirley to Newcastle, Boston, April 29th., 1747.