“Upwards of two Months ago upon receiving Intelligence of the Appearance of two large French Ships being seen to go into Chibucto Harbour, M^r Warren & I sent M^r Townsend notice of it; But as we had not learn’d whether any Vessell had been sent from Louisbourg to look into that Harbour, I sent an arm’d Brigantine to make Discoveries there, which was hinder’d from proceeding thither as is before mention’d; & I have now sent a Schooner thither with a Person who has undertaken to go into it in a Whale boat high enough to make an exact discovery of the Enemy’s strength (if any of their Ships are there) & to carry the Account to Louisbourg; But it seems possible if any of ’em have been there, that after landing some Troops and Stores at Chibucto, & getting what Intelligence they can from the Nova Scotians, their Ships may be gone to Canada; for which Place we have been inform’d that sixteen french Vessels, some of ’em Ships of War, had some time ago pass’d up the River of St Laurence; & since that six other Vessels with Stores; so that it is very probable that Quebec is much better prepar’d to receive a Visit from his Majesty’s Land & Sea Forces now than it was a little time ago.” SHIRLEY TO NEWCASTLE, 23 OCT. 1746. 330 (_Extract._) “It is agreed by all the Prisoners that the French have not fortify’d at Chebucto, nor sent any Troops from thence by Land to join the Canadeans; as also that M^r. Destonnel the chief D’escadre & Commandant upon the Death of the Duke D’Anville, who was of Opinion, to return to France after the Admiral’s Death without attempting any thing, upon being over rul’d in a Council of War & having his Flagg struck, fell upon his Sword, & dy’d of his Wound as all of ’em say, except Sanders. “It seems very observable from Sander’s Declaration how ready a Disposition the Nova Scotians show’d to afford Refreshm^{ts}. & Pilots to the Enemy, & that they had signified to the french Ministry their readiness to join with any force they should send for the Reduction of his Majes^{ty’s} Garrison at Annapolis Royal. Also from the number of Engineers the French had with ’em that their Scheme was to hold & fortify Annapolis, for w^{ch}. Purpose it seems to be that the 50 brass Cannon were brought, rather than for raising Batteries against the Fort: and that from the Number of their small Arms, which they had with ’em to arm the Nova Scotians (doubtless) as well as the Indians, they had a dependance upon being join’d by them. Likewise the Apprehensions which prevail among the Nova Scotians that they are at present rather Neutrals than Subjects to the Crown of Great Britain. And I think it is not to be doubted now but that the principal Part of the french Scheme was the Reduction of Nova Scotia in the first Place.