Mr. Morris' Remarks Concerning the Removal of the French Inhabitants - Summer, 1755 (Continued)

Newspaper
Year
1888
Month
7
Day
11
Article Title
Mr. Morris' Remarks Concerning the Removal of the French Inhabitants - Summer, 1755 (Continued)
Author
----
Page Number
3
Article Type
Language
Article Contents
MR. MORRIS’ REMARKS Concerning the Removal of the French Inhabitants – Summer, 1755. (Continued) Canard, Pizaquid, Minas and Cobequid – From the Basin of Minas they must pass either through the Gut or pass over to the river of the Chiegnecto [Chignecto] on the other side of the Basin near the Gut, where is a communication by water by two rivers, and a small carrying place unto the Basin of Chiegnecto. Another vessel anchored in Cove Sabeliest would prevent their going either out of the Gut or into that river because they must pass near them. The other passages by water must be into Copequid Basin to the river Cheganois, a plain beaten road to the inhabitants on one of the rivers of Tatmagoush, and thence to Tatmagoush and from that village by a road cut by Mr. LeCorn 1746 to the basin of Cheignecto, distant from thence about 40 miles or lese to the head of the basin to what is called Copequid [Cobequid] Village. These are only known passages of communication the inhabitants have through the country; from the peninsula to the North Shore and from the inhabitants of Minas &c. to St. John’s Island. As it may be necessary to have a strong party to apprehend the inhabitants of Cobequid, who have always been the most disaffected, and who, if any of this side of the isthmus are to be suspected, of making a resistance – it is they; especially if they known of any other safe ways for an escape which are at present unknown to the English. If the body of that party were stationed at the river Chaganois and at Village Coopequid they would prevent their escape in their usual passages and that might perhaps so disconcert them as to oblige them to submit. This station would also serve to apprehend those who may attempt to go from the other west settlements, as those of Pizgate, Minas &c. If the western inhabitants, those of Pizaquid, Minas, &c, attempt to remove their stock, there is but one passage they can effect it by; they must cross the road between fort Edward and fort Sackville first, in some place where the river St. Croix is fordable, and then parties patrolling along that river to the great lake would deter them, but if they should by chance pass these, and it should be judged necessary, a party may be detached after for they would be very slow in their march, for they must pass again between the river Stewiack and the Grand Lake of Shubenaccada that river not being fordable safely but in a drought till you are above the Stewiack, and through tehse passages they must pass, if they carry off their cattle, whether they intend for Copequid of the eastward, if for Cobequid they must be obstructed by the detachment at Chigonois, or for Cape Breton, for thither the Indians may conduct them in the summer season, and if they take their stock with them they can easily subsist themselves: if they take this course it must be with an intent to cross the Gut of Canso for Cape Breton, if they should arrive there, the inhabitants are provided with a great number of small boats wherewith they carry on their fishing and could easily transport them. Station – A ship stationed at the Gut of Canso would prevent their passing over, and at this time be well stationed to prevent provision or recruits going from Canada, or from St. John’s Island to St. Peters, from whence they can be easily carried to Louisburg, and it is most likely they will attempt to relieve it through the Gut of Canso, because of His Majesty’s Ship at present cruising before Louisburg, and in the east passage of St. Lawrence’s Gulph. Chignecto Districts &c. – As to the inhabitants of the North Shore as they dwell in that part of the country lying between the English fort and Canada, there are several ways they may pass and the English troops cannot well prevent it. The western and common passage to Canada is by the river Patcootycak, which is navigable for boats within 6 miles of St. John’s river, which is a carrying place; and some settlements of inhabitants, from thence up St. John’s river navigable up to the Lady mountains, thence 10 miles carrying places to a river emptying itself into Canada river. This passage is well known to them; they have gone express from Chicgnecto and reached Quebec in 7 days, and most all the grown people have gone the way to Quebec to the Bishop for confirmation. The Bay of Vert being stopped they have still another passage open to Chediac which lies North-westerly of Memramcoop distant about 10 leagues. At this post there live a few inhabitants and here they land and distribute their guns, stores, &c. to the Indians. There is a constant intercourse between this post and the inhabitants of Gaspé.