acquisition and to be made with a small Train of Artillery in three 314 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 Obed^t. “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 as that is not done except in Short hints, And Mr. 315 Little, to whom both Mr. Mascarene and Mr. Secretary Shirreff referr me for a Larger Account of the Sentiments of the Gentlemen of the Garrison concerning these Matters, Offers his Service to go with my dispatches to England and return directly with any Orders his Majesty may be pleased to give thereupon, I have sent him to wait upon your Grace, and it is possible that when he is upon the Spot ready to Answer any Questions, it may be of Service--. Having before troubled your Grace So Largely upon this head, I will beg leave to referr to my former Letters, Mr. Little Mr. Agent Kilby and Mr. Bollan, which two last can, I believe, give Considerable Light on the affair; And shall only add that the Spring before last the Garrison was very narrowly Saved from the Enemy by the Arrival of the New England Auxiliaries, and the last Spring, by the Expedition against Cape Breton, that the preservation of it this Spring will be of the Utmost Importance to his Majesty’s Service in America, and that nothing will more effectually Secure that than putting the Inhabitants upon a proper foot of